TunnelBear is easy to use and extremely fast for a free VPN. But it comes with 500MB of data per month. This means that TunnelBear will not work for users who are light VPN users.
Privacy and logging
TunnelBear’s website contains a series of disclaimers about how it handles traffic. TunnelBear does not log any customer activity related to its service. Dot. Privacy is important.
Most providers say something very similar, it’s not just marketing spin. TunnelBear more than backs up its claims and undergoes some of the most stringent independent VPN audits.
The company doesn’t just have experts reviewing its apps. It also audits its servers and backend infrastructure. TunnelBear publishes its audit report in its entirety, not just selected paragraphs. Then repeat the process every year. At the time of writing, it has completed four comprehensive service audits. No other VPN provider has the level of transparency that TunnelBear has, and TunnelBear deserves the most credit for being able to do that.
Windows and Mac apps
The TunnelBear apps for Windows or Mac have a stunning interface that displays company locations on maps. You can click and drag to move around the map, then click the desired location to connect. You can also select your city from the drop-down list. Click the “On” button to allow the app to connect to the nearest location.
The connection times we’ve seen can be surprisingly long, sometimes 20 minutes or more. Many VPNs (especially when using WireGuard) connect within seconds, and some are even faster than that.
We also experienced some connection issues with the VPN occasionally dropping out. We don’t know the reason and we can’t rule out that it was a temporary network problem or another local issue. However, we test all VPNs in the same setup and TunnelBear’s connection seems less stable than most.
Apps only offer the most basic settings like notifications, the ability to turn on (or off) and turn on the kill switch, and the list goes on. They have reasonable default values, so you may never need to review them all. If you choose to explore them, you’ll be able to find simple descriptions of each setting, along with links to a support site for the more complex ones.
The kill switch didn’t always provide full protection in the most extreme circumstances, such as app crashes. This is important to know because the best apps are always safe, but it is not a major risk. It is highly unlikely that you will ever have an app crash in real life. TunnelBear’s kill button was able to protect us from common scenarios that we could have encountered more realistically.
Android and iOS apps
TunnelBear’s mobile apps have the same interface as its desktop editions, and that’s what we use them for. Locations can be selected from the map or from the drop-down menu. The app will automatically connect to the nearest location with a touch.
We noticed a startling change: the roaring bear sound is heard every time the app connects or disconnects. charming? Annoyed? We’re not sure, but the sound has some practical value in telling you when you’re safe and when you’re not. You can also turn the sound off by checking the “Bear sounds” box in the settings.
It’s not just about the cuteness aspect. The Android app also includes TunnelBear’s VigilantBear kill switch, a GhostBear feature that lets you disable VPN blocking, and even a split tunneling feature (which is called, you guessed it, SplitBear). SplitBear) to route your app’s traffic outside of the VPN.
The TunnelBear iOS app is pretty limited, with no VigilantBear or GhostBear. It still offers split tunneling, but it’s only useful for websites, not apps. If a website doesn’t allow users to access it, even though you’re using a VPN, it will allow you to route traffic through your normal connection. This isn’t an ideal solution, as it means the VPN can’t protect you, but if the site doesn’t contain anything confidential or important, it might be a viable option.
Performance
TunnelBear may not be the fastest app, but it delivers on speed. We tested the app using a data center in the UK that had 1 Gbps connectivity, and the results weren’t bad at all, with TunnelBear hitting a decent 300 Mbps.
We’ve seen faster VPNs that are free: PrivadoVPN, Atlas VPN, and Proton VPN all achieved speeds of 320 to 380 Mbps in their recent tests. TunnelBear still beat Hide.me and Hotspot Shield in our testing. 300 Mbps is a good result for a product that is free.
It was the same with removing blockers. TunnelBear gave us access to American Netflix. This is a significant achievement that goes beyond paid VPNs. But the good news started and ended with TunnelBear being unable to unblock Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus or BBC iPlayer.
If you encounter any problems with the service, you can contact support. You can only contact support through a ticket. There is no live chat feature. TunnelBear’s quick response of “we will do our best to answer all questions within 48 hours” – was not enough to satisfy us. “Our best” – does that mean it can take more than two days?
That was a bit optimistic. However, we received a helpful response within 24 hours. It’s not as good as the live chat support from a paid VPN package where you can get the first response within 24 seconds. It’s certainly not bad for free – Hotspot Shield’s free plan, for example, doesn’t have any support, and it’s important to know that there’s some help if you need it.
Final verdict
TunnelBear Free VPN is a great service at its core, fast and easy to use. The 500MB data allowance per month means it’s more of a trial than an actual paid plan. For casual users only.
