Ariel Hochstadt
Ex-Google, International tech speaker
Like everything else, you get what you pay for in the VPN market and this could not be truer for a client like Turbo VPN. This free VPN for Android gives you the bare minimum when it comes to online protection, connection stability and access to geo-blocked content. Hotspot Shield’s Elite service unlocks better features, including access to Netflix, OpenVPN connection coupled with AES-256 encryption, malware protection, a no-logging policy and servers in many countries. Hotspot Shield permits five devices per licence and works across all browsers and platforms except Linux. TunnelBear shares many of these features but its affordable monthly plans are unmatched. While the connection speeds are average at best, TunnelBear is serious about online privacy, giving users the choice of L2TP, IPSEC and IKEv2 across all platforms. In addition, with a stealth mode feature, users can get around the Great Firewall of China.
Features
8.0
Pricing
9.0
Ease of Use
9.0
Reliability & Support
8.6
Features
9.0
Pricing
7.5
Ease of Use
8.4
Reliability & Support
9.0
Features
6.4
Pricing
10.0
Ease of Use
7.0
Reliability & Support
4.6
Rating
Features
8.0
9.0
6.4
Pricing
9.0
7.5
10.0
Ease of Use
9.0
8.4
7.0
Reliability & Support
8.6
9.0
4.6
Reviews
Review by our expert
Katie Kasunic
Technology Researcher
8.8
Hotspot Shield is a popular VPN service with over 650 million users and multiple servers in 55+ countries.
In fact, the website claims it is the #1 grossing app for productivity in the US App Store. (When we checked the App Store source, it actually indicated #8, which is still an impressive ranking.)
One of the features that make Hotspot Shield special is its unique Catapult Hydra protocol,
Fast VPN!Based on my trial tests, I am very pleased with the speed and access to streaming sites like Hulu and Amazon Prime. I knew I will get good speed in the US. I am impressed with the speed internationally. I haven’t tried additional services yet.
Latest negative user review
Michael Rickard
2.0
Continually putting you back to basicNothing but problems, turning off and being exposed, complained and complained, continually finding it reverts back to basic without telling you and you need to put info back in. BE WARNED. When my time expires,I am going elsewhere.
TunnelBear is a high-speed VPN that operates servers in 20+ locations. It offers some of the best security features around, including high-end encryption and an automatic kill switch.
Streaming - Does TunnelBear Work with Netflix?
Netflix US: No.
Hulu: No.
HBO GO: Yes.
BBC iPlayer: No.
Unfortunately, TunnelBear wasn’t able to unblock Netflix US, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer during my t
It works great all the time for me!No problems at all using netflix through the VPN! I have had the error message appear in previous VNPs such as Disconnect, but no problems at all with Tunnelbear, not in the paid version or even in the free version, and this is without even using their Ghostbear feature that is supposed to solve these kind of problems (or if you are in China for example).
Latest negative user review
Michael Rickard
2.0
Continually putting you back to basicNothing but problems, turning off and being exposed, complained and complained, continually finding it reverts back to basic without telling you and you need to put info back in. BE WARNED. When my time expires,I am going elsewhere.
Turbo VPN is a China-based, mobile-only service that enjoys a lot of popularity on Android and iOS. Considering the domicile of this particular service (and the fact that it only runs on mobile devices) that may stop a lot of you in your tracks right now. If so: we recommend an alternative provider based in a country less hostile towards privacy like NordVPN.
That’s mostly because of the free
It's the ideal free vpn.Many people complains that the speed is slow but I would like to say that VPNs are slow generally and this is much much better than others. Simple, few or non ads and good servers! I'm satisfied in it's normal speed even though I am not a premium user. The speed is quite reasonable for free VPN.
Latest negative user review
Michael Rickard
2.0
Continually putting you back to basicNothing but problems, turning off and being exposed, complained and complained, continually finding it reverts back to basic without telling you and you need to put info back in. BE WARNED. When my time expires,I am going elsewhere.
Hotspot Shield is a popular VPN service with over 650 million users and multiple servers in 55+ countries.
In fact, the website claims it is the #1 grossing app for productivity in the US App Store. (When we checked the App Store source, it actually indicated #8, which is still an impressive ranking.)
One of the features that make Hotspot Shield special is its unique Catapult Hydra protocol,
TunnelBear is a high-speed VPN that operates servers in 20+ locations. It offers some of the best security features around, including high-end encryption and an automatic kill switch.
