In our ever-evolving world of technology, finding and siphoning data has never been easier for criminals. That is why VPNs have become more and more popular over the past few years. VPNs are an easy way to secure your data when online. This is especially helpful when connected to an unprotected network, such as at a cafe or restaurant. You can read our complete review of the service to help you make a decision. But for now, let’s look at some of the best alternatives to TunnelBear in 2024.
What is TunnelBear VPN?
As you may have already guessed, it is a VPN service , created in Canada and bought by the United States cyber-security company, McAfee, not too long ago.
As such, it is used to secure your internet connection when in use. It is marketed as one of the most straightforward and easy-to-use VPNs out there, but is this really the case?
TunnelBear is able to be used as a way to protect your data and ensure your online privacy, and can also hide your true IP address. As with most VPNs, it can also be used to bypass the censorship found all over the internet and thus lets you experience the internet in multiple countries as if you were there in person.
The provider claims to work quietly in the background to protect all of your connected devices. They have apps for laptops, phones, desktops, as well as browser extensions.
The Downsides of TunnelBear
On the surface, the app and service may seem like a reliable VPN option. But there are a couple of reasons why it may not be the best for you and that you should look at other alternatives. For starters, there is no dedicated desktop app for Linux users, even though TunnelBear supports Linux.
No Router Installation
You are also not able to use it on your router as of now. Why? Because it does not offer OpenVPN files for a configuration that can be used on routers and modems.
Essentially, TunnelBear is an overall limited VPN in terms of the platforms, devices, and operating system that it supports. Thus, it may not function on any of your devices.
Location
TunnelBear is based in Canada, which means your information is subject to the Five Eyes surveillance company and its policies.
What this means is that all of your information that passes through Canadian servers can be monitored, which goes against the whole principle of VPNs in the first place.
Our Favorite Alternatives to TunnelBear
If you have found that this provider is not for you, fear not! We have some excellent alternative options that boasts awesome features that you can enjoy.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of those services that keep on giving, and it has a lot going for it. It is a truly comprehensive VPN service that boasts an impressive array of servers, as well as some excellent features that are not available from other VPNs.
Currently, the average cost for a top-tier VPN service is around $10.50. This is quite a lot cheaper than ExpressVPN costs, and they do not offer a free version of their service. But, for the level of security and the sheer number of features that you receive, ExpressVPN offers great value for money.
It also has 3,000 servers in 94 countries, allowing you to connect to almost anywhere in the world. And it is possible to download it on your Firestick, which is awesome.
Why choose ExpressVPN over TunnelBear?
While TunnelBear is known for providing a simple service and a free option, ExpressVPN is one of the top VPN providers in the world and offers one of the fastest services out there.
They also have 24/7 live customer support with a crew of knowledgeable and responsive agents. The web contact and email support that TunnelBear relies on to respond to inquiries is not ideal.
Their impressive range of servers spanning almost 100 countries means that you can access international versions of your favorite services.
Why is ExpressVPN better than TunnelBear?
The greatest advantage that ExpressVPN has over its competitor is the difference in server availability. TunnelBear only has 20 servers to choose from, while its alternative gives you over 3,000 options.
ExpressVPN is also known for its exceptional customer service and 24/7 live chat support, while the Canadian provider, unfortunately, has to rely on a web-based form of communication for support inquiries.
ExpressVPN excels over TunnelBear in terms of reliability, support, and features.
Get a subscription at ExpressVPN.com >
NordVPN
NordVPN claims to be the best VPN around when it comes to streaming services. It features some great coupons that make it one of the best VPNs for your money.
There is a notorious error associated with Netflix that prevents VPNs from accessing this popular streaming platform.
One of the most appealing features of NordVPN is that it does not appear on the list of VPNs that Netflix blocks. It is actually one of the best VPNs for those who are looking to bypass the new strict detection measures that Netflix has in place.
It is capable of working with various international Netflix catalogs. This includes those in the US, Canada, UK, Japan, France, and Brazil. What this means is that it has a fantastic advantage over many other VPNs on the market.
Other VPNs are generally only able to access a couple of regional Netflix catalogs, and often encounter problems while doing so.
NordVPN also goes the extra mile to make sure that you are getting the best streaming experience possible. Plus, the process is completely hassle-free.
