Looking for a VPN that doesn’t slow down your internet?
Choosing between ProtonVPN and TunnelBear?
You’re in the right place!
In this head-to-head matchup, we’ll test ProtonVPN vs TunnelBear & their speeds to see which one comes out on top.
Overview
To give you the most accurate comparison, we’ve run rigorous speed tests on both ProtonVPN and TunnelBear.
We connected to servers across the globe and measured download speeds, upload speeds, and ping times.
This hands-on experience gives you a real-world look at how these VPNs perform.
Stop guessing which VPN is best. Choose ProtonVPN, the Swiss-based provider with over 15,000.
Pricing: It has a free plan. Paid plan starts at $4.49/month
Key Features:
- Email Aliasing.
- Encrypted Vault.
- Open Source.
Internet with more freedom and security? Secure your connection now with tunnelbear!
Pricing: 30-day money-back guarantee. Plan Starts at $3.33/month
Key Features:
- GhostBear
- Vigilant Mode
- SplitBear
What is ProtonVPN?
Want a VPN that’s serious about privacy? Check out ProtonVPN.
They’re based in Switzerland. This means that they have strong privacy laws.
They also have some unique security features. They offer a free version. It’s bad, huh?
Also, explore our favorite ProtonVPN alternatives…
Our Take
Join over 100 million users who choose Proton VPN for ironclad online security. With 13,000+ servers spanning 120+ countries and speeds boosted by up to 400% with VPN Accelerator, you can browse, stream, and game with unparalleled privacy and performance.
Key Benefits
- Strong focus on privacy: Based in Switzerland with a strict no-logs policy.
- Secure core servers: Adds an extra layer of protection.
- Free version available: Try it out before you buy.
- Open-source apps: Transparency and community-driven development.
Pricing
- Proton Free: $0.00/month.
- VPN Plus: $4.99/month.
- Proton Unlimited: $7.99/month.
Pros
Cons
What is TunnelBear?
Looking for a VPN that’s easy to use? TunnelBear might be just what you need.
They’re known for their user-friendly apps and quirky bear theme.
Don’t let TunnelBear’s playful design fool you, though.
They take your online privacy seriously, offering strong security features and a clear no-logs policy.
Also, explore our favorite TunnelBear alternatives…
Our Take
Boost your online security and unlock the internet. Upgrade to premium for unlimited bandwidth and advanced features and ensure digital privacy everywhere.
Key Benefits
- Simple and intuitive: TunnelBear is designed for beginners. Its apps are straightforward to navigate, even if you’ve never used a VPN.
- Free version available: Want to try before you buy? TunnelBear offers a free plan with 500MB of monthly data, a great way to test the waters.
- Broad device compatibility: TunnelBear has apps for all major platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and even your browser.
Pricing
- Free: $0
- Unlimited: $3.33/month
- Teams: $5.75/month
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
This comparison evaluates two prominent vpn providers in the market: Proton VPN, a security giant focused on robust vpn servers and audited privacy, against TunnelBear VPN, known for its friendly app interface and strong commitment to simplicity.
This proton vpn review, alongside the tunnelbear vpn review, will clarify which vpn service offers the best trade-off in features and user experience for your internet connection.
1. Privacy Jurisdiction and Transparency
- Proton VPN: Is based in privacy-friendly Switzerland. The proton vpn review emphasizes that the service is open-source and regularly audited, which is core to the proton services commitment to user privacy.
- TunnelBear VPN: Is headquartered in Canada. While the tunnelbear vpn review notes its transparent policies and regular independent security audits, it operates within the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which some vpn providers users may find concerning.
2. Server Network and Security Depth
- Proton VPN: Operates a large server network featuring secure core servers with proton vpn servers that route vpn tunnel traffic through multiple hardened locations. This advanced infrastructure is optimized with vpn accelerator technology for better speed.
- TunnelBear VPN: Manages a reliable server network of vpn servers that are all physical. While its overall network size is smaller than others, its focus is on quality and consistency.
3. IP Address and Leak Protection
- Proton VPN: Protects your real ip address by assigning a dynamic, shared one. The proton vpn app offers advanced dns leak protection and dedicated features to secure all ip addresses used within the service.
- TunnelBear VPN: Also assigns a shared ip address to protect your identity. The service includes robust protection against dns queries leaks to prevent the exposure of your ip addresses outside the secure vpn tunnel.
4. Advanced Features and Protocols
- Proton VPN: Offers key advanced features like split tunneling and Tor over VPN. It supports secure vpn protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN, which are central to the proton vpn review’s high security rating.
