--- title: "TunnelBear Software Pricing, Alternatives & More 2026 | Capterra" description: "With the help of Capterra, learn about TunnelBear Software - reviews, pricing plans, popular comparisons to other VPN products and more." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/146806/TunnelBear/" page_type: "product" language: "en" --- # TunnelBear Software Review 2026: Features, Integrations, Pros & Cons Last updated on August 26, 2026 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Description](#description)[Use cases](#use-cases)[Alternatives](#alternatives)[FAQs](#faqs)[Users](#users)[Pros and Cons](#pros-cons)[Features](#features)[Pricing](#pricing)[Support](#support)[Reviews](#reviews) TunnelBear ## What is TunnelBear? When TunnelBear is turned On, your internet connection gets secured with AES-256 bit encryption and your public IP address gets switched to the country of your choice. Businesses rely on TunnelBear for: Securing remote and traveling employees Global quality assurance testing Gathering competitive intelligence Stealthfully conducting market research Accessing geo-restricted business tools Businesses have access to priority support and a personal account manager. ## What is TunnelBear used for? [VPN](https://www.capterra.com/vpn-software/)[Network Security](https://www.capterra.com/network-security-software/)[Computer Security](https://www.capterra.com/computer-security-software/) Recognitions Shortlist Top alternative Featured Overall rating Based on 470 user reviews Reviews sentiment Positive 92% Neutral 7% Negative 1% Pros & cons Intuitive and friendly interface Charming design and playful visuals Unstable and unreliable connections Frequent slowdowns and lag Starting price $138 Other, Per Year Free trial available Includes Free Version Capterra Shortlist charts the highest-rated and most popular products... - Network Security / 2025 Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Do you work for TunnelBear?[Manage this product listing](https://digitalmarkets.gartner.com/get-listed/claim-bx?url=https://www.tunnelbear.com/&name=TunnelBear) Rating Breakdown 4.5 +− Features4.3 Value for Money4.3 Ease of Use4.7 Customer Service4.4 Rating Breakdown 4.5 Features4.3 Value for Money4.3 Ease of Use4.7 Customer Service4.4 ## TunnelBear Reviewers Verdict Updated August 2026 AI summary - TunnelBear is well-suited for small businesses, freelancers, and teams needing simple, secure online protection across devices. - Its main advantage is strong encryption and privacy features that help protect sensitive data and user identities. - It offers practical value by making secure browsing and setup accessible to non-technical users, even on public Wi-Fi. - Reviewers note pain points like inconsistent connection speeds, occasional bugs, and connection drops that can disrupt use. - TunnelBear fits businesses prioritizing ease of use and privacy, but those needing consistently fast or highly reliable connections may want to evaluate alternatives. ## Compare with a popular alternative Capterra selects software alternatives based on relevant features, verified user reviews and user interactions. Placement may be influenced by client status. ### TunnelBear 4.5 (470) VS. [4.6 (34)](https://www.capterra.com/p/203059/NordLayer/reviews/) Starting Price $138 Other, Per Year Starting Price $8 Per User, Per Month Free Trial Free Version Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version Ease Of Use 4.7 (470) Ease Of Use 4.7 (979) Value For Money 4.3 (334) Value For Money 4.3 (517) Customer Service 4.4 (257) Customer Service 4.2 (512) ## TunnelBear alternatives [Cisco AnyConnect](https://www.capterra.com/p/169495/VPN-and-Endpoint-Security-Clients/) [4.6 (979)](https://www.capterra.com/p/169495/VPN-and-Endpoint-Security-Clients/reviews/) Starting price Contact vendor for pricing Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 94% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/169495/VPN-and-Endpoint-Security-Clients/) Highest Rated [UTunnel VPN](https://www.capterra.com/p/199683/Utunnel-VPN/) [5.0 (69)](https://www.capterra.com/p/199683/Utunnel-VPN/reviews/) Starting price $6.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 100% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/199683/Utunnel-VPN/) [GoodAccess](https://www.capterra.com/p/208155/GoodAccess/) [4.9 (103)](https://www.capterra.com/p/208155/GoodAccess/reviews/) Starting price $7.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 99% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/208155/GoodAccess/) [OpenVPN Access Server](https://www.capterra.com/p/159435/access-server/) [4.5 (201)](https://www.capterra.com/p/159435/access-server/reviews/) Starting price $5.