Looking for a VPN that’s both secure and user-friendly?
TunnelBear might be your answer.
With its cute bear theme and simple interface, it’s tempting to dismiss it as just a “fun” VPN.
But don’t be fooled!
In this TunnelBear VPN review, we’ll dive deep into its security features, performance, and overall value to see if it’s truly a top contender.
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What is TunnelBear?
TunnelBear is a tool that helps you stay safe and private online.
It’s like a secret tunnel for your internet connection. Think of it as a disguise for your computer or phone when using the internet.
TunnelBear is a type of VPN connection. VPN stands for “Virtual Private Network”. It’s like a mask that hides your location and what you’re doing online.
This is important if you use public Wi-Fi, like at a coffee shop or airport, because it stops others from snooping on your information.
Many companies offer VPNs. They are called VPN providers. TunnelBear is one of these VPN providers.
They have a TunnelBear app that you can download on your devices. It’s easy to use!
Once you connect to TunnelBear, all your internet activity, or VPN traffic, goes through their secure servers.
This makes it much harder for anyone to track or steal your data. It’s like having a bodyguard for your online activity!
Who Created TunnelBear?
TunnelBear was created in 2011 by Ryan Dochuk and Daniel Kaldor in Toronto.
They wanted to make online privacy simple for everyone.
Their goal was to create a TunnelBear app version that was easy to use and different from other VPN providers.
They did this with a user-friendly design and a fun bear theme.
TunnelBear believes in great customer support and transparency regarding how their service works.
This, plus strong privacy features (like protecting your DNS queries), leads to positive TunnelBear reviews.
Top Benefits of TunnelBear
- Strong Privacy: TunnelBear hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, making it much harder for anyone to track or see what you’re doing online. This is especially important when using public Wi-Fi.
- Easy to Use: The TunnelBear app is simple, even for beginners. Just download, install, and connect with one click. They prefer mobile apps for iOS & Android and desktop apps for Windows and Mac.
- Global Server Network: TunnelBear has servers all over the world. This means you can connect to a server in another country and access websites or content that might be blocked in your location. This extensive server network also helps ensure fast speeds.
- Unlimited Device Connections: With a single TunnelBear subscription, you can protect all your devices. With unlimited device connections, you can use it on your phone, laptop, tablet, and more.
- Browser Extensions: For added convenience, TunnelBear offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. This makes it even easier to turn your VPN on and off while browsing the web.
- Transparent Privacy Policy: TunnelBear’s privacy policy is clear and easy to understand. They don’t log your operational data, so you could be confident that your online activity is private.
Best Features
TunnelBear has some remarkable features that make it a great VPN choice.
Let’s take a look at some of the things that make it stand out:
1. Privacy
TunnelBear takes your privacy seriously. They have a strict “no-logging” policy.
This means they don’t keep track of what you do online.
They also use strong encryption to protect your data, which is like encoding it in a secret code that only you can unlock.
2. Fast Performance
People prefer a fast internet connection!
TunnelBear has an extensive network of servers around the world.
This means you can find a server close to you, which helps keep your connection fast.
You can stream movies, play games, and browse the web without annoying lag or buffering.
3. Encrypt Your Connection
When you use TunnelBear, it encrypts your connection.
This means it scrambles your internet traffic, making it unreadable to anyone trying to snoop.
Think of it as sending a secret message only the person with the key can read.
This helps protect your personal information, like passwords and credit card numbers, from hackers.
4. Browse with Other Countries
Have you ever wanted to watch a show that is only available in another country?
TunnelBear lets you do that! You could choose to connect to a server in a different country.
This makes it seem like you’re browsing the internet from that location, allowing you to access websites and content that might be blocked where you are.
5. Easy-to-Use Apps
TunnelBear has apps for all your devices, like phones, tablets, and computers.
They are super easy to use, even if you’re not a tech expert.
You could connect to a VPN server with just one click.
They even have a fun, friendly design with cute bears!
Pricing
| Plan Name | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 2GB of secure browsing |
| Unlimited | $3.33/month | Unlimited Secure browsing, Unlimited devices |
| Teams | $5.75 (per user)/month | Unlimited secure browsing, Unlimited devices |
Pros and Cons
Every VPN has its strengths and weaknesses.
To help you decide if TunnelBear is right for you, let’s examine its strengths and areas for improvement.
Pros
Cons
Alternatives to TunnelBear
Here are some alternatives to TunnelBear you might consider:
- NordVPN: Offers a vast server network and a wide array of security and privacy features.
- ExpressVPN: Known for its consistently fast speeds and user-friendly applications across devices.
- PureVPN: Provides a large number of servers and additional features like port forwarding.
- SurfsharkVPN: Allows unlimited device connections and offers a good balance of features and price.
- ProtonVPN: Emphasizes strong security and user privacy with a base in Switzerland.
- PrivadoVPN: Offers a free tier with limited data and a strong focus on user privacy.
