Proton VPN vs TunnelBear: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Proton VPN and TunnelBear side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, TunnelBear leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Proton VPN
Swiss privacy protection with unlimited bandwidth
Best for you if:
- • You want secure VPN
TunnelBear
Secure your internet and browse privately on any device
Best for you if:
- • You want strong encryption and robust security features protect online activity
| At a Glance | Proton VPN | TunnelBear |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $6.99/mo, billed yearly VPN Plus plan | Free plan, paid from $3.33/mo, billed yearly Unlimited plan |
Category | VPN Security | VPN Security |
Rating | 4.3/5 G2 4.3 5 reviews | 4.0/5 Capterra 4.5 · G2 4.4 · SourceForge 1.7 510 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Monthly pricing ($9.99/month) is 3.3x more expensive than the 2-year rate. Casual users testing the service for a few months pay a significant premium. | Free tier is limited to 2GB, not suitable for heavy use. |
Choose Proton VPN or TunnelBear?
Choose Proton VPN if
- You want secure VPN
- You want swiss-based
Choose TunnelBear if
- You want strong encryption and robust security features protect online activity
- You want bypasses geo-restrictions and censorship effectively
- Budget matters ($3.33/mo, billed yearly vs $6.99/mo, billed yearly)
In-Depth Analysis
Proton VPN
Swiss privacy protection with unlimited bandwidth
The free tier is genuinely usable, unlimited data with no ads, which no other major VPN matches.
Watch out
Monthly pricing ($9.99/month) is 3.3x more expensive than the 2-year rate. Casual users testing the service for a few months pay a significant premium.
Strengths
- Pro: Secure VPN
- Pro: Swiss-based
- Pro: Good privacy
- Pro: Free tier
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: Slower than some
- Con: Limited free servers
- Con: Expensive premium
- Con: Server availability
- Con: Better alternatives exist
Key features
TunnelBear
Secure your internet and browse privately on any device
TunnelBear's pricing is fair, especially with its generous free tier offering 2GB.
Watch out
Free tier is limited to 2GB, not suitable for heavy use.
Strengths
- Pro: Strong encryption and robust security features protect online activity.
- Pro: Bypasses geo-restrictions and censorship effectively.
- Pro: User-friendly applications for multiple platforms.
- Pro: Strict no-logging policy ensures privacy.
- Pro: Regular, independent security audits build trust.
Weaknesses
- Con: The free tier has a limited data allowance.
- Con: Specific server locations for certain cities are only available on paid plans.
Key features
Plans and prices: Proton VPN vs TunnelBear
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN |
| protonvpn.com/pricing read Oct 15, 2026 |
| TunnelBear |
| tunnelbear.com/pricing read Oct 20, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Proton VPN pricing and TunnelBear pricing.
Key Takeaways
Proton VPN
- Choose if you want swiss privacy protection with unlimited bandwidth
TunnelBear
- Lower entry price: $3.33/mo, billed yearly vs $6.99/mo, billed yearly
What the data shows
On the data below, TunnelBear leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.3/5 from 5 reviews for Proton VPN, 4.0/5 from 510 reviews for TunnelBear; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- TunnelBear has the lower entry price: $3.33/mo, billed yearly (Unlimited) against $6.99/mo, billed yearly (VPN Plus) for Proton VPN.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Proton VPN and TunnelBear compare in 2026?
On the data below, TunnelBear leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.3/5 from 5 reviews for Proton VPN, 4.0/5 from 510 reviews for TunnelBear; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). TunnelBear has the lower entry price: $3.33/mo, billed yearly (Unlimited) against $6.99/mo, billed yearly (VPN Plus) for Proton VPN. Both have a free plan.
What are Proton VPN and TunnelBear used for?
Proton VPN: Swiss privacy protection with unlimited bandwidth. TunnelBear: Secure your internet and browse privately on any device.
What does Proton VPN cost vs TunnelBear?
Proton VPN's cheapest paid plan is VPN Plus at $6.99/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. TunnelBear's cheapest paid plan is Unlimited at $3.33/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 20, 2026.
What's the main difference between Proton VPN and TunnelBear?
Proton VPN's main strength: secure VPN. TunnelBear's main strength: strong encryption and robust security features protect online activity.