TunnelBear VPN Review: Are They Legit for Travelers?

VPNs have become more critical with the constant increase of cyber-attacks and data breaches. 

Honestly, I always thought that data theft stories were rare, but the more I research and travel, the more wary I become. I've tried various VPNs and can give an opinion on which one is worth the hassle. 

Theres many reviews on the advanced features of VPNs and how to get the most out of them. But is the extra cost worth it for your average traveler? In this article, I'll review TunnelBear's features as a traveler rather than an advanced user. 

A dedicated IP address is essential for users looking for online anonymity, but me? I just need the ability to stream content and access news while traveling to countries with strict media policies and banned content. 

Let's find out if TunnelBear is worth it for travelers!

What Is TunnelBear VPN? 

TunnelBear VPN was founded in 2011 in Canada as a security measure against cyber threats. It has servers across 47 countries, so way more coverage than many basic-level VPNs. 

TunnelBear works well with iOS, MAC, Android, Windows, and well-known browsers, like Safari, Firefox, and Chrome. It also provides limited support for Linux. Although it isn't comparable to some advanced VPNs, like NordVPN, CyberGhost, and ExpressVPN, it's definitely above average and a good potential choice for travelers!

How Does TunnelBear VPN Work?

TunnelBear creates an encrypted path or 'tunnel' between your device and its server. The data is decrypted at the server and safely sent to its original destination. 

Complicated, I know, but that's how every VPN works. Even if a hacker succeeds in intercepting the data, they won't be able to decipher it. By changing your IP address, a VPN can help safeguard your privacy and prevent ill-intentioned people from determining your physical location.

How Much Does TunnelBear VPN Cost?

TunnelBear is more generous than others and provides free 2 GB of monthly data usage. 

But for unlimited data, the individual plan costs $3.33/month. 

For teams–more than one person–the business plan costs $5.75/month. Keep in mind these are 3-year subscriptions. A 1-year plan for individual subscription costs $4.99/month, while a 2-year plan costs $4.17/month. The best part? There's no limit to how many devices you can use on one account! 

But before it sounds too good to be true, there's a small catch. As of now, it has no definite money-back guarantee policy. The company reviews every request individually, so the result fluctuates, and you may not get yours approved. 

What I Like About TunnelBear VPN

Beginner-Friendly Interface 

Can we talk about the illustrations first? Honestly, bears wearing hats and interacting with humans is so cool. 

TunnelBear is one of the most user-friendly VPNs out there. The What is a VPN page doesn't use technical terms and has everything spelled out for the user. This is really important for users who use VPN for security and bypass only and don't understand more complicated terms specific to advanced features. 

No-Logs And Transparent Policies

TunnelBear VPN has a solid no-log policy, so even if it's based in Canada, the 5 alliances cannot ask it to hand over its data because there's no data logged or stored about your activity.

TunnelBear VPN provides the utmost privacy, which is essential for any VPN. They have clear-cut and easy-to-understand policies explaining how their data is handled, which you won't find in most VPNs. As someone who hates reading long, complicated policies, I appreciate that they were so digestible. In fact, they are the only privacy policies I've ever fully read! 

Transparent Audits 

Audits are assessments conducted on VPN to evaluate its structure and if it contains any vulnerabilities. Simple enough? 

TunnelBear VPN has undergone 5 independent audits, one of which was pretty recent. Impressively, They successfully solved any problems that came to light after the audits. 

This speaks of the company's reliability and supports the claims made by the VPN.

VigilantBear Feature 

Do you ever wonder what happens when your VPN connection drops unexpectedly? Does this give persistent hackers a breakthrough into your data? Well, that's a possibility. The kill switch exists to prevent this, or as TunnelBear VPN calls it, the VigilantBear. 

The kill switch drops all traffic from the internet and prevents potential threats from gaining access to your information. Even in the face of unforeseen circumstances, you're protected by the bears!

What I Don't Like About TunnelBear VPN

Limited Compatibility With Streaming Services- Does Not Work With Netflix

This is my biggest drawback because I have many friends who use VPNs to bypass censorship. 

Although it does unblock other streaming websites, it isn't successful with major sites like Netflix and Netflix alternatives like Disney Plus. 

I was unable to access region-based content on Netflix. Definitely a disappointment from such a promising VPN. 

Lack Of Live Chat 

It's hard to believe such a successful VPN has no live chat support, but it's true. You can't get real-time help and must go the old-fashioned way through emails. 

Yes, you have to type out an email to customer support and wait for their reply, even for minor problems that could've been handled by an automated bot.

Slow Speed 

It's normal for VPNs to decrease internet speed, but I noticed tunnel bear reduces the internet speed far more significantly than its competitors. 

It affected my streaming speed, and it took a while to load up HD streams. Unless you only have light internet use, this would cause considerable hindrance to your activity. 

Is TunnelBear VPN Worth it For Travelers?

The answer to this question is subjective. If you're traveling to countries with extreme censorship, like China, Saudi Arabia, etc., and want to watch Netflix, TunnelBear would be of little help to you. 

But it's indeed an exceptional VPN that's easy to operate and can fulfill the primary function of a VPN—security. The unlimited device feature and VigilantBear is also a plus point! 

Our Rating: 3.1/5

Pros:

• Beginner friendly 
• No logs and transparent policies
• Transparent audits 
• VigilantBear 

Cons:

• Limited uncensorship 
• Lack of live chat 
• Slow speed 

Say No To Cyber Threats And Unorganized Trips! 

Now you know how TunnelBear VPN can protect you from malicious intents, you can start to craft your ideal travel experience for you, your family, and your friends.