If you are new to VPN experience, TunnelBear Free VPN might be a good place to start. Each of its software is straightforward and easy to use, plus it has some important features to ensure that you are safer while online. Once you get used to it, you can choose to upgrade to a paid service or continue using a file Free VPN.
On top of being easy to use, TunnelBear is really safe. It uses AES-256 and the WireGuard protocol to encrypt your data. Even if it is intercepted, it is almost impossible to decrypt, so there is no way for your online activity to be traced back to you. And since there is an option to make your data look unencrypted even when you are (using GhostBear), you can access a lot of blocked content designed to research VPN activity.
TunnelBear has thousands of servers around the world, but free users can only access those located in three countries – the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. These are listed at the top of the server list, so it’s easy to find an available site. Or you can simply click the Connect button and let the program automatically find the fastest connection for you.
However, TunnelBear Free is severely restricted due to the pathetic 500MB monthly data limit. That’s enough to watch maybe one movie a month, or spend a few hours light browsing. Thanks to this, it feels more like a free VPN trial than a real free service.
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TunnelBear Free on paper
Supported platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
Supported protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard
Number of servers: 3
number of countries: 3
Split tunneling: yes
kill switch: yes
Registration Country: Canada
data usage: 500MB per month
the above. number. From simultaneously connected devices: 1
Customer Support: E-mail
TunnelBear Free Review: Privacy and Registration
The biggest advantage of TunnelBear is how it keeps your data safe. In addition to our own tests that show how well the data is encrypted and how effectively the kill switch works, TunnelBear subjects itself to annual independent audits to look for vulnerabilities. If anything is found incorrect, the company is working to support these issues and continue to provide a secure service.
The key lock is active. This means that it will automatically disconnect your connection and secure your data in the event of a VPN outage. Also, it has an auto-connect feature that will instantly start the VPN if it senses any kind of intrusion or hacking through your network. You can get clear alerts anytime your data is compromised and the steps TunnelBear has taken to protect you.
TunnelBear undertakes not to record or share any of your personal information with government agencies or law enforcement. However, the company is based in Canada, and has several treaties and agreements with other countries including the United States that promise to share information related to potential criminal activity online. Because of these policies, these countries tend to collect and keep some personal information for a few days before getting rid of it permanently.
- more: Save your money with the best cheap VPN
TunnelBear Free Review: Desktop Apps
The desktop interface of TunnelBear Free is not cluttered, but it does take a while to realize that the map you are looking for is how to find and connect to the desired server location. There is a list of server locations, but it’s not the easiest to find (they’re at the top next to the on/off button.) The dashboard also shows how much data is left from the monthly limit.
Under the Settings tab, there are several protocol options. One turns on the kill switch and allows TunnelBear to hide your information while it tries to reconnect you to the VPN. Another option allows TunnelBear to automatically establish a connection when it detects an unsafe website while browsing. You can also keep the VPN running in the background while the dashboard and app are closed. TunnelBear has good default settings, so you don’t need to mess around with many protocols.
However, it should be noted that both the free and paid versions of TunnelBear are largely geared towards beginners. If you tend to fiddle with settings, more powerful services like Proton VPN or Hide.me may be more suitable.
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TunnelBear Free Review: Mobile Apps
VPN apps for mobile devices are designed similarly to the desktop version. However, there is an additional advantage – you will notice a distinct flying bear sound every time the VPN is plugged in and unplugged. This makes it easy to know when you are protected or when the connection has been disconnected. But, fortunately, there is an option to turn off the sounds if you think you might be spooked by a ursine intruder.
The Android VPN app has split tunneling, and the GhostBear option bypasses websites that block VPNs. It also has a kill switch with the reconnect option available in case the VPN connection is lost.
The iOS VPN app is a bit more rudimentary. It does not have a key lock and the tunneling is limited. It only applies to websites, so you can’t filter apps through a VPN. This does not mean that you are not protected, just that it is easier for iOS using VPNs to be detected. One thing of concern is if TunnelBear detects a VPN block on a site you are trying to access, it will drop the VPN connection and allow you to access it from your private network. This means that you can access the content you are looking for, but you are not protected, so your online activity may be tracked, traced, and logged.
TunnelBear Free Review: Performance
Our speed tests showed that TunnelBear is a fairly fast VPN. On average, we were able to connect at 300Mbps. This is really impressive, fast for a free program, and even better than some paid VPN subscriptions.
Free services usually can’t unblock streaming services, and that’s the case with TunnelBear. However, we can unblock Netflix and watch a bit of the show. In fact, if you are looking for a free Netflix VPN, you are better off going with a provider like PrivadoVPN Free, thanks to the larger data cap and reliable performance.
If you encounter any problems using TunnelBear, you can reach out to the support team through their website. We tried this service and got a helpful reply on our ticket within 24 hours. However, note that when submitting a question, TunnelBear’s automated response is “We will do our best to respond to all inquiries within 48 hours.” This might lead you to think you’ll get help in a couple of days, but there’s a “best of us” warning, so it may take longer.
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TunnelBear Free: Final Verdict
Due to its ease of use, TunnelBear Free is a good place for beginners to learn how a VPN works. But the data limit of 500MB per month makes this software more of a free trial rather than a real free VPN. There are actually better options out there that are just as secure, fast, and easy to use but with a lot of data.
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