⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Pricing: PureVPN starts at $2.15/per month. TunnelBear charges $3.33/mo for Unlimited, plus a free plan.
- Best for: PureVPN suits people who want a dedicated IP, port forwarding and a password manager. TunnelBear suits VPN newbies.
- Key difference: PureVPN runs 6,500+ servers in 140+ countries. TunnelBear has a small server network of 48 server locations.
- Our pick: PureVPN, because it covers streaming, torrenting and extras that TunnelBear simply does not offer.
The cheaper VPN here is also the bigger one.
PureVPN costs less per month than TunnelBear and runs far more servers.
But price is the smallest difference between these two vpn providers.
One is built for people who want control over their vpn connection.
The other is built for people who want one button and nothing else.
Overview
This PureVPN vs TunnelBear comparison covers pricing, security features, speed and streaming.
It also covers server networks, apps and customer support.
Our writer spent hands-on time with PureVPN and those notes appear below.
Notes on TunnelBear come from published documentation, audit reports and user reviews.
By the end you will know which virtual private network fits your needs.
What is PureVPN?
PureVPN is a vpn service that started back in 2007.
Few vpn companies have been running that long.
It runs over 6,500 servers in more than 140 countries.
The company is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands.
That jurisdiction has privacy-friendly data retention laws.
Most people pick it for the extras bundled into a PureVPN subscription.
🏆 Winner: PureVPN
Ten devices on one account. Dedicated P2P servers and split tunneling built in. Backed by a 31-day money back guarantee.
PureVPN Pricing
Here is what PureVPN pricing looks like right now.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $2.15/per month | Basic privacy on a budget |
| Plus | $3.15/per month | Streaming and torrenting |
| Max | $3.55/per month | Users who want every extra tool |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Free trial: PureVPN offers a seven-day trial for $0.99. There is no free tier.
Money-back guarantee: A 31 day money back guarantee applies to paid plans.
📌 Note: Add-ons cost extra. Dedicated IPs run $2.49 per month and port forwarding runs $1.49 per month. PureVPN accepts payments by credit card, PayPal and Bitcoin, though some landing pages hide the crypto option.
⚠️ Pricing conflict flagged: Public sources list a $10.95 monthly Standard plan and renewal jumps (an annual plan at $44.95 renewing at $54.95). Our tables use the CSV figures above. Check the checkout page before you purchase PureVPN, since discounted rates rise on renewal.
Key Benefits of PureVPN
Here is what you actually get with PureVPN.
- Huge server list: Over 6,500 physical servers and virtual servers across 140+ countries. The server list includes Hong Kong, the UK and dozens of virtual locations.
- Audited no-logs policy: KPMG and Altius IT have both checked the no-logs claims. An always-on audit lets KPMG run surprise checks.
- Traffic controls: Split tunneling lets you pick which apps use the vpn connection. An internet kill switch cuts internet access if the tunnel drops.
- Ten devices at once: One account covers ten simultaneous connections. That includes desktop apps, mobile apps and browser extensions.
- P2P and streaming servers: Dedicated P2P servers exist in several countries. PureVPN can stream Netflix across multiple regions.
- Quantum-resistant servers: Some PureVPN servers use encryption keys generated through a verifiable quantum process.
- Live help around the clock: Customer support includes 24/7 live chat. You can also raise a support ticket inside the app.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer signed up for a paid plan and used the apps for daily browsing. Here is what stood out during that hands-on time:
PureVPN Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Over 6,500 servers in more than 140 countries
- No-logs policy audited by KPMG and Altius IT
- Ten devices connected at the same time
- Split tunneling, kill switch and dedicated P2P servers
- 31 day money back guarantee on paid plans
❌ Cons
- Interface is cluttered with upsell ads for add-ons
- The Windows app is criticised for being clunky and may crash
- Speeds drop sharply on distant servers
- Refund requests have drawn mixed reports from users
What is TunnelBear?
