HMA (HideMyAss) vs TunnelBear

Side-by-side comparison based on Reddit & Twitter discussions

Community Pick

TunnelBear

Based on community sentiment and discussions

Approval Rate
80%
4 recommend · 1 warn
Data Quality
Medium
Reviews
13
Reviewers
12
Promotional Content
38% may be promotional
Best for:
People who want a familiar VPN for everyday browsing Users who mainly need a different IP for general apps and websites Anyone who wants something mainstream rather than niche
HMA (HideMyAss) gets talked about as a familiar, easy-to-grab VPN option when people just want to “disappear” online and browse with a different IP. It comes up in the same breath as other mainstream...
Approval Rate
54%
20 recommend · 17 warn
Data Quality
High
Reviews
53
Reviewers
51
Best for:
Beginners who want a simple VPN that’s easy to install People who mainly need light browsing protection on public Wi‑Fi Anyone who prefers using a browser extension instead of a full VPN app Casual users who don’t mind upgrading if they hit limits
TunnelBear has a friendly reputation as an easy, no-fuss VPN that a lot of people recommend when someone just needs something that “works.” It’s often mentioned as a quick download for basic browsing,...

Performance by Use Case

Use Case HMA (HideMyAss) Winner TunnelBear
Streaming -- (1) 50% (4)
Privacy 67% (3) 50% (8)
Censorship 100% (2) 33% (7)
Gaming - 50% (2)
Travel 100% (1) - -
Work -- (1) - -
Price -- (1) 33% (7)

HMA (HideMyAss)

Strengths

  • Well-known brand
  • Good for basic location changing
  • Fits everyday browsing needs

Weaknesses

  • Mixed trust when it comes to privacy
  • Not a magic fix for TikTok/Instagram account creation
  • Can get tricky with router or hotspot sharing setups

TunnelBear

Strengths

  • Easy to use
  • Handy Chrome browser extension
  • Good for basic browsing
  • Sometimes works when other VPNs don’t
  • Decent option for quick, simple setup

Weaknesses

  • Free plan feels very limited
  • Some locations require paying
  • Servers can be unreliable for some people
  • Streaming results can be inconsistent
  • Occasional browser extension glitches