ExpressVPN vs. TunnelBear 2025: Is It Bear-ly a Competition?

When comparing ExpressVPN and TunnelBear, ExpressVPN emerges as the top choice for its high-speed connections, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and more. 

On the other paw, TunnelBear is a great fit if you're seeking an affordable VPN that is simple and packaged in a cute, user-friendly interface. 

We'll dive deep into the grizzly details of ExpressVPN and TunnelBear to help you decide which VPN is the right fit for you.

ExpressVPN vs. TunnelBear at a glance

• ExpressVPN: Best for bandwidth-heavy activities
• TunnelBear: Best for anonymous browsing on a budget

	Our Pick
Price	Starts at $3.49/mo	Starts at $3.33/mo
Max # of connected devices	14	Unlimited
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox
# of servers	Unlisted in 105 countries	8,000+ servers in 46+ countries
VPN protocol	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?
	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review	Get TunnelBear Read TunnelBear Review

ExpressVPN pros and cons

ExpressVPN boasts an extensive range of server locations, fast connection speeds, robust security features, and 24/7 customer support.

TunnelBear pros and cons

TunnelBear offers wallet-friendly pricing and an adorable user interface. It even offers a free version with limited data for users who want to save money on a VPN and dip their toes in before taking the plunge.

Which VPN is a better value?

You can get max savings with ExpressVPN without having to commit to a 3-year contract. ExpressVPN also offers a money-back guarantee, which TunnelBear doesn't, so you can try out the VPN service risk-free. 

	Our Pick
Price range	$3.49–$12.95/mo	$3.33-$9.99/mo
Best value plan	24-month plan for $3.49/mo	3-year plan for $3.33/mo
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30 days	No — refunds are provided on a case-by-case basis
	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review	Get TunnelBear Read TunnelBear Review

With TunnelBear, you can choose term lengths of 1 month, 1 year, or 3 years. The best value plan is the three-year option, which costs $3.33/mo. This is also a great value because TunnelBear allows for unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can cover your entire household. 

You can even opt for a free TunnelBear plan with 2 GB of data per month. It isn't much, but it can help keep your device secure during simple browsing. 

On the other hand, ExpressVPN ranges $3.49–$12.95/mo. The price is determined by your preferred term length, with higher-tier plans boasting more simultaneous connections and extra security features.

ExpressVPN's best value plan is $3.49/mo.

ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can use that time to decide whether the price is worth it. Sadly, TunnelBear doesn't offer a money-back guarantee for its plans and only provides refunds on a case-by-case basis. (We can bear-ly handle it.)

ExpressVPN vs. TunnelBear: payment options

ExpressVPN offers a variety of payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrency for added privacy. The option to pay with cryptocurrency allows users to maintain their anonymity to a greater extent.

TunnelBear has more limited options for payment, which include credit card but no cryptocurrency options. 

ExpressVPN payment options

• Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.)
• PayPal
• BitPay
• Paymentwall

TunnelBear payment options

• Credit cards
• Jars of honey (yes, it literally says that)

Which VPN is faster?

Historically, ExpressVPN has consistently delivered faster speeds than TunnelBear during repeat in-house testing. We tested both VPNs to determine their impact on our standard internet speed. They should be fast enough to support bandwidth-intensive activities, such as streaming, gaming, and torrenting, while still keeping your device secure. 

We start our speed tests by recording our internet speed with no VPN connection. Then we connect to servers worldwide to measure how much each VPN slows our normal speed. Here is the average speed change for both VPN providers.

	Our Pick
Average speed change	12% slower	23% slower
	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review	Get TunnelBear Read TunnelBear Review

Rather than taking a hit on our speeds, ExpressVPN has historically increased our download speeds with every server location. Although the impact was small, it was still nice to see ExpressVPN have the opposite impact we expected. Unfortunately, ExpressVPN didn't perform as well during recent testing, but we think it's a fluke due to protocol updates. 

In previous testing, TunnelBear reduced our download speeds by an average of 22% to 43% across the board. Our speeds were more than cut in half with Australia. But it's typical with a VPN when you choose servers farther from your physical location, since your data will have to travel farther. Although we had no lag or buffering when connecting to an Australian server with ExpressVPN. 

