TunnelBear VPN quick details
Our ranking: 3.1 stars out of 5Pricing: Begins at $3.33/mo (annual)Key options:Enjoyable, beginner-friendly interface.Annual unbiased safety audits.Limitless machine connections.
TunnelBear’s distinctive, bear-themed strategy to its VPN service units it aside from the extra technical and standardized implementations of different VPNs. TunnelBear is out there on Home windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox and Edge, providing 5,000+ servers, limitless machine connections and a subscription choice for groups and organizations.
Regardless of its enjoyable design and accessibility, TunnelBear’s slower speeds and buggy app are causes for concern. As well as, its server fleet solely spans 47 nations.
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TunnelBear VPN pricing
DurationTunnelBear FreeTunnelBear UnlimitedTunnelBear Groups
1 yearFree$3.33 fall sale
3 yearsFree$3.33
1 monthFree$9.99$5.75 per person, per thirty days
Notable Features2GB information cap
Limitless information
Limitless machine connections
Metropolis-level server choice
Precedence Buyer Help
Limitless information
Limitless machine connections
Metropolis-level server choice
Precedence buyer assist
Centralized staff billing
Admin and account supervisor instruments
7-day free trial
TunnelBear gives TunnelBear Limitless at a reduced fee of $3.33 per thirty days. In the event you go for the TunnelBear Limitless paid plan, this discounted annual fee is a steal. Nevertheless, as a result of it is a sale supply, costs could fluctuate sooner or later.
I might counsel making an attempt TunnelBear’s free model earlier than buying a subscription. Whereas information is capped at 2GB and a few options are omitted, the free model lets you get a really feel for TunnelBear’s desktop VPN implementation.
For enterprise house owners, TunnelBear Groups is a sensible choice. You get all of TunnelBear’s paid options along with extra team-based add-ons, reminiscent of centralized billing and account supervisor instruments.
TunnelBear VPN free model
One in all TunnelBear’s standout options is having a devoted free model of its VPN. These all in favour of making an attempt the service don’t have to fret about offering cost data.
Nevertheless, there are notable variations between the free and paid variations. The free model has a 2GB information cap that resets each month. So, realistically talking, free customers will solely have the ability to check out the VPN for round a day or two earlier than information runs out.
As well as, solely paid customers will have the ability to choose city-designated servers on TunnelBear’s community. Free customers are solely in a position to select from out there nations (Determine A).
Determine A
Regardless of this, TunnelBear states that their free and paid variations don’t have any distinction performance-wise, making the free model a viable solution to check if the VPN is best for you.
Safety and privateness: Is TunnelBear VPN safe?
Specs-wise, TunnelBear has all of the requisites wanted for a contemporary VPN to be thought of safe. It has OpenVPN, WireGuard and IKEv2 — the three industry-standard safety protocols we would like in a VPN. It additionally makes use of AES 256 encryption, features a kill swap (VigilantBear) and cut up tunneling (SplitBear).
TunnelBear has a no-logs coverage, which states that it doesn’t accumulate any person’s searching data, IP addresses, DNS queries and functions used whereas linked to the VPN.
Should-read safety protection
TunnelBear additionally has a powerful observe document of present process annual unbiased testing. Since 2016, TunnelBear has accomplished 5 annual unbiased safety audits. The latest third-party audit was performed in 2021 by Cure53. This dedication to annual testing is a particular plus for shoppers who worth a VPN that’s clear and keen to be audited.
On the flipside, there are two potential causes of concern with TunnelBear VPN. The primary is that throughout the fifth annual audit, Cure53 found ” … 4 low, 9 medium, three excessive, and three critical-risk vulnerabilities.” TunnelBear stated their staff was in a position to rapidly resolve the vulnerabilities after Cure53’s report — and I personally admire their candidness on the matter.
Some individuals may additionally be cautious of TunnelBear being based mostly in Canada, one of many members of the 5 Eyes intelligence alliance, together with Australia, New Zealand, the U.Okay. and the U.S. If authorities intervention is one thing you’re making an attempt to keep away from, TunnelBear will not be for you.
