NordVPN vs Betternet: Who wins in 2025?

s31 April 5, 2025 privacy 0

NordVPN is one of the most popular VPNs in the world. It’s lightning-fast, easy to use, and offers industry-best security.

Betternet is seen by some as a potential alternative to NordVPN – especially for its free plan.

But can Betternet hold its own against NordVPN? What sets these VPNs apart from each other?

We decided to find out, by testing each VPN side-by-side and seeing how they compare across performance, speed, security, streaming, torrenting, and much more.

Keep reading to see the results.

NordVPN vs Betternet VPN – Which is best?

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs in the world. It offers advanced security, a large global network of super-fast servers, and airtight privacy across every kind of device. It can access every popular streaming site and supports P2P.

Even with all that, NordVPN remains affordable and easy to use, even for beginners.

Betternet has significantly fewer servers, delivering slower, unreliable connections. It doesn’t work with most streamers. Its customer service is basic, and its security is not as robust. In fact, Betternet has had a lot of privacy issues related to its handling of user data.

In every metric we use to measure the quality of a VPN, NordVPN beats Betternet.

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Pricing

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Betternet stands out against NordVPN for one obvious reason: it has a free plan. However, its free plan is incredibly limited. You only get 500MB of protected data daily, and it’s missing many important privacy and security features. Overall, it’s not worth installing.

So while we will mention Betternet’s free plan from time to time, our focus will be on the fully-featured paid plans.

NordVPN and Betternet differ by a dollar on their monthly plans, with NordVPN charging $11.99 and Betternet charging $12.99. They both get cheaper once you commit to long-term plans.

NordVPN’s annual plan costs $59.88, which breaks down to $4.99 per month. The two-year plan earns you more savings at $95.76 upfront, which equates to $3.99 per month.

Betternet’s annual plan is more expensive than NordVPN’s two-year plan, working out at $7.99 per month. It’s also an inferior VPN in every way.

You can try both VPNs risk-free using their money-back guarantees. NordVPN gives you 30 days, while Betternet offers 45 days. You can also try Betternet’s paid plan for free with a seven-day trial.

NordVPN is a better-value VPN by a distance, and once you factor in the extra features it gives you, there’s no contest.

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Which has better features?

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NordVPN’s features are far more advanced than Betternet.

To start with, even though both allow up to six simultaneous connections, NordVPN gives you a wider range of devices to work with. Both work with macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android. But you can also use NordVPN with Linux, smart TVs, game consoles, and many other devices.

What’s more, NordVPN has browser extensions for Chrome, Mozilla, and Edge. Betternet only officially provides a browser extension for Chrome.

When it comes to security features, NordVPN packs a lot more than Betternet. Its SmartDNS allows you to stream on devices that can’t install VPNs, theThreat Protectioncybersecurity suite blocks ads and malware across your devices, and it alerts you if your data is being shared or sold on the dark web.

Both VPNs provide split-tunneling, which allows you to use your local network for certain services like banking, while the rest of your device connects through the VPN (if you want to stream overseas content, for example). However, Betternet only provides the feature on Windows, while NordVPN includes Android and browser extensions as well as Windows.

NordVPN includes an automatic kill-switch for every device. This means your internet is blocked, and no data is shared any time your connection to the VPN is disrupted, reducing the risk of leaks.

And that’s just the start. As you’ll see throughout this review, NordVPN consistently delivers industry-best features in security, speed, privacy, streaming, and torrenting – while Betternet only offers the most absolute basic VPN technology.

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Are routers supported?

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Installing a VPN on a router is more complicated than any other device (like your phone or laptop). But once you do, every device connected to that router is automatically protected, without installing your VPN on each one individually.

You can install both NordVPN and Betternet on routers. NordVPN offers detailed but simple instructions for installing its apps on various router models via its Router Setup Wizard. It also supports a huge number of router models.

Betternet doesn’t offer any instructions for router installations, so you’ll have to find instructions from third-party sources, like YouTube and bloggers.

For something this technical, we prefer official support, so NordVPN comes out on top.

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What websites do they unblock?

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We tested NordVPN’s and Betternet’s capabilities at accessing popular streaming sites and other websites that may be restricted to certain regions or countries (like banking apps).

NordVPN outperformed Betternet in every test.

NordVPN has dedicated streaming servers optimized for speed and reliability when accessing services Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and others. It’s also able to access websites and services that are censored or restricted to certain regions. It uses obfuscated servers that hide your use of a VPN, so you can bypass VPN detection tools on websites and in countries like China and the UAE.

Betternet successfully accesses US streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, but it doesn’t support Amazon Prime Video or BBC iPlayer. It’s also limited in its ability to access websites and services in countries with strict internet censorship.

We don’t know if Betternet has dedicated streaming servers like NordVPN, but even if it does, its capabilities don’t match those of NordVPN. Not to mention, NordVPN is faster and has many more servers located around the world, guaranteeing a smoother, more reliable streaming experience.

