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.
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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.

TunnelBear VPN vs Proton VPN 2024

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

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kristina Perunicic
    Kristina Perunicic

    Former Managing Editor

    Proton VPN and TunnelBear are close competitors in the affordable VPN race. Both offer strong 256-bit AES encryption, user-friendly apps for a number of devices, strict no-logs policies, and reliable money-back guarantees. If you frequently use P2P networks, you won’t be disappointed with TunnelBear or Proton VPN. Either will make a great VPN for the majority of users. Proton VPN is better in terms of who has a more extensive global network with 9,119 servers across 112 countries vs 8,000 servers across 47 countries for TunnelBear. This might also be why Proton VPN has slightly better speeds. What’s more, Proton VPN has one of the most generous free plans you’ll find anywhere. However, TunnelBear is still one of the most affordable VPNs that also offers unlimited simultaneous connections to all paying users. Plus, it packs plenty of convenient app features that make your life easier. For example, “Always On” mode gives you total peace of mind that your connection will always be secure without having to remember to turn on your VPN. Or, automatically choosing the best secure VPN protocol, depending on which is the fastest.

    Our Score

    Features 8.9/10
    Pricing 9.3/10
    Ease of Use 9.2/10
    Reliability & Support 7.8/10
    Features 9.2/10
    Pricing 8.6/10
    Ease of Use 9.2/10
    Reliability & Support 9.0/10

    Reviews

    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
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Lawrence Wachira
    Lawrence Wachira

    Editor

    Our Score: 9.2/10

    Proton VPN, from the creators of Proton Mail, claims to prioritize your online privacy, even on its free tier. However, an IP logging controversy with Proton Mail has raised doubts about the company’s overall privacy stance. Given this, can you still trust this VPN to keep you safe online? To determine this, I thoroughly analyzed Proton VPN, exploring its privacy policy, ownership, and secur...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    P
    Peter
    8.0/10
    great but ...

    Recently migrated to ProtonVPN from another VPN provider. Using manual OpenVpn setup 2.6.x with DCO. ... Good service but... ProtonVPN does not allow data cipher AES-128-GCM, only AES-256-GCM. The former cipher is faster, and just as secure as the latter cipher. Using AES-128-GCM for my TLS cipher but would also like it for my data cipher. Would help speed improvements.More

    Latest negative user review
    N
    Network Man
    2.0/10
    Proton Privacy Policy is a JOKE

    REFUSED TO REMOVE MY GMAIL account information after trying their ProtonMail application. After being ... happy as a VPN customer, i tried ProtonMail. I stupidly allowed them to access my Gmail account, then when I was unhappy with the product, I could not get their service to remove my Gmail account, and it continued accessing my account. I was forced to use Google to remove their access because their support organization would not help me. Then, I demanded they close my account and remove my personal data under the Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) in Switzerland. They have refused thus far with no response. They have thus far still not removed my account.More

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $3.33/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 0 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices
    Starting price $2.99/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall
    Read the full review
    Best VPN for Torrents
    Read the full review
    Best VPN for Windows
    Read the full review
    Best VPN for Android
    Read the full review
    Best VPN for Mac
    Read the full review
    Best VPN for iOS
    Read the full review
    Best VPN for USA
    Read the full review

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    Despite not being one of the most well-known VPNs, I was pleasantly surprised by TunnelBear’s capabilities. It doesn’t have the largest server network with the fastest speeds. However, you can use its convenient apps on as many devices as you want at a single, affordable price. TunnelBear’s GhostBear mode is designed for the VPN to work in places where VPNs are banned or restricted, so it will be your best bet in countries like China. With a strict no-logs policy, 256-bit encryption, and independent security audits — you know you can trust it to protect you online.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

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

    FAQ

    Is TunnelBear VPN better than Proton VPN?

    Yes, TunnelBear VPN is better overall than Proton VPN. It has 8000 servers in 47 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $3.33 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between TunnelBear VPN and Proton 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 TunnelBear VPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is TunnelBear VPN faster than Proton VPN?

    Yes, TunnelBear VPN is faster than Proton 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 TunnelBear VPN or Proton VPN offer any deals?

    Both TunnelBear VPN and Proton 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

    Kristina Perunicic is a former editor for vpnMentor. She’s a cybersecurity expert with an interest in VPNs and their importance in the digital privacy landscape.