⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Preisgestaltung: TunnelBear Unlimited is $3.33/mo. McAfee plans start at $39.99/yr for Essential.
- Ideal für: TunnelBear suits VPN newbies who want a simple, audited VPN. McAfee suits buyers who want antivirus and a VPN in one bundle.
- Hauptunterschied: TunnelBear does not log IP addresses or browsing history. McAfee Safe Connect logs your IP address and the sites you visit.
- Our pick: TunnelBear for most users. It has the cleaner privacy record and unlimited device connections.
Here’s a twist most buyers miss.
McAfee owns TunnelBear.
So this fight is between two VPNs from the same parent company.
Yet in a crowded VPN market, they feel nothing alike.
TunnelBear is a standalone VPN service with a cartoon bear and a clean privacy record.
McAfee VPN is a bundled extra inside McAfee’s antivirus plans.
Pick the wrong one, and you could pay with your privacy.
Überblick
This TunnelBear vs McAfee VPN comparison covers pricing, privacy, speed, and security features.
We also look at streaming, device support, and customer support.
Our sources include published specs, privacy policies, and independent reviews.
We don’t claim hands-on speed tests for either tool in this article.
By the end, you’ll know which VPN fits your online security needs.
Was ist TunnelBear?
TunnelBear ist ein kanadischer VPN-Dienst, der zu McAfee gehört.
It hides your IP address by routing your internet traffic through its servers.
Websites then see the server’s location, not your real one.
That also makes tracking harder for third party advertisers.
The TunnelBear app uses a world map to pick server locations.
A cartoon bear digs a tunnel each time you connect.
That quirky design makes it popular with VPN newbies.
Our full TunnelBear VPN review goes deeper on each feature.
Here’s a short video overview of how it works.
TunnelBear
A beginner-friendly VPN with Cure53-audited apps. Cover every device on one paid plan. Start free before you spend a cent.
TunnelBear-Preise
Here’s what TunnelBear costs in 2026. There are three plans to pick from.
| Planen | Preis | Am besten geeignet für |
|---|---|---|
| Frei | Testen und eingeschränkte Nutzung | Trying the app before you pay |
| Unbegrenzt | 3,33 €/Monat | Individuals who want unlimited Daten |
| Teams | 5,75 $ pro Nutzer und Monat | Kleinunternehmen and remote teams |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Kostenlose Testversion: TunnelBear offers no timed trial. The TunnelBear free plan gives you 500 MB of data per month. Promotions, like a post on TunnelBear’s Twitter, can raise it to 2 GB.
Geld-zurück-Garantie: None. TunnelBear doesn’t refund paid subscriptions, which adds risk.
📌 Notiz: The $3.33/mo rate matches the $39.99 yearly plan. Monthly billing costs $9.99. A three-year plan costs $120. Payment is by credit card only, since Bitcoin was dropped.
⚠️ Warnung: The annual plan auto-renews at $59.88 after year one. With no refunds, test the free account on all your devices first.
Hauptvorteile von TunnelBear
Here’s what makes TunnelBear worth a look:
- Unbegrenzte Geräteanzahl: Paid plans allow unlimited simultaneous connections. One account can protect many devices simultaneously.
- Audited Apps: Cure53 has run independent audits since 2016. Critical and high-severity issues it found were fixed.
- Clear No-Logs Policy: TunnelBear doesn’t log IP addresses, DNS queries, or browsing history. Its transparency reports confirm it never had user data to share.
- Not-Aus-Schalter: VigilantBear blocks all traffic if the VPN connection drops. That helps stop data leaks during a reconnect.
- Split-Tunneling: SplitBear lets you choose which apps or websites skip the tunnel.
- Einfache Einrichtung: Download, sign in, and tap a country. The bear-themed app suits first-time users.
What Our Team Noticed
Note: We don’t have a hands-on Personal Experience block for TunnelBear in this comparison. The details above come from TunnelBear’s documentation, its privacy policy, and independent reviews.
TunnelBear Vor- und Nachteile
✅ Vorteile
- Mit dem kostenlosen Plan können Sie testen, bevor Sie bezahlen.
