⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Pricing: TunnelBear costs $3.33/mo on the Unlimited plan. Malwarebytes starts at $44.99/yr for the Standard bundle.
- Best for: TunnelBear suits VPN newbies who want a free plan. Malwarebytes suits people already paying for its antivirus software.
- Key difference: TunnelBear has been through repeated third party audits by Cure53. Malwarebytes Privacy VPN has not been audited.
- Our pick: TunnelBear, for the published audits, the free version, and unlimited simultaneous connections.
One of these tools is a VPN company. The other sells antivirus and throws in a VPN.
That single fact shapes everything below.
TunnelBear has sold one product since 2011 and publishes a security audit most years.
Malwarebytes Privacy VPN is a side dish next to its anti malware solution.
Both hide your IP address. Neither is the fastest VPN you can buy.
Here is where each earns its money, and where it does not.
Overview
This TunnelBear vs Malwarebytes VPN comparison covers pricing, server network size, security features, and daily use.
Our writer spent hands-on time inside the Malwarebytes account and its desktop app.
Notes on TunnelBear come from its published specs, audit reports, and user reviews.
Pricing in every table comes straight from our CSV records for both vpn providers.
By the end you will know which vpn service fits your budget and your devices.
What is TunnelBear?
TunnelBear VPN is a Canadian virtual private network launched in 2011 and now owned by McAfee.
The TunnelBear app shows a world map. You tap the country TunnelBear should route you through.
Connecting takes two clicks, which is why VPN newbies keep recommending it over many vpns with busier dashboards.
It covers roughly 47 countries and 48 server locations, a small server network by 2026 standards.
TunnelBear offers browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, though those encrypt browser traffic only, not your full internet connection.
Here is a walkthrough of TunnelBear’s features before we get to the numbers.
TunnelBear
A simple, audited VPN with a free account. One paid subscription covers all your devices.
TunnelBear Pricing
Three options, and one of them costs nothing.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free Testing and Limited usage | Trying the app before you buy |
| Unlimited | $3.33/mo | One person, unlimited data, every device |
| Teams | $5.75/user per month | Small teams with central billing |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Free trial: No timed trial. There is a permanent free plan with 500 MB per month, and no card needed to open a free account.
Money back guarantee: None. TunnelBear does not publish a refund window, so the free version is your only safe way to test.
📌 Note: The 500 MB monthly cap can rise to 2 GB through TunnelBear’s Twitter promotions. Paid plans carry unlimited data and unlimited device connections.
Key Benefits of TunnelBear
What you actually get for $3.33 a month:
- Repeat security audits: Cure53 has tested the apps since 2016. Critical and high-severity findings were published, then fixed.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections: One paid subscription protects a phone, laptop, tablet, and any other device in the house.
- VigilantBear kill switch: If the vpn connection drops, all internet traffic stops until the tunnel is back.
- SplitBear split tunneling: Send certain apps or sites outside the tunnel while everything else stays encrypted.
- GhostBear obfuscation: Disguises vpn traffic so it looks like normal browsing in heavily censored countries.
- A genuinely free plan: the TunnelBear free plan gives 500 MB per month with the full app and no payment details. Most vpn services give you a trial period instead.
- Transparency reports: TunnelBear lists data requests received and states it had nothing to hand over.
What Our Team Noticed
Note: we have not had extended hands-on time with the TunnelBear app yet. Everything above comes from published documentation, audit reports, and user reviews rather than our own long-term use.
TunnelBear Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Independent Cure53 security audits published since 2016
- Unlimited simultaneous connections on the paid plan
- Free plan with 500 MB per month and no card required
- No-logging policy covering IP addresses, DNS queries, and browsing history
- Kill switch, split tunneling, and GhostBear obfuscation included
❌ Cons
- No money back guarantee on any paid subscription
- Small server network of about 47 countries
- Netflix and Amazon Prime Video often return a proxy error
- No router or Linux installation, and no live chat support
What is Malwarebytes Privacy VPN?
Malwarebytes Privacy VPN is the tunnel built into its wider security suite.