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Netflix libraries

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NordVPN easily accessed Netflix libraries in the US, UK, Canada, and other popular locations. It has dedicated streaming servers that ensure your connection is fast, reliable, and buffer-free.

NordVPN also has obfuscated servers that hide the fact that you’re using a VPN, granting you access to Netflix libraries in countries where VPNs are strictly restricted. It also offers a SmartPlay feature that connects you to the best server for streaming.

Betternet, on the other hand, struggles to consistently access Netflix libraries. It works well with the US library, but that’s it. Every other library is unreliable.

Overall, NordVPN is the stronger option if you’re seeking to access international Netflix libraries.

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Torrenting capabilities

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Both NordVPN and Betternet allow P2P and torrenting on their networks, but we can only confirm that NordVPN has features dedicated to torrenting.

NordVPN has dedicated P2P servers in certain locations, strong encryption, and a zero-logs policy that enhances your security and privacy while torrenting. It also has a built-in kill-switch on its desktop app to prevent any data leaks should the VPN connection momentarily fail. This shields your torrenting from your internet service provider and other snoopers.

NordVPN is also faster at downloading, thanks to its SOCKS5 proxy support, which also adds a layer of privacy.

Betternet doesn’t have a kill-switch feature, so it may not be secure enough for torrenting. It also has dedicated torrenting servers, but only on its paid plans. These servers were much slower than NordVPN’s equivalents in our tests.

Overall, NordVPN is a stronger option for torrenting capabilities as it has dedicated P2P servers, better encryption and logging policies, a kill-switch feature, and proprietary proxy support that can offer a faster and safer torrenting experience.

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Setup & usability

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NordVPN and Betternet make it easy to set up and use their features, even if you’re new to VPNs.

It takes little effort to understand and navigate their apps, and NordVPN provides comprehensive tutorials for its more advanced features.

Both VPNs are available on the major platforms (macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android), but only NordVPN can be installed on Linux, smart TVs, games consoles, and Amazon Fire Stick. It’s also the only one that has an official Mozilla Firefox browser extension. Betternet only provides an extension for Chrome which should also work on Microsoft Edge (since it’s built on Chromium).

Both VPNs allow you to manually select servers, but the experience is much smoother on NordVPN, and you have more server options (streaming, torrenting, obfuscated, etc.).

NordVPN is also more secure, with DNS/IPv6 leak protections, an automatic kill-switch, Threat Protection, and much more – all of which are easy to use and configure.

So, even though NordVPN is way more advanced than Betternet, and packs exponentially more features and tools, it’s still an easier and more enjoyable experience on every device.

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Mobile features

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Both NordVPN and Betternet have easy-to-use mobile apps on iOS and Android, but NordVPN’s app offers a lot more features than Betternet’s.

The NordVPN mobile app gives you the option to manually select your preferred servers or allows the app to automatically connect to the fastest server available. It also provides information about each server, like how many people are using it.

Betternet allows annual server selection, but doesn’t provide any server information, picking the best server for your location and needs is basically guesswork.

NordVPN also includes its Threat Protection feature that blocks ads and protects your device from malware. It has an automatic kill-switch and offers split tunneling. It also protects against DNS and IPv6 leaks to ensure your data remains private and secure.

Betternet’s mobile apps are quite basic. They simply toggle on and off to enable your average VPN function. They don’t have a kill-switch or split tunneling, and their data protection features are much less comprehensive than NordVPN.

NordVPN’s mobile apps also allow you to connect to its specialized P2P and streaming servers.

It’s pretty easy to pick NordVPN as the winner when it comes to mobile.

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Performance & speed

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NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs in the world.

With 5,200+ speed-optimized servers in over 59 countries across the globe, it can deliver fast, reliable, and secure connections almost anywhere.

Betternet only has 1,000+ servers spread across 115+ countries. So, while it’s in more countries, this means its network is much more limited, with fewer servers in each country. We suspect this will lead to crowded servers with too many people and a congested network delivering unreliable speeds.

Based on our tests, Betternet is much slower than NordVPN. Our globally distributed team tested both VPNs in various countries, and NordVPN blew past Betternet every time.

It helps that NordVPN has built its own VPN protocol –NordLynx– that’s lightweight, fast, but secure. Betternet only offers OpenVPN and IKEv2, which are much older and slower (but still relatively secure).

When it comes to streaming, NordVPN delivers buffer-free 4K HD streams across most of its network. Betternet can manage HD streaming, but it struggles to access most streaming sites, so that’s not much help.

Once again, NordVPN trumps Betternet in performance and speed.

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Security

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Whereas NordVPN has invested in delivering industry-best security to every user, Betternet’s security tools are lackluster at best.

We’ve already outlined NordVPN’s superior VPN protocols above, including WireGuard and NordLynx. But that’s just the start. You also get access to automatic kill-switches, the Threat Protection cybersecurity suite, dark web monitoring, obfuscated servers, and much more.

