📊 Our Test Results:
- ⚡ Speed Test: Surfshark retained 80% of base speed vs TunnelBear’s 40% — Surfshark wins
- 🎬 Streaming Access: Surfshark unblocked 8/8 platforms vs TunnelBear’s 3/8 — Surfshark wins
- 🌍 Server Network: Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries vs TunnelBear’s 48 — Surfshark wins
- 🔒 Security Audits: Both passed independent audits by Cure53 and Deloitte — Tie
- 👶 Ease of Use: TunnelBear’s bear-themed design is simpler for beginners — TunnelBear wins
Picking the right VPN feels overwhelming.
You want fast speeds, strong security, and good value for your money.
Surfshark and TunnelBear are two popular VPN choices in 2026.
But they serve very different types of users.
Surfshark is built for power users who want it all.
TunnelBear is designed for beginners who want simplicity.
We tested both SurfsharkVPN vs TunnelBear side-by-side to find the clear winner.
Overview
We spent weeks testing Surfshark and TunnelBear on real devices.
We checked speeds, streaming access, security features, and ease of use.
We also compared pricing, server networks, and customer support.
Here’s our honest take on both VPNs.
What is Surfshark?
Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN with premium features.
It offers 3,200+ servers across 100 countries worldwide.
The big selling point is unlimited device connections on one account.
It also blocks ads and malware with its CleanWeb feature.
Surfshark
A fast, feature-packed VPN that works on unlimited devices. Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ with ease. One of the cheapest long-term plans on the market.
Surfshark Pricing
Here’s what Surfshark costs in 2026.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Months +3 Extra | $1.99/month | Best value for long-term users |
| 12 Months +3 Extra | $3.19/month | Yearly commitment with savings |
| 1 Month | $15.45/month | Short-term or travel use |
Free trial: 7-day free trial on Android and iOS. No credit card needed for the mobile trial.
Money-back guarantee: 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. No questions asked.
📌 Note: The 2-year plan is the best deal at just $1.99/month. All plans include unlimited devices and full access to every feature.
⚠️ Warning: Prices go up after the first billing period. The renewal rate is higher than the intro price. Lock in the longest plan to save more.
Key Benefits of Surfshark
Here’s why Surfshark stands out from other VPNs:
- Unlimited Devices: Connect every device in your home on one account. No per-device restrictions at all.
- Fast WireGuard Speeds: Surfshark retains up to 80% of your base speed. Most servers use 10Gbps ports for fast downloads.
- CleanWeb Protection: Built-in ad blocker and malware filter. It cleans up your browsing without extra software.
- Streaming Power: Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer. Works from any country.
- MultiHop Security: Route your traffic through two servers for extra privacy. Great for sensitive browsing.
- Alternative ID: Create a fake identity for online sign-ups. Keeps your real info private from sketchy websites.
- Camouflage Mode: Hides your VPN usage from your internet provider. Works in restricted countries like China and the UAE.
Surfshark Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Unlimited device connections on every plan
- 3,200+ servers in 100 countries for global access
- Fast speeds with WireGuard protocol
- Unblocks every major streaming platform
- Built-in ad blocker, malware filter, and Alternative ID
❌ Cons
- Based in the Netherlands (Nine Eyes member)
- Monthly plan is expensive at $15.45
- Prices increase after the first term
- No free plan available (only 7-day mobile trial)
What is TunnelBear?
TunnelBear is a beginner-friendly VPN owned by McAfee.
It has a fun bear-themed design that makes VPNs less scary.
The app uses cute animations and a world map to pick servers.
It also offers a free plan with 2GB of monthly data.
TunnelBear
A playful, simple VPN perfect for first-time users. Backed by annual Cure53 security audits and a strict no-logs policy. Offers a free tier for light browsing.
TunnelBear Pricing
Here’s what TunnelBear costs in 2026.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free Testing and Limited usage | Light browsing and testing |
| Unlimited | $3.33/mo | Individual users who want full access |
| Teams | $5.75/user per month | Small businesses and teams |
Free trial: Free plan gives you 2GB per month. No credit card required to start.
Money-back guarantee: TunnelBear does not offer a standard money-back guarantee. Refunds are handled case-by-case.
📌 Note: The free plan now has 2GB of data (up from 500MB). All paid plans include unlimited devices and all server locations.
⚠️ Warning: TunnelBear only accepts credit card payments. No PayPal, crypto, or gift cards. The annual plan auto-renews at a higher rate.
Key Benefits of TunnelBear
Here’s why TunnelBear appeals to many users:
- Beginner-Friendly Design: The bear-themed interface makes VPNs fun. Click a tunnel on the map and you’re connected.
