 Speed |
8.0 / 10 |
|---|---|
 Servers |
6.0 / 10 |
 Experience |
8.0 / 10 |
 |
7.0 / 10 |
 Pricing |
7.0 / 10 |
TunnelBear VPN Review: Is It Safe and Reliable in 2025?
Reading time: 23 min
Last Updated: Jun 4, 2025
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Written By Clement Adegbenro Cybersecurity & Tech Writer
TunnelBear VPN Overview
TunnelBear’s playful branding may catch your eye, but I wanted to see how well it actually performs. I tested it thoroughly in areas like security, speeds, streaming, and torrenting. For the most part, TunnelBear keeps your activity private, with strong encryption and yearly independent audits to back it up. It’s simple to use and performs reliably on most platforms.
That said, it’s not built for everything. TunnelBear lacks advanced tools like streaming-optimized servers, native router , and live chat. While it’s a good fit for privacy and casual use, you’ll run into limitations with gaming, torrenting, and streaming. If you’re curious, the free offer gives full feature access, so you can test it all before committing.
In a Rush? Here’s a 1-Minute Summary
- Unblocked some streaming services. I could access Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Max with TunnelBear’s servers. Take a look at my full streaming test results.
- Reliable and fast servers. Secure protocols keep speeds fast on both short and long-distance servers. See how TunnelBear performed in my speed tests.
- Servers across 46 countries. s streaming, torrenting, and secure browsing, but doesn’t offer specialized servers. Learn more about TunnelBear’s servers.
- Top-tier security on free and paid offers. Obfuscation, a kill switch, split tunneling, and yearly independent privacy audits. See how TunnelBear keeps your data safe.
- Intuitive interface. Dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS are easy to use, and setup takes 5 minutes. See how easy TunnelBear is to use.
- Fast email responses and an extensive knowledge base. Unfortunately, live chat isn’t available. Read more about my experience with customer .
- Free and offers. offers are affordable, but it doesn’t accept anonymous payment methods or PayPal. View all pricing options here.
Pros
- Free offer with full feature set
- Works on unlimited devices
- Intuitive interface for beginners
Cons
- 2GB data cap on free offer
- No live chat or 24/7
- No router or smart TV
TunnelBear Works With Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Max, and Disney+ (But Not Hulu or BBC iPlayer)
While it’s not built for streaming, TunnelBear works with Netflix, Prime Video, Max, and Disney+. You may need to try different servers to get a smooth stream, which can be frustrating since the app doesn’t let you choose specific servers within a country. This lack of control makes it harder to find a stable connection.
The free offer’s 2GB data limit is a drawback if you stream often. Even though that’s an upgrade from the old 500MB cap, it only gives you around 20 minutes of HD playback on platforms like Prime Video, which uses more than 6GB per hour.
Works with Netflix
TunnelBear worked with Netflix libraries in the US, UK, Canada, and during the tests my team and I did, but overall, the results were mixed. US servers in New York, Miami, and Washington DC accessed Netflix on the first try. In other regions, my teammates had to switch servers a few times before accessing local libraries.
TunnelBear connected quickly, taking just a few moments to start a Stranger Things episode in UHD. Once it began, the streaming was continuously smooth without any pauses.
Works with Amazon Prime Video
TunnelBear worked with Amazon Prime Video on US servers in New York, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. My colleague in the US streamed content on their local s with only minor delays. As with Netflix, some trial and error was needed to find the most stable connection.
Once connected, an episode of The Boys loaded within seconds. My teammate reported a 15-second buffer at the start, but the stream quickly stabilized. However, the UK server didn’t perform as well and failed to access Amazon Prime Video’s UK library.
Works with Max
TunnelBear worked reliably with Max across several US servers. My colleagues had no trouble accessing the platform using locations in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, and Washington, DC. Most connections were fast enough to begin streaming without delay.
