TunnelBear
The only VPN with annual third-party security audits published publicly. 5 GB free monthly tier. Bear-themed interface ideal for VPN beginners. WireGuard available.
7.2/10 ScoreAnnual Cure53 Audit5 GB Free/MonthBeginner-FriendlyWireGuard
Annual Cure53 security audits, 5 GB free monthly, and a beginner-friendly Windows app — tested on PC.
The only VPN with annual third-party security audits published publicly. 5 GB free monthly tier. Bear-themed interface ideal for VPN beginners. WireGuard available.
TunnelBear achieved 77.3 Mbps on WireGuard in our July 2026 benchmark — the slowest result on our 12-provider test. This is still sufficient for HD streaming, general browsing, and video calls, but is notably below the top performers.
| Location | Download | Upload | Ping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (Toronto) | 77.3 Mbps | 73.5 Mbps | 22ms |
| UK London | 74.8 Mbps | 71.2 Mbps | 35ms |
| US East | 72.6 Mbps | 69.1 Mbps | 102ms |
| Germany Frankfurt | 75.9 Mbps | 72.3 Mbps | 28ms |
TunnelBear's defining feature is its commitment to annual public security audits by Cure53, a well-respected German security firm. Every major audit finding is listed in their published reports. This level of transparency is rare — only a handful of VPN providers undergo annual independent auditing, and TunnelBear is the only one on our list that has maintained an unbroken annual audit streak.
The permanent free tier provides 5 GB/month — less than Windscribe's 10 GB, but still competitive. The interface uses a bear-themed map UI that makes server selection visual and intuitive. There are no complex settings to configure. For users installing a VPN for the first time, TunnelBear is the easiest onboarding experience we encountered.
TunnelBear is owned by McAfee, a US-based cybersecurity company. TunnelBear continues to operate independently with its own no-logs policy, audited by Cure53. The Canadian headquarters and McAfee ownership both fall within 5 Eyes intelligence-sharing scope — a consideration for users with strict privacy requirements.
Yes — the only VPN with annual Cure53 audits published publicly. Zero leaks in our Windows tests. Note: McAfee-owned, Canada (5 Eyes) jurisdiction.
Yes — 5 GB/month permanently free, no credit card required. Windscribe offers more (10 GB) if data is the priority.
Netflix US worked reliably; most other platforms were inconsistent. TunnelBear is not a streaming-specialist VPN.
77.3 Mbps on WireGuard — the slowest in our 2026 benchmark but adequate for HD streaming and browsing.