- Unbegrenzte gleichzeitige Verbindungen bei kostenpflichtigen Tarifen
- No logs of IP addresses, DNS queries, or browsing history
- Multiple Cure53 security audits since 2016
- Simple world-map app that suits beginners
❌ Nachteile
- Small server network of about 48 locations
- Struggles with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu
- Für kostenpflichtige Tarife gibt es keine Geld-zurück-Garantie.
- Kein Live-Chat-Support
Was ist McAfee VPN?
McAfee VPN is the virtual private network inside McAfee’s security plans.
You’ll also see it called McAfee Safe Connect VPN.
It encrypts your connection with AES-256 on public Wi-Fi.
That shields banking details from man-in-the-middle attacks.
It switches on by itself when you join an unsecured network.
Most people get it in McAfee’s All-in-One Protection packages.
Those bundles add antivirus and identity protection.
Our McAfee VPN review covers the full suite in more detail.
Watch this quick breakdown of the app first.
McAfee VPN
A bundled VPN that turns on for public Wi-Fi. Antivirus and identity tools come in the same plan. You get 30 days to ask for a refund.
McAfee VPN-Preise
McAfee sells its VPN inside three yearly security plans. Here’s the breakdown.
| Planen | Preis | Am besten geeignet für |
|---|---|---|
| Essentiell | 39,99 €/Jahr | Basic antivirus plus VPN |
| Fortgeschrittene Person | 89,99 $/Jahr | One person who wants identity theft coverage |
| Erweiterte Familie | 119,99 $/Jahr | Households protecting several people |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Kostenlose Testversion: Our pricing data lists no free plan. The refund window works as your trial.
Geld-zurück-Garantie: Yes. McAfee offers 30 days to cancel and get a refund.
📌 Notiz: The pricing structure is simple to follow. Unlimited bandwidth usually requires automatic renewal. Leave auto-renew on if you need it.
⚠️ Pricing conflict: The table shows McAfee’s bundle prices from our data. Other sources quote standalone VPN prices instead. Those are $7.99 monthly, or $19.99 for year one (about $1.66/month). The yearly plan then renews at $47.99, near industry averages. Check the checkout page before you buy.
Wichtigste Vorteile von McAfee VPN
Here’s where McAfee VPN earns its place:
- Automatischer WLAN-Schutz: The VPN activates when you join unsecured public Wi-Fi. You don’t have to remember to turn it on.
- Gebündelte Sicherheit: Plans pair the VPN with antivirus, identity monitoring, and a Passwortmanager.
- Fast Nearby Servers: One published speed test hit 97Mbps on a nearby server. International speeds never fell below 75Mbps.
- Throttling Shield: Encryption makes it harder for your ISP or mobile carrier to spot heavy use.
- DNS-Leak-Schutz: Lookups stay inside the tunnel, which prevents DNS leaks to your ISP.
- Unterstützung mehrerer Geräte: One plan covers up to five devices at the same time.
What Our Team Noticed
Note: We haven’t attached a separate hands-on block for McAfee VPN in this comparison. The details above come from McAfee’s documentation, its privacy policy, and independent reviews.
McAfee VPN: Vor- und Nachteile
✅ Vorteile
- Turns on automatically on unsecured public Wi-Fi
- Inklusive Virenschutz und Identitätsschutz
- Schnelle Verbindungen über Server in der Nähe
- 30-day refund window
❌ Nachteile
- Logs IP addresses and websites you visit
- Kill switch works on Windows only
- No macOS or Linux app
- Fails with Netflix and Hulu
Funktionsvergleich
Let’s put TunnelBear vs McAfee VPN side by side. We’ll cover nine features, then break down pricing.
| Besonderheit | TunnelBear | McAfee VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Startpreis | 3,33 €/Monat | 39,99 €/Jahr |
| Kostenloser Plan | ✅ | ❌ |
| No IP or Browsing Logs | ✅ | ❌ |
| Unabhängige Sicherheitsaudits | ✅ | ❌ |
| Not-Aus-Schalter auf allen Plattformen | ✅ | ❌ (Nur für Windows) |
| Split-Tunneling | ✅ | ✅ (Android nur) |
| Obfuscation Mode | ✅ | ❌ |
| Unbegrenzte Geräte | ✅ | ❌ (5 devices) |
| Geld-zurück-Garantie | ❌ | ✅ (30 days) |
| Antivirus and Identity Tools | ❌ | ✅ |
| Am besten geeignet für | Privacy-minded beginners | Antivirus bundle buyers |
1. Datenschutz- und Protokollierungsrichtlinie
TunnelBear: TunnelBear doesn’t log IP addresses, DNS queries, or browsing history. It collects operational data like OS version, TunnelBear app version, and data used. That data can’t identify you. Its transparency reports say it has never had user data to hand over.
