Both ProtonVPN and TunnelBear score above average in our comparison, at 4.2/5 and 3.2/5 respectively. The score gap is 1.0 points. Below is the full breakdown.
| Criteria | ProtonVPN | TunnelBear |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.2/5 ★ | 3.2/5 |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland | Canada |
| 14-Eyes / 5-Eyes | No | Five |
| No-logs policy | Audited 5/5 ★ | Audited 4/5 |
| Speed score | 5/5 ★ | 1/5 |
| Protocols score | 5/5 ★ | 4/5 |
| Streaming score | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Leak protection | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| RAM-only servers | 5/5 ★ | 0/5 |
| Encryption score | 4/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| Security subtotal | 4.8/5 ★ | 3.6/5 |
| Trust subtotal | 3.7/5 ★ | 3.0/5 |
| Price (monthly) | $9.99/mo | $9.99/mo |
| Price (1-year total) | $47.88/yr | $48.00/yr |
| Price (2-year total) | $71.76/yr | N/A |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes, 30 days | Depends on individual |
| Pricing score | 5.0/5 ★ | 3.5/5 |
Where ProtonVPN wins
ProtonVPN leads on speed (5/5 vs 1/5), privacy and security (4.8/5 vs 3.6/5). Add value for money (5.0/5 vs 3.5/5) to the list and it becomes a clear recommendation.
Where TunnelBear wins
TunnelBear does not outscore ProtonVPN on individual criteria. At 3.2/5, it remains a solid option with consistent performance.
Who should pick what
The simplest rule: ProtonVPN is the default recommendation based on overall scores. The only reason to choose TunnelBear instead is if privacy is critical for your use case.
Want to compare all VPNs side by side? Check our full VPN comparison table with scores across 18 criteria.
Pick ProtonVPN. It scores 4.2/5 vs 3.2/5 for TunnelBear, with a clear edge on speed. TunnelBear is not a bad VPN, but ProtonVPN wins this matchup. See ProtonVPN's current deal.
For more context, check our full VPN comparison table or the best cheap VPN guide. Read our full ProtonVPN review for a complete breakdown. See our TunnelBear review for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
ProtonVPN is the better streaming option, with a 3/5 streaming score. Both VPNs support Netflix, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer.
ProtonVPN scores higher on security (4.8/5). ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland (Audited), TunnelBear in Canada (Audited).
Our pricing score gives ProtonVPN 5.0/5 and TunnelBear 3.5/5. ProtonVPN is $9.99/mo monthly or $47.88/yr per year. TunnelBear is $9.99/mo monthly or $48.00/yr per year.