TunnelBear

146 of 158 criteria sourced · 8 % unsourcedProvider websiteView in the matrixJSON export

vpn-matrix.com earns nothing from this entry. The link to the provider website is a source, not a recommendation.

Who owns this

Parent company

McAfee

Brands in the same group

Further brands according to the source: McAfee Safe Connect

This group also owns review and comparison sites

none known from fetched official pages

If the same group tests its own service, that review is not independent. That is noted here as ownership only.

Audits and incidents

Sourced facts with dates only, no judgements. Ongoing proceedings are marked as such.

Tested in court or by authorities

trust.court_tested

Laut Transparenzbericht vom 08.11.2023 gingen zwischen 2021 und 2023 insgesamt 70 behördliche Anfragen ein (29 in 2021, 30 in 2022, 11 in 2023). In zwei Fällen wurde das Bestehen eines Kontos bestätigt, Browsing-Daten wurden nach Anbieterangabe in keinem Fall herausgegeben.provider claim

No-logs audit details

trust.nolog_audit_details

Annual independent security audits of apps; 7th annual audit published; marketed as only consumer VPN with regular published auditsprovider claim

App and client audits

trust.app_audits

Cure53 prüfte im White-Box-Verfahren die Clients für Windows, macOS, iOS und Android sowie die Browser-Erweiterungen für Chrome, Firefox und Edge; der Bericht zum Test 10-11.2023 trägt die Kennung TB-11.confirmed

Infrastructure and server audits

trust.infra_audit

Der Cure53-Test 10-11.2023 umfasste neben den Clients die VPN-Infrastruktur, das PolarBear-Backend, die AWS-Infrastruktur, die Komponenten Overseer und Geneva sowie die öffentlichen Websites.confirmed

Transparency report

trust.transparency_report

occasionalprovider claim

Warrant canary

trust.warrant_canary

noneprovider claim

Acquisition history / former name

company.acquisition_history

2018 von McAfee übernommen, Bekanntgabe am 08.03.2018; Kaufpreis nicht offengelegtconfirmed

Marketing claims contradicting the provider's own terms

site.claims_vs_reality

Features claim 8000+ servers in 46+ countries with city-level selection on Unlimitedprovider claim

All criteria

Empty cells mean we lack the source.

Company and ownership

17/21 sourced

Legal company name

company.legal_name

TunnelBear LLCprovider claim

Trademark holder, if different

company.brand_owner

McAfee (acquired TunnelBear Inc. in 2018)confirmed

Year founded

company.founded

2011confirmed

Headquarters (country)

company.hq_country

CAconfirmed

Other relevant jurisdictions

company.jurisdictions

Kanada (Team und Betrieb in Toronto), USA (Mutterkonzern McAfee)confirmed

Intelligence alliance of the home country

company.eyes_alliance

Five Eyesprovider claim

Parent group / holding

company.parent

McAfeeconfirmed

Beneficial owners publicly known

company.ubo_public

partly knownprovider claim

Ownership structure

company.ownership_type

private equityprovider claim

Leadership team publicly named

company.team_public

noprovider claim

Verifiable postal address for legal service

company.address_verifiable

yesconfirmed

Sister VPN brands in the group

company.sister_vpn_brands

McAfee Safe Connectconfirmed

Group owns VPN review and comparison sites

company.owns_review_sites

none known from fetched official pagesprovider claim

Runs an affiliate programme

company.affiliate_program

yesprovider claim

Typical commission rate

company.affiliate_commission

We have no source for this criterion.

YouTube and influencer sponsoring

company.influencer_sponsoring

unknownprovider claim

Documented misleading advertising claims

company.misleading_claims

We have no source for this criterion.

Acquisition history / former name

company.acquisition_history

2018 von McAfee übernommen, Bekanntgabe am 08.03.2018; Kaufpreis nicht offengelegtconfirmed

Operating status

company.status

activeprovider claim

Discontinuation date

company.discontinued_date

We have no source for this criterion.

User base migrated to

company.user_base_migrated_to

We have no source for this criterion.

