118 Highlights 54 Differences 6 Reactions 0 Likes

Proton vs TunnelBear: 118 Highlights & 54 Differences — So, Which VPN Actually Works Better

Privacy-conscious users may prefer Proton for its comprehensive no-log claims and better data handling. TunnelBear is simpler but less transparent. We compared Proton and TunnelBear for people who care about account sharing policy, deployment type, connection logs & metadata logs and time-saving tools. Here’s what to know before committing.

76 Points
Proton
Proton
Proton
Proton
66 Points
TunnelBear
TunnelBear
TunnelBear
TunnelBear
vs

Highlights 175

No extras. Just what matters.
76 Points
vs
66 Points

Why is Proton better than TunnelBear ?

Scroll down for more facts

Proton VPN vs TunnelBear: A Comprehensive Comparison of Features and Performance

When choosing a VPN, privacy, security, and streaming capabilities often top user priorities. Proton VPN and TunnelBear both cater to individuals seeking secure, cloud-based VPN solutions with cloud-based deployment and compliance with GDPR standards. Each has no-logs policies and uses RAM-only servers for enhanced privacy, complete with kill switches and stealth modes

Both support major operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, enabling torrenting and 4K streaming. However, they diverge significantly in infrastructure ownership, performance transparency, advanced features, and target user groups, making it essential to understand these distinctions before deciding.

The Powerhouse: What Makes Proton VPN Stand Out

Proton VPN shines in a crowded field, primarily thanks to its expansive coverage of user needs, from individuals to families, teams, and business users (target users). Its strict account-sharing restrictions ensure personal usage only, prioritizing security over convenience in that respect.

Security-wise, Proton exclusively employs the robust ECDHE key exchange and undergoes periodic independent audits (audit frequency), establishing a strong trust framework. It explicitly avoids logging connection or metadata information, which is not just a claim but part of its credible no-log claim.

Proton VPN owns its entire server infrastructure (server ownership), housed in high-standard Tier III data centers, delivering unlimited bandwidth and zero throttling (throttling policy). Its network is optimized for speed with regional adjustments (regional speed optimization) and smart routing technologies (smart routing), contributing to peak speeds of up to 900 Mbps and only a 15 ms latency impact.

Beyond raw speed, Proton offers advanced features like per-app rules, command-line interface support, and compatibility with IoT devices, addressing the demands of advanced and business users. Its streaming prowess extends across multiple platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ (streaming platform support), with a high reliability score (streaming reliability), and it supports cloud gaming (cloud gaming), a feature missing in TunnelBear.

In terms of user management, Proton provides session management and lets users see login history (session management and login history visibility), enhancing control and security awareness. Its customer support goes beyond email with live chat availability, and it promises a response time SLA within 24 hours.

TunnelBear's Comfort Zone: Simplicity and Accessibility for Individuals

TunnelBear focuses on individual users seeking a user-friendly VPN experience. It allows account sharing, giving more flexibility to casual users who might share access with friends or family, a policy that contrasts with Proton's restrictions.

Its security measures include both Diffie-Hellman and ECDHE key exchange, audited annually (audit frequency), alongside standard kill switches and stealth modes, ensuring essential protection.

TunnelBear operates a hybrid server ownership model (server ownership), uses Tier III data centers, and also offers unlimited bandwidth (bandwidth capacity), but without performance analytics, speed optimizations, or smart routing found in Proton.

The VPN supports the same set of OS platforms (OS compatibility) and includes browser extensions. However, features geared for power users, like per-app rules, CLI, or IoT compatibility, are not included (per-app rules, CLI support, IoT device compatibility).

Streaming options are more limited, officially supporting only Netflix (streaming platform support), with moderate reliability (streaming reliability), and they lack cloud gaming support (cloud gaming).

In management terms, TunnelBear does not offer session management or login visibility (session management). For customer support, it limits contact to email only, though it still maintains a reasonable SLA response target of within 24 hours (response time SLA).

Quick Take

Proton VPN wins with its advanced infrastructure, superior speed optimization, extensive streaming platform compatibility, and rich features tailored for both casual and professional users. Meanwhile, TunnelBear offers a straightforward, easy-to-use VPN experience for individuals who value simplicity, account sharing, and basic privacy needs without diving into technical complexities.