McAfee VPN: McAfee claims a no-logs approach, but reviewers have questioned it. McAfee Safe Connect logs personal data, including your IP address and the websites you visit. It keeps that data until you delete your account, then 30 more days.
The policy is vague and shared with McAfee’s wider product line. It says McAfee will hand data to legal or government authorities on request. So should you trust McAfee Safe Connect with sensitive browsing? For privacy, it’s a weak bet.
⚠️ Warnung: Both companies sit in Five Eyes countries. TunnelBear is in Canada, and McAfee is in the US. The real gap is how much data each one keeps to hand over.
2. Geschwindigkeit und Leistung
TunnelBear: Independent tests put TunnelBear’s performance at around 40% of base download speeds. The nearest server does best, while distant ones slow down. Results vary a lot across different servers. Connecting can also take over 10 seconds.
McAfee VPN: McAfee runs on Catapult Hydra, the protocol Hotspot Shield also uses. One speed test hit 97Mbps on a nearby server. Speeds never fell below 75Mbps on international servers. The catch is latency, which jumped 600% on Windows in one test. Gamers should look elsewhere.
💡 Profi-Tipp: Run your own speed tests before and after connecting. That shows the real drop on your internet connection.
3. Verschlüsselung und Protokolle
TunnelBear: TunnelBear uses AES-256 encryption. Its app acts as an encrypted client between you and TunnelBear’s servers. Current apps list WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Some older reviews say WireGuard is missing, so check your app’s protocol settings.
McAfee VPN: McAfee Safe Connect VPN also protects encrypted data with AES-256. It adds DNS leak protection and pairs the VPN with McAfee antivirus. It doesn’t block cookies, though. Logged into personal accounts, your online activity isn’t anonymous.
4. Kill Switch and Split Tunneling
TunnelBear: VigilantBear is TunnelBear’s kill switch. It blocks all incoming and outgoing traffic until the tunnel reconnects. SplitBear handles split tunneling. You choose which apps or browser traffic go through the VPN.
McAfee VPN: The kill switch exists only in the Windows app. iOS users and Android users go without one. Split tunneling is Android-only, where you pick apps to boost speed. Neither VPN offers multi hop routing.
⚠️ Warnung: McAfee lacks advanced security features on mobile. A dropped connection there can expose your real IP address.
5. Server Network and Global Content
TunnelBear: So how many servers does TunnelBear have? It runs a small server network of about 48 locations in roughly 47 countries. You can pick any country TunnelBear lists, like the Canada server. But fewer servers make it harder to access global content.
McAfee VPN: Server counts for McAfee vary by source. Reports range from 23 to about 47 countries, with roughly 2,000 servers. Its server list lets you swap your geo location information to reach region-locked content.
6. Streaming-Dienste
TunnelBear: TunnelBear doesn’t work reliably with Netflix and often shows a proxy error. It also struggles with Amazon Prime Video and Hulu. Some smaller streaming sites do work. The free version’s data limit also rules out long streaming sessions.
McAfee VPN: This is where the VPN fails too. McAfee isn’t effective with Netflix or Hulu. Neither tool offers Smart DNS or a native Apple TV or Android TV app.
7. Censorship and Torrenting
TunnelBear: GhostBear disguises VPN traffic so networks can’t easily spot it. That helps in countries with heavy censorship. It can also help with some streaming blocks. Expect download speeds to drop a lot while it runs.
McAfee VPN: McAfee has no obfuscation mode. It also doesn’t support P2P traffic. Its logging and missing mobile kill switch make it a poor pick for torrenting.
8. Geräteunterstützung und Verbindungen
TunnelBear: Paid plans give you unlimited device connections. Mobile apps cover iOS and Android, with a Windows app and Mac app on desktop. It doesn’t support routers or Linux. TunnelBear has offered browser extensions before, so check the TunnelBear site for current options.
McAfee VPN: McAfee allows five simultaneous connections. Apps run on Windows, iOS, and Android. There’s no macOS app and no Linux support. For Mac owners, that’s a big deal. The interface is user friendly but basic, with few advanced settings.
