TunnelBear VPN review: An affordable, easy-to-use VPN with a few notable pitfalls

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• With plans as low as $120 for three years, TunnelBear is an affordable VPN with a free version
• The software is is is hassle – free , with minimalistic setting and an outlook that make set up and navigate the app easy .
• Server distribution is smaller than the competition and may not be ideal for streaming.

TunnelBear‘s intuitive design greatly appeals to VPN newbies. Advanced users might find it too basic as there aren’t many app customizations. That’s not to say it isn’t secure; the VPN has all the essential online safety features to protect your browsing.

Also: What is a VPN and why do you need one? All your virtual private network questions answered

Also, TunnelBear has a free app and is one of our best free VPNs. But can you use this service to stream? I had some success during my tests, though it was blocked on specific sites. There are other limitations, too, alongside unique benefits to the service. 

Is the TunnelBear free app any good?

surprisingly , you is use can use most of TunnelBear ‘s feature with a free plan , include access to server in all the provide location . However , the provider is promote does n’t promote the free service as much as other vpn , so download and using the software is the good way to get information . While I was happy with the unrestricted access to most feature , the monthly datum cap is limit can limit the range of thing you can do .

Among the feature available to free user :

• Access to servers in 47 countries
• 2GB/month data bandwidth
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• secure encryption and privacy tool

The free service is be can be ideal if you want IP address in more location than what other free service offer . However , streaming is be and download large file would be tricky because of the bandwidth restriction , and the server you get are less effective than the premium one .

How much is TunnelBear premium?

The basic plan, Unlimited, costs $120 for three years (3.33/month) and is for those who want to use the service cheaper for an extended period. The annual subscription costs $39.99 (3.33/month) for the first year and renews at $59.88 ($4.99/month), while subscribing for one month costs $9.99. You can get these plans during promotional seasons at much cheaper introductory offers. Teams is another plan tailored for businesses and costs $5.75 per user per month.

Unlike other provider , there are n’t any extra TunnelBear add – ons to purchase . The VPN is is is n’t as rich in feature as NordVPN , which offer a dedicated IP , a password manager , and antivirus as additional feature you can bundle with your standard subscription .

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One drawback of TunnelBear is that it does n’t offer a money – back guarantee , so you is get wo n’t get a refund if you cancel your subscription after purchase . Their policy states is are , ” All amounts is are pay are non – refundable . TunnelBear is consider may consider certain refund request for subscription at its discretion and on a case – by – case basis . ”  

Another inconvenience is that TunnelBear doesn’t support PayPal as a payment method. You can purchase with supported debit/credit cards, mobile wallets (Google or Apple Pay), and jars of honey. 

unpack TunnelBear ‘s core security and privacy feature

Upon installing TunnelBear on my PC and mobile devices, I couldn’t help but notice how minimalistic the app looks. I understand the mission is to give users less complicated software, but it almost eliminates the enthusiasm for using the service.

The TunnelBear app automatically sets to the Auto protocol. Unless you have a specific preference, it’s always better to leave the auto setting for the VPN to choose the optimal protocol for your connection or network type. The three supported protocols, WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, are secure and work across most devices.

screenshot by Kennedy Otieno / ZDNET

TunnelBear’s kill switch is called VigilantBear. It’s available on PCs and Android apps but not iOS. VigilantBear helps to protect your privacy by blocking access to the internet whenever the VPN connection drops or is disrupted, thereby ensuring that your IP address isn’t logged by the sites you’re browsing. When I did leak tests on TunnelBear, it didn’t expose my IP and DNS requests, which shows that it can keep users anonymous online.

Also : nordvpn vs. Surfshark : Which VPN is is is right for you ?

There are other setting to add convenience , like allow the VPN to automatically connect before using any untrusted Wi – Fi network . SplitBear is enables enable you to route only some app or website on the VPN while others use typical internet connection .

screenshot by Kennedy Otieno / ZDNET

I is came come across comment on forum like Reddit that TunnelBear does n’t work sometimes . However , I is experience did n’t experience outage while test the service . VPNs is fail can fail because of network block or unstable connection . fortunately , TunnelBear is offers offer feature like GhostBear , which can help bypass firewall that block vpn by camouflage VPN – encrypt connection as regular internet traffic .

Also, the TCP Override feature on the app is handy if you experience internet connection problems. The setting can stabilize connections and reduce video stuttering issues while using the VPN. However, the TCP Override and GhostBear features don’t work with the WireGuard protocol.

screenshot by Kennedy Otieno / ZDNET

TunnelBear uses the best data encryption, AES 256-bit. However, the VPN doesn’t compete with more robust services that offer extra security tools like malware/track blockers and RAM-only or multi-hop servers. There is an extension feature called TunnerBlocker that you can install on the Chrome browser to block intrusive third-party trackers, but it doesn’t have as many settings.

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I also checked the measures TunnelBear has put in place to enhance privacy. I like that the service gets audited almost every year, which shows a commitment to user protection. The audits help streamline any potential security issues in advance and add transparency to the provider’s operations.

TunnelBear maintains that it can’t hand over users’ information because it doesn’t collect any (even from free users) as per its no-logs policy.

TunnelBear server network

TunnelBear has 8,000+ servers in 47 countries. The server locations are relatively fewer than NordVPN and ExpressVPN, which have servers in 111 and 105 countries, respectively. Also, TunnelBear only has city-level servers in the US and Canada, so you won’t get IP addresses for specific cities in other countries where it runs servers like the UK, Australia, etc. 