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 96% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/159435/access-server/) [View all alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/146806/TunnelBear/alternatives/) ## FAQs about TunnelBear Overview ### What problems does TunnelBear solve? TunnelBear solves unsafe browsing on public Wi‑Fi, blocked websites, geo-restricted content, and exposure of IP addresses and sensitive data during remote work. It also removes the setup complexity common with VPNs through a simple interface. Remote workers, freelancers, small teams, and less technical users benefit most. Answer based on 278 reviews Overview ### Which roles and teams benefit most from TunnelBear? TunnelBear is most used by students, software developers, and small business leaders who need simple, secure internet access across locations. Creative freelancers and educators benefit from protecting browsing on public Wi-Fi, while technical teams use it to test geo-restricted content, safeguard connections, and maintain privacy with minimal setup. Answer based on 468 reviews Overview ### What company size and industries is TunnelBear built for? TunnelBear is built primarily for small businesses, which make up 71% of reviewers, especially in Information Technology and Services at 14%. It is positioned for small to medium-sized businesses using cloud-based communication and work tools, with additional adoption in Computer Software at 10% and Marketing and Advertising at 4%. Answer based on 470 reviews Features and Usability ### What are the key features of TunnelBear? TunnelBear includes core VPN features like IP masking, AES-256 encryption, secure login, and access controls for safer browsing on public networks. Differentiating features include country selection for location switching, browser and mobile apps, a kill switch called VigilantBear, and a free data plan that supports light, occasional use. Answer based on 267 reviews Pricing ### How much does it cost and what fees or limitations are included? TunnelBear starts at $138/year for the Basic plan, with a 2-member minimum, a free version, and a 7-day free trial. Free use is commonly described as limited to 500MB monthly, while reviewers split on value: some call pricing reasonable, others say the subscription feels high for students or light users. Answer based on 205 reviews Getting Started and Support ### What training and onboarding options does TunnelBear offer? TunnelBear provides documentation for teams getting started with the product. Documentation gives written reference material for setup, feature guidance, and step-by-step instructions that users can review as needed during onboarding and ongoing use. Getting Started and Support ### What customer support options does TunnelBear offer, and how do users rate the experience? TunnelBear provides email/help desk, chat, a knowledge base, and FAQ/forum resources. Users often describe support as helpful, friendly, and easy to access, with strong documentation for straightforward issues. Some report slower response times, limited availability, and occasional frustration when urgent or more complex problems take longer to resolve. Answer based on 57 reviews Security ### How does TunnelBear handle data security and access control? TunnelBear protects data by hiding users’ IP addresses, encrypting traffic with 256-bit AES, and supporting protocols reviewers mention such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, and IPSec. Reviewers also cite a no-logs approach, independent security audits, tracker blocking, and VigilantBear to prevent privacy leaks, though some report disconnects, speed issues, and occasional privacy concerns. Answer based on 147 reviews VPN service ### How well does TunnelBear work as a VPN service? TunnelBear provides simple, privacy-focused VPN protection for everyday browsing, public Wi-Fi, and location switching. Individuals, remote workers, and small teams like the easy setup, cross-platform apps, and country selection, though some users mention limited free data, fewer advanced controls, occasional speed drops, and inconsistent access on restricted networks. Answer based on 267 reviews ## Who uses TunnelBear? Based on Capterra reviews from the past 6 years ## Pros and Cons Intuitive and friendly interface 98% positive reviews out of 57 Most reviewers report user interface is clear, visually engaging, and simple for both beginners and experienced users. Unstable and unreliable connections 49% negative reviews out of 74 Some reviewers find connection frequently drops, takes long to establish, and lacks clear notifications when disconnecting. Zakaria M. Assistant Manager, 11 - 50 employees. "I slightly dislike that it does not alert the user via the ROAR sound when disconnecting." Charming design and playful visuals 98% positive reviews out of 41 Most reviewers describe design and animation as visually appealing, intuitive, and enjoyable, enhancing usability. Frequent slowdowns and lag 62% negative reviews out of 47 Most reviewers report performance and speed are inconsistent, with slow server connections and noticeable drops in browsing speed. Effortless installation and setup 100% positive reviews out of 38 Most reviewers find setup straightforward, requiring minimal technical knowledge and working smoothly across multiple platforms. Occasional bugs and reliability problems 59% negative reviews out of 39 Some reviewers indicate bugs and issues cause crashes, update failures, and reliability concerns, sometimes requiring manual intervention. ## Features AI summary Based on 688 VPN reviews Capterra reviewers highlight these as the features buyers care about most when choosing a VPN: - **Authentication** (**66%** of reviewers rated this feature as critical) - **Encryption** (**64%**) - **SSL Security** (**65%**) TunnelBear includes **Encryption**, one of the top features