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Best for Bandwidth-Heavy Activities
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Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
Best for Anonymous Browsing on a Budget
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Unlimited devices with paid subscription
Strict no-logs policy
We decided to pit two popular virtual private network (VPN) services against each other in a match-up: ExpressVPN vs. TunnelBear. ExpressVPN emerged as the top choice for users seeking a wide range of server locations and the ability to unblock streaming restrictions. On the other paw, TunnelBear is a great fit for users 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.
Both ExpressVPN and TunnelBear have unique strengths in the VPN arena. ExpressVPN boasts an extensive range of server locations, excels at bypassing network blocks on various streaming platforms, and provides robust security features coupled with 24/7 customer support.
In contrast, TunnelBear offers military-grade security suitable for simple online activities, wallet-friendly pricing, and an adorable user interface. It even has a free version with limited data for users who want to save money on a VPN and prefer to dip their toes in before taking the plunge.
 ExpressVPN Our Pick
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 TunnelBear |
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| Price | Starts at $6.67/mo (billed annually) | Starts at $3.33/mo |
| Max # of connected devices | 8 | Unlimited |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more |
| # of servers | Servers in 105 countries | Servers in 47 countries |
| VPN protocol | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix? | Yes — U.S. only | |
| Get ExpressVPN | Read TunnelBear Review |
TunnelBear and ExpressVPN offer different pricing ranges. ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/mo (billed annually), while TunnelBear is more affordable, starting at Free. Additionally, TunnelBear offers a free VPN plan, but ExpressVPN doesn't. In terms of customer support, ExpressVPN provides 24/7 support through live chat and email, while TunnelBear only offers email support and a knowledge base.
TunnelBear also has the edge when it comes to the number of connected devices, offering unlimited simultaneous connections. ExpressVPN only allows up to five devices at once. But when comparing server locations, ExpressVPN has a wider range with servers in 105 countries, while TunnelBear has servers in over 40 locations.
As for security, both utilize secure and fast VPN protocols. ExpressVPN supports Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, while TunnelBear supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Both VPNs have no-logs policies that have been audited as well.
Overall, ExpressVPN offers more comprehensive features and broader compatibility, but TunnelBear is budget-friendly, offering a free plan and unlimited device connections.
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Our Pick
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| Price range | $6.67–$12.95/mo | $3.33-$9.99/mo |
| Best value plan | 12-month plan for $6.67/mo (billed annually) | 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 TunnelBear Review |
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TunnelBear has a competitive edge due to its lower costs compared to ExpressVPN. You can even opt for a free TunnelBear plan with 2 GB of data, while ExpressVPN doesn't offer any free plans.
ExpressVPN, on the other hand, offers more advanced features and can bypass more restrictions on various streaming platforms than TunnelBear does. This can justify its higher monthly cost for a 12-month plan compared to TunnelBear, which is $4.99/mo for a 12-month plan.
When it comes to offering money-back guarantees, ExpressVPN provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a great choice for new users who want to test a VPN service before fully committing to an annual plan. 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.)
| Feature | Our Pick
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| Number of server countries | Servers in 105 countries | Servers in 47 locations |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs |
| VPN headquarters | British Virgin Islands | Toronto, Canada |
| Encryption | AES 256-bit encryption | AES 256-bit encryption |
| VPN protocol | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Kill switch | ||
| Split tunneling | ||
| Netflix support | Yes — U.S. only | |
| Torrenting support | ||
| Get ExpressVPN | Read TunnelBear Review |
After evaluating ExpressVPN vs. TunnelBear, we found that both performed well for simple online activities such as browsing the web, checking email, messaging, and using social media. Their speeds were also comparable when we tested their servers in the U.S., Australia, the U.K., and Canada.
However, ExpressVPN emerged as the more powerful VPN service overall due to its larger server network and a plethora of features that make it ideal for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Some of ExpressVPN's standout features include split tunneling, a kill switch, private DNS, a tracker blocker, and its secure proprietary lightweight VPN protocol, Lightway.
Additionally, ExpressVPN has a no-logs policy that's routinely audited (the most recent audit was completed in late 2022 by KPMG and Cure53) and is more adept at bypassing network blocks for streaming services like Netflix than TunnelBear.
TunnelBear supports fast and lightweight protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. It also offers a kill switch (known as VigilantBear), split tunneling (known as SplitBear), and a tracker blocker as an add-on for Chrome.
TunnelBear's no-logs policy was most recently audited in 2023, which is more recent than ExpressVPN's latest audit in late 2022. However, TunnelBear falls short in its ability to unblock restrictions on various streaming services (Netflix only worked with its U.S. servers), an area in which ExpressVPN excels.
Despite its shortcomings, we give TunnelBear an “A” when it comes to design and appearance since every time you connect to a server, a bear pops out of a pipe-like pot. It also lets you select various themes and styles of icons, and a couple of them are LGBTQ- and trans-friendly, which we’ve never seen in a VPN service before.
