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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.
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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 ibVPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.0/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 7.5/10
    %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 Kate Richards
    Kate Richards

    Managing Editor

    If you’re looking for a very affordable VPN, TunnelBear and ibVPN are two of the best options on the market. They provide very user-friendly apps for Android, iOS, MacOS, and Windows-based devices. You can expect to find 256-bit encryption and a kill switch in all the apps provided by these companies. TunnelBear and ibVPN also support multiple VPN protocols including OpenVPN, L2TP, SSTP, and PPTP.

    These two providers differ, however, in many important ways. With ibVPN, users can expect a VPN with a built-in DNS service, whereas TunnelBear focuses on just its VPN service. Users with multiple devices will find TunnelBear more appealing, as it allows up to five simultaneous connections, while ibVPN only supports a single device connection per subscription. TunnelBear does not offer any refund policy, but it does offer a free limited version. Meanwhile, ibVPN offers a 15-day money-back guarantee.

    So which VPN is truly better? Keep on reading to find out.

    Our Score

    Features 9.0/10
    Pricing 9.3/10
    Ease of Use 9.2/10
    Reliability & Support 7.8/10
    Features 7.5/10
    Pricing 7.8/10
    Ease of Use 8.4/10
    Reliability & Support 8.2/10

    Reviews

    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
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Doris Muthuri
    Doris Muthuri

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 7.5/10

    Update: Recently, ibVPN merged with StrongVPN. We did indepth testing on StrongVPN, and you can find all the details in our review. ibVPN is a relatively small VPN, with a network of 180+ servers in 50+ countries. The name stands for "invisible browsing" VPN, and true to its name, ibVPN has a strong focus on security and privacy. This provider claims to be a great VPN for many different purposes, ...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    A
    Anonymously
    10.0/10
    Very stable, full option, the top if you look for a good privacy protection option!

    I am using ibVPN for about 5 years, and I never had an issue. It perfectly works with many protocols a... llowing me to use the VPN at home (with my DD-WRT router) and in many public places, like airports, even when some port usage is restricted --> Just switching the protocol! The 24h free trial is perfect for checking if the service fits your needs. I highly recommended it!More

    Latest negative user review
    D
    Daltonic
    6.0/10
    Some great features but a lot of drops

    I'm a customer since almost 2 years, paying 2.41$ / month. Choose them for the price, no-log policy a... nd because they support upnp/port forwarding (no NAT firewall + dynamic IP on 4 servers in the Netherlands). I always had a big problem with their server: connection drops.. If I use too much bandwidth, I loose the connection and the VPN client is not able to reconnect to the server by itself (I need to reconnect it manually). Same thing happens always with torrent clients and Socks proxy: tried with different clients but after some days or a week (if I'm lucky) their servers kick me out, and a restart of the torrent client is not enough. No!! I need to change manually the server to re-start to torrenting! No problem if we are slow, for that price I'm more than happy.. but all these disconnections are very, very boring. I will stay with them till I will not find something suitable for my needs, but there's too much work from my side to stay with them forever.More

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $3.33/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 0 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices
    Starting price $4.95/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 15 Days
    Number of devices per license 25 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    TunnelBear supports more simultaneous device connections, offers a free version, and has very fast servers for downloads and streaming. With ibVPN, users can expect a reliable VPN that includes a DNS service and a large network.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    TunnelBear offers high-speed servers for torrenting and P2P file sharing and helps users torrent anonymously. Users of ibVPN also have access to some dedicated servers for torrenting, and the provider does not restrict the service in any way.

    Best VPN for Windows

    TunnelBear provides users with a Windows app that features WiFi protection, strong encryption, and ad blocking. Meanwhile, ibVPN’s dedicated Windows app also offers strong encryption and includes a DNS service that easily bypasses tough geoblocks worldwide.

    Best VPN for Android

    TunnelBear has a dedicated Android app that defeats ISP throttling and also includes tracking protection. It supports up to five simultaneous connections, making it ideal for users with multiple gadgets. With ibVPN, users can expect an Android app that features unlimited bandwidth and a very neat design. However, it may not suit users with multiple devices, as it only allows a single connection per subscription.

    Best VPN for Mac

    TunnelBear offers a MacOS app that uses Double VPN technology to bypass tough restrictions, even the Great Firewall of China. The ibVPN app for MacOS competes with a built-in DNS and support for the PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN, and SSTP protocols.

    Best VPN for iOS

    TunnelBear’s iOS app features public hotspot protection and access to its entire network of fast servers. It also has a very intuitive design ideal for VPN newbies and technically advanced users alike. With ibVPN’s dedicated iOS app, you can enjoy unlimited bandwidth and access to 150+ servers in 45+ countries. The main drawback is that users can only get a single connection per account, which would not be ideal for users with several iOS devices.

    Best VPN for USA

    TunnelBear has high-speed US servers for bypassing US geoblocks from anywhere in the world, but has not always reliably unblocked Netflix. With numerous US servers optimized for streaming and its ability to unblock websites like Netflix-US, Hulu, and many others, ibVPN offers a very reliable service for the USA.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    Although this is a closely contested comparison, TunnelBear claims a narrow win by offering more value for the money. It allows users to connect more devices per subscription and offers lightning-fast servers for streaming and torrenting. TunnelBear’s free version and its simple design are also key factors that helped it win this contest. Nevertheless, TunnelBear struggles to compete with truly elite VPN services like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

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

    FAQ

    Is TunnelBear VPN better than ibVPN?

    Yes, TunnelBear VPN is better overall than ibVPN. It has 5001 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 $3.33 a month.

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

    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 ibVPN?

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

    Both TunnelBear VPN and ibVPN 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

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