Occasionally, they experienced a little lag and some pixelation at the start — but it cleared up quickly. After that, they streamed Selena + Chef in UHD without any buffering or quality drops. The viewing experience stayed smooth throughout.
Works with Disney+
TunnelBear handled Disney+ better than expected. My colleagues in the US ran into issues when choosing servers manually, but switching to the Fastest Tunnel option fixed the problem. That automatic connection made all the difference, unlocking the platform without delays.
Streaming quality was impressive on both the free and paid offers. Shows loaded quickly, the image stayed crisp, and there were no playback hiccups. It felt like watching without a VPN at all, which isn’t something you can say about most free VPNs.
Doesn’t Work With: Hulu and BBC iPlayer
TunnelBear couldn’t access Hulu or BBC iPlayer during our tests. My UK-based colleague connected to a local server, and BBC iPlayer showed a region restriction error. My US colleagues had a similar experience with Hulu, which flagged the VPN and blocked access with a proxy warning.
This isn’t surprising since TunnelBear is built more for privacy than streaming. If streaming access is a must for you, a VPN like CyberGhost is a better fit. It offers servers optimized specifically for platforms like Hulu and BBC iPlayer.
Stream with TunnelBear Speed
- 8.0 / 10
Stable Speeds on Nearby Servers, Noticeable Drops Over Long Distances
TunnelBear gave me decent speeds on nearby servers. On a 100 Mbps connection, I got 82 Mbps on a server in Kenya, the nearest one to me. The speeds were fast enough for me to watch YouTube videos in UHD. Unfortunately, speeds dropped by 48% and 52% on distant servers in Japan and the US, respectively.
Speed Test Results
To get the best speeds, choose ‘Fastest’ from the server list and let TunnelBear pick for you. It usually selects a nearby server, but sometimes that’s not the case. For instance, a few times it connected me to a server in Cyprus, whereas the nearest location was Kenya.
Speeds were mostly fast, but I did encounter some slowdown during peak hours. Here’s how different servers performed in my tests:
| Server Locations (closest to furthest) | Speed | Speed | Ping Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Without a VPN | 100Mbps | 10Mbps | 28ms |
| Kenya | 82Mbps | 9.3Mbps | 34ms |
| Cyprus | 79Mbps | 8.7Mbps | 46ms |
| Singapore | 77Mbps | 8.4Mbps | 83ms |
| Italy | 72Mbps | 7.8Mbps | 91ms |
| 68Mbps | 7.2Mbps | 104ms | |
| 63Mbps | 6.7Mbps | 111ms | |
| UK | 59Mbps | 6.7Mbps | 123ms |
| US | 48Mbps | 5.9Mbps | 147ms |
WireGuard gave me the most stable results across every region I tested. It connected quickly and handled long-distance servers better than OpenVPN. I also used the T override setting to stabilize my VPN connection when using mobile data in a low-signal area. It didn’t boost speed, but it kept the connection from dropping.
Free servers were about 12% slower than paid ones in my tests. I ran them back-to-back on the same locations, and the difference was clear. If you offer to stream, , or work online, the paid offer is a better choice. Make sure to turn on WireGuard to get the most out of it.
Gaming Speed — Okay Locally, but High Ping Causes Lag on Some Servers
TunnelBear worked well for gaming on nearby servers. When I connected to a server in Kenya, my ping stayed below 35ms, enough to play fast-paced games like Call of Duty: Warzone and Valorant. There was no lag, no stuttering, and inputs were quick. For casual gaming on local servers, it held up just fine.
Things changed when I tried long-distance connections. On US and Australian servers, my ping jumped over 100ms, sometimes spiking past 300ms. That made fast-paced online gaming difficult due to the noticeable input delay.
TunnelBear also doesn’t router installation, which limits you to PC gaming only. You can’t use it on consoles unless you share your PC’s VPN connection manually. For someone who wants to protect multiple devices or play on PlayStation or Xbox, that’s a real drawback.
