TunnelBear vs Windscribe
The beginner duel. These are the two friendliest ways to start with a VPN for free.
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TunnelBear
The friendliest VPN to start with.
Windscribe
The most generous free VPN: ten gigabytes a month.
Prices last checked on
| Feature | TunnelBear | Windscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 3.9 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Price | From $3.33/mo | From $5.75/mo |
| Free plan | ||
| Best for | Beginners | Unlimited devices (Pro) |
| Category | Free options | Free options |
| Provider | TunnelBear LLC | Windscribe Limited |
| Visit TunnelBear | Visit Windscribe |
Our verdict
TunnelBear has the simplest, most cheerful apps in existence and publishes an independent security audit every year, which deserves credit. But two free gigabytes a month is mostly a teaser. Windscribe gives you ten gigabytes, more locations, and a built-in ad blocker, making it the free plan you can actually live with.
Windscribe wins; TunnelBear remains the softest landing if simplicity is everything.
“The friendliest introduction to VPNs: install, hit the button, done. The annual public security audit deserves real credit. Two free gigabytes is sadly more of a taster.”Editorial team, on TunnelBear
“The most generous free VPN we know, ad blocker included. Ten gigabytes a month covers light daily use. The paid version is flexible but not the cheapest.”Editorial team, on Windscribe
Frequently asked questions
Which is the better free VPN, TunnelBear or Windscribe?
Windscribe. Ten gigabytes a month is a free plan you can actually live with, and it comes with more locations and a built-in ad blocker. TunnelBear gives two gigabytes a month, which is mostly a taster. TunnelBear stays worth a look if you have never used a VPN before, because nothing about its apps needs explaining.
What do the paid plans cost?
TunnelBear Unlimited is $3.33 a month billed annually, $39.96 for the year. Windscribe Pro is $5.75 a month billed annually, $69.00 for the year (US dollars, prices last checked August 2026). Both are annual plans rather than two or three year terms, so you are not locking yourself in for years to reach those figures.
Is TunnelBear safe to use?
It is one of the better documented options on that front. TunnelBear publishes an independent security audit of all its apps every year, which very few providers do. Windscribe scores slightly higher with us, 4.2 out of 5 against 3.9, but that gap comes from the free plan and the feature set rather than from any security concern.
Can I stream on either of these free plans?
Neither is built for it. Two gigabytes a month at TunnelBear disappears in under an hour of video, and ten gigabytes at Windscribe does not last a great deal longer. Free tiers here are for protected browsing on public Wi-Fi, not for watching. If streaming is the goal, budget for a paid plan instead.