TunnelBear is a Canadian vpn service owned by McAfee.
It encrypts your internet connection and hides your real ip address.
The whole product is built around a world map you tap.
So how many servers does it run? Only 48 server locations.
The TunnelBear app covers Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.
Router and Linux installs are not supported at all.
The video below walks through the TunnelBear app in more detail.
Runner Up: TunnelBear
The simplest vpn app you can hand to a beginner. Free plan to test first. Unlimited simultaneous connections on the paid tier.
TunnelBear Pricing
TunnelBear cost is simple. Three tiers, no add-ons.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free Testing and Limited usage | Trying the app before you pay |
| Unlimited | $3.33/mo | One person with unlimited data |
| Teams | $5.75/user per month | Small teams needing shared billing |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Free trial: The TunnelBear free plan gives you 500 MB a month. Promotional activities, such as posting on TunnelBear’s Twitter, raise the data limit to 2 GB.
Money-back guarantee: None. That is a real risk on a paid subscription.
📌 Note: TunnelBear takes credit card only. Bitcoin was removed as a payment option, so crypto users are locked out.
⚠️ Pricing conflict flagged: Public listings show a $9.99 monthly plan, a $39.99 yearly plan and a $120 three-year plan, with annual renewal at $59.88. Our tables follow the CSV figures. Confirm the renewal price before you purchase TunnelBear.
Key Benefits of TunnelBear
Here is where TunnelBear earns its place.
- A real free version: The free account needs no card. Few other vpn services give you a usable tier with no time limit.
- Unlimited device connections: The premium tier allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Protect all your devices under one login.
- Repeat security audits: Cure53 has run a security audit on TunnelBear repeatedly since 2016. Findings were published and fixed.
- Setup for vpn newbies: Download, tap a country, done. The bear theme keeps the whole thing light.
- VigilantBear kill switch: Traffic is blocked outright if the tunnel drops, which prevents data leaks.
- GhostBear stealth mode: Obfuscation disguises vpn traffic as ordinary browser traffic in censorship-heavy regions.
- Minimal logging: The privacy policy states TunnelBear does not log ip addresses, dns queries or browsing history.
What Our Team Noticed
Note: our team has not logged extended hands-on time with the current TunnelBear app version. The points below come from the published privacy policy, Cure53 audit reports and reviews on G2 and Trustpilot.
G2 reviews highlight the map interface and the one-tap connect flow. Audit reports confirm the no-logging claims. Reviews also flag slow connection times, sometimes over ten seconds. This tutorial shows the setup flow end to end:
TunnelBear Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Free plan with no credit card required
- Unlimited simultaneous connections on the paid tier
- Repeat independent security audits by Cure53
- Map interface that vpn newbies pick up instantly
❌ Cons
- Small server network with only 48 server locations
- Struggles to unblock Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
- No live chat support and no money back guarantee
- No router or Linux support, and no Apple TV app
Feature Comparison
Ten rounds, side by side. This is where PureVPN features and TunnelBear’s features actually diverge.
| Feature | PureVPN | TunnelBear |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $2.15/per month | $3.33/mo |
| Free Plan | ❌ ($0.99 trial) | ✅ |
| Server Network | ✅ 6,500+ / 140+ countries | ❌ 48 locations |
| WireGuard Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| Unblocks Netflix | ✅ (varies by region) | ❌ |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ | ✅ (SplitBear) |
| Dedicated IP / Port Forwarding | ✅ (paid add-on) | ❌ |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 | Unlimited |
| Live Chat Support | ✅ 24/7 | ❌ |
| Money Back Guarantee | ✅ 31 days | ❌ |
| Best For | Streaming, torrenting, power users | Beginners who want simple privacy |
1. Server Network and Server Locations
PureVPN: More than 6,500 servers sit in over 140 countries. The mix includes physical servers and virtual servers, so some entries on the server list are virtual locations rather than hardware in that country. Hong Kong, the UK and the US all have coverage, and dedicated P2P servers exist in several regions.
