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5 Free Alternatives to TunnelBear: Not Under Big US Corpos
There’s big news, not all of it good, for fans of the popular TunnelBear VPN service.
Online security giant McAfee purchased the Canadian based company for an undisclosed sum.
McAfee plans on integrating TunnelBear with their Safe Connect VPN. According to McAfee CEO Christopher Young, "this acquisition will serve both our end users and partners by embedding its best-in-class, hardened network into our Safe Connect product."
TunnelBear will continue to work on their own branded VPN as well as their standalone apps, like RememBear, a password managing app.
However, this deal can have a negative impact on TunnelBear’s loyal customer base. Until now, they have been operating under a Canadian jurisdiction and their privacy policy was transparent and subject to Canadian laws.
Under the McAfee name, TunnelBear will now have to rewrite their privacy policy and fall in line with the stricter US guidelines, keeping logs, and having to turn over certain information should a warrant ever be served.
With that in mind, here are the top VPN’s that are not controlled by major US corporations.
Editors Choice: ExpressVPN
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.
Try Risk-Free for 30 DaysTested December 2024
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Incredible speeds and security features
- Access geoblocked content on any major website, including Netflix
- Based in the British Virgin Islands, which is far away from government scrutiny
ExpressVPN is a reliable VPN that you can try risk-free with its money-back guarantee. While it isn’t technically free, ExpressVPN provides amazingly good value, when you consider that you can get a plan for as low as $4.99/month that comes with industry-leading features. If you aren’t impressed with it, you can claim a full refund within 30 days.
Military-grade encryption, lightning fast speeds, and a strict no-logs policy mean you can safely browse anything and everything online, without any disruption to your experience, completely private and anonymous. ExpressVPN is also based in the British Virgin Islands, so you never have to worry about it changing policies to comply with US anti-privacy laws.
Specializing in unlimited, super fast streaming and breaking through the toughest geoblocks in the world, it’s easy to see why ExpressVPN is so popular with our readers.
Try it out for yourself, risk-free, and we think you’ll agree.
5 FREE Alternatives to TunnelBear that are not based in the US
1. Windscribe
- 10 GB per month
- P2P sharing
- No logs
The free Windscribe VPN is compatible across all the major platforms. They have great Android and iOS apps as well as apps for Windows and Linux. There are 11 servers located around the world for the free version, including the US, Canada, and the UK. Click here for reviews from real users.
2. Hide.me
- 3 Servers
- PPTP, L2TO, SSTP AND IPsec protocols
- Great customer support
If you’re looking for a quick VPN then the free hide.me VPN service is for you. There is no credit card needed to register, and you’ll receive 2GB of data transfer per month. Curious about what others think of Hide.me? Click hereto find out.
3. Proton VPN
- 3 servers
- Strict no log policy
- 1 device
Proton VPN is a beautifully designed VPN that provides excellent security for users all over the world. It began as a crowdfunded project and has grown into one of the top free VPN options. For more on why customers are so loyal, click here.
4. Opera
- Choose servers based on regions instead of countries
- No 3RD Party data centers
- No Logs
Opera is the only major browser that has a built-in VPN service. There is no registration or subscription needed to activate the VPN, it just needs to be activated in the browsers privacy settings. Click here to find out what users really think of Opera.
5. GooseVPN
- Free for up to 30 days, and a 30-day money back guarantee — together 60 days of free service
- No logs
- Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer
GooseVPN is based in the Netherlands, which is outside the 14-Eye network. With a clean, streamlined interface and top-notch customer support, it's a really easy VPN to use. To find out what users have to say, click here.
Provided you acknowledge the limitations associated with a free VPN, any of these options should suffice for your needs. However, if you desire optimal speeds, top-notch service, a wide range of server locations, and competitive prices, we recommend referring to our comprehensive suggestions for the best VPNs overall.
Our Top 5 Recommendations for Premium VPN Services
Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!
Your IP Address:
Your Location:
Your Internet Provider:
The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.
VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 61% off.
About the Author
Kristina Perunicic is a former editor for vpnMentor. She’s a cybersecurity expert with an interest in VPNs and their importance in the digital privacy landscape.
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