TunnelBear review
The most approachable apps of the eleven, a free tier, and the most annual audits of any provider we list.
What we like
- Nine consecutive annual Cure53 security audits, the highest count here
- The most approachable apps of any provider in this list
- Free tier with 2 GB per month and no device limit in practice
- One subscription works on every major platform including browser extensions
- Reminder system nudges you to use it, which is good for infrequent users
What we don't
- Owned by McAfee, a large security vendor with its own commercial interests
- Servers run on persistent disks rather than RAM-only infrastructure
- Narrow country coverage at around 20 locations
- Free tier is limited to 2 GB per month
Our verdict
TunnelBear is the provider to hand to someone who does not want to think about VPN configuration. The apps are the most approachable of the eleven, the free tier lets you test without a card, and the nine-year audit streak is genuinely impressive. McAfee's ownership and persistent-disk infrastructure are the price of that accessibility.
Prices and facts last verified October 6, 2026
Score breakdown
The weighted total, and what each component contributed. Weights are published and identical across all eleven providers.
Why we scored it this way
Nine annual Cure53 audits is the highest count in this list, but they audit the apps and infrastructure rather than the logging claim specifically. Canadian 5-Eyes jurisdiction and McAfee ownership hold privacy back, as does persistent-disk infrastructure.
Privacy and logging
Audit evidence cited: Cure53. We summarise publicly available reports and do not have access to the underlying working papers.
Network, protocols and speed
Pricing
| Term | From /month | Total price |
|---|---|---|
| 2 years Best value | $3.67 | $88 |
| 1 year | $7.75 | $93 |
| 1 month | $12.99 | $12.99 |
Prices change frequently and are set by the provider. The date above is when we last verified them; the provider's checkout is always authoritative, and you will never be charged the wrong amount because of an error here.
Who it suits
People who find VPN software intimidating, and users who want a short free trial before deciding whether privacy tooling is for them.
How it compares
Where this provider wins and where it does not, against the two nearest alternatives on our list.
IVPN
The most transparent provider we found: named ownership, seven annual audits and monthly reporting.
AdGuard VPN
Cyprus jurisdiction outside the Eyes alliances, an open-source protocol, and ad blocking bundled into the VPN — with no published no-logs audit yet.
TunnelBear questions
How much does TunnelBear cost?
The cheapest plan we list works out at $3.67 per month for 2 years, which is $88 in total. That figure can change at any time — we last verified it on the date shown above — and it is the effective cost of the whole subscription rather than a headline monthly rate. You get 30 days to change your mind.
Can TunnelBear really be trusted not to log my data?
The claim is supported by 9 independent audit engagements with Cure53, the most recent dated 2025-10. RAM-only servers: No. Intelligence alliance membership: Inside the alliance. Real-world legal test: not published. We rate what is verifiable rather than what is promised, which is why this answer scores the way it does.
Why does TunnelBear score what it scores?
TunnelBear scores 8.1 out of 10, which places it number 9 of the eleven we review, under the badge 'Best simple apps'. The score is a weighted sum of privacy, speed, value, streaming and ease of use, with the weights published in full on our methodology page. Affiliate commission had no influence on any component of it.
Try TunnelBear
Check the current price and the terms of the plan you want before you commit. Every plan here includes a money-back window, so the first decision is reversible.