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| Platform | Our Pick
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| Netflix | Yes — U.S. only | |
| Amazon Prime Video | ||
| Hulu | ||
| BBC iPlayer | ||
| Disney+ | ||
| HBO Max | ||
| Get ExpressVPN | Read TunnelBear Review |
When we put ExpressVPN and TunnelBear to the test to see whether or not they could support streaming, ExpressVPN was clearly the winner thanks to its extensive network of servers around the world.
Sadly, TunnelBear was incapable of sidestepping network blocks for nearly all streaming platforms except for Netflix in the U.S. When we tried to access Netflix from servers in the U.K., Australia, and Canada, TunnelBear struggled to bypass restrictions for nearly all streaming platforms and didn’t stand a chance.
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Although ExpressVPN didn’t flawlessly access all streaming services from each server location we tested, it was able to access Netflix from servers in the U.S. and Australia (but not in Canada or the U.K.). We were also able to access Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max from the U.S. and the U.K., but not in Australia or Canada.
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Hulu is available in the U.S. only, and BBC iPlayer could only be accessed when connected to a server in the U.K. Disney+ displayed the message, "It looks like you are traveling," when accessed from various server locations, which was an interesting find.
We tested the internet speeds of ExpressVPN and TunnelBear to determine if they were fast enough to support bandwidth-heavy activities like streaming, gaming, and torrenting. We tested each VPN service from the U.S. connecting to other U.S. servers as well as servers in the U.K. and Australia.
| Server location |
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Our Pick
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| US | 98% slower | 8.79% slower |
| UK | 83% slower | 32.68% slower |
| AU | 39% slower | 37.34% slower |
| Get ExpressVPN | Read TunnelBear Review |
We were surprised by how much ExpressVPN slowed down our speeds, especially in the U.S. It's typical for a VPN if you choose servers that are further from your physical location, so ExpressVPN's speed results are definitely out of the ordinary.
On the other hand, we were pleasantly surprised that TunnelBear maintained our speed pretty well with each server. It beat out ExpressVPN in each server location.
Our Pick
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| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Android | ||
| iOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| Router | ||
| Smart devices | ||
| Browser extensions | Yes — Chrome, Firefox | Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge |
| 24/7 support | ||
| Customer support options | Live chat, email, online guides | Email, online guides |
| Get ExpressVPN | Read TunnelBear Review |
Both ExpressVPN and TunnelBear offer user-friendly interfaces across various 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 (UI) were intuitive and a breeze to navigate. TunnelBear had a more attractive UI, though, with its cuddly, cute design. ExpressVPN stands out when it comes to compatibility with a wider range of devices, including routers, smart devices, and gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox.
ExpressVPN's compatibility with routers and smart devices allows you to secure multiple devices simultaneously and enjoy the VPN's benefits on equipment that may not have native VPN support. Other devices and browsers not listed on the table are supported as well; ExpressVPN for Chromebook is available and works with the ExpressVPN app for Android.
TunnelBear, on the other hand, lacks router and smart device compatibility, limiting its usability to a certain extent. However, if you don't require VPN support on such devices, TunnelBear's interface is still easy to use and navigate.
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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 has comprehensive guides for troubleshooting in its support center and its blog.
Meanwhile, TunnelBear lacks 24/7 live chat and phone support; it can only be contacted by email, which could make it difficult for users to get immediate assistance. However, they do have a knowledge base, which users can access to find answers to their questions.
ExpressVPN offers a variety of payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrency for added privacy. The option to pay with cryptocurrency ensures that users can maintain their anonymity to a greater extent.
TunnelBear has more limited options for payment, which include credit card and Link support but no cryptocurrency options. Interestingly, they also accept jars of honey as a payment method, (which we are sure Pooh Bear would love).
Yes, ExpressVPN is a popular VPN service that is often recommended for being trustworthy. It has a strict no-logs policy that has been verified and is routinely audited.
No, TunnelBear torrent support doesn’t seem available since it lacks P2P servers and SOCKS5 proxy.
ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to request a refund within the first 30 days should you be dissatisfied with their VPN service.
TunnelBear's free plan is available for as long as you use it, offering 2 GB of data per month.
ExpressVPN is a VPN provider that can impress with its ability to bypass network blocks from major streaming platforms, extensive server coverage, a plethora of advanced features for security and privacy, 24/7 customer support, and versatile payment options, including cryptocurrency.
TunnelBear is a better choice if you’re seeking an affordable VPN option for basic online needs with a user-friendly interface that's as cute as a teddy bear. However, it falls short when it comes to unblocking streaming services, router and smart device compatibility, and customer support. Additionally, TunnelBear is limited in accepting various payment options (like cryptocurrency), which can deter ultra-private users.
Do TunnelBear and ExpressVPN not check all your boxes? No worries. We've listed some alternatives here we find to be some of the best VPNs you can buy:
Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
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