⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Pricing: TunnelBear Unlimited costs $3.33/mo. OysterVPN starts at $5.99/month with 2 months free.
- Best for: TunnelBear suits vpn newbies who want a free plan. OysterVPN suits torrent and streaming users who want lifetime access.
- Key difference: TunnelBear allows unlimited simultaneous connections. OysterVPN caps you at five devices but adds DDoS protection and an ad-blocker.
- Money back: OysterVPN has a 30-day money back guarantee. TunnelBear has none, only a free version.
- Our pick: TunnelBear, because Cure53 security audits and a real free account lower your risk before you pay.
The cheaper VPN here is also the one with a free version.
TunnelBear costs $3.33 per month on its Unlimited plan.
OysterVPN starts at $5.99 per month and never gives you a free account.
But price is the smallest gap between these two vpn services.
One is an audited Canadian veteran with a small server network.
The other is a newer VPN provider chasing torrent and streaming users.
Overview
This TunnelBear vs Oyster VPN comparison covers pricing, security features, speed, and streaming sites.
We also look at apps, server locations, and customer support.
Our sources include published specs, documentation, and public user reviews.
Our writer also spent hands-on time inside the OysterVPN app.
Notes on TunnelBear come from its documentation and published audit reports.
By the end, you will know which vpn service fits your internet connection.
What is TunnelBear?
TunnelBear is a Canadian VPN service owned by McAfee.
The bear theme runs through the TunnelBear app on every platform.
The Windows app, Mac app, and mobile apps open on a world map.
Tap a country and the encrypted client tunnels your internet traffic there.
Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera cover browser traffic only.
A free version also exists, which is rare among paid vpn providers.
Online privacy is the pitch here, and the bear jokes are just the wrapper.
Here is a walkthrough of the TunnelBear app in action.
🏆 Winner: TunnelBear
Start on the free plan before you pay a cent. One paid subscription covers all your devices with no device cap.
TunnelBear Pricing
TunnelBear offers three tiers. Here is what TunnelBear cost looks like on the plans we track.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Testing and Limited usage | Trying the service before you purchase TunnelBear |
| Unlimited | $3.33/mo | One person with unlimited data on all your devices |
| Teams | $5.75/user per month | Small businesses managing seats centrally |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Free trial: No timed trial. Instead there is a permanent free plan with a monthly data limit, and no card is needed.
Money-back guarantee: None. TunnelBear does not offer a money back guarantee on any paid subscription.
📌 Note: The TunnelBear free plan is capped at 500 MB per month. Promotional activity on TunnelBear’s Twitter has historically raised that to 2 GB. Unlimited data only arrives with a paid plan.
⚠️ Price check: Some review sites list $9.99 monthly, $39.99 yearly, or $120 for three years, with yearly renewals at $59.88. Prices shift by region and promotion, so confirm the total at checkout on the TunnelBear site. Payment is credit card only since Bitcoin was dropped.
Key Benefits of TunnelBear
TunnelBear’s features are few, but the ones that matter are here:
- Repeat security audits: Cure53 has run independent security audits since 2016. Critical and high-severity issues were found and then fixed.
- Unlimited device connections: The premium plan allows unlimited simultaneous connections. You can cover a household on one login.
- VigilantBear kill switch: This kill switch blocks all incoming and outgoing internet traffic until the vpn connection returns.
- GhostBear obfuscation: GhostBear disguises vpn traffic to get through heavy censorship. Download speeds drop noticeably when it runs.
- SplitBear split tunneling: SplitBear lets you pick which apps or websites skip the VPN tunnel.
- Published transparency reports: TunnelBear publishes data request reports and confirms it has never had user data to hand over.
- Genuinely free tier: The free plan runs the full desktop app, so vpn newbies can test a safe vpn without paying.
What Our Team Noticed
Note: we have not logged extended hands-on time with the TunnelBear app for this comparison. Everything above comes from its published documentation, its Cure53 audit reports, and public user reviews. First-hand notes will follow once our team completes a full test cycle.