Logging and data collection

16/16 sourced

Core statement of the logging policy

logging.policy_summary

Die Richtlinie führt vier Datenarten auf, die ausdrücklich nicht erhoben werden: IP-Adressen beim Websitebesuch, IP-Adressen beim Verbindungsaufbau, DNS-Anfragen während der Verbindung und Angaben zu genutzten Anwendungen, Diensten oder Websites.provider claim

Activity and traffic logs

logging.activity_logs

noneprovider claim

Connection logs

logging.connection_logs

noneprovider claim

Storage of the real IP address

logging.source_ip_stored

not storedprovider claim

Storage of the assigned VPN IP

logging.assigned_ip_stored

not storedprovider claim

Precision of stored timestamps

logging.timestamps_stored

unclearprovider claim

Recording of transferred data volume

logging.bandwidth_logged

per accountprovider claim

Enforcement of the device limit

logging.concurrent_conn_enforcement

Unlimited devices; no simultaneous-connection cap statedprovider claim

Minimum account data required

logging.account_data_minimum

E-Mail-Adresseprovider claim

Telemetry in the apps

logging.app_telemetry

on by defaultprovider claim

Trackers and SDKs in the Android app

logging.thirdparty_sdks_android

Website uses Google Analytics cookies (_ga, _gaid, _gat); mobile SDK list not separately published on fetched privacy pageprovider claim

Trackers in the iOS app

logging.thirdparty_sdks_ios

Website uses Google Analytics; mobile SDK list not separately published on fetched privacy pageprovider claim

Trackers and cookies on the website

logging.website_trackers

Google Analytics, laut Richtlinie mit kürzest möglicher Aufbewahrungsfrist und ohne Speicherung von IP-Adressen; der Cookie-Hinweis der Startseite nennt zusätzlich Analyse- und Marketing-Cookies nach Zustimmung.provider claim

Data shared with third parties

logging.data_shared_with

Stripe und PayPal (Zahlungsabwicklung), Google Analytics, Anbieter für Kundensupport, E-Mail-Versand, Hosting und DDoS-Abwehrprovider claim

Retention periods stated in the policy

logging.retention_period

Kontodaten werden gelöscht, je nachdem was früher eintritt: 30 Tage nach Kündigung des Abonnements oder auf Löschverlangen über das Privacy Center.provider claim

EU representative named under GDPR

logging.gdpr_representative

noprovider claim

Evidence, audits and track record

16/17 sourced

Independent no-logs audit

trust.nolog_audit

yesprovider claim

No-logs audit details

trust.nolog_audit_details

Annual independent security audits of apps; 7th annual audit published; marketed as only consumer VPN with regular published auditsprovider claim

Audit report published

trust.audit_report_public

full reportconfirmed

App and client audits

trust.app_audits

Cure53 prüfte im White-Box-Verfahren die Clients für Windows, macOS, iOS und Android sowie die Browser-Erweiterungen für Chrome, Firefox und Edge; der Bericht zum Test 10-11.2023 trägt die Kennung TB-11.confirmed

Infrastructure and server audits

trust.infra_audit

Der Cure53-Test 10-11.2023 umfasste neben den Clients die VPN-Infrastruktur, das PolarBear-Backend, die AWS-Infrastruktur, die Komponenten Overseer und Geneva sowie die öffentlichen Websites.confirmed

Audit frequency

trust.audit_cadence

Tested in court or by authorities

trust.court_tested

Laut Transparenzbericht vom 08.11.2023 gingen zwischen 2021 und 2023 insgesamt 70 behördliche Anfragen ein (29 in 2021, 30 in 2022, 11 in 2023). In zwei Fällen wurde das Bestehen eines Kontos bestätigt, Browsing-Daten wurden nach Anbieterangabe in keinem Fall herausgegeben.provider claim

Transparency report

trust.transparency_report

occasionalprovider claim

Warrant canary

trust.warrant_canary

noneprovider claim

Security incidents and data leaks

trust.breach_history

We have no source for this criterion.

