Surfshark vs Betternet: Which VPN Wins in 2025?

s31 April 5, 2025 privacy 0

Surfshark is rapidly gaining popularity as one of the most well-rounded VPNs on the market. It’s got a growing global server network, offers fast, reliable connections, and it’s packed with industry-leading security and privacy tools.

Betternet is a popular VPN, thanks to its above-average free plan and simple user experience. But can it compete with Surfshark where it matters?

We tested both VPNs’ performance, speed, security, privacy, and much more and compared the results side-by-side.

Read on to see which VPN won.

Surfshark vs Betternet – Which is best?

Surfshark is a superior VPN to Betternet in every way.

Surfshark gives you unlimited simultaneous device connections, more features, and stricter privacy policies – and it costs less. It has more physical servers that run much faster, giving you better streaming quality and seamless online gaming. Surfshark is also compatible with more devices.

Betternet only runs on virtual servers, which significantly undermines its speed. It struggles with accessing streaming, and even when connected, you’re limited to basic HD quality (no 4K).

If you don’t have time to read the entire side-by-side comparison, we can summarize and comfortably recommend Surfshark over Betternet.

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Pricing

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Even without considering the value you’re getting, Surfshark is a cheaper VPN than Betternet across the board.

Surfshark has monthly, annual, and two-year plans. You can only subscribe to the two-year plan once. After that, you’ll be charged annually. Betternet only has a monthly and yearly plan.

Surfshark’s monthly plan costs $12.95, compared to Betternet’s $12.99. It’s a four-cent difference, so we can probably call this even.

Annually, Surfshark charges $59.76, equal to $4.98 per month, while Betternet charges $95.88, or $7.99 per month.

Surfshark’s one-off two-year plan offers the best savings, as it costs the same as the annual plan ($59.76). Moreover, this subscription runs for an extra month, reducing the monthly cost to $2.39. This plan is one of the best deals of any VPN provider.

Betternet does have a free VPN plan that’s been massively improved recently. It used to be limited to 500MB and one device, but you can now connect to five devices with unlimited data. The big caveat is that you’re limited to only five server locations in the US instead of the over 115 countries you get with premium. These servers are also generally very slow.

The free version is ad-supported, so you can expect more tracking than you’ll find on other VPNs and lots of annoying pop-ups.

You can test both VPNs using their risk-free money-back guarantees. Surfshark offers 30 days, while Betternet provides 45 days, after which you can get a full refund if you’re unsatisfied.

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Which has better features?

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To start with, Surfshark offers unlimited device connections on a single subscription. Betternet allows you to connect to only 10 simultaneous devices.

Surfshark is also supported on more platforms. Both are available on Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS and have browser extensions for Chrome. But only Surfshark has Linux VPN support and browser extensions for Edge and Firefox.

Surfshark offersCleanWeb, which blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attempts. It also hasBypasser, a split-tunneling feature that allows certain apps like banking to work on your regular network, while funneling others through the VPN (for example, torrenting, and streaming). It has an automatic kill-switch that disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection drops and DNS leak protection that prevents your data from getting accidentally exposed.

Betternet offers a kill-switch, split-tunneling, anti-phishing, and DNS leak protection. You also get optimized modes that increase speeds for streaming and gaming. It doesn’t, however, have an ad-blocker or malware detection.

Surfshark’s browser extensions, Linux support, and more useful features give it the edge over Betternet.

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Are routers supported?

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You can only install Surfshark on routers.

Installing a VPN on your router guarantees that all your devices are protected in one go, even if there’s a limit on the devices you’re using.

But configuring a VPN on your router is complex and will require some technical know-how. Luckily, Surfshark has pre-configured routers from FlashRouters. It also has an app for AsusWRT routers.

Other compatible routers include DD-WRT, Tomato, and OpenWRT-based routers, but these require manual configuration. You’ll probably need assistance to do this. So, the good news is Surfshark has human agents available 24/7.

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What websites do they access?

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Surfshark works well with the big streamers: Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. It also works with network sites like ABC, CBS, NBC, ITV, and Channel 4.

Betternet didn’t work with Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ITV, or Channel 4 in our testing but did well with the others.

