TunnelBear VPN Review for Canadian Users 2022

In this TunnelBear review for Canadian Users, we will discuss the provider in depth keeping primary factors such as speed, security, privacy, leaks, customer support, streaming, compatibility, and more in check.

TunnelBear is one of the well-known VPNs with a wide array of features and complete transparency with its customers in Canada.

For instance, it includes handy tools, enacts a no-logs policy, and unblocks a variety of streaming websites like Netflix. For those who aren’t quite ready to commit, TunnelBear also offers a free version, which is a nice option in Canada.

Positively, it is one of the few free VPNs that has undergone a security audit by a third party. On the downside, I discovered it to be sluggish. The server network is small, assistance is scarce, and among other problems, it simply does not function with many streaming websites.

To determine whether it’s actually safe in Canada, I looked through its privacy practices and security measures. In order to determine whether my data was indeed secure, I performed numerous tests on its servers.

I looked at the speeds, the number of streaming services it can unblock, and the required IP and DNS leak tests in Canada.

All of the tests mentioned above are performed in this detailed TunnelBear VPN reviews guide in Canada. So without any further ado, let’s start with the pros and cons.

TunnelBear Review: Pros & Cons

TunnelBear Review: Rating Criteria

The TunnelBear rating criteria is comprised of the following factors in Canada:

1. Jurisdiction: Where Does TunnelBear Operate From?
2. Security: Can TunnelBear VPN Keep You Safe Online in Canada?
3. Servers: How Many Servers Does TunnelBear Have?
4. Streaming: Does TunnelBear Unblock Netflix and Other VoDs in Canada?
5. Torrenting: Is TunnelBear good for Torrenting in Canada?
6. Speed: How Fast are TunnelBear VPN Servers?
7. Compatibility: Can I Use TunnelBear On All My Devices?
8. Setup & Installation: Is TunnelBear Easy to Install?
9. Pricing: How Much Does TunnelBear VPN Cost Exactly in Canada?
10. Trustworthiness: What Do Users Say About TunnelBear VPN?

Jurisdiction: Where Does TunnelBear Operate From?

TunnelBear operates out of Canada. Considering Canada’s active participation in the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, TunnelBear privacy can be at risk for users as this is a less-than-ideal place for the service to be based out of.

However, McAfee, a reputable name in cybersecurity, owns TunnelBear. The finest VPNs might occasionally appear difficult, especially to beginners, but TunnelBear is quite the contrary. The business provides a concise and clear explanation of the principles.

Canada’s past record in terms of cooperating with other members of the alliance, as well as its own set of laws that make data retention, make Canada a severely contentious location for a VPN to be operating from.

With 48+ countries and about 1800 servers, the service’s network is not particularly large, and as a result, it does not provide as much coverage as its rivals.

Security: Can TunnelBear VPN Keep You Safe Online in Canada?

Your online security is ensured by the excellent security measures that TunnelBear offers in Canada. I examined its encryption and authentication procedures, evaluated its IP and DNS protection, and utilized its kill switch and stealth mode in Canada.

TunnelBear security features are fewer than the other VPNs I examined. But because it is secure and simple to use, it’s ideal for new VPN users or business travelers who want a reliable connection.

The service had an independent audit of its services done by a third party to alleviate some of the users’ concerns. It should help users that want to see whether the report really addresses their core issues with security or not.

VigilantBear

VigilantBear is the name of the kill switch for TunnelBear. Windows, macOS, and Android are all supported, but the feature is not available on iOS in Canada.

It may be turned on from the Preferences menu, and if the server’s connection breaks, it will cut off your connection. When you’re connected to public networks, this function is quite helpful because it will secure your information in the event of a connection issue.

TunnelBear kill switch feature: VigilantBear

Without a kill switch, you would be exposing your data to anyone connecting to that network, including hackers and some types of viruses. Even the strongest VPNs can fail. You will be safe even on open, unattended networks when VigilantBear is in use.

Encryption & Protocols

I found TunnelBear to be a fairly standard service when it comes to the encryption & corresponding protocols being used by the service in Canada.

The service utilizes military-grade AES 256-bit encryption with SHA-256 for authentication, which is more than capable of properly obfuscating users’ activities online in Canada.