The company known for removing malware also runs worldwide servers.
It uses WireGuard, the protocol most vpns moved to for speed.
The network covers 470+ servers across 45+ countries, including virtual servers in harder regions.
Malwarebytes protects the connection with AES-256 encryption and its own DNS server.
The catch is scope: no Linux client, no router support, no apps for gaming consoles.
This video walks through the wider suite that the VPN ships inside.
Malwarebytes Privacy VPN
A WireGuard VPN bundled with antivirus. One Malwarebytes account covers malware, browsing, and identity.
Malwarebytes Pricing
Malwarebytes sells bundles, not a standalone VPN line item.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $44.99/yr | Core malware protection on your main devices |
| Plus | $59.99/yr | Antivirus plus the Privacy VPN in one bill |
| Total | $159.99/yr | Device security, VPN, and identity monitoring |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Free trial: Yes. Malwarebytes offers a 7-day free trial of Privacy VPN, so you can run your own speed tests first.
Money back guarantee: 60 days, the clearest win over TunnelBear.
📌 Note: Payment goes through PayPal or a credit or debit card. Cryptocurrency is not accepted, and Malwarebytes does not run discount codes on Privacy VPN.
Key Benefits of Malwarebytes Privacy VPN
The reasons people stay with Malwarebytes:
- WireGuard by default: It reconnects cleanly and is lighter on battery than older protocols on mobile devices.
- MultiHop routing: Route through two servers in different countries when one hop is not enough.
- Connection Rules: Its version of split tunneling, letting chosen apps or IP addresses skip the tunnel.
- Private DNS: Malwarebytes servers answer DNS queries in-house, reducing dns leaks to your provider.
- Kill switch: Blocks network traffic the moment the tunnel drops, covering online activities mid-session.
- One bill: Antivirus, Browser Guard, and the VPN renew together, not separately.
- 60-day refunds: A long window to test before the money is gone.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer set up a Malwarebytes account, installed the desktop app, and used the VPN alongside the antivirus for everyday browsing. Here is what stood out:
Malwarebytes Privacy VPN Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- WireGuard protocol with 470+ servers in 45+ countries
- 60-day money back guarantee plus a 7-day free trial
- MultiHop routing through two servers for extra cover
- Bundles with antivirus, so one renewal covers security and privacy
❌ Cons
- No third party audits of its privacy claims
- US jurisdiction inside the 5 Eyes alliance
- Reported speed drops of 34% nearby and 62% on distant servers
- Struggles with Hulu, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer
Feature Comparison
Ten rounds. Price, how many servers each side runs, and what happens when you are using a vpn on a weak line all matter here.
| Feature | TunnelBear | Malwarebytes Privacy VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $3.33/mo | $44.99/yr |
| Free Plan | ✅ 500 MB/month | ❌ 7-day trial only |
| Money Back Guarantee | ❌ | ✅ 60 days |
| Third Party Audits | ✅ Cure53 | ❌ |
| Server Locations | ~48 in 47 countries | 470+ servers, 45+ countries |
| Unlimited Simultaneous Connections | ✅ | ❌ 1, 3, or 5 devices |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ SplitBear | ✅ Connection Rules |
| Obfuscation | ✅ GhostBear | ❌ |
| Linux, Router, Apple TV | ❌ | ❌ |
| Best For | Beginners who want an audited, cheap VPN | Existing antivirus customers |
1. Server Network and Server Locations
TunnelBear: Roughly 47 countries and 48 server locations. That is a small server network, and it shows when you want a city rather than a country. A Canada server is easy to find. Anything niche is not.
Malwarebytes Privacy VPN: 470+ servers spread across 45+ countries, some of them virtual servers. Reviewers still call this small next to other vpn providers. There are no dedicated streaming servers, so every location is general purpose.
2. Speed and VPN Protocols
TunnelBear: Independent speed tests put download speeds near 40% of the base line, and TunnelBear’s performance swings hard between different servers. GhostBear drops it further. Connecting to TunnelBear’s servers can take over 10 seconds, slow when you just want the nearest server.