Streaming - Does TunnelBear Work with Netflix?
Netflix US: No.
Hulu: No.
HBO GO: Yes.
BBC iPlayer: No.
Unfortunately, TunnelBear wasn’t able to unblock Netflix US, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer during my t
Turbo VPN is a China-based, mobile-only service that enjoys a lot of popularity on Android and iOS. Considering the domicile of this particular service (and the fact that it only runs on mobile devices) that may stop a lot of you in your tracks right now. If so: we recommend an alternative provider based in a country less hostile towards privacy like NordVPN.
That’s mostly because of the free
Fast VPN!Based on my trial tests, I am very pleased with the speed and access to streaming sites like Hulu and Amazon Prime. I knew I will get good speed in the US. I am impressed with the speed internationally. I haven’t tried additional services yet.
Ignacio
10.0
It works great all the time for me!No problems at all using netflix through the VPN! I have had the error message appear in previous VNPs such as Disconnect, but no problems at all with Tunnelbear, not in the paid version or even in the free version, and this is without even using their Ghostbear feature that is supposed to solve these kind of problems (or if you are in China for example).
Emily
10.0
It's the ideal free vpn.Many people complains that the speed is slow but I would like to say that VPNs are slow generally and this is much much better than others. Simple, few or non ads and good servers! I'm satisfied in it's normal speed even though I am not a premium user. The speed is quite reasonable for free VPN.
Latest negative user review
Michael Rickard
2.0
Continually putting you back to basicNothing but problems, turning off and being exposed, complained and complained, continually finding it reverts back to basic without telling you and you need to put info back in. BE WARNED. When my time expires,I am going elsewhere.
David Ross
2.0
DANGEROUS for CANADIANSI live in the GTA, everything was fine "until" I installed TunnelBear on one of my 7 devices, now I can 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!
Julius Jones-Carter
2.0
Where did this come from?I recently noticed a subscription fee being yanked out of my bank account. I had no clue what it was so I referred to my Google Play Store in search of this new unknown subscription, there were no active subscriptions. I checked my other google account, same thing. I checked my phone for any new apps and as before nothing.
Now my question is, if I have no downloaded the trial version nor deliberately paid for a subscription for this product. Where do they get the nerve to take my money?
On top of that their poor customer service will require me to get an entirely new card to avoid future charges, contact the Canadian anti-fraud authority and other relevant authorities including my bank.
I hope their team responds to my refund request as I do not use VPN services and have never downloaded any of this company's apps.
Although it concerns us that the provider keeps partial logs, Hotspot Shield offers fast speeds, good prices, and solid encryption. The VPN also reliably unblocks geo-restricted content and works on multiple platforms. It additionally offers amazing coupon discounts available only for limited time periods. TunnelBear has a stronger privacy policy than Hotspot Shield and offers sleeker apps for various platforms, with advanced encryption that includes a stealth mode for bypassing tough blocks and firewalls. TunnelBear also has slightly cheaper paid plans than Hotspot Shield. Turbo VPN offers fewer features and security measures than either Hotspot Shield or TunnelBear, and is available for mobile devices only.
Although it concerns us that the provider keeps partial logs, Hotspot Shield offers fast speeds, good prices, and solid encryption. The VPN also reliably unblocks geo-restricted content and works on multiple platforms. It additionally offers amazing coupon discounts available only for limited time periods. TunnelBear has a stronger privacy policy than Hotspot Shield and offers sleeker apps for various platforms, with advanced encryption that includes a stealth mode for bypassing tough blocks and firewalls. TunnelBear also has slightly cheaper paid plans than Hotspot Shield. Turbo VPN offers fewer features and security measures than either Hotspot Shield or TunnelBear, and is available for mobile devices only.
While TunnelBear allows limited torrenting on its network, both Hotspot Shield and Turbo VPN permit torrenting and other P2P activities with fewer limitations. With Hotspot Shield, torrenting is possible on both desktop and mobile devices, whereas Turbo VPN is only available for mobile devices.
While TunnelBear allows limited torrenting on its network, both Hotspot Shield and Turbo VPN permit torrenting and other P2P activities with fewer limitations. With Hotspot Shield, torrenting is possible on both desktop and mobile devices, whereas Turbo VPN is only available for mobile devices.
