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Head-to-head · Free VPN Services

Hotspot Shield vs TunnelBear

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Hotspot Shield #7 in Free VPN Services 8.5/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 1 features Visit Hotspot Shield
TunnelBear #8 in Free VPN Services 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 1 features Visit TunnelBear

Hotspot Shield leads on 0 checks, TunnelBear on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreHotspot Shield · 8.5/10
  • Lowest starting priceTunnelBear · $3.33/mo
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield scores higher on our rubric for free vpn services: 8.5 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.

TunnelBear is cheaper to start at $3.33/user/mo against $6.99/user/mo.

Hotspot Shield is the better fit for streaming-focused free VPN users. TunnelBear is the better fit for audited VPN with obfuscation.

  • Hotspot Shield fits best

    Streaming-focused free VPN users

  • TunnelBear fits best

    Audited VPN with obfuscation

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Hotspot Shield 8.5/10 Visit ↗ TunnelBear 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.4
Ranking #7 in Free VPN Services #8 in Free VPN Services
Best for Streaming-focused free VPN users Audited VPN with obfuscation
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $6.99/mo $3.33/mo (best)
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, Linux
Support Live chat, Email, Docs · 24/7 Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Hotspot Shield 0/1 · TunnelBear 0/1
Ads on free plan Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Free data allowance Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free server choice Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free speed policy Not checked yet Not checked yet
Logging policy Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free Basic plan includes private browsing and VPN encryption
  • Streaming optimization and 115+ locations on paid plans
  • Apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android
  • Independent annual security audits
  • GhostBear obfuscation for restrictive networks
  • WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 support
Cons
  • Basic limits users to 1 device and 500 MB of daily data
  • Basic offers only 1 U.S. virtual location
  • Unlimited data and broader streaming access require a paid plan
  • Free plan is limited to 2 GB of secure browsing
  • Streaming support is explicitly unsupported
  • Teams pricing is charged per user monthly
Our verdict

Hotspot Shield is a freemium VPN service for consumers who want encrypted internet traffic, private browsing, virtual locations and streaming access. Its free Basic plan suits light use on a single device, while paid tiers target people…

Read the review →

TunnelBear is a freemium VPN service for consumers and teams that encrypts device traffic and routes connections through VPN locations in different countries. It suits users who want a limited free option, paid unlimited browsing, country…

Read the review →
  1. Hotspot ShieldFree VPN Services 8.5Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. TunnelBearFree VPN Services 8.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Hotspot Shield — where it wins

    • Free Basic plan includes private browsing and VPN encryption
    • Streaming optimization and 115+ locations on paid plans
    • Apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • Basic limits users to 1 device and 500 MB of daily data
    • Basic offers only 1 U.S. virtual location
    • Unlimited data and broader streaming access require a paid plan

  • TunnelBear — where it wins

    • Independent annual security audits
    • GhostBear obfuscation for restrictive networks
    • WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 support

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to 2 GB of secure browsing
    • Streaming support is explicitly unsupported
    • Teams pricing is charged per user monthly

More comparisons

All free VPN services comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update