reviewers look for in a VPN. However, it does not offer **Authentication** or **SSL Security**. Instead, it provides **Secure Login** (**64%**), which addresses a closely related security need. This mix can still help businesses protect sensitive data and control account access, providing teams with a safer way to secure connections and reduce exposure to online threats. Encryption 4.0 (1) 100.00% of 1 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Convert data into a code for security Secure Login 4.8 (25) 64.00% of 25 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important At least a username and password is required to access the system Activity Dashboard 4.7 (22) 59.09% of 22 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Dashboard to view the status of ongoing processes, identify current incidents and track past activities VPN 4.8 (22) 77.27% of 22 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Extend virtual private network over public networks to enable protected information exchange Real-Time Monitoring 4.7 (20) 70.00% of 20 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Active monitoring of systems, applications, or networks Access Controls/Permissions 4.6 (16) 56.25% of 16 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Define levels of authorization for access to specific files or systems TunnelBear 15 features ### All Features - Access Controls/Permissions: Define levels of authorization for access to specific files or systems - Activity Dashboard: Dashboard to view the status of ongoing processes, identify current incidents and track past activities - Activity Monitoring: Track and report on everything that happens within the system or network - Anti Spam: Techniques to prevent and filter unwanted or unsolicited email spam from reaching a user's inbox - Application Security: Identify and respond to security threats to developed applications - Data Security: Protect sensitive data for digital privacy - Encryption: Convert data into a code for security - Network Provisioning: Set up and configure network resources to make them accessible for authorized users, devices and servers - Real-Time Monitoring: Active monitoring of systems, applications, or networks - Secure Login: At least a username and password is required to access the system - Security Auditing: Systematic evaluation of the security of a company's overall security system and situation - Threat Intelligence: Information to prevent, understand and identify cyber threats - Threat Response: Identifying, analyzing, and mitigating security issues and taking appropriate action to protect systems and data from potential harm - User Management: Manage user accounts, profiles, roles, permissions, and other details across applications, devices or networks - VPN: Extend virtual private network over public networks to enable protected information exchange --- Features 4.3 (470) 4.3 Based on 470 reviews ## Pricing Value for money 4.3 (334) Free Trial Free Version [View pricing plan details](https://www.capterra.com/p/146806/TunnelBear/pricing/) Basic $138.00 Other,Per Year It includes: - 500mb Free - Closest Tunnel - Encrypt Your Connection - Everywhere - Ghostbear - Lightning Fast Speeds - Multiple Devices - Privacy - Safe Wifi Protection - Vigilant Mode - Worldwide Network Value for money 4.3 (334) 4.3 Based on 334 reviews ## Support, customer service and training options Customer Service 4.4 (257) Support - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat Training - In Person - Live Online - Webinars - Documentation - Videos Deployment - Web - Android - iPhone/iPad Typical users - Freelancers - Small businesses - Mid size businesses - Enterprises Customer Service 4.4 (257) 4.4 Based on 257 reviews ## User reviews Overall rating 4.5 Based on 470 reviews Filter by rating 5(282) 4(149) 3(34) 2(5) 1(0) Mentioned topic Sorted by most recent TH TIm H. Insight Executive Market Research ### "Simple to use and set up" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 0.0 0.0 Likelihood to Recommend 8/10 July 4, 2025 Very good - easy to use and set up and does exactly what you need it too without being too in-your-face about upgrading. Pros It is easy to use and has a fun and engaging user interface. The base allowance of 2GB before upgrading is ok for the more occasional on-the-go use. Cons Only having 2GB free when you are on trips or occasions which don't always warrant an entire month (or yearly) subscription. Perhaps a day or week option. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. DB Derek B. Onwer Real Estate ### "Good VPN with easy location selection" 3.0 Overall Rating 3.0 3.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 7/10 June 6, 2025 Pretty good, I guess they made VPN fun. Its a good product just wasn't perfect for me. I haven't uninstalled it but I didn't renew premium. Pros Its relatively simple to install and the constant gags about bears and digging are kinda of fetching at first. Allowing access country choice from free version is great. Cons Not entirely stable and I had some issues with more complex Apps I use. Also monthly cost is not that competitive. