TunnelBear VPN Review: A Serious VPN That Doesn't Take Itself Too Seriously

Justyn Newman

Updated Thu, August 20, 2026 at 12:00 PM UTC

On the internet, nobody knows you're a dog—or a bear. That used to be the case, anyhow. These days, advertisers, corporations, and governments know a lot about you. Using a VPN makes it harder for spies, your ISP, and advertisers to track you online. We put every VPN through an in-depth testing process that evaluates performance, privacy, and usability. Once again, TunnelBear ranks among the best VPNs we've tested, and it does so with a surprisingly whimsical app that's bursting with design charm. More importantly, it has an outstanding track record in transparency and consumer privacy, and it offers unlimited simultaneous connections. It's particularly well-suited to first-time subscribers, earning it our Editors' Choice award for user-friendly VPNs.

Price: A Simple, Affordable Subscription Model

TunnelBear is one of the few VPN providers that offers a completely free plan . You used to get access to any location as long as you stayed under the data limit, but the company changed this model at the end of 2025. Now, you're limited to the fastest nearby server based on your location. This change makes it impossible to test servers in other countries, severely limiting the trial's usefulness. I usually recommend that users try out the location they'll be connecting to most often, but that's not possible with TunnelBear's free trial unless you're only planning to use a VPN for a local connection.

In addition to the location restriction, the trial is limited to just 2GB of data each month. That limit resets every month, but it's still not enough data for more than just casual browsing. I do like that you don't need to input any payment information to get the free plan, however.

TunnelBear offers affordable, easy-to-understand plans if you decide to try the full version. You don't get varying features or confusing tiers that inflate the price with add-ons you don't want. It doesn't matter if you buy a one-month, one-year, or three-year subscription; all paid plans include the core VPN, unlimited data, and unlimited device connections.

A monthly subscription will cost $9.99. Subscribing to an annual plan drops the price to $4.17 per month (billed as a single $49.99 installment). If you've decided TunnelBear is the VPN for you, you can lock in a three-year subscription for $3.33 per month (billed upfront as $120). Although the savings of a long-term subscription are enticing, I highly recommend starting with the company's free or monthly plans so you can test it at home and on your devices to make sure it works for you.

TunnelBear's excellent price makes it one of the best cheap VPNs we've reviewed. Another Editors' Choice winner, Mullvad VPN , costs just 5 euros per month ($5.79 as of this writing).

Payment options for TunnelBear are pretty limited. The only traditional payment method supported is credit card, and its payment service (Stripe) requires an address associated with the card. I confirmed with a TunnelBear representative that this information is not logged or stored on its servers.

There is one whimsical, anonymous payment method unique to the service: jars of honey. A representative claimed that, while rare, this is not a joke and that "we do have a few apiarists that pay for our service this way regularly." If you're interested, you can send your honey with your account email address to the company's headquarters in Toronto. It might seem silly (and it is), but I appreciate having an anonymous method akin to paying in cash.

Refunds are only given on a case-by-case basis, so make sure you're satisfied with the service before you purchase a long-term plan.

Features: Excellent Obfuscation, Lacking Multi-Hop

TunnelBear focuses solely on its VPN service. You don't get any additional tools, such as a password manager or an antivirus . While more providers offer complete security suites these days, I tend to find that bundled services have lackluster results when compared with standalone products that specialize in those tasks. I prefer to see a company focus on one excellent VPN service rather than split its attention between a bunch of extras that end up being middling at best. That single focus also keeps the price reasonable and lets you use the service you paid for without any bloat.

Aside from a playful bear-themed interface, you get a quality selection of features. Unlimited connections mean you can use TunnelBear on all of your devices without having to worry about constantly logging in and out of your account. GhostBear is an additional obfuscation option that makes your VPN traffic appear more like a normal web connection. However, this tool comes at the cost of speed and reliability. The company doesn't recommend using GhostBear if you can access the content without it, but it is a good option if security is paramount or you run into roadblocks. Note that this feature only works when using OpenVPN as your protocol.

VigilantBear is a kill switch that disables your internet if TunnelBear loses internet connection. If you're engaging in activities that you don't want leaked to your ISP, then you should always keep it on. SplitBear functions the same as split-tunneling and lets you route certain connections through your regular internet connection. You can use this to access sites that often block VPNs, such as your bank, while keeping the rest of your data encrypted. TunnelBear also offers a free, standalone tracker blocker for the Chrome browser.

I'd like to see multi-hop support added in the future, especially since TunnelBear's competitors, like Proton , offer it at a similar price. This connection option routes your traffic through a second VPN server for extra security. A representative let me know that multi-hop is on the development road map, but there is no firm timeline for implementation yet.

Protocols: Consistent Cross-Platform Options

TunnelBear supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 in Windows, macOS, and iOS. The Android version only supports WireGuard and OpenVPN. You can also let the app decide by selecting Auto.

