PureVPN vs TunnelBear
Side-by-side comparison based on Reddit & Twitter discussions
Community Pick
TunnelBear
Based on community sentiment and discussions
Approval Rate
45%
13 recommend · 16 warn
Data Quality
High
Reviews
40
Reviewers
33
Best for:
People who want a low-cost VPN for basic streaming and browsing
Anyone who mainly needs a US IP for apps and websites
Windows users who want straightforward setup help
PureVPN has a mixed reputation, but a lot of people stick with it because it’s cheap, has lots of server locations, and can be pretty quick when you land on a good server. It seems to work well for ba...
TunnelBear
Winner
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 | PureVPN | Winner | TunnelBear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming | 70% (11) | ← | 50% (4) |
| Torrenting | -- (1) | - | - |
| Privacy | 20% (14) | → | 50% (8) |
| Censorship | - | → | 33% (7) |
| Gaming | 0% (1) | → | 50% (2) |
| Travel | 100% (2) | ← | - |
| Router | 0% (1) | - | - |
| Price | 0% (2) | ← | 33% (7) |
PureVPN
Strengths
- Cheap long-term deals
- Good speeds on the right servers
- Lots of server locations
- Works for getting a US IP
- Helpful setup guides for Windows
Weaknesses
- Past no-logs trust concerns
- Streaming can be inconsistent (buffering/bans)
- Connection issues for some people
- Features vary by device (kill switch limitations)
- Jurisdiction worries
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