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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.

NordVPN vs TunnelBear VPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.4/10
    %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

    NordVPN is an exceptional VPN provider with around 6,339 servers in 111+ countries. TunnelBear is also a well-known provider, operating a far smaller network of around 5,000 servers in 47 countries. NordVPN offers dedicated IP addresses and has advanced leak protection, whereas TunnelBear only offers shared IPs. Another major factor that separates these two VPNs is their streaming capabilities. NordVPN works well with popular streaming sites, while TunnelBear has struggled to do the same.

    Both providers employ advanced technologies like Double VPN, which encrypts your traffic twice to prevent detection. They also both provide dedicated apps with simple designs for MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android devices. Features like ad blocking, tracking protection, and a kill switch can also be found in both services. Finally, Tunnelbear and NordVPN both support torrenting and offer unlimited bandwidth for any kind of traffic.

    It’s a compelling contest, but a clear winner emerges as we extend the comparison across several categories.

    Our Score

    Features 9.4/10
    Pricing 7.5/10
    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 Angela Jovanoska
    Angela Jovanoska

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    Our Score: 9.4/10

    On the surface, NordVPN looks like a really impressive service. It claims to have a huge global server network, a speedy and reliable connection, and iron-clad security and privacy features. Plus, you can get it all for just $3.09/month. That all sounds great, but is there a catch? To find out, I did an in-depth analysis of NordVPN. I tested its speeds and how well it performs when you’re str...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    2
    210493Lu
    10.0/10
    The Best of The Best

    I simply tested all VPNs looking for cutting-edge online security, I tested the most expensive and the...  most talked about virtual anonymity, none made me as happy as NordVPN, it stands out for several reasons that the much more expensive ones it doesn't have, its double encryption, dedicated IPs, onion VPN, makes NordVPN unique, with almost 6,000 servers around the world and 12 million customers like me, you can see that NordVPN is not playing games with its customers and their online security , it always innovates to keep you more secure day after day, for a fair price in the long term and without sacrificing the speed of your connection, recently Nord is developing a new VPN protocol, Nordlynx a version still under construction derived from the Wireguard protocol, if you want to have a VPN of last security that think how it will make you more secure in the next month NordVPN is the right choice, I am completely thankful for being a customer and for finding what to me is the perfect VPN.More

    Latest negative user review
    S
    SAM
    2.0/10
    BUYER BEWARE!

    BUYER BEWARE! If you purchase NordVPN, it will throttle your interned speed/connectivity by 50%, like ... it did to mine. I pay $100/month to get speeds of nearly 600mbs. With NordVPN turned on, my speeds decrease to 250mbs. Nord’s “customer support” is useless and unprofessional, and, after nearly 3 weeks of endless “try this, try that”, they were unable to resolve the issue and blamed it on everything under the sun except their product, when it is OBVIOUS that, since I have zero speed issues with Nord turned off, and ONLY experience the issues with Nord turned on, it is NordVPN that is causing the issue. When I asked them for a refund of my one year subscription paid in advance and in good faith, they refused, and have now decided to ignore me. So, YOU’VE BEEN WARNED. Their VPN will devastate your internet speeds, their “support” is ridiculous, they are in denial, and they will not refund your money, even if their product is a failure…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 $3.09/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 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

    With nearly 6,339+ servers in 111 countries, very affordable prices, a host of security features, and excellent streaming capabilities, NordVPN offers one of the most complete VPN services on the market - and if you use one of these coupon codes, you can get it for a great price. TunnelBear also provides a reliable service, with dedicated apps for all major platforms and fairly fast servers.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    With hundreds of servers optimized for P2P file sharing and many security features to keep you anonymous, NordVPN provides a more reliable VPN for torrenting. TunnelBear also allows torrenting on its servers, but offers fewer choices and cannot match NordVPN’s overall speed.

    Best VPN for Windows

    With NordVPN’s Windows app, you can expect to find a kill switch, access to obfuscated servers, and a built-in DNS service that allows users to enter their own DNS configurations if they choose. TunnelBear does not have obfuscated servers or a DNS tool on its Windows app but does offer a kill switch and its unique GhostBear technology to secure your connection on restrictive networks.

    Best VPN for Android

    NordVPN’s dedicated Android app offers a choice between the TCP/UDP protocols and features public WiFi protection and access to specialty servers for different needs, including P2P and streaming. TunnelBear also provides an Android app that offers tracking and WiFi protection, along with double VPN encryption technology.

    Best VPN for Mac

    With a unique Cybersec feature that actively blocks ads and prevents malware attacks, NordVPN provides a very secure service with its dedicated app for MacOS. TunnelBear’s MacOS app also includes an ad blocker, together with additional features like double VPN technology.

    Best VPN for iOS

    NordVPN provides a reliable service for iOS with its dedicated app that uses the IKEv2/IPsec VPN encryption protocol. It features an automatic kill switch and access to dedicated IP addresses. The key strengths of TunnelBear’s service for iOS are the app’s simple design and the inclusion of ad blocking and tracking protection.

    Best VPN for USA

    If you live in the States, NordVPN offers plenty of US servers in 16 locations to stream your licensed US Netflix library, even on restrictive networks like those in schools and workplaces. It also works seamlessly with other US-based platforms and provides one of the fastest VPN services on the market, which is essential for streaming HD content without interruptions. TunnelBear isn’t a very reliable choice for Netflix, and I could only watch Netflix Originals when I tested it from NYC. However, it worked well with other US streaming sites.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    NordVPN outcompetes TunnelBear in every category and wins this comparison outright. Its network is huge and offers dedicated servers for every internet activity, including P2P and streaming. It also takes security very seriously, offering malware protection through its unique Cybersec feature. NordVPN makes no compromises whatsoever when it comes to keeping users anonymous, as shown by its strict no-logs policy and advanced leak prevention.

    Whether you’re interested in streaming your licensed Netflix library or safely downloading torrents, choose NordVPN for peace of mind.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

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

    FAQ

    Is NordVPN better than TunnelBear VPN?

    Yes, NordVPN is better overall than TunnelBear VPN. It has 6327 servers in 111 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $3.09 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between NordVPN 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 NordVPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is NordVPN faster than TunnelBear VPN?

    Yes, NordVPN 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 NordVPN or TunnelBear VPN offer any deals?

    Both NordVPN 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.