Wednesday, December 4th
2024 VPN Service Provider Reviews
TunnelBear
- Pricing: $2.33/month for 3-year plan, $3.33/month for annual plan, $9.99/month for monthly plan
- Over 8,000 servers across 45+ countries
- Free plan with 2GB of data per month
- Unlimited devices on a single account
- User-friendly interface with playful bear-themed design
- Strong security with AES 256-bit encryption
- Annual independent security audits since 2016
- Features like VigilantBear (kill switch) and GhostBear (obfuscation)
- Multiple VPN protocols supported (WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2)
- Apps available for major operating systems and browser extensions
TunnelBear is a VPN service that is based in Canada but was acquired by McAfee in 2018 and now falls under U.S. jurisdiction. They have over 8,000 servers across 45+ countries, and you can connect to city-level servers in the US and Canada with a paid subscription.
Great branding
TunnelBear runs a pretty hilarious blog - check out the January 2019 post chronicling their quest to create a TunnelBear puppet. It includes pictures of failed versions, each accompanied by witty descriptions. While you can't buy one anymore, we couldn't help but laugh out loud reading the article. This VPN's branding is spot-on and instantly recognizable.
Free plan with 2GB each month, bonuses to combat censorship
TunnelBear has a plan for individuals (Unlimited) and a plan for businesses (Teams). They also have a free plan, where users get 2GB of data each month at no charge. What's more, TunnelBear actively responds to global events and regional censorship. We found past announcements on Twitter (now X) that users in Brazil, Bangladesh, and Sierra Leone would receive an additional 10GB of free data monthly through their bandwidth program.
Unlimited starts at $2.33/month when you buy 3 years
With the Unlimited plan, you're looking at:
- Monthly pricing: $9.99 billed each month
- Annual pricing: $3.33/month billed at $39.99 for the first year
- 3-year pricing: $2.33/month ($120 billed once)
- Unlimited secure browsing, unlimited devices, premium VPN servers, city-level server selection, and priority customer support
The Business plan includes everything you get with Unlimited, plus a 7-day free trial and admin manager tools. It starts at $5.75 per user per month.
PayPal not accepted
TunnelBear accepts payment via credit card - no options for cryptocurrencies, or even PayPal. That might be a downside for some users, but should be fine for the casual VPN user.
Multiple protocols supported, Fastest Tunnel mode available
When you use TunnelBear, you can pick from different VPN protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, or let the app choose for you each session with Auto mode. One of TunnelBear's most popular features is "Fastest Tunnel”. Based on your location, this setting will connect you to the closest location to you, meaning your data doesn't have to travel as far and speeds are faster. One longtime customer says, "I have left it in Fastest since I started years ago. I have not ever had a connection issue.” Sounds good to us!
A kill switch by any other name is just as effective
TunnelBear's features that secure your browsing experience have playful, bear-themed names for what are generally standard VPN capabilities. For example, SplitBear lets you selectively route some of your internet traffic through TunnelBear's VPN, while leaving other traffic untouched, which is commonly known as split tunneling. Similarly, TCP Override gives you a more stable connection by forcing TunnelBear to use TCP over UDP, which can be a good thing on unreliable networks, even if it results in a slightly slower experience. The VigilantBear feature is TunnelBear's version of a kill switch, keeping your data and location hidden if your VPN connection temporarily drops while you're moving between networks. GhostBear makes your VPN traffic less detectable to governments, ISPs, and networks that might attempt to block VPN connections, particularly useful for regions with restrictive internet policies. Don't worry about DNS leaks either - TunnelBear automatically protects against them. TunnelBear also uses AES 256-bit encryption, which is extremely difficult to break and widely considered one of the most secure encryption methods available.
Pioneer in annual audits
TunnelBear takes security seriously, and they want you to know it. Every year since 2016, they've hired an independent company called Cure53 to review their VPN service for any problems. (They claim to be the first VPN service to do this.) In their latest audit, Cure53 found 13 issues, but most weren't too serious, and TunnelBear fixed 12 of them right away. The auditors even said that TunnelBear has shown a "marked security improvement” each year. If you're curious about the details, you can read the full report online.
Wide device compatibility, unlimited connections
TunnelBear offers apps for most major operating systems, like Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. They also have browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. One of TunnelBear's best features is that there is no limit on the number of devices you can use with a single account. This means you can protect all your devices - from your laptop to your smartphone to your tablet - without worrying about reaching a device cap. Simply download the app on each device, log in with your TunnelBear account, and you're good to go.
