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About TunnelBear VPN company
TunnelBear is a virtual private network (VPN) company started in 2011 by two friends, Ryan Dochuk and Daniel Kinnear, who met at the University of Waterloo in Canada. They came up with the idea for TunnelBear while brainstorming fun startup ideas over beers. The name TunnelBear comes from the developers poking fun at themselves for not having the technical knowledge of bigger Silicon Valley companies.
The TunnelBear founders started the company with $120,000 raised from The VeloCity Fund, an investment fund for startups associated with students and recent graduates of the University of Waterloo. TunnelBear was originally based out of Toronto before relocating to San Francisco in 2012.
 | HQ: Toronto, CA | Founded Date: 2011 |
TunnelBear gained popularity as a free VPN service that aimed to make using a VPN simple. They marketed themselves as a security tool “so easy your grandma could use it.” The bear theme and branding helped TunnelBear stand out from other VPN providers.
In March 2018, TunnelBear was acquired by cybersecurity company McAfee. TunnelBear operates as a standalone subsidiary, maintaining its own apps and service. The TunnelBear website serves as the official site for downloading apps, viewing pricing plans, reading FAQs, and getting customer support. Users can access the fun, bear-themed knowledgebase and submit support tickets for one-on-one assistance.
Overview of TunnelBear VPN Services
TunnelBear is a virtual private network (VPN) service that encrypts internet traffic and hides a user’s real IP address to protect their privacy and security online. It offers easy-to-use apps for all major platforms including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux. TunnelBear has servers in over 47 countries, allowing users to choose where they appear to be connecting from. This helps bypass geolocation restrictions and censorship. Core features include the ability to connect up to 5 devices simultaneously, choosing from both free and paid plans, and customer support options like live chat and email.
The free plan gives users 2GB of data per month. Paid subscriptions remove the data limit and start at $3.33 per month for unlimited data on one device. There are also plans for connecting 5 or 10 devices with more data amounts. Extra features are added with certain paid plans too, like the ability to see which websites and apps are using the most data. Another perk is TunnelBear’s VigilantBear, which blocks dangerous websites automatically to protect users from viruses and malware. The VPN uses strong 256-bit AES encryption but does not support torrenting. Overall, TunnelBear focuses on providing a simple, easy-to-use VPN for securing everyday web browsing, streaming media, and accessing restricted websites or apps in a more private manner.
Key facts about TunnelBear VPN
TunnelBear reached popularity as a free VPN app with a fun, bear-themed interface. It encrypts data and hides your real IP address to protect privacy while browsing the web, using apps, and streaming media. TunnelBear has servers in over 47 countries but doesn’t allow torrenting or hacking. The VPN uses trusted protocols like IKEv2 and AES 256-bit encryption to secure connections. In 2018, TunnelBear was acquired by cybersecurity leader McAfee and now operates as a subsidiary with the same TunnelBear branding. Core features include internet security tools like VigilantBear which blocks dangerous websites automatically and TrackStop which prevents tracking cookies and ads from following you.
| in 30+ Countries |
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| 5 |
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| Netflix, Peacock, Max, Disney+ Others |
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| AES-256 |
| 24/7 Live chat, Email |
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TunnelBear also offers easy connection on up to 5 devices simultaneously. While useful free and paid plans are available starting at 2GB, the real value is unlimited data plans for full protection. Top paid plans include unlimited data and up to 10 device connections. customers can take advantage of deals like seasonal discounts, coupon codes and loyalty rewards to lower the cost. With fun bear visuals, easy-to-use apps across platforms, and a foundation of proven security, TunnelBear makes VPN protection simple.
TunnelBear VPN Pricing and Savings
TunnelBear offers a range of affordable VPN subscription plans to meet different needs and budgets. The most basic free version gives you 2GB of data per month to try the service. Paid plans then expand the monthly data allowance and number of devices you can connect. The cheapest paid plan is Unlimited for $3.33/month billed monthly. This removes data limits for full protection on UNLIMITED devices.