Why Most Speed Tests are Pointless & How We Correctly Test VPN Speeds
Speed determines how fast content s, so if you're torrenting or streaming, you want the speed to be somewhat identical to your regular internet speed. Since a VPN encrypts your data, it usually takes a bit longer to send your data back and forth, which can slow down your connection. However, if your ISP deliberately slows down your connection (also known as throttling) a VPN might increase your internet speed. Testing a VPN is somewhat pointless because new servers pop up and affect speed. Your speed can also differ according to your location, so your speed test might not match ours. Having said that, we tested the speed in numerous locations to provide you with the average.
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Servers
- 6.0 / 10
Server Network — Small but Reliable Global Network of Servers
TunnelBear has over 8,000 servers in 49 countries, including less common regions like Kenya, Nigeria, and Peru. Both free and paid s can access the full network, which is rare among free VPNs. Coverage is wide, but each country typically has just one location. This setup sometimes leads to slower speeds during peak hours.
TunnelBear doesn’t use RAM-only servers, but it owns and operates all its hardware, which keeps your data away from third-party hands. Unlike disk-based servers, RAM-only servers are incapable of storing your data. This adds a solid layer of privacy and control over how data is handled.
That said, TunnelBear isn’t built for heavy tasks like streaming, torrenting, or gaming. It doesn’t offer any optimized servers for these activities, which limits its performance under high loads. If that’s what you’re after, CyberGhost has optimized servers to boost your performance during bandwidth-heavy activities.
Torrenting — P2P File-Sharing Allowed on All Servers
TunnelBear allows torrenting on all servers, though it doesn’t market itself as a torrent-friendly VPN. Its site confirms that file sharing is possible while connected. TunnelBear recommends servers in countries like the UK, US, , Romania, and Sweden for better performance. That said, it doesn’t offer dedicated P2P servers like some rivals.
I tested P2P capabilities by ing a 5GB public domain file using uTorrent on a UK server. The finished in just under 12 minutes without any errors or connection drops. TunnelBear works smoothly with torrent clients, though speeds vary depending on server load and distance. It’s fine for occasional use, but not ideal for heavy torrenting.
Security-wise, I made sure VigilantBear was enabled to block traffic if the VPN disconnected. TunnelBear also runs regular independent audits, which adds peace of mind when sharing files. Just that using a VPN doesn’t make illegal torrenting okay. Always follow local laws when ing content.
China — Not a Reliable VPN for China
TunnelBear isn’t a reliable choice for use in China. While I couldn’t test it in China, I did try the GhostBear feature on a restricted network at my workplace. GhostBear is supposed to hide VPN traffic and make it seem like you’re not using a VPN. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a stable connection.
I tried switching protocols and adjusting settings, but nothing worked consistently. It’s also worth noting that TunnelBear has removed its Hong Kong server, limiting nearby options if you’re in China.
I reached out to , and they pointed me to a general troubleshooting guide. It confirmed that networks in restrictive regions can block VPN traffic altogether. TunnelBear even mentions that some connections may simply not work depending on the network. That lines up with what I experienced.
If you need a VPN that works in China, TunnelBear isn’t it. You’re better off using a provider like ExpressVPN, which offers obfuscated servers designed to by deep packet inspection. Just keep in mind that even with a VPN, you should always follow local laws when online in China or any other restrictive country.
Security Features
TunnelBear gives you the essentials to stay secure online. The features are easy to use, with clear labels and quick toggles. You can adjust settings in seconds without digging through menus. Everything is designed to protect your data with minimal effort on your part.
Military-Grade Encryption — Top-Tier Encryption Protects Your Data
TunnelBear uses AES-256 encryption on every platform. This is the same level that banks and government agencies rely on to protect sensitive data. It also uses secure key exchanges with 2048- to 4096-bit Diffie-Hellman keys to keep your connection locked down.
