FastVPN vs TunnelBear
Features, use cases, pros and cons, and pricing side by side — and which one to pick.
Best for: Non-technical users who want one-click privacy protection without configuring protocols or servers, Frequent travelers and remote workers who regularly use café, airport, or hotel Wi-Fi and need encrypted traffic for shopping and logins
Read the full FastVPN reviewBest for: Travelers and remote workers who regularly connect to café, hotel, and airport Wi-Fi and need logins protected, VPN beginners who want a one-tap app and a free plan to test before paying
Read the full TunnelBear reviewCommission may apply at no extra cost
Which should you choose?
Choose FastVPN if
- You prefer simple monthly or yearly billing.
Choose TunnelBear if
- You want monthly, yearly, or pay-as-you-go billing.
FastVPN vs TunnelBear: pros and cons
FastVPN
FastVPN keeps things refreshingly simple: one-click encryption, IP masking, a no-log commitment, and a free plan to try before paying. The trade-off is thin public evidence, with no independent audit, no speed or server details, and unclear paid-plan pricing. Overall, it's a reasonable starter VPN for casual privacy needs, not a tool for power users.
Pros
- Encrypts all internet traffic by default, so protection isn't limited to specific apps or browsers
- Strict no-log policy means the provider itself does not track or store your online activity
- Genuinely simple onboarding — download, connect, and browse, with no technical configuration required
Cons
- The service is positioned as a simple, no-frills VPN, so users needing advanced options (custom protocol selection, granular server controls) may find it limiting
- The no-log policy is a vendor statement; shoppers who want third-party audit verification should check for independent audits before trusting it fully
- Detailed performance figures such as server count, speed test results, and supported device limits are not published in the available materials, making comparison shopping harder
TunnelBear
TunnelBear keeps VPN protection simple with one-tap apps, a genuine free plan, and rare third-party security audits, though Canada's Five Eyes jurisdiction, patchy streaming access, and the free tier's data cap hold it back. Overall, it's an easy recommendation for everyday Wi-Fi privacy, less so for streaming or high-assurance threat models.
Pros
- Free plan uses the same encryption and server network as the paid tiers — a real trial, not a crippled demo
- Published third-party security audits of apps and infrastructure provide verifiable transparency beyond marketing claims
- VigilantBear kill switch and GhostBear obfuscation directly address dropped tunnels and VPN-blocking networks
Cons
- Headquartered in Canada, a Five Eyes member — a jurisdiction concern for high-assurance privacy users
- The free plan's monthly data cap runs out quickly with video streaming or heavy daily use
- Streaming services frequently block its server IPs, so access to specific libraries is inconsistent
FastVPN and TunnelBear in detail
FastVPN
FastVPN is a virtual private network application for consumers. When you connect, it encrypts all traffic leaving your device and routes it through FastVPN's servers, masking your IP address and shielding the contents of your connection. The practical effects are threefold: your data is protected on untrusted networks like public Wi-Fi, websites see the VPN server's location instead of yours, and the service itself claims not to record your activity thanks to its no-log policy. It offers a free plan alongside paid monthly and yearly subscriptions.
Standout features
- Full Traffic Encryption
- Strict No-Log Policy
- Anonymous Browsing
- Simple Setup
Use cases
- Staying Safe on Public Wi-Fi
- Everyday Private Browsing
- Protecting Sensitive Data on Shared Networks
TunnelBear
TunnelBear is a VPN service that routes your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to servers around the world, masking your IP address and shielding your data from anyone sharing your network. It supports the major desktop and mobile platforms through standalone apps, and the company reports millions of users. A free tier with a monthly data cap sits alongside paid monthly and yearly subscriptions.
Standout features
- One-switch encryption on every network
- Global server map with one-tap location switching
- Independent security audits
- Kill switch and traffic obfuscation
Use cases
- Staying safe on public and hotel Wi-Fi
- Keeping browsing private from your ISP
- Accessing home services while traveling
- Trying a VPN before paying for one
Pricing compared
List prices from each vendor's pricing page, before taxes and add-ons. Costs are per month.
| Pricing compared | FastVPN | TunnelBear |
|---|---|---|
| From (cheapest paid plan) | $1/mo Choose your VPN plan | $3.33/mo Unlimited |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | Not stated | Not stated |
| Money-back guarantee | Not stated | Not stated |
| Annual billing savings | — | — |
| Pricing model | Flat price | Per-user and flat plans |
| Cost for 1 user | $1/moCheaper Choose your VPN plan plan, billed monthly | $3.33/mo Unlimited plan, billed monthly |
| Cost for 5 users | $1/mo Choose your VPN plan plan, billed monthly · price per account (user limit not stated) | $28.75/mo Teams plan, billed monthly |
| Cost for 10 users | $1/mo Choose your VPN plan plan, billed monthly · price per account (user limit not stated) | $57.50/mo Teams plan, billed monthly |
| Cost for 25 users | $1/mo Choose your VPN plan plan, billed monthly · price per account (user limit not stated) | $143.75/mo Teams plan, billed monthly |
| Plans | 2 | 3 |
| Prices checked | Checked Oct 13, 2026 | Checked Oct 13, 2026 |
| Price history | Tracking prices since Oct 1, 2026. No price change detected yet. | Tracking prices since Oct 1, 2026. No price change detected yet. |
- Cheapest plan that fits each team size. Per-user plans are multiplied by the number of users (respecting stated minimums and seat packs). Plans that include some users cost their base price plus the extra-user price for each user beyond those included. Flat-priced plans with no stated user limit are counted as one licence per user.
Cheaper for your team size
For 1 user (billed monthly), FastVPN costs $1/mo vs TunnelBear at $3.33/mo.
Computed from published list prices on the dates shown. Excludes taxes, add-ons and promotions.