Malwarebytes Privacy VPN: WireGuard should be the faster option, and on paper it is. Reported results tell a softer story: around 34% loss on a nearby server and 62% on distant ones. Gamers also report high ping, so neither tool is built for competitive play.
⚠️ Warning: Sources disagree on TunnelBear’s protocol list. Older reviews say it has no WireGuard support, while newer documentation lists WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Check the protocol menu in the Windows app on your own free account before you commit.
3. Encryption and Security Features
TunnelBear: AES-256 encryption on every connection, plus the VigilantBear kill switch. The important features are invisible ones: encrypted data in transit, and audits that keep the code honest.
Malwarebytes Privacy VPN: Also AES-256, also a kill switch, with MultiHop as the extra layer. Its edge is context: the same subscription runs antivirus scanning beside the tunnel. A VPN hides traffic. It does not stop malware.
4. Privacy, Logging and Security Audits
TunnelBear: No IP addresses, no DNS queries, no browsing history. It keeps operational data such as your operating system, the os version, the TunnelBear app version, and monthly bandwidth usage, none of which identifies you. Canada sits in Five Eyes, but audits and transparency reports beat a promise.
Malwarebytes Privacy VPN: The no-logs claim is similar, covering DNS requests, IP addresses, and bandwidth usage. Nobody outside the company has checked it. Reviewers also call the privacy policy unclear, and US jurisdiction adds another question mark for anyone serious about online privacy.
5. Streaming Sites and Geo-Blocked Content
TunnelBear: It can access global content on smaller platforms, but Netflix usually returns a proxy error and Amazon Prime Video blocks it too. GhostBear sometimes helps and always costs speed. The free plan’s data limit rules out serious viewing.
Malwarebytes Privacy VPN: Weaker here. Hulu, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer frequently refuse to load, and there is no smart DNS fallback. If unblocking streaming sites is the job, both of these lose to a dedicated premium vpn, and to other vpns built around media access.
⚠️ Warning: Do not buy either tool primarily for streaming. Neither one advertises guaranteed access, and a blocked library is not covered by any refund promise.
6. Kill Switch, Split Tunneling and Obfuscation
TunnelBear: Three named tools do the work. VigilantBear stops internet traffic if the tunnel fails, SplitBear handles split tunneling, and GhostBear hides vpn traffic where VPNs are blocked. GhostBear is the feature Malwarebytes has no answer for.
Malwarebytes Privacy VPN: Connection Rules match split tunneling, down to per-app and per-IP exceptions, and the kill switch works as expected. There is no obfuscation, and reviewers say it fails against censorship in places like China. Browser Guard handles trackers and pop up window clutter separately.
7. Device Support and Simultaneous Connections
TunnelBear: Unlimited devices simultaneously on one paid subscription, rare at this price. You get a Windows app, a mac app, an ios app, and Android mobile apps, plus browser extensions. No Linux, no router install, no Apple TV app, and the mac app does not include all the same features as Windows.
Malwarebytes Privacy VPN: You pay per seat: one device, three, or five. It runs on Windows devices, macOS, Android, and iOS, with the same gaps: no Linux, no router, no Fire TV Stick, no gaming consoles. For a full household, that model gets expensive.
8. Extras Beyond the Tunnel
TunnelBear: There are no extras. You get a VPN, an auto connect toggle, an auto launch option, and that is the whole product. Some people want exactly that.
Malwarebytes Privacy VPN: This is where Malwarebytes products pull ahead. Higher tiers add identity monitoring, a personal data remover, and dark web scanning on top of the tunnel. If you want a safe vpn and antivirus from one vendor, the bundle is the argument.
9. Ease of Use and Customer Support
TunnelBear: Setup is two clicks and the map is genuinely fun, which is why it suits first-time users. Support is the weak spot: a web form and email only, no live chat support, and mixed reports about the support team. The FAQ library is easily accessible and covers most issues downloading or connecting.
Malwarebytes Privacy VPN: The desktop app is plain and quick to learn inside the larger suite. Raise a support ticket and reviewers say replies come back fast, a real advantage over TunnelBear. Power users will still miss manual protocol controls.