TunnelBear Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections on the premium plan
- Independent Cure53 security audits every year since 2016
- Free plan works without a card, so testing costs nothing
- AES-256 encryption with the VigilantBear kill switch
- Simple world-map interface that vpn newbies pick up fast
❌ Cons
- Small server network next to other vpn services
- No money back guarantee on any paid subscription
- No live chat support, only a web form and email
- Netflix and Amazon Prime Video often return proxy errors
What is OysterVPN?
OysterVPN is a Virtual Private Network service based in Ireland.
Ireland sits outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances.
The vpn app encrypts internet traffic and hides your real ip address.
Your connection exits from a remote vpn server in another country.
OysterVPN apps cover desktop apps, the Android app, and the iOS app.
Browser extensions handle light browsing on Chrome and Edge.
OysterVPN offers no free tier, only a 30 day money back guarantee.
This video walks through the OysterVPN features in the desktop app.
Runner Up: OysterVPN
Torrenting is allowed on every server here. The 30 day refund window lets you test the service risk free.
OysterVPN Pricing
One tier, three billing lengths. Here is the OysterVPN subscription breakdown.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Month +2 Months free | $5.99/month | Short trips and short tests |
| 1-Year | $29.99/month | Steady year-round use on multiple devices |
| Lifetime Access | $59.99/month | One payment, no renewals to track |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Free trial: None. OysterVPN does not offer a free trial or a free vpn tier of any kind.
Money-back guarantee: Every plan carries a 30-day money back guarantee, so you can install OysterVPN and still back out.
📌 Note: Payment is limited to major credit cards and PayPal. Cryptocurrency is not accepted, so anonymous checkout is off the table.
⚠️ Price check: Some review sites list $9.99 monthly, $2.50 per month on the yearly plan, or a one-off $49.99 for lifetime access. Deals change often, so confirm the final total before you purchase OysterVPN.
Key Benefits of OysterVPN
Here is where this VPN provider earns its keep:
- Torrenting everywhere: P2P is allowed on all of its servers. Security features for file sharing are solid.
- Ad and malware blocker: A built-in blocker strips ads before they load. That is a crucial feature on cluttered streaming sites.
- Leak protection: OysterVPN prevents IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, so your physical location stays hidden and your online security holds up on public Wi-Fi.
- Strict no logs policy: The zero logging policy means no collection or storage of your activity data.
- Internet kill switch: An internet kill switch cuts traffic the moment the vpn connection drops, blocking accidental data leaks.
- Dedicated streaming servers: Specific servers target geo restricted content on Netflix, Max, and BBC iPlayer.
- Lifetime access option: A single payment ends renewal admin, which few other vpn providers offer.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer signed up for OysterVPN and ran it across desktop and mobile devices for everyday browsing. Here is what stood out from that hands-on time:
OysterVPN Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- 30-day money back guarantee on every plan
- Torrenting allowed on all of its servers
- Ad and malware blocker built into the vpn app
- Ireland base sits outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances
- Intuitive apps with a user friendly interface on desktop and mobile
❌ Cons
- No third-party audit of its privacy and security claims
- Only five simultaneous connections per account
- No native Linux app, smart TV app, or console app
- Email support is slow and there is no phone line
Feature Comparison
Both tools do the same core job. They encrypt your traffic and swap your IP address for a server’s. The gap shows up in the details.
We compare eleven areas below, from server network to customer support.
| Feature | TunnelBear | OysterVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $3.33/mo | $5.99/month |
| Free Plan | ✅ | ❌ |
| Money Back Guarantee | ❌ | ✅ 30 days |
| Independent Security Audit | ✅ Cure53 | ❌ |
| Kill Switch | ✅ VigilantBear | ✅ Internet kill switch |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ SplitBear | ✅ Windows and Android only |
| Device Limit | Unlimited | 5 devices |
| Torrenting Allowed | Limited | ✅ All servers |
| Ad Blocker | ❌ | ✅ |
| Linux and Router Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| Best For | Beginners wanting a free account | Torrent and streaming users |
1. Server Network and Server Locations
TunnelBear: Published figures put the network at 48 server locations across roughly 47 countries. That is a small server network by 2026 standards. A Canada server sits near its Toronto home, with European exits to access global content.
