TunnelBear vs NordVPN [2022]: Speed, Netflix, Firestick, China, Etc

TunnelBear is a VPN that promises to be fast and secure. NordVPN has been around longer with more experience and resources at their disposal. These two different services are very popular in the market, but which one offers better value?

When it comes to free VPN services, TunnelBear is one of the finest solutions. However, if you want a service that gives you more bang for your buck, you might choose NordVPN. It’s speedier, more user-friendly, and works in a variety of countries, including China.

Let’s take a closer look at these two VPN companies and see how they compare.

TunnelBear

NordVPN

Comparison

Policy on Logging	There will be There will be no logging..	There will be There will be no logging..
Jurisdiction	Canada is a country that has a (Five Eyes Member)	Panama
Encryption	256-bit AES Encryption	4096-bit RSA Key Exchange with AES-256SHA 256 Hash Authentication
Protocols	IPSec/IKEv2 OpenVPN	UDP OpenVPN TCP IPSec/IKEv2 IPSec/L2TP WireGuard OpenVPN
Adblockers and anti-malware software	Yes	Yes
On/Off switch	Yes, indeed (macOS, Windows, Android)	Yes, indeed (Linux, Windows, Android, iOS, macOS)
Tests for Leaks	There were no leaks discovered.	There were no leaks discovered.
Test your speed	Average to Quick	Fast
Torrenting & P2P	Yes	Yes, indeed (optimized P2P servers)
Streaming	Netflix Amazon Prime Hulu Max Kodi from HBO	Netflix Amazon Prime is a subscription service that allows you to BBC iPlayer Hulu Firestick Roku is a streaming media player (Via Router) Kodi Apple TV is a device that allows you to watch (Via Router) Android Television (Android TV)
Gaming	Mac OS X Windows Linux (limited) Chrome for Android and iOS Opera (Firefox)	Linux macOS Windows Android iOS Android TV Playstation 5 Xbox One Nintendo Switch is a game console that was released in
Compatibility	Mac OS X Windows Linux (limited) Chrome for Android and iOS Opera (Firefox)	Chrome for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS Chromebook with Firefox Routers Selected by Tor
Simultaneous Connections are when two or more things happen at the same time. are when two or more things happen at the same time.	5	6
Servers	3000+	5245
China	Sometimes	Yes
Features Not Included	phantomBear (Obfuscated Server)	Over VPN Obfuscated Server, Use Double VPN Onion
Tunneling in Two Parts	Yes	Yes
Prices	Tier 1 is completely free (limited usage) $9.99 per month $4.21 per month (1 year) $3.33 per month (3 years)	Monthly fee of $11.95 $4.92 per month (1 year) $3.67 per month (two years plus three months free)
Our Opinion	4.0	4.7
Website	TunnelBear.com	nordvpn.com

Both of these VPN providers have unique selling advantages. Let’s have a look at their features to see which ones are the greatest and which ones may be improved.

Security and Privacy

TunnelBear is a VPN provider based in Canada, a nation that is a member of the “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing pact. VPNs are, nevertheless, permitted in this nation. On the other side, NordVPN is based in Panama, which has no mandated data retention rules.

NordVPN, on the other hand, has previously been hacked. In March 2018, the provider’s Finland data center was “accessed without authority,” according to the company. However, they are now taking precautions to avoid a repeat of the situation. NordVPN now offers a bug bounty program, in which customers may identify flaws in the service and get money. 

TunnelBear, on the other hand, has never been subjected to a comparable attack.

NordVPN has a On/Off switch, while TunnelBear has a similar feature called VigilantBear. Both of them have Adblockers and anti-malware software.

Encryption

The two providers use 256-bit AES Encryption. Since AES is the only cryptogram that the US National Security Agency (NSA) approved, both TunnelBear and NordVPN assure you that your information is secured.

Protocols for Virtual Private Networks

TunnelBear VPN and NordVPN both employ the OpenVPN and IPSec/IKEv2 protocols. Only NordVPN, on the other hand, employs WireGuard, a program that offers high-speed performance, security, and ease of use.

Protection Against Leaks

Here’s what my IP address looks like before I test the VPN services for any leaks:

Here is the IP address while running TunnelBear on the Singapore server:

Meanwhile, while using NordVPN and choosing the Hong Kong server, this is what the IP address looked like:

My real IP address was effectively hidden by both VPN services.

Server Safety

When searching for a VPN service, one with a RAM-disk server is the best option. This short-term memory prevents any logs from being stored and deletes data when your device is turned off, keeping you more secure. Unfortunately, neither TunnelBear VPN nor NordVPN provide this service, however the latter is aiming to upgrade their infrastructure to RAM servers.