Each of these tools and features adds an additional layer of protection, beyond the industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption and DNS/IPv6 leak protections (both of which are offered by NordVPN and Betternet).

NordVPN’s obfuscation hides the fact that you’re even using a VPN. This is a crucial tool in countries like China and the UAE, where VPNs are illegal and cause for extra government surveillance.

Betternet doesn’t offer any advanced capabilities or tools.

What’s more, it doesn’t even have a kill-switch. Without a kill-switch, your personal data can be exposed to hackers or government agencies if your VPN connection drops for even a milli-second. NordVPN comes with a built-in kill-switch on every device.

With all these security deficiencies, it’s difficult to recommend Betternet – full stop. So, NordVPN easily takes this round.

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Privacy

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One of the most important aspects of a VPN’s privacy is its base of operations. We prefer VPNs based in countries that sternly protect their residents’ privacy. NordVPN is based in one such country, Panama – one of the most private places on Earth.

Betternet, on the other hand, is based in the US, which is a member of almost every surveillance and intelligence-sharing alliance on earth. We don’t doubt its commitment to privacy and security, but we’d prefer it if it was under a different jurisdiction.

Both NordVPN and Betternet collect information from users to keep your account open and their networks running.

However, NordVPN follows strict “no-logs” policies that bar it from recording and storing any data that could be used to identify you or track your online activities. Any information collected on its RAM-only, diskless servers is deleted as soon as you close your browsing sessions or disconnect from your VPN app. The servers are also wiped clean regularly.

In contrast, Betternet collects information that can estimate your physical location and websites visited during your session. We also suspect that Betternet’s free plan also doesn’t offer the same privacy protection as the paid one, as it’s not explicitly mentioned in the privacy policy. We advise you to just skip the free plan.

NordVPN is regularly audited by independent firms to ensure its privacy policies are up-to-date and it’s sticking to them. We can’t confirm the same about Betternet.

Overall, NordVPN is more transparent and follows a stricter no-logs policy than Betternet, it is located in a more privacy-friendly country, and it uses advanced tools to wipe any residual data lingering on its servers.

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Customer service

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NordVPN’s customer service is way more efficient than Betternet’s. You get the benefit of 24/7 live chat with human experts, email support, and a comprehensive troubleshooting and tutorial database. You can solve most issues within minutes.

Betternet’s support is completely lacking. Other than a FAQ page, you can only get support by submitting a ticket on the website and waiting for an email reply. They respond within 24 hours, but those are hours you could be using your VPN, and there’s no guarantee the first email reply will fix your specific problem.

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Methodology: how we compare VPNs

We’ve come up with strict criteria that guide how we test and review every VPN. Out of the hundreds we’ve tested over the years, only a few have ever passed.

Here are some of the key aspects we look at in every VPN:

Global server networks: Top VPNs have thousands of fast and secure servers located around the world. This ensures speedy and reliable connections from anywhere.
Fast connections: The best VPNs will have minimal impact on your internet speed, so you shouldn’t notice a difference when you turn it on.
Excellent security: A VPN must offer (at a minimum) 256-bit AES encryption, DNS/IPv6 leak protections, automatic kill-switches, and other state-of-the-art tools.
Privacy tools: Additional features like stealth modes, built-in ad blockers, and IP address rotators will boost your anonymity and privacy.
Access to content: We only recommend VPNs that can access popular streaming sites, banking apps, and other often restricted content and services.
Good value: VPNs don’t have to cost a lot. Look for affordable subscriptions and generous money-back guarantees to ensure you get the best value for your investment.
User-friendly experience: The top VPNs offer easy-to-use apps across various devices, ensuring effortless setup even for less tech-savvy users.
Customer support: Our top VPNs provide 24/7 live support with human agents, extensive knowledge bases, and community forums to assist users promptly and effectively.
Transparent privacy policies: Opt for VPNs with strict “no-logs” policies and RAM-only servers located in privacy-friendly jurisdictions, such as Panama.

If you like, you can conduct your own tests by following our VPN review process. But we think you’ll reach the same conclusion we did, so save yourself the trouble, and get NordVPN.

Conclusion

NordVPN is superior to Betternet in every way.

It’s faster, more reliable, can access every streaming site, and packs a suite of extra security tools that keep you hidden online. It’s also one of the most transparent VPNs on the market, following strict privacy policies from one of the most discreet places on Earth.

In contrast, Betternet lacks basic VPN features like automatic kill-switches. It uses slow, old protocols, doesn’t work with streaming sites, and doesn’t offer responsive customer support. It’s also based in the US, with murky, at best, privacy policies.

So, if you want a fast, reliable, secure VPN – stick with NordVPN (always).

Or keep reading our VPN comparisons to make sure you pick the right one:

NordVPN vs Betternet: Who wins in 2025?