StrongVPN vs TunnelBear Comparison

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In the world of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), StrongVPN and TunnelBear stand tall as significant players. Our aim in this article is to dissect the key aspects of StrongVPN vs TunnelBear, highlighting their features, strengths, and potential downsides. Choosing between these two can be daunting, as each brings unique offerings to the table.

Overview

Dive into an in-depth comparison between StrongVPN and TunnelBear, two heavyweights in the VPN world. We’ll scrutinize their security protocols, privacy policies, and speed performance, helping you decide which VPN is the right guard for your digital life. Get ready to explore the strengths and weaknesses of these two contenders and make an informed choice for seamless, secure online browsing.

StrongVPN

StrongVPN

Price: From $3.97/month

Trustpilot Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Refund Policy: StrongVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Official website: www.strongvpn.com

StrongVPN is best for individuals and businesses who prioritize online security and privacy, and need a reliable VPN service for uninterrupted browsing, downloading, and streaming.

Learn more about StrongVPN

TunnelBear

TunnelBear

Price: From $3.33/month

Trustpilot Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Refund Policy: TunnelBear offers a refund within 30 days of payment on case-by-case basis.

Official website: www.tunnelbear.com

TunnelBear is best for internet users who value privacy and want a simple, user-friendly way to secure their web browsing on both desktop and mobile devices.

Learn more about TunnelBear

StrongVPN has been a bastion of online privacy, offering a secure and fast connection across a vast network of servers. Its user interface is intuitive, facilitating easy access to various features that enhance the browsing experience. It’s been a pillar of strength in safeguarding my online presence, warranting a solid 5-star rating! – Isabella

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TunnelBear offers a VPN service characterized by both fun and functionality. Its user-friendly app, adorned with bear-themed animations, makes the security process delightful. Beyond the playful exterior lies a robust VPN service that offers strong encryption and a no-logs policy, striking a perfect balance between fun and security, and deserving a joyful 5-star rating. – Sunil K.

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StrongVPN lives up to its name by offering strong and reliable connections coupled with robust security features. However, the user interface could benefit from a more intuitive design. Overall, a reliable option that deserves a 4-star rating. – Ayaan R.

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TunnelBear brings a playful and intuitive approach to VPN services, offering robust security coupled with an easy-to-use interface. While well-executed, the server network could be more extensive. Capturing users with its bear-themed approach, it is deserving of a 4-star rating. – Gabriel Ferreira

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Pros & Cons

This part scrutinizes the strengths and weaknesses of these two VPNs.

Winner is:

StrongVPN boasts robust security, a no-logs policy, and impressive speeds, making it excellent for streaming. However, it lacks a free version and has fewer server locations compared to TunnelBear. TunnelBear, on the other hand, offers a free limited version and a user-friendly interface, but falls short with slower speeds and lack of Netflix unblocking. Given these factors, StrongVPN takes the overall win due to superior speed, security, and streaming capabilities.

StrongVPN

StrongVPN

Pros:
  • Strong security features: StrongVPN uses strong encryption and a no-logs policy to protect your privacy.
  • Large server network: StrongVPN has over 950 servers in 65 countries, so you can find a server that is close to you for fast speeds.
  • P2P support: StrongVPN allows P2P file sharing on all of its servers, so you can torrent without worrying about getting caught.
  • 12 simultaneous connections: StrongVPN allows you to connect up to 12 devices at the same time, so you can share your VPN with your family and friends.
  • 24/7 customer support: StrongVPN has 24/7 customer support available via live chat and email.
Cons:
  • Slow speeds: StrongVPN's speeds can be slow, especially on long-distance connections.
  • No split tunneling: StrongVPN does not offer split tunneling, so all of your traffic will be routed through the VPN, even if you only want to encrypt some of it.
  • No dedicated IP address: StrongVPN does not offer dedicated IP addresses, so your IP address will change each time you connect to the VPN.
  • Expensive: StrongVPN is one of the more expensive VPNs on the market.
TunnelBear

TunnelBear

Pros:
  • Easy to use: TunnelBear has a simple and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to get started, even for beginners.
  • Secure: TunnelBear uses strong encryption to protect your data and privacy.
  • Has a free version: TunnelBear offers a free version that gives you 500 MB of data per month.
  • Unblocks streaming services: TunnelBear can unblock streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
  • Has a no-logs policy: TunnelBear does not collect any logs of your online activity.
  • Has a kill switch: TunnelBear's kill switch will disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, preventing your data being exposed.
Cons:
  • Speed: TunnelBear's speeds are not the fastest, and you may experience some lag when using it.
  • Not available in all countries: TunnelBear is not available in all countries, so you may not be able to use it if you are traveling.
  • Doesn't have a lot of features: TunnelBear does not have as many features as some other VPNs, such as split tunneling and port forwarding.