Bottom Line Recommendation

If you want a VPN that excels in performance, privacy, and streaming versatility, and that scales for business or team use, Proton VPN is the clear front-runner. For those who need a friendly, no-fuss VPN for personal use with the option to share accounts, TunnelBear remains a viable contender despite its limited advanced capabilities.

Verdict

  • Winner: Proton VPN - Offers comprehensive privacy protections, superior server infrastructure, advanced user features, and better streaming and gaming support.
  • Runner-up: TunnelBear - Provides an approachable, user-friendly VPN with solid fundamentals but fewer advanced options and unclear performance metrics.

Pricing for these VPNs can be checked here: $0 at Apple App Store for Proton VPN and $0 at Apple App Store for TunnelBear.

Comparisons 33

Two enter. One leaves your cart.

Price comparisons

(✱) Prices may be changed at any time without further notice.

Related comparisons 33

Because one duel is never enough.

Comparisons & Facts 175

Side by side. The numbers. The features. No drama.

We compared Proton and TunnelBear across usability, functionality, price, and what power users say. Your perfect vpn might be hiding in plain sight.

General Information 12

Deployment Type

What is the deployment type?

87 Proton 0 Votes Cloud-Based

84 TunnelBear 0 Votes Cloud-Based

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Deployment Type

Both Proton and TunnelBear use Cloud-Based Deployment Types, making them comparable in deployment flexibility and cloud infrastructure utilization.

How the VPN infrastructure is deployed and managed.

Account Sharing Policy

Is account sharing allowed?

47 Proton 0 Votes Restricted

94 TunnelBear 1 Votes Allowed

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Account Sharing Policy

Proton enforces a Restricted Account Sharing Policy, while TunnelBear allows account sharing. Users needing shared access will find TunnelBear more accommodating than Proton.

Defines rules around sharing accounts.

TunnelBear lets you share your account which is super convenient but Proton restricts sharing for better security.

See more

Platform Category

Which platform categories are supported?

71 Proton 0 Votes Desktop, Mobile, Browser, Router

72 TunnelBear 0 Votes Desktop, Mobile

Proton
Proton

Supports multiple platforms including desktop, mobile devices, browsers, and routers, offering versatile usage across different environments.

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Covers all major personal devices, ensuring protection whether at home or on the go.

Indicates supported platform categories.

Target User

Who is this VPN designed for?

68 Proton 1 Votes Individual, Family, Team, Business

54 TunnelBear 0 Votes Individual

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Target User

Proton targets Individuals, Families, Teams, and Businesses, offering a versatile user base, whereas TunnelBear is focused solely on Individual users. Proton's broader target makes it suitable for various user types compared to TunnelBear.

Identifies the primary audience.

Proton is awesome because it supports all user types not just individuals like TunnelBear.

See more

VPN Service Type

What type of VPN service is offered?

57 Proton 0 Votes Consumer VPN,Business VPN,Enterprise VPN

24 TunnelBear 0 Votes Consumer VPN

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Designed for individual users seeking privacy and security rather than enterprise network management.

Indicates the primary service classification.

Intended Use

What is this VPN mainly used for?

56 Proton 0 Votes Privacy, Security, Streaming, P2P, Business

54 TunnelBear 0 Votes Privacy, Security, Streaming, P2P

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Intended Use

Proton is intended for Privacy, Security, Streaming, P2P, and Business uses, while TunnelBear supports Privacy, Security, Streaming, and P2P but excludes Business. Proton better suits business-related VPN needs.

Describes the main use cases supported.

Release Year

When was this VPN first released?

86 Proton 0 Votes 2017

64 TunnelBear 0 Votes 2011

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Over a decade of experience in VPN services, continuously updated for security and speed.

Year the VPN service was first released.

Service Model

What service model does the VPN use?

57 Proton 0 Votes Freemium

59 TunnelBear 0 Votes Subscription-Based,Freemium

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Offers flexible plans with both free limited options and paid tiers for full access.

Business and access model used to provide the VPN service.

Supported Devices Count

How many devices are supported?

67 Proton 0 Votes 7–10 Devices

94 TunnelBear 0 Votes Unlimited Devices

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Lets you protect all your devices without worrying about device limits.

Maximum number of devices supported per account.

Regulatory Compliance Statement

What regulations does it comply with?