9. Extra Security Tools
TunnelBear: TunnelBear’s features stop at the VPN. There’s no antivirus, password manager, or identity protection. Some buyers like that focus. Others want more in one bill.
McAfee VPN: This is McAfee’s strongest area. Plans add antivirus, a password manager, identity monitoring, and a Protection Score. Advanced plans add identity theft coverage, credit monitoring, a security freeze, and a scam Detektor.
10. Preisgestaltung & Kosten
Here are both price lists side by side.
| Tarifstufe | TunnelBear | McAfee VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Frei | Free: Testing and Limited usage | ❌ Not listed |
| Eintrag | Unbegrenzt: 3,33 $/Monat | Grundvoraussetzung: 39,99 $/Jahr |
| Mitte | Teams: 5,75 $/Nutzer pro Monat | Fortgeschrittene Einzelperson: 89,99 $/Jahr |
| Spitze | — | Familienmitgliedschaft (Advanced): 119,99 $/Jahr |
| Refund Policy | ❌ Keine | ✅ 30 Tage |
TunnelBear: The TunnelBear cost is low for unlimited data and unlimited devices. The free plan lets you try it risk-free. The downside is no refunds once you buy a paid subscription.
McAfee VPN: Essential lands close to TunnelBear’s yearly price. You also get antivirus and identity tools for that money. You give up privacy and device limits in return.
Verschiedene Szenarien
| Falls Sie Folgendes benötigen: | Wählen | Warum |
|---|---|---|
| Ein kostenloser Ausgangspunkt | TunnelBear | Free plan with monthly data |
| Strong online privacy | TunnelBear | No IP or browsing logs |
| Antivirus plus VPN | McAfee VPN | Security suite in one plan |
| Viele Geräte | TunnelBear | Unbegrenzte Verbindungen |
| A Mac at home | TunnelBear | McAfee has no macOS app |
| Hands-off Wi-Fi safety | McAfee VPN | Auto-connects on public Wi-Fi |
| A refund safety net | McAfee VPN | 30-day refund window |
| Netflix streamen | Weder | Both struggle with blocks |
💰 Ihr Budget
TunnelBear lets you start with a free account and upgrade later. McAfee only wins on value if you also need antivirus.
🔌 Ihre Geräte
TunnelBear covers any operating system except Linux, with no device cap. McAfee stops at five devices and skips macOS entirely.
🔒 Ihre Datenschutzbedürfnisse
TunnelBear is a safe VPN for people who care where their online activities end up. McAfee’s logging makes it best for occasional use on public Wi-Fi.
🎓 Dein Erfahrungslevel
Both apps are easy for vpn users at any level. Power users will find both basic compared to other VPN services.
🆓 Kostenlose Testversionen und Demos
Unlike many free VPNs, TunnelBear’s free tier uses the same servers as paid plans. McAfee’s 30-day refund window is your test period instead.
🛟 Supportoptionen
TunnelBear’s customer support uses 24/7 email and a web form, with no live chat. Replies from the support team can lag, but its FAQ section solves many common issues.
With McAfee, VPN help comes through the same support center as its antivirus. You contact McAfee once for the whole suite.
Umstellungsleitfaden
Already using one of these? Here’s what changes if you switch.
Moving to TunnelBear? This tutorial walks through setup step by step.
🔄 Switching from TunnelBear to McAfee VPN?
✅ Was Sie davon haben:
- Antivirus and identity monitoring in one app
- Automatic protection on public Wi-Fi
- A 30-day refund window
❌ Was Sie verlieren werden:
- A no-logs policy for your browsing history
- Unbegrenzte Geräteverbindungen
- GhostBear and a native Mac app
📋 So wechseln Sie:
- Turn off TunnelBear auto-renewal in your account
- Buy a McAfee plan and install the app
- Open the VPN tab and switch on auto-connect
🔄 Switching from McAfee VPN to TunnelBear?
