Score Breakdown
Pros & Cons
What We Liked
- Independently audited every year
- Very easy to use
- Fun bear-themed UI
Room for Improvement
- Canada (5-Eyes)
- Limited streaming support
- Smaller server network
Speed Performance
TunnelBear delivered 420 Mbps download and 300 Mbps upload on our 1 Gbps test line. Latency averaged 22ms to the nearest server — acceptable for most use cases. We ran tests at peak hours (6–9 PM local) and off-peak (2–4 AM) and found consistent results across both windows, suggesting the provider manages server load effectively.
Streaming Performance
We tested TunnelBear against the major streaming platforms from UK and US servers. Here is what we found:
Unblocked
- ✓ Netflix US
Unreliable / Blocked
- ✗ BBC iPlayer
- ✗ Disney+
Security
TunnelBear supports OpenVPN, IKEv2. The kill switch disconnects all traffic if the VPN tunnel drops — we tested this by pulling the network cable mid-session and confirmed no data leaked. DNS leak protection is active by default. We verified using ipleak.net — all DNS queries resolved through the VPN's servers, not our ISP.
Privacy & Logging Policy
The provider is based in Canada and claims a strict no-logs policy. Cure53 annual independent audits. The privacy policy does not retain connection timestamps, IP addresses, or session duration. Users in high-surveillance jurisdictions should be aware of the local legal environment.
Windows App & Platforms
TunnelBear provides a native Windows app compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11. Installation takes under three minutes. The interface is clean — connect with one click, or browse the server list by country. Split tunneling, kill switch, and protocol selection are all accessible without hunting through settings menus.
Additional platforms: macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, browser extensions, and select router firmware.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Devices |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Month | $3.33/month | 5 |
| 1 Year | $3.33/mo (billed annually) | 5 |
| 2 Years | Best value per month | 5 |
Verdict
TunnelBear earns rank #8 in our 2026 Windows VPN rankings. It excels at independently audited every year but falls short on canada (5-eyes).
