

⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Preisgestaltung: Avast products start at Free and run to $49.99/first yr. TunnelBear runs Free, $3.33/mo Unlimited, $5.75/user per month Teams.
- Ideal für: Avast SecureLine VPN suits Avast antivirus users who want one app for everything. TunnelBear suits VPN newbies who want a free plan first.
- Hauptunterschied: TunnelBear has independent audits by Cure53. Avast SecureLine VPN has no published independent audit.
- Our pick: Avast VPN, by a thin margin — the 60 day free trial, 10 device limit and Smart VPN mode give you more to work with.

Two VPNs. Two very different reasons to be careful.
Avast SecureLine VPN carries a privacy record that still bothers people.
TunnelBear carries a server network that barely counts as a network.
Both are simple. Both are cheap. Neither is a fast VPN.
This comparison shows which one fits your online activities.
Überblick
This Avast VPN vs TunnelBear comparison covers pricing, servers, speed, streaming and security features.
Unser Schriftsteller spent hands-on time inside the Avast VPN app.
Notes on TunnelBear come from its documentation, published specs and G2 reviews.
Pricing comes straight from our CSV records, not from marketing pages.
Was ist Avast VPN?
Avast SecureLine VPN is the virtual private network built by Avast.
You may already know the company from Avast antivirus.
The VPN service runs on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Android TV.
One subscription covers up to 10 devices simultaneously.
SecureLine VPN keeps around 700 servers in 34 countries.
That is small next to most VPNs in this price band.


Avast VPN
A plain VPN app for people who want one click and nothing else. Smart VPN mode can automatically connect on public networks. You can test it for 60 days before paying.
Avast VPN-Preise
Avast sells the VPN inside its wider product bundles. Here is what our records show.
| Planen | Preis | Am besten geeignet für |
|---|---|---|
| Kostenloser Virenschutz | Frei | Basic device security with no VPN |
| Premium-Sicherheit | 49,99 $/erstes Jahr | Households wanting security plus VPN access |
| Ultimativ | 49,99 $/erstes Jahr | Users who want the full set of Avast products |
Pricing verified September 2026.

Kostenlose Testversion: Yes. Avast SecureLine VPN has a 60 day free trial on all supported platforms. You must add payment information to start the 60 day trial, but no charge lands until it ends.
Geld-zurück-Garantie: Avast has historically offered a 30 day refund window on paid subscriptions. Check the terms at checkout before you install.
📌 Notiz: Avast does not sell a monthly subscription plan for SecureLine VPN. You commit to a year at minimum, which is worth knowing before the free trials end.
⚠️ Pricing conflict flagged: Our CSV lists Avast bundle pricing (Free Antivirus, Premium Security $49.99/first yr, Ultimate $49.99/first yr). Third-party sources quote standalone SecureLine VPN yearly plans near $4.59, $4.29 and $4.39 per month. We publish the CSV figures and flag the gap. Confirm on Avast’s own checkout page before you buy.
Wichtigste Vorteile von Avast VPN
Here is what you actually get:
- Smart VPN mode: Set rules so the VPN tunnel opens by itself. Smart VPN can trigger on banking sites or an open public network.
- 60 day free trial: One of the longest free trials in the VPN market. Two months is enough time to run your own speed tests.
- Ten device coverage: One subscription, ten devices. You are not stuck protecting one device at a time.
- Protocol choice: You get the OpenVPN protocol, WireGuard and the proprietary Mimic protocol. Mimic is Avast’s answer to blocked VPN traffic.
- Kill switch: If the VPN connection drops, your internet connection cuts with it. No accidental leak of browsing data.
- Public Wi-Fi cover: Using Avast VPN raises security on unsecured public wi-fi and blunts man-in-the-middle attacks.
- Less tracking, fairer prices: Hiding your IP address stops your internet provider and advertisers from following your online activities. It also helps you dodge price discrimination when you shop.