10. Pricing & Cost
Here are both price lists side by side, exactly as our records show them.
| Tier | TunnelBear | Malwarebytes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free Testing and Limited usage | ❌ 7-day trial only |
| Entry paid | Unlimited — $3.33/mo | Standard — $44.99/yr |
| Mid tier | ❌ | Plus — $59.99/yr |
| Top tier | Teams — $5.75/user per month | Total — $159.99/yr |
TunnelBear: At $3.33/mo with unlimited data and unlimited device connections, the TunnelBear cost per device is close to zero in a family of five. The trade is no refund window, so test on the free version first.
Malwarebytes: $44.99/yr buys the security suite, and the VPN rides along in the higher bundles. Judge it as antivirus with a tunnel attached, not as a standalone VPN purchase. Read that way, the price is fair.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A free version to test | TunnelBear | 500 MB monthly, no card |
| Cover for all your devices | TunnelBear | Unlimited connections, one price |
| Audited privacy claims | TunnelBear | Cure53 audits since 2016 |
| Antivirus and VPN together | Malwarebytes | One bill, one Malwarebytes account |
| A refund safety net | Malwarebytes | 60-day money back guarantee |
| Access in censored regions | TunnelBear | GhostBear obfuscation |
| Reliable Netflix access | Neither | Both fail on major streaming sites |
💰 Your Budget
If the VPN is all you need, TunnelBear is the cheaper line item. If you were buying antivirus software anyway, the Malwarebytes bundle absorbs the cost.
🔌 Your Tech Stack
Neither installs on a router, Linux box, or Apple TV, so plan around it. TunnelBear adds browser extensions if you only want browser traffic covered.
🧭 How You Browse
Café Wi-Fi suits either tool. If you download torrents, TunnelBear allows P2P across its servers. Malwarebytes is vaguer.
🎓 Your Experience Level
TunnelBear is the friendliest first VPN around, bear puns included. Power users who want dedicated IPs should look at other vpn services.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
Start with TunnelBear’s free plan and run speed tests on the nearest server. Malwarebytes gives a 7-day trial period, then 60 days to change your mind.
🛟 Support Options
Malwarebytes wins on response times. TunnelBear’s customer support is a web form and email, 24/7 on paper and slow in practice.
Switching Guide
Already paying for one of them? Here is what changes when you move.
🔄 Switching from TunnelBear to Malwarebytes Privacy VPN?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- A 60-day refund window instead of none
- Antivirus, Browser Guard, and identity tools in one place
- MultiHop routing and faster support replies
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Unlimited simultaneous connections, replaced by device tiers
- GhostBear obfuscation and the free plan
- Published third party audits of the no-logs claim
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel the TunnelBear renewal from your account page before the next billing date
- Start the 7-day Malwarebytes trial and count your devices honestly
- Install the desktop app, set your Connection Rules, and turn on the kill switch
🔄 Switching from Malwarebytes Privacy VPN to TunnelBear?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- One subscription covering every device in the house
- Audit reports you can read yourself
- GhostBear for restrictive networks and a free account to fall back on
❌ What you’ll lose:
- The 60-day refund and quick ticket responses
- Antivirus and dark web monitoring in the same bill
- MultiHop double-server routing
📋 How to switch:
- Claim your Malwarebytes refund if you are inside the 60-day window
- Open a free TunnelBear account and test the same server routes you use now
- Upgrade to Unlimited, then switch on VigilantBear and SplitBear
This tutorial walks through that setup step by step.
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
This comparison looked at personal, single-household use. We did not measure data leaks in a lab, test the Teams plan at scale, or check either app on corporate networks. Speed figures come from published third-party testing, and your internet connection will change the result. Shopping for a vpn company to cover an office? Treat this as a starting point.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing | TunnelBear |
| 🌍 Server Network | Malwarebytes |
| ⚡ Speed and Protocols | Malwarebytes |
| 🔐 Privacy and Audits | TunnelBear |
| 📺 Streaming | Tie (both weak) |
| 📱 Device Coverage | TunnelBear |
| 👶 Ease of Use | TunnelBear |
| 🛟 Support | Malwarebytes |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | TunnelBear |
🏆 WINNER: TUNNELBEAR
TunnelBear wins 4 of 8 categories and loses 3, with streaming a tie.