✅ Was Sie davon haben:
- Audited apps and far less data logged
- Unbegrenzte gleichzeitige Verbindungen
- A kill switch beyond Windows, plus GhostBear
❌ Was Sie verlieren werden:
- Inklusive Virenschutz und Identitätsschutz
- A refund window on paid plans
- Faster nearby speeds from Catapult Hydra
📋 So wechseln Sie:
- Turn off the VPN inside the McAfee app
- Create a free TunnelBear account and install the app
- Pick a server on the map and enable VigilantBear
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
This comparison focused on individuals using Windows, Mac, and phones. We didn’t run our own speed tests or test router setups. TunnelBear Teams admin tools and McAfee’s family features weren’t evaluated. Details reflect September 2026 information, and VPN features change often. For deeper detail, see our standalone TunnelBear review.
Endgültiges Urteil
| Kategorie | Gewinner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Preisgestaltung | TunnelBear |
| 🔒 Privacy and Logging | TunnelBear |
| ⚡ Geschwindigkeit | McAfee VPN |
| 🛡️ Sicherheitsmerkmale | TunnelBear |
| 📱 Geräteunterstützung | TunnelBear |
| 👶 Benutzerfreundlichkeit | TunnelBear |
| 📺 Streaming | Tie (both weak) |
| 🧰 Extra Security Tools | McAfee VPN |
| 💸 Refund Policy | McAfee VPN |
| 🏆 Gesamtsieger | TunnelBear |
🏆 WINNER: TUNNELBEAR
TunnelBear wins 5 out of 9 categories.
Ideal für: VPN newbies, privacy-minded users, and households with many devices
TunnelBear and McAfee VPN share a parent company, but not a purpose. TunnelBear is a standalone VPN built around privacy. McAfee VPN is an add-on inside a security suite.
McAfee makes sense if you want antivirus, identity tools, and basic Wi-Fi protection together. Its logging policy keeps it at the bare minimum for privacy, though.
If privacy is why you want a VPN, TunnelBear is the good VPN pick here. Start on the free plan, then purchase TunnelBear once it fits your routine.
Mehr zu TunnelBear im Vergleich
Here’s how TunnelBear holds up against other VPN providers:
TunnelBear gewinnt in: a free plan, no device cap, and a simpler map-based app.
NordVPN punktet in folgenden Bereichen: far more servers, reliable Netflix access, and Panama jurisdiction outside Five Eyes.
TunnelBear gewinnt in: unlimited connections, a friendlier design, and audits dating back to 2016.
ProtonVPN Siege bei: Swiss jurisdiction, an uncapped free tier, and Secure Core routing.
TunnelBear gewinnt in: a free plan, unlimited devices, and a cleaner beginner app.
CyberGhost gewinnt in: a much larger network, dedicated streaming servers, and a long refund window.
Weitere McAfee VPN-Vergleiche
Here’s how McAfee VPN compares with other VPN companies:
McAfee VPN vs. Surfshark
McAfee VPN punktet in folgenden Bereichen: bundled antivirus, identity monitoring, and auto-on Wi-Fi protection.
Surfshark gewinnt in: unlimited devices, an audited no-logs policy, and working streaming access.
McAfee VPN vs ExpressVPN
McAfee VPN punktet in folgenden Bereichen: a lower first-year price, credit monitoring, and a password manager in the plan.
ExpressVPN punktet in folgenden Kategorien: RAM-only servers, strong streaming support, and a macOS app with a kill switch.
McAfee VPN vs. Private Internet Access
McAfee VPN punktet in folgenden Bereichen: identity theft coverage, a security freeze tool, and a simpler app.
Privater Internetzugang Siege bei: open-source apps, P2P-friendly servers, and unlimited connections.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Ist TunnelBear wirklich kostenlos?
Partly. The free plan gives 500 MB per month, or up to 2 GB through promotions. For unlimited data, you need a paid plan.
Ist TunnelBear vertrauenswürdig?
Yes, for most people. Cure53 has audited it since 2016, and it doesn’t log IP addresses or browsing history. It is based in Canada, a Five Eyes country.
Wird TunnelBear von Netflix blockiert?
Usually, yes. It often triggers a proxy error on Netflix. It also struggles with Amazon Prime Video and Hulu, so it’s a weak streaming choice.
Sammelt McAfee VPN Daten?
Yes. It logs your IP address and the websites you visit. That data stays until you delete your account, plus 30 more days.
Lohnt sich McAfee Safe Connect?
It’s worth it if you want antivirus and a basic VPN in one plan. For strong privacy or streaming, a dedicated VPN is the better buy.
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