Bug bounty programme

trust.bug_bounty

none published on fetched TunnelBear pagesprovider claim

Handling of reported vulnerabilities

trust.cve_handling

Am 09.05.2024 veröffentlichte der Anbieter eine plattformweise Bewertung der am 06.05.2024 publik gewordenen Schwachstelle TunnelVision und stufte die Apps für macOS und iOS als betroffen ein, Windows, Android und die Browser-Erweiterung als nicht betroffen.provider claim

Open source clients

trust.opensource_clients

noneprovider claim

Open source server side

trust.opensource_server

noprovider claim

Reproducible builds

trust.reproducible_builds

noprovider claim

Available on F-Droid

trust.fdroid_available

noprovider claim

Listings by independent bodies

trust.independent_recommendations

Wirecutter (NYT) quoted recommending TunnelBear after researching 53 VPNsprovider claim

Protocols and cryptography

17/17 sourced

WireGuard

crypto.wireguard

yesprovider claim

OpenVPN over UDP

crypto.openvpn_udp

yesprovider claim

OpenVPN over TCP

crypto.openvpn_tcp

yesprovider claim

IKEv2/IPsec

crypto.ikev2

yesprovider claim

Proprietary protocol

crypto.proprietary_protocol

none (WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 selectable); GhostBear obfuscation featureprovider claim

Legacy protocols still offered

crypto.legacy_protocols

none advertised; protocol selection lists WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2provider claim

Default data cipher

crypto.data_cipher_default

AES 256 Bit laut Anbieterangabeprovider claim

Weakest accepted cipher

crypto.data_cipher_weakest

AES-256provider claim

Key exchange and authentication

crypto.handshake

Depends on selected protocol (WireGuard / OpenVPN / IKEv2)provider claim

Perfect forward secrecy

crypto.pfs

yesprovider claim

Post-quantum key exchange

crypto.post_quantum

not availableprovider claim

Own DNS resolvers

crypto.own_dns

noprovider claim

DNS leak protection

crypto.dns_leak_protection

yesprovider claim

IPv6 handling

crypto.ipv6_handling

unclearprovider claim

WebRTC protection or guidance

crypto.webrtc_guidance

noprovider claim

Obfuscation methods

crypto.obfuscation

GhostBear, laut Anbieter 'Make your encrypted VPN data less detectable to governments, businesses and ISPs'provider claim

Usability behind the Great Firewall

crypto.works_in_china

per user reportsprovider claim

Features

19/20 sourced

Kill switch

features.killswitch

system-wideprovider claim

Permanent lockdown

features.killswitch_permanent

yesprovider claim

Split tunneling

features.split_tunneling

SplitBear, laut Anbieter Auswahl, welche Apps und Websites durch den Tunnel laufenprovider claim

Multihop

features.multihop

not availableprovider claim

Tor integration (Onion over VPN)

features.tor_integration

noprovider claim

Port forwarding

features.port_forwarding

not availableprovider claim

Surcharge for a dedicated IP

features.dedicated_ip

We have no source for this criterion.

SOCKS5 proxy

features.socks5

noprovider claim

HTTP proxy

features.http_proxy

noprovider claim

Smart DNS

features.smart_dns

noprovider claim

Ad and tracker filtering in DNS

features.adblock_dns

not availableprovider claim

Malware and phishing filter

features.malware_filter

noprovider claim

Custom DNS servers allowed

features.custom_dns_allowed

noprovider claim

Local network access toggle

features.lan_access_toggle

noprovider claim

Auto connect rules

features.autoconnect_rules

yesprovider claim

Private device network (mesh)

features.mesh_private_net

noprovider claim

GPS location override (Android)

features.gps_spoofing

noprovider claim

Traffic analysis defence

features.traffic_analysis_defense

GhostBear obfuscation to make VPN traffic less detectableprovider claim

IPv6 inside the tunnel

features.ipv6_tunnel

noprovider claim

Obfuscation without configuration

features.stealth_default

noprovider claim

Servers and network

11/12 sourced

Number of servers

network.server_count

8,000 Serverprovider claim

Number of countries

network.country_count

47 Laenderprovider claim

Number of cities

network.city_count

We have no source for this criterion.

Virtual locations

network.virtual_locations

no virtual locationsprovider claim

RAM-only servers (diskless)

network.ram_only

noprovider claim

Hardware ownership

network.ownership

mixedprovider claim

Own AS (autonomous system)

