Intro & Overall Ratings
Our Ratings
ZoogVPN and TunnelBear are both effective VPN services. However, they differ in several key areas. ZoogVPN, based in Greece, has a higher overall rating of 69.3% compared to TunnelBear’s 64.2%. It offers a cheaper 12-month subscription at $1.99 per month. TunnelBear, based in Canada, is slightly more expensive at $3.33 per month. Both VPNs have a no-logging policy and use AES-256 encryption. ZoogVPN offers 71 servers across 42 countries, while TunnelBear offers a much larger network with 5,000 servers across 48 countries. Both VPNs offer unlimited simultaneous connections. TunnelBear provides ad blocking, which ZoogVPN lacks. From a user’s perspective, TunnelBear’s larger server network and ad-blocking feature may make it the more attractive option, despite its slightly lower overall rating and higher cost.
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: ZoogVPN vs TunnelBear
| VPN Company | ZoogVPN | TunnelBear |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction Country | Greece | Canada |
| Cheapest Price | $1.99/mo over 12-month subscription | $3.33/mo |
| Monthly Price | $9.99 | $3.33 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 7 days | – days |
| No Logging Policy? | Yes | Yes |
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| Protocols | IKEv2/IPSec, Open VPN, and TLS VPN | IKEv2/IPSec, Open VPN, and WireGuard |
| Servers | 71 | 5,000 |
| Servers Countries | 42 | 48 |
| Simultaneous Connections | Unlimited devices | Unlimited devices |
| Works in China? | Partially | Partially |
| Smart DNS | No | No |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | No | Yes |
| Double VPN | No | No |
| Ads Blocking | No | Yes |
| Split Tunneling | No | Yes |
| Third Party Audit | – | Cure53 |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Live Chat | |
| 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: Tie
When it comes to finding a VPN that balances cost and performance, both ZoogVPN and TunnelBear stand out as strong contenders. With ZoogVPN priced at a competitive $1.99/mo and TunnelBear offering plans starting at $3.33/mo, these VPNs prove that enhanced online security and privacy can be achieved without stretching your budget. Both services underscore the principle that high-quality VPN protection need not come with a hefty price tag.
TunnelBear Plans
ZoogVPN Plans
Jurisdiction: ZoogVPN Better
The jurisdiction of their VPN provider is a critical consideration for those who prioritize online privacy. TunnelBear’s HQ is based in Canada, a 14-Eye country; ZoogVPN’s on the other hand is based in Greece.
Bound by the stringent General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union, Greece provides a robust framework for data protection. And, being a country outside of the 14-Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, Greece is less likely to share surveillance data with other countries. In contrast, Canada, a country within the 14-Eyes Alliance, have more invasive surveillance programs and data-sharing agreements, potentially compromising individual privacy to a greater extent.
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.
In result, Greece-base ZoogVPN ffers a lower risk of government-led surveillance and is likely the better choice in term of data privacy and security.
Servers Count & Geographical Coverage: TunnelBear Better
The server fleet size of ZoogVPN and TunnelBear is a critical aspect where these two VPN providers diverge significantly. 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 contrast, ZoogVPN operates with a much smaller server fleet, consisting of just 71 servers in 42 countries.
The difference in server counts between the two VPNs might affect the performance and speed – especially if you are located in less covered regions. For users living in regions with fewer or no servers from ZoogVPN, this translate to higher latency (slower connection speeds). Also, the vast server network of TunnelBear not only provides better speed performance, but also typically allows for broader geographic reach (ie. bypassing geo-restrictions in streaming platforms).
Money Back Guarantee: TunnelBear Better
When comparing their customer refund policy – TunnelBear offers a substantial sense of security with a –day money-back guarantee. This allows you plenty of time to evaluate TunnelBear’s features and customer supports before jumping in long term.
Conversely, ZoogVPN proposes a much shorter duration (7 days) for its money-back guarantee. Although this briefer period still presents a chance to test the service, it could be a factor for users who prefer an extended trial to thoroughly try out the VPN services for their specific requirements.
Simultaneous Connections:Tie
Both TunnelBear and Zoog 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.
Ad Blocking Feature: TunnelBear Better
A notable difference between Zoog and TunnelBear lies in their additional features – particularly ad blocking. TunnelBear offers an integrated ad blocker, enhancing the browsing experience by eliminating unwanted ads and potentially harmful malware. On the other hand, ZoogVPN does not come with an ad blocking feature, which might be a drawback for users who prioritize a clean and uninterrupted browsing experience.
Bottomline
In conclusion, ZoogVPN and TunnelBear both offer competitive VPN services with unique strengths. ZoogVPN, based in Greece, is ideal for users prioritizing privacy, while TunnelBear, with its impressive server count and ad-blocking feature, provides a comprehensive service suitable for a broad range of users. Remember to consider your individual needs when selecting a VPN service, whether it’s enhanced privacy, better speed, or specific content access.
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 ourZoogVPN 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 ZoogVPN & 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.
ZoogVPN
ZoogVPN is a virtual private network company that was established in 2013 by Zoog Services IKE company. The company is headquartered in Patras, Greece; and they specialize in providing secure and private internet connections to their clients.
To learn more, read our ZoogVPN review.