Total, TunnelBear’s security measures, transparency and annual unbiased testing make it a safe and reliable VPN in 2023.
Key options of TunnelBear VPN
TunnelBear has a couple of key options that set it aside from different VPNs. Let’s take a look at 4 specifically that it is best to find out about.
Newbie-friendly interface
In comparison with different VPNs, TunnelBear has a really user-friendly, bear-themed interface. Servers are represented by tunnels, and while you join or swap to a brand new tunnel, a bear will pop up (Determine B) from contained in the tunnel — therefore the title, TunnelBear.
Determine B
The bear theme is enjoyable and foregoes the very technical strategy that almost all safety software program normally have. If that is your first VPN, this whimsy person interface could make studying the software program much less complicated. The navigation expertise itself can also be very intuitive, with most options or choices being positioned the place you’d count on them.
For customers which are solely beginning to discover VPNs and desire a much less daunting expertise, TunnelBear generally is a good decide.
TunnelBear Groups
TunnelBear Groups (Determine C) is their model of staff accounts for his or her VPN subscription. It nets customers the paid service and extra options tailor-made to companies reminiscent of centralized staff billing; the power so as to add/take away customers and edit billing data from an admin account; and an auto-join characteristic that routinely enrolls customers with a particular e-mail tackle.
Determine C
In the event you’re a small enterprise serious about getting a VPN in your workflow, TunnelBear Groups gives a handy choice that reduces numerous legwork usually related to establishing a VPN for a corporation or enterprise.
Limitless machine connections
TunnelBear VPN permits for a limiteless variety of simultaneous machine connections to at least one subscription. Because of this any mixture of computer systems, smartphones or browsers might be protected by way of a TunnelBear server at no further value.
It is a significant characteristic on condition that a number of the prime VPN suppliers solely supply round 5 to eight simultaneous connections with one account. The flexibility to attach a limiteless variety of gadgets supplies customers with added worth, eliminating the necessity to buy further connections.
Velocity and efficiency: How briskly is TunnelBear VPN?
Efficiency-wise, my expertise with TunnelBear wasn’t nice. Throughout my first day of testing the VPN, I couldn’t set up a connection utilizing TunnelBear’s “quickest” server connection choice (Determine D). It was irritating because the VPN was capable of finding the server closest to me — however was nonetheless not in a position to connect with it reliably.
Determine D
Even after I uninstalled and reinstalled the VPN, the problem remained. After I was in a position to join, it took nearly three minutes to take action; and after I disconnected, it was nearly not possible to re-establish the connection. What’s bizarre is that after I linked to a server farther away from my location, I had no points.
After I was linked, the speeds have been slower in comparison with different VPNs. Throughout my testing, I used TunnelBear primarily to do work in Google Workspace apps reminiscent of Drive and Docs, browse social media and analysis with a number of tabs open. Webpages appeared to take a bit extra time to load and the connection was unstable. 1080p YouTube movies additionally had extra buffering time than anticipated whereas linked to the VPN.
A day after my horrible expertise with TunnelBear’s quickest server characteristic, the problem appeared to have resolved itself. I used to be in a position to connect with the server nearest to my location and disconnect/reconnect with none concern. The slower speeds, nonetheless, persevered even when the connection bug appeared to have been fastened.
TunnelBear carried out decently when it comes to uploads and obtain speeds. In my pace check, TunnelBear had a lower of 38.46% for downloads and 11.64% for uploads — with the add pace being one of many quicker speeds I’ve recorded in comparison with different VPNs.
TunnelBear additionally carried out properly on the DNS leak safety entrance. After a number of rounds of testing via a public DNS leak instrument, I bought zero leaks even whereas I used totally different areas.
In fact, VPN pace and efficiency will fluctuate relying on components reminiscent of your location, your web service supplier, server visitors and your machine. Nevertheless, my testing confirmed that TunnelBear could provide you with a buggy and slower expertise in comparison with different VPN suppliers out there immediately.
