Provider-neutral self-test pilot
Betternet is run by Betternet LLC within the Pango Group, and its apps default to an automatic protocol choice, with Hydra, a protocol the company developed itself, among the options. Its split tunneling has two modes: Bypass VPN keeps listed apps or sites on your ISP-assigned IP, while Route via VPN tunnels only the sites you list. On Windows a Prevent IP leak setting sits next to the kill switch. Check which split tunneling mode is active before reading any line of the result.
Live test
If the IP line shows your own address while Betternet is connected, check split tunneling first: in Route via VPN mode only the websites you list are tunneled, so this page may not be one of them. On Windows, Prevent IP leak is the setting Betternet ties to keeping sites, caches and cookies from exposing your IP.
This browser session
This reports what your browser shows in this session. It does not certify Betternet, does not test every server, app or device, and does not prove anonymity.
Current-session checks
Betternet lists IP and DNS leak protection among its features, and on Windows describes Prevent IP leak as stopping sites, caches or cookies from leaking your IP. Read the IP and WebRTC lines with that setting noted.
Before you read the result
Betternet assigns IP addresses automatically by location and does not offer static IPs, so the exact address can differ between runs.
The default Smart setting picks a protocol for your network, and Hydra is the protocol Betternet's company developed itself. WireGuard and IPSec are also offered, and the iOS help page calls one option less secure than the others but fast. Rerun the test after changing protocol.
Anything on the Bypass VPN list uses your normal ISP-provided IP, while Route via VPN tunnels only the websites you name. On iOS the two modes are mutually exclusive. On Mac, split tunneling only works with the Hydra protocol.
The Windows app lists Prevent IP leak, which Betternet says keeps your IP from being detected while connected. It also has Local Network Protection, which blocks access to your local network on public Wi-Fi. Both sit beside the kill switch.
Betternet's Multi-hop sends traffic through an entry server and an exit server, and is currently available only on Android. The IP a site sees comes from the exit server you choose, so expect that country in the result.
The comparison table lists 5 locations on Free and 115+ on Premium, and the free app shows ads. Always-On reconnection on iOS is Premium-only. A free-plan result will show one of the few free locations.
Between the readings
Betternet describes its kill switch as a setting that, once enabled, stops the data flow if the app suddenly disconnects. On iOS a separate Always-On option tries to reconnect after a drop and is Premium-only.
Audits Betternet has published or announced, newest first. “What was checked” is the scope the audit itself states; anything outside it was not examined. Compare audits across providers or see every published VPN audit by date.
| Date | Auditor | Type | What was checked | Findings | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Aug 2023 | Aon | No-logs | Review of Betternet's privacy-policy claims on data collection and logging, free and paid tiers | Not published | betternet.co reportRead 19 Oct 2026 |
Who owns which VPN: every provider’s company and the groups that run several brands.
Safe Copy exports use safe summary categories and remove raw IP, exact city, full user-agent, raw fingerprint data, raw resolver IPs and WebRTC candidates. It is not a certificate, provider audit, or proof of anonymity.
FAQ
Hydra is a VPN protocol Betternet's company developed itself and offers alongside WireGuard and IPSec. The default Smart setting picks a protocol for you.
Sites or apps on the Bypass VPN list use your normal ISP-provided IP. In Route via VPN mode, only the websites you list go through the VPN.
Betternet says it assigns addresses automatically by location, so the address can change between sessions.
Once enabled, it stops the data flow if Betternet suddenly disconnects.
Its security audit page says it commissioned an independent security audit of the Betternet VPN and links the report for download.
The privacy policy says Betternet is provided by Betternet LLC, a division of the Pango Group, and the terms give an office address in Boston, Massachusetts.