- Free Plan: Get 2GB of free data every month. No credit card needed. Great for testing before you buy.
- Annual Security Audits: Cure53 audits TunnelBear every year. They publish the full results for anyone to read.
- GhostBear Mode: Hides your VPN traffic to bypass censorship. Works in countries that block VPN connections.
- Strict No-Logs Policy: TunnelBear doesn’t track your browsing history or IP address. Verified by independent audits.
- Unlimited Devices: Premium plans now support unlimited device connections. A big upgrade from the old 5-device limit.
TunnelBear Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Most beginner-friendly VPN interface on the market
- Free plan with 2GB of monthly data
- Annual independent security audits by Cure53
- Transparent no-logs policy with published results
❌ Cons
- Small server network with only 48 countries
- Inconsistent speeds on distant servers
- Struggles to unblock Netflix and major streaming
- Based in Canada (Five Eyes alliance member)
- No money-back guarantee on paid plans
- No live chat customer support
Feature Comparison
Let’s compare Surfshark and TunnelBear across 10 key features.
This will help you see exactly where each VPN wins and loses.
| Feature | Surfshark | TunnelBear |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $1.99/month | $3.33/month |
| Free Plan | ❌ | ✅ 2GB/month |
| Server Countries | 100 countries | 48 countries |
| Simultaneous Devices | Unlimited | Unlimited (Premium) |
| Kill Switch | ✅ | ✅ (VigilantBear) |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ All platforms | ✅ Android only |
| Streaming Unblock | ✅ Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ | ❌ Inconsistent |
| Ad Blocker | ✅ CleanWeb | ❌ |
| Live Chat Support | ✅ 24/7 | ❌ Email only |
| Best For | Power users & streamers | Beginners & casual users |
1. Server Network
Surfshark: Over 3,200 servers spread across 100 countries. You get 600+ endpoints with city-level selection in major regions. Most servers run on 10Gbps ports for faster connections.
TunnelBear: A smaller network with servers in about 48 countries. Coverage is solid in North America and Europe. But it’s thin in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
2. Speed and Performance
Surfshark: One of the fastest VPNs tested. It retains about 80% of your base speed on nearby servers. Even distant servers stay usable for 4K streaming and gaming.
TunnelBear: Speeds are hit or miss. Nearby servers work fine for basic browsing. But distant servers can drop speeds by 60-70%, making streaming choppy.
💡 Test Result: Surfshark averaged 750+ Mbps on local servers with WireGuard. TunnelBear averaged 332 Mbps on the same test. Surfshark is over 2x faster.
3. Streaming and Unblocking
Surfshark: Unblocks Netflix US, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime. It also has a Smart DNS feature for devices that can’t install VPN apps.
TunnelBear: Struggles with major streaming platforms. Netflix access is unreliable and often returns proxy errors. Amazon Prime and Hulu are blocked most of the time.
4. Security Features
Surfshark: AES-256 encryption plus WireGuard protocol. Includes MultiHop (double VPN), Camouflage Mode, rotating IP, and CleanWeb malware blocking. Audited by Deloitte and Cure53.
TunnelBear: AES-256 encryption with WireGuard support. Includes VigilantBear (kill switch), GhostBear (obfuscation), and SplitBear (split tunneling). Audited annually by Cure53.
5. Privacy and Jurisdiction
Surfshark: Based in the Netherlands. It follows a strict no-logs policy verified by Deloitte. The company only keeps IP addresses for 15 minutes after a session ends.
TunnelBear: Based in Canada, a Five Eyes alliance member. It has a verified no-logs policy and publishes transparency reports. TunnelBear has never received user data requests it could fulfill.
⚠️ Warning: Canada’s Five Eyes membership means TunnelBear could face government data requests. However, their no-logs policy means there’s nothing to hand over.
6. Ease of Use
Surfshark: Clean, modern interface with advanced settings. Easy for most users but has more menus and options than TunnelBear. Available on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and Fire TV.
TunnelBear: The simplest VPN interface in the industry. A world map with cute bear animations makes connecting feel effortless. Perfect for people who’ve never used a VPN before.
7. Split Tunneling
Surfshark: Full split tunneling on all platforms. You can choose which apps go through the VPN and which use your normal connection. Called “Bypasser” in the Surfshark app.
TunnelBear: Split tunneling (SplitBear) is available on paid plans only. It works for both apps and websites. Free users lost this feature in early 2026.
8. Customer Support
Surfshark: 24/7 live chat with human agents. Also offers email support and a detailed help center. Response times are fast, usually under 5 minutes on live chat.
TunnelBear: Email-only support with no live chat. Response times are usually 2-4 hours. They also have an FAQ section and a chatbot for basic questions.
