if you�re new to using a VPN and looking for something that doesn�t require a

computing degree to get started with, TunnelBear might be the right choice. With a
super simple set up, VPN servers in 22 countries, including China and Japan, and
highly-rated security, TunnelBear offers good options for basic VPN usage.

We tested TunnelBear to see how it stands up to the competition. Among other

things, we looked at how easy it was to set up and use, speed, capabilities,
security, and cost to determine if it is worth the monthly or yearly subscription
fee. The answer is: It�s good for some, and not so much for others (if you want to
stream Netflix a lot or stay 100 percent, truly anonymous).

Design: Almost Too Cute

TunnelBear�s (visual) claim to fame is the bear motif the company uses to
illustrate how the application is working. Despite the almost-too-cute nature of
the application, though, it�s one of the easiest to use that we�ve encountered. You
open the application, turn it on, and choose the server you want to connect to.
It�s that simple.

That said, there are some features that are decidedly missing from the TunnelBear
VPN design. It�s easy enough to see server locations in the graphical interface,
but there�s no way to see what kind of load those servers are working under, what
the speed for the connection is, or any additional information about the connect.
On the plus side, changing servers is as quick as selecting a new location.

Setup Process: Blissfully Simple

The set-up process is super simple; there are two steps. Download the TunnelBear
software. Install the TunnelBear software. It�s that easy. Along the way, there�s a
cutesy graphic that shows you the installation process, and once you�ve installed
it, all you need to do is turn it on. The whole interface for TunnelBear is
intuitive and easy to use, especially for users that are new to using a VPN.

While TunnelBear does have applications for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, it only
offers limited support for Linux. To balance that out, there are browser extensions
for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. Unfortunately, that�s where TunnelBear�s support
ends. There is no support for routers, gaming consoles, Apple or Android TVs, any
kind of e-readers, or Windows mobile devices.

TunnelBear VPN
TunnelBear VPN
Performance: Surprisingly (Mostly) Superb
Given the child-like design of the user interface, TunnelBear will really surprise
you when it comes to performance. The VPN connection process is lightning fast,
download speeds are above average, and the VPN remained stable no matter which
server we used to connect.

The one place we experienced problems was occasionally when switching from one
server location to another. In some cases, the VPN would not connect and we needed
to completely shut it down and open it back up before it would connect again. Once
you opened a new instance of TunnelBear, though, the connection, even to distant
servers, took only seconds to make.

Privacy Policy: Somewhat Contradictory

TunnelBear is located in Canada, but the company is owned by U.S.-based McAfee,
both facts that are concerning. Canada and the U.S. both are part of the Five-Eyes
intelligence alliance, which means there is always a possibility of private
communications being monitored. Despite this, the TunnelBear privacy policy claims
it does not collect and store:

IP addresses for site visits or service connections

DNS queries while connected through TunnelBear VPN
Information about the applications, services, or websites visited by users.
TunnelBear does, however, collect what it calls �account data� and �operational
data� which includes an e-mail address, OS platforms and versions, app version
information, an indicator of whether or not a user has been active during a given
month, total data used, and operational events such as creating an account or
making a payment.

For users who are concerned about their identity remaining truly anonymous while
using a VPN, this might not be the right service. Users that just need a VPN for
moving data and communications probably have nothing to worry about.

TunnelBear allows annual independent security audits and posts the results of those
audits for the public to review.

Security Features: Impressive

If you�re looking for a VPN that has great security while connected, TunnelBear is
a good choice. The VPN service uses OpenVPN, IPSEC4, and IKEv2, depending on what
platform you�re connecting through. There is also additional EAS 256-bit encryption
that ensures your data is protected while you�re using TunnelBear.

There are also a couple of other features that make using the VPN service a little
safer. First, there is the VigilantBear option, which is the equivalent of a kill
switch. Your data is protected if the connection is interrupted for any reason,
which provides VPN leak protection. The downside of the VigilantBear option is that
it only works with Windows, Mac, and Android 5.0 or later.

The GhostBear feature is TunnelBear�s version of obfuscation. Using this option can
help you bypass content blocking or throttling and create a more stable connection.
This is especially useful if you�re trying to access geofenced content because
GhostBear can make it look like your traffic is coming from a regular ISP, rather
than from a VPN. The downside of the service is that GhostBear can reduce your
connection speeds, because of the technology that goes into keeping your traffic
signals masked.