TunnelBear: Just 48 server locations across 47 countries. That small server network is the single biggest limitation here. Whichever country TunnelBear does cover, the free account can still reach every one of TunnelBear’s servers, which is unusual.
2. Speed and Internet Speeds
PureVPN: Speed tests vary a lot by route. Published results show download speeds falling by only 7.61% and upload by 3.51% on close servers, with latency up 18.2%. On the WireGuard protocol it held roughly 67% of base speed on average. Distant hops are ugly, though, with drops reported as high as 99%.
TunnelBear: Average internet speeds land near 40% of the base download speed. TunnelBear’s performance swings between different servers, and it has no WireGuard support at all. Connection times can pass ten seconds.
⚠️ Warning: Neither is a gaming pick. PureVPN’s ping climbs enough to hurt competitive play, and TunnelBear’s upload numbers fall off on distant hops. Pick the nearest server in both apps.
3. Encryption and VPN Protocols
PureVPN: AES-256 encryption with a choice of vpn protocols, including OpenVPN UDP, IKEv2 and WireGuard. Some PureVPN servers are quantum-resistant, using keys built through a verifiable quantum process. If you like tuning your vpn protocol per network, this is the deeper toolbox.
TunnelBear: Also AES-256, with an encrypted client covering OpenVPN and IKEv2. Documentation lists WireGuard support on newer builds, but independent testing still reports it missing in practice. Your encrypted data is safe either way; you just get fewer knobs.
4. Kill Switch and Leak Protection
PureVPN: PureVPN’s kill switch cuts internet traffic the moment the tunnel fails. IP leak prevention and DNS leak protection run alongside it, so dns leaks and ip leaks stay contained while the app reconnects.
TunnelBear: VigilantBear does the same job under a friendlier name. It blocks all incoming and outgoing traffic until the vpn connection returns, which stops data leaks cold.
5. Split Tunneling and Traffic Control
PureVPN: Split tunneling picks which apps ride the tunnel and which use your normal internet connection. Handy when your bank blocks vpn traffic but you still want torrents protected.
TunnelBear: SplitBear does app and site level splitting, and GhostBear disguises vpn traffic as ordinary browser traffic for censorship-heavy networks. GhostBear costs you a lot of speed, so leave it off by default.
6. Streaming and Unblocking Netflix
PureVPN: Netflix works across multiple countries, and reports also cover Hulu, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video. Results are not perfect. Some Netflix libraries, including the French and German ones, have failed for users. There is a dedicated Apple TV app, which helps if you stream on a big screen.
TunnelBear: This is the weak spot. Unblocking Netflix usually ends in a proxy error, and Amazon Prime Video and Hulu are just as unreliable. Smaller streaming sites sometimes work. If your goal is to access global content on a streaming service, look elsewhere.
7. Dedicated IP, Port Forwarding and Bundled Extras
PureVPN: A dedicated IP gives you the same ip address on every session, which cuts down on captchas and login blocks. Dedicated IPs run $2.49 per month and port forwarding runs $1.49 per month.
The higher tiers also fold in a password manager and dark web monitoring, plus a data brokers removal tool that chases your details off broker sites.
TunnelBear: None of the above. No dedicated ip, no port forwarding, no password manager. TunnelBear offers a vpn and nothing more, which is either refreshing or limiting depending on what you came for.
8. Apps, Devices and Ease of Use
PureVPN: Desktop apps, mobile apps and browser extensions cover most setups, including Android TV and routers. PureVPN’s Android app is the most feature-rich of the bunch. PureVPN’s Windows app is the weak link, with reports of clunky behaviour and crashes, and the interface pushes upsell ads for add-ons.
TunnelBear: The Windows app, Mac app and Android app share one design, so switching between mobile devices and desktop feels identical. Whatever operating system you use, the map is the map. There is no router or Linux install, which rules out whole-home coverage.