For connecting more devices, there is Unlimited for Teams costing $5.75/month month-to-month. While these costs may seem modest, TunnelBear offers many ways to reduce the price. Sales around major holidays often discount plans by over 50%, plus there are regularly recurring coupons and loyalty rewards. Stacking these deals and promos can lower costs by a substantial amount.
Current TunnelBear VPN Discount Offers
TunnelBear regularly provides discounts on its VPN plans and services to help lower the cost for privacy protection. The company runs frequent limited-time promotions throughout the year on all types of subscriptions. Some of the best TunnelBear deals include holiday sales around events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas when you can save over 50%.
TunnelBear also gives out coupon codes and vouchers frequently via email newsletter and social media that offer money off your purchase. The coupon savings apply to monthly, annual, and multi-year subscriptions and can be combined with other existing discounts for extra value. On top of direct discounts, TunnelBear also provides other money-saving opportunities. Referring friends earns you a free month for each one that signs up. The TunnelBear loyalty program permanently reduces the renewal price the longer you stay a member.
Why Choose TunnelBear VPN?
TunnelBear is an excellent VPN choice for securing your privacy thanks to its ease of use, fun branding, proven security features, flexible pricing, and quality customer service. As one of the most beginner-friendly VPNs, TunnelBear makes connecting fast and straightforward with its simple, visually pleasing apps. Everything from the bear mascot to the playful lingo creates an unintimidating interface for first-time VPN users. Under the cute exterior is serious privacy protection powered by trusted protocols like IKEv2, top encryption standards like AES 256-bit, and a guaranteed no-logging policy to prevent tracking.
Helpful security tools built-in provide an added safeguard as well. While TunnelBear doesn’t have the largest server network, they have strategic server locations to effectively unblock popular sites and apps. The affordable pricing tiers make the unlimited, full-featured plans accessible to most people. Generous deals like 50% off seasonal sales, limited-time discounts, and coupons incentives long-term subscriptions for maximizing savings too.
Top-notch customer support resources like thorough FAQs, responsive email ticketing, and active social channels cover you if any issue arises. For a VPN service that effortlessly blends robust security and privacy with simplicity, TunnelBear is hard to beat. Both tech-savvy and non-technical folks find value in TunnelBear’s ability to make VPN protection straightforward yet powerful. Next time you need a reliable solution for safeguarding your online activities and data that anyone can master, TunnelBear is a top choice worth considering.
Top 10 features/functionalities of TunnelBear VPN
TunnelBear is packed with useful features that enhance privacy and security. Here are 10 of the top capabilities:
- Advanced Encryption – TunnelBear uses AES 256-bit encryption to securely shield online traffic and activity.
- No-Logging Policy – TunnelBear never records or stores user connection logs or browsing data.
- App for All Devices – Easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux.
- VigilantBear – Automatically blocks dangerous websites to protect against malware and viruses.
- TrackStop – Prevents ads and trackers from following you around the web.
- Split Tunneling – Allows assigning which apps send traffic through the VPN tunnel.
- Kill Switch – Instantly cuts the internet connection if the VPN drops to prevent data leaks.
- Unlimited Data – Paid plans remove restrictive bandwidth caps for full-speed VPN access.
- Customer Support – Get expert help via live chat, email ticketing, FAQs, and social media.
- Affordable Pricing – Discounted deals and savings opportunities make the premium features budget-friendly.
With robust privacy tunneling, intuitive apps across platforms, useful security tools, and helpful customer service, TunnelBear makes safeguarding your online activities simple for beginners and experts alike. The VPN efficiently packs powerful capabilities into an easy-to-use service.