OysterVPN: Counts vary by source. Some list 400+ servers in over 35 countries, others 150+ servers in 17 countries. Either way it is a limited server network, and a single UK server has drawn complaints when it goes down.
⚠️ Warning: If you are asking how many servers each one runs, treat both published counts with care. Neither VPN provider publishes an audited live server list, so a nearby server may not exist in your region.
2. Speed and Download Speeds
TunnelBear: Independent speed test results put TunnelBear’s speeds near 40% of base download speed across tested locations. TunnelBear’s performance is inconsistent. Different servers in one country return different numbers, and even the nearest server rarely hits full speed. TunnelBear’s servers on distant routes land well behind nearby servers. Connection times over 10 seconds have also been reported.
OysterVPN: OysterVPN’s speeds are decent on nearby servers, and connection speeds drop by around 55% on distant servers. Day-to-day browsing is fine. HD and 4K streaming over a long-distance vpn tunnel is where it struggles, and upload speed suffers too.
3. Encryption and Security Features
TunnelBear: AES-256 encryption protects your encrypted data on every platform. The encrypted client covers the whole operating system, while extensions cover browser traffic only. No dns leaks have been disclosed in its audit history.
OysterVPN: OysterVPN also uses AES-256 encryption and stacks advanced security features like DDoS protection on top. Those claims are documented rather than independently verified, which matters if security audits are your buying trigger.
4. Logging Policy and Security Audits
TunnelBear: The privacy policy states it does not log ip addresses, dns queries, or browsing history. It does collect operational data such as the os version, the TunnelBear app version, and monthly data totals. None of that identifies you. Canada’s Five Eyes membership is the trade-off.
OysterVPN: The strict no logs policy claims zero collection of user data. There has never been a third-party independent audit, so there is no audited no logs policy to point at. Ireland’s position outside the alliances helps, but documentation is not proof.
5. Kill Switch and Leak Protection
TunnelBear: VigilantBear is the kill switch. It blocks all internet traffic when the vpn connection drops, then restores it once the tunnel returns. It ships on by default in the Windows app.
OysterVPN: The internet kill switch does the same job and pairs with ip leak protection and dns leak protection. DNS requests stay inside the vpn tunnel, and WebRTC is covered too, which closes the browser-side hole that leaks your real location during calls.
6. VPN Protocols, Split Tunneling and Obfuscation
TunnelBear: Documentation now lists WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, though older reviews report no WireGuard support. SplitBear handles split tunneling. GhostBear masks vpn traffic in censored regions and costs download speed while it runs.
OysterVPN: Sources conflict here too. The provider lists WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 among its secure vpn protocols, while some reviews report WireGuard missing. Its split tunneling feature ships on Windows and Android apps only.
7. Streaming and Geo Restricted Content
TunnelBear: This is the weak spot. Netflix commonly returns a proxy error, and Amazon Prime Video plus Hulu often block it too. Smaller streaming sites work more reliably. GhostBear gets through occasionally, but the speed cost makes HD painful. Apple TV needs a router setup TunnelBear does not support.
OysterVPN: Dedicated streaming servers unblock Netflix, Max, ESPN+, and BBC iPlayer. Hulu and Disney+ are hit and miss. Streaming devices like smart TVs and consoles get no OysterVPN app, so you route through a router instead.
8. Device Support and Simultaneous Connections
TunnelBear: The premium subscription allows unlimited device connections. You can run all your devices simultaneously on one login, including laptops, phones, tablets, and Windows mobile devices. Linux and routers are not supported, which locks out power users.
OysterVPN: You get five simultaneous connections across multiple devices. Native Linux applications are missing here too. For a family with phones, tablets and a work laptop, five runs out quickly.
9. Torrenting, DDoS Protection and Ad Blocking
TunnelBear: P2P is tolerated but TunnelBear is not built for it. There is no ad blocker and no DDoS filtering. If torrenting is your main reason for buying, look elsewhere.