Server Network: Impressive Physical Coverage

TunnelBear users get access to more than 8,000 servers in 47 countries. The company's coverage is right around the average compared with the services I have tested. Global country coverage is adequate, though you'll find that the service does not offer servers in certain countries with restrictive internet policies, like Russia, Turkey, and Vietnam.

You can pick from a handful of city-level servers in the United States and Canada. While the other countries don't offer city-level connections, you can tell where you are connecting to based on the approximate location of the tunnel icon on the map.

For example, there is no textual information for the Japan server. The tunnel icon roughly aligns with Tokyo, but the lack of precise location data makes it difficult to know for sure unless you manually check your IP address. I did and was able to confirm my routed location was in the Tokyo area. It's not critical to the app's functionality, but a brief line of text detailing the server locations in each city would be appreciated.

TunnelBear's commitment to physical infrastructure is impressive. I spoke with a representative, and they clarified that, "Our entire network takes place in the country the user connects to. This is in part why we have a smaller/more contained number of locations compared to other VPN providers, as we think it's important that users are connecting from the countries we say they are, rather than simulating the country from somewhere else."

If you're using TunnelBear VPN, your data is exactly where it's supposed to be. The representative told me that it uses a mix of physical and cloud-based servers. It also does not own all of its server infrastructure, which is not unusual. They explained that TunnelBear VPN builds and provisions its servers and that third-party providers do not have access to server code or data.

I was also told that the company has taken steps to limit the damage a successful attack on its server infrastructure might cause. The servers contain no identifiable user information, and the drives are encrypted. Some companies, including Nord and Surfshark , now run their servers in RAM-only mode, which does not write any data to disk.

A representative had the following to say when asked why TunnelBear doesn't use RAM-based servers:

... The security benefits of RAM-based servers really comes down to encryption (rather than data resetting on server shutdown - since servers don't necessarily reboot often). If an attacker compromises a running server, for instance, it doesn't matter if it's running in RAM. With disk encryption, if a server is rebooted, the data is encrypted and the drive must be unlocked before the OS can load. So really, it comes down more to perception of risk - a server being RAM-based doesn't necessarily mean it's any more or less secure than our approach, it depends more on what other steps are taken to secure a server by the providers.

To TunnelBear's point, it truly is about the perception of privacy and the additional measures taken to secure user data. While RAM-based server infrastructure is a popular solution, it is not the only one that works.

Privacy: Easy-to-Follow Documentation

Few VPNs present privacy policies as well thought out as TunnelBear's. Each aspect of the policy is contextualized with real examples that make clear how and why the company handles data as it does.

None of the sections is difficult to parse or intentionally vague. Every term is explained in detail before it is presented in the document. Other VPN companies should take note of this approach.

TunnelBear's privacy policy clearly demonstrates its strong stance on user privacy and operational transparency. The company does not keep information about web activity or record connection timestamps or DNS queries. It claims not to disclose, sell, or trade personal information with third-party companies. A company representative confirmed that TunnelBear VPN's only revenue source is subscriptions, not data mining or ad retargeting.

TunnelBear records overall bandwidth usage to enforce its data cap and manage its network based on demand. However, this data is reset to zero at the end of each month, so there is no long-term record of your bandwidth usage.

Some countries require companies to retain user data and comply with authorities in the event of an inquiry. TunnelBear is based in Toronto, Canada. Canada is part of the Five Eyes Alliance , and it has mandatory data retention laws. However, just because the company is based in one of these countries does not mean TunnelBear retains data. VPN users in Canada actually get some extra privacy benefits compared with residents of neighboring countries, thanks to stronger consumer protection laws.

The company says it has legal teams to respond to data requests, but "We have no information that can connect customers to usage, so we're unable to provide law enforcement with anything not in our Privacy Policy." A company representative verified that all it can provide is whether a certain email address was used to open an account.

TunnelBear backs up its claims with a robust transparency report that is released every few years. The latest report from 2023 shows that it has never handed over data that could tie an individual to an account, nor has it ever provided user browsing data to authorities. While it isn't unusual for TunnelBear to take a few years between reports, I hope to see a new transparency report soon. As it stands, the 2023 report is quite dated.

Additionally, TunnelBear has the notable distinction of completing not just one but eight independent audits and publicly releasing the results. I'm pleased to see this commitment to transparency. Not all audits are the same, either. These are full audits of the company's VPN servers, backend infrastructure, clients, and privacy standards. More VPN providers should consider investment in transparency. A ninth audit report is expected to be released at the end of 2026, with detailed findings for 2025.

Streaming: Seamless Netflix Access

Using a VPN with Netflix can be tricky. The streaming service blocks VPNs due to regional licensing restrictions on content. Netflix may have secured the rights to stream a show in the UK but not Canada, or vice versa. These restrictions are why different regions have varied content catalogs. I test each VPN with Netflix to see if it can access a handful of key regions and to assess whether I get Open, Limited, or Blocked catalogs. Read my piece on how to unblock Netflix with a VPN for more information.