Final Thoughts

Each of these VPN providers has its own set of advantages. WireGuard is one of NordVPN’s protocols. While we can’t rule out the possibility that it was hacked, it is currently taking steps to improve its security, such as planning for a RAM-based server. TunnelBear has never had any concerns with privacy, although it has yet to migrate to RAM-disk servers.

Even if NordVPN has had some challenges in the past, the fact that it has made measures to improve its service and security is a positive. I’m going to award this round to NordVPN.

Test your speed

Both VPN services provide unrestricted data use.

I checked my Internet speed before using the VPN services:

Upon conducting Test your speeds for both of the VPN providers, here are my findings.

For TunnelBear VPN’s US server, go to https://www.TunnelBear

For NordVPN’s US server, go to https://www.nordvpn.com

There is a big speed difference between VPN providers. You may deduce from this that NordVPN is quicker than TunnelBear.

P2P and torrenting

TunnelBear’s networks support torrenting, although they suggest using the servers in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Romania, the Netherlands, Germany, or Sweden if you have any problems.

When it comes to P2P sharing, NordVPN prides itself on its quickness. It claims to have hundreds of peer-to-peer servers located all over the globe. There are no bandwidth constraints, so you won’t have to worry about that.

Before I turned on the VPN services, below was my IP and torrent address:

Here’s what the TunnelBear Singapore server did:

Here’s what the NordVPN Hong Kong server revealed:

My genuine IP address was hidden by both of them. However, NordVPN wins this round in terms of file sharing since it has specialized P2P servers.

Streaming

Those that acquire VPN services do so in order to get access to the libraries of streaming services in other countries. Make sure it’s compatible with popular streaming providers while making your choice.

Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and other streaming services are all available using TunnelBear VPN. Meanwhile, NordVPN allows users to access Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, and a variety of other services.

Netflix

Both NordVPN and TunnelBear are good for streaming HD video—I have not experienced any lags or low resolution while watching Spotlight on the US Netflix library. They can access libraries, including that of the UK server. They both gave me a smooth experience even though TunnelBear VPN appeared slow based on the conducted Test your speed.

Here’s what the video looked like when I was using NordVPN to stream:

Here’s how streaming Spotlight with TunnelBear looks like:

While utilizing TunnelBear, I expected the video to show at poor quality. Surprisingly, both of them perform well when it comes to streaming. Both of them also provide you access to the major Netflix libraries, albeit TunnelBear’s free edition may have a restriction. If you subscribe, though, it will work great for streaming.

For this round, I’m going to call it a tie.

Tie for first place

Gaming

TunnelBear VPN is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux (with certain limitations), Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. Unfortunately, gaming consoles, as well as Apple and Android TV, are not supported by this VPN service. When playing mobile games, it works fine, although I had a few delays when playing Mobile Legends on iOS.

This is how Mobile Legends looks when TunnelBear is used.

NordVPN, like TunnelBear, is compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android. However, it has the benefit of being compatible with Android TV and gaming systems such as the Xbox One, Playstation 5, and Nintendo Switch.

When I played Mobile Legends on iOS, I didn’t notice any latency or bad quality. Here’s a snapshot of the game while connected to a US server using NordVPN: 

Both are adequate for playing games on your phone, but NordVPN has an edge since it is compatible with gaming consoles. NordVPN wins this round.

Compatibility

Windows, macOS, Linux (limited), Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, and Opera are all supported by TunnelBear VPN. The platforms listed are also compatible with NordVPN (except Opera). They both have browser extensions as well. NordVPN, on the other hand, offers a larger range of compatibility since it can be installed on a variety of routers and gaming systems.

A more detailed comparison may be seen in the table below:

TunnelBear	NordVPN
Mac OS X Windows Linux (limited) Chrome for Android and iOS Opera (Firefox)	Chrome for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS Chromebook with Firefox Routers Selected by Tor

NordVPN is the winner of this round.

Simultaneous Connections are when two or more things happen at the same time. are when two or more things happen at the same time.

If you use several devices at once, you would want a reliable VPN provider that can handle Simultaneous Connections are when two or more things happen at the same time. are when two or more things happen at the same time.. TunnelBear can handle up to five connections, which can be a mix of browser extensions, mobile phones, and computers.

You may only use NordVPN on a maximum of six devices. It differs from TunnelBear in that it may be installed in a limited number of compatible routers, accounting for just one of the six devices. This manner, you can encrypt all of your network’s devices while still having five slots available. This is one characteristic that TunnelBear lacks.

Comparing NordVPN vs TunnelBear, the latter is more reliable when it comes to Simultaneous Connections are when two or more things happen at the same time. are when two or more things happen at the same time.. NordVPN once again dominates this round.

Servers

A VPN service with a larger number of servers is always the best choice. When picking a VPN provider, it’s important to go with one that gives you more options.