Additionally, the service also offers a host of different tunneling protocols, such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard, making it an extremely flexible option to opt for in terms of the different options it makes available for users.

With IKEv2, mobile devices may seamlessly switch between Wi-Fi and cellular networks. IKEv2 is a quick and secure protocol for mobile devices. The protocol is available for Windows and iOS only in Canada.

With OpenVPN, data shared over the Internet is encrypted using AES-256 via the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption protocol using the OpenVPN tunneling protocol. Anyone can uncover flaws because the code is open to auditing, and anyone may repair them. The TunnelBear OpenVPN protocol is available for all devices such as Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android in Canada.

In order to outperform existing protocols in terms of ease of use, speed, and security, a new protocol named WireGuard was developed. This universal protocol is ideal for running with straightforward implementation on a number of gadgets and platforms.

In comparison to other access protocols, WireGuard is substantially more secure, thanks to modern cryptography. However, it is only available on Windows and iOS.

Logging

TunnelBear doesn’t collect or log information regarding your browsing activities while you’re connected to a VPN in Canada.

However, the VPN keeps your personal data, such as Account User Data, Operational Data, and Financial Data collected at payment.

Here are the details on what the VPN collects:

I found this to be extremely manipulative on TunnelBear’s end, considering how the service boldly claims to be a no-logs service.

Information like this is a clear and unforgivable infringement on users’ privacy and becomes an even graver crime, considering how TunnelBear tries to evade transparency regarding this.

TCP Override

If your connection becomes unreliable after connecting to the VPN, the TCP Override option can help. The function, which is exclusive to Windows and macOS, forces TunnelBear to use the TCP protocol rather than UDP in Canada.

The TCP protocol examines each piece of data for correctness before passing it through, making it slightly slower but more dependable. Although the UDP protocol is quicker, these checks are not made.

It’s critical to keep in mind that TCP Override will increase connection reliability rather than speed. My speed was really reduced when I engaged it, but the connection remained steady overall.

GhostBear

The stealth mode for TunnelBear, called GhostBear, makes it simple to get through VPN barriers, including the Great Firewall of China, and conceals OpenVPN traffic.

My entire connection slowed down when I turned on GhostBear, but this is quite typical. Obfuscation is a procedure that needs time and resources to complete in order to conceal the fact that you’re utilizing a VPN.

Applications for Windows, macOS, and Android support this capability, which may be enabled in TunnelBear’s security settings. GhostBear is not supported on iOS since it uses the IKEv2 protocol.

SplitBear

Only Android smartphones can use SplitBear, the split tunneling feature of TunnelBear. It is a crucial feature for a VPN, and it allows you more control over your traffic in Canada.

As the feature is only available for Android, all of your apps and websites on Windows, macOS, and iOS will therefore go through its servers.

But if you merely want to tunnel your browser, I found a trick. Browser extensions from TunnelBear only impact the traffic within your browser.

IP and DNS Leak Tests

IP and DNS leak protection is a feature of TunnelBear’s apps and browser extensions. DNS requests and IPv6 traffic, in general, can reveal your IP address and activity in Canada.

By using its own DNS servers and blocking IPv6 communication, TunnelBear keeps your identity a secret. Your identity will always be protected because these options are turned on by default.

Using IPLeak.net, I checked for IP and DNS breaches on the US, UK, Spain, Canada, and Sweden servers of TunnelBear. I experienced zero issues, and my connection was completely encrypted.

Your IP address, geographic location, and network may be accessible to your ISP and law enforcement if the VPN you use doesn’t have DNS and IP leak protection. This is precisely what you want to prevent, thus the VPN you use must be 100 percent secure from this angle.

Security audits

TunnelBear has submitted its apps for independent security audits for three years running. A reputable German cybersecurity firm called Cure53 searched for vulnerabilities in server, client, or crucial programming that hackers may attack.

For instance, the most recent audit discovered two critical, four high, and one medium issue, all of which were immediately fixed.

In comparison to other VPN service providers, TunnelBear underwent more audits in a short period of time than other rivals did in a decade.

TunnelBear VPN Virus Test

I conducted a virus test on the service in order to be completely sure that the service itself is free from any malicious files that may end up putting users in greater danger. Here’s the result of that test:

As users can see, there are no dangerous files that should be a cause for concern.

