Both ExpressVPN and TunnelBear score above average in our comparison, at 3.7/5 and 3.2/5 respectively. The score gap is 0.5 points. Below is the full breakdown.
| Criteria | ExpressVPN | TunnelBear |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.7/5 ★ | 3.2/5 |
| Jurisdiction | British Virgin Islands | Canada |
| 14-Eyes / 5-Eyes | No | Five |
| No-logs policy | Audited 3/5 | Audited 4/5 ★ |
| Speed score | 5/5 ★ | 1/5 |
| Protocols score | 5/5 ★ | 4/5 |
| Streaming score | 5/5 ★ | 3/5 |
| Leak protection | 1/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| RAM-only servers | 5/5 ★ | 0/5 |
| Encryption score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Security subtotal | 3.8/5 ★ | 3.6/5 |
| Trust subtotal | 2.7/5 | 3.0/5 ★ |
| Price (monthly) | $12.99/mo | $9.99/mo |
| Price (1-year total) | $59.88/yr | $48.00/yr |
| Price (2-year total) | $83.76/yr | N/A |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes, 30 days | Depends on individual |
| Pricing score | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
Where ExpressVPN wins
ExpressVPN outscores TunnelBear on speed (5/5 vs 1/5) and privacy and security (3.8/5 vs 3.6/5). For users who weight those criteria, the choice is straightforward.
Where TunnelBear wins
TunnelBear counters on transparency and trust (3.0/5 vs 2.7/5).
Who should pick what
For streaming, ExpressVPN is the better bet (5/5). For privacy-first users, ExpressVPN scores higher on security (3.8/5). If price is the main constraint, ExpressVPN has the better value score (3.5/5).
Want to compare all VPNs side by side? Check our full VPN comparison table with scores across 18 criteria.
For most users, ExpressVPN (3.7/5) is the better pick. Its advantage over TunnelBear (3.2/5) comes from stronger speed performance. The only reason to go with TunnelBear is if privacy matters most to you. Get ExpressVPN risk-free.
For more context, check our full VPN comparison table or the best VPN for streaming guide. Read our full ExpressVPN review for a complete breakdown. See our TunnelBear review for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
ExpressVPN scores 3.7/5 vs 3.2/5 for TunnelBear. ExpressVPN leads on streaming. That said, TunnelBear may be the better fit if privacy is your main priority.
In our speed tests, ExpressVPN scores 5/5 and TunnelBear scores 1/5. ExpressVPN has the edge in our data, though real-world results vary by server and location.
ExpressVPN costs $12.99/mo month-to-month, or $59.88/yr for a 1-year plan. TunnelBear is $9.99/mo monthly, or $48.00/yr per year.