Intro & Overall Ratings
Our Ratings
TunnelBear and Windscribe are both VPN services based in Canada, with TunnelBear scoring slightly higher at 64.2% compared to Windscribe’s 57.5% in our ratings. When it comes to plans and pricing, TunnelBear offers a more affordable option, charging $3.33/mo for both monthly and long-term contracts, while Windscribe sets its price higher at $12/mo for monthly subscribers and $3.33/mo for a 12-month contract. In terms of server count and geographical coverage, TunnelBear has a significant advantage with over 5,000 servers worldwide, compared to Windscribe’s 120 servers across 69 countries. TunnelBear also offers a better money-back guarantee of 30 days, while Windscribe only provides 3 days. Windscribe does have the advantage of a double VPN feature, adding an extra layer of security, but overall, TunnelBear seems to be the better choice for most users due to its lower pricing, larger server network, and longer money-back guarantee.
About Our VPN Rating Systems
Our reviews delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Ratings are based on our comprehensive research of 96 VPN companies. Out of 96 VPNs we reviewed, only 11 surpass the 75% threshold in our evaluation, while half of the reviewed services score below average (54.1%).
Why Read Our VPN Guide?
- Our VPN reviews are unbiased and data-driven. We are not affiliated to any of the VPN companies listed on this website.
- Our rating system covers diverse user needs. We delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Specifications: Windscribe vs TunnelBear
| VPN Company | Windscirbe | TunnelBear |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction Country | Canada | Canada |
| Cheapest Price | $5.75/mo over 12-month subscription | $3.33/mo |
| Monthly Price | $12.00 | $3.33 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30 days | – days |
| No Logging Policy? | Yes | Yes |
| Encryption | AES-256, and ChaCha20 | AES-256 |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec | IKEv2/IPSec, Open VPN, and WireGuard |
| Servers | 120 | 5,000 |
| Servers Countries | 69 | 48 |
| Simultaneous Connections | Unlimited devices | Unlimited devices |
| Works in China? | Unlikely | Partially |
| Smart DNS | No | No |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | Yes | Yes |
| Double VPN | Yes | No |
| Ads Blocking | Yes | Yes |
| Split Tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Third Party Audit | – | Cure53 |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Live Chat & Email | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Unblock Streaming | Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO | Disney+, Netflix, and HBO |
| Learn More | Visit Online | Visit Online |
Cruical Features & Key Differences
Plans & Pricing: TunnelBear Better
TunnelBear positions itself as an affordable option. The VPN charges $3.33/mo for month-to-month contract and a much cheaper $3.33/mo for those who are willing to subscribe in long term.
In comparison, Windscribe sets its price higher at $12/mo for monthly subscribers and $3.33/mo for those who are willing to commit to a 12-month contract.
Based on our market research, the average cost of VPN is $3.56/mo with a commitment period of 21 months. You should consider whether the additional features and services offered by Windscribe justify the higher cost, especially when comparing it to other available options that might offer similar services at a more economical rate.
TunnelBear Plans
Windscribe Plans
Jurisdiction: Tie (Equally Bad)
Both Windscribe and TunnelBear are based in 14-Eye Alliance countries – which means the company may be obligated to retent your data and share them with gorvenment bodies. If you are handling sensitive information or require maximum data privacy – you should avoid both companies and look for VPNs in countries with a lower risk of government-led surveillance and data sharing
Understanding the 14-Eyes Alliance and Its Privacy Implications
The 14-Eyes Alliance, an expansion of the Five- and Nine-Eyes intelligence collaborations, includes countries like the USA, UK, Canada, and several European nations. These member states are known for their extensive surveillance activities, as highlighted by disclosures from figures like Edward Snowden (watch video below). Such surveillance extends to the sharing of collected data among member countries.
The presence of a VPN provider in a 14-Eyes country could mean legal obligations to surrender user data to government entities, with the potential for this data to circulate among the alliance members. This surveillance culture not only compromises personal privacy but also raises concerns about digital security, particularly with the push for encryption backdoors.
Servers Count & Geographical Coverage: TunnelBear Better
The size of a VPN’s server fleet plays a crucial role in determining user experience. A larger fleet generally provides faster speeds, greater reliability, wider geographical coverage, lower latency, and potentially enhanced privacy. On the other hand, a smaller server fleet might lead to slower speeds, higher latency, limited content access, and potential privacy concerns.