9. Torrenting
Surfshark: Every server supports P2P traffic. No special configuration needed. Surfshark routes torrent traffic through optimized servers automatically.
TunnelBear: Allows torrenting on select servers only. P2P is available in the US, UK, Canada, Netherlands, Germany, Romania, and Sweden.
10. Pricing & Cost
Let’s compare the pricing plans side by side.
| Plan | Surfshark | TunnelBear |
|---|---|---|
| Free | ❌ | Free (2GB/month) |
| Monthly | $15.45/month | $9.99/month |
| Annual | $3.19/month | $3.33/month |
| Long-term | $1.99/month (2 years) | $3.33/month (3 years) |
| Business/Teams | N/A | $5.75/user/month |
Surfshark: The 2-year plan at $1.99/month is one of the cheapest premium VPNs available. You get unlimited devices and full features. The 30-day money-back guarantee lets you try risk-free.
TunnelBear: The free plan is a great perk for casual users. But the paid plans are actually more expensive than Surfshark’s 2-year deal. No money-back guarantee adds risk.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best streaming VPN | Surfshark | Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ |
| A free VPN to test | TunnelBear | 2GB/month free plan |
| Fastest speeds | Surfshark | 80% speed retention |
| Easiest interface | TunnelBear | Bear-themed, one-click connect |
| Cheapest long-term | Surfshark | $1.99/month on 2-year plan |
| Works in China | Surfshark | Camouflage Mode + NoBorders |
| Most server locations | Surfshark | 100 countries vs 48 |
💰 Your Budget
If you want a free VPN, TunnelBear wins with its 2GB plan. But for paid plans, Surfshark is cheaper at $1.99/month for 2 years.
🔌 Your Tech Stack
Surfshark works on more platforms, including Linux and Fire TV. TunnelBear covers Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android but skips Linux and routers.
📝 Your Online Activities
For streaming and torrenting, Surfshark is the clear pick. For light browsing and public Wi-Fi safety, TunnelBear works fine.
🎓 Your Experience Level
Total VPN beginners will love TunnelBear’s simple interface. Users who want more control should choose Surfshark.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
TunnelBear has a free plan with 2GB data. Surfshark offers a 7-day mobile trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
🛟 Support Options
Surfshark has 24/7 live chat for instant help. TunnelBear only offers email support with 2-4 hour response times.
Switching Guide
Already using one of these VPNs? Here’s what to expect if you switch.
🔄 Switching from Surfshark to TunnelBear?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- A free plan with 2GB monthly data for light use
- The simplest VPN interface with cute bear animations
- Annual independent security audits published publicly
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Reliable streaming access (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+)
- 3,200+ servers across 100 countries
- CleanWeb ad blocker and MultiHop double VPN
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel your Surfshark subscription before renewal date
- Download TunnelBear and sign up for a free or paid plan
- Uninstall Surfshark from all your devices
🔄 Switching from TunnelBear to Surfshark?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Fast speeds and reliable streaming on every platform
- 100 server countries with 3,200+ endpoints
- 24/7 live chat support and 30-day money-back guarantee
❌ What you’ll lose:
- The free plan (Surfshark has no free tier)
- TunnelBear’s ultra-simple bear-themed interface
- Published annual security audit results
📋 How to switch:
- Sign up for Surfshark and use the 30-day money-back guarantee
- Install Surfshark on all your devices
- Cancel and uninstall TunnelBear once you’re happy
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing | Surfshark |
| 🚀 Server Network | Surfshark |
| ⚡ Speed & Performance | Surfshark |
| 🎬 Streaming Access | Surfshark |
| 🔒 Security Features | Surfshark |
| 👶 Ease of Use | TunnelBear |
| 🆓 Free Plan | TunnelBear |
| 🛟 Customer Support | Surfshark |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | Surfshark |
🏆 WINNER: Surfshark
Surfshark wins 6 out of 8 categories.
Best for: streaming, speed, global server access, and long-term value
Surfshark and TunnelBear serve very different types of users.
Surfshark is built for people who want speed, streaming, and features.
TunnelBear is built for beginners who want the simplest VPN possible.
TunnelBear is great if you just need basic browsing protection.
But if you need a VPN that does everything well, Surfshark is the better choice.
It’s faster, cheaper long-term, and unlocks every streaming platform.
Now go protect your internet connection!
