TunnelBear VPN Review 2024: Before You Buy, Is It Worth It?

Fast, Consistent Speeds on Short and Long-Distance Servers

TunnelBear offers impressive speeds on local and distant servers, often matching those of my regular ISP. The “Fastest Tunnel” server option automatically connects you to a nearby server for the best possible speeds. However, like many VPNs, TunnelBear’s server speeds are slower over long distances.

If your connection is somewhat unstable, even without a VPN, consider using WireGuard protocol or enabling “TCP override” in the app settings. This can enhance the stability and reliability of your connection. I found that this worked well for a smoother, more reliable connection, but it didn’t always improve my speed.

Speed Test Results

When I tested TunnelBear’s server speeds, the speed drop was minor on nearby and distant servers. This meant I could download files quickly, watch videos, and browse the web without any trouble.

Before connecting to a VPN, my baseline speeds were 97.06 Mbps for downloads and 11.58 Mbps for uploads. I tested how TunnelBear affected these speeds in various countries — the US, UK, Japan, Germany, Singapore, South Africa, and Australia — using its WireGuard protocol.

While the speeds were quite consistent, not all servers performed equally. An Italian server only 600 mi away significantly underperformed at 35.98 Mbps. When I contacted TunnelBear about this, the support representative told me that high user traffic can cause significant drops. I recommend running a quick speed test after you connect to check that your server speeds meet your needs.

TunnelBear’s free servers were approximately 12% slower than the paid servers. For the best results, I suggest using the paid version and selecting the WireGuard protocol, which is specifically designed to provide a balance of high speed and strong security.

Gaming Speed — Okay Locally, but High Ping Causes Lag on Some Servers

TunnelBear’s local servers are fast enough for smooth, lag-free gaming. During my tests, I connected to multiple servers in the UK and consistently had high speeds and low ping — just 41 ms of latency on average. On local game servers for Call of Duty: Warzone and Valorant, I had fast response times and minimal lag.

Playing games with overseas friends can be tricky. My tests showed high ping times, often over 100 ms, reaching up to 300 ms when connected to servers in Australia. Plus, TunnelBear doesn’t work on routers, limiting its use to just PC gaming.

Server Network — Small but Reliable Global Network of Servers

TunnelBear offers an undisclosed number of servers across 46 locations on 6 continents, ensuring decent global coverage. Both free and premium users can access any of these servers, a rarity among free VPN services which typically limit server options.

One downside is that TunnelBear’s network isn’t the largest, which can lead to congestion during peak hours. I noticed this when connecting to local servers in the evenings and weekends. It sometimes took a couple of minutes to connect, and I noticed a drop in speeds during peak times.

It’s reassuring that TunnelBear takes data security seriously by owning its servers instead of renting them from third parties. This eliminates the risk of third-party interference, which could pose a security threat. Additionally, it uses physical servers, ensuring your data travels directly to its destination without being routed through potentially less secure countries.

TunnelBear is crafted as a privacy tool, rather than an instrument for torrenting, streaming, or gaming. So, while you can use it for these activities, it doesn’t offer advanced features or optimized servers designed for these tasks. If you’d rather use dedicated servers, CyberGhost has optimized servers to boost your performance during high-bandwidth activities.

Torrenting — P2P File-Sharing Allowed on All Servers

TunnelBear doesn’t directly advertise itself as a VPN for torrenting. However, its support page says, “you should be able to share files while TunnelBear is connected.” It doesn’t have servers specifically for torrenting, but suggests connecting to servers in Canada, the US, the UK, Romania, the Netherlands, Germany, or Sweden for optimal file sharing.

I tested TunnelBear with uTorrent and downloaded a 5GB public domain file while connected to a UK server. It took just under 12 minutes to complete the download, and I had no issues with the connection, download, or compatibility with the torrent platform.

With TunnelBear’s regular independent privacy audits, I felt reassured that my torrent activity was secure and anonymous. I also made sure that VigilantBear (TunnelBear’s version of a kill switch) was active during my download, so my activity wouldn’t be exposed if the connection was interrupted.

Does TunnelBear VPN Work in China? No!

No, TunnelBear doesn’t work in China. While its GhostBear feature is designed to disguise VPN traffic, my team and I couldn’t make it work. We tried various methods, including changing tunneling protocols. What’s more, TunnelBear has taken down its Hong Kong server, which could have been a useful nearby choice to get around China’s firewall.