What Our Team Noticed
Our writer signed up for Avast SecureLine VPN and used it across a Windows app and an Android app for everyday browsing. Here is what stood out:

The short walkthrough below covers the same ground on video.
Avast VPN: Vorteile und Nachteile
✅ Vorteile
- 60 day free trial is longer than most competitors offer
- Connects up to 10 devices simultaneously on one subscription
- Smart VPN mode sets rules for when the VPN turns on or off
- Supports OpenVPN, WireGuard and the proprietary Mimic protocol
- Based in the Czech Republic, outside any data-sharing alliance
❌ Nachteile
- No independent audit backs the no logs policy
- The FTC fined Avast $16.5 million in February 2024 over consumer privacy
- Around 700 servers in 34 countries limits your options
- Auf entfernten Servern sinken die Geschwindigkeiten rapide.
Was ist TunnelBear?
TunnelBear ist ein kanadischer VPN-Dienst, der im Besitz von McAfee, and a genuinely safe VPN by audit record.
Es verschlüsselt Ihren Internetverkehr und verbirgt Ihre echte IP-Adresse.
The bear theme is the point. The TunnelBear app is built for VPN newbies.
You pick a country from a world map and connect.
TunnelBear has a small server network with 48 server locations.
Der Mac app, Windows app and mobile apps share the same design.
It does not support installation on routers or Linux devices, whatever operating system you run.

TunnelBear
The friendliest VPN app you can install in five minutes. A free account gives you limited data every month. Cure53 has audited it more than once.
TunnelBear-Preise
Three tiers, and the cheapest one costs nothing. Here is the breakdown.
| Planen | Preis | Am besten geeignet für |
|---|---|---|
| Frei | Testing and limited usage | Trying the VPN app before you pay |
| Unbegrenzt | 3,33 €/Monat | Individuals who want unlimited data |
| Teams | 5,75 $ pro Nutzer und Monat | Small teams sharing one account setup |
Pricing verified September 2026.

Kostenlose Testversion: The TunnelBear free plan caps you at 500 MB per month. You can lift it to 2 GB of data through promotions, such as posting about the service on TunnelBear’s Twitter.
Geld-zurück-Garantie: None. TunnelBear does not offer a money back guarantee, so a paid subscription carries real risk.
📌 Notiz: Published TunnelBear cost figures elsewhere list $9.99 monthly, $39.99 yearly and $120 for three years, with the annual plan auto-renewing at $59.88. Our table follows the CSV. Payment is credit card only since Bitcoin was dropped.
⚠️ Warnung: With no refund policy, treat the free version as your trial. Test the nearest server and your streaming sites before you purchase TunnelBear.
Hauptvorteile von TunnelBear
What TunnelBear offers that Avast does not:
- Unabhängige Prüfungen: Cure53 has run security audits since 2016. Each security audit found issues, including critical ones, and those were then fixed.
- Unbegrenzte Anzahl gleichzeitiger Verbindungen: The premium plan covers all your devices. No counting seats, no upgrade prompt at device six.
- A real free plan: The free version has a data limit, but it is the same VPN. Good enough to check speeds before paying.
- VigilantBear kill switch: It blocks all incoming and outgoing internet traffic until the VPN connection returns. That prevents data leaks.
- SplitBear split tunneling: Choose which apps or websites use the VPN and which use your normal connection.
- GhostBear stealth: It disguises VPN traffic to get past censorship. Expect slower download speeds while it runs.
- Transparency reports: TunnelBear publishes requests for user data and says it has never had any data to share.

What Our Team Noticed
Note: we have not logged extended hands-on time with TunnelBear for this comparison. Everything below on TunnelBear’s performance comes from published documentation, the provider’s own specs and G2 reviews. G2 reviews highlight ease of use as the strongest part of the product, with a 4.4 average across 32 Geschäft Rezensionen.

TunnelBear Vor- und Nachteile
✅ Vorteile
- Multiple third-party security audits by Cure53
- Unlimited simultaneous connections on the premium plan
- Mit dem kostenlosen Plan können Sie testen, bevor Sie bezahlen.
- Privacy policy rules out logging IP addresses, DNS queries and browsing history
❌ Nachteile
- Speeds average around 40% of base download speed
- Für keinen Tarif gibt es eine Geld-zurück-Garantie.
- No live chat support, only email and a web form
- Canada sits inside the Five Eyes alliance
Funktionsvergleich
Here is where the two VPN providers actually split. We walk through ten areas that decide which VPN service fits your setup.
| Besonderheit | Avast VPN | TunnelBear |
|---|---|---|
| Startpreis | Free / $49.99 first yr | Free / $3.33 mo |
| Kostenloser Plan | ❌ (60 day trial instead) | ✅ |
| Servernetzwerk | ~700 in 34 Ländern | 48 locations |
| Gleichzeitige Geräte | 10 | Unbegrenzt |
| Unabhängige Prüfungen | ❌ | ✅ |
| Not-Aus-Schalter | ✅ | ✅ |
| Split-Tunneling | ❌ | ✅ SplitBear |
| Live-Chat-Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| Geld-zurück-Garantie | ✅ | ❌ |
| Am besten geeignet für | Avast users wanting one app | Beginners wanting a free plan |
1. Servernetzwerk und Standorte
Avast VPN: Around 700 Avast SecureLine VPN servers across 34 countries. Many VPNs run thousands, so your choice of exit point is thin. It is still wider coverage than TunnelBear on paper.