Key Features

This section compares the overall features of StrongVPN vs TunnelBear.

StrongVPN HQ and country of jurisdiction is United States, and StrongVPN supports Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire Stick, and routers.

TunnelBear HQ and country of jurisdiction is Canada, and TunnelBear supports Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. It also offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.

Winner is:

StrongVPN excels with its zero-logging policy, 950+ servers across 30 countries, and supporting up to 12 devices. TunnelBear, while user-friendly, offers fewer servers and supports only 5 devices. Despite TunnelBear's strong privacy policy, StrongVPN's versatility, robust security, and greater device compatibility make it the superior choice for comprehensive online protection.

StrongVPN

StrongVPN

  • Strong security features: StrongVPN uses strong encryption and a no-logs policy to protect your privacy.
  • Large server network: StrongVPN has over 950 servers in 65 countries, so you can find a server that is close to you for fast speeds.
  • P2P support: StrongVPN allows P2P file sharing on all of its servers, so you can torrent without worrying about getting caught.
  • 12 simultaneous connections: StrongVPN allows you to connect up to 12 devices at the same time, so you can share your VPN with your family and friends.
  • 24/7 customer support: StrongVPN has 24/7 customer support available via live chat and email.
TunnelBear

TunnelBear

  • Strong encryption: TunnelBear uses strong AES 256-bit encryption to protect your data and privacy.
  • Kill switch: TunnelBear's kill switch will disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, preventing your data being exposed.
  • No-logs policy: TunnelBear does not collect any logs of your online activity.
  • Unblocks streaming services: TunnelBear can unblock streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
  • Easy to use: TunnelBear has a simple and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to get started, even for beginners.
  • Has a free version: TunnelBear offers a free version that gives you 500 MB of data per month.
  • Works on multiple devices: TunnelBear can be used on multiple devices, including computers, smartphones, and tablets.
  • Supports multiple protocols: TunnelBear supports multiple protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard.
  • Has a customer support team: TunnelBear has a customer support team that is available 24/7 to help you with any problems you may have.

Security Features

This section looks at important security features of StrongVPN and TunnelBear such as encryption methods, protocols, split tunneling, kill switch, and more.

Winner is:

StrongVPN boasts superior security features including a range of VPN protocols (OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard), a strict no-logging policy, IP leak protection, private DNS, and split-tunneling. However, it lacks ad-blocking and advanced features like Onion over VPN, Obfuscated servers, and Double VPN. On the other hand, TunnelBear offers ad-blocking, no-logging policy, and GhostBear for obfuscating VPN traffic but doesn't support a variety of protocols, split-tunneling, and has no kill switch. Despite some missing features, StrongVPN's robust protocols and DNS leak protection make it the winner in terms of security.

StrongVPN

StrongVPN

  • 256-bit AES encryption: This is the same encryption used by banks and governments to protect their sensitive data. It is considered unbreakable by current technology.
  • No-logs policy: StrongVPN does not keep any logs of your online activity. This means that they cannot track your browsing history, what websites you visit, or what files you download.
  • Kill switch: This feature will automatically disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This can help to protect your privacy if the VPN connection is interrupted.
  • DNS leak protection: This feature prevents your DNS requests leaking outside of the VPN tunnel. This can help to prevent your real IP address being exposed.
  • Double VPN: This feature routes your traffic through two VPN servers, which can provide an extra layer of security.
  • Split tunneling: This feature allows you to choose which apps and websites will use the VPN and which will not.
  • SHA256 authentication: This ensures that your connection to the VPN is secure and that your data is not intercepted.
  • Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS): This feature generates new encryption keys for each session, making it more difficult for attackers to decrypt your data even if they have access to older keys.
  • DNS leak protection: This prevents your DNS requests leaking outside of the VPN tunnel, which can help to prevent your real IP address being exposed.
  • WebRTC leak protection: This prevents your WebRTC traffic leaking outside of the VPN tunnel, which can help to prevent your real IP address being exposed.
  • 256-bit AES encryption: This is the most secure encryption standard available. It is used by banks and governments to protect their sensitive data.
TunnelBear