OysterVPN: P2P is allowed across OysterVPN’s servers fleet-wide. DDoS protection helps gamers who get targeted, and the ad blocker trims trackers before they load.
10. Ease of Use, Apps and Customer Support
TunnelBear: The map interface is the friendliest on-ramp in the vpn market for a first-time user. Setup takes minutes. Customer support is the catch: a web form and email only, no live chat support. The support team answers around the clock, but replies are slow. A deep FAQ library covers common fixes.
This tutorial shows the setup flow end to end.
OysterVPN: The OysterVPN app uses a plain list layout and connects to the fastest server in one tap. Support is thin too: no phone number and no chat support, with email replies reported as slow. Restrictive countries like China stay out of reach.
11. Pricing & Cost
Here is the side-by-side view of both price lists.
| Plan Type | TunnelBear | OysterVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Testing and Limited usage | ❌ No free version |
| Entry paid plan | Unlimited $3.33/mo | 1-Month +2 Months free $5.99/month |
| Longer term | ❌ Not listed | 1-Year $29.99/month |
| One-off payment | ❌ Not offered | Lifetime Access $59.99/month |
| Business tier | Teams $5.75/user per month | ❌ Not offered |
| Refund window | None | 30 days |
TunnelBear: $3.33 per month for unlimited data across every device is strong value, and the free plan means you never gamble on a purchase. The missing refund policy still adds risk once you commit.
OysterVPN: The entry price is higher, and the five-device cap lowers value per dollar. The lifetime access option and the 30 day refund window justify the cost for long-term buyers.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A free account first | TunnelBear | Only one with a free plan |
| Proof of privacy claims | TunnelBear | Cure53 audits since 2016 |
| Torrenting | OysterVPN | P2P on every server |
| Netflix and BBC iPlayer | OysterVPN | Dedicated streaming servers |
| Cover many devices | TunnelBear | Unlimited connections |
| A refund safety net | OysterVPN | 30-day refund window |
| Beginner-friendly setup | TunnelBear | Map interface, no jargon |
💰 Your Budget
TunnelBear’s entry price undercuts OysterVPN, and its free tier costs nothing. If you want one payment and no renewals, OysterVPN’s lifetime option is the cheaper long game.
🔌 Your Tech Stack
Neither installs on Linux or a router, so homelab users should look elsewhere. Count your devices first, because five connections disappear fast in a shared household.
📺 Your Streaming Habits
TunnelBear is blocked by most popular streaming services, so do not buy it for that. OysterVPN unblocks more of them but still trips on Hulu and Disney+.
🎓 Your Experience Level
Beginners get connected faster with TunnelBear’s map. Power users who want protocol control and P2P tuning get more from OysterVPN.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
TunnelBear’s free plan is the closest thing to a demo on offer. OysterVPN replaces the trial with its refund window, so you pay first and claim back later.
🛟 Support Options
Neither brand offers live chat, so expect email turnaround in hours or days. TunnelBear’s FAQ library is the better emergency backup.
Switching Guide
Already paying for one of them? Here is what changes if you move.
🔄 Switching from TunnelBear to OysterVPN?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Working access to Netflix, Max, ESPN+ and BBC iPlayer
- P2P on every server plus DDoS protection
- A 30-day refund window and a built-in ad blocker
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Unlimited devices, down to a five-device cap
- Independently audited privacy claims
- The free fallback tier and GhostBear obfuscation
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel the TunnelBear renewal in your account settings first
- Buy an OysterVPN plan and note your 30-day refund deadline
- Uninstall the old app, then sign in on your five main devices
🔄 Switching from OysterVPN to TunnelBear?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- A lower monthly price and no device limit
- Public audit reports and transparency reports
- GhostBear for censored networks and a free tier to fall back on
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Reliable streaming unblocking and torrent-tuned servers
- The ad and malware blocker
- Your refund safety net, since there is no guarantee to claim
📋 How to switch:
- Claim your OysterVPN refund if you are inside the 30-day window
- Create a free TunnelBear account and test your key sites
- Upgrade to Unlimited, then install on every device you own
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
This comparison focused on individual users and small households. We did not run our own lab speed test, benchmark either service inside China, or evaluate the TunnelBear Teams console. Router and gaming console setups are also outside what we checked. Published server counts and protocol lists conflict between sources for both brands, and we flagged those conflicts rather than pretending one number is settled.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing | TunnelBear |
| 🔐 Privacy Proof | TunnelBear |
| ⚡ Speed | OysterVPN |
| 📺 Streaming | OysterVPN |
| 👶 Ease of Use | TunnelBear |
| 📱 Device Coverage | TunnelBear |
| 🛟 Support | Tie |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | TunnelBear |
🏆 WINNER: TUNNELBEAR
TunnelBear wins 4 of 7 categories.