- AdGuard VPN: Integrates seamlessly with AdGuard’s ad and tracker blocking capabilities.
- Virtual Shield: Designed for simplicity and ease of use, making it good for beginners.
- StrongVPN: Known for its robust encryption and reliable server connections.
- FastestVPN: Provides affordable subscription options with decent connection speeds.
- AuraVPN: Includes identity theft protection alongside its VPN service.
- CyberGhost: Features user-friendly apps and specialized servers optimized for different online activities.
- McAfee VPN: A basic VPN option often bundled with McAfee’s security software suite.
- Private Internet Access: A long-standing VPN provider with a strong focus on user privacy and customization options.
- Mysterium: Operates as a decentralized VPN utilizing a peer-to-peer network infrastructure.
TunnelBear Compared
We’ve explored alternatives to TunnelBear, so how does TunnelBear stack up directly against them?
- TunnelBear vs NordVPN: NordVPN generally offers faster speeds, a much larger server network, and more advanced features. TunnelBear is known for its user-friendly interface and free plan with limited data.
- TunnelBear vs ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN 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: PureVPN has a larger server network. TunnelBear is known for its ease of use, especially for beginners.
- TunnelBear vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark typically offers faster speeds, allows unlimited connections, and has more features. TunnelBear is user-friendly and has a free plan.
- TunnelBear vs ProtonVPN: ProtonVPN 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: PrivadoVPN 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: AdGuard VPN excels in ad and tracker blocking. TunnelBear is a general-purpose VPN with a focus on ease of use.
- TunnelBear vs Virtual Shield: TunnelBear offers a more established brand and a slightly larger server network than the very basic Virtual Shield.
- TunnelBear vs StrongVPN: StrongVPN is known for its robust encryption and reliable connections. TunnelBear is simpler to use but has a smaller server network.
- TunnelBear vs FastestVPN: FastestVPN is a budget-friendly option. TunnelBear offers a free plan and a user-friendly interface.
- TunnelBear vs AuraVPN: AuraVPN includes identity theft protection. TunnelBear focuses on providing a simple and user-friendly VPN.
- TunnelBear vs CyberGhost: CyberGhost offers user-friendly apps and specialized servers. TunnelBear is simpler but has a smaller server network.
- TunnelBear vs McAfee VPN: TunnelBear 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: Mysterium is a decentralized VPN. TunnelBear uses a traditional server network known for its user-friendly interface.
Personal Experience with TunnelBear
My team and I recently put TunnelBear to the test!
We wanted to see if it lived up to the hype, so we used it for a few weeks to do various online things.
We streamed movies, played games, and even did some online shopping.
Overall, we were pretty happy with TunnelBear.
It was easy to use, and our internet connection stayed fast. We also liked that we could use it on all our devices, such as our phones, laptops, and tablets.
Here are some of the things we liked best:
- Easy setup: Downloading and installing the app only took a few minutes.
- Simple interface: Even someone who’s never used a VPN before could figure it out.
- Fast speeds: We didn’t notice any slowdown in our internet connection.
- Reliable connections: We never had any issues with the VPN dropping out.
- Lots of server locations: We could choose from servers worldwide.
Of course, every VPN is flawed.
We found a few things that could be improved. For example, TunnelBear doesn’t unblock every streaming service.
But overall, we had a positive experience and would recommend it to others.
This TunnelBear review is based on our own real-world use, so you can get a good idea of what to expect if you try it!
Final Thoughts
So, is TunnelBear the right VPN for you?
If you want an easy-to-use VPN that’s good for beginners, then yes! It’s great for protecting your privacy on public Wi-Fi and accessing blocked websites.
Plus, it has a free version so that you can try it first.
However, if you need a VPN to stream lots of movies or need advanced features, consider other options.
Some VPNs have more features for a lower price.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try TunnelBear for yourself. Download the free version or sign up for a trial and see if it fits your needs.
You can always switch to a different VPN later if you need to.
Ready to give TunnelBear a try? Click here to visit their website & download the app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TunnelBear a free VPN?
TunnelBear offers both free and paid versions. The free version gives you 500MB of data each month, which is enough to try out the service. But you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan for unlimited data and more features.
Does TunnelBear work with Netflix?
TunnelBear can sometimes unblock Netflix, but it’s only occasionally reliable. Netflix is constantly trying to block VPNs, so it’s a cat-and-mouse game. If streaming Netflix is your main reason for getting a VPN, you might consider an alternative like ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
Where is TunnelBear located?
TunnelBear is based in Canada, which might concern some users as Canada is part of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. If you’re very concerned about privacy, you might prefer a VPN based in a country with stronger privacy laws.
How secure is TunnelBear?
TunnelBear uses strong encryption to protect your data. It also has a no-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t keep track of your online activity. Overall, TunnelBear is a safe and secure VPN.
How do I contact TunnelBear support?
TunnelBear offers email support and a helpful knowledge base on its website with answers to common questions. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer live chat support.