TunnelBear

  • Strong encryption: TunnelBear uses strong AES 256-bit encryption to protect your data and privacy. This is the same encryption used by banks and government agencies.
  • Kill switch: TunnelBear's kill switch will disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, preventing your data being exposed.
  • No-logs policy: TunnelBear does not collect any logs of your online activity. This means that they cannot see what websites you visit or what data you send and receive.
  • GhostBear: GhostBear is a feature that helps you bypass VPN blocking in countries with strict censorship.
  • Split tunneling: Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps and websites use the VPN and which ones don't. This can be useful if you want to use a streaming service that is blocked in your region, but you also want to use other apps that are not blocked.
  • TrustedServer technology: TunnelBear's servers are all running on RAM, which means that your data is never stored on a hard drive. This makes it more difficult for hackers to access your data.
  • Regular security audits: TunnelBear undergoes regular security audits by independent security firms. This helps to ensure that their security measures are up to date and effective.
  • AES-256 encryption: TunnelBear uses strong AES-256 encryption to protect your data and privacy. This is the same encryption used by banks and government agencies.
  • SHA-256 authentication: TunnelBear uses SHA-256 authentication to verify the identity of the VPN server you are connected to. This helps to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.
  • DH key exchange: TunnelBear uses a Diffie-Hellman key exchange to generate a shared key between your device and the VPN server. This helps to keep your data secure even if the VPN server is compromised.
  • TunnelBear VigilantBear: TunnelBear Vigilant Bear is a kill switch feature that disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your data being exposed if the VPN connection is interrupted.

Privacy Features

This section looks at the privacy features of TunnelBear vs StrongVPN in terms of country of jurisdiction (five-eyes surveillance) no-logging policy, independent auditing, and more.

Winner is:

StrongVPN and TunnelBear both have a strict no-log policy, ensuring user activity remains private. While TunnelBear has had independent security audits, StrongVPN lacks this. Both VPNs are headquartered in Five Eyes countries (USA for StrongVPN, Canada for TunnelBear), which could pose privacy concerns. However, StrongVPN supports crypto payments for added anonymity. TunnelBear doesn't. Considering these factors, both VPNs have robust privacy features, but StrongVPN’s crypto support gives it an edge for those seeking higher anonymity, making it the winner.

StrongVPN

StrongVPN

  • No-logs policy: StrongVPN does not keep any logs of your online activity. This means that they cannot track your browsing history, what websites you visit, or what files you download.
  • Kill switch: This feature will automatically disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This can help to protect your privacy if the VPN connection is interrupted.
  • DNS leak protection: This prevents your DNS requests leaking outside of the VPN tunnel, which can help to prevent your real IP address being exposed.
  • WebRTC leak protection: This prevents your WebRTC traffic leaking outside of the VPN tunnel, which can help to prevent your real IP address being exposed.
  • Double VPN: This feature routes your traffic through two VPN servers, which can provide an extra layer of security.
  • Split tunneling: This feature allows you to choose which apps and websites will use the VPN and which will not.
  • No connection logs: StrongVPN does not keep any logs of your VPN connections. This means that they cannot see what websites you visit, what files you download, or how long you stay connected to the VPN.
  • No traffic logs: StrongVPN does not keep any logs of your internet traffic. This means that they cannot see what data you send or receive over the VPN.
  • No IP address logs: StrongVPN does not keep any logs of your IP address. This means that they cannot see where you are connecting from.
  • No DNS logs: StrongVPN does not keep any logs of your DNS requests. This means that they cannot see what websites you are trying to visit.
  • No payment logs: StrongVPN does not keep any logs of your payment information. This means that they cannot see how you paid for the VPN.
TunnelBear

TunnelBear

  • No-logs policy: TunnelBear does not collect any logs of your online activity. This means that they cannot see what websites you visit or what data you send and receive. This is one of the most important privacy features of any VPN.
  • Kill switch: TunnelBear's kill switch will disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your data being exposed if the VPN connection is interrupted.
  • GhostBear: GhostBear is a feature that helps you bypass VPN blocking in countries with strict censorship. This is useful if you are traveling to a country where VPNs are blocked.
  • Split tunneling: Split tunneling allows you to choose which apps and websites use the VPN and which ones don't. This can be useful if you want to use a streaming service that is blocked in your region, but you also want to use other apps that are not blocked.
  • TrustedServer technology: TunnelBear's servers are all running on RAM, which means that your data is never stored on a hard drive. This makes it more difficult for hackers to access your data.
  • Regular security audits: TunnelBear undergoes regular security audits by independent security firms. This helps to ensure that their security measures are up to date and effective.
  • TunnelBear does not collect any logs of your online activity. This means that they cannot see what websites you visit or what data you send and receive. This is one of the most important privacy features of any VPN.
  • TunnelBear does not collect your IP address. Your IP address is a unique identifier that can be used to track your online activity. By not collecting your IP address, TunnelBear makes it more difficult for anyone to track you.
  • TunnelBear does not collect your browsing history. Your browsing history is a record of all the websites you have visited. By not collecting your browsing history, TunnelBear makes it more difficult for anyone to see what websites you have been visiting.
  • TunnelBear does not collect your DNS requests. DNS requests are the requests that your device makes to resolve domain names into IP addresses. By not collecting your DNS requests, TunnelBear makes it more difficult for anyone to see what websites you are trying to visit.
  • TunnelBear does not collect your session lengths. Session lengths are the amount of time you spend connected to a VPN server. By not collecting your session lengths, TunnelBear makes it more difficult for anyone to see how long you have been using the VPN.
  • TunnelBear does not collect your connection timestamps. Connection timestamps are the times when you connect and disconnect a VPN server. By not collecting your connection timestamps, TunnelBear makes it more difficult for anyone to see when you have been using the VPN.