In term of server counts, TunnelBear stands out with its impressive network, hosting over 5,000 servers worldwide. This extensive coverage ensures that users almost anywhere can find a reliable and fast server connection.
In comparison, Windscribe maintains a more modest server presence, with only 120 servers across 69 countries. If you live in regions with fewer servers from Windscribe, this might translate to slower speeds and potentially less stable connections. The vast server network of TunnelBear not only provides broader geographic reach but also typically allows for better performance and lower latency.
Money Back Guarantee: TunnelBear Better
TunnelBear offers a substantial sense of security to its users through a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. This affords new users plenty of time to comprehensively evaluate its services.
Conversely, Windscribe proposes a shorter duration (just 3 days!) for its money-back guarantee. Although this briefer period still presents a chance to test the service, it could be a factor for those users who favor an extended trial to thoroughly ascertain the VPN’s suitability for their specific requirements.
* According to our market study, the average money-back guarantee period in the industry is approximately 25.68 days.
Simultaneous Connections:Tie
Both TunnelBear and Windscribe offer a respectable large number of simultaneous connections – which makes both VPNs particularly advantageous for larger households or businesses where numerous devices require VPN protection.
Double VPN Feature: Windscribe Better
Windscribe stands out with its double VPN feature, somethingTunnelBear lacks. If staying completely anonymous online is your top priority, then Windscribe is the better choice for you.
Double VPN is a special security feature not often seen in VPNs. Of the 96 VPNs we studied, only 26 have it. Usually, data goes through just one VPN server. But with double VPN, your data travels through two servers, adding more security and keeping you more anonymous. This means it’s much harder for hackers to get to your data, as it’s encrypted twice.
Bottomline
When it comes to plans and pricing, TunnelBear offers a more affordable option than Windscribe. However, Windscribe offers additional features and services that may justify its higher cost for certain users. Both Windscribe and TunnelBear are based in 14-Eye Alliance countries. If maximum data privacy is important to you, it is recommended to look for VPNs in countries with a lower risk of government-led surveillance and data sharing.
TunnelBear has a larger server fleet with over 5,000 servers worldwide. This means faster speeds, wider geographical coverage, and potentially enhanced privacy. On the other hand, Windscribe has a more modest server presence with 120 servers across 69 countries.
When it comes to the money-back guarantee, TunnelBear offers a more generous 30-day period compared to Windscribe’s 3-day guarantee.
Both VPNs allow for a large number of simultaneous connections, making them suitable for larger households or businesses.
One standout feature of Windscribe is its double VPN feature, which provides an extra layer of security and anonymity.
Ultimately, it’s important to assess your personal requirements and choose a VPN that meets your unique needs.
Pick What You Need
Our VPN recommendations and ratings are just a general guide and may not match your personal needs. Know what you need and pick a VPN that fits. It’s crucial to assess your personal requirements, whether it’s enhanced security, better privacy, faster speeds, or access to specific content. Use ourWindscribe and TunnelBear comparison as a starting point, but ultimately, select a VPN that aligns with your unique needs. This approach ensures you get the most out of your VPN service.
About Windscribe & TunnelBear
TunnelBear
TunnelBear is a VPN company that was founded in 2011 in Toronto, Canada by Ryan Dochuk and Daniel Kaldor. Originally, TunnelBear’s service was designed to be a public VPN. In March 2018, the service was acquired by cybersecurity company McAfee and has since been serving users from the US jurisdiction. However, TunnelBear still uses its own brand for products. The company has a unique website design that features cute bear animations that make the service approachable. TunnelBear Free plan users get 500MB of free bandwidth per month, which is honestly barely enough to test the service. It’ll run dry after a few speed tests, and you can forget streaming any kind of media long-term, even if it works. Paid plan users get much better access, and the starting price of $3.33/mo is pretty good.
To learn more, read our TunnelBear review.
Windscribe
Windscribe is a cross-platform, commercial VPN provider based in Canada. The company was founded by Yegor Sak and Alex Paguis in 2016. It offers unlimited, simultaneous connections, and its privacy policy promotes the service as a no-log VPN. Windscribe is known for its exceptional commitment to social responsibility, particularly around issues of censorship in authoritarian regimes. For example, it provided expanded bandwidth free accounts to everyone affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Windscribe has also offered free and unlimited service to all journalists in the region, and subsequently combatting Russian blocks that aimed to render these efforts fruitless.
To learn more, read our Windscribe review.