87 Proton 0 Votes GDPR

79 TunnelBear 0 Votes GDPR, CCPA

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Regulatory Compliance Statement

Proton complies with GDPR regulations, similar to TunnelBear which complies with both GDPR and CCPA, making TunnelBear slightly more comprehensive in regulatory compliance suited for users needing CCPA adherence.

Stated compliance with data protection regulations.

Simultaneous Connections

How many simultaneous connections are allowed?

57 Proton 0 Votes 8–10 Connections

94 TunnelBear 0 Votes Unlimited

Number of devices that can connect at the same time.

Service Availability

Where is the service available?

97 Proton 0 Votes Global

94 TunnelBear 0 Votes Global

Geographic scope where the VPN service is available.

Security & Encryption 24

Kill Switch

Is a kill switch available?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Kill Switch

Both Proton and TunnelBear include a Kill Switch feature, ensuring desktop internet disconnection upon VPN drop for security.

Blocks traffic if VPN connection drops.

Key Exchange Method

How are encryption keys exchanged?

86 Proton 1 Votes ECDHE

77 TunnelBear 0 Votes Diffie-Hellman, ECDHE

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Key Exchange Method

Proton uses ECDHE for Key Exchange whereas TunnelBear supports both Diffie-Hellman and ECDHE, giving TunnelBear more cryptographic options for key exchanges.

Describes how encryption keys are securely exchanged.

Proton uses the newer ECDHE key exchange which feels more secure than TunnelBear's mixed approach.

See more

Audit Frequency

How often are audits done?

76 Proton 0 Votes Periodic

64 TunnelBear 0 Votes Annual

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Audit Frequency

Proton's Audit Frequency is Periodic compared to TunnelBear's Annual auditing, meaning Proton conducts audits more frequently to ensure security compliance.

How often audits are performed.

VPN Protocols Supported

Which VPN protocols are supported?

82 Proton 0 Votes OpenVPN, WireGuard

76 TunnelBear 0 Votes WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2

Proton
Proton

Supports multiple VPN protocols including OpenVPN and WireGuard, catering to different user needs for security and compatibility.

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Supports modern and secure protocols suitable for both speed and compatibility.

Lists all supported VPN protocols.

Third-Party Audit Availability

Are third-party audits available?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Third-Party Audit Availability

Third-Party Audit Availability is confirmed for both Proton and TunnelBear, indicating both services prioritize transparency and security validation.

Availability of external audit reports.

Encryption Standard

What encryption standard is used?

72 Proton 0 Votes AES, ChaCha20

64 TunnelBear 0 Votes AES

Proton
Proton

Encryption standards used are AES and ChaCha20, both of which are considered highly secure and reliable for protecting data.

Specifies the primary encryption algorithms used.

Encryption Strength

What encryption strength is used?

90 Proton 0 Votes AES-256,ChaCha20

84 TunnelBear 0 Votes AES-256

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Uses 256-bit encryption, one of the strongest available, ensuring highly secure connections.

Level and type of encryption used to secure data.

Default Protocol

What protocol is used by default?

97 Proton 0 Votes WireGuard

94 TunnelBear 0 Votes WireGuard

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

WireGuard is chosen by default for faster connection and lower latency.

Protocol used by default.

Onion over VPN

Is Onion over VPN supported?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

TunnelBear supports Onion over VPN allowing Tor network usage over VPN.

Allows Tor network over VPN.

Authentication Method

How are VPN connections authenticated?

96 Proton 0 Votes Certificates

69 TunnelBear 0 Votes Certificates, Pre-Shared Key

Method used to authenticate connections.

Perfect Forward Secrecy

Is perfect forward secrecy supported?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Ensures past sessions remain secure if keys are compromised.

DNS Leak Protection

Is DNS leak protection included?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Prevents DNS requests from leaking outside the tunnel.

Privacy & Logging Policy 18

Connection Logs

Are connection logs stored?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Connection Logs

Proton does not log Connection Logs, whereas TunnelBear has no available data on connection logs, leaving Proton as the confirmed better option for anonymous connection practices.

Indicates logging of connection metadata.

Metadata Logs

Are metadata logs collected?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Metadata Logs

Proton explicitly does not log Metadata Logs, while TunnelBear's metadata logging data is unavailable, favoring Proton for verified metadata privacy.

Indicates logging of metadata beyond traffic.

