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TunnelBear is an easy-to-approach VPN with a free plan, but its small data allowance and unresolved questions about public audit access, streaming and kill-switch performance make it a better fit for trying VPN basics than for relying on without checking your needs. Its friendly design is not evidence of stronger privacy or security. Those questions depend on the service’s policies and on what independent testing has actually established.
What TunnelBear offers
TunnelBear sells VPN subscriptions and also lists a free tier. A VPN routes your internet traffic through a VPN server, which can mask your public IP address from sites you visit and protect traffic between your device and the VPN server. It does not make you anonymous, prevent every form of tracking, or guarantee access to a particular website or streaming catalog.
Independent reviews by RTINGS and TechRadar list the free plan at 2 GB of data per month. That can be enough to try the app or use a VPN occasionally, but it is a tight limit for regular browsing across multiple devices or video. RTINGS also lists an Unlimited paid service and a Teams plan with centralized billing. The current prices, plan-specific features, supported platforms, connection limits, payment methods and refund terms are not established by those review summaries; check TunnelBear’s current official plan information and terms before subscribing.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Is TunnelBear safe?
There is no single test that can establish that a VPN is simply “safe.” Consider the privacy policy, technical safeguards, independent testing, and whether the protections work as expected on your devices. TunnelBear’s own statements and third-party reviews provide different kinds of evidence and should not be treated as interchangeable.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
What the audit claims establish
In a company post dated 24 November 2025, TunnelBear said it had completed its 2025 independent security audit, described it as its ninth consecutive year, and said it was reviewing and addressing the findings. That is a statement from the company about an audit’s completion; it is not the auditor’s conclusion and does not, by itself, show readers what the audit found.
RTINGS’ review, updated 13 July 2026, says it could not find published audits for 2024 or 2025 and that the published audits did not verify adherence to privacy commitments. These statements are not necessarily contradictory: an audit may be completed without its report being publicly available. The evidence here does not establish that readers can inspect the 2025 report. An audit can provide useful evidence about the scope it examined at a particular time, but it cannot prove that a provider will never collect, retain or disclose information.
Rank #2
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
What reviewers say about logging and collected information
Reviewers describe TunnelBear as not logging browsing activity or connection IP addresses, while also reporting collection of operational or device information and approximate location. Those descriptions are secondary-source summaries, not a substitute for the current privacy policy. Before relying on the service for a particular privacy need, read the live policy to understand what information is collected, why it is collected, how long it is retained, and when it may be shared.
A no-logs description should not be read as “the service collects no data.” VPN providers may need limited operational information to run an account or service. What matters is the exact information, its purpose and handling, and what evidence is available to support the provider’s claims.
Rank #3
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
Kill-switch evidence is mixed
A kill switch is intended to block internet traffic if the VPN connection drops, reducing the chance that traffic continues over a normal connection. Security.org describes TunnelBear as having a kill-switch feature. RTINGS, in its review, reports leakage in its kill-switch test. Having a feature is not proof that it passed a particular test. A test result also applies to the configuration and conditions tested, not automatically to every device or later app version.
How well does TunnelBear work for streaming?
Do not assume TunnelBear will unlock a particular streaming service. Security.org and Cloudwards report difficulties or limited success with major streaming platforms. Access can vary by service, location, server and time as platforms change their VPN detection. A VPN subscription does not guarantee access to a streaming catalog, and results observed by a reviewer are not a promise about your connection.
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
How fast is TunnelBear?
Tom’s Guide reports a 332 Mbps nearby-server result and a 269 Mbps peak in its test of the free service. These are outcomes from that publication’s testing, not expected speeds for every user. VPN speed depends on factors such as your baseline connection, distance to the server, server load, device and network conditions. The exact test date was not verified in the cited review summary, so treat the figures as illustrative lab results rather than current performance guarantees.
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Who owns TunnelBear, and why does that matter?
Review sources report that TunnelBear is Canadian and was acquired by McAfee. Ownership and jurisdiction are relevant context for evaluating a privacy service, but neither fact alone proves that an individual user’s activity is exposed. For a meaningful assessment, consider the provider’s current policy, the applicable legal framework, the information it says it holds, and available independent evidence.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
Who should consider TunnelBear?
- It may suit you if you want a simple way to try a VPN, your use is occasional enough to fit the free plan’s 2 GB monthly allowance, and you do not depend on guaranteed streaming access.
- Look more closely before paying if you need dependable streaming, a specific privacy assurance, or confidence in kill-switch behavior. Review current plan terms and privacy disclosures, and check whether the public audit report you want to evaluate is available.
- Do not treat the interface or an audit claim as a guarantee. Ease of use, an announced audit, and a feature list each answer different questions about a VPN.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