TunnelBear VPN servers and areas
TunnelBear gives round 5,000+ servers from 47 nations worldwide, placing TunnelBear’s server fleet within the middle-to-upper vary towards the competitors. That is helpful for many who need flexibility when it comes to server alternative.
Whereas TunnelBear’s server rely is on the upper finish, I would like a extra geographically various community. At 47 nations, TunnelBear has some catching as much as do as different VPNs are providing round 60 to even 100+ nations of their server unfold. So for those who’re particularly on the lookout for a VPN to unblock geo-restricted content material, TunnelBear will not be the optimum alternative.
I like that TunnelBear options P2P-friendly servers particularly optimized for duties reminiscent of torrenting and file sharing.
Customer support
Customer support (Determine E) is one other facet the place TunnelBear might see some enchancment. Particularly, I consider TunnelBear ought to supply 24/7 reside chat. As a result of VPNs can have sudden technical points, lots of the prime suppliers supply a service for answering questions and troubleshooting.
Determine E
TunnelBear’s Help Web page. Picture: TunnelBear
In the meanwhile, TunnelBear has an internet type and e-mail, on-line guides, and an AI chatbot (Determine F) referred to as RoboCub for buyer assist.
Determine F
In equity to TunnelBear, RoboCub was in a position to present pretty useful solutions after I requested a couple of questions.
TunnelBear VPN professionals
Newbie-friendly UI.
Free model.
Inexpensive one-year plan (fall sale).
Annual unbiased audits.
Limitless machine connections.
TunnelBear Groups for companies.
TunnelBear VPN cons
Buggy app expertise.
Gradual real-world pace.
Connection might be unstable.
Smaller nation rely for its servers.
Vulnerabilities in most up-to-date audit.
Who’s TunnelBear greatest for?
TunnelBear is greatest for customers who desire a beginner-friendly VPN that doesn’t have an uber-technical interface. Its bear-themed UI is a enjoyable tackle a VPN desktop app, particularly for those who’re not a tech-savvy person or are simply beginning to get acquainted with VPNs. Its devoted free model additionally offers customers entry to the service with out having to spend any cash.
As well as, TunnelBear’s Groups subscription generally is a sensible alternative for small companies who need a simple solution to handle a single VPN for his or her staff.
Sadly, TunnelBear VPN’s lower than perfect efficiency and pace forestall it from being a prime suggestion for individuals who fall outdoors these classes.
If TunnelBear VPN isn’t perfect for you, take a look at these alternate options
In the event you discover that TunnelBear isn’t the very best match, we’ve listed comparable VPNs that might supply a greater expertise.
ExpressVPN
In the event you’re on the lookout for a VPN with an easy-to-use interface and quick efficiency, ExpressVPN is likely one of the greatest choices out there. It has sturdy security measures, servers throughout 90 nations, and a password supervisor included at no further value.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a good decide for those who’re on the lookout for a VPN that operates in a privacy-friendly nation. Based mostly in Switzerland, it complies with the nation’s sturdy privateness legal guidelines that supply a further layer of safety to your information. Proton VPN additionally has a free model with no information cap.
Personal Web Entry
Customers who desire a huge server suite ought to think about Personal Web Entry VPN. PIA reportedly has round 10,000 to 35,000 servers throughout 91 counties, making it a sensible alternative for those who plan to make use of a VPN to unblock content material. Its Home windows app can also be one of many extra customizable VPN functions out there immediately.
Overview methodology
My evaluate of TunnelBear VPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its security measures, worth and real-world efficiency. I had hands-on expertise with TunnelBear via its free Home windows utility, and I supplemented my findings with person testimonials and respected opinions.
For obtain and add speeds, I ran TunnelBear via Ookla’s public Speedtest. For DNS leak safety, I examined TunnelBear a number of instances utilizing DNSLeakTest.
Lastly, I scored TunnelBear VPN on numerous components, together with its safety protocols and worth, based mostly on an inner algorithm to get a ranking of three.1 out of 5 stars. I checked out TunnelBear VPN each by itself and in relation to different VPN options out there immediately.
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