ExpressVPN vs TunnelBear in 2025: A Grizzly Showdown

When it comes to choosing a VPN, two popular options that often come up are ExpressVPN and TunnelBear. As a cybersecurity expert with over a decade of experience in cloud data security, I‘ve thoroughly tested both services to determine which one comes out on top in 2024.

While ExpressVPN is the overall more powerful and feature-rich VPN, TunnelBear holds its own as a budget-friendly, user-friendly option. Let‘s dive into a detailed comparison of these two VPNs to help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.

Pricing

First, let‘s talk about pricing. ExpressVPN‘s cheapest plan starts at $6.67/month if you sign up for a year, while TunnelBear undercuts that significantly with its 3-year plan at only $3.33/month. However, it‘s important to note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans, while TunnelBear only provides refunds on a case-by-case basis.

Additionally, TunnelBear has a free plan that gives you 2 GB of data per month. This is great for occasional use, but won‘t be sufficient for heavy streaming or downloading. ExpressVPN has no free plan or trial.

So if price is your main concern, TunnelBear is the clear winner here. But there are some trade-offs in terms of features and performance that we‘ll get into.

Features

When comparing the feature-set and technical capabilities of these two VPNs, ExpressVPN simply outclasses TunnelBear. Let‘s look at some key areas:

Server Network: ExpressVPN gives you access to 3,000+ servers across 105 countries, while TunnelBear only has around 1,000 servers in 47 countries. This means ExpressVPN provides more options for bypassing geo-restrictions and finding a fast, stable connection.

Security: Both VPNs use industry-standard AES-256 encryption and have verified no-logging policies. But ExpressVPN goes a step further with advanced features like perfect forward secrecy, split tunneling, and its own proprietary VPN protocol called Lightway, which promises a faster and more secure connection than OpenVPN. TunnelBear also supports OpenVPN as well as WireGuard.

Streaming & Torrenting: If you want a VPN primarily for accessing streaming content, ExpressVPN is the superior choice. In my tests, it was able to consistently unblock Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more. TunnelBear was hit or miss, only working with US Netflix.

For torrenting, ExpressVPN allows P2P sharing on all servers and even provides a free SOCKS5 proxy. TunnelBear, on the other hand, is not optimized for torrenting.

Device Compatibility: Another advantage for ExpressVPN is its support for a wider range of devices. In addition to the standard Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS apps, it offers apps for Linux, routers, Android TV, and even BlackBerry. TunnelBear is more limited, with no router or smart TV apps. However, both have browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

User Interface & Ease of Use: This is one area where TunnelBear shines. Its apps have a whimsical design with animated bears that is quite eye-catching. Preferences are left to a minimum for simplicity. But I still found ExpressVPN very user-friendly, with a clean one-click interface to connect, while having easy access to advanced features if you want them.

So in summary, ExpressVPN is the more robust VPN in terms of performance and functionality. But credit to TunnelBear for its appealing design and solid basic security.

Customer Support

Customer support is another key differentiator between these VPNs. ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live chat support with helpful and knowledgeable representatives in my experience. TunnelBear does not have any live chat option, only a support email ticket system and knowledge base.

Both have informational websites, however ExpressVPN goes more in-depth with digital privacy guides and detailed technical articles. So ExpressVPN is the clear winner when it comes to getting fast, useful help.

What‘s New in 2024?

For the latest updates in 2024: ExpressVPN introduced a new Lightway 2.0 protocol that improves performance further, especially on mobile devices. It also expanded its server network to over 3,000 servers and rolled out an improved Smart Location feature that can automatically pick the optimal server for you.

TunnelBear updated its apps with a new modern look and added WireGuard as a protocol option for faster speeds. Its network was expanded to around 1,500 servers. Additionally, it partnered with NGOs to provide free VPN access in censored regions.

Alternative VPNs to Consider

While ExpressVPN is my top overall pick and TunnelBear is great for basic use, there are some other excellent VPN providers worth considering:

• NordVPN: All-around great performer with the largest server network and specialty servers for enhanced security/privacy.
• Surfshark: Budget option that allows unlimited device connections and has a clean, modern interface.
• ProtonVPN: Strong focus on privacy and security from the makers of ProtonMail.

Conclusion

So in the battle of ExpressVPN vs TunnelBear, which VPN comes out victorious? Well, it depends on your needs and priorities.

ExpressVPN is the best choice for power users who want top performance for streaming and torrenting, more customization, maximum compatibility, and best customer support. It‘s worth the higher price for those who will make use of its advanced capabilities.

However, if you‘re looking for an affordable, user-friendly VPN for basic web browsing on a few devices, TunnelBear is a great pick. It provides solid security in an app that‘s fun to use. And you can take advantage of its free option for occasional use.

In the end, both are high quality VPNs that I can recommend depending on your use case. The most important things are to choose a reputable provider and use your VPN consistently to stay safe and private online. With these detailed insights, you‘re well equipped to make an informed choice!