Mullvad vs TunnelBear

Mullvad provides true anonymity, requiring only a unique account number for sign-up. They never ask for your email address, phone number, or name. This radical approach is foundational to Mullvad's privacy model. TunnelBear uses standard sign-up procedures, requiring typical credentials like email upon registration. Their privacy stance focuses on a strong no-logging commitment after account creation. Mullvad separates your identity from your usage from the very first step of service initiation. TunnelBear protects usage logs, but requires identifying data upfront. If absolute, verifiable sign-up anonymity is your goal, Mullvad is the clear and superior winner here.

Mullvad offers unparalleled simplicity with a fixed €5 monthly price, unchanged since 2009. Commitment length does not affect the predictable monthly rate for users. Mullvad guarantees fair pricing by never running sales, providing consistency for budgeting. TunnelBear offers a flexible model, including the valuable 2GB free data plan for testing the service. The paid Unlimited plan starts at $3.33 per month when paid annually. If financial predictability is paramount, Mullvad’s fixed rate removes all surprises and complex subscription tiers. TunnelBear’s strength is the ability to try before you buy with the free tier. For long-term usage, Mullvad offers superior cost predictability and value compared to TunnelBear.

TunnelBear is unique in the industry for committing to annual, independent security audits by external parties. This external verification helps assure users of strong, maintained security claims. TunnelBear earns user trust through documented, verifiable proof of its robust system integrity. Mullvad guarantees trust through transparency, operating with a policy of collecting minimal user data. Their security is inherent because they have nothing to leak or share. Mullvad focuses more on open-source technology and verifiable configuration than third-party sign-offs. For users that explicitly need third-party validation, TunnelBear sets the industry standard for commitment. Mullvad offers security by absolute design simplicity.

Mullvad provides coverage for up to five concurrently used devices per single account number. This is standard and highly sufficient for most individuals and average families. You can easily protect two phones, two computers, and one tablet with Mullvad. TunnelBear’s paid Unlimited and Teams plans support connections on an unlimited number of devices. This feature is fantastic for technology enthusiasts or very large families needing extensive coverage. TunnelBear is excellent if you need to secure ten or more devices simultaneously without issue. If you require comprehensive, whole-home security without counting connections, TunnelBear is more appropriate. Mullvad requires purchasing multiple accounts to cover more than five devices.

Mullvad is noted for its high-performance network, delivering consistently excellent speeds and low latency. It is particularly strong for users utilizing the modern WireGuard protocol. TunnelBear users report frequent connectivity issues and constant, frustrating disconnections. The software has also been reported as buggy, showing connections when the service has dropped. The core purpose of a VPN is stable, uninterrupted protection, which Mullvad reliably provides. TunnelBear's stability flaws seriously undermine its security value, according to recent feedback. For uninterrupted connectivity and high-speed data transfer, Mullvad offers users a much more reliable experience.

Mullvad's customer support typically suffers from lengthy response times, which users frequently report. However, Mullvad users noted that refund responses were handled surprisingly quickly. TunnelBear users heavily report that customer support is non-existent or unresponsive to technical issues. Buggy software leaves many users stranded without feasible solutions or assistance. If a critical issue arises, neither service offers reliably fast or high-quality assistance for complex technical faults. The reported lack of response makes TunnelBear's support problems arguably more severe.