TunnelBear performed perfectly, granting complete access to every regional Netflix catalog tested. See the chart below for more details:

Performance: Exceptional, Reliable Speeds

Connecting to any VPN is likely to negatively impact your connection. You'll likely see a decrease in download and upload speeds, while latency will increase. Speed tests are going to vary. You could test at the same location and get different results depending on your ISP, local network congestion, the number of devices connected, and other factors. Still, I try to get a general sense of the VPN's impact by running a series of tests using the Ookla Speedtest tool .

TunnelBear excelled in my latest set of tests, with a minimal 6.33% reduction in download speed. Upload speeds were even better, with a 4.27% decrease. TunnelBear's latency scores were some of the best I've seen across every VPN I tested, with just a 17.76% increase.

You can see how TunnelBear stacks up in the chart below:

While speed is important, I discourage anyone from using speed results alone to benchmark VPN services. Results depend on time and place and are not nearly as important as a VPN's features or overall value. Remember, too, that the performance you experience will likely differ from mine.

Apps and Usability: Fun, Feature-Rich, and Consistent

TunnelBear's apps have character. You're not getting an overly serious cybersecurity-themed interface. I tested the Windows client on an Intel NUC 12 "Serpent Canyon" desktop running the latest version of Windows 11.

The app is charming, especially so if you're a fan of bears. Every interaction you have with the app is designed to be playful and fun to use. The download shows a bear being unpacked from a monitor with fun flavor text describing the process. The bear on the login page will cover its eyes when you type in your password, which I thought was a nice touch. TunnelBear has found a way to wed fun and usability without compromising the user experience.

The attention to detail has led to an application that is simply a joy to use. A map with pipes popping up in every country the VPN offers servers in functions as the primary interface. You can click and drag across the map to find the country you want to connect to. Once you click on it, you get a nice animation of your bear tunneling their way over and securing your connection. Alternatively, you can click the country name above the map to drop down a traditional server list.

You can also click the big on-off switch next to the country name to immediately connect to the fastest local server. It would be cool to see smaller pipes or another visual indicator for the city-level servers in the US and Canada. As is, you have to go into the text-based server list to access city-level servers.

Tucked to the left-hand side of the interface are a few additional menus with useful features. VigilantBear is effectively a kill switch that prevents data from slipping through whenever you disconnect from the VPN. SplitBear works like split tunneling and lets you choose which data you route through your VPN connection. There's a protocol selector that lets you choose between OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, and Auto.

TunnelBear's whimsical good looks extend to its macOS VPN application. For this test, I used an M4 Mac Mini running Tahoe 26. You can download the Mac version directly from TunnelBear. Setup is as straightforward as on other platforms. However, the client is a little different from the Windows version.

The window is initially quite small, with the connection button at the bottom of the screen rather than the top. There were no signs of other menus anywhere. After expanding the window and connecting to a server, there were still no drop-down menus or icons visible . After a little bit of research, I found that you need to hit Command and "," at the same time to pull up the hidden menus. It would have been nice to have that information presented somewhere in the app.

All of the same options are there, plus a few fun theme options that I didn't get on Windows. You can configure protocols and toggle the same security settings that you could on Windows. I did not experience any unique issues with the service on macOS, and all features worked as intended.

I tested TunnelBear using an iPhone 14 running iOS 26.4. The colorful user interface of TunnelBear's iOS app features an interactive map populated with animated tunneling bears, where you can choose your VPN server location. If you want to use a server in the US or Canada, you can choose from specific cities. A white button at the bottom of the app window indicates whether the device is connected to a VPN. Just tap the toggle to turn the VPN on and off.

I tested TunnelBear's Android app using a Samsung Galaxy S23 FE running Android 14. The design philosophy remains the same as on other platforms, with an interactive map that occupies most of the screen.

OpenVPN and WireGuard are the only two protocols supported on Android. All other major features, such as SplitBear, VigilantBear, and GhostBear, are also present.

Support: Knowledgeable Agents and Detailed Help Center

TunnelBear doesn't offer live support. There's a sizable knowledge base that you can search for common issues, and there's an AI bot that can help guide you through said forums and articles if you're having trouble. If your issue persists, you'll need to contact a support member via the site's ticket form .

It's understandable for a smaller team to lack live support, but it may mean you wait a little while before your issue is resolved. Tickets are fielded within 48 hours, and that held true for mine, which was answered in approximately 24 hours.

In my previous evaluation, I experienced connectivity issues with the iOS version of the app. This time, I didn't experience any problems connecting to the platform. I reached out to support for clarification on GhostBear and how that additional obfuscation worked. The support agent directed me to a relevant article in the knowledge base and ensured that all my questions were answered before the thread was closed.

Overall, I found all the articles in the help center detailed and easy to understand. Most guides include images and screenshots that aid in conveying troubleshooting steps.

PCMag and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.

Check out Yahoo's latest VPN advice, based on hands-on testing.

About our ads