RAM-Only Servers

Are RAM-only servers used?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
RAM-Only Servers

Proton and TunnelBear both use RAM-Only Servers, which enhance privacy by ensuring no data is stored permanently on servers.

Indicates use of volatile memory servers.

User Data Deletion Policy

Can users delete their data?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
User Data Deletion Policy

Both Proton and TunnelBear support User Data Deletion Policies, indicating commitment to removing user data upon request.

Indicates if users can request data deletion.

Privacy Policy Clarity

How clear is the privacy policy?

97 Proton 0 Votes Clear

94 TunnelBear 0 Votes Clear

Proton
Proton

The privacy policy is clear, providing transparency and easy understanding of data handling procedures.

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Policies are easy to read and understand for non-technical users.

Describes how understandable the policy is.

Data Retention Period

How long is data retained?

97 Proton 0 Votes No Logs

94 TunnelBear 0 Votes No Logs

Proton
Proton

This VPN follows a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not store any user activity or connection data, enhancing privacy.

Length of time user data is retained.

Transparency Report

Are transparency reports published?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Provides public insight into requests and compliance, enhancing trust.

Indicates publication of transparency reports.

Logging Policy Type

What is the logging policy type?

97 Proton 0 Votes No-Logs

94 TunnelBear 0 Votes No-Logs

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Logging Policy Type

Both Proton and TunnelBear adhere to a No-Logs Logging Policy, supporting strong user privacy by not retaining user activity logs.

Describes the overall logging stance.

Activity Logs

Are activity logs stored?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Indicates whether user activity is logged.

IP Address Logging

Are IP addresses logged?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Indicates whether IP addresses are logged.

Timestamp Logging

Are timestamps logged?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Indicates logging of session timestamps.

Bandwidth Usage Logging

Is bandwidth usage logged?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Indicates logging of bandwidth usage.

Network & Server Infrastructure 20

Server Ownership

Who owns the servers?

87 Proton 1 Votes Owned

64 TunnelBear 0 Votes Hybrid

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Server Ownership

Proton owns its servers directly, while TunnelBear uses a hybrid ownership model, suggesting Proton has more control over its server infrastructure.

Describes who controls the servers.

Owning all their servers makes me trust Proton more than TunnelBear's hybrid setup.

See more

Bandwidth Capacity

What is the bandwidth capacity?

97 Proton 0 Votes Unlimited

94 TunnelBear 0 Votes Unlimited

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Bandwidth Capacity

Both Proton and TunnelBear offer Unlimited Bandwidth Capacity, ensuring no restrictions on data transfer for users.

Overall bandwidth capability of the network.

Data Center Tier

What data center tier is used?

47 Proton 0 Votes Tier III

44 TunnelBear 0 Votes TierIII

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Data Center Tier

Both Proton and TunnelBear use Tier III Data Centers, providing a high level of reliability and infrastructure redundancy.

Indicates data center reliability level.

Total City Coverage

How many cities are covered?

77 Proton 0 Votes 100–200

64 TunnelBear 0 Votes 50–100

Proton
Proton

Coverage spans 100–200 cities worldwide, giving users extensive choices for regional connections.

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Offers city-level server choices, helping users connect to optimal locations.

Number of cities with VPN servers.

Total Server Count

How many servers are available?

97 Proton 0 Votes 3000+

84 TunnelBear 0 Votes 1000–3000

Proton
Proton

This VPN offers a large network with more than 3000+ servers, providing extensive options for connectivity and optimal performance.

Approximate total number of servers available.

IP Rotation Frequency

How often do IPs rotate?

7 Proton 0 Votes Unspecified

64 TunnelBear 0 Votes Session-Based

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

IP addresses change each session, improving anonymity.

How often IP addresses rotate.

Throttling Policy

Is bandwidth throttled?

17 Proton 0 Votes No Throttling

14 TunnelBear 0 Votes No Throttling

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Throttling Policy

Both Proton and TunnelBear prohibit throttling, allowing users to benefit from unthrottled bandwidth and consistent speeds during use.

Describes bandwidth throttling rules.

Server Status Transparency

Is server status transparent?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Proton
Proton

Server status transparency allows users to view real-time server availability and performance metrics.

Indicates public server status visibility.

Total Country Coverage

How many countries are covered?

97 Proton 0 Votes 90+

44 TunnelBear 0 Votes 40–60

Number of countries with server presence.

