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TunnelBear

TunnelBear is a VPN service that encrypts internet traffic, masks the user’s public IP address, and offers straightforward privacy controls for browsing on home, work, travel, and public networks.

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✓ Software download·Commercial·Updated October 10, 2026
DeveloperTunnelBear LLC.
LicenseCommercial
File size187 MB
Languageen-US
Downloads10

Simple VPN Protection with Practical Controls

TunnelBear encrypts internet traffic and sends it through a remote VPN server, preventing websites from seeing the user’s usual public IP address. Its main workflow is intentionally simple: choose a country or the fastest available tunnel, switch the connection on, and let the app maintain the protected route. Users can change the apparent connection location when needed or rely on automatic selection for routine browsing. Visual status indicators make it clear whether the tunnel is active, while optional safeguards can stop unsecured traffic during interruptions. This approachable design makes TunnelBear useful for people who want everyday network privacy without configuring complicated routing rules or manually managing connection details.

TunnelBear includes additional controls for users who need more than a basic encrypted connection. VigilantBear blocks unsecured traffic when the VPN is connecting or unexpectedly interrupted, while SplitBear determines which applications or websites use the tunnel. GhostBear can make VPN traffic harder for restrictive networks to identify, although the provider recommends using it only when ordinary connections fail. Readers comparing privacy tools may also examine IVPN Client to evaluate different workflows, policies, and routing options. TunnelBear states that it does not log customer activity while connected, and it publishes information about independent security assessments. Users should still review the current privacy policy and feature availability before deciding whether the service matches their needs.

Benefits of Using TunnelBear

The primary benefit of TunnelBear is that it makes routine VPN protection easy to understand and activate. Encrypting traffic reduces what people monitoring a local network can observe, which is especially valuable on shared or unfamiliar connections. Replacing the user’s normal public IP address also limits the location information exposed directly to websites. VigilantBear helps prevent accidental traffic leaks during disruptions, while SplitBear lets selected applications or websites bypass the tunnel when direct access is more practical. GhostBear provides an additional option on networks that interfere with recognizable VPN traffic, and the fastest-tunnel setting removes the need to compare locations manually. Automatic startup can reduce the chance of beginning a session without protection. TunnelBear also subjects its applications, infrastructure, and services to recurring independent security reviews. These measures strengthen everyday privacy, but they do not replace updated software, secure passwords, careful browsing, or scrutiny of the provider’s latest privacy terms.

TunnelBear features

Key capabilities and highlights.

Feature 1

VigilantBear

VigilantBear blocks unsecured traffic whenever the VPN connection is disrupted or still being established. It functions as a kill switch, reducing the risk that applications will silently reconnect through the normal network and expose the user’s public IP address.

Feature 2

SplitBear

SplitBear provides selective routing controls for applications and websites. Users can decide which traffic travels through TunnelBear and which uses the regular connection, making it easier to balance privacy with local access, compatibility, or performance requirements.

Feature 3

GhostBear

GhostBear disguises encrypted VPN traffic so it is less recognizable to networks that identify or block standard VPN connections. It is intended for restrictive situations and may reduce performance, so ordinary connections should be attempted before enabling it.

Feature 4

Fastest Tunnel

The fastest-tunnel option automatically selects a suitable connection when the user does not need a particular country. This simplifies everyday protection and avoids manual location comparisons, while geographic selection remains available for users who require another apparent region.

Feature 5

Protocol Selection

TunnelBear supports multiple VPN connection protocols and allows compatible clients to select among them. Changing the protocol can help resolve connection problems, adapt to different network conditions, or provide an alternative when a network interferes with the default method.

Feature 6

Always-On Connection

The always-on setting launches TunnelBear during startup and restores the VPN connection automatically. This reduces repetitive setup and lowers the chance that browsing begins outside the encrypted tunnel after the device restarts or the user starts a new session.

Feature 7

Strong Traffic Encryption

TunnelBear applies strong encryption to traffic carried through its VPN tunnel, protecting the data in transit between the user and the selected server. This is particularly useful on shared networks where local observers might otherwise inspect unprotected connections.

Feature 8

Independent Security Audits

TunnelBear commissions recurring independent assessments of its applications, infrastructure, services, and data-handling protections. Published audit information gives users greater visibility into identified security issues and the provider’s work to acknowledge, address, or mitigate the findings.

Old versions

Browse historical releases and previous builds.

4.17.4.0—

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about TunnelBear.

What does TunnelBear do?

TunnelBear creates an encrypted connection to a VPN server and substitutes that server’s public IP address for the user’s usual address. This protects traffic on the path to the server and reduces the location information exposed directly to websites.

What happens if the TunnelBear connection drops?

When VigilantBear is enabled, unsecured traffic is blocked until the VPN reconnects. This helps prevent applications from continuing over the ordinary network connection and unintentionally revealing the user’s public IP address or unprotected traffic.

Can selected applications or websites bypass TunnelBear?

Yes. SplitBear provides selective routing for supported applications or websites, allowing specified traffic to use the regular connection instead of the VPN tunnel. Exact controls can differ by client, so users should check the options available in their installed app.

When should GhostBear be enabled?

GhostBear is intended for networks that detect or block ordinary VPN traffic. Because disguising the connection can reduce performance, TunnelBear recommends trying a normal VPN connection first and enabling GhostBear only when access is restricted.

Does TunnelBear log browsing activity?

TunnelBear states that it does not log the activity of customers connected to its service. Users should review the current privacy policy for details about the account, operational, diagnostic, and payment information that may still be processed.

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TunnelBear is a VPN service that encrypts internet traffic, masks the user’s public IP address, and offers straightforward privacy controls for browsing on home, work, travel, and public networks.