I sought additional details from TunnelBear’s customer support and was pointed to a troubleshooting guide. It mentions, “some networks may be more restrictive than others and block your ability to connect to the VPN.”

For a reliable option, I recommend ExpressVPN as tests prove it consistently works in China thanks to its obfuscated servers to help avoid VPN detection technology. The protection of a VPN doesn’t give you a license to commit illegal acts, so be sure to adhere to the country’s rules when using a VPN in China.

Security Features

TunnelBear offers top-tier features that effectively protect your data and keep your online activity anonymous. Despite not being packed with extras, the features that TunnelBear does include are high quality and work well. Toggling different features on and off is also very simple, activated in a single click so you can personalize your connection experience.

Military-Grade Encryption — Top-Tier Encryption Protects Your Data

TunnelBear VPN has got you covered with AES-256-bit encryption, which is top-of-the-line security for your online data, no matter your device. It also double-checks every bit of data coming in or going out to make sure it’s legit, so you’re safe from man-in-the-middle attacks and other cyber threats.

For each device, TunnelBear picks the best cryptographic algorithms. Windows gets the quick and clever ChaCha20-Poly1305, Android holds strong with AES-256-CBC, macOS sticks with the tried-and-true SHA256, and iOS stays safe with the solid AES-256-GCM.

VPN Protocols — Supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and IPSec

In the latest update, TunnelBear has expanded its connection protocol options. Previously, you could only toggle between OpenVPN UDP and TCP with the TCP Override feature. Now, you can select between WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and even IPSec.

Here’s a table outlining which protocols are compatible with various devices:

Like all of TunnelBear’s features, protocol selection is easy. The protocol dropdown menu is available in the “Connection” option in “Settings.” I found I could change settings in just a couple of clicks, and that WireGuard was the best option for fast speeds and secure, stable connections.

VigilantBear — TunnelBear’s Kill Switch Function

TunnelBear offers a feature called VigilantBear to safeguard against data leaks. If your VPN connection ever fails, it cuts off your internet, keeping your private data from being exposed without encryption. Once the connection is stable again, VigilantBear swiftly reconnects you to a TunnelBear server.

To activate VigilantBear, simply go to “Settings,” then “Connection,” and you’ll find the option there. It’s important to note that it’s not on by default, nor are the notifications for connection drops. So, make sure to turn it on for continuous protection and updates. This feature is ready for you on Mac, Windows, and Android devices but is not yet available for iOS.

Data Leak Protection — Zero Data Leaks During Tests

In both its native apps and browser extensions, TunnelBear protects against DNS and IP address leaks. It uses its own secure DNS servers to process DNS requests, guaranteeing that all your data travels through an encrypted connection. After testing several of its global servers, I consistently found my data encrypted without any leaks.

My true location and IP address (in the UK) were hidden when connected to TunnelBear, ensuring my data was masked from anyone watching — hackers, prying third parties, or even government bodies. This demonstrated the efficiency of TunnelBear’s leak protection feature, VigilantBear, which must be enabled to guard against data leaks.

SplitBear — Split Tunneling Feature

SplitBear is a split tunneling feature that lets you choose which apps and websites are shielded by the VPN’s encryption. This function is accessible on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, although its functionality differs slightly across platforms.

On Android, you can choose specific apps to bypass the VPN. For iOS and macOS, you can specify websites and subdomains to exclude from the VPN connection. Windows users can enjoy the flexibility of selecting both applications and websites to leave unencrypted. Doing this helps you improve connection speeds and save on mobile data.

GhostBear — Server Obfuscation Hides Your VPN Traffic

GhostBear is TunnelBear’s obfuscation feature, designed to mask your VPN traffic as regular internet traffic. Essentially, it helps to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN from prying eyes, such as ISPs or governments. This is particularly useful in high-censorship countries like China or Saudi Arabia, where Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) is used to block certain types of traffic.

However, this added layer of obfuscation can cause a slight dip in your connection speed. TunnelBear advises using GhostBear only if you’re having connection issues, but I found it useful for transmitting sensitive information, such as when accessing my bank account. Even with a bit of a slowdown, the added safety felt worthwhile.

But remember, even without GhostBear, you’re backed by top-notch military-grade encryption, robust leak protection, and a kill switch. Presently, GhostBear is accessible on Windows and Android devices but is unavailable on macOS and iOS.