TunnelBear Blocker

Own browser extensions are available for TunnelBear VPN. Blocker, however, is a whole different tool that can only be installed on Chrome browsers. Even without an account, you can use it. It will then indicate how many trackers it stopped after being added.

Ads, microphone access, flash scripts, social media buttons, WebRTC, and pixel tracking are all blocked by this feature.

Additional blocklists that contain well-known malware URLs can be added. If you use a VPN while browsing and are concerned about WebRTC leaks (the leakage of your IP address via the browser’s WebRTC capability), this enhancement is helpful. You won’t need to worry about anything with this addition.

Servers: How Many Servers Does TunnelBear VPN Have?

Curiously, TunnelBear makes no mention of the exact number of servers it has. As far as the TunnelBear server locations are concerned, the only info listed on its site states that users will be able to browse the internet from 48 countries.

Upon doing more research, it is likely that the service has 1800+ servers. Why the service is seemingly unwilling to disclose this information is unclear to me.

Compare this to other VPN service providers, such as ExpressVPN, which has 3000+
servers spread over 94+ countries, or CyberGhost, which has 6000+ servers spread across 88 countries. Outside of North America and Western Europe, coverage for TunnelBear appears to be on the low side.

Also, there is a lack of TunnelBear servers specialized for streaming and torrenting. However, despite its size, the server network is relatively secure and contains more physical than virtual servers. TunnelBear also owns its complete server network.

Closest Tunnel

The quickest server, which is typically the one closest to your location, is found for you using the Closest Tunnel feature.

The server list appears at the start of the TunnelBear window. Simply choosing it and connecting is all that is required.

Until you see the “Connection Secured” notification, make sure to keep the VPN open. You may be exposed if the connection breaks down occasionally.

Does TunnelBear work in China?

Yes, users located inside China will be able to use this VPN to evade the restrictive internet policies in their country.

There are no TunnelBear China servers but it is a great VPN service that operates in the region. You can utilize the free version, which has a monthly data cap of 500MB if you’re only visiting China for a few days.

Over the past few years, users in the country have had to deal with growing censorship and regular rounds of crackdowns on VPNs that do unblock all the restricted content in the country. In such a scenario, working VPNs are of the utmost importance to users.

Similarly, Chinese expats also use these VPNs in order to retain their access to some of the popular but geo-restricted Chinese content.

Streaming: Does TunnelBear Unblock Netflix and Other VoDs in Canada?

TunnelBear is not a good VPN for streaming in Canada. I was able to unblock most of the streaming services, but the connection was quite sluggish.

It lacks specialized streaming servers, and because of the lengthy loading times, watching any show was nearly difficult. Additionally, there are no city-level server sites, so there are no backup possibilities.

TunnelBear Unblocked Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Kodi, and Hulu

TunnelBear can unblock Netflix. However, only when used with GhostBear did TunnelBear unlock Kodi, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and HBO Max.

TunnelBear’s stealth mode, GhostBear, makes the VPN difficult to find. However, because it needs to add an additional layer of encryption, it slows down your connection.

Consequently, streaming was not an option. I tested two sets to determine whether the VPN could successfully get over geoblocks.

TunnelBear Couldn’t Unblock Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ESPN, and ESPN+

TunnelBear was not able to unblock Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ESPN, and ESPN+. I gave the VPN many chances by connecting to different servers in the UK, US, and Canada; unfortunately, I was still barred even though I tried unblocking the mentioned streaming services with GhostBear.

I couldn’t even access Disney+’s library, making it difficult to watch anything. Every time I tried to view a show on ESPN or ESPN+, the login page appeared.

I do not suggest TunnelBear as a streaming VPN. This VPN was created to protect customers’ online privacy, not to unblock geo-restricted content, according to a statement on its website.

Additionally, it lacks any dedicated streaming servers, and once you connect across a distance, your speed will drastically decrease, making it difficult to stream any movies or shows.

Torrenting: Is TunnelBear good for Torrenting in Canada?

Although TunnelBear doesn’t have dedicated P2P servers, torrenting is permitted on its network. I let the VPN pick the quickest server for me, and I then started downloading my file. I had no issues, and the speed was excellent in Canada.