network.own_asn

noprovider claim

10 Gbps ports

network.10g_servers

noprovider claim

P2P and file sharing

network.p2p_servers

dedicated locationsprovider claim

Public server list

network.server_list_public

yesprovider claim

Public status page

network.status_page

noprovider claim

Known upstream hosting providers

network.hosting_providers

Third-party infrastructure providers (unnamed) per privacy policyprovider claim

Apps and platforms

16/16 sourced

Windows app

apps.windows

native appprovider claim

macOS app

apps.macos

native appprovider claim

Linux app with GUI

apps.linux_gui

not availableprovider claim

Linux command line

apps.linux_cli

not availableprovider claim

Android app

apps.android

native appprovider claim

iOS app

apps.ios

native appprovider claim

Android TV app

apps.androidtv

not availableprovider claim

Apple TV app

apps.appletv

not availableprovider claim

Fire TV app

apps.firetv

not availableprovider claim

Browser extension

apps.browser_ext

own extensionprovider claim

Type of browser extension

apps.browser_ext_type

standalone browser proxyprovider claim

Router support

apps.router_support

not offered on fetched download/features pagesprovider claim

Native build for Apple Silicon

apps.macos_arm_native

yesprovider claim

Command line documented

apps.cli_documented

noprovider claim

Simultaneous devices

apps.simultaneous_devices

unbegrenztprovider claim

Usable without an account

apps.no_account_needed

noprovider claim

Account, pricing and payment

17/17 sourced

Data required at signup

pricing.signup_email_required

any email addressprovider claim

Account model

pricing.account_model

email as loginprovider claim

Cash by mail

pricing.cash_by_mail

noprovider claim

Monero

pricing.monero

noprovider claim

Bitcoin

pricing.bitcoin

noprovider claim

Lightning

pricing.lightning

noprovider claim

Retail gift cards

pricing.retail_giftcards

noprovider claim

PayPal

pricing.paypal

yesprovider claim

Credit and debit card

pricing.credit_card

yesprovider claim

SEPA payment

pricing.sepa

noprovider claim

Monthly price

pricing.monthly_price

€3.33provider claim

Effective price on the longest term

pricing.effective_price_longest

€3.33provider claim

Price change at renewal

pricing.renewal_price_hike

moderate increaseprovider claim

Flat pricing without permanent discounts

pricing.flat_pricing

noprovider claim

Free tier and its limits

pricing.free_tier

Gratistarif mit 2 GB Datenvolumenprovider claim

Money-back window

pricing.moneyback_days

30 Tageprovider claim

Cancellation path

pricing.cancellation_ease

cancel in accountprovider claim

Usage and performance

5/10 sourced

P2P policy in the terms of service

usage.p2p_policy

dedicated locationsprovider claim

Streaming unblocking officially advertised

usage.streaming_officially

yesprovider claim

Netflix regions reported

usage.netflix_regions_reported

We have no source for this criterion.

Other streaming services

usage.other_streaming_services

We have no source for this criterion.

Bandwidth cap

usage.bandwidth_cap

cappedprovider claim

Data cap

usage.data_cap

Gratistarif 2 GB; kostenpflichtige Tarife werden als 'Unlimited secure browsing' beworben.provider claim

Speed measurement references

usage.speed_references

We have no source for this criterion.

Latency and gaming suitability

usage.latency_gaming

We have no source for this criterion.

SMTP and port 25 handling

usage.smtp_policy

We have no source for this criterion.

Official support in restrictive countries

usage.restrictive_countries_support

GhostBear for VPN-blocking networksprovider claim

Support and documentation

7/7 sourced

24/7 live chat

support.livechat_247

noprovider claim

Email or ticket support

support.email

yesprovider claim

Telephone support

support.phone

noprovider claim

German-language support

support.german_language

noprovider claim

Documentation assessment

support.docs_quality

workableprovider claim

Self-hosted chat widget

support.selfhosted_chat

noprovider claim

Self-service account deletion

support.account_deletion_easy

yesprovider claim

Provider website hygiene

5/5 sourced

SSL Labs grade of the website

site.ssl_grade

A+confirmed

Tracker load of the website

site.cookie_privacy_impact

Privacy policy describes account/session data including IP at payment for fraud preventionprovider claim

URL of the warrant canary

site.canary_page

none foundprovider claim

Length and readability of the legal documents

site.tos_readability

High — marketed as terms/privacy 'you can actually understand'provider claim

Marketing claims contradicting the provider's own terms

site.claims_vs_reality

Features claim 8000+ servers in 46+ countries with city-level selection on Unlimitedprovider claim

Something wrong here?

If a value is wrong or outdated, report it with evidence. Every change is reviewed and then appears publicly in the changelog.