TunnelBear vs ProtonVPN
A detailed comparison to help you choose between TunnelBear and ProtonVPN.
TunnelBear Beginner-friendly VPN with a fun bear theme. | ProtonVPN Swiss privacy-first VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.9 (401 reviews) | 4.5 (15000 reviews) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | freemium |
| Starting Price | From $3.33/mo | From $0/mo |
| Best For | Best for users seeking reliable VPN protection for online privacy | Best free VPN and privacy-first option |
| Free Tier | ||
| API Access | ||
| Team Features | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Tags | — | — |
TunnelBear
Pros
- + Long history of published Cure53 security audits
- + Supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2
- + VigilantBear kill switch helps prevent leaks
- + Free plan available for light testing
- + Simple apps suitable for VPN beginners
- + Transparent refund terms for annual plans
Cons
- - Free plan capped at 2GB per month
- - Streaming access can be inconsistent in tests
- - Feature parity differs by platform and app version
- - 30-day refund excludes monthly and some store purchases
ProtonVPN
Pros
- + Open-source VPN apps with public code
- + Repeated independent no-logs infrastructure audits
- + Unlimited data on the free plan
- + Stealth protocol and alternative routing for censorship
- + Secure Core double-hop routing option
- + Port forwarding support on paid plans
Cons
- - NetShield ad/tracker blocking is paid-only
- - Tor over VPN is only on paid plans
- - Exact pricing hard to cite without JS account page
- - Real-world speeds vary by route and server load
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