I also attempted to torrent from their US and Argentina servers; while it was successful, the connection was incredibly sluggish.

Also, use the Tor Network on TunnelBear to increase your anonymity while torrenting. This approach is more private, but it is considerably slow.

In conclusion, TunnelBear for torrenting is a suitable VPN as long as you don’t wish to use a global server.

Speed: How Fast are TunnelBear VPN Servers?

Despite unclarity about the extent of TunnelBear’s servers, I wanted to see how fast TunnelBear speed can go.

Hence, using a 100Mbps connection, I connected to 5 random servers in Australia, the UK, Brazil, France, and the US to conduct a speed test.

Here are the results:

Why is TunnelBear so slow in Canada?

When you enable TunnelBear, your data must first pass through a private VPN server in order for it to access the content you want to visit and return it to you. There is frequently a slight speed decrease during the process.

Compatibility: Can I Use TunnelBear VPN On All My Devices?

Users will TunnelBear incredibly easy to use on their traditional platforms and devices such as  Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Also, there are browser extensions available for Chrome and Firefox in Canada.

Furthermore, if you use Ubuntu, you may manually configure TunnelBear on Linux, but there isn’t a dedicated app for it.

Users of eReaders, Chromium, and Windows phones will sadly not be able to use it, and as it does not support routers, you cannot connect smart TVs or other devices like Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV Stick in Canada.

Desktop Apps

The desktop applications from TunnelBear are incredibly user-friendly and loaded with many practical features, like GhostBear, VigilantBear, Closest Tunnel, Always-On, TCP Override, and Trusted Networks in Canada.

SplitBear, which is the split tunneling feature and is only accessible on Android, is the sole feature that is lacking. All of your apps and browser traffic will be routed through the VPN once it is turned on because the desktop app lacks SplitBear.

You must launch the VPN and select a server in order to connect to one. Although it’s really simple, you must wait until the VPN connects.

Upon clicking on the little gear button in the top right corner, you can access TunnelBear’s settings and all of its capabilities.

The macOS and Windows clients have a minor distinction. While the Windows version also supports IKEv2, the macOS version only supports the OpenVPN protocol. However, you have no influence over the protocol; it is selected automatically.

iOS and Android Apps

The TunnelBear iPhone and Android apps are equally user-friendly and attractive as the desktop ones. All it takes to connect is a single tap on a honey jar on the map or the toggle button to connect to the fastest server in Canada.

The functions are accessible by selecting the options button.

After connecting to TunnelBear’s US, UK, and France servers, I conducted a few DNS and IP leak tests, and each time my connection was secure. Also, the mobile apps’ bear notification sound is just impressive when you connect to a server.

Browser Extensions

Any Chrome or Firefox-equipped machine can use the VPN thanks to TunnelBear’s browser extensions. It’s a pretty straightforward software that merely secures browser traffic in Canada.

Simply open the extension and choose a server to connect to a server of your choice.

To test it out, I downloaded the Chrome and Firefox extensions and established a connection with US, Canadian, and Italian servers. Running the DNS and IP leak test made me realize how secure even the browser addons are.

How do I use TunnelBear on my PC in Canada?

Go to tunnelbear.com/download and wait till the download finishes. Once the app is downloaded to your device, launch it and install it. After installing, log in with your username and password and start using TunnelBear in Canada.

How many devices can connect to TunnelBear in Canada?

There is no limit on the number of devices you can use with TunnelBear VPN in Canada.

Tunnelbear VPN Setup & Installation: Is TunnelBear Easy to Install in Canada?

Installation and setup for TunnelBear are really simple in Canada. I downloaded, installed, and connected to a server in under 2 – 3 minutes.

How to Install Tunnelbear VPN in Canada?

What is latest version of TunnelBear?

Version 4.6.0 is the latest version of TunnelBear VPN at the time of writing this article.

How do I update TunnelBear in Canada?

1. Go to the TunnelBear website and click on “Get TunnelBear”.
2. It’ll open the TunnelBear app on your device if it’s installed and logged in.
3. Simply press the gold “upgrade” button within the app.

Pricing: How Much Does TunnelBear VPN Cost Exactly in Canada?