Server Location Type

Are server locations physical or virtual?

97 Proton 0 Votes Mixed

44 TunnelBear 0 Votes Physical

Indicates how server locations are implemented.

Load Balancing

Is load balancing supported?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Distributes traffic evenly across servers.

Smart Location Selection

Is smart location selection available?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Automatically selects optimal servers.

Performance & Speed 14

Smart Routing

Is smart routing used?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Smart Routing

Proton supports Smart Routing to optimize traffic paths, which TunnelBear lacks, offering Proton an edge in connection efficiency.

Routes traffic through optimal paths.

Peak Speed Performance

What is the peak speed performance?

900 Mbps 1 Votes
Proton

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Peak Speed Performance

Peak Speed Performance in Proton reaches up to 900 Mbps; TunnelBear does not disclose speed metrics, favoring Proton for high-speed demands.

Maximum achievable speed under ideal conditions.

Proton's peak speed of 900 Mbps blows TunnelBear out of the water which doesn't even list peak speeds.

See more

Performance Analytics

Are performance analytics available?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Performance Analytics

Performance Analytics is not supported by either Proton or TunnelBear, so no performance insights are provided by both services.

Provides performance monitoring insights.

Average Download Speed

What is the average download speed?

300 Mbps 0 Votes
Proton

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Proton
Proton

The average download speed is approximately 300 Mbps, sufficient for demanding tasks like HD streaming and gaming.

Typical downstream speed when connected to the VPN.

Average Upload Speed

What is the average upload speed?

250 Mbps 0 Votes
Proton

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Proton
Proton

The average upload speed is around 250 Mbps, sufficient for smooth video calls, gaming, and file uploading.

Typical upstream speed when using the VPN.

Latency Impact

How much latency does the VPN add?

15 ms 0 Votes
Proton

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Latency Impact

Proton reports a Latency Impact of 15 milliseconds, enhancing responsiveness, whereas TunnelBear does not provide latency data, making Proton the preferable choice for users sensitive to latency.

Additional latency introduced by the VPN.

Speed Consistency

How consistent are the speeds?

97 Proton 0 Votes High

94 TunnelBear 0 Votes High

Proton
Proton

Speed consistency is high, meaning users experience stable speeds without significant fluctuations during use.

Stability of speeds over time.

Speed Throttling

Is speed throttling applied?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Indicates whether speeds are artificially limited.

Protocol Speed Optimization

Are protocols optimized for speed?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Optimizes protocol choice for speed.

Auto Server Selection Speed

Does it auto-select the fastest server?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Automatically selects fastest servers.

Speed Test Tool

Is there a built-in speed test?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Built-in tool for measuring VPN speed.

Regional Speed Optimization

Is regional speed optimization supported?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Regional Speed Optimization

Regional Speed Optimization is available with Proton but not available for TunnelBear, indicating Proton may deliver better regional connection speeds.

Optimizes speeds by geographic region.

Platform & Device Support 13

OS Version Compatibility

Which OS versions are supported?

86 Proton 0 Votes Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

83 TunnelBear 0 Votes Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
OS Version Compatibility

Proton and TunnelBear support the same comprehensive OS versions including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, ensuring wide device compatibility.

Operating systems and platforms supported.

CLI Support

Is CLI support available?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
CLI Support

Proton provides CLI support for advanced users, whereas TunnelBear does not, making Proton more flexible for command-line VPN management.

Indicates command-line interface availability.

Browser Extension

Are browser extensions available?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Browser Extension

Both Proton and TunnelBear offer Browser Extensions, facilitating easier VPN access and management through web browsers.

Indicates availability of browser extensions.

App Interface Consistency

Is the app interface consistent?

97 Proton 0 Votes Consistent

94 TunnelBear 0 Votes Consistent

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Similar experience across all apps, making it easy to switch devices.

Consistency of UI across platforms.

Smart TV

Are smart TVs supported?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Proton
vs
TunnelBear
Smart TV

Proton does not support Smart TV compatibility, and TunnelBear's data is unavailable, favoring Proton's confirmed stance for device support.

Indicates support for smart TV platforms.

Gaming Console

Are gaming consoles supported?

No 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Indicates compatibility with gaming consoles.

Browser Types Supported

Which browsers are supported?

91 Proton 0 Votes Chrome, Firefox

86 TunnelBear 0 Votes Chrome, Firefox, Edge

Lists supported browser types.

