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.

ExpressVPN vs TunnelBear VPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.9/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 9.0/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Daniel Krohn
    Daniel Krohn

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    ExpressVPN is a top VPN provider with one of the fastest services on the market. TunnelBear, on the other hand, is known for providing a very simple service and a free VPN version. For customer support, ExpressVPN has 24/7 live chat with responsive and knowledgeable agents, while TunnelBear relies on a web contact form and email to receive and respond to inquiries. For network size, there’s no contest: ExpressVPN has over 3,000+ servers in more than 105 countries, compared to TunnelBear’s 5,000 servers in 47 countries.

    However, both service providers share many similarities in the features they offer. Unlimited bandwidth and 256-bit encryption can be expected in both VPNs. Both also offer a kill switch and protection from third-party tracking. Dedicated apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android are also available with both ExpressVPN and TunnelBear, although ExpressVPN also offers easy installation on many additional devices like routers. Read on for all the details that put one of these VPNs on a level that the other just can’t reach.

    Our Score

    Features 9.9/10
    Pricing 9.4/10
    Ease of Use 10.0/10
    Reliability & Support 10.0/10
    Features 9.0/10
    Pricing 9.3/10
    Ease of Use 9.2/10
    Reliability & Support 7.8/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Keira Waddell
    Keira Waddell

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 9.9/10

    ExpressVPN is one of the most popular and trusted names in the industry. It’s known for being one of the safest, fastest VPNs around, so I wanted to see if it can live up to these claims. It’s not the cheapest VPN, but it often offers discounts that make it a better value for the money. Other decent VPNs offer similar security features for much cheaper. So, do you really need to pay that muc...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    J
    JKJHB
    8.0/10
    jhJ JJ

    I've been an ExpressVPN customer since 2017 and it's been great: quickly connects to a nearby server i... n the Wash DC region, embedded shortcuts to apps I want to use while using VPN, disconnects quickly, has the kill switch feature which is necessary these days, and has a fine mobile app which works well on my Android phones and tablets. However, I was just notified that the annual price is jumping from $99 to $117 upon the next renewal, so it's time to see how the others compare within VPN Mentor.More

    Latest negative user review
    C
    Charli
    6.0/10
    Ok, but expensive

    Seems ok, but I wouldn't say it's worth $20AUD a month. That's steep if you live in a backwater like A... ustralia, where the currency is not valuable. Easy enough to set up - you don't need to be Einstein - but unless you're a tech nerd who can take a look under the bonnet, you'll just have to trust what they say about their product. It frequently drops out without the slightest warning, often when it's the only thing online at the time - despite fast and flawless fiber internet, rendering expression entirely useless UNLESS you have it sitting on your desktop where you can keep an eagle eye on it to actually see it when it drops out so you can kick it back into service again (it doesn't do it by itself), which seems to defeat its purpose, so I'm taking away 2 stars for that. Support is good and they do get back to you as fast as they can.More

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

    Senior Writer

    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

    Pricing

    Starting price $6.67/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 8 devices
    Starting price $3.33/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 0 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    Apart from having a larger network, ExpressVPN also offers far more than TunnelBear in terms of security features and connection speed. TunnelBear’s key strength is its simplicity, and it offers a fairly reliable service with decent speeds. However, once you discover the new ExpressVPN coupon deals you shouldn't have too much trouble making up your mind.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    If you need to torrent privately at high speed, we confidently recommend ExpressVPN, as it supports torrenting and other P2P activities on its servers. ExpressVPN also supports most torrent applications, including uTorrent. Meanwhile, TunnelBear also supports torrenting on its servers but fails to match the speeds offered by ExpressVPN.

    Best VPN for Windows

    With a dedicated Windows app that features a network-lock kill switch and advanced leak protection, ExpressVPN is our choice for PC users. Nevertheless, TunnelBear’s Windows app does have its strengths, such as ad blocking, tracking protection, and strong 256-bit encryption.

    Best VPN for Android

    Whether you’re interested in streaming from your mobile device or just remaining private as you browse, ExpressVPN’s Android app features access to blazing-fast servers and WiFi protection. TunnelBear, on the other hand, also provides an Android app with an elegant design, fast servers, and ad blocking.

    Best VPN for Mac

    ExpressVPN has a really intuitive MacOS app with exceptional features such as split tunneling and advanced leak protection. The app is also visually appealing thanks to its colorful interface. With TunnelBear’s MacOS app, you get access to the provider’s unique GhostBear feature that enables it to bypass some very tough firewalls worldwide.

    Best VPN for iOS

    If you’re looking for a powerful iOS VPN that features 256-bit encryption with the UDP, TCP, IKEv2, and IPsec protocols, ExpressVPN’s dedicated app is our recommendation, and you can test it for yourself with a 7-day free trial. TunnelBear also offers an iOS app that features WiFi protection and a very simple design.

    Best VPN for USA

    ExpressVPN features multiple US servers that seamlessly work with Netflix and a host of other US web services, including Hulu and Max. TunnelBear can be a hit or miss with Netflix US, but it’s a good option for other US sites like Peacock and Amazon Prime Video.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    When it comes to connection speed and security, ExpressVPN offers a service that’s hard for any VPN to beat, making it the clear winner in this contest. It’s our top choice if you’re looking to securely stream your locally licensed content in HD. In addition, since it is based in the self-ruling British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN has no data retention laws to worry about and can maintain an absolutely strict no-logs policy.

    In short, even if you’ve tried and liked TunnelBear, a top provider like ExpressVPN might change your beliefs about what a VPN can do.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

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

    FAQ

    Is ExpressVPN better than TunnelBear VPN?

    Yes, ExpressVPN is better overall than TunnelBear VPN. It has 3000 servers in 105 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $6.67 a month.

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

    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 ExpressVPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is ExpressVPN faster than TunnelBear VPN?

    Yes, ExpressVPN is faster than TunnelBear VPN. 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 ExpressVPN or TunnelBear VPN offer any deals?

    Both ExpressVPN and TunnelBear VPN 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 49% 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

    Technical writer with a passion for online privacy.