TCP Override — Improves Connection Stability

TCP Override is a feature designed to improve the stability of your connection on Windows and macOS. If you notice your connection is poor, your streams are lagging, or you get website connection errors, it could be an issue with OpenVPN UDP. This is the protocol typically used as it’s a fast option, but it’s also prone to throttling or blocking due to its popularity.

By switching on TCP Override, TunnelBear will instead use OpenVPN TCP. This is a slower protocol, but it’s much more reliable and includes a greater amount of data to ensure your traffic reaches its destination, reducing data packet loss. This means you’ll be able to access services and websites that were previously giving you error messages — it’ll just take a bit longer to fully connect.

Privacy Features

I’m impressed by TunnelBear’s strict privacy policy, despite being initially skeptical of its Canadian jurisdiction. The service is rigorously audited and promptly resolves any issues that arise, reassuring me that it takes its users’ privacy and anonymity seriously.

No-Logs Policy — Strict Zero-Log Policy Ensures Anonymity When Connected

I carefully examined TunnelBear’s privacy policy and found the service never logs or stores your data when connected to servers. This means your original IP address and online activity are anonymous when using TunnelBear.

However, it’s crucial to understand that TunnelBear does collect some of your data. When you sign up, the personal information you provide is recorded. Additionally, if you opt for the paid features, both operational and financial data are gathered. It also uses cookies and trackers, primarily for marketing and analytics purposes.

TunnelBear takes note of your operating system type and keeps a simple record of your monthly activity, denoting ‘1’ for active months and ‘0’ for inactive ones. It also monitors your data output. Importantly, none of the collected data can be directly associated with your VPN usage.

Company Jurisdiction — Based in Canada, Part of the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes Alliance

TunnelBear is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. This raises initial concerns about user privacy, as Canada is a member of the Eyes Alliance – a group of countries that share data among themselves for security purposes. Further, TunnelBear is now owned by the US-based antivirus company McAfee, subjecting it to US laws as well.

Fortunately, TunnelBear’s strict no-logs policy and independent audits confirm that all user data is anonymous when connected to its servers. So, while it’s bound to comply with the laws of both Canada and the US, it cannot provide information on individual users since it doesn’t collect such data in the first place.

Independent Audit — Yearly Independent Audit Verifies No-Log Policy

Every year, TunnelBear invites Cure53, a well-respected German security agency, to perform an independent audit of its service. This isn’t just to verify its commitment to keeping zero logs, but also to identify and fix any vulnerabilities. The audit results are openly shared in a freely accessible report.

Starting in August 2017 and most recently in May 2023, TunnelBear has had 6 such check-ups. The 2023 audit pointed out 32 issues, mostly minor, with 27 already fixed, leaving just a handful pending. It’s a clear sign of TunnelBear’s commitment to continuous security improvement.

TunnelBear’s customer support is pretty good overall, with prompt responses to email queries and a solid support site. While TunnelBear doesn’t offer live chat with an agent, it has an AI chatbot called “RoboCub” that answered many of my technical questions well. In fact, I got quicker, more detailed responses from the chatbot than I have from many support agents of other premium VPNs.

Email Ticketing — Prompt and Detailed Replies

TunnelBear provides support through email tickets, accessible to free and premium account holders. Once logged in, you’ll need to navigate through a series of multiple-choice questions before reaching the email contact form. I tested the support by inquiring about connecting to BBC iPlayer. Despite a promised response time of 48 hours, I received a thorough reply in under 2 hours.

The response didn’t specifically mention BBC iPlayer and seemed like a generic, copied template. However, it provided a helpful troubleshooting link and advised waiting a day before retrying. Despite desiring a more personalized email, I appreciated the prompt reply and the detailed information, which resolved my connection problem.

Support Website — Informative FAQs, Troubleshooting, and Setup Guides

I’m impressed by TunnelBear’s support website as it provides easy-to-find answers to most questions. Searching for single words like “privacy” or “Netflix” generates useful articles that are quick to read and easy to understand. Additionally, the site allows you to explore various topics, from setting up the service to troubleshooting and managing your account.

In place of live chat, you’ll notice an “AI Assistant” chatbot called RoboCub. This chatbot is surprisingly helpful, displaying full article results in the chat box for you to look at. However, you won’t get put through to live support if you can’t find the right answer — you’ll have to send an email ticket and wait for a response.