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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering 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 the independent, 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 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering 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 the independent, 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 Zenmate VPN 2024

Table of Contents

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kate Richards
    Kate Richards

    Managing Editor

    TunnelBear and ZenMate are very popular for their ability to bypass geoblocks, especially blocks of US content. They both offer premium VPN services with fair prices. Users with iOS, Android, MacOS, and Windows-based devices can benefit from the dedicated apps provided by these VPNs. TunnelBear and ZenMate also offer 256-bit encryption and claim to maintain no-logs policies. If you own multiple devices that require protection, you’ll be glad to know that these VPN providers both allow up to five simultaneous device connections.

    One major difference between these VPN providers is that while TunnelBear supports torrenting and other P2P file sharing on its servers, ZenMate explicitly forbids torrenting on its servers. In terms of refund policies, ZenMate offers a 14-day money-back guarantee, whereas TunnelBear offers no refunds. Another notable difference is that while TunnelBear offers a free limited version of its service, ZenMate offers only its paid version. Below, we break this comparison down category by category to determine a winner.

    Our Score

    Features 9.0/10
    Pricing 9.3/10
    Ease of Use 9.0/10
    Reliability & Support 8.2/10
    Features 9.1/10
    Pricing 9.4/10
    Ease of Use 9.2/10
    Reliability & Support 9.2/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Andjela Nikolic
    Andjela Nikolic

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    Our Score: 9.0/10

    TunnelBear is a beginner-friendly VPN that offers a limited free version. It uses industry-standard security features and has an independently audited no-logs policy. But is that enough to compete with some of the best VPNs available today? I thoroughly tested TunnelBear to find out how fast it is and how good it is for unblocking content. I tried all its apps and security features and checked...

    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

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    Our Score: 9.1/10

    ZenMate has been a popular VPN for 10+ years, especially with its free browser extensions. It offers low prices and many appealing features like streaming servers and fast speeds. But none of this matters if it can’t keep you safe, so I decided to find out if it really can. After my tests, I can say ZenMate is a safe VPN offering great value. It works great for streaming, has fast speeds at cl...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    M
    Mattew
    10.0/10
    Good experience

    No matter your location, using a VPN is important for your online security. I got ZenMate for exactly ... that and I am satisfied with it, especially when it constantly improves its service. Customer support helped me so much and I just wanted to say that I've asked for their help a few times. And every time the support was respectful and fast in their response time. Keep it up!More

    Latest negative user review
    K
    Kaleo
    4.0/10
    Buggy and Unreliable

    Good when it works, with a limited number of available servers. However, 1. Does not always connect ... to the fastest server. 2. On the Mac, it does not automatically connect to a server. 3. On iOS, it does connect automatically BUT does not do so consistently. 4. The Mac app has been buggy and not connecting at all, FOR MONTHS. They still have not fixed it.More

    Pricing

    Starting price $3.33/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 0 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices
    Starting price $1.99/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    TunnelBear has a smaller network but offers faster servers well suited to torrenting and bypassing geoblocks worldwide. Apart from its P2P limitations and slower network, ZenMate does offer a decent VPN service with hundreds of servers across 30+ countries.

    Best VPN for Torrents
    Best VPN for Windows

    TunnelBear provides a dedicated Windows app with a straightforward interface and automatic WiFi protection. It also features 256-bit encryption standard. ZenMate’s Windows app features a very neat and intuitive design and tracking protection.

    Best VPN for Android

    TunnelBear offers a user-friendly Android app with DoubleVPN and built-in kill switch functionality. ZenMate, however, competes with an Android app that features a 7-day free trial and built-in malware protection.

    Best VPN for Mac

    TunnelBear offers a robust MacOS app with features like ad blocking, tracking protection and access to a very fast VPN network. Meanwhile, ZenMate’s MacOS app can be setup easily, features a beautiful and bright interface, and offers access to its entire network.

    Best VPN for iOS

    TunnelBear offers an iOS app with a free limited version and premium features like ad blocking and WiFi protection. It also has a very simple interface, making it an ideal choice for non-technical users. ZenMate VPN also has an iOS app that’s easy to setup and features malware protection.

    Best VPN for USA

    Because it offers high-speed US servers that unblock Netflix and many other US-based websites, we recommend TunnelBear as the better VPN for the USA. It should be noted, however, that TunnelBear has shown inconsistencies with unblocking Netflix USA in the past. ZenMate also has US servers capable of bypassing US geoblocks from anywhere in the world. The only drawback is that its servers are slower than TunnelBear’s.

    The Bottom Line

    By providing a faster service, supporting P2P file sharing, and offering simple-to-use apps for all major platforms, TunnelBear has come out as the winner. Although its network is smaller than ZenMate’s, its servers are much faster, making it a better choice for streaming HD content without buffering.

    Another outstanding advantage of TunnelBear is that it works anywhere in the world, including China, as long as you install the app before traveling.

    Nevertheless, when compared to top VPN providers like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, TunnelBear’s service is relatively basic and fails to match up to their speed, network size, and variety of advanced security features.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    FAQ

    Is TunnelBear VPN better than Zenmate VPN?

    Yes, TunnelBear VPN is better overall than Zenmate VPN. It has 5000 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 Zenmate 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 TunnelBear VPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is TunnelBear VPN faster than Zenmate VPN?

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

    Both TunnelBear VPN and Zenmate 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 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering 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 the independent, 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.