TunnelBear: 48 server locations, listed elsewhere as 47 countries. If you ever wonder how many servers sit behind those flags, TunnelBear does not publish a count. Picking a Canada server or a UK one lets you access global content, but any country TunnelBear skips is simply unavailable.

2. Geschwindigkeit und Leistung
Avast VPN: Performance is inconsistent. Nearby servers hold up well and distant ones drop off sharply. Avast tunes its network to avoid bandwidth throttling during heavy downloads.
TunnelBear: Download speeds average around 40% of the base speed across tested locations. Different servers vary a lot, and connection times can run past 10 seconds. Neither of these is a fast VPN, and neither promises a fast connection on distant hops.

⚠️ Warnung: Run your own speed tests during the trial period. Stress tests on distant servers tell you far more than any published average.
3. Streaming-Zugriff
Avast VPN: It can reach Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video, with mixed results on some libraries. Reports on Hulu and BBC iPlayer are weaker. Expect to switch servers.

TunnelBear: Netflix usually returns a proxy error, and Amazon Prime and Hulu are shaky too. Smaller platforms sometimes work. The data limit on the free plan also rules out long viewing sessions.
4. Sicherheitsmerkmale
Avast VPN: A kill switch cuts your connection if the tunnel fails. DNS leak protection and WebRTC leak protection are standard expectations here, and Avast covers the basics without much beyond them.

TunnelBear: AES-256 encryption, VigilantBear as the kill switch, and SplitBear for split tunneling. Your encrypted data stays unreadable even if someone intercepts it on TunnelBear’s servers. The privacy policy rules out logging DNS queries, IP addresses or browsing history.

5. Privacy Record and Independent Audits
Avast VPN: This is the weak spot. The no logs policy has no third-party audit behind it. In February 2024 the US Federal Trade Commission announced Avast would pay $16.5 million for compromising consumer privacy, tied to a subsidiary called Jumpshot that sold data collected by the antivirus without consent.

TunnelBear: Cure53 has run independent audits since 2016 and the findings were published and patched. It still collects operational data such as the OS version, app version and monthly data use, none of which identifies you. The catch is location: Canada belongs to the Five Eyes alliance, which exposes it to data requests from partner countries.

⚠️ Warnung: Avast records timestamps, data volume and connection details, though not identifiable information. Without an independent audit, you are trusting the policy Text allein.
6. VPN-Protokolle
Avast VPN: OpenVPN, WireGuard and Mimic. The Mimic protocol dresses VPN traffic up as ordinary traffic, which helps on networks that block a VPN tunnel outright.

TunnelBear: OpenVPN and IKEv2 are confirmed. Sources disagree on WireGuard, and GhostBear handles obfuscation instead by making VPN traffic look like ordinary browser traffic, at a real cost to download speeds.

⚠️ Conflicting sources: Some documentation lists WireGuard among TunnelBear’s supported protocols. Other records state it is missing. Check the protocol list in your TunnelBear app version before you rely on it.
7. Geräteunterstützung und Plattformen
Avast VPN: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and Android TV, across multiple platforms with one account. Ten devices is the ceiling.

TunnelBear: Desktop and mobile apps, plus browser extensions for your browser of choice. Routers and Linux are out, which hurts if you want an Apple TV or console behind the tunnel.
8. Benutzerfreundlichkeit
Avast VPN: A user-friendly application that is easy to navigate, especially for beginners. Smart VPN mode is the one setting worth learning, though some users report it misfiring.

TunnelBear: The world map interface is the friendliest in this category. Setup is short and nothing asks you to understand a protocol. The tutorial below walks through it.
9. Kundensupport
Avast VPN: Support channels are wider, but satisfaction is not. Some users describe Avast’s customer support as unhelpful, and billing complaints show up often.

