TunnelBear vs Surfshark

In the ever-evolving world of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), TunnelBear and Surfshark are two prominent names that often surface in conversations. Both offer a plethora of features and benefits, but which one truly stands out? This comprehensive article aims to answer that question by providing an in-depth comparison of the two services.
Features and Performance
When it comes to features, both TunnelBear and Surfshark have a lot to offer. They both support multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, ensuring that users can secure their online activities regardless of the device they use. They also provide robust security with 256-bit AES encryption, the same level of security used by governments and banks, ensuring that your data is secure.
Surfshark and Tunnelbear both now offer unlimited device connections, a feature that until recently was literally unheard of for VPN services. This means you can connect as many devices as you want with a single Surfshark account, making it an ideal choice for large households or small businesses, as long as it’s not shared with multiple users.
In terms of performance, both VPNs provide reliable and fast connections. However, Surfshark has a larger server network spread across more countries, which can lead to better performance especially for users located far from TunnelBear’s servers. This extensive server network also reduces the likelihood of server congestion, ensuring optimal performance at all times.
Netflix and Torrenting
For Netflix enthusiasts or avid torrenters, the VPN you choose can make a significant difference. Both TunnelBear and Surfshark claim to unblock Netflix, but Surfshark has a better track record in this regard. It consistently unblocks Netflix libraries from various countries, offering users a wider range of content to enjoy.
As for torrenting, both VPNs support it but Surfshark offers more advanced features for torrenters, but both services provide the essential features such as a kill switch and split tunneling. The kill switch ensures your data is not exposed even if the VPN connection drops, while split tunneling allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which don’t, providing a more flexible torrenting experience. Neither VPN provider really lacks in the necessities, and they both provide specialized servers for streaming, gaming, and P2P torrents.
Security and Privacy
Security is a crucial factor when choosing a VPN. Both TunnelBear and Surfshark offer top-notch security features, including AES-256 encryption, OpenVPN support, and a no-logs policy. However, Surfshark goes a step further by offering additional features like CleanWeb (which blocks ads, trackers, and malware), and MultiHop (which routes your connection through multiple countries to further hide your tracks).
In terms of privacy, both VPNs are based in countries with strong privacy laws. TunnelBear is based in Canada, a member of the Five Eyes alliance, but maintains a strict no-logs policy. Surfshark, on the other hand, is based in the British Virgin Islands, a jurisdiction with no data retention laws, providing an extra layer of privacy.
Pricing and Support
Surfshark and Tunnelbear once more match up on pricing when it comes to their discounted plans. Both VPNs offer a money-back guarantee, giving you the chance to try their services risk-free. However, Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee applies to all plans, while TunnelBear’s refund policy has some restrictions. This is likely because Tunnelbear also provides a free trial that allows you to test the service with a limit of 500MB of data.
When it comes to customer support, Surfshark offers 24/7 live chat support, which is a feature not available with TunnelBear. This means you can get instant help whenever you encounter issues, which is a huge plus for any VPNservice.
User Experience
The user experience is another important factor to consider. Both TunnelBear and Surfshark offer user-friendly apps that are easy to navigate. TunnelBear, with its bear-themed interface, is particularly appealing to beginners due to its simplicity. Surfshark, on the other hand, offers a clean and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate even for non-tech savvy users.
Conclusion
While both TunnelBear and Surfshark are reliable VPN services, Surfshark seems to have the edge in terms of features, performance, security, pricing, and customer support. However, the final decision should depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you value simplicity and are only looking to secure a few devices, TunnelBear could be a good choice. But if you need to connect multiple devices, require advanced features, and value 24/7 customer support, Surfshark would be the better option.
Personally speaking, I prefer Surfshark over Tunnelbear based on a few factors. Starting with having a larger network with faster servers overall and more advanced application. However when it comes to privacy and security, I also considered the two following factors:
- Jurisdiction: The jurisdiction of a VPN service can have implications for user privacy. TunnelBear is based in Canada, a member of the Five Eyes alliance, which is an intelligence-sharing agreement between five countries. On the other hand, Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is not part of any such alliance and has no data retention laws. This could potentially offer an extra layer of privacy to Surfshark users.
- Additional Security Features: Surfshark offers additional security features like CleanWeb, which blocks ads, trackers, and malware, and MultiHop, which routes your connection through multiple countries to further hide your tracks. These features can provide an enhanced level of security and privacy for users.