Mike is the lead security evaluator at Future, where he stress tests VPNs, antiviruses and more to find out which ones are guaranteed to keep you safe and which ones to avoid. Mike began his career as a leading software developer in the engineering world, and his inventions have been used by major corporations, from Rolls Royce to British Nuclear Fuels and British Aerospace. Mike became interested in malware analysis and the technicalities of network and Windows security.
Mike is a future security evaluator. It performs stress tests of VPNs and antivirus programs to determine which ones are safe and which ones to avoid. Mike began his career as a leading software developer in the engineering industry and his work has been used by major companies from Rolls Royce to British Nuclear Fuels and British Aerospace. Early computer viruses caught Mike’s eye and he became interested in studying malware and understanding the low-level technical details of Windows and network security under the hood.
Does TunnelBear have a free version?
TunnelBear is free for up to 500MB of data, but unlimited data costs $3.33 per month for personal use or $5.75 per month per user for individual use.
Is there a free version of TunnelBear? 2. After you click the aTry for FREE button, the TunnelBear VPN free trial will start downloading to your device. You can download the trial version for free for those with iOS or Android.
How do I get unlimited TunnelBear for free?
You can easily get an unlimited secure VPN account in a few steps. To do this, go to our website and click “Get TunnelBear”. You will be able to select the type of subscription you wish to upgrade to, then follow the steps to upgrade.
Is TunnelBear free forever?
Before you sign up for any plan, the best idea is to take advantage of the free account that TunnelBear offers and it’s free for the duration. There are no limits on the server network, but free users get a maximum of 500 MB of data per month.
Is TunnelBear unlimited?
Get the TunnelBear Unlimited Bundle, which includes all TunnelBear apps, priority customer support, and unlimited data.
Is ExpressVPN better than TunnelBear?
Yes, ExpressVPN is generally better than TunnelBear VPN.
Is ExpressVPN still trustworthy? ExpressVPN is an extremely reliable, secure and efficient VPN service. It works with streaming services like Hulu, Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
Is there a better VPN than ExpressVPN?
NordVPN is ultimately the better option. It’s almost as fast, offers more servers, and offers more control over your security settings than ExpressVPN. It’s a good choice for streaming thanks to its powerful unblocking capability and dedicated IP address option.
How much faster is ExpressVPN vs NordVPN?
This is the fastest VPN speed test we’ve ever run, reaching 450 megabits per second. NordVPN is significantly faster than ExpressVPN at 309 Mbps. It is already clear that the WireGuard VPN protocol gives NordVPN an advantage over the competition.
Is OpenVPN better than ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN was much simpler to configure and use than other solutions. However, OpenVPN is easier to manage. OpenVPN was also generally preferred by reviewers. Reviewers said that OpenVPN can better meet their business needs than ExpressVPN.
Which is better TunnelBear or NordVPN?
NordVPN outperforms TunnelBear in every area and wins this comparison outright. Its network is huge and offers dedicated servers for every internet activity, including streaming and P2P. It also takes security seriously and provides protection against malware with its Cybersec feature.
How much faster is ExpressVPN than NordVPN?
This is the fastest VPN speed test we’ve ever performed, with an optimal speed of 450 Mbps. It is clear that NordVPN is significantly more efficient than ExpressVPN, by about 309 Mbps. It’s clear that NordVPN has a huge advantage because of the WireGuard VPN protocol.
Is ExpressVPN or NordVPN better for Netflix?
NordVPN is more suitable for Netflix than ExpressVPN. It has more servers, offers more simultaneous connections and is cheaper. It’s easy to unblock 21 Netflix libraries, including US, UK, Canada and many more.
What is better than TunnelBear?
Netflix access: NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for Netflix compared to TunnelBear which is blocked. Static IP Addresses: Shared or Dedicated: We prefer dynamic IP addresses, but NordVPN will work for those who prefer static ones. Access to Netflix: You could connect another device to NordVPN at the same time, unlike TunnelBear.
Is TunnelBear the best VPN?
TunnelBear is a great VPN service. It comes with solid security features, unblocks many streaming services like Youtube, DAZN, Netflix and Youtube, and also has a fun theme. Unfortunately, their subscriptions for longer periods are more expensive than their free version.
Is Surfshark better than TunnelBear?
| Main features | TunnelBear | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Company | ||
| Speed levels | Medium good | Good |
| P2P capabilities |
Why did TunnelBear ban my IP address?
If you see this error, it’s a sign that the network (IP address) you’re connecting from has been flagged as a potential risk by one of our security services, Cloudflare.
Does TunnelBear change your IP address? Your IP address will change when TunnelBear connects with you. This means that the IP address you are connected to will change every time you connect, reconnect or change tunnels.
Does TunnelBear hide your IP address?
TunnelBear can be used to protect you and your privacy, hide your IP address and real IP address, avoid internet censorship and experience the internet like people in other countries.
