TunnelBear provides desktop apps for both Windows and macOS with a fun user experience featuring adorable bears. It is simple to use while featuring strong security measures such as no logs policy, DNS leak protection, WebRTC leak prevention capabilities and built-in IPv6 leak prevention features.
Service also features Android and iOS mobile apps with simple user interfaces that let users select their country location from an interactive world map.
Features
TunnelBear stands out from other VPN services with several distinctive features that set it apart, such as providing fully functional free service without requiring credit cards or personal data for registration or use. Furthermore, it keeps few logs and its privacy policy is simple and easily understandable – an invaluable benefit for those wanting peace of mind when selecting their VPN provider.
TunnelBear utilizes an innovative encryption technology known as ESNI to encrypt the Server Name Indication (SNI) field of web requests, thus protecting against censors blocking TunnelBear traffic – especially helpful in countries that impose strict Internet censorship. Furthermore, each platform is equipped with its own browser extension allowing direct connecting/disconnecting from web browser.
All TunnelBear apps utilize AES-256 encryption with SHA-2 for their data security, as well as IKEv2 (except iOS which only supports SSL). Although not the optimal protocol available, this works effectively enough.
Mobile VPN apps are user-friendly, featuring an intuitive interface and plenty of helpful guides. Android app in particular features an interactive map of server locations to select your server of choice; iOS lacks this feature but provides unique settings options not found elsewhere such as Bear Sounds activation or selecting which devices will autoconnect to VPN services.
VigilantBear, which acts as a kill switch and detects IPv6 and DNS leaks, only works if users are currently connected to their VPN – making this feature somewhat odd, since it would likely be more efficient to integrate it directly into native apps instead of forcing users to go through an extra step to use it.
TunnelBear provides excellent customer support, with friendly representatives responding swiftly and providing detailed answers in their FAQ section. Unfortunately, however, their website can be somewhat disorganized; unlike some other VPN sites.
Pricing
TunnelBear VPN service is an outstanding choice if you’re in search of premium VPN protection, featuring strict no-logs policies and independently audited privacy practices that make them stand out among their peers. Furthermore, multiple devices can use it simultaneously – perfect for families. Unfortunately though, they do not provide 24/7 live chat support which may prove limiting.
TunnelBear offers highly competitive pricing. Their free plan gives users 500MB per month – not as generous as other competitors, but still enough for you to gauge how well the service performs. They also provide various subscription plans including unlimited data with support for up to five devices simultaneously, which you can pay with any major credit card or even bitcoins!
TunnelBear’s user-friendly interface makes it simple for anyone to use. Plus, its knowledgebase and tutorials offer help getting started. With servers across various countries worldwide, accessing content that may otherwise be blocked in your country should not be an issue – popular streaming services like Netflix and Hulu work as expected, but unfortunately Disney+ or ESPN+ do not.
TunnelBear, as a Canadian company, takes online privacy very seriously. Their co-founder Ryan Dochuk has long advocated for net neutrality and privacy online; he’s an outspoken opponent of Bill C-11 which would give government access to private data held by internet companies.
Your device requires an IP address to access the internet, which is assigned by regional authorities and sold in blocks to registrars. Encryption helps protect data sent across the internet from being intercepted by malicious entities – making this feature particularly helpful when using public Wi-Fi networks or connecting to unprotected home networks.
Reliability
TunnelBear uses OpenVPN as its data encryption protocol, and does not store your true IP address but instead uses an alternative that helps prevent tracking. Furthermore, TunnelBear supports both IPSec and IKEv2 authentication methods for data authentication to ensure that it’s actually tunnelBear rather than someone impersonating us and trying to hijack your connection.
TunnelBear provides its free and paid services with 256-bit AES protection, more secure than most VPNs’ 128-bit encryption methods used by most VPNs. AES is an industry standard trusted by governments. TunnelBear’s 256-bit AES security is further strengthened by using SHA-2 authentication that prevents anyone trying to decipher your data. For added peace of mind, VigilantBear detects and blocks outgoing connections when the VPN connection drops out – another layer of defense in place with VigilantBear that detects and blocks outgoing connections when the VPN disconnects, providing additional layers of security against cybercriminal efforts.
When your WiFi connectivity becomes disconnection or unstable, this feature is an excellent backup plan to have available as a back up plan. Unfortunately, however, it doesn’t activate automatically so you must manually enable it on both your computer and mobile device to use this feature.
TunnelBear provides another useful feature with the option to select which Tunneling Protocol best meets your operating system. There are different protocols available for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android devices. In addition, browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox make connecting up to five devices at the same time easier than ever!
TunnelBear’s privacy credentials have suffered since it was acquired by McAfee in 2018. While not technically zero-logging VPN, it still records operational data such as app version and whether you were active this month.
TunnelBear also adheres to the 5 Eyes Agreement, meaning it could be forced to provide your data to law enforcement if needed. While not an issue that prevents use, some users might prefer another VPN provider over TunnelBear due to this potential compromise of privacy. Nonetheless, their knowledge base contains adequate technical solutions for users with technical questions or issues while their app can easily install on most devices with just one tap; additionally 24/7 live chat support would likely prove more efficient but they do respond swiftly via web forms for inquiries.
Security
TunnelBear does not offer an abundance of features, but those it does provide are implemented well and essential for anyone searching for a VPN. TunnelBear uses AES-256 encryption which makes it hard for hackers or law enforcement agencies to identify subscribers by their IP addresses – instead, websites and computers they visit will see the spoofed IPs provided by TunnelBear instead.
TunnelBear provides access to over 30 countries through its paid plans, as well as owning all of its servers for increased privacy and reliability. OpenVPN and IPSec support is also provided – both employ 256-bit AES data encryption to safeguard data security, with secure Diffie-Hellman key exchanges verifying it’s truly TunnelBear servers providing services rather than some unknown third party.
TunnelBear boasts an independently audited no-logs policy. While it does keep some minor logs (such as operating system and data usage statistics) for administrative use, they cannot be used to breach subscriber privacy. Furthermore, it has one of few providers who undergo regular full system, code and infrastructure audits from independent third-party firms, publishing the results publicly.
TunnelBear operates out of Canada, which is part of the Five Eyes surveillance alliance, meaning that government could potentially request access to user data if requested; however, TunnelBear has stated it would only share details related to suspected terrorist attacks if requested by law enforcement authorities.
TunnelBear does a commendable job with its security measures, yet some areas need improvement. Notably, its Android app doesn’t support HTTPS for data sent or received through apps downloaded onto your phone – an area in which Windscribe excels with their native HTTPS proxy integrated directly into their app. Furthermore, TunnelBear lacks 24/7 live chat customer support which would provide customers with easy and convenient assistance whenever needed.