- TunnelBear VPN: Is deliberately minimalist, focusing on essentials. It does not offer split tunneling on all platforms, though it does include a unique obfuscation feature, GhostBear, to hide vpn connection usage.
5. Application Experience and Platform Support
- Proton VPN: Provides the highly functional proton vpn app for mobile apps and desktop operating systems, allowing deep customization of security and connection settings.
- TunnelBear VPN: Is known for its visually engaging and user-friendly tunnelbear app. Its mobile apps are exceptionally simple to use, though the feature parity across operating systems is sometimes limited, noted in the tunnelbear app version comparisons.
6. Free Service Offering
- Proton VPN: Offers a strong, permanently free vpn service with unlimited data, though access is limited to a small number of vpn servers, making it one of the most generous offers among vpn providers.
- TunnelBear VPN: Offers a permanent free vpn vpn service, but it is limited by monthly operational data usage, which typically prevents users from streaming or heavy browsing.
7. Core Value Proposition
- Proton VPN: Appeals to privacy activists and users skeptical of their internet service provider. The value lies in the secure ecosystem, including proton mail and the highly encrypted vpn tunnel.
- TunnelBear VPN: Appeals to new users and those who prioritize ease of use over complex configuration. Its value is centered around simplicity and reliable security without clutter.
8. Simultaneous Connections
- Proton VPN: Limits the number of simultaneous vpn connection devices, requiring users to purchase higher-tier proton services subscriptions to protect multiple devices.
- TunnelBear VPN: Typically allows for up to five unlimited device connections per account, which is standard for the vpn service industry, but less generous than some vpn providers now offer.
9. Development Focus and Updates
- Proton VPN: Focuses on continuous innovation, reflected in features like the vpn accelerator, and actively soliciting user feedback to improve the proton vpn app and underlying vpn connection stability.
- TunnelBear VPN: From tunnelbear review, it can be observed that it concentrates on maintaining a simple vpn traffic, audited platform, with updates primarily aimed at enhancing ease of use and ensuring the security of its vpn service across all supported mobile devices.
What to Look for When Choosing a VPN?
- Specific Needs: Consider what you’ll primarily use the VPN for (e.g., streaming, torrenting, bypassing censorship). This will help you prioritize features like speed, server locations, and security protocols. Does it have browser extensions?
- Device Compatibility: Ensure the VPN has apps for all your devices (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, etc.) and supports the number of simultaneous connections you need.
- Logging Policy: Pay close attention to the VPN provider’s of logging policy. A strict no-logs policy ensures your online activity remains private.
- Jurisdiction: The VPN provider’s location matters. Choose a VPN based in a country with strong privacy laws.
- Security Features: Look for essential security features, such as AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
- Advanced Features: Consider additional features like split tunneling, ad blocking, and obfuscation, depending on your needs.
- Free Trials and Refunds: Before committing to a long-term plan, you can test the VPN using free trials or money-back guarantees.
- User Reviews: Read the reviews from other users to understand the VPN’s performance, reliability, and customer support.
Final Verdict
In this ProtonVPN vs TunnelBear showdown, ProtonVPN emerges as the winner.
Why? It simply offers more VPN features, better speeds, and stronger security with features like double VPN servers.
Plus, ProtonVPN offers a free plan, so you can try it before you commit.
If you want a VPN that provides excellent value and a wide range of features, ProtonVPN is our top recommendation.
However, if you prioritize simplicity and ease of use, Tunnelbear is still a decent choice.
Ultimately, the best VPN for you depends on your individual needs and preferences.
We also have a comprehensive VPN guide to help you understand everything from VPN protocols to how to use a VPN effectively.
More of ProtonVPN
We’ve explored alternatives to ProtonVPN, so how does ProtonVPN stack up directly against them?
- ProtonVPN vs NordVPN: ProtonVPN prioritizes privacy with its Swiss base and open-source apps, while NordVPN focuses on speed and a vast server network.
- ProtonVPN vs ExpressVPN: It is often faster and more reliable for streaming, while ProtonVPN provides strong security features and a transparent open-source approach.
- ProtonVPN vs PureVPN: It is generally considered better overall with faster speeds and stronger security, while PureVPN boasts a larger server count.
- ProtonVPN vs SurfsharkVPN: It is often more affordable and allows unlimited connections, while ProtonVPN is known for slightly faster speeds and stronger privacy features.