The app chooses the best encryption setup for your device. On Windows, you get ChaCha20-Poly1305 for speed and security. Android uses AES-256-CBC, macOS relies on SHA256, and iOS runs AES-256-GCM. TunnelBear matches the algorithm to the platform to keep your connection strong.
VPN Protocols — s WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and IPSec
TunnelBear s WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. You can change protocols directly from the settings under the connection tab. Switching takes just a tap, and there’s no need to restart the app. Here’s what’s available on each device:
| WireGuard | OpenVPN | IKEv2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| MacOS | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| iOS | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Android | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
WireGuard gave me the fastest and most stable performance, especially on distant servers. It’s your best choice if you want a secure and quick connection.
VigilantBear — TunnelBear’s Kill Switch Function
If the VPN drops, VigilantBear cuts your internet instantly. This keeps your IP address and browsing activity hidden until the connection is restored. TunnelBear reconnects automatically once your internet is stable again.
You’ll find the toggle under Settings and then Connection. It’s off by default, so make sure to turn it on to avoid leaks on unstable connections. VigilantBear works on Windows, macOS, and Android, but not yet on iOS.
Data Leak Protection — Zero Data Leaks During Tests
I ran DNS and IP leak tests on servers in 5 countries and found no leaks. TunnelBear uses its own DNS servers, so your requests never go through third parties. That keeps your real location and browsing activity private at all times.
For leak protection to work, make sure VigilantBear is turned on. Without it, you risk exposure if the connection fails. When enabled, it fully blocks traffic outside the VPN tunnel until the connection is restored.
SplitBear — Lets You Choose What Stays Encrypted
SplitBear is a split-tunneling feature that lets you route specific apps or websites outside the VPN tunnel. For example, when traveling, you can stream on a local connection while accessing your bank app through the VPN’s server. This helps with speed and access to local content.
TunnelBear’s Windows app lets you split both apps and websites. On Android, you can choose apps only. On macOS and iOS, you can pick websites and subdomains. The feature adapts to each platform’s strengths.
GhostBear — Server Obfuscation Hides Your VPN Traffic
GhostBear is TunnelBear’s obfuscation feature. It scrambles your VPN traffic to make it look like regular internet activity, which helps you avoid detection on networks that block or throttle VPNs. This is useful in mildly restrictive countries like Turkey or restricted networks at work or school.
However, the added layer of obfuscation can cause a slight dip in speeds. You should only use it if you’re having connection issues or for sensitive activities like e-banking. Even with a bit of a slowdown, the added safety feels worthwhile.
GhostBear is available only on Windows and Android. You’ll find it in Settings under Connection. I used it when logging into my banking portal over hotel WiFi and noticed no connection issues.
T Override — Improves Connection Stability
T Override improves your connection stability 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. It’s more prone to throttling or blocking due to its popularity.
By switching on T Override, TunnelBear will use OpenVPN T. It’s slower but much more reliable, and handles more data per packet, reducing packet loss and improving stability. This helps you access services and websites that were previously giving you error messages — it’ll just take a bit longer to connect.
Privacy Features
TunnelBear takes your privacy seriously and backs that up with clear policies and yearly audits. I was initially concerned about its location in Canada, which is part of a global data-sharing alliance. But after digging into the details and reviewing its audits, I saw that TunnelBear runs a tight ship with no room for tracking or data misuse.
No-Logs Policy — Strict Zero-Log Policy Ensures Anonymity When Connected
TunnelBear doesn’t log your IP address, browsing history, or anything you do while connected. When you use the VPN, your online activity stays private and can’t be traced back to you. The only data TunnelBear stores is what’s needed to run your , like your email and payment details.
That said, TunnelBear does collect some of your data, like the personal information you provide when you sign up. 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 Eyes Alliance
TunnelBear is based in Toronto, which puts it under Canadian law. Canada is part of the Five Eyes alliance, a group of countries that share intelligence data. Since 2018, TunnelBear has also been owned by McAfee, a cybersecurity firm in the US.
