TunnelBear
A user-friendly VPN with strong privacy and an approachable interface, ideal for beginners
TunnelBear is a VPN service based in Ontario, Canada that provides privacy-focused browsing with AES 256-bit encryption and a no-logging policy. The service features an intuitive map-based interface, support for multiple VPN protocols including WireGuard and OpenVPN, and both free and paid tiers. It conducts annual independent security audits and offers obfuscation technology (GhostBear) to circumvent VPN restrictions.
How we scored it
Six-factor weighted score. Each dimension scored 0–10 by our editorial team across testing periods of 3–18 months. No vendor influence.
What it actually costs
Intro pricing shown — see the renewal note for what you'll pay after the introductory term. We don't hide the second-act price.
The real cost
What you'll actually pay across 4 years, including the renewal cliff. We blend the math so you see the true monthly cost.
When the bill actually arrives
Most hosts advertise intro pricing prominently and renewal pricing in the fine print. Here\'s the trajectory drawn to scale.
TunnelBear against the field
The highest-scoring alternatives in the same category, compared on the figures we hold for all of them.
| TunnelBearThis page | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReviewCost score | 7.3/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 |
| Cheapest plan | Free | — | — |
| From | — | $3.49/mo | — |
| Renews at | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Biggest strength | Intuitive, user-friendly interface with playful bear-themed design that appeals to VPN beginners | Proprietary Lightway protocol delivers consistently fast speeds, particularly with Lightway Turbo on Windows | Audited no-logs policy and full open-source codebase provide exceptional transparency |
| Biggest drawback | Unreliable streaming performance; frequently blocked by Netflix and inconsistent success unblocking geo-restricted content | Device limits (10/12/14) lag behind competitors like Surfshark and PIA that offer unlimited simultaneous connections | No 24/7 live chat support—email-only, with 1-3 day response times reported |
Prices are the published figures at the time of writing and change often. Renewal pricing is shown where the vendor publishes it. See how we review.
What people ask about TunnelBear
Straight answers to what buyers actually ask, drawn from the documentation and published user reports.