- ProtonVPN vs PrivadoVPN: It offers a wider server network and a stronger focus on privacy, while PrivadoVPN provides a decent free plan and good speeds.
- ProtonVPN vs AdGuard VPN: It’s strength is its ad-blocking integration, while ProtonVPN is a more comprehensive VPN that focuses on security and privacy.
- ProtonVPN vs Virtual Shield: It offers more advanced security features and better performance than the simpler Virtual Shield.
- ProtonVPN vs StrongVPN: It generally has better speeds and a larger server network, while StrongVPN is known for strong encryption.
- ProtonVPN vs FastestVPN: ProtonVPN is typically faster and offers stronger privacy features compared to the budget-friendly FastestVPN.
- ProtonVPN vs AuraVPN: ProtonVPN focuses on VPN security and privacy, while AuraVPN includes identity theft protection.
- ProtonVPN vs CyberGhost: It is user-friendly with specialized servers, while ProtonVPN emphasizes security and privacy with features like Secure Core.
- ProtonVPN vs McAfee VPN: ProtonVPN is a dedicated VPN service with stronger security and privacy features than the basic VPN included with McAfee.
- ProtonVPN vs Private Internet Access: PIA is known for customization and a large server network, while ProtonVPN focuses on strong privacy and a transparent approach.
- ProtonVPN vs Mysterium: ProtonVPN uses a traditional server network known for security and speed, while Mysterium is a decentralized VPN.
More of TunnelBear
We’ve explored alternatives to TunnelBear, so how does TunnelBear stack up directly against them?
- TunnelBear vs NordVPN: It offers more features and better speed, while TunnelBear focuses on simplicity and a free tier.
- TunnelBear vs ExpressVPN: It is consistently faster, has a wider server selection, and is better for streaming. TunnelBear is more affordable and has a free version.
- TunnelBear vs PureVPN: It has a larger server network. TunnelBear is known for its ease of use, especially for beginners.
- TunnelBear vs SurfsharkVPN: It typically offers faster speeds, allows unlimited connections, and has more features. TunnelBear is user-friendly and has a free plan.
- TunnelBear vs ProtonVPN: It focuses on strong security and privacy, and often provides faster speeds on paid plans. TunnelBear is known for its simple interface and free option.
- TunnelBear vs PrivadoVPN: It often provides more consistent speeds and a stronger focus on privacy. TunnelBear has a smaller server network but a user-friendly free plan.
- TunnelBear vs AdGuard VPN: It excels in ad and tracker blocking. TunnelBear is a general-purpose VPN with a focus on ease of use.
- TunnelBear vs Virtual Shield: It offers a more established brand and a slightly larger server network than the very basic Virtual Shield.
- TunnelBear vs StrongVPN: It is known for its robust encryption and reliable connections. TunnelBear is simpler to use but has a smaller server network.
- TunnelBear vs FastestVPN: It is a budget-friendly option. TunnelBear offers a free plan and a user-friendly interface.
- TunnelBear vs AuraVPN: It includes identity theft protection. TunnelBear focuses on providing a simple and user-friendly VPN.
- TunnelBear vs CyberGhost: It offers user-friendly apps and specialized servers. TunnelBear is simpler but has a smaller server network.
- TunnelBear vs McAfee VPN: It generally offers a more feature-rich VPN experience than the basic VPN from McAfee.
- TunnelBear vs Private Internet Access: PIA offers a significantly larger server network and allows unlimited connections. TunnelBear is known for its ease of use.
- TunnelBear vs Mysterium: It is a decentralized VPN. TunnelBear uses a traditional server network known for its user-friendly interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ProtonVPN faster than TunnelBear?
Generally, yes. In our speed tests, ProtonVPN consistently delivered faster speeds, especially on its paid plans.
Which is the best VPN overall: ProtonVPN, TunnelBear, or another VPN?
While both are decent VPNs, ProtonVPN comes out on top in this VPN comparison. If you’re looking for another VPN, NordVPN is the best VPN overall.
Do ProtonVPN and TunnelBear offer free VPNs?
Yes, both providers offer free versions of their VPN services. However, they come with limitations on speed, data, and features. If you need the best free VPN, consider ProtonVPN’s free plan.
Is ProtonVPN better than TunnelBear for streaming?
Yes, ProtonVPN is more reliable for streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu.
What are the key differences between ProtonVPN and TunnelBear?
ProtonVPN offers more advanced features like double VPN servers and a wider selection of VPN protocols. TunnelBear has a more user-friendly interface and is generally cheaper.
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