Like many VPNs, TunnelBear will default to what it thinks is the fastest server for your location. For consistency, I used a server in New York to test all the VPNs in our rating. You can select a server from a drop-down list of countries, although I found this rather difficult to scroll through in Windows (it was better in macOS and on the mobile apps). For me, none of this improved the VPN's usability. In addition, an icon of a bear popped out of a hole and made a roaring motion with its mouth. Primary Controls: There's a large on/off switch at the top, and it was easy to see when I connected because it said 'connection secured' and showed the server location in large letters. I found the extra graphical elements to be distracting and unnecessary, but some people may enjoy them. By contrast, TunnelBear's interface consists of a large world map with 'honey pots' showing the location of each server and bear icons showing when you connect.

Most of its competitors either have a stripped-down aesthetic with a connect button and little else, or they have a more complicated dashboard with server maps, graphs showing data usage, etc. Look and Feel: TunnelBear has one of the friendliest-looking interfaces of any VPN. All of the apps installed correctly, and I could use them as soon as I entered my previously selected username and password. TunnelBear's apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS were easy to install. Here are my impressions from using the service. 10 in our rating of the Best VPNs of 2023. That said, I understand many people want software, including VPN software, that 'just works' without a lot of settings to adjust. I tested each VPN's apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.īecause I'm an experienced VPN user and tech-savvy in general, I often prefer software that has multiple settings to tinker with. My evaluations considered ease of use, features, and other criteria important to the overall experience.

I evaluated our top 10 VPNs, as well as an additional five VPNs that have previously made our ratings. VPN Expert: Jeff Kinney, Senior Editor, 360 Reviews

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