VPN Comparison 2026
TunnelBear vs PrivateVPN
Comprehensive comparison of features, pricing, speed, and security to help you choose the best VPN for your needs.
TunnelBear
Rating: 3.9/5
Best Price:$4.99/mo
Servers:5,000+
Countries:47
Speed Score:78%
PrivateVPN
Rating: 4/5
Best Price:$3.82/mo
Servers:200+
Countries:63
Speed Score:80%
Based on our comprehensive testing, PrivateVPN comes out ahead overall.
Last updated: March 2026
Detailed Feature Comparison
| Feature | TunnelBear | PrivateVPN |
|---|---|---|
Overall Rating | 3.9/5 | 4/5 |
Monthly Price | $9.99/mo | $9.9/mo |
Best Price (2yr plan) | $4.99/mo | $3.82/mo |
Money-Back Guarantee | 0 days | 30 days |
Free Tier | ||
Total Servers | 5,000+ | 200+ |
Countries | 47 | 63 |
Simultaneous Devices | Unlimited | 10 |
Speed Score | 78% | 80% |
Security Score | 85% | 86% |
Streaming Score | 65% | 88% |
Protocols | OpenVPNIKEv2 | OpenVPNIKEv2 |
Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
Kill Switch | ||
No-Logs Policy | ||
Netflix Support | ||
Torrenting Support | ||
| Get Started |
Pros and Cons
TunnelBear
Pros
- Free tier with 2GB/month
- Very user-friendly interface
- Unlimited connections
- Independently audited annually
- Great for VPN beginners
Cons
- No refunds (free tier instead)
- Doesn't work with Netflix
- No P2P/torrenting support
- Owned by McAfee
PrivateVPN
Pros
- Excellent streaming unblocking
- Based in privacy-friendly Sweden
- Port forwarding available
- Good customer support
- Stealth VPN for censorship
Cons
- Very small server network
- No WireGuard support
- No independent audit
- Limited advanced features
Final Verdict
PrivateVPN comes out ahead in this comparison with a higher overall rating of 4/5 compared to TunnelBear's 3.9/5. Small but reliable VPN with excellent streaming support.
Choose TunnelBear if:
- You want more server options (5,000+ servers)
Choose PrivateVPN if:
- You prioritize faster speeds (80%)
- You need stronger security (86%)
- You're looking for better value ($3.82/mo)
TunnelBear
3.9/5 Rating$4.99/mo
PrivateVPN
4/5 Rating$3.82/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TunnelBear better than PrivateVPN?+
PrivateVPN is rated higher overall with a score of 4/5 compared to TunnelBear's 3.9/5. PrivateVPN Small but reliable VPN with excellent streaming support. However, both VPNs have their strengths, so your best choice depends on your specific needs.
Which is cheaper, TunnelBear or PrivateVPN?+
PrivateVPN is the more affordable option at $3.82/mo on a 2-year plan, compared to TunnelBear at $4.99/mo. PrivateVPN offers better value on long-term plans, though both services frequently run promotional discounts.
Which is faster, TunnelBear or PrivateVPN?+
PrivateVPN achieves a higher speed score of 80% in our tests, compared to TunnelBear's 78%. PrivateVPN uses modern VPN protocols that minimize speed loss, making it the better choice for bandwidth-heavy activities like 4K streaming and large file downloads.
Does TunnelBear or PrivateVPN have more servers?+
TunnelBear has a larger server network with 5,000+ servers, compared to PrivateVPN's 200+ servers. More servers generally means less congestion and more location choices, giving you better connection reliability and more options for bypassing geo-restrictions.
Which VPN is better for streaming, TunnelBear or PrivateVPN?+
PrivateVPN scores higher for streaming at 88% compared to TunnelBear's 65%. PrivateVPN reliably unblocks popular streaming platforms and maintains fast enough speeds for HD and 4K content without buffering.
Compare More VPNs
Not sure yet? Check out our full VPN comparison tool or read detailed reviews of each service.