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TunnelBear

A friendly, cartoon-themed VPN with a small free allowance, aimed at beginners.

Free plan + paidVPN services
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About TunnelBear

TunnelBear is a VPN designed to be approachable, with bear-themed animations and very few settings to worry about. It is owned by McAfee and has published yearly independent security audits for a long time, which helps its trust record. The free plan gives a small monthly data allowance, enough for occasional use on public Wi-Fi rather than daily browsing. The paid Unlimited plan removes the data cap and covers unlimited devices, and there is a Teams plan for small businesses. Features include a kill switch called VigilantBear, split tunnelling on some platforms and an obfuscation mode for restrictive networks. Its network is smaller than the big providers and it is not aimed at streaming. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and as browser extensions; there is no official Linux app. It suits newcomers and occasional users who want something simple and trustworthy.

Best for: Beginners and occasional users who want a simple, friendly VPN.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Very easy to use
  • Free plan to try it
  • Long record of published security audits

Why people leave

  • Free plan's data allowance is small
  • No official Linux app
  • Smaller network and weak streaming support

Top TunnelBear alternatives

See all 5
  1. 1Proton VPN logo
    Proton VPN

    Free tier with no data cap and open-source apps.

    66.5
  2. 2Windscribe logo
    Windscribe

    Larger free allowance and more features, with a similarly playful style.

    62.6
  3. 3Hotspot Shield logo
    Hotspot Shield

    Another beginner-friendly option with a free tier.

    59.6
  4. 4ExpressVPN logo
    ExpressVPN

    Equally simple apps with a much larger network and streaming support.

    57.2
  5. 5Cloudflare WARP (1.1.1.1) logo
    Cloudflare WARP (1.1.1.1)

    Free with no data cap if you just want encrypted traffic on public Wi-Fi.

    55.3

Why people left TunnelBear

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Reviews

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TunnelBear: common questions

Is TunnelBear free?

TunnelBear has a free plan and paid plans. Free plan: Yes, 2GB (checked on TunnelBear's own site).

Is TunnelBear open source?

No, TunnelBear is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Proton VPN and Windscribe.

What platforms does TunnelBear run on?

TunnelBear is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Browser extension.

What are the best alternatives to TunnelBear?

The highest-ranked TunnelBear alternatives right now are Proton VPN, Windscribe and Hotspot Shield. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 TunnelBear alternatives