Best for: First-time VPN buyers, households with many devices, anyone who wants audited privacy before paying
These two are not aimed at the same buyer. TunnelBear sells trust and simplicity, and backs it with audit reports you can read yourself.
OysterVPN sells throughput for torrents and streaming, plus a lifetime price that never renews. It is a decent vpn for that job, and the refund window lets you test the service risk free.
A good vpn is the one you keep switched on. If torrenting or unblocking Netflix is the job, take OysterVPN. For everyone else, TunnelBear is the safer first purchase because you can try it before spending anything.
More of TunnelBear Compared
Here is how TunnelBear lines up against other vpn providers:
TunnelBear wins on: free tier availability, unlimited device connections, gentler learning curve for beginners
NordVPN wins on: far more server locations, streaming access, 24/7 live chat, 30-day refunds
TunnelBear vs Surfshark VPN
TunnelBear wins on: free plan, longer audit history, simpler app for non-technical users
Surfshark wins on: far larger network, working streaming access, ad blocking, refund guarantee
TunnelBear vs ProtonVPN
TunnelBear wins on: friendlier interface, unlimited devices on the paid plan, lower entry price
ProtonVPN wins on: unlimited free data, Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, Linux and router support
TunnelBear wins on: free tier, audit transparency, no device ceiling
CyberGhost wins on: streaming-specific servers, 45-day refunds, router support, much faster distant servers
More of OysterVPN Compared
And here is OysterVPN against the rest of the field:
OysterVPN wins on: lifetime payment option, Ireland jurisdiction, simpler app for newcomers
PureVPN wins on: audited no-logs claim, far wider country coverage, live chat, dedicated IP add-on
OysterVPN vs Private Internet Access
OysterVPN wins on: lighter interface, lifetime deal pricing, built-in malware blocking
PIA wins on: court-tested no-logs record, unlimited devices, Linux GUI, tunable encryption
OysterVPN vs FastestVPN
OysterVPN wins on: steadier nearby-server speeds, cleaner desktop app, better streaming server coverage
FastestVPN wins on: more simultaneous connections, cheaper lifetime tiers, router and smart TV support
OysterVPN wins on: price per year, one-time lifetime option, all-server torrent allowance
ExpressVPN wins on: speed on distant servers, China access, audited infrastructure, router firmware
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TunnelBear really free?
Yes, the free plan is permanent and needs no card. It caps you at 500 MB of data per month, which is enough for testing but not daily use.
How much does TunnelBear VPN cost?
The Unlimited plan runs $3.33 per month and Teams costs $5.75 per user per month. Published figures vary by region, so confirm the total at checkout.
Is TunnelBear blocked by Netflix?
Usually, yes. Netflix commonly returns a proxy error, and Amazon Prime and Hulu block it too. Smaller platforms work more often. Pick another provider if streaming matters.
Is Oyster VPN legit?
It is a real, working service with AES-256 encryption and a refund guarantee. It has never passed an independent audit, so its privacy claims are unverified.
Where is Oyster VPN headquarters?
Ireland. That places it outside the 5, 9 and 14 Eyes intelligence alliances, unlike TunnelBear, which operates from Canada inside Five Eyes.
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