We also tested how both VPNs performed against strict internet censorship, like China’s Great Firewall (one of the world’s toughest). Surfshark’sNoBorders Mode got around every regional firewall and government restriction we tested, including accessing content in China.

Surfshark’s server obfuscation feature also masks your use of a VPN, which is helpful in places where VPNs are illegal, like China and the UAE.

Betternet didn’t work in China and struggled with other restrictions.

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Netflix libraries

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Surfshark worked much better accessing international Netflix libraries than Betternet, which could only access US libraries.

Surfshark accessed libraries from 15 countries, including the most popular ones: the US, UK, Japan, France, Australia, and Italy.

Surfshark is also much faster than Betternet. Its speed lets you stream in 4K, HD, or SD. Betternet struggles with 4K, so you’re better off streaming in HD.

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Torrenting capabilities

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Surfshark and Betternet both support secure, anonymous torrenting.

Surfshark has a more extensive physical server network in more countries. This enables you to pick servers with the fewest users and fastest download speeds.

Surfshark is also much faster at P2P, averaging download speeds of 71 Mbps in our tests compared to Betternet’s 28 Mbps.

Neither VPN has dedicated torrenting servers. They also don’t support port-forwarding or a host of other torrenting features. So we could only compare speeds here, and Surfshark took the cake.

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Setup & usability

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Surfshark and Betternet have automatic installation wizards for Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. You can also install Surfshark on Linux (Debian 11+, Ubuntu 20.04+, and Mint 20+).

Betternet is designed to accommodate newcomers to the VPN world. It has a quick-connect button and a list of server locations on the main page.

Surfshark’s apps take a bit more getting used to, but it offers much more advanced features and tools. The settings are well organized and have short descriptions explaining each one, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.

You can toggle on or off features like CleanWeb, the kill switch, Whitelister (the split tunneling tool), MultiHop (which periodically switches servers to reduce your chances of tracking),Camouflage Mode (obfuscation), andNoBorders Mode.

There is one problem with Surfshark: it has started bundling some of its best features into the Surfshark One subscription, which costs extra. However, the features available on the VPN are still far superior to the equivalent on Betternet.

Betternet’s app only lets you turn on the leak protections, kill-switch, and automatic WiFi protection. We appreciate its simplicity but prefer the significantly better tools available on Surfshark.

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Mobile features

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Surfshark’s mobile app is sleek, modern, and imports your configurations directly from the desktop app. Betternet also retains its simple, minimalist look that gets you swiftly connected to the best server.

On the surface, both show you your connection status, your current server location, and a quick connect button. The bottom bar accesses settings, the server list, and the features menu.

Surfshark’s mobile app has features like MultiHop, Camouflage Mode, CleanWeb, Whitelister, and NoBorders mode – all of which add significant layers of protection to your mobile device.

You can also pick between the OpenVPN and IKEv2 VPN protocols to fit the one that runs best in your location and device.

Betternet’s app is clean and straightforward, but Surfshark gives you all the VPN tools you need while on the move.

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Performance & speed

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Betternet relies exclusively on virtual locations, meaning there are no physical servers in its network. It has over 1,000 virtual servers running in 115+ locations around the world.

Surfshark also has some virtual servers, but mainly for countries that have banned VPN use, and they are clearly labeled as virtual. But most of its servers are physical.

Surfshark’s infrastructure, therefore, gives you more server options if there’s congestion in one location, faster speeds, and better bandwidth for downloading, online gaming, and streaming. Our speed tests showed it averaged around 190 Mbps, compared to Betternet’s 52 Mbps. Surfshark had a much higher maximum speed at 324 Mbps compared to Betternet’s 54 Mbps. That’s a 3x to 6x difference!

Betternet struggles with 4K streaming. We experienced a lot of buffering in our tests and had to switch to HD for a smoother experience.

We don’t recommend gaming on Betternet, either, especially if you’re competitive. The latency (time taken between your device sending a signal and getting a response) is punishing, and dropped frames make the game look choppy. You’ll get crushed by gamers on faster connections.

Both VPNs offer the WireGuard protocol, a newer, faster, and lightweight protocol that doesn’t compromise security. However, as you can see from our test results, Betternet’s network is so slow, using WireGuard doesn’t help much.

With its larger network of physical servers and faster speeds, Surfshark outperforms Betternet by a distance.