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. JA Julian A. IT Specialist Medical Practice ### "Great VPN App" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 9/10 April 9, 2025 Pros Awesome VPN that I use almost every day. It really works if you know how to use it. Cons Sometimes it spams asking you to buy the full version if you do not have it. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. Carlos Abel B. Encargado de la Calidad Educativa Higher Education ### "Uso de TunnelBear" 3.0 Overall Rating 3.0 3.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 0.0 0.0 Likelihood to Recommend 7/10 January 31, 2025 Fácil de usar y manejar; pero como mencione las limitantes para la navegación en cuantos a datos me pareció algo limitada. Pros La utilice por un tiempo, desde mi punto de vista su interface era agradable, fácil de utilizar, rápida y me permitió acceder a páginas que no me permitían acceder en mi zona geográfica. Cons Una de las principales razones por la cual la deje de usar fue su límite de navegación, la poca cantidad de datos que permite para un usuario; el costo también me pareció algo excesivo aunque no niego que me falto realizar una comparación con otras aplicaciones de VPN. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. ZM Zakaria M. Assistant Manager Management Consulting ### "A Daily User Perspective " 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 November 14, 2024 Pros I use TunnelBear on a daily basis to access geo-locked websites from my local IP. Unlike alternatives, TB does not require credit card to create a free trial. It offers a wide range of server locations for all continents. Cons I slightly dislike that it does not alert the user via the ROAR sound when disconnecting. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. LG Linet G. Accounts Payable Specialist Automotive ### "Accessing Geo-locked Websites made Easy by TB" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 9/10 September 30, 2024 Pros TunnelBear allows me to browse 💻anonymously which help protect my identity from online attackers. Also i am in a better situation to secure sensitive data such as my credit card information and address. Cons I only dislike that TunnelBear has limited server locations on free version compared to alternatives such as Hotspot Shield. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. AC Annalisa C. Regulatory consultant Pharmaceuticals ### "Good free VPN with limited data allowance " 3.0 Overall Rating 3.0 3.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 0.0 0.0 Likelihood to Recommend 3/10 August 23, 2024 It's a free VPN but the free allowance is only 2000 MB which may be limited for some people Pros It is free to use up to 2000 MB which allows for streaming a few movies Cons At one point I had to reinstall the software as it has stopped working Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. JM John M. Software Engineer Automotive ### "J.Mwangi TB Insight" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 July 29, 2024 TunnelBear protect my identity online from attackers. Pros TunnelBear allows me to effectively access geo-locked website by just switching to my favorite server IP. Cons This is the most robust VPN tool that I have ever used with zero flaws. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. AP Andy P. Director Marketing and Advertising ### "Good all round VPN" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 4.0 4.0 Likelihood to Recommend 8/10 June 5, 2024 Pros The Ui is good you can select your location either using a map or a drop down list. Its been pretty reliable for me and also when you turn it on it makes a raaahhh noise like a bear roaring! Cons With software its good to test drive it and Tunnelbear offers a free plan but the amount of data that you get with it is quite small (2GB a month) compared to other products like Windscribe (10GB a month). Alternatives considered [Windscribe](https://www.capterra.com/p/167609/Windscribe/) Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. LK Liam K. CMO Automotive ### "Tunnel your connection" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 9/10 May 23, 2024 TunnelBear is a good VPN app that I have used for more than one year and everything working as it should be. The connections are fast and secure. Pros An easy to setup VPN app, installing the app takes a minute or so. Connections are fast and you don't even know the connection is secured and hidden. Another nice feature is browser extension, i you dont want to install the app and use the VPN just for browsing, the extension is perfect. Cons Free tier has a small bandwidth, but nothing is free nowadays. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. [View all Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/146806/TunnelBear/reviews/) ## Top-rated software of 2026 ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox. Popular comparisons [Cisco AnyConnect vs TunnelBear](https://www.capterra.com/compare/146806-169495/TunnelBear-vs-VPN-and-Endpoint-Security-Clients)[GoodAccess vs TunnelBear](https://www.capterra.com/compare/146806-208155/TunnelBear-vs-GoodAccess)[OpenVPN Access Server vs TunnelBear](https://www.capterra.com/compare/146806-159435/TunnelBear-vs-access-server) [NordVPN vs TunnelBear](https://www.capterra.com/compare/146806-166743/TunnelBear-vs-NordVPN)[Windscribe vs TunnelBear](https://www.capterra.com/compare/146806-167609/TunnelBear-vs-Windscribe)