Normally, that would be a red flag. But TunnelBear’s no-logs policy means it doesn’t have any activity to hand over. Even if authorities request data, there’s nothing on file that reveals what you did while connected to the VPN.
Independent Audits — Yearly Independent Audit Verifies No-Log Policy
TunnelBear is one of the few VPNs that brings in outside experts every year to inspect its service. It hires Cure53, a trusted security firm in , to audit its apps, infrastructure, and privacy protections. This isn’t just for show — TunnelBear actually fixes the problems found.
In the 2023 audit, Cure53 found 13 issues, 12 of which were already fixed by the time the report came out. The report is public and free to read. These regular audits prove that TunnelBear isn’t asking you to just trust them. It’s earning that trust by letting experts check their work.
Server Locations
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Experience
- 8.0 / 10
TunnelBear keeps things simple without cutting corners. You get a clean, well-designed app on every platform, and setup takes less than five minutes. Switching servers, enabling features like VigilantBear, or changing protocols only takes a couple of clicks. The layout feels smooth, even if you’ve never used a VPN before.
Simultaneous Device Connections — Protects Unlimited Devices
TunnelBear lets you connect as many devices as you want at the same time — you don’t need to worry about hitting a device limit. I tested it on my laptop, iPhone, and Android phone, and all stayed connected without issues. Speeds were stable, even with multiple devices running in the background.
Device Compatibility — Dedicated Apps for Popular Platforms
You’ll find TunnelBear apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It also has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. But you can’t use it on Linux, routers, smart TVs, or gaming consoles. There’s no native or setup guides for platforms like Apple TV or PlayStation. Here’s how features vary by device:
| Windows | MacOS | Android | iOS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VigilantBear | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| GhostBear | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| SplitBear | Apps and websites | Websites only | Apps only | Websites only |
| T Override | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
While there are workarounds to use TunnelBear on an Android TV or Amazon Fire TV Stick, these methods aren’t straightforward and lack official . If you need a VPN for your smart TV, gaming console, or router, I recommend taking a look at ExpressVPN instead.
Ease of Setup & Installation — Ready to Connect in Less Than 5 Minutes
I set up TunnelBear in under 5 minutes. You can it from the website or your device’s app store. Once you , a world map appears. Click a country to connect, or use the dropdown menu to pick a location. Helpful tooltips explain settings so you never feel stuck.
Everything works out of the box. You don’t need to tweak anything to get started. However, I do recommend enabling VigilantBear to get the benefits of a kill switch. If you want more control, the settings menu offers protocol selection, kill switch toggles, and split tunneling options in plain language.
Browser Extensions — Available for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox
TunnelBear’s browser extensions took less than a minute to install. You with your TunnelBear details, pick a server, and your browser traffic stays encrypted. These extensions are great if you only want to protect what happens in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge without launching the full app.
Just keep in mind the extensions don’t include key features like VigilantBear or GhostBear. They only encrypt browser traffic. Anything outside your browser, like torrent clients or desktop apps, stays unprotected until you launch the full VPN.
TunnelBear gives you 3 options: an AI chatbot for quick answers and an email ticket system for more complex issues. There’s no live chat or phone , but I found the tools in place handled most problems effectively. Even when I had to wait for a human response, it didn’t take long.
Email Ticketing — Fast Replies With Practical Help
TunnelBear’s team replies to email tickets within 48 hours, but I usually heard back within 2 to 6 hours. You’ll need to fill in a short form before sending your message, which helps direct your question to the right team. When I asked about streaming issues, I got a clear and helpful answer with a troubleshooting link that actually fixed the problem.
The reply didn’t feel personal, but it got the job done. Even though it looked like a template, the instructions worked. I would have preferred a more tailored response, but I still appreciated the speed and accuracy.