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Security

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Surfshark allows you to pick from three VPN protocols: OpenVPN (the industry standard), IKEv2 (which sometimes works better on mobile), and WireGuard (a faster protocol that doesn’t compromise security).

Betternet has recently upped its security features. It allows you to pick VPN protocols from Hydra (faster version of OpenVPN), IPSec, or WireGuard, depending on how you use your VPN.

However, Betternet’s free version is ad-supported, so you can expect it to track your online activities and sell this data to brokers and advertisers. In 2016, it was also accused of installing malware on its apps. Until Betternet allows an independent audit, we can’t be certain that the apps are now malware-free.

Both VPNs encrypt your data using 256-bit AES encryption. This is one of the most rigid encryption standards and would take decades to crack. Encryption protects your data from being viewed by hackers and other unwanted third parties.

Surfshark also offers ChaCha20Poly1305 encryption, a newer, faster standard that works particularly well on mobile devices.

Both VPNs have kill-switches, IP leak protection (that ensures your location isn’t leaked), DNS leak protection, and server obfuscation.

Surfshark pulls ahead with additional features likeRotating IP, which continually changes your IP address and makes you harder to track online. ItsCleanWeb further blocks trackers and malware, and Dynamic MultiHop connects you to two different servers, doubling your encryption.

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Privacy

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Your VPN’s base of operation is critical to your privacy. We prefer VPNs based in privacy-friendly countries that don’t have data retention laws.

Unfortunately, both Surfshark and Betternet are based in countries that can demand your data. Surfshark is in a slightly better position – it’s based in the Netherlands, which is not part of any global surveillance alliance. However, friendly governments can still make requests to the Dutch authorities to retain or share your data.

Betternet is based in the US, which is not only a member of the secretive Five Eyes surveillance alliance, but almost every other information-sharing alliance in the world.

The good news is that both have strict no-logs policies. In this case, it means they may collect some information, but vow that they don’t store any that could trace back to you or reveal your online activity.

Surfshark is more transparent about the information it collects, which is just connection logs. It also runs on RAM-only diskless servers, so every time you shut down your session, your information is automatically deleted. Its servers are also wiped on a set schedule, so there’s never any residual data lingering on them.

Betternet has a vague and unclear privacy policy that does not specify what data it collects or how it uses it. It’s been known to collect your actual IP address in the past and has a history of vulnerabilities that let attackers infect its apps with trackers and malware. We don’t know if these critical privacy issues have been resolved.

Betternet could have eased users’ uncertainties by getting independently audited, but it hasn’t yet at the time of writing. Surfshark has been audited by one of the leading cybersecurity firms, Cure53.

You can further bolster your anonymity on Surfshark by paying using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others.

We hope Betternet makes more effort to improve the privacy of their VPN. Right now, though, we can only recommend Surfshark.

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Customer service

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Surfshark’s customer service embarrasses Betternet.

You have 24/7 live chat with a human expert for urgent queries. You can alternatively book a ticket on the website or email them. The email support team usually responds within three hours.

Surfshark’s FAQ page is comprehensive; most users can resolve their issues by following the instructions.

Betternet is pretty thin in customer service. You can only search their average database or contact them by email or ticketing. They respond within three hours too, but at the price you’re paying for the subscription, you deserve better assistance.

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Methodology: how we compare VPNs

We test every VPN we review using strict criteria that we’ve been improving for many years. Any VPN we recommend has to satisfy every category we look at adequately.

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 worldwide. 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 leak protection, 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 in privacy-friendly jurisdictions.

You can test these VPNs yourself by following our VPN review process. We’re confident you’ll reach the same conclusion we did: Surfshark’s better.

Conclusion

Betternet has come a long way, but it still has a lot of work to do.

Surfshark won every category in our tests, and the fact that it costs far less is just the cherry on the cake.

Surfshark is faster, has more physical servers, better security and privacy features, and superior customer service. It also works on more devices than Betternet.

Betternet’s free plan works well enough if you’re not a heavy VPN user, but its limit of five server locations isn’t practical for most people. Just go for Surfshark’s two-year plan and thank us later.

You can try Surfshark risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

If neither of these VPNs has hit the mark, we have more head-to-head comparisons for you to check out.

Surfshark vs Betternet: Which VPN Wins in 2025?