Atlas VPN vs TunnelBear
This comparison is unusual because Atlas VPN is permanently shut down. TunnelBear is an active service focused on verified security and usability. If you need a functioning VPN today, TunnelBear is your only practical option here.
Service Permanently Discontinued and Unavailable
We recognize that Atlas VPN previously offered competitive pricing and employed highly responsive customer support staff. However, the company has officially confirmed the permanent discontinuation of its VPN service as of April 2024. Overall, you cannot purchase or use this product now, making it effectively unavailable for any modern security needs.
Pros
- Customer support staff were consistently professional, swift, and competent (e.g., Monica, Webster, Emily).
- Historically offered very competitive and low-cost multi-year special offers.
- Proactive technical support sometimes issued quick, no-question refunds when streaming failed to work.
- Support staff were helpful and clearly explained complex issues to non-technical users.
Cons
- The VPN service was permanently discontinued in April 2024.
- Users reported frequent connection failures and highly unreliable performance.
- The essential Kill Switch security feature was reported as non-functional by some customers.
- Had significant issues reliably connecting to major streaming platforms (e.g., UK's ITVX, Channel 5).
Strong Security Meets Stability Concerns.
We appreciate TunnelBear's commitment to verified privacy through annual security audits and a transparent no-logging policy. However, recent users consistently report severe stability flaws and unresponsive customer service, suggesting real execution issues within the core product experience. Overall, the foundational security is rigorously verified, but we cannot overlook the reported volatility in connection reliability and the difficulties reaching support.
Pros
- Unique commitment to annual, independent security audits.
- Strict no-logging policy guarantees user privacy.
- Extremely easy-to-use interface and fast, adorable setup.
- Generous Free plan provides 2GB of data and country selection.
Cons
- Frequent, recent reports of connectivity issues and constant disconnections.
- Software can be buggy (shows connected when service is dropped).
- Customer support is frequently non-existent or unresponsive to issues.
- Reports of misleading advertising for city-level link features.
AboutAtlas VPN
Atlas VPN has officially confirmed that its service is permanently unavailable. The company discontinued its VPN service in April 2024. 💡 This means that Atlas VPN is no longer accessible to potential new users or existing customers. They also thanked their loyal customers for all their support over the years.
AboutTunnelBear
TunnelBear is a strong service designed to make your internet connection secure across any network you access. It accomplishes this by encrypting all your data. This essential protection ensures your passwords and activity stay securely hidden, especially when you are connected to insecure public hotspots. Millions of people already trust TunnelBear for dependable security and privacy. 💡
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Service Availability
TunnelBear is active and Atlas VPN is permanently shut down.
Atlas VPN permanently discontinued its service in April 2024. This means the service is completely inaccessible and offers zero features today. TunnelBear is fully operational and continuously supported. You can sign up and start using TunnelBear for security immediately. The biggest difference is that TunnelBear provides a working VPN connection. Atlas VPN provides only a historical case study. Therefore, if you need secure browsing today, TunnelBear is the only viable option in this list.
Security Verification
TunnelBear verifies its security publicly with annual audits.
Atlas VPN lacked explicit details on its security protocols and third-party verification. Users reported that the Kill Switch was often non-functional. TunnelBear is unique in the industry for performing annual, independent security audits. This external review confirms its security claims and trust policies. This commitment gives TunnelBear users peace of mind about privacy guarantees. Atlas VPN could not offer such verifiable trust before its shutdown. Choose TunnelBear if you prioritize documented, verified security over vague promises or historical performance.
Pricing & Free Access
TunnelBear offers a Free plan; Atlas VPN offers no products today.
Atlas VPN has no active plans, pricing, or subscription options available now. You cannot purchase or access the service at all. TunnelBear offers a generous Free plan providing 2GB of data monthly. Paid unlimited plans start at an affordable $3.33/month. TunnelBear's Free plan is perfect for testing the service or for users with light browsing needs. Since Atlas VPN is non-operational, TunnelBear delivers exceptional value by simply providing a product that works.