TunnelBear: Customer support runs through a web form and email, available around the clock but slow to answer. There is no live chat support. The FAQ library is deep enough to solve most common problems without the support team.

10. Preisgestaltung & Kosten
Side by side, using our recorded plans.
| Planen | Avast VPN | TunnelBear |
|---|---|---|
| Frei | Free Antivirus: Free | Free: testing and limited usage |
| Entry paid | Premium-Sicherheit: 49,99 $/erstes Jahr | Unbegrenzt: 3,33 $/Monat |
| Spitzenklasse | Ultimate: 49,99 $/erstes Jahr | Teams: 5,75 $/Nutzer pro Monat |
| Versuch | 60 Tage kostenlos testen | Free plan with data limit |
Avast VPN: You are buying into a bundle. That works if you already want Avast products on the same machine, and it stings if you only want a VPN.

TunnelBear: $3.33/mo for unlimited data and unlimited devices is strong value for one household. The missing refund policy is the price you pay for that number.
Verschiedene Szenarien
| Falls Sie Folgendes benötigen: | Wählen | Warum |
|---|---|---|
| Ein kostenloser Plan für immer | TunnelBear | Free version, data limit applies |
| Audited privacy claims | TunnelBear | Cure53 audits since 2016 |
| A long trial before paying | Avast VPN | 60 Tage kostenlos testen |
| Android TV coverage | Avast VPN | Native Android TV-App |
| Unbegrenzte Geräte | TunnelBear | No connection cap on premium |
| Auto-connect rules | Avast VPN | Intelligenter VPN-Modus |
| Live-Chat-Support | Avast VPN | TunnelBear has none |
💰 Ihr Budget
TunnelBear is the cheaper entry at $3.33/mo, and its free account costs nothing at all. Avast asks for a bundle purchase, which only makes sense if you want the security suite too.
🔌 Dein Tech-Stack
Avast reaches Android TV and covers 10 devices per account. TunnelBear skips routers and Linux, so anything that is not a phone, laptop or browser stays outside the tunnel.
📝 Für den täglichen Gebrauch
For email, banking and public Wi-Fi, either is a good VPN for basic online privacy. For heavy torrenting servers or steady streaming, neither is the right pick.
🎓 Dein Erfahrungslevel
Both apps are beginner territory, and TunnelBear’s features in particular assume no prior VPN knowledge. Power users will find the settings list short on either side, and other VPN services give you far more to tune.
🆓 Kostenlose Testversionen und Demos
Avast’s 60 day trial needs payment information up front. TunnelBear’s free plan needs none, which is the lower-risk way to start.
🛟 Supportoptionen
Avast has more channels but a mixed reputation for helpfulness. TunnelBear answers by email only from mobile devices or desktop, and replies can take a while. Both trail the bigger VPN services here.
Umstellungsleitfaden
Already paying for one of them? Here is what changes.
🔄 Switching from Avast VPN to TunnelBear?
✅ Was Sie davon haben:
- Independent Cure53 audits behind the privacy claims
- Unlimited device connections instead of a 10 device cap
- Split tunneling through SplitBear
❌ Was Sie verlieren werden:
- Smart VPN mode and its automatic connect rules
- Android TV support and the Mimic protocol
- Any refund window if you change your mind
📋 So wechseln Sie:
- Cancel auto-renewal inside your Avast account first
- Create a free TunnelBear account and download the app
- Test your usual servers on the free plan, then upgrade
🔄 Switching from TunnelBear to Avast VPN?
✅ Was Sie davon haben:
- A wider server network with roughly 700 servers
- Smart VPN rules plus the Mimic protocol for blocked networks
- Android TV coverage and a refund window
❌ Was Sie verlieren werden:
- Audited no-logs claims and published transparency reports
- Unlimited connections and the free tier
- SplitBear and GhostBear
📋 So wechseln Sie:
- Uninstall the TunnelBear app from each device
- Start the Avast 60 day trial and add payment information
- Set your Smart VPN rules before the trial ends
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
We did not run controlled speed tests on either service for this piece, and we did not measure DNS leaks in a lab. Business deployments, router setups and Middle East censorship conditions are outside what we checked. TunnelBear coverage here leans on documentation rather than our own hands-on time, and both providers change server counts without notice.