Can TunnelBear be traced?
no! TunnelBear does NOT keep logs. We keep no records of your activities while using our private VPN. For more information about how we can protect your privacy, please see our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions of Service.
How private is TunnelBear?
TunnelBear creates a virtual private network whenever you connect to the Internet via your home network or public Wi-Fi. This means that your internet security provider will only see how you access the VPN servers and not which websites you are connected to.
Why is my VPN not working TunnelBear?
Reinstall TunnelBear and restart your device to install the latest version. Also, make sure you can access your network or router settings and that the port TunnelBear uses to connect is open. If you experience problems with TunnelBear, we recommend changing your VPN provider.
Why is TunnelBear not working iOS?
Reinstall VPN profile: Make sure TunnelBear is turned off. Click the menu button (3 horizontal lines) in the upper left corner of the TunnelBear app. Click Reinstall Profile. Follow the instructions.
What is wrong TunnelBear?
Connectivity issues can usually be resolved by turning TunnelBear off and back on. If that doesn’t work, try switching to a different server location and then try connecting to the Internet again. This trick should solve your problem with TunnelBear if it is caused by the server you are using.
Can TunnelBear block ISP?
TunnelBear protects you from disconnections and prevents your ISP from seeing your traffic and slowing it down.
Can TunnelBear be tracked?
no! TunnelBear keeps no logs. This means that we do not collect any information about the activities you perform while you are connected to our private and secure VPN. Please see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service for a more detailed explanation of the ways we go above and beyond to protect your privacy.
Does TunnelBear hide from ISP?
TunnelBear will not stop intrusive applications from recording your data. These apps track everything on your phone, but they don’t track the websites you access through it.
Does TunnelBear hide your IP?
TunnelBear can be used to protect your privacy, hide your IP address, avoid internet censorship and allow you to use the internet in the same way as people from other countries.
Is TunnelBear Trackable? no! TunnelBear keeps no logs. We do not keep logs of your activities while using our private VPN. For more details on how we protect your privacy, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Does TunnelBear hide from ISP?
TunnelBear can’t prevent intrusive apps from logging your data because those apps track everything you do on your phone, but not the websites you access through it.
Is a VPN enough to hide from ISP?
Your ISP cannot decipher your Internet traffic or determine the source or route when you use a VPN. This means that your ISP cannot see which websites you visit or any other activity you do while connected. It can only see the encrypted data sent to the server.
Does TunnelBear block ISP tracking?
They can protect your personal information and block a lot of online snooping that happens every time you connect to the Internet. Your ISP will know that you have connected to their network. They can’t see your online activities.
How private is TunnelBear?
Basically, TunnelBear works by creating an encrypted virtual private network whenever you connect to the Internet through your home network or when you use Wi-Fi in public. This means that your internet security provider will be able to detect that you are accessing VPN servers, not the websites you visit.
Is TunnelBear anonymous?
TunnelBear ensures your online privacy thanks to VigilantBear and GhostBear features in addition to military-grade encryption protocols.
Is TunnelBear secure?
TunnelBear Protocols TunnelBear uses OpenVPN/IKEv2 for Windows, MacOS and Android. iOS uses IKEv2 and IPSec protocols. Each of these protocols is considered highly secure by the infosec community. Below is more information about these VPN protocols.
How much does TunnelBear cost?
| TunnelBear plans | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Month to month | $9.99 |
| 12 months | $4.99 |
| 36 months | $3.33 |
| Teams | $5.75 per user |
Is TunnelBear really free? It’s free to use on one device, but if you want the convenience of syncing across all your devices, you’ll need to pay $36 per year (or $60 every two years). A three-year subscription to TunnelBear also includes a subscription to RememBear.
Is TunnelBear a trustworthy VPN?
yes TunnelBear claims to be a no-logs VPN provider. In addition, they have passed independent security audits for three consecutive years. This puts them at the top of other reputable VPN service providers.
Does TunnelBear collect data?
TunnelBear does not specifically collect, store or log the following data: IP addresses that visit our website. IP addresses when connecting the service. DNS requests during connection.
Is TunnelBear owned by Google?
McAfee acquired TunnelBear in March 2018.
How do I get unlimited TunnelBear for free?
There is no way to have free unlimited access to Tunnel Bear VPN. If you want to get rid of restricted access, you will need to sign up for a paid subscription to TunnelBear. This will give you unlimited bandwidth and access to many more servers.
Is TunnelBear unlimited?
TunnelBear Unlimited plans include all TunnelBear apps, including Priority Customer Service, Unlimited Data, and Unlimited Data
How do I get unlimited TunnelBear?
Go to our website and click “Get TunnelBear”. You will be able to select the type of subscription you wish to upgrade to and then follow the instructions. You can also upgrade to TunnelBear if you are already signed in to TunnelBear and have the TunnelBear app open. Simply click the “upgrade” button in the app.
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