Key Points of TunnelBear VPNRating: 3.1 stars out of 5
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TunnelBear’s unique approach, centered around bears, distinguishes it from the more technical and standardized modes of other VPN services. TunnelBear supports Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge platforms. It boasts over 5,000 servers, limitless device connections, and tailored options for teams and corporations.
Despite its entertaining design and convenience, TunnelBear’s slower speeds and glitchy application raise some concerns. Additionally, its server network covers only 47 countries.
What is the Cost of TunnelBear VPN?
The initial paid package from TunnelBear is priced at $3.33 per month under the TunnelBear Unlimited offering. They offer three plan options: Free, Unlimited, and Teams. The TunnelBear Unlimited plan allows selection between monthly, yearly, and triennial subscriptions.
| Package | TunnelBear Free | TunnelBear Unlimited | TunnelBear Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | Free | $3.33 per month (initial year billed at $39.99) | $5.75 per user per month |
| 3 years | Free | $3.33 (total billed at $120) | N/A |
| Monthly | Free | $9.99 per month | N/A |
| Differentiating Features |
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Coincidentally, the monthly and triennial plans are only visible upon clicking the “Get started” button for the TunnelBear Unlimited subscription priced at $3.33. It would be beneficial if TunnelBear enhances the accessibility of its additional contractual options or at least makes them more visible from the outset.
at the peak of its pricing section.
Regarding individual pricing, the TunnelBear Unlimited subscription is currently on sale for $3.33 monthly with the one-year plan. Opting for this discounted annual rate for the TunnelBear Unlimited plan is indeed a bargain. However, as this is a promotional offer, future prices may vary.
Before committing to a subscription, I recommend trying out the free version of TunnelBear. While the free version has limitations such as a 2GB data cap and omitted features, it provides a good introduction to TunnelBear’s desktop VPN setup.
For entrepreneurs, TunnelBear Teams offers a practical solution. This option includes all the paid features of TunnelBear along with additional team-oriented add-ons like centralized billing and account manager tools.
Is There a Free Version of TunnelBear VPN?
Absolutely, TunnelBear provides a dedicated free version of its VPN service. Prospective users can freely download the service without the need for payment information.
Nevertheless, the free version of TunnelBear VPN has certain limitations compared to its paid counterpart. With a monthly 2GB data cap that resets monthly, free users may only be able to experiment with the VPN for around a day or two before exhausting their data limit.
In addition, only paid users have the option to select servers designated by city on TunnelBear’s network. Free users are restricted to choosing from available countries (see Figure A).
Figure A
Despite these limitations, TunnelBear affirms that both its free and paid versions offer the same performance, making the free version a viable option to assess the suitability of the VPN for your needs.
SEE: TunnelBear VPN Free vs Paid: Which Plan Is Right for You? (TechRepublic)
Security and Privacy: How Secure is TunnelBear VPN?
From a technical standpoint, TunnelBear meets all the requirements necessary for a modern VPN to be deemed secure. It supports OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 – the three standard security protocols essential for a VPN. Additionally, it implements AES 256 encryption, includes a kill switch (VigilantBear), and split tunneling (SplitBear).
TunnelBear follows a strict no-logs policy which ensures that no browsing information, IP addresses, DNS queries, or applications used while connected to the VPN are collected.
Furthermore, TunnelBear has an excellent track record of undergoing annual independent assessments. Since 2016, TunnelBear has undergone seven security audits conducted by external parties. Their most recent third-party audit in October 2023 was conducted by Cure53.
In the 2023 audit report, Cure53 identified a total of “13 issues this year, with only 7 considered to be of medium risk or higher.” Thankfully, TunnelBear has stated that “12 out of the 13 identified issues have been resolved or mitigated.” I commend the TunnelBear team for their commitment to subjecting their VPN service to external audits as it demonstrates transparency and helps build trust among users.
On the other hand, individuals may have reservations about TunnelBear being headquartered in Canada, a member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance comprising Australia, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S. If avoiding governmental interference is a concern for you, TunnelBear might not be the ideal choice.
Overall, TunnelBear’s robust security features, transparency, and regular independent evaluations make it a reliable and secure VPN in 2024.
Main Features of TunnelBear VPN
TunnelBear offers several key features that distinguish it from other VPN services. Let’s delve into four particular features that are worth noting.
User-friendly Interface
Compared to other VPNs, TunnelBear boasts a highly intuitive interface with a bear-themed design. Servers are represented as tunnels, and when you connect or switch to a new server, a bear emerges from within the tunnel – hence the name, TunnelBear.
Figure B
The playful bear theme deviates from the usually technical interface of typical security software. For beginners, this whimsical user experience might simplify the learning curve of the software. The navigation design is also highly intuitive, with features and options placed conveniently.
For novices delving into VPNs seeking a less intimidating setup, TunnelBear can be an excellent choice.
TunnelBear Teams
TunnelBear Teams (Figure C) introduces team accounts tailored for VPN subscriptions. This service offers business-specific features such as centralized team billing, user management capabilities, and an auto-enrollment feature for users with designated email addresses. It provides a comprehensive solution for business VPN needs.
Figure C
For small businesses considering VPN implementation, TunnelBear Teams streamlines the setup process and administration tasks typically associated with implementing a VPN.