The pricing for TunnelBear is fairly straightforward. There are three options meant to cater to different needs in Canada.

The service is available for free but with a cap of only 500MB of data bandwidth in Canada.

There is an unlimited option that can be used on unlimited devices simultaneously, available at just $3.33 (CA$4.57) per month.

Lastly, there is a “teams” option meant for corporations. Available at just $5.75 (CA$7.89) per month, users will be able to use it across multiple devices with centralized team billing.

Does TunnelBear have a free trial in Canada?

TunnelBear offers a totally free version. However, it comes with a data limit of 500 MB. But you can extend this limit if you tweet about the company in Canada.

Nonetheless, there is no TunnelBear free trial period for the premium version in Canada.

TunnelBear VPN Refund Policy

NO REFUNDS!

This is TunnelBear’s official policy, as the service does not provide any money-back guarantee at all. TunnelBear states on its website that it may give away a refund in special cases without mentioning what these “special” cases are.

TunnelBear VPN Payment Methods

In terms of payment methods, users will be able to buy the service using VISA, Mastercard, American Express. I was disappointed to see that PayPal and Bitcoin are not supported.

Trustworthiness: What Do Users Say About TunnelBear VPN?

Like all my reviews, I want to be as objective as possible in how trustable I find a service. Hence, it is important that I factor in what other users have felt about the service and not just rely on my own experience.

I looked at the service’s reputation on Trustpilot and Reddit to see how most other users feel about the service. Additionally, I also looked over the service’s customer support. So is TunnelBear worth it? This is what I learned:

TunnelBear VPN Trustpilot Rating

In one word, average.

TunnelBear has probably one of the worst Trustpilot ratings I’ve seen from a VPN. With just a 2.9 rating and more than half the reviews categorizing the service as a “1-star” service, I have to doubt that this service fails to meet the expectations that most of its users had from it.

However, there are only 71 reviews, and the provider has not yet claimed the profile on Trustpilot.

Upon taking a closer look at the reviews, it becomes clear that the service promised a lot but ultimately, it fails to deliver on these promises.

Other issues include horrible customer service, sketchy practices like charging more than they advertise, and frequent disconnections.

TunnelBear VPN Reddit Review

Reddit left me a little confused. I saw a lot of reviews that mentioned services and offers that the service does not provide currently. Eventually, I realized that there was a time when the service was far better and offered exceedingly impressive features.

However, there were constant complaints regarding issues such as frequent disconnections. For a service that guarantees a seamless internet experience, this should not occur at all.

Similarly, users were also irked with its rather obtuse privacy policy. Similarly, the lack of genuine support for all major tunneling protocols means that users will find the service to be extremely limiting in terms of protection online.

TunnelBear VPN Customer Support

I found its customer support to be outdated and incapable of properly aiding all its users. First off, there’s no 24/7 live chat support function meaning that users will not be able to have their problems resolved as quickly as possible in Canada.

But the results were different when I actually tested their customer support.

We received a response from Tunnelbear VPN customer support in under three hours, despite the fact that they are based in Canada. Given that TunnelBear lacks live chat support, this is quite impressive.

The only choices are their knowledge base or support tickets (you receive a response via email address).

Also, you can uncover evidence that previous users were dissatisfied with the waiting times by digging through older postings in the forums. It’s good to see that things have changed, and even with the few contact options available, waiting periods are kept to a minimum.

TunnelBear VPN Alternatives for Canadian Users

TunnelBear left me with the impression that it aims high but fails to properly meet those promises. I found a severe lack of transparency about its logging policies, its exact server count, and its no refund policy in Canada.

The best features of this service are undoubtedly its availability in China as well as its support for P2P sharing. However, these features are not completely unique to TunnelBear only and if you’re looking for a TunnelBear alternative in Canada then I would suggest ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN offers users access from China to other regions, has one of the fast speed servers with excellent network coverage, and enjoys a reputation as a robust pro-privacy service thanks to its safe jurisdiction in the British Virgin Islands.

TunnelBear Review: Do I Recommend TunnelBear for Canadian Users?

In this TunnelBear review guide in Canada, after thoroughly evaluating the service and investigating, the provider does not receive high praise and is not recommended for Canadian Users.