Manual Configuration

Is manual configuration supported?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Allows manual VPN setup.

Cross-Platform Sync

Is cross-platform sync available?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Syncs settings across devices.

Device Management Dashboard

Is there a device management dashboard?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Centralized device management interface.

ARM Architecture

Are ARM devices supported?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Indicates support for ARM-based devices.

Virtual Machine

Is virtual machine usage supported?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Indicates usability in virtual machines.

Features & Functionality 24

Mesh Networking

Is mesh networking supported?

No 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Connects devices in a private mesh network.

API Access

Is API access available?

No 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Provides programmatic API access.

Per-App Rules

Can rules be set per app?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Applies VPN rules per application.

App-Based Split Tunneling

Can split tunneling be set per app?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Proton
Proton

Supports app-based split tunneling, enabling users to select which applications use the VPN connection and which do not.

Allows split tunneling by application.

URL-Based Split Tunneling

Can split tunneling be set by URL?

No 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Specify websites to bypass VPN, giving granular control.

Allows split tunneling by website or domain.

Malware Protection

Is malware protection included?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Proton
Proton

Malware protection is integrated to protect users from malicious websites and downloads while connected.

Protects against malicious domains.

Port Forwarding

Is port forwarding supported?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Proton
Proton

Port forwarding capabilities are supported, allowing remote access setups and improved P2P performance.

Enables inbound connections through the VPN.

Feature Customization Depth

How customizable are the features?

87 Proton 0 Votes Advanced

54 TunnelBear 0 Votes Moderate

Proton
Proton

Feature customization depth is advanced, allowing users to finely tune settings to suit their security and performance needs.

Describes overall customization level.

Split Tunneling

Is split tunneling supported?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Allows selective routing of traffic outside the VPN.

Auto-Connect Rules

Are auto-connect rules supported?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Automatically connects under defined conditions.

Trusted Wi-Fi Detection

Can trusted Wi-Fi networks be detected?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Detects trusted networks to control VPN behavior.

Ad Blocker

Is an ad blocker included?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Blocks advertisements at the network level.

Streaming, Gaming & P2P Support 9

Streaming Platform Support

Which streaming platforms are supported?

92 Proton 0 Votes Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+

94 TunnelBear 0 Votes Netflix

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Optimized for Netflix access; performance may vary for other platforms.

Streaming platforms that the VPN can reliably unblock and support.

Streaming Reliability

How reliable is streaming access?

97 Proton 0 Votes High

54 TunnelBear 0 Votes Moderate

Proton
Proton

Streaming reliability is high, ensuring stable and consistent delivery of streaming services with minimal interruptions.

Consistency of streaming access over time.

Torrenting Policy

Is torrenting allowed?

97 Proton 0 Votes Allowed

94 TunnelBear 0 Votes Allowed

Proton
Proton

Torrenting is permitted, enabling peer-to-peer file sharing with appropriate privacy protections.

Defines torrenting rules.

Cloud Gaming

Does it support cloud gaming?

Who knows? 1 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Indicates compatibility with cloud gaming services.

Cloud gaming support on Proton is a game changer since TunnelBear doesn't have it at all.

See more

4K Streaming

Is 4K streaming supported?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Indicates support for 4K streaming quality.

P2P File Sharing

Is P2P file sharing allowed?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Indicates allowance of P2P file sharing.

HD Streaming

Is HD streaming supported?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Indicates support for HD streaming quality.

Gaming Latency Optimization

Is gaming latency optimized?

Who knows? 0 Votes Proton (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Optimizes routing for low gaming latency.

Port Selection for P2P

Can ports be selected for P2P?

No 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Allows port selection for P2P traffic.

Account, Access & Management 10

Multi-User Profiles

Can multiple user profiles be created?

No 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Allows multiple user profiles under one account.

Sub-Account

Are sub-accounts supported?

No 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Allows creation of sub-accounts with limited access.

Session Management

Can active sessions be managed?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Allows viewing and managing active sessions.

Login History Visibility

Is login history visible?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Shows login and access history.

User Account Dashboard

Is there a user account dashboard?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Provides a central interface for managing the account.

Team or Family Plans

Are team or family plans available?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Indicates availability of shared plans.

Access Control Levels

Are access control levels available?

No 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Supports different permission levels.

