Is Tunnelbear VPN a good choice in the world of VPNs?
Executive summary
TunnelBear is a tidy, beginner-focused VPN with strong core encryption and a long history of independent audits, but it trades advanced features, consistent speeds, and strong streaming/unblocking performance for simplicity and charm, making it a good choice for casual privacy needs but a weaker pick for power users and streaming fans [1] [2] [3].
1. What TunnelBear does well — approachable privacy that works
TunnelBear is repeatedly praised for being extremely user-friendly and approachable, with playful design and straightforward apps that make basic VPN protection accessible to novices [4] [5] [3], and it offers industry-standard encryption (OpenVPN and 256-bit AES) as well as newer protocols like WireGuard in some implementations [1] [6]. The service publishes multiple independent Cure53 security audits and has a transparent history of improving based on those reviews, which supports claims that its privacy model is serious despite the lighthearted branding [2]. It also provides useful privacy features such as DNS/WebRTC leak protection and a kill switch (VigilantBear) plus anti-blocking options (GhostBear) and split tunnelling (SplitBear), covering the essential protections most everyday users want [7] [8].
2. Performance and capacity — inconsistent speeds and modest reach
Multiple reviews flag TunnelBear’s speed and reliability as uneven, with testing showing it lags behind speed-focused competitors like ExpressVPN or NordVPN; reviewers note inconsistent connection performance that can be a real drawback for long sessions, gaming, or heavy streaming [9] [1] [10]. Server coverage is solid for a mid-sized provider — roughly 46–47 countries — but it does not match the global footprint or advanced server tooling of the market leaders, which impacts both speed choices and geo-unblocking options [1] [11]. In short, TunnelBear’s performance profile is acceptable for light browsing and secure Wi‑Fi use but not ideal where top speeds or consistent streaming unblocking are priorities [9] [3] [10].
3. Support, features, and practical limits — tradeoffs for simplicity
TunnelBear intentionally avoids tiered confusion: plans are simple and affordable with unlimited simultaneous connections in paid tiers, and there’s a free version that historically had a strict 500 MB monthly cap (noted in 2025 reporting) though other reporting indicates the free allowance was raised in previous updates to 2 GB for some periods, illustrating shifting free-tier policy over time [1] [6]. The company lacks some advanced features users expect from premium vendors (no native support for consoles/SmartTVs or extensive router guides in some reviews) and customer support has mixed reviews — some outlets note limited live support while user reviews on sites like Trustpilot show complaints about responsiveness and bugs [8] [2] [12]. Competitors like NordVPN or ExpressVPN offer more advanced security tooling, larger server pools, and better streaming performance, which makes them preferable for power users [13].
4. Ownership, transparency, and trustworthiness — clear lineage, audited security
TunnelBear is headquartered in Canada and has been owned by McAfee since 2018, a fact consistently noted across reporting and relevant for users who weigh corporate ownership when assessing trust [1] [11] [5]. The company’s repeated independent security audits (Cure53) and published results strengthen its credibility on privacy and operational transparency, and multiple reviews conclude the service is safe for general privacy usage [2] [10]. That said, corporate ownership and business incentives are implicit considerations for some users comparing providers, and competitors may offer more granular transparency or enterprise-grade features.
5. Bottom line — who should choose TunnelBear, and who should not
TunnelBear is a solid, trustworthy choice for VPN newcomers, casual users, and anyone who wants a simple, well-audited client to secure web traffic on public Wi‑Fi or for basic privacy needs, but it is not the best choice for users who demand top-tier speeds, reliable streaming/unblocking, advanced configurability, or enterprise-level features — those users should consider higher-performance rivals with broader feature sets [4] [3] [13]. The decision ultimately depends on priorities: prioritize simplicity, clear audits, and a friendly UX — TunnelBear is a good pick; prioritize raw speed, unblocking, or advanced options — other providers beat it hands down [2] [9] [10].