TunnelBear had improved performance during recent testing, but ExpressVPN is more reliable overall and the top VPN choice for professional gamers.

Which VPN is more secure?

ExpressVPN has its own protocol for better speeds, a wider spread of server countries, and a privacy-friendly no-logs policy.

Feature	Our Pick
Number of server countries	Unlisted in 105 countries	8,000+ servers in 46+ countries
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
VPN headquarters	British Virgin Islands	Canada
Encryption	AES-256	AES-256
VPN protocol	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
Kill switch
Split tunneling
DNS leak protection
Ad blocker
	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review	Get TunnelBear Read TunnelBear Review

ExpressVPN and TunnelBear both have the standard features you can expect with a VPN, including a kill switch, split tunneling, and a variety of VPN protocols.

A kill switch can block your internet connection if your VPN drops. This helps keep your online activities safe from prying eyes if you're on an unsecure network. Split tunneling lets you choose which apps use a VPN connection and which don't. That way, you can use your local banking app while streaming content from another country, for instance.  

For VPN protocols, ExpressVPN uses its proprietary Lightway, which provides faster, more secure connections. TunnelBear offers WireGuard, which is a similarly speedy protocol.

The differences emerge when you review their server networks and headquarters.

ExpressVPN doesn't share its server count, but you'll have access to 105 countries worldwide. TunnelBear has 8,000+ servers, which is a high count, but it's spread across only 46+ countries. 

Additionally, ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which has no obligatory data retention laws. It also has a no-logs policy that's routinely audited (the most recent audit was completed in February 2025 by KPMG).

TunnelBear's no-logs policy was most recently audited in May 2023 by Cure53, a couple of years behind ExpressVPN. Additionally, TunnelBear is based in Canada, which is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, so it could be subject to internet activity surveillance.

Which VPN has the better compatibility and customer support?

ExpressVPN offers the whole package when it comes to extensive compatibility for practically all of your devices and attentive customer service available 24/7.

	Our Pick
Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Linux
Router
Smart devices
Browser extensions	Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Vivaldi	Chrome, Firefox, Edge
24/7 support
Customer support options	24/7 live chat, email, online guides	Email, online guides
	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review	Get TunnelBear Read TunnelBear Review

Both ExpressVPN and TunnelBear offer apps across your standard platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. ExpressVPN also supports Linux, while TunnelBear offers limited support. 

Both were easy to install, and their user interfaces (UIs) were intuitive and easy to navigate. 

TunnelBear had a more attractive UI, though, with its cuddly, cute design. 

ExpressVPN's compatibility with routers and smart devices lets you secure multiple devices simultaneously and enjoy VPN benefits on devices that may not have native VPN support. But TunnelBear lacks support for routers and smart devices, limiting its usability for some users.

ExpressVPN offers 24/7 customer service via live chat and email. Many of its users have reported a great experience with its customer service. Additionally, it offers comprehensive troubleshooting guides in its support center and blog.

Meanwhile, TunnelBear lacks 24/7 support; you can only contact it by email, which could make it difficult if you're looking for immediate assistance. However, they do have a knowledge base, which users can access to find answers to their questions.

ExpressVPN vs. TunnelBear alternatives

We've tested dozens of VPNs and think ExpressVPN is one of the best for reliable performance. But if you want more from your VPN provider, look to NordVPN for more specialty servers like double VPN, Surfshark for a top-rated bundled ad blocker, or Proton VPN for advanced privacy features. 

FAQs

Is ExpressVPN or TunnelBear better?

ExpressVPN is the better VPN provider of the two based on performance and perks. Now with its 2-year plan, ExpressVPN offers a better deal for long-term VPN users. With ExpressVPN, you get a reliable, secure VPN ideal for streaming, gaming, or torrenting. In historical testing, ExpressVPN has actually improved our download speeds. 

Although ExpressVPN no longer bundles a password manager and ad blocker with its cheapest plan, the most affordable tier boasts up to 10 simultaneous connections.