TunnelBear VPN vs Other VPN Providers
Function | |  |  |
Number of servers | N/A | 3200+ | 6040+ |
Server locations | +20 | 100+ | 61+ |
Speed | Average | Fast | Very Fast |
Supported devices | 5 | Unlimited | 6 |
Unblocks Netflix | |||
Money-back guarantee | 30 Days | 30 Days | 30 Days |
Encryption standard | AES-256 | AES-256 | AES-256 |
No-logs policy | |||
Browser extensions | |||
Cost per month | $3.33 to $5.75 | $1.99 to $21.99 | $3.39 to $14.99 |
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TunnelBear VPN FREE Trail
TunnelBear offers a free trial that gives you 2GB of data per month to test out their VPN service at no cost. This free plan lets you browse the web, use apps, and access content privately without immediately having to pay. It’s an excellent way to evaluate TunnelBear’s performance and features risk-free. To start the free trial, simply visit the TunnelBear website and sign up with your email address. You don’t even need to enter payment information. Download and install the TunnelBear app on your device, and you’re ready to connect. The free 500MB data allotment resets each month. This is enough to do some secure web browsing, check if your favorite streaming sites are unblocked, or connect from public WiFi securely.
While 2GB isn’t sufficient for heavy streaming or downloading, it gives you a solid test with TunnelBear’s basic VPN capabilities like encrypted data tunnels, hidden IP address, and more. You can even try features like VigilantBear which blocks malicious sites automatically. The free trial never expires, so you can continue using the 2GB each month for as long as you want. However, you can only connect one device. If satisfied after testing, you can upgrade to a paid plan within the app to get unlimited data, more device connections, priority customer support, and other benefits. The free trial lets you experience TunnelBear risk-free before purchasing. It’s an easy way to evaluate the VPN performance for your needs. If you decide TunnelBear isn’t right for you after testing, you don’t pay anything since there is no commitment with the free plan.
TunnelBear VPN Device compatibility
TunnelBear offers apps for all major platforms to secure different devices with their VPN service. The company focuses on providing an easy-to-use solution tailored for each operating system. You can download TunnelBear for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux devices. This covers desktops, laptops, tablets, phones, and more. The apps allow you to connect up to 5 devices simultaneously depending on your plan.
To download TunnelBear, just go to their website and click the app for your device whether it’s the Mac App Store, Google Play Store, Microsoft Store, etc. TunnelBear also provides setup guides with pictures to easily install the VPN on devices like routers, Android TV, Linux, and more. Everything is optimized for quick, hassle-free installation.
In terms of specific operating system requirements, TunnelBear supports Windows 7 and higher, Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks and above, iOS 11 upwards, Android 5.0 Lollipop and newer, and Linux like Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian and more. Your device just needs a basic 1GHz processor and 512MB of RAM at minimum. Make sure your device’s operating system is updated too. Overall, the TunnelBear interface is made to be simple, friendly, and intuitive across all platforms for easy security.
From desktop to mobile, all you have to do is download, open the app, and connect with one click. With broad device support, TunnelBear makes enhancing your privacy straightforward on all the devices you use daily.
TunnelBear VPN’s ability to unblock geo-restricted streaming services
One of the major reasons people use a VPN like TunnelBear is to access streaming content or services that may be blocked or restricted based on your location. TunnelBear provides the ability to bypass many geo-blocks and gain access to additional shows, movies, sports, and music from around the world. By hiding your real IP address and making it appear like you’re connecting from another country, TunnelBear can unlock regionally limited content libraries.
It allows you to evade blackout restrictions so you can view things normally not available due to your geographical area. While TunnelBear may not always unblock every streaming site 100% of the time, it has proven success with many popular platforms. TunnelBear can reliably access US Netflix abroad by routing your traffic through US-based servers. This grants access to the full American Netflix catalog when traveling or living outside the country. TunnelBear can also unblock BBC iPlayer, letting UK residents view the service overseas and allowing international users to watch UK-only shows and episodes.
