We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
Advertising Disclosure

vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

IPVanish VPN vs TunnelBear VPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.2/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 8.9/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kate Richards
    Kate Richards

    Former Managing Editor

    IPVanish and TunnelBear are two very popular VPNs that are firmly established within the market. They’re both known for offering dedicated apps for major operating platforms as well as using effective, 256-bit encryption technology. Both offer additional security features like a kill switch and tracking protection.

    In terms of features and performance, however, it would seem that IPVanish gives you more. IPVanish offers a 7-day money-back guarantee, while TunnelBear has no straightforward refund policy (although you can try out the service with a limited free version). IPVanish also provides unlimited bandwidth and speed for torrenting, whereas TunnelBear expressly forbids P2P activities on its servers. In addition, IPVanish allows up to 10 simultaneous connections per account, compared to a maximum of five allowed by TunnelBear.

    The differences continue with respect to customer service. IPVanish has 24/7 live chat support in place; TunnelBear’s assistance can only be contacted via email and support tickets. To see how these VPNs compare over critical categories, scroll down.

    Our Score

    Features 9.2/10
    Pricing 9.2/10
    Ease of Use 9.0/10
    Reliability & Support 9.3/10
    Features 8.9/10
    Pricing 9.3/10
    Ease of Use 9.2/10
    Reliability & Support 7.8/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image James Everard
    James Everard

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 9.2/10

    IPVanish offers high-speed connections and an impressive list of advanced security features at a budget-friendly price. Over the years I’ve been working with this VPN, it’s continued to stand out as a reliable option for several different use cases. My team and I carefully studied its privacy policy and tested its speeds, security features, and streaming capabilities. We also looked into i...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    S
    Stu Taylor
    10.0/10
    Very, very satisfied

    I am into my third year of using IPVanish. I am extremely happy with the speed, reliability, features ... and reliability. The fact that I have used it for this long without trying the competition speaks volumes. I am never going to try anything else because I am completely happy with what I have. Why risk it?More

    Latest negative user review
    B
    Beth Gray
    2.0/10
    Misleading, false advertising, don't honor guarantee. BEWARE

    IP address and region not effectively blocked on most sites. Streaming sites do NOT work with their se... rvices, but they do not disclose that anywhere on their website. The support team had no idea in terms of technical knowledge. They claim that their 30-day guarantee is unconditional and there is no risk, but they have so many exclusions buried in their fine print that the average user would have huge difficulty finding. They advertise on many streaming how-to websites where they KNOW their services do not work. COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY. If I could give less than one star I would. SO unethical.More

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Lawrence Wachira
    Lawrence Wachira

    Editor

    Our Score: 8.9/10

    TunnelBear is one of the most beginner-friendly VPNs, offering a solid free version. Despite its adorable design, it’s also renowned for its security and privacy features. But can you truly rely on this lighthearted VPN to protect you the way the best providers can? After extensive tests, I can confirm that TunnelBear is an excellent VPN with great potential. It’s straightforward to use, d...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    I
    Iqra Muneer
    10.0/10
    100% Working VPN

    TunnelBear is no doubt a great VPN for all the users, when I am facing server difficulty this helps me...  very much. It provides Good OpenVPN speed. Also, Control full security every year. This software package does not require detailed knowledge; all you have to do is click on the program and establish the connection. You can access global content from anywhere.More

    Latest negative user review
    D
    David Ross
    2.0/10
    DANGEROUS for CANADIANS

    I live in the GTA, everything was fine "until" I installed TunnelBear on one of my 7 devices, now I ca... n no longer watch any USA TV stations on line on any of my other 6 devices, this company is scum, they hid something in there that disabled all my other devices unless I buy their VPN, well, not going to buy their garbage, can't believe how much it slowed my device, I would rather wipe all my drives than give TunnelBear one cent!More

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $2.19/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices
    Starting price $3.33/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 0 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    IPVanish offers a well-rounded VPN service with far more servers and features than TunnelBear and outstanding 24/7 support. TunnelBear’s service is relatively limited but still includes the essentials you’d expect from a VPN.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    IPVanish allows torrenting on all its servers and offers unlimited P2P bandwidth, making it a far better VPN for downloading torrents. Meanwhile, TunnelBear VPN does not support torrenting and prohibits any and all P2P activities.

    Best VPN for Windows

    If you need a robust VPN for Windows with lightning-fast servers and access to more than 40,000 IP addresses, IPVanish is the clear choice. However, TunnelBear does offer a Windows app that’s very simple to use, with access to its entire (relatively small) server network.

    Best VPN for Android

    IPVanish has a dedicated Android app with an OpenVPN Scramble feature that prevents some firewalls from detecting and blocking OpenVPN. TunnelBear’s Android app features public WiFi protection and a very neat look.

    Best VPN for Mac

    IPVanish for MacOS is a very secure app, with support for multiple protocols including PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN, IPSec, and IKEv2. It’s also very user-friendly and easy to navigate. TunnelBear also offers a dedicated MacOS app, but limits users to the OpenVPN, IKEv2, and IPSec protocols.

    Best VPN for iOS

    IPVanish supports up to 10 simultaneous device connections, and therefore would be more suitable for users with a lot of iOS gadgets in their households. It also allows users access its entire network of around 1,000 servers in 60 countries. Meanwhile, TunnelBear’s iOS app offers users a free limited VPN service alongside a choice of multiple subscription options.

    Best VPN for USA

    When it comes to unblocking geo-restrictions from the US, IPVanish offers a more reliable service, especially in terms of speed for streaming. It effectively unblocks Netflix and a host of other US-based websites and services without error messages. TunnelBear is capable of bypassing geoblocks from some US websites, but struggles to reliably unblock Netflix.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    IPVanish comes out as the better VPN across every category, as it offers a more robust service in performance and reliability. It also allows users connect more devices, has a 7-day refund policy, and reliably bypasses VPN blocks by Netflix and other US web services.

    Interestingly, while IPVanish offers a very reliable service, it still struggles to compete with top VPNs like NordVPN and ExpressVPN.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with IPVanish VPN
    Go with TunnelBear VPN
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is IPVanish VPN better than TunnelBear VPN?

    Yes, IPVanish VPN is better overall than TunnelBear VPN. It has 2400 servers in 130 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $2.19 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between IPVanish VPN and TunnelBear VPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then IPVanish VPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is IPVanish VPN faster than TunnelBear VPN?

    Yes, IPVanish VPN is faster than TunnelBear VPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do IPVanish VPN or TunnelBear VPN offer any deals?

    Both IPVanish VPN and TunnelBear VPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 82% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.

    We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
    Learn more
    vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

    About the Author

    Kate is a former Managing Editor at vpnMentor. Kate promoted the use of VPNs as a means to achieve unhindered access to the internet, as she strongly believes in online freedom for everyone.