Customer Support
Historically, Atlas VPN had better support, but TunnelBear is currently running.
Former Atlas VPN users consistently praised support staff like Monica and Emily. They were reported as swift, professional, and very competent with billing issues. Current reviews for TunnelBear frequently complain about non-existent support response. Users report major difficulty reaching help for technical bugs. This creates a bizarre trade-off, where the discontinued service had stellar support. The active service has reported problems getting user issues resolved. Since Atlas VPN support is also discontinued, TunnelBear's active status outweighs its poor user reviews here.
Team & Business Use
TunnelBear provides dedicated business plans; Atlas VPN does not exist.
Atlas VPN was geared toward individual users and did not offer structured team features. These features are nonexistent following the shutdown. TunnelBear offers a specialized Teams plan starting at two users. This plan is designed for business security and management. TunnelBear's Teams plan includes centralized billing and dedicated admin tools. This makes securing entire staff groups simpler. If you require coordinated multi-user security for a small business, TunnelBear is the superior, functioning choice.
Reliability
Both services suffered stability issues; TunnelBear is at least functional.
Atlas VPN had major issues with frequent connection failures before its shutdown. Many reported the service was reliably unreliable. TunnelBear users also report constant disconnections and buggy software. Sometimes the service shows as connected when the VPN has dropped. While both services have a history of technical stability issues, TunnelBear remains active. Atlas VPN has chosen to completely cease operations. The volatility of both means users must manually verify the VPN status frequently, but only TunnelBear can be checked.
Our Verdict
If your goal is to buy and use a functional Virtual Private Network, TunnelBear is the clear and only winner. Atlas VPN was permanently discontinued in April 2024. You cannot currently purchase, install, or use Atlas VPN for any security purpose today. TunnelBear's superpower is its commitment to verifiable trust. It is the only VPN to secure annual independent security audits. This external verification supports TunnelBear's strict no-logging promise, giving huge peace of mind. Historically, Atlas VPN’s only superpower was its highly praised customer support staff. Users like Roy H. and Barry G. consistently rated the support team as swift and professional. However, that support team is now also disbanded along with the service. The deciding factor is straightforward: operational capacity. TunnelBear is active, affordable, and offers a 2GB Free plan. Atlas VPN cannot protect any of your data because it simply doesn't run. Choose TunnelBear if you need a verifiable, usable security shield against public Wi-Fi threats. If you were considering Atlas VPN due to low costs, pivot immediately to an active competitor like TunnelBear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Atlas VPN still available to purchase or use in 2024?
No, Atlas VPN was permanently discontinued in April 2024. The service is inaccessible to both new and former users today. You must immediately search for an alternative VPN provider.
Which VPN offers a free plan: Atlas VPN or TunnelBear?
TunnelBear offers a great free tier with 2GB of data monthly for testing. Atlas VPN, being shut down, offers no active plans or free access. TunnelBear is the better option for trying before buying.
Which tool is better for team security features: Atlas VPN or TunnelBear?
TunnelBear is better as it provides a dedicated Teams plan. This plan includes centralized billing and admin tools for business security. Atlas VPN offered no such organizational features before its closure.
Did Atlas VPN have better customer support than TunnelBear?
Historically, yes, Atlas VPN support staff were highly praised as professional and quick. Current TunnelBear users frequently report unresponsive or non-existent support. However, Atlas VPN support is no longer available.
Does TunnelBear offer unlimited devices like Atlas VPN did?
TunnelBear's paid plans support an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. Atlas VPN is discontinued, so its specific device limits are irrelevant. TunnelBear handles all your gadgets.
Which service provides independently audited security guarantees?
TunnelBear is the only VPN provider here that commits to annual independent security audits. This verifies their strong no-logging policy externally. Atlas VPN did not provide this level of verification.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.