Unlimited connections
TunnelBear VPN supports limitless simultaneous device connections with a single subscription. Users can secure multiple computers, smartphones, or browsers through a TunnelBear server at no extra charge.
This feature holds significance as other VPN providers typically limit simultaneous connections to five to eight devices per account. The ability to connect an unlimited number of devices enhances user experience by eliminating the need for additional connections.
Speed and performance: How efficient is TunnelBear VPN?
Regarding performance, my experience with TunnelBear was subpar. On initial testing, I encountered difficulties establishing a connection using the VPN’s “fastest” server option (Figure D). Despite locating the nearest server, the connection was unreliable.
Figure D
Reinstalling the VPN did not resolve the connection issues, and even when connected, reestablishing the connection was problematic. Surprisingly, connecting to a distant server presented no issues.
Speeds were slower than expected, affecting tasks such as browsing, work in Google Workspace, and video streaming. Webpage loading times increased, and video buffering was noticeable even on 1080p YouTube videos. The connection proved to be unstable during the testing phase.
After a day, the connection issues seemed to have resolved themselves, providing a more stable experience than initially encountered.
disengage/re-engage without any inconvenience. However, the slower velocities persisted even after the connection glitch appeared to have been resolved.
VIEW: How to utilize TunnelBear VPN (Step-by-Step Tutorial) (TechRepublic)
In terms of upload and download speeds, TunnelBear performed adequately. During my speed evaluation, TunnelBear experienced a reduction of 38.46% in download speeds and 11.64% in upload speeds — with the upload speed being among the quicker speeds I’ve observed in comparison to other VPN services.
TunnelBear also excelled in terms of DNS leak protection. Following numerous rounds of experimentation using a public DNS leak tool, I did not detect any leaks even when utilizing different locations.
Naturally, VPN speed and performance can be influenced by factors such as your geographic location, internet service provider, server congestion, and your device. Nonetheless, my assessment revealed that TunnelBear might provide you with an unstable and slower performance when compared to other contemporary VPN providers.
TunnelBear VPN server deployment and territories
TunnelBear offers approximately 5,000+ servers spanning 47 nations globally, positioning TunnelBear’s server array in the mid-tier range among its competitors. For example, ExpressVPN presents servers from 105 countries, whereas Private Internet Access operates servers across 91 countries.
While TunnelBear’s server count is quite substantial, I would prefer a network that is more geographically diverse. With 47 countries currently covered, TunnelBear needs to expand its reach as other VPN providers are encompassing around 60 to even over 100 countries within their server networks. Hence, if your focus is on unblocking region-specific content, TunnelBear might not be the most suitable choice.
I appreciate TunnelBear’s inclusion of P2P-friendly servers that are tailored specifically for activities like torrenting and file sharing.
TunnelBear VPN Customer support
The area where TunnelBear could enhance its services is customer support (Figure E). I strongly believe that TunnelBear should introduce a 24/7 live chat feature. Since VPNs may encounter unforeseen technical difficulties, many top-tier providers offer a support platform for addressing queries and resolving issues.
Figure E
Currently, TunnelBear offers a web form, email support, online guides, and an AI chatbot (Figure F) named RoboCub for customer assistance.
Figure F
To be fair, RoboCub from TunnelBear was able to furnish quite useful responses to my inquiries.
VIEW: How to Develop an Efficient Cybersecurity Awareness Program (TechRepublic Premium)
TunnelBear VPN advantages
- Intuitive UI for beginners.
- Complimentary version available.
- Cost-effective annual subscription (discounted during fall sale).
- Annual independent audits conducted.
- Support for unlimited device connections.
- TunnelBear Teams offering tailored services for enterprises.
TunnelBear VPN drawbacks
- Instability in the application experience.
- Sluggish speeds in real-world scenarios.
- Unreliable connections at times.
- Smaller number of countries covered by its servers.
- Opaque contract length options on the pricing page.
ExpressVPN
For those seeking a VPN with a user-friendly interface and swift performance, ExpressVPN stands out as one of the top choices available. It boasts robust security features, servers across 105 countries, and includes a password manager at no additional cost.
For more details, read our comprehensive ExpressVPN review.
Proton VPN
For those seeking a VPN service in a privacy-conscious location, Proton VPN stands out. Situated in Switzerland, it adheres to the nation’s robust privacy regulations, providing an extra level of safeguarding for your data. Moreover, Proton VPN offers a free version without any data restrictions.
If you want to learn more, please refer to our detailed Proton VPN review.
Secure Web Access
Those in search of an extensive server selection may find Private Internet Access VPN appealing. With purportedly between 10,000 and 35,000 servers spread across 91 countries, PIA is a solid choice for unlocking various content. Its Windows application also offers a high level of customization compared to other VPN apps currently available.
To discover more insights, read our in-depth Private Internet Access VPN review.
Evaluation Approach
My examination of TunnelBear VPN involved an in-depth assessment of its security features, pricing, and practical performance. I tested TunnelBear extensively using its free Windows app, supplemented by user feedback and reputable critiques.
To evaluate download and upload speeds, I used Ookla’s public Speedtest. In testing DNS leak protection, I performed multiple checks with DNSLeakTest.
Furthermore, I rated TunnelBear VPN on various criteria, including security protocols and cost, utilizing an internal algorithm to assign a score of 3.1 out of 5 stars. I conducted a comparative analysis of TunnelBear VPN both independently and in comparison to other VPN solutions available today.
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