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Looking for TunnelBear free alternatives? TunnelBear’s free plan gives you 2 GB a month, a limit it raised from 500 MB in February 2023, its help centre says. Since early 2026 the free tier has also lost server choice, with TunnelBear picking a location for you, and split tunnelling now needs a paid plan, TheBestVPN reports. For light browsing that’s fine; for daily use, 2 GB runs out fast.
This page compares free VPNs that give you more, and when TunnelBear’s paid plan is the better answer.
What TunnelBear Free Gives You
| Feature | TunnelBear free | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly data | 2 GB | TunnelBear help centre |
| Choose a server | No, since early 2026 | TheBestVPN |
| Split tunnelling | Paid plans only | TheBestVPN |
| Anti-censorship bonus | Up to about 10 GB where eligible | TheBestVPN |
| Owner | McAfee, since 2018 | The High Tech Society |
2 GB is roughly light browsing and messaging; HD streaming can use it up in well under a day’s viewing. Our TunnelBear review covers the paid service, which Cure53 has audited yearly.
TunnelBear Free Alternatives With More Data
| Free VPN | Monthly data | Server choice |
|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN free | No cap | Fewer locations than paid |
| PrivadoVPN free | 10 GB | 11 locations |
| TunnelBear free | 2 GB | Automatic only |
Among TunnelBear free alternatives, Proton VPN’s free plan is the strongest swap: no data cap and an audited no-logs policy, as our Proton VPN value guide explains. PrivadoVPN’s free tier offers 10 GB and 11 locations, Top10VPN reports; our Proton VPN vs TunnelBear comparison weighs the two brands head to head.
Free plans have limits somewhere. Speed, server choice or features are where free tiers save money, as our free VPN guide explains. Avoid free VPNs that fund themselves with your data, as our Hola guide and our Urban VPN guide show.
Who TunnelBear Free Still Suits
Occasional public Wi-Fi users. If you only need a VPN for a café visit or an airport wait, 2 GB a month can be enough, and TunnelBear’s apps are among the simplest, as our public Wi-Fi guide notes.
People in censored countries may qualify for TunnelBear’s anti-censorship programme, which raises the free allowance to about 10 GB, TheBestVPN reports. Check local law first, as our country-by-country guide explains. For anything heavier, TunnelBear free alternatives with more data are the better fit.
When TunnelBear Paid Is the Answer
| Plan | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited, monthly | $9.99 | No refund on monthly |
| Unlimited, annual | $4.00 a month | 30-day refund in year one |
| Unlimited, three years | $3.33 a month | Unlimited devices |
If you like TunnelBear’s apps, the paid plan removes the cap and restores server choice. Its 30-day refund covers only first-year annual plans bought on tunnelbear.com, as our TunnelBear refund guide explains.
How We Research
TunnelBear’s free limit comes from its help centre; the 2026 free-tier changes, anti-censorship data and prices from TheBestVPN; ownership from The High Tech Society; PrivadoVPN’s free tier from Top10VPN; refund terms from TunnelBear’s terms of service. TunnelBear’s announcement is at help.tunnelbear.com. We read all sources on 28 September 2026. Proton and TunnelBear are providers we link to. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.
TunnelBear Free Alternatives FAQ
2 GB a month, up from 500 MB before February 2023.
No. Since early 2026, TunnelBear picks the location for free users.
Proton VPN’s free plan, which has no data cap and an audited no-logs policy.
PrivadoVPN’s free tier offers 10 GB and 11 locations, according to Top10VPN.
$9.99 monthly, $4 a month on an annual plan, or $3.33 a month over three years.
The Verdict
TunnelBear free alternatives beat its 2 GB cap: Proton VPN’s free plan has no cap at all.
If you like TunnelBear’s apps, its paid plan is inexpensive over longer terms; otherwise a no-cap free plan is the easy switch.