User-friendly for beginners
TunnelBear prides itself on its beginner-friendly, fun interface. The app has a simple, one-click connect feature and playful bear-themed design that make it approachable for newbies. At the same time, advanced users can still access more technical features like protocol selection (though they might miss the ability to pick a specific server within a certain location). Their privacy policy is written in clear, jargon-free language, too.
Customer support options and response times
TunnelBear offers customer support primarily through a ticketing system accessible via their website. They don't offer a live chat option or phone support, however. Response times seem to vary, with some customers reporting quick replies within a few hours, while others have experienced longer wait times of up to 24-48 hours. That's not great if you're in a time-crunch, but TunnelBear's website does include a help center with tons of FAQs and troubleshooting guides in that same approachable, beginner-friendly language, so you might be able to resolve simple connection issues yourself. Customers do appreciate the detailed and personalized responses they receive once their ticket is addressed, though.
Geoblock bypassing doesn't typically work
As to whether TunnelBear will work with the streaming service of your choice, the most common answer seems to be "no”, especially for Netflix. So, if you're shopping for a VPN service for the express purpose of bypassing geoblocking, you'll need to look elsewhere.
Great for travel
Canada is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, so if you need extreme privacy, this service may not be ideal for you. It also won't help you access German Netflix from the USA. However, if you need a VPN while traveling, TunnelBear seems to work well for bypassing censorship with its GhostBear feature. We commend their free version and the additional data gifted to users affected by government censorship around the world. Overall, we really like TunnelBear.
More VPN Service Provider Reviews
The 11 Best VPN Service Providers
What is the Best VPN Service?
When you browse the internet, your personal information can be at risk. Whether you're checking your bank account from a café, streaming content from abroad, or simply browsing from home, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can protect your privacy. A VPN encrypts your data and routes it through secure servers, making it harder for hackers, governments, or companies to track your online activity.
VPNs are especially useful for frequent travelers, remote workers, or anyone concerned about security when using public Wi-Fi. They can also help bypass geographical restrictions, so you can access websites or content not available in your region. But not all VPNs are created equal.
VPN Service Provider FAQ
Continued from above...
Some offer blazing-fast speeds, while others might slow your connection. Some provide extra security features, like multi-hop encryption or malware protection, while others focus on ease of use and broad device compatibility. Free VPNs exist, but they often come with limitations like data caps, slower speeds, or even questionable privacy practices. (Ironic, no?)
Another important aspect to consider when choosing a VPN is the availability of advanced features like split tunneling and kill switches. Split tunneling lets you decide which apps or websites use the VPN connection and which ones connect directly to the internet. This feature is helpful if you want to protect sensitive activities, like online banking, while still using your regular internet speed for things like streaming or gaming. A kill switch, on the other hand, is a safety feature that automatically disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection drops. This prevents your data from being exposed during those brief moments when you're not protected, ensuring that your privacy remains intact at all times.
You should carefully consider the country where the company operates. This is important because of international surveillance alliances like the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes. These alliances are agreements between countries to share intelligence information, which could potentially include data collected by VPNs. If you're using a VPN based in a country within these alliances, your data might be at risk due to laws requiring VPN providers to collect and share user information. For maximum privacy, you might want to choose a VPN provider based outside of these alliances, in countries with strong privacy laws. By doing so, you can reduce the risk of your data being shared or accessed by government agencies, even if requested.
Here are a few things to think about when choosing a VPN provider:
- Speed. If you stream movies, download large files, or play online games, speed should be a priority. Some VPNs slow your connection significantly, while others offer minimal disruption. Look for services that are known for high performance in your region.
- Security and privacy. Not all VPNs offer the same level of protection. Check if the VPN uses military-grade encryption (AES-256) and has a no-logs policy to prevent your data from being stored or shared. Features like kill switches (which disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection drops) and DNS leak protection add extra layers of security.
- Device compatibility. If you need a VPN for more devices than just your computer (like your phone, tablet, or even a smart TV) it's a good idea to go with a VPN that supports all your devices. Some services allow multiple simultaneous connections, while others limit you to one or two.
- Server locations. A VPN with more server locations allows you to access content from different countries. If you need a specific location, like for streaming services or online shopping, verify that the VPN provider has servers there.
- Ease of use. Some VPNs come with complex setups, while others offer user-friendly apps that require just a tap to protect your connection. Choose a provider that matches your comfort level with technology.
- Customer reviews. Feedback from real users can give you insight into a VPN's reliability and performance. Look for patterns in reviews, like frequent mentions of connection drops, poor customer support, or ease of use, to make a more informed decision.
Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the leading VPN providers available. We hope this review helps you find the best protection for your needs.
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