Website — Helpful Articles and Smart Reach
TunnelBear’s site makes it easy to find answers on your own. I typed in like “kill switch” and “Netflix” and got short, focused articles that explain things clearly. Most guides included step-by-step instructions and covered common setup or troubleshooting questions.
If you need help but want to avoid waiting for a reply, this is your best resource. Everything is organized by topic, and you can get to what you need without much effort.
RoboCub — AI Chatbot That Actually Solves Problems
RoboCub is TunnelBear’s AI chatbot, built with OpenAI tech. It pops up on the help pages and gives you instant answers pulled from the database. It showed me full articles inside the chat box, which saved time. I didn’t expect much, but RoboCub handled my test questions better than some live agents I’ve dealt with.
You can’t ask it anything personal or -specific, but for most tech questions, it works. If RoboCub can’t help, it guides you to submit a ticket. So you’re never stuck if the chatbot doesn’t know the answer.
How We Test Customer and Why Should You Care
We personally test the customer team of every VPN we review. This means asking technical question through the live chat feature (where applicable) and measuring the response time for email questions. Whether you need to connect to a specific server, change your security protocol, or configure a VPN on your router, finding a VPN with quality customer should be important to you.
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Pricing
- 7.0 / 10
TunnelBear gives you two personal offer options — Free and Unlimited. You can also get a Teams offer if you need to secure multiple s under one . The longer your offer, the lower your monthly cost.
Free Version — Good for Testing, but Limited in Use
The Free offer comes with 2GB of data each month. That’s just about enough to check your email, browse lightly, and run a few speed tests. You get full access to all servers and security features, so it’s great if you want to try the VPN before paying.
You can also earn 1GB of extra data by tweeting about TunnelBear. This bonus resets monthly, but it’s still not enough for anything more than occasional use. If you offer to stream or , you’ll need to Unlimited.
Unlimited Version — Full Access With No Data Limits
TunnelBear Unlimited upgrades the free version by removing data restrictions and allowing you to use it on as many devices as you want at the same time. You can files, stream, play games, and surf the web freely, while ensuring continuous protection for all your devices.
There are 3 options for the Unlimited offer, of which TunnelBear’s monthly option is the most expensive — there are other affordable monthly VPNs available if you want a short-term solution.
Payment Methods — Credit Card and App Store Only
TunnelBear accepts major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. If you’re using a mobile device, you can also purchase through the Apple App Store or Google Play. These are the only official ways to pay.
You can’t use PayPal, cryptocurrency, or any other alternative methods. That’s a drawback if you prefer more anonymous payment options, but your billing info stays separate from your VPN activity. TunnelBear still doesn’t log what you do online.
Refund Policy — No Guarantee, Handled Case by Case
TunnelBear doesn’t offer a standard money-back guarantee. If you want a refund, you have to reach out and explain your reason. The team reviews each request individually, and the amount you get back may depend on how long you used the service. This lack of a guaranteed refund makes the Free option even more useful.
TunnelBear VPN has the following offers
Final Verdict
TunnelBear is a solid choice if your main priority is online privacy. It uses strong encryption, has ed multiple independent audits, and includes features like a kill switch and leak protection that work exactly as they should. You stay anonymous, and your connection stays secure.
But TunnelBear isn’t built for high-performance use cases. It lacks streaming-optimized servers, has no native for routers or consoles, nor does it offer the advanced customization other VPNs do. If you need a VPN for serious streaming, torrenting, or gaming, this won’t meet all your needs.
Still, the free option gives you full access to servers and features, so you can try TunnelBear yourself before g up for a paid option. If TunnelBear fits how you use the internet, the longer-term options offer great value. Just make sure you know what you’re g up for.
FAQs
Is TunnelBear good?
Can I use TunnelBear for free?
Is TunnelBear really safe?
Can TunnelBear be traced?
Does TunnelBear hide your IP address?
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
| Canada | |
| 2018 | |
| No | |
| Unlimited |