Device Revocation

Can devices be revoked remotely?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Allows removal of connected devices remotely.

Password Policy

How strong is the password policy?

7 Proton 0 Votes Unspecified

64 TunnelBear 0 Votes Strong

Rules for password complexity and security.

Two-Factor Authentication

Is two-factor authentication available?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Adds an extra layer of account security.

Customer Support & Documentation 8

Support Channels

What support channels are available?

72 Proton 0 Votes Live Chat, Email

54 TunnelBear 0 Votes Email

Proton
Proton

Support channels include live chat and email, providing users with accessible options for customer assistance.

Lists available customer support channels.

Knowledge Base

Is there a knowledge base?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Indicates presence of a self-help knowledge base.

Response Time SLA

What is the response time SLA?

67 Proton 0 Votes Within 24 Hours

64 TunnelBear 0 Votes Within 24 Hours

Expected support response time.

Community Forum

Is there a community forum?

No 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Indicates presence of a user community forum.

Setup Guides

Are setup guides available?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Step-by-step instructions for installation on all supported platforms.

Provides step-by-step setup instructions.

Video Tutorials

Are video tutorials available?

No 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Indicates availability of video-based tutorials.

API Documentation

Is API documentation available?

No 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Provides documentation for API usage.

Support Language Coverage

What support languages are available?

25 Proton 0 Votes English, French, German, Spanish

14 TunnelBear 0 Votes English

Languages supported by customer service.

Billing, Plans & Trials 12

Free Trial Availability

Is a free trial available?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Indicates whether a free trial is offered.

Trial Duration

How long is the free trial?

30 days 0 Votes
Proton
0 days 0 Votes
TunnelBear

Length of the free trial period.

Business Plan Availability

Are business plans available?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Indicates availability of business plans.

Plan Change Policy

What is the plan change policy?

97 Proton 0 Votes Allowed Anytime

94 TunnelBear 0 Votes Allowed Anytime

Proton
Proton

Plan change policy permits users to modify their subscription plans at any time without restrictions.

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Users can upgrade or downgrade without delay, useful for changing needs.

Policy governing whether users can upgrade or downgrade their subscription plans.

Subscription Length Options

What subscription lengths are available?

64 Proton 0 Votes Monthly, Yearly, Multi-Year

61 TunnelBear 0 Votes Monthly, Yearly, Multi-Year

Proton
Proton

Subscription length options include monthly, yearly, and multi-year plans, offering flexibility for different user preferences.

Available subscription durations.

Refund Period

What is the refund period?

67 Proton 0 Votes 30 Days

64 TunnelBear 0 Votes 30 Days

Proton
Proton

Offers a 30-day refund period, allowing users to request a refund within a month if unsatisfied.

Time window for requesting refunds.

Money-Back Guarantee

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Indicates availability of a refund guarantee.

Payment Methods Supported

What payment methods are supported?

57 Proton 0 Votes Credit Card, PayPal

54 TunnelBear 0 Votes Credit Card, PayPal

Supported payment methods.

Anonymous Payment

Are anonymous payments supported?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Allows anonymous payment methods.

Auto-Renewal

Is auto-renewal enabled?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Indicates whether subscriptions auto-renew.

Plan Flexibility

How flexible are the plans?

97 Proton 0 Votes High

44 TunnelBear 0 Votes Moderate

Ease of changing plans.

Family Plan Availability

Are family plans available?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Indicates availability of family plans.

Reliability, Trust & Reputation 11

Public Reputation

What is the public reputation?

97 Proton 0 Votes Excellent

54 TunnelBear 0 Votes Good

Proton
Proton

The VPN has an excellent public reputation, reflecting high user satisfaction and trust within the community.

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Generally positive reviews from users and tech experts.

Overall public perception.

Independent Security Audits

Are independent audits conducted?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Undergoes third-party security audits.

No-Log Claim Credibility

Is the no-logs claim credible?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Credibility of no-logs claims.

Third-Party Review Presence

Does the VPN have third-party reviews?

97 Proton 0 Votes Strong Presence

94 TunnelBear 0 Votes Strong Presence

Proton
Proton

The VPN has a strong presence in third-party reviews, indicating robust scrutiny and generally positive reception.

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Widely reviewed and compared across VPN review platforms.

Indicates whether the VPN service is actively reviewed on independent third-party platforms.