To prove how seriously it takes security, TunnelBear does something truly unique in
the VPN industry. It allows annual independent security audits and posts the
results of those audits for the public to review. It�s unprecedented but
illustrates TunnelBear�s commitment to security.

Torrenting: Supported, But Not Advertised

Nowhere on the TunnelBear website will you find a reference to torrenting. There is
nothing on the site that says it is or is not supported. To find out, you have to
either try torrenting while using TunnelBear or ask the company. We asked the
company, and they reluctantly (and somewhat vaguely) confirmed that torrenting is
allowed while using TunnelBear, but it is suggested that specific tunnels are more
successful for torrenting activities. Those include:

United States
Canada
United Kingdom
Germany
Sweden
Netherlands
Romania
TunnelBear VPN
TunnelBear VPN
Streaming: It Works, But�
Because the connection speeds using TunnelBear are so fast, streaming is a pleasant
experience. Mostly. Where most users will find frustration is in what you can
stream. Noticeably on the list of streaming services that won�t work are Netflix,
BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime. If you�re looking for a VPN that allows you to
stream geo-protected content, you�re probably going to be very unhappy if these are
the main services that you use. You can still get YouTube content that�s geo-
protected, but for many users that just won�t be enough.

Price: Affordable Enough for Casual Users

Another thing that TunnelBear has going for it, and that makes the service pretty
attractive to some users is the cost of the service. TunnelBear offers one of the
best free services you�ll find, offering up to 500mb of data per month for users
for free. That free plan doesn�t limit the services you can connect to, nor does it
remove any of the other features of the TunnelBear service.

TunnelBear offers one of the best free services you�ll find, offering up to 500mb
of data per month for users for free.

If you�re a heavy VPN user, 500mb of data won�t last you long. Both of the
available TunnelBear paid plans allow for unlimited data, five connected devices,
and priority customer service. The month-to-month plan will cost you $9.99 per
month and the one year plan will cost you about half that at $4.99 per month (if
you pay for the full year in advance at $59.88). Both paid plans also include a 30-
day month back guarantee, so if you find within the first month that TunnelBear
isn�t meeting your needs, you can get a refund.

Competition: TunnelBear Is a Good Mid-Grade VPN

Despite the issue of not being able to stream Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or Amazon Prime
with TunnelBear, it still holds up amazingly well against even the toughest
competition. The ease-of-use and security offered by TunnelBear are often enough
for casual users who don�t need a VPN for streaming.

When streaming is a factor, however, ExpressVPN wins out over TunnelBear.

ExpressVPN not only allows streaming from Netflix and other sites, but it also
offers top-rated speeds, and high security. Where ExpressVPN loses out to
TunnelBear is pricing, with both monthly and yearly prices coming in higher at
ExpressVPN.

TunnelBear also beats out NordVPN in the pricing category but loses out to both
NordVPN and ExpressVPN in the speed category. And like ExpressVPN, NordVPN offers
better speeds and high security, though neither ExpressVPN or NordVPN have allowed
an independent auditor to verify their security or made the audit results public.
Both also lead in the number of torrenting servers available, as well as the number
of countries from which users can Tunnel.

Final Verdict
Our final verdict is that TunnelBear is a good VPN for new VPN users who need
secure VPN protection for communications and file transfers. It�s also a great
choice for users who need basic VPN on multiple devices. However, because
TunnelBear has a limited number of server locations and no streaming capabilities
for Netflix and other popular streaming services, it may not appeal to more
advanced VPN users.

Specs
Product Brand
TunnelBear VPN
Price
$9.99
Usability
Excellent
Speed
Very good
Operating Systems
Windows, macOS, Linux (with limited support)
Log Files
Limited to non-identifying data
Devices
Up to 5 connections at a time
Server locations
In 22 countries
Support Types
Support tickets with fast turn-around
Torrenting
Yes
Netflix
No
Encryptions
OpenVPN, IPSEC, IKEv2, AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) with 256-bit keys
Jurisdiction
Canada (U.S. Ownership)
Payment options
Most credit cards, Paypal, Bitcoin, Google Pay, Apple Pay
Price
$9.99/month
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