TunnelBear provides more than 3,000 VPN servers spread across more than 40 countries. To safeguard its users, it shut down its Hong Kong server in 2020. This is in accordance with a Chinese government security legislation that poses a risk to internet safety. Instead, the VPN provider advised Hong Kong consumers to connect to servers in Japan or Singapore.

NordVPN has a larger number of servers. It has more than 5,000 servers in 59 countries, giving it a leg up over TunnelBear.

In this battle of NordVPN vs. TunnelBear, I’d choose NordVPN since it has more servers and locations than the latter.

China

According to TunnelBear, you can “tunnel” anywhere in the globe. They have customers in this area, however they cannot guarantee network quality since certain locations are more restricted than others. NordVPN, on the other hand, can get beyond China’s Great Firewall. NordVPN’s servers are disguised, allowing it to bypass firewalls that prevent VPNs. NordVPN wins this round.

Usability and User Interface

TunnelBear looks to have a narrow window that isn’t expandable. With a limited interface, it’s difficult to travel from one location on the map to another. However, it does give a list of nations, which I find more convenient to use than the map.

The UI of NordVPN is more user-friendly. Its window may be expanded. On the left side, it also offers a list of server locations, my recent servers, and a search box. This feature makes it easier to navigate.

This time, I’m going with NordVPN.

Features Not Included

Ghostbear is a TunnelBear feature that functions similarly to obfuscated servers. When you aren’t using this VPN service, however, it is recommended that you switch off this function. Otherwise, your connection will be slowed.

Onion over VPN, a privacy solution, and Double VPN, which adds additional layer of protection, are among NordVPN’s features.

In this category, NordVPN is the winner.

Customer Service

Customers of NordVPN have access to support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may contact them by email or live chat assistance. They make it a point to react to email complaints within 24 hours.

TunnelBear also offers “support bears” that can help you with any issues. TunnelBear quickly replies to my issues through tickets and provides links to publications that may help me find solutions. If that is not the case, they promised to reply to my problem within 48 hours. This service, however, does not provide live chat.

Here’s a more comprehensive Comparison of NordVPN vs TunnelBear in terms of Customer Service:

	TunnelBear	NordVPN
Live Chat	No	Yes
Email Customer Service	Yes	Yes
Support over the phone	No	No
Ticket Assistance	Yes	Yes
Video Instructions	No	Yes
Knowledge Base on the Internet	Yes	Yes
Average Time to Respond	2 hours	3 hours

They both strive to provide the greatest service to their customers, but I’d rather use a VPN with live chat assistance. For the time being, I’ll cast my vote for NordVPN. 

Prices

The following is a comparison between TunnelBear vs NordVPN pricing:

	TunnelBear	NordVPN
Lengths of Subscriptions	(500MB per month)	There is no free tier.
	$9.99/month	$11.95/month
	One-year subscription ($4.99/month)	One-year subscription ($4.92/month)
	$3.33/month for three years	Two years at $3.67 per month
The Most Expensive Month	$9.99	$11.95/month
Lowest Monthly Rate	$3.33/month	$3.67/month
Price for a year	$59.88	$59
Guaranteed Money-Back	Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis.	30 days
Special Promotion	For a three-year strategy, save 67 percent.	For a two-year plan, you’ll save 69 percent and get three months free.
	For a one-year strategy, save aside 50% of your income.	For a one-year strategy, save 58 percent.

TunnelBear may provide you with free but restricted monthly use, therefore it’s still a good idea to upgrade to the premium version. VPN for enterprises is also available via this VPN service.

NordVPN appears to be a tad more expensive than TunnelBear, but you can get more discounts when applying for a long-term plan. NordVPN also has a 30-day Guaranteed Money-Back.

Despite the fact that TunnelBear offers a free VPN service, I have to award this round to NordVPN.

Verdict

Is TunnelBear a better alternative to NordVPN?

I’m afraid I’ll have to decline. NordVPN outperforms TunnelBear in almost every way. If you want a quicker VPN for streaming and torrenting, as well as a more user-friendly interface and the ability to bypass China’s Great Firewall, NordVPN is the way to go. It also offers excellent value for money, as you will quickly discover with RAM-disk servers.

TunnelBear, on the other hand, isn’t far behind. It still provides a free but adequate VPN service, despite its limitations. You may do it for free if you need to test it out before investing in the premium version. What are the chances? Perhaps TunnelBear is a better fit for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better TunnelBear vs NordVPN?

A: TunnelBear is a better option for most people, because it only costs $4.99/month and offers great security options that are easy to use.

What is better than TunnelBear?

A: A VPN.

Is Tunnel Bear VPN good?

A: Tunnel Bear VPN is not a good VPN service, as it has poor encryption and security.