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Betternet vs ExpressVPN 2021

We put these VPNs to the test to find out which is the best!

VS
7.8
Good!
9.8
Outstanding!
We don’t really recommend using a free VPN over a service like ExpressVPN, for a myriad of reasons. With that said, Betternet is a popular VPN with millions of users, and offers a lot more in its free version than others — with the option to upgrade as well. In terms of security, that part is up in the air, as their website claims they use 128-bit AES, while a blog post from the company claims 256-bit. Regardless, they offer OpenVPN and IPSec protocols, just like ExpressVPN. That’s where the similarities end, however. More Info

How do these VPNs Compare?

Speed

ExpressVPN is widely known as the fastest VPN you can use, but that doesn’t mean there are others that can’t compete at least somewhat. With that said, Betternet doesn’t come close, and actually hinders your speed quite a bit at times.

VPN vendor Betternet ExpressVPN
Download speed reduction 51% (UK) 18% (UK)
Upload speed reduction 40% (FRA) 20% (FRA)
Ping time to google.com 350ms 24ms
Average time to connect (sec.) 24ms 11ms
Unblock successful for Bbc-logo Netflix-logo Hulu-logo Kodi-logo Espn-logo Youtube-logo Bbc-logo
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Why Most Speed Tests are Pointless & How We Correctly Test VPN Speeds

Speed determines how fast content uploads, so if you're torrenting or streaming, you want the speed to be somewhat identical to your regular internet speed. Since a VPN encrypts your data, it usually takes a bit longer to send your data back and forth, which can slow down your connection. However, if your ISP deliberately slows down your connection (also known as throttling) a VPN might increase your internet speed. Testing a VPN is somewhat pointless because new servers pop up and affect speed. Your speed can also differ according to your location, so your speed test might not match ours. Having said that, we tested the speed in numerous locations to provide you with the average.

Servers

While there are other VPNs with a lot more servers, ExpressVPN still offers a good amount, with 148 locations spread around 94 countries. Betternet only offers servers in 10 countries, and 11 with their premium service.

VPN vendor Betternet ExpressVPN
Server Locations 10 148
Server Countries 10 94
IP Addresses 50 1500
Dynamic Server Switching
  Visit Site Visit Site

The Big Mistake When Comparing Number of Servers and What to Really Look For

The ratio of servers to countries is an important factor to look at when choosing a VPN. Only paying attention to location or number of servers can get you in trouble. More servers generally means faster speeds, but if VPN X has a few more servers than VPN Y but twice as many users, VPN X will typically have slower speeds. Ideally, you want a VPN that has a lot of servers in every location. This way you won’t have to worry that server/country that you want will be overburdened and running slow

Support

Customer support is a big area of focus with ExpressVPN. Their site has a large knowledge base, and you can use a fast email ticketing system when needed. If that’s not fast enough, they have live support. Betternet only offers 24/7 email support to premium users, but their site does have a decent FAQ section.

VPN vendor Betternet ExpressVPN
Email Response Time X 0.3
24/7 Support
Live Chat
Knowledge Base
Video Tutorials
  Visit Site Visit Site

How We Test Customer Support and Why Should You Care

We personally test the customer support team of every VPN we review. This means asking technical question through the live chat feature (where applicable) and measuring the response time for email questions. Whether you need to connect to a specific server, change your security protocol, or configure a VPN on your router, finding a VPN with quality customer support should be important to you.

Ease of Use

Betternet
Betternet is available for every major platform and device, and incredibly simple, which works to its advantage with the app. Just download, install, tap the “connect” button, and that’s all there is to it. You also have the option to select a different “virtual location” (IP) — and that’s it. Anyone can use it.

Just don’t expect to unblock streaming services like Netflix, however. Accessing censored or restricted websites is fine, but due to slow speeds, and inadequate abilities, Betternet is not a good choice for watching pretty much anything.
Visit Betternet Website
ExpressVPN homepage screenshot
Downloading and installation of ExpressVPN was fast and easy.

After opening the app, we were able to stream our favorite shows on Netflix and Hulu without any issue. There was never any buffering thanks to the superior speeds of ExpressVPN.

We tested out our IP address in numerous countries without a problem and found the interface easy enough for a beginner to use from the start. If you are worried about getting around China’s firewall, there is a solution to that: Just download ExpressVPN prior to your arrival. It can be installed on an Android device or laptop, but not the iPhone, so keep that mind.

With this connection, you can still visit your favorite sites and protect your information from authorities. Another thing of note is that ExpressVPN can unblock content on most any streaming platform — another reason why it’s so popular.
Visit ExpressVPN Website

Pricing

STARTING PRICE PER MONTH: $0.00
DEVICE PER LICENSE: 1
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (DAYS): 0
See Plans & Pricing
STARTING PRICE PER MONTH: $6.67
DEVICE PER LICENSE: 5
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (DAYS): 30
See Plans & Pricing

THE WINNER IS

Visit ExpressVPN Website

Which VPN Will You Choose?

Few VPNs come close to ExpressVPN in any category, so a free VPN like Betternet really has no chance when measured against it. Although Betternet is a decent free VPN, the premium version hardly offers much more. You’re much better off paying the extra few dollars a month for a powerhouse like ExpressVPN. More Info
OR

Read Reviews

Read Reviews

You can also check our list of best VPNs for other suggestions

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