The FAQ on their website provides instructions and suggestions for the best servers to stream on Netflix, as well as other popular streaming services like BBC and Hulu.
Why choose NordVPN over TunnelBear?
NordVPN has TunnelBear totally beat when it comes to server support. NordVPN has over 5,600 servers in 60 countries.
While the Canadian provider only provides IP addresses that are shared, NordVPN provides dedicated IPs, as well as advanced leak protection.
Additionally, NordVPN is capable of bypassing geo-blocks, while its competitor struggles to do the same.
Overall, NordVPN has TunnelBear beat in terms of features, ease-of-use, pricing, and reliability, which explain why it is a very good alternative.
Why is NordVPN better than TunnelBear?
It is obvious that, if you want a VPN that lets you stream without any hassles or hiccups, then NordVPN is the way to go. It is for this reason that most people opt to use it over most other VPNs, let alone TunnelBear.
Other than that, NordVPN also boasts a much wider server range than TunnelBear, which is great for those who want to access services that are only available in other countries.
Get a subscription at NordVPN.com >
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is one of the less well-known VPN providers and is a capable service with a client for Windows that is exceptionally powerful. It is packed with features while still being straightforward and easy to use, and their mobile clients are much more ordinary while still being extremely effective.
The company is based in Romania and Germany and provides comprehensive VPN services for over ten million users. They feature an impressive 7,000 servers spanning across 90 countries, and most of them allow for torrents, but not all.
CyberGhost also offers custom clients for Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, and more. CyberGhost includes several extra features along with standard VPN functionality. Their automated HTTPS redirection allows you to receive the most secure connection possible, regardless of the website you visit.
Having so many functions active at the same time can cause your browser to run into some issues and slow down, but luckily you have the option of choosing which of these features to activate if any at all.
CyberGhost also allows you to connect a maximum of seven devices at the same time, which is slightly above the industry standard of five.
However, it is important to know that once you have connected a device, a connection slot is used up. So you will need to log out of individual devices if your slots are full, in order to connect another device. While this can be somewhat of a hassle, it usually does not take long, and it is not likely that you fill up all seven slots anyway.
Why choose CyberGhost over TunnelBear?
CyberGhost and TunnelBear are so different in so many ways that it might make them seem incomparable. However, what they do have in common is privacy, which is where CyberGhost takes the lead.
Because TunnelBear is based in Canada, any of your information that passes through their servers can be monitored by the Canadian government and the Five Eyes alliance, while CyberGhost users do not need to worry about invasive surveillance.
CyberGhost also offers more features and far more servers than TunnelBear does, even though it has a cute interface, it is nothing special.
Why is CyberGhost better than TunnelBear?
CyberGhost is able to provide more privacy than TunnelBear, thanks to the fact that it is based in Romania rather than Canada, which is Five Eyes territory.
CyberGhost also offers more features overall, and provides a much bigger list of servers to choose from that lets you connect to pretty much any country in the world. You understand more why it is one of the best alternative?
Get a subscription at CyberGhost.com >
The Best Free Alternative: Windscribe
While Windscribe does offer some paid options to its VPN service, the free version is very popular among users, thanks to its generous (for a free service) 10GB monthly data limit.
Windscribe also offers some features to better hide your online identity. This includes changing the timezone of your browser to match that of the Windscribe location.
It also randomly rotates the user agent of your browser and deletes cookies during a VPN session.
Why choose Windscribe over TunnelBear?
While the two do share some similar core services, they both offer very different added capabilities. The most obvious of these differences is the number of devices you can connect while using each.
Windscribe allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices, while TunnelBear limits you to just five. Windscribe also has servers in 10 countries (over 50 with the paid version), while TunnelBear has a network across 20 countries.
Finally, Windscribe offers a three-day money-back guarantee, while its competitor does not offer one at all.
Why is Windscribe better than TunnelBear?
The most appealing feature of Windscribe is the fact that it allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices. TunnelBear limits you to a maximum of five for account.
This usually is not a problem for most people who simply want to secure their most common devices. But having some extra availability is always nice.
Wrap Up
Even though most VPNs offer the same core service, which is privacy and security, each also provides additional features that cater to different needs and preferences.
We highly suggest investing in one of our 3 paid recommendations – ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or CyberGhost. These offer the best service and security. We hope this guide has made it a little bit easier to find the right Virtual Private Network!