9. Privacy, Logging and Audits
PureVPN: Based in the British Virgin Islands with a no-logs policy verified by KPMG and Altius IT. An always-on audit lets KPMG drop in unannounced. The history matters too: in 2017 PureVPN handed logs to the FBI, and the policy rewrite and audits followed that incident.
TunnelBear: Cure53 has audited it since 2016, and those audits found critical and high-severity issues that were then fixed. Operational data such as the OS version, app version and monthly data used is collected, but it cannot identify you. The catch is Canada, a Five Eyes member.
💡 Pro Tip: Both publish a transparency report. Read them before you trust either company with sensitive work.
10. Pricing & Cost
| Tier | PureVPN | TunnelBear |
|---|---|---|
| Free | ❌ | Free Testing and Limited usage |
| Entry | Standard — $2.15/per month | Unlimited — $3.33/mo |
| Mid | Plus — $3.15/per month | ❌ |
| Top / Team | Max — $3.55/per month | Teams — $5.75/user per month |
PureVPN: Cheaper at entry and cheaper at the top. The catch is add-ons: dedicated ips and port forwarding are billed separately, so a loaded plan costs more than the sticker. The 31 day money back guarantee lowers the risk of a bad purchase.
TunnelBear: Costs more per month for fewer features, but the free version means you risk nothing while testing. Teams billing at $5.75/user per month is the only shared-account option between these two. No refund policy is the real cost here.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| To pay nothing | TunnelBear | Real free plan, no card |
| Streaming and torrents | PureVPN | Netflix, iPlayer, P2P servers |
| Many countries | PureVPN | 140+ vs 48 locations |
| Endless devices | TunnelBear | Unlimited connections |
| Fast human help | PureVPN | 24/7 live chat |
| Simplest possible app | TunnelBear | One-tap map |
💰 Your Budget
PureVPN undercuts TunnelBear at every paid tier. But if your budget is truly zero, TunnelBear is the only one of the two you can run for free.
🔌 Your Devices
PureVPN covers ten devices simultaneously and reaches routers, Android TV and Apple TV. Check which vpn supports your router before you buy. TunnelBear allows unlimited connections but skips routers, so Windows mobile devices and laptops are its natural home.
📺 Your Streaming Habits
If you watch geo-blocked shows, this decision is already made. PureVPN works with major platforms often enough to be useful. TunnelBear mostly does not.
🎓 Your Experience Level
Power users will want protocol choice and split tunneling controls. Complete beginners get further with a map and one button, which is what TunnelBear built.
🆓 Free Trials and Refunds
Test PureVPN through the $0.99 seven-day trial or the 31-day refund window. TunnelBear has no refund policy, so its free account is the only safe way in.
🛟 Support Options
PureVPN runs 24/7 live chat plus in-app tickets, though refund handling draws complaints. TunnelBear’s support team works by email and web form only, and the TunnelBear site leans on its FAQ library instead.
Switching Guide
Already paying for one? Here is what changes.
🔄 Switching from PureVPN to TunnelBear?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Unlimited simultaneous connections instead of ten
- A free tier you can fall back on any month
- A far simpler app with no upsell clutter
❌ What you’ll lose:
- 6,500+ servers, dropping to 48 locations
- Streaming access, dedicated IPs and port forwarding
- 24/7 live chat and the 31-day refund window
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel auto-renewal inside your PureVPN account first
- Create a free TunnelBear account and test your usual sites
- Upgrade to Unlimited only once the free plan proves it works
🔄 Switching from TunnelBear to PureVPN?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- A far larger server list, including a Canada server and Hong Kong
- Working Netflix, BBC iPlayer and P2P support
- Password manager, dark web monitoring and dedicated IP options
❌ What you’ll lose:
- The free plan and unlimited device connections
- A clean interface with zero advertising
- GhostBear obfuscation, which PureVPN does not match by name
📋 How to switch:
- Note which TunnelBear locations you actually use
- Start the $0.99 trial and test PureVPN on those same routes
- Add a dedicated IP or port forwarding only if you need it
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
We focused on individual users and small teams. We did not run our own lab speed tests, so the numbers here come from published testing by other reviewers. Business plans, router firmware setups and long-term renewal pricing were outside our scope. If you manage a fleet of devices or need guaranteed streaming in one specific country, your results may differ from what we describe.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing | PureVPN |
| 🌍 Server Network | PureVPN |
| ⚡ Speed | PureVPN |
| 📺 Streaming | PureVPN |
| 🔐 Security Features | PureVPN |
| 🧸 Ease of Use | TunnelBear |
| 🆓 Free Access | TunnelBear |
| 🛟 Support | PureVPN |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | PureVPN |
🏆 WINNER: PUREVPN
PureVPN wins 6 of 8 categories.
