We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
Advertising Disclosure

vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

TunnelBear VPN vs AirVPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.0/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 7.0/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info

    Which VPN Is Better?

    Author Image Kate Richards
    Kate Richards

    Former Managing Editor

    TunnelBear and AirVPN are very different VPN providers in their service delivery and overall performance. While AirVPN offers over 200 servers in 20 countries, TunnelBear maintains a lean network of 20 superfast servers in 20 countries. Both have apps for MacOS and Windows devices, but only TunnelBear offers mobile apps for iOS and Android. Features like ad blocking and tracking protection are also only available with TunnelBear. Furthermore, while TunnelBear offers a free limited version, AirVPN only offers a 3-day trial.

    These VPNs do share some key similarities, however. They both support torrenting, unlimited bandwidth, and are capable of unblocking Netflix and other US-based web services. Both providers also support multiple VPN protocols including OpenVPN and L2TP. Unfortunately, TunnelBear and AirVPN also both lack any form of live chat support and can only be contacted via email or contact forms on their websites. Keep on reading to see a more detailed, side-by-side comparison.

    Our Score

    Features 9.0/10
    Pricing 9.3/10
    Ease of Use 9.2/10
    Reliability & Support 7.8/10
    Features 7.0/10
    Pricing 7.4/10
    Ease of Use 6.8/10
    Reliability & Support 8.2/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Lawrence Wachira
    Lawrence Wachira

    Editor

    Our Score: 9.0/10

    TunnelBear is one of the most beginner-friendly VPNs, offering a solid free version. Despite its adorable design, it’s also renowned for its security and privacy features. But can you truly rely on this lighthearted VPN to protect you the way the best providers can? After extensive tests, I can confirm that TunnelBear is an excellent VPN with great potential. It’s straightforward to use, d...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    I
    Iqra Muneer
    10.0/10
    100% Working VPN

    TunnelBear is no doubt a great VPN for all the users, when I am facing server difficulty this helps me...  very much. It provides Good OpenVPN speed. Also, Control full security every year. This software package does not require detailed knowledge; all you have to do is click on the program and establish the connection. You can access global content from anywhere.More

    Latest negative user review
    D
    David Ross
    2.0/10
    DANGEROUS for CANADIANS

    I live in the GTA, everything was fine "until" I installed TunnelBear on one of my 7 devices, now I ca... n no longer watch any USA TV stations on line on any of my other 6 devices, this company is scum, they hid something in there that disabled all my other devices unless I buy their VPN, well, not going to buy their garbage, can't believe how much it slowed my device, I would rather wipe all my drives than give TunnelBear one cent!More

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Lawrence Wachira
    Lawrence Wachira

    Editor

    Our Score: 7.0/10

    AirVPN is a budget-friendly option that claims to provide robust protection against online threats. Plus, it says it offers high-performance servers. But can it really rival the top VPNs, or is the price so low because it’s not that good? After testing all its features, I found that AirVPN is secure, but it can't match the best VPNs. It has many great security features, solid speeds, and work...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    M
    Marco
    8.0/10
    I am AirVpn cusomers since 2015, and on my gear works remarkably well

    I am working in the biggest country in Asia since 2006. I constantly use AirVpn on my MacBook Pro sinc... e 2015, and on my iPhone - iPad. I never had an issue, of any kind, with it, and I was quite amazed to read the article above. Lately, it is very difficult to get it properly run on iPhone and iPad, but this is more the result of this country where I live in restrictions than the vpn in itself. While in Hong Kong was still working fine, but as soon as I crossed the border troubles started. I will tweak that as soon as I will be out again. In the rest of the world, I never had issues. So I do not give the 5th star just because of my at present troubles using it on my iPhone and iPad. For the rest, I will stick with it.More

    Latest negative user review
    A
    Ari
    2.0/10
    14 Eyes country

    Italy is a 14 Eyes country and that is enough reason to not buy AirVPN. No servers in Russia, so you c... ant bypass the Western censorship of Russian media. VPN should be about bypassing censorship, but this is not the case with AirVPN.More

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $2.5/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 0 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices
    Starting price $2.91/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    TunnelBear offers a reliable VPN service with very fast servers suitable for streaming in HD and also more advanced security features than AirVPN. Meanwhile, AirVPN also offers a decent service overall, capable of bypassing geoblocks worldwide.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    TunnelBear supports torrenting and is our recommendation as a better VPN for P2P sharing because of its very fast servers. AirVPN also supports torrenting on its servers and does not restrict any P2P activities.

    Best VPN for Windows

    If you need a very secure Windows VPN client with 256-bit encryption and features like ad blocking and WiFi protection, TunnelBear is a very solid choice. AirVPN also offers a Windows app that features unlimited server switching and support for port forwarding.

    Best VPN for Android

    TunnelBear is our choice for Android users, as it provides a dedicated app that features WiFi protection, strong encryption, and a very simple design. AirVPN does not yet offer a dedicated Android app but can still be configured manually using the universal OpenVPN app. However, it lacks the user-friendliness of TunnelBear.

    Best VPN for Mac

    MacOS users will enjoy using TunnelBear’s dedicated app that includes security features like tracking protection. It also includes a unique feature that makes your encrypted data less detectable by firewalls set to block VPNs. AirVPN also has a dedicated MacOS app that supports all VPN protocols and offers access to the provider’s entire server network.

    Best VPN for iOS

    TunnelBear is the clear choice for iOS devices as it provides a dedicated app with a very simple design and access to lightning-fast servers. AirVPN doesn’t offer an iOS app but does allow easy configuration from the OpenVPN app. The manually configured app is less user-friendly than TunnelBear’s dedicated client and would be better suited to technically advanced VPN users.

    Best VPN for USA

    TunnelBear is capable of unblocking a host of US-based websites and services at high speed. At present, it unblocks Netflix, but it has shown some inconsistency doing so in the past. AirVPN also offers a reliable service for unblocking US content from anywhere in the world, with a smart technology that allows any of its servers to unblock Netflix US.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    AirVPN has its strengths, but TunnelBear wins this comparison by offering a well-rounded service that includes a fine mix of features and dedicated apps for every platform. Although neither VPN offers live support, TunnelBear aims to respond to all inquiries within 24 hours. It also offers consistently higher speeds, especially when put to the test for streaming.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with TunnelBear VPN
    Go with AirVPN
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is TunnelBear VPN better than AirVPN?

    Yes, TunnelBear VPN is better overall than AirVPN. It has 8000 servers in 47 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $2.5 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between TunnelBear VPN and AirVPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then TunnelBear VPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is TunnelBear VPN faster than AirVPN?

    Yes, TunnelBear VPN is faster than AirVPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do TunnelBear VPN or AirVPN offer any deals?

    Both TunnelBear VPN and AirVPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 61% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.

    We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
    Learn more
    vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

    About the Author

    Kate is a former Managing Editor at vpnMentor. Kate promoted the use of VPNs as a means to achieve unhindered access to the internet, as she strongly believes in online freedom for everyone.