Speed Features

This section explores the speed features of StrongVPN and TunnelBear when it comes to server technology for download/upload speeds for streaming and torrenting.

Winner is:

StrongVPN and TunnelBear both offer good speed features. However, according to third party speed tests, StrongVPN has consistently faster download and upload speeds, thanks to its extensive server network. When it comes to streaming sites, StrongVPN supports more platforms and provides smoother streaming. Although both VPNs allow torrenting, StrongVPN's faster speeds make it a better choice for this purpose. Therefore, in terms of speed features, StrongVPN is the clear winner.

StrongVPN

StrongVPN

  • StrongVPN has a large server network with over 950 servers in 65 countries. This means that you should be able to find a server that is close to you, which can help to improve your speeds.
  • StrongVPN offers dedicated IP addresses. This means that you will always be assigned the same IP address when you connect to the VPN. This can be useful for tasks such as gaming or streaming, where you need a consistent IP address.
  • StrongVPN offers obfuscated servers. These servers are designed to hide the fact that you are using a VPN. This can be useful in countries where VPNs are blocked or restricted.
  • StrongVPN offers P2P-optimized servers. These servers are optimized for file sharing. This can be useful if you want to download or upload large files using a VPN.
  • StrongVPN offers streaming-optimized servers. These servers are optimized for streaming video and audio. This can be useful if you want to watch Netflix, Hulu, or other streaming services using a VPN.
  • StrongVPN uses a variety of VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec, SSTP, and L2TP/IPSec. OpenVPN is the default protocol and is known for its balance of speed and security. WireGuard is a newer protocol that is known for its speed, but it may not be as secure as OpenVPN.
  • StrongVPN has a large server network with over 950 servers in 65 countries. This means that you should be able to find a server that is close to you, which can help to improve your speeds.
  • StrongVPN offers a kill switch feature. This feature will automatically disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This can help to protect your privacy if the VPN connection is interrupted.
  • StrongVPN offers a speed test feature. This feature allows you to test the speed of your VPN connection to different servers. This can help you to find the best server for your needs.
TunnelBear

TunnelBear

  • TunnelBear has servers in over 78 countries: This gives you a wide range of servers to choose from, which can help you to improve your speeds and unblock content that is restricted in your region.
  • TunnelBear has dedicated streaming servers: These servers are optimized for streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. This means that you can unblock these services and stream your favorite shows and movies without buffering or lag.
  • TunnelBear has obfuscated servers: These servers are designed to hide the fact that you are using a VPN. This can be useful if you are in a country where VPNs are blocked.
  • TunnelBear has P2P servers: These servers are optimized for file sharing. This means that you can download and upload files without affecting your speeds.
  • TunnelBear has split tunneling: This feature allows you to choose which apps and websites use the VPN and which ones don't. This can be useful if you want to use a streaming service that is blocked in your region, but you also want to use other apps that are not blocked.
  • TunnelBear uses the WireGuard protocol: WireGuard is a new VPN protocol that is designed to be faster and more secure than traditional VPN protocols.
  • TunnelBear has servers in over 78 countries: This gives you a wide range of servers to choose from, which can help you to improve your speeds.
  • TunnelBear has a kill switch: The kill switch is a feature that disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your data being exposed if the VPN connection is interrupted.
  • TunnelBear has a speed test feature: The speed test feature allows you to test the speeds of different servers, so you can find the fastest one for your needs.

Streaming & Torrenting Features

This section compares the streaming and torrenting features and capabilities provided by StrongVPN versus TunnelBear.