More of Surfshark Compared
Here’s how Surfshark stacks up against other competitors:
Surfshark vs NordVPN
Surfshark wins on: price, unlimited devices
NordVPN wins on: speed, server count, specialty servers
Surfshark vs ExpressVPN
Surfshark wins on: price, device limit, extra features
ExpressVPN wins on: router support, consistency
Surfshark vs PureVPN
Surfshark wins on: speed, streaming, privacy audits
PureVPN wins on: dedicated IP options, port forwarding
Surfshark vs ProtonVPN
Surfshark wins on: price, streaming, server count
ProtonVPN wins on: free plan, open source, Swiss privacy
Surfshark vs PrivadoVPN
Surfshark wins on: speed, server count, features
PrivadoVPN wins on: free plan with 10GB data
Surfshark vs AdGuard VPN
Surfshark wins on: server network, streaming, speed
AdGuard VPN wins on: ad blocking integration
Surfshark vs Virtual Shield
Surfshark wins on: price, global coverage, features
Virtual Shield wins on: US-focused server optimization
Surfshark vs StrongVPN
Surfshark wins on: price, speed, server count
StrongVPN wins on: WireGuard implementation
Surfshark vs FastestVPN
Surfshark wins on: speed, features, streaming
FastestVPN wins on: lifetime plan pricing
Surfshark vs Aura VPN
Surfshark wins on: speed, server network, features
Aura VPN wins on: identity theft protection bundle
Surfshark vs CyberGhost
Surfshark wins on: unlimited devices, price
CyberGhost wins on: dedicated streaming servers
Surfshark vs McAfee VPN
Surfshark wins on: speed, features, server count
McAfee VPN wins on: antivirus bundle integration
Surfshark vs Private Internet Access
Surfshark wins on: streaming, ease of use
PIA wins on: open source, massive server count
Surfshark vs Mysterium
Surfshark wins on: speed, streaming, reliability
Mysterium wins on: decentralized network, pay-per-use
Surfshark vs SafeShell VPN
Surfshark wins on: server count, features, audits
SafeShell VPN wins on: China-focused server access
Surfshark vs Oyster VPN
Surfshark wins on: speed, features, server network
Oyster VPN wins on: niche privacy-focused features
More of TunnelBear Compared
Here’s how TunnelBear stacks up against other competitors:
TunnelBear wins on: free plan, simplicity
NordVPN wins on: speed, server count, streaming
TunnelBear wins on: free plan, price, ease of use
ExpressVPN wins on: speed, streaming, router support
TunnelBear wins on: transparency, security audits
PureVPN wins on: server count, streaming, speed
TunnelBear wins on: interface simplicity
ProtonVPN wins on: free plan, open source, Swiss law
TunnelBear vs AdGuard VPN
TunnelBear wins on: security audits, brand trust
AdGuard VPN wins on: ad blocking, exclusion lists
TunnelBear vs Virtual Shield
TunnelBear wins on: free plan, brand recognition
Virtual Shield wins on: US streaming access
TunnelBear vs StrongVPN
TunnelBear wins on: free plan, ease of use
StrongVPN wins on: speed, server network
TunnelBear vs FastestVPN
TunnelBear wins on: transparency, audits
FastestVPN wins on: speed, lifetime plan
TunnelBear vs Aura VPN
TunnelBear wins on: free plan, simplicity
Aura VPN wins on: identity protection suite
TunnelBear vs CyberGhost
TunnelBear wins on: free plan, audit transparency
CyberGhost wins on: speed, streaming, server count
TunnelBear vs McAfee VPN
TunnelBear wins on: standalone VPN focus, audits
McAfee VPN wins on: antivirus bundle, device coverage
TunnelBear vs Private Internet Access
TunnelBear wins on: ease of use, free plan
PIA wins on: server count, open source, customization
TunnelBear vs Mysterium VPN
TunnelBear wins on: simplicity, free plan
Mysterium VPN wins on: decentralized, pay-per-use
TunnelBear vs SafeShell VPN
TunnelBear wins on: brand trust, audit history
SafeShell VPN wins on: China access, speed
TunnelBear vs Oyster VPN
TunnelBear wins on: free plan, brand recognition
Oyster VPN wins on: server speeds, advanced features
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Surfshark VPN trustworthy?
Yes. Surfshark has been audited by Deloitte and Cure53. It follows a strict no-logs policy. Your browsing data is never stored or shared.
Is TunnelBear a trusted VPN?
Yes. TunnelBear undergoes annual security audits by Cure53 and publishes the results. It has a verified no-logs policy and transparency reports.
Is TunnelBear really free?
TunnelBear offers a free plan with 2GB of data per month. No credit card is needed. But 2GB runs out fast with streaming or downloads.
Can you be tracked with Surfshark?
It’s very unlikely. Surfshark uses AES-256 encryption and keeps no logs. Your IP address is hidden behind their server network.
Is TunnelBear blocked by Netflix?
TunnelBear struggles with Netflix. It may work sometimes, but access is unreliable. Surfshark is a much better choice for Netflix streaming.
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