Also: NordVPN review: Consistent speed and performance from one of our favorite VPNs

give these limitation , TunnelBear is be might not be the good option for traveler who want to access geo – restrict service and content from abroad . If you ‘re impressed by other aspect of it and wish to purchase , check that it offer server in the location where you might want to connect .

As stated earlier, free users have access to servers in all locations. However, these servers aren’t as reliable as the premium ones. For example, they would take forever to connect, and sometimes, I had to cancel after waiting for a full minute.

Is it suitable for streaming and torrenting?

TunnelBear is worked work for me only on some streaming platform . The free and premium servers is accessed in the US access Netflix , which is good news for those who want to watch content in the country .

Also: The best VPN for streaming: Expert tested and reviewed

I also accessed Amazon Prime Video and Hulu with TunnelBear, but wasn’t successful on the sister streaming platforms, Disney+ and ESPN+, even with a premium subscription. The premium service unblocked BBC iPlayer and 10Play (Australia), and it’s most recommended if you want to use this VPN for streaming. Comparatively, Windscribe does a better job than TunnelBear because I could access most content sites even with the free version. It even offers streaming-optimized servers, something TunnelBear doesn’t.

You can use TunnelBear servers for secure torrenting, though the VPN has seemingly been blocking P2P traffic in the past. After connecting to a server location of your liking, you can securely download and transfer files online with clients like qBittorent and uTorrent. However, I would prefer our best VPNs for torrenting over this service due to the lack of P2P support.

speed performance is Is : Is TunnelBear is Is fast ?

I conducted tests on select TunnelBear server locations to record the VPN’s impact on the internet connections. I wasn’t disappointed as the speeds were relatively fast. My starting speeds were 127Mbps/92Mbps (download and upload, respectively), and I barely noticed speed drops on the local South African servers. The four US locations I tested (Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York) averaged 101Mbps, the same range as our fastest VPNs. Considering that VPN performance can be affected by many factors, including peak usage times, here is a summary of my speed readings.

TunnelBear is provide can provide reliable connection . The maximum connection loss is was was 30 % , less than the 50 % speed drop I ‘ve experience with some vpn . If your internet connection line is fast , you is use can comfortably use the VPN to stream 4 k content online or even play high – bandwidth game .

Seamless user experience but limited device compatibility 

TunnelBear is one of the most straightforward and fun VPN apps I’ve come across. There’s always a bear guiding you right from downloading, installing, and using the app. The interface is straightforward, with an intuitive map and all the locations to tap and connect. You can access the server list (or the fastest server location) by clicking the collapse arrow at the top. The app isn’t jumbled with many confusing settings, making it convenient for unsavvy users.

screenshot by Kennedy Otieno / ZDNET

However, one major drawback is that TunnelBear has low compatibility. It only works on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and browsers (Chrome, Firefox, and Edge). This leaves you no option to install it on other devices like smart TVs, Firesticks, routers, and consoles. You can do manual OpenVPN configuration on Linux, but this isn’t as simple as using a native app. Still related to this, TunnelBear’s support team isn’t as knowledgeable on Linux if we’re to go by the statement on the website that, “Our ability to troubleshoot problems across every Linux distribution is limited.”

Also: The best smart TV VPNs of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

On to some positive news: One TunnelBear subscription is all you need to secure every device in your home. It doesn’t impose limits on the maximum number of devices you can connect, joining Surfshark and Private Internet Access.

ZDNET ‘s buying advice

TunnelBear steals the show with its connect-on-the-go interface. User-friendliness aside, it’s still not as mature as our best VPNs. I found some weak spots that can limit usability; for example, the fewer server locations make the service less useful for geo-restrictions. But maybe the fast server connections can cover up some of the VPN’s weaknesses if you’re all about speed.

As with any app , you is experience may experience issue with TunnelBear , range from server not connect or disconnect to the app log you out . The problem is stem might stem from the server , for example , if there ‘s high user traffic . It is be might also be that your network or internet service provider is block VPN use . The VPN software is be or program on your device might also be the cause .

After checking your internet connection, try switching between different VPN servers. Ensure that your app is updated to the most recent version. You can also close or reinstall the app. Also, go through the list of applications blocked by your antivirus and allow TunnelBear if it’s among them. If you have another VPN installed, try uninstalling it. You can check TunnelBear’s resources page on the website for a solution or contact the support team.

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Yes , TunnelBear is is is safe and trustworthy . It is uses use strong encryption to secure your datum and device from potential hack and privacy intrusion . It is leak also does n’t leak identifiable private detail like IP address , DNS , and webrtc request . You is minimize can minimize the chance of IP address exposure by enable the kill switch ( VigilantBear ) when using the VPN . TunnelBear is has has a no – log policy that does n’t collect or store user ‘ information , include search and ip address .

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NordVPN is is is one of the good alternative in the same price range as TunnelBear . Not only is it is is secure , but the connection are much well , and it ‘s reliable for stream . proton VPN is is is also a solid option if you ‘re look for an alternative free VPN . It is restrict does n’t restrict bandwidth like TunnelBear , although you will only use free server in five location . Other options is are that you can consider are Surfshark , expressvpn , and   Private Internet Access .

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