Unfortunately, Turbo VPN doesn’t provide a native app for Windows. Hotspot Shield has a slick and user-friendly Windows client that comes with a kill switch and wi-fi protection. As for TunnelBear, Windows users (especially beginners) will find the app not only fun and easy to use, but also packed with features including a kill switch and wi-fi protection. The TunnelBear Windows app also features a stealth mode called “Ghost Bear” to overcome DPI and other tough restrictions.
Unfortunately, Turbo VPN doesn’t provide a native app for Windows. Hotspot Shield has a slick and user-friendly Windows client that comes with a kill switch and wi-fi protection. As for TunnelBear, Windows users (especially beginners) will find the app not only fun and easy to use, but also packed with features including a kill switch and wi-fi protection. The TunnelBear Windows app also features a stealth mode called “Ghost Bear” to overcome DPI and other tough restrictions.
All three VPNs have native software clients for Android, although these apps unfortunately lack a kill switch. Hotspot Shield for Android is user-friendly, well encrypted, and fast, but the provider does keep some logs. TunnelBear for Android is more attractive, easier to use, and provides more complete anonymity. Turbo VPN has the least efficient Android client. It’s slow and very limited in features.
All three VPNs have native software clients for Android, although these apps unfortunately lack a kill switch. Hotspot Shield for Android is user-friendly, well encrypted, and fast, but the provider does keep some logs. TunnelBear for Android is more attractive, easier to use, and provides more complete anonymity. Turbo VPN has the least efficient Android client. It’s slow and very limited in features.
Both Hotspot Shield and TunnelBear have native apps for Mac. The two apps share similar features, including high encryption levels, access to plenty of servers, and single-click connection. While Hotspot Shield's logging policy might raise some privacy concerns, the VPN provides fast speeds for Mac users. On the other hand, TunnelBear for Mac is more reliable for privacy, more fun for VPN newbies, and easier to use. Turbo VPN doesn’t offer a native app for Mac, as the VPN is designed for mobile devices.
Both Hotspot Shield and TunnelBear have native apps for Mac. The two apps share similar features, including high encryption levels, access to plenty of servers, and single-click connection. While Hotspot Shield's logging policy might raise some privacy concerns, the VPN provides fast speeds for Mac users. On the other hand, TunnelBear for Mac is more reliable for privacy, more fun for VPN newbies, and easier to use. Turbo VPN doesn’t offer a native app for Mac, as the VPN is designed for mobile devices.
All three VPNs provide native apps for iOS devices, although the apps do not include a kill switch. The Hotspot Shield and TunnelBear iOS apps are more advanced than Turbo VPN's client, which has very limited features. Hotspot Shield offers fast speeds on most servers and allows torrenting, while TunnelBear has a friendlier interface, a stronger privacy policy, and better price plans.
All three VPNs provide native apps for iOS devices, although the apps do not include a kill switch. The Hotspot Shield and TunnelBear iOS apps are more advanced than Turbo VPN's client, which has very limited features. Hotspot Shield offers fast speeds on most servers and allows torrenting, while TunnelBear has a friendlier interface, a stronger privacy policy, and better price plans.
Hotspot Shield, TunnelBear, and Turbo VPN all have servers in the US. However, speed maybe an issue with these three VPNs, particularly Turbo VPN. The three contenders do work well in overcoming geoblocks on US content, and can access services like US Netflix most of the time.
Hotspot Shield, TunnelBear, and Turbo VPN all have servers in the US. However, speed maybe an issue with these three VPNs, particularly Turbo VPN. The three contenders do work well in overcoming geoblocks on US content, and can access services like US Netflix most of the time.
You can tell when a VPN client really cares about its users and you do get this sense with TunnelBear. This client is committed to online security and privacy and goes the extra mile to maintain a strict no-logging policy and a strong 256-bit encryption across different platforms. TunnelBear supports Bitcoin payments, comes with a kill switch feature and permits up to five devices per license. If you are looking for a VPN client that will offer you true value for money, robust online privacy and anonymity across many countries – TunnelBear is certainly a great choice.
Honesty and transparency – our two core values – make the internet a friendly place. Our reviews are written by users themselves, and are not influenced by VPN companies. When you purchase a VPN, we sometimes earn affiliate commissions that support our work. Here is an explanation of exactly what we do and how to support our work.
Katie Kasunic
Guy Fawkes
Ariel Hochstadt