Company Transparency

Is company ownership transparent?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

TunnelBear
TunnelBear

Provides clear policies and updates about operations and data handling.

Discloses ownership and leadership.

Service Uptime

What is the service uptime?

99.9 % 0 Votes
Proton

Who knows? 0 Votes TunnelBear (Help us out by suggesting one!)

Average service availability over time.

Downtime Transparency

Are downtimes disclosed?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

No 0 Votes TunnelBear

Discloses outages and maintenance publicly.

Audit Transparency

Are audit reports public?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Publishes full audit reports.

Jurisdiction Clarity

Is jurisdiction clearly stated?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Clearly states legal jurisdiction.

Transparency Reports

Are transparency reports published?

Yes 0 Votes Proton

Yes 0 Votes TunnelBear

Publishes government request reports.

Surveys

Because hot takes deserve votes.

Performance

How would you rate the overall performance of this VPN?

Very fast — Under 2 hours
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Fast — 2 to 4 hours
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Average speed — 4 to 6 hours
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Slow — 6 to 10 hours
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Very slow — Over 10 hours
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear

Ease of Setup

How easy is it to set up this VPN?

Very easy — Takes under 5 minutes
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Easy — Takes 5 to 10 minutes
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Average — Takes 10 to 15 minutes
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Hard — Takes 15 to 30 minutes
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Very hard — Takes over 30 minutes
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear

User Interface

How would you describe the usability of this VPN's interface?

Very intuitive — Easy to navigate and use
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Easy to use — Clear and simple interface
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Average — Some features may be difficult to navigate
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Hard to use — Complex layout, hard to understand
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Very hard to use — Frustrating interface
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear

Connection Stability

How stable is the connection when using this VPN?

Very stable — Rare disconnections
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Stable — Occasional disconnections
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Average stability — Frequent minor disconnections
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Unstable — Regular disconnections
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Very unstable — Almost always disconnects
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear

Security Features

How would you rate the security features of this VPN?

Top-notch security — Includes features like 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and kill switch
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Great security — Includes strong encryption and basic protections
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Average security — Standard encryption, basic protections
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Weak security — Limited encryption and few protections
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Poor security — No encryption or protections
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear

Device Compatibility

How well does this VPN work across different devices?

Excellent compatibility — Works on all devices without issues
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Good compatibility — Works on most devices with few issues
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Average compatibility — Works on some devices, limited support
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Poor compatibility — Works only on specific devices
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Very limited compatibility — Works on very few devices
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear

Speed During Use

How fast is your internet connection when using this VPN?

Very fast — No noticeable decrease in speed
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Fast — Slight decrease in speed
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Average speed — Moderate decrease in speed
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Slow — Significant decrease in speed
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Very slow — Extremely slow, hard to use
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear

Customer Support

How would you rate the customer support for this VPN?

Exceptional — Quick responses, helpful solutions
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Good — Support is helpful and timely
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Average — Support is okay but may take some time
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Poor — Long wait times and incomplete solutions
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Very poor — No helpful support, slow responses
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear

Design Appeal

How would you rate the design appeal of this VPN's interface?

Very appealing — Modern, clean, and visually pleasing
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Appealing — Simple and easy on the eyes
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Average — Nothing special, functional but basic
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Unappealing — Outdated and unattractive
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Very unappealing — Difficult to look at
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear

Pricing

How would you rate the price of this VPN compared to its features?

Great value for money — Worth every penny
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Pretty good price — Good balance of features and cost
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Fair deal — Reasonable for the features provided
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Kinda pricey — Higher cost than expected
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear
Crazy expensive — Far too expensive for what it offers
0 Votes
Proton
0 Votes
TunnelBear

Reviews 0

The good, the bad, and the brutally honest.

Average Rating

Proton
Proton
Proton
Proton
0 / 5 0 Reviews
TunnelBear
TunnelBear
TunnelBear
TunnelBear
0 / 5 0 Reviews

Discussions 0

Thoughts, takes, and hot debates.

Awards 0

Only the best made it here.

Collections 0

Treasures You’ve picked. No fluff, all fun.

More VPN 0

Unlock more awesome finds.

Other Proton VPN 0

Other TunnelBear VPN 0

Proton
Proton
Proton
Proton
TunnelBear
TunnelBear
TunnelBear
TunnelBear
vs