Quick Verdict
TunnelBear Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Exceptionally simple, friendly apps - great for beginners
- Annual independent security audits (Cure53)
- Free tier available (limited monthly data)
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Owned by McAfee, a large established company
- Transparent, easy-to-read privacy reporting
Where It Falls Short
- Poor for streaming - does not reliably unblock Netflix
- Canada jurisdiction (Five Eyes member)
- No P2P/torrenting support
- No money-back guarantee on paid plans
- Smaller feature set than rivals
Ease of Use
TunnelBear's whole identity is simplicity. The apps use a friendly bear theme, plain-language settings, and a one-tap connect experience that makes it arguably the least intimidating VPN for someone who has never used one. If your goal is to get a nervous relative or a first-time user protected without a manual, TunnelBear is hard to beat.
That friendliness comes with real substance underneath: TunnelBear is one of the few VPNs that commissions annual independent security audits, and it publishes transparency reporting in the same approachable style as its apps.
Privacy & Security
TunnelBear keeps a no-log policy and uses AES-256-GCM encryption with a kill switch (VigilantBear) and GhostBear obfuscation for restrictive networks. Its standout privacy credential is consistency: it has undergone repeated independent audits by Cure53, a rarity in the category.
The caveats are jurisdiction and ownership: TunnelBear is based in Canada, a Five Eyes member, and is owned by McAfee. Neither is disqualifying for a no-log provider, but privacy purists may prefer an offshore, independent option.
Security Features
- Encryption: AES-256-GCM
- Kill Switch (VigilantBear): Built in
- GhostBear: Obfuscation for restrictive networks
- Independent audits: Annual, by Cure53
- Jurisdiction: Canada (Five Eyes)
Speed & Performance
TunnelBear now supports WireGuard, which improved its speeds, though it remains a step behind the fastest providers. For everyday browsing, email, and video calls on public Wi-Fi it is perfectly adequate. The chart below shows where the providers we have full speed data for currently rank by speed retention against our 487 Mbps reference baseline.
Speed Retention - Rated Providers
Protocol: WireGuard | Baseline: 487 Mbps | Higher = better
Streaming & Torrenting
This is where TunnelBear's simplicity shows its limits. It does not focus on streaming, so Netflix and similar platforms are generally blocked, and it does not support P2P or torrenting on its network. If either matters to you, choose a provider built for it - Surfshark and NordVPN handle both well.
Pricing & Plans
TunnelBear's paid plans unlock unlimited data and unlimited device connections. Note that it does not offer a traditional money-back guarantee - instead, the free tier lets you try the apps before paying. Evaluate it on the free plan first.
TunnelBear Pricing Plans
Server Network
TunnelBear covers roughly 47 countries. The network is focused on the popular regions rather than exhaustive coverage, which fits its everyday-privacy positioning. There is no P2P support.
- Countries: ~47
- P2P support: Not supported
- Obfuscation (GhostBear): Available
- Browser extensions: Chrome and Firefox
If TunnelBear Isn't Right for You
TunnelBear is the friendliest starting point, but if you need streaming, torrenting, or an offshore jurisdiction, these are better suited:
Strong Alternatives to TunnelBear
Surfshark
Best for: Easy apps + streaming + devices
From $2.19/mo
Try SurfsharkProtonVPN
Best for: Free tier + strong privacy
From $4.49/mo
Try ProtonVPNNordVPN
Best for: Best all-round performance
From $3.09/mo
Try NordVPN