While TunnelBear may have certain advantages, there are still a lot of things it needs to work on to catch up to the major companies.

The service does not qualify to be a top-tier provider and lags in a number of areas, including poor speeds, a lack of Netflix and other VoD streaming capability, a lack of a refund policy, a small server network, and few customer assistance options in Canada.

Additionally, when you look at the cost, it’s absolutely not what I’d call a “good deal.” You actually aren’t receiving much for your money with its annual plan, which costs roughly $5 (CA$6.86) per month in Canada.

My advice would be to only use this service if you’re extremely desperate in terms of accessing China or torrenting support. And even in those categories, a VPN like ExpressVPN offers better and wider support for all users in Canada.

TunnelBear Review for Canadian Users: FAQs

Is TunnelBear legal in Canada?

Yes, TunnelBear is legal in Canada. The provider grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable right to use the service, solely for your own personal purposes.

Which is better NordVPN or TunnelBear in Canada?

NordVPN is the winner if compared to TunnelBear in Canada. NordVPN is headquartered in a privacy-friendly region called Panama and has a strict no-logs policy, which has been audited by a third-party firm.

It offers fast-speed servers and can easily unblock all major streaming sites such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and more.

Is TunnelBear safe for dark web in Canada?

Yes, TunnelBear is safe for the dark web in Canada. However, the choice of servers is handy for maintaining performance while on the dark web and you won’t have access to all servers if you’re using TunnelBear’s free plan. I suggest that you go for the premium plan.

How many people use TunnelBear?

More than 25 million users have accessed TunnelBear over the past 7 years.

Is Express VPN better than TunnelBear in Canada?

Yes, ExpressVPN is better than TunnelBear in Canada. ExpressVPN offers far more than TunnelBear in terms of security features and connection speed in Canada.

How do I delete TunnelBear in Canada?

1. Go to the folder where TunnelBear is installed. Most of the time it is located in C:/Programs files or C:/Programs files(x86)
2. Double click the setup file to start uninstalling the VPN app

Is TunnelBear good for gaming in Canada?

I detected no DNS leaks and the speed was relatively decent while gaming. So TunnelBear passed the test easily. However, there are better options than TunnelBear gaming in Canada. I suggest opting for one of the best gaming VPNs in order to have a magical experience.

Does TunnelBear track in Canada?

No. TunnelBear does not keep track. However, the VPN collects some personal information like your email address, transaction details, total data used, etc.

Does TunnelBear sell your information in Canada?

No. The TunnelBear does not keep track and it will never sell your information. The provider has gone through an independent third-party transparency test conducted by Cure53.

Why does TunnelBear keep disconnecting in Canada?

If you’re facing connection downtime with TunnelBear, then uninstall and reinstall TunnelBear. Next, restart your device and upgrade to the latest version of the TunnelBear VPN app.

How do I activate TunnelBear VPN in Canada?

1. Open the Play Store on your Android smartphone.
2. Search for “TunnelBear”.
3. Tap the install button on the top right.
4. Once the downloading process finishes, tap on Open.
5. Log in with your TunnelBear VPN account.
6. Start using TunnelBear VPN.

How do I add TunnelBear to Chrome in Canada?

1. Go to https://www.tunnelbear.com/apps/browser.
2. Click on the “Chrome” button.
3. Click on “Add to Chrome” on the top right corner of the Chrome Web Store website.
4. Click on “Add Extension”.

Is TunnelBear free for Windows in Canada?

Yes. TunnelBear is free for Windows in Canada and other major operating systems, including macOS, Android, and iOS. However, you will only get 500MB of data for a month with the free plan.

How do I remove TunnelBear from my Mac in Canada?

1. Click Finder in Dock.
2. Click on Applications from the sidebar.
3. Find TunnelBear and right-click on the icon.
4. Select “Move to Trash.”

Is TunnelBear VPN completely free in Canada?

Yes. TunnelBear provides a strong and secure VPN service completely free in Canada. However, the free version only has a 500MB data limit.

Why is my TunnelBear VPN not connecting in Canada?

The TunnelBear not connecting problem can happen if the servers need maintenance or have developed some technical problems. This can often be fixed if you turn off and then on the VPN again.

However, if that doesn’t work, try connecting to a different server and use the internet again.