Other streaming sites TunnelBear can often circumvent geo-blocks for include NBC, Hulu, Disney Plus, CBC, ABC, Pandora, Spotify, and more. Speed and consistency can vary based on factors like server load and detection avoidance, but TunnelBear provides the fundamental unblocking capabilities. Just connect to a server in the appropriate country and TunnelBear does the rest to get you access.
Privacy and Security Protections
TunnelBear utilizes strong encryption and a strict no-logging policy to provide robust privacy and security for users. All traffic routed through TunnelBear is secured via AES 256-bit encryption, which is an industry-standard used by banks and militaries. This encrypts your data with an extremely complex 256-bit key that would take years for hackers to crack. TunnelBear also relies on secure protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2 to establish protected connections.
Together, the modern encryption and protocols form an impenetrable tunnel for your traffic to pass through safely. For added protection, TunnelBear operates a strict zero-knowledge, no-logging policy. This means they never record or store data about your online activities, IP address, connection times, bandwidth usage, or browsing history. No logs are maintained that could compromise user privacy if compromised.
TunnelBear enforces this policy through technical means like running memory-only servers that don’t retain any logs after a session ends. For transparency, TunnelBear publishes annual security audits from a qualified third-party firm to independently verify these policies and protections.
Other measures like automated kill switches, DNS leak protection, and VigilantBear malware blocking provide additional safeguards for user security. With uncompromising encryption strength, independently verified no-logging claims, and proactive security features, TunnelBear delivers dependable privacy and anonymity when browsing online, streaming content, or accessing public WiFi. Users can trust TunnelBear to keep their data secure and activity history private.
TunnelBear VPN Customer Support
TunnelBear provides multiple customer support options to help users in need of assistance in a prompt, friendly manner. Support channels include email ticketing, live chat, an extensive knowledgebase of DIY help articles and tutorials, active social media support, and even a designated customer support bear! To submit an email ticket, you can access the form on TunnelBear’s support webpage and normally expect a response from a real person within 24 hours.
Live chat is available for instant messaging with a TunnelBear team member during business hours for the fastest resolution. Outside live chat hours, the chatbot can still automatically answer common questions. For self-help resources, TunnelBear’s searchable knowledgebase contains over 100 help guides clearly explaining how to install the VPN, connect devices, troubleshoot issues, and more step-by-step instructions supported by screenshots.
The TunnelBear Twitter and Facebook accounts also actively field inquiries and issues publicly to provide assistance and technical tips. And TunnelBear’s customer support bear mascot adds a fun, lighthearted touch to the customer experience. Overall, the multiple support avenues combining both automated and personal help ensure users can get their problems resolved efficiently.
Whether you prefer to DIY using the robust help articles or have a representative walk you through setup in live chat, TunnelBear has you covered with reliable customer support. The priority is always providing a fast, friendly, and effective experience when users need TunnelBear troubleshooting or advice.
TunnelBear VPN Performance and Speed
TunnelBear provides reliable VPN speeds that are fast enough for secure web browsing, streaming media, and using most internet applications without annoying lag or buffering. Independent third-party speed tests repeatedly rank TunnelBear as one of the fastest VPN services tested.
This speed is enabled by TunnelBear’s global network of 950+ high-bandwidth servers located strategically across 47+ countries like the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and more. Their servers maintain top-notch hardware and infrastructure to deliver consistently fast connectivity.
TunnelBear utilizes efficient protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec that are optimized for speed. Enabled features like Split Tunneling also help minimize the impact on speed by smartly routing only VPN traffic through the encrypted tunnel. Actual speeds will vary based on the distance to the connected server and current traffic loads. Connecting to a geographically close server generally yields the fastest speeds. But even international server connections are responsive enough for activities like HD video streaming thanks to robust infrastructure.
The only limitation to be aware of is TunnelBear throttles free users to relatively slow speeds compared to paid subscribers. Overall, paid TunnelBear users can enjoy low latency and lag-free use even across long distances thanks to their strategically optimized global server network and high-speed architecture. Fast, smooth connections enable uninterrupted VPN browsing and streaming.