Popular Streaming Services
  • Netflix
  • Amazon Prime
  • Disney+
  • HBO Max
  • Paramount+
  • Hulu
  • Apple TV
  • Starz
  • ESPN+
  • Peacock
  • Canal Plus
  • Discovery Plus

Winner is:

StrongVPN and TunnelBear both have their strengths. StrongVPN is powerful in unblocking geo-restricted streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer and supports torrenting on all its servers. TunnelBear, while good for beginners with a friendly interface, struggles with consistent unblocking of popular streaming services and does not officially support torrenting. Although TunnelBear offers a free version, its capabilities are limited. Therefore, when it comes to unblocking streaming services and torrenting, StrongVPN is the clear winner.

StrongVPN

StrongVPN

  • StrongVPN can unblock most streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. This is because StrongVPN has a large server network with servers located in many different countries. This allows you to connect to a server in the country where the streaming service is located, which can help you to bypass geo-restrictions.
  • StrongVPN offers streaming-optimized servers. These servers are optimized for streaming video and audio, which can help to improve your streaming experience.
  • StrongVPN does not throttle your bandwidth. This means that you should be able to stream HD video without any buffering or lag.
  • StrongVPN offers a kill switch feature. This feature will automatically disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This can help to protect your privacy if the VPN connection is interrupted.
  • StrongVPN allows P2P file sharing on all of its servers. This means that you can torrent without worrying about getting caught.
  • StrongVPN uses strong encryption to protect your data. This means that your torrenting activity is hidden your ISP and other third parties.
  • StrongVPN does not throttle your bandwidth. This means that you should be able to torrent at full speed.
  • StrongVPN offers a kill switch feature. This feature will automatically disconnect your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This can help to protect your privacy if the VPN connection is interrupted.
TunnelBear

TunnelBear

  • TunnelBear has dedicated streaming servers: These servers are optimized for streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. This means that you can unblock these services and stream your favorite shows and movies without buffering or lag.
  • TunnelBear uses the WireGuard protocol: WireGuard is a new VPN protocol that is designed to be faster and more secure than traditional VPN protocols. This can be helpful for streaming, as it can help to improve your speeds.
  • TunnelBear has a kill switch: The kill switch is a feature that disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your data being exposed if the VPN connection is interrupted. This is an important security feature that all VPNs should have, but it is especially important for streaming, as you don't want your data to be exposed while you are streaming.
  • TunnelBear has a speed test feature: The speed test feature allows you to test the speeds of different servers, so you can find the fastest one for your needs. This can be helpful for streaming, as you want to make sure that you are getting the best possible speeds.
  • TunnelBear does not explicitly allow torrenting: TunnelBear does not explicitly allow torrenting on its servers. However, they do not block torrent traffic either. This means that you can technically use TunnelBear to download torrents, but they may not be as fast as other VPNs that are specifically designed for torrenting.
  • TunnelBear has P2P servers: TunnelBear has P2P servers that are optimized for file sharing. This means that you can download and upload files without affecting your speeds.
  • TunnelBear has a kill switch: The kill switch is a feature that disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your data being exposed if the VPN connection is interrupted. This is an important security feature that all VPNs should have, but it is especially important for torrenting, as you don't want your data to be exposed while you are downloading torrents.

Support Features

This section looks at what kind of customer support you can expect from TunnelBear versus StrongVPN.

Winner is:

StrongVPN offers 24/7 customer support through live chat, email, and a comprehensive knowledge base, making it highly accessible. TunnelBear, on the other hand, lacks live chat and primarily relies on email support which can be slower. Customer support is crucial in a VPN service as it ensures any issues are handled promptly and efficiently. In this comparison, StrongVPN clearly wins due to its round-the-clock support and multiple channels of communication.

StrongVPN

StrongVPN

  • 24/7 live chat: StrongVPN offers 24/7 live chat support. This means that you can get help a customer support representative at any time of the day or night.
  • Email support: StrongVPN also offers email support. This is a good option if you have a more complex issue that you need help with.
  • Knowledge base: StrongVPN has a comprehensive knowledge base that covers a wide range of topics. This is a good resource if you can't find the answer to your question in the live chat or email support.
  • Tutorials: StrongVPN also offers a number of tutorials that can help you get started with the VPN. These tutorials cover topics such as how to install the VPN, how to connect to a server, and how to use the VPN's features.
TunnelBear

TunnelBear

  • 24/7 live chat: TunnelBear offers 24/7 live chat support. This means that you can get help a customer support representative at any time of day or night.
  • Email support: TunnelBear also offers email support. This is a good option if you have a question that you can't easily answer yourself.
  • Knowledge base: TunnelBear has a knowledge base that contains answers to common questions. This is a good place to start if you have a simple question.
  • Social media: TunnelBear is also active on social media. You can reach out to them on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram if you have a question.

Check out how StrongVPN and TunnelBear stack up against other popular VPN services on the market.