Best for: streaming, torrenting, travel, and anyone who wants a dedicated ip
These two are not really chasing the same buyer. PureVPN is a full-size vpn service with a decade and a half of history, a big server list and a stack of add-ons. TunnelBear is a friendly front door to online privacy.
TunnelBear is a good vpn for someone who has never used one. The free version, the audits and the map interface make it a safe vpn to start with. Next to other vpn providers, though, it is deliberately thin, and it is not built for streaming or for power users.
We recommend PureVPN for most people here. It covers more ground for less money, and the refund window means you can walk away.
More of PureVPN Compared
Here is how it lands against the rest of the field. Our full PureVPN alternatives guide covers the wider list.
PureVPN vs NordVPN
PureVPN wins on: lower entry price, cheaper add-on dedicated IPs, longer 31-day refund window
NordVPN wins on: faster long-distance routes, steadier Netflix library access, threat protection tooling
PureVPN vs Private Internet Access
PureVPN wins on: bundled password manager, Apple TV app, KPMG always-on audit
Private Internet Access wins on: unlimited devices, open-source clients, court-proven no-logs record
PureVPN wins on: port forwarding add-on, BVI jurisdiction, dedicated P2P server locations
Surfshark VPN wins on: unlimited connections, cleaner app, stronger distant-server speeds
More of TunnelBear Compared
And here is where TunnelBear sits in the wider vpn market.
TunnelBear vs ProtonVPN
TunnelBear wins on: friendlier onboarding, unlimited devices, quirkier interface
ProtonVPN wins on: Swiss jurisdiction outside Five Eyes, unlimited free data, working streaming support
TunnelBear vs CyberGhost
TunnelBear wins on: free tier, simpler settings, published audit history since 2016
CyberGhost wins on: thousands more servers, streaming-optimised locations, 45-day refunds
TunnelBear vs McAfee VPN
TunnelBear wins on: standalone free plan, GhostBear obfuscation, independent audits
McAfee VPN wins on: antivirus bundling, wider device licensing, identity monitoring extras
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PureVPN safe to use?
Yes. KPMG and Altius IT have verified the no-logs policy, and surprise audits continue. The 2017 FBI logging incident predates that overhaul, so judge it on current practice.
Is TunnelBear really free?
Partly. The free tier gives 500 MB a month, rising to 2 GB through promotions. Unlimited data needs the paid plan at $3.33/mo.
Is TunnelBear blocked by Netflix?
Usually, yes. Most attempts return a proxy error, and Amazon Prime Video behaves the same way. Choose a different provider if streaming matters to you.
How much does PureVPN cost?
Standard is $2.15/per month, Plus is $3.15/per month and Max is $3.55/per month. Dedicated IPs and port forwarding cost extra each month.
Which is better, PureVPN or TunnelBear?
PureVPN, for most vpn users. It costs less, covers 140+ countries and handles streaming. TunnelBear wins only on simplicity and its free plan.
English 
Spanish 
Chinese 
German 
French 
Arabic 
Russian 
Portuguese 
Japanese 
Korean 
Italian 
Turkish 
Dutch 
Polish 
Indonesian 
Thai 
Vietnamese 