Best for: first-time VPN users, households with many devices, anyone who wants audited privacy on a small budget
TunnelBear wins because of what it can prove. Cure53 has picked at its apps since 2016 and the results are public. Malwarebytes asks you to take the same claims on faith.
The price gap matters too. One TunnelBear subscription covers every phone and laptop you own, while Malwarebytes charges by seat.
Malwarebytes Privacy VPN is still right in one case. If you already pay for the antivirus, adding the tunnel beats running a separate vpn service, and the 60-day refund removes the risk.
Either way you end up with a secure, encrypted tunnel. Pick TunnelBear if a good vpn is the product you are buying. Pick Malwarebytes if security software is.
More of TunnelBear Compared
How the bear holds up in the wider vpn market:
TunnelBear vs NordVPN
TunnelBear wins on: unlimited device connections, a usable free plan, a gentler learning curve for beginners
NordVPN wins on: thousands of servers instead of dozens, consistent Netflix access, a 30-day refund policy
TunnelBear wins on: free tier with no card, longer audit history, simpler interface for non-technical users
Surfshark wins on: far more server locations, working streaming support, extras like ad blocking and alternative ID tools
TunnelBear wins on: friendlier design, unlimited connections on the cheapest paid tier, quicker first-time setup
ProtonVPN wins on: unlimited data on its free plan, open-source apps, Linux and router support that TunnelBear lacks
TunnelBear vs ExpressVPN
TunnelBear wins on: price per device, a free plan to trial, unlimited simultaneous devices
ExpressVPN wins on: raw download speeds, 90+ country coverage, router firmware and Apple TV apps
More of Malwarebytes Compared
And how the bundled tunnel measures up:
Malwarebytes vs NordVPN
Malwarebytes wins on: antivirus included, 60-day refunds, one renewal for security and privacy
NordVPN wins on: audited no-logs policy, a much larger network, reliable streaming and torrenting performance
Malwarebytes vs McAfee VPN
Malwarebytes wins on: WireGuard support, MultiHop routing, cleaner app with fewer upsell prompts
McAfee wins on: wider device licensing in family plans, deeper identity monitoring, broader retail bundling
Malwarebytes vs CyberGhost
Malwarebytes wins on: malware removal in the same subscription, a longer refund window on annual plans, simpler settings
CyberGhost wins on: dedicated streaming servers, thousands of locations, Linux and router installs
Malwarebytes vs Private Internet Access
Malwarebytes wins on: beginner-friendly setup, bundled antivirus, faster ticket responses
PIA wins on: court-tested no-logs record, open-source clients, granular encryption and protocol controls
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TunnelBear really free?
Yes, with limits. The free version gives 500 MB of data each month, no card required. Promotions can raise it to 2 GB. Heavy use needs the paid plan.
Is Malwarebytes Privacy VPN safe to use?
It uses AES-256 encryption, WireGuard, and a kill switch. The privacy policy has never been audited externally, and the company sits under US jurisdiction, so trust rests on its word.
Is TunnelBear blocked by Netflix?
Usually, yes. Netflix returns a proxy error on most servers, and Amazon Prime Video behaves the same way. Smaller platforms sometimes work. Buy a different tool for streaming.
Which VPN is better than TunnelBear?
For speed and streaming, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark all rank higher. For a free tier with unlimited data, ProtonVPN is the stronger pick. TunnelBear still wins on simplicity.
Do I need Malwarebytes if I have a VPN?
Yes. A tunnel encrypts traffic but does not remove malware or block malicious downloads. Antivirus and a VPN solve different problems, which is why the bundle exists.
English 
Spanish 
Chinese 
German 
French 
Arabic 
Russian 
Portuguese 
Japanese 
Korean 
Italian 
Turkish 
Dutch 
Polish 
Indonesian 
Thai 
Vietnamese 