Endgültiges Urteil
| Kategorie | Gewinner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Preisgestaltung | TunnelBear |
| 🚀 Servernetzwerk | Avast VPN |
| ⚡ Geschwindigkeit | Avast VPN |
| 🔒 Datenschutz und Audits | TunnelBear |
| 👶 Benutzerfreundlichkeit | TunnelBear |
| 📺 Streaming | Avast VPN |
| 🛟 Unterstützung | Avast VPN |
| 🏆 Gesamtsieger | Avast VPN |
🏆 WINNER: AVAST VPN
Avast VPN takes 4 of 7 categories and holds the higher rating at 3.7 against 3.5.
Ideal für: existing Avast users, households with up to 10 devices, people who want a long trial before paying
⚠️ Rating source note: Our CSV has no rating recorded for TunnelBear. The 3.5 used here comes from our published TunnelBear review. Avast’s 3.7 is the CSV value. We recommend adding the TunnelBear rating to the CSV row.
This is a narrow win, not a blowout. Avast VPN edges ahead on servers, platform reach and trial length, and that is mostly what separates them.
If audited privacy matters more to you than any of that, flip the result. TunnelBear is the only one of the two with published independent audits, and the FTC case still hangs over Avast.
Either way, both sit below the best VPNs on speed. If you need reliable streaming or heavy downloads, look at NordVPN or ExpressVPN Wählen Sie eine Funktion aus und probieren Sie sie jetzt aus.
Weitere Avast VPN-Vorstellungen im Vergleich
How Avast SecureLine VPN holds up against the rest:
Avast VPN punktet in folgenden Kategorien: longer trial window, Android TV app, simpler settings list
NordVPN Siege bei: thousands of servers, audited no-logs claims, consistent streaming access
Avast VPN punktet in folgenden Kategorien: bundle value with antivirus, 10 device allowance, trial length
ExpressVPN punktet in folgenden Kategorien: speed retention on distant servers, router support, published audit history
Avast VPN punktet in folgenden Kategorien: Mimic obfuscation, integration with Avast antivirus, trial period
Surfshark VPN punktet bei: unlimited connections, lower monthly cost, wider country list
Avast VPN vs. McAfee VPN
Avast VPN punktet in folgenden Kategorien: protocol choice including Mimic, Smart VPN rules, Android TV reach
McAfee VPN punktet in folgenden Bereichen: identity monitoring extras, bundled device limits, family plan pricing
Mehr zu TunnelBear im Vergleich
And how TunnelBear sits against other VPN providers:
TunnelBear gewinnt in: free tier, unlimited connections, gentler learning curve
NordVPN punktet in folgenden Bereichen: download speeds, Netflix reliability, live chat availability
TunnelBear vs ProtonVPN
TunnelBear gewinnt in: simpler interface, unlimited device connections, quicker setup
ProtonVPN punktet bei: Swiss jurisdiction outside Five Eyes, unlimited free data, open-source apps
TunnelBear vs CyberGhost
TunnelBear gewinnt in: audit track record, free plan, lighter app
CyberGhost gewinnt in: far larger server count, dedicated streaming profiles, 45 day refund policy
TunnelBear vs. privater Internetzugang
TunnelBear gewinnt in: beginner-friendly design, free version, fewer confusing settings
Privater Internetzugang Siege bei: no-logs claims tested in court, router support, granular controls
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Funktioniert Avast VPN tatsächlich?
Yes. It encrypts traffic, hides your IP address and reaches Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video with mixed results. Speeds hold on nearby servers and fall on distant ones.
Ist Avast SecureLine VPN sicher?
The encryption is standard and the kill switch works. But there is no independent audit, and the FTC fined the company $16.5 million in 2024 over privacy. Judge accordingly.
Ist TunnelBear wirklich kostenlos?
Partly. The free plan gives 500 MB monthly, liftable to 2 GB through promotions. For unlimited data you need the paid plan at $3.33/mo.
Wird TunnelBear von Netflix blockiert?
Usually yes. Netflix returns a proxy error most times, and Amazon Prime and Hulu often fail too. Smaller platforms sometimes work.
Welches VPN ist besser als TunnelBear?
For streaming and speed, NordVPN and ExpressVPN both beat it. For a free tier with no data cap, ProtonVPN is the stronger pick.













