Free VPN review
TunnelBear Free review
TunnelBear Free provides 2 GB per month, shared across your supported devices. Standard free accounts no longer include country selection or SplitBear.
By VPNTrends · Updated 2026-10-21
Our assessment
TunnelBear Free at a glance
TunnelBear Free provides 2 GB per month, shared across your supported devices. Standard free accounts no longer include country selection or SplitBear.
Key capabilities
TunnelBear Free provides 2 GB per month, shared across your supported devices. Standard free accounts no longer include country selection or SplitBear.
Limitations to check
An ongoing free plan with 2 GB of shared monthly data. There is no subscription charge unless you choose a paid upgrade.
See platform support ↓
Free access is a limited plan rather than Unlimited
TunnelBear Free is designed for testing and modest use, with a recurring monthly data allowance rather than the paid product’s unlimited traffic. Its pricing page and account help describe an ongoing free account. Choosing that plan should not be confused with selecting an Unlimited subscription that happens to advertise a low monthly equivalent.
The provider states that the free service is supported without advertising or selling browsing data. This review treats those statements as policy information, not an independent assessment of every internal system. The useful warning is about the published allowance and missing controls, rather than an unsupported assertion that all free VPN services use the same business model.
Several devices share one small allowance
TunnelBear provides native applications for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. Its account FAQ does not impose a device-count limit, but the Free allowance belongs to the account. Installing the application on another computer or phone does not create a separate two-gigabyte allocation for each device.
That distinction can make a shared account feel more restrictive than the device count suggests. Background downloads, updates and video on several connected devices all compete for the same allowance. Linux has limited manual support in the wider product documentation, but current Free access through that route is not established here; a native Linux application is not claimed.
Country choice and SplitBear are now paid features
A December 2025 provider announcement changed normal Free accounts by reserving country selection and SplitBear for paying customers. The latter is the product’s application or website bypass control. Older reviews that describe choosing any country or configuring those exceptions on Free may therefore no longer describe the current entitlement.
The provider says Free retains connection protection through VigilantBear and GhostBear. VigilantBear documentation names the four native platforms and describes protection during reconnection. It should not be interpreted as a guarantee of every possible network scenario. Special exceptions under the provider’s censorship bandwidth programme are distinct from the ordinary Free account reviewed here.
Understand exactly when the data returns
Free accounts receive two gigabytes per month. The account help explains that the reset follows the monthly anniversary of account creation and unused data does not carry over. This is different from assuming a calendar-month reset or accumulating unused allowances during months when the application was rarely opened.
A data allowance also changes the meaning of continuous protection. A short browsing session can be a reasonable use, while video, large downloads or a full working day across multiple devices may consume the available amount quickly. Monitor the account’s remaining allowance rather than assuming an unlimited device count means unlimited protected usage.
Best for occasional access without a required exit country
TunnelBear Free is most relevant when someone wants to learn the native application or cover an occasional modest connection without selecting a specific country. It is unsuitable for a task that depends on a chosen national exit address, because that control is reserved for the paid plan. Router configuration is not supplied by the provider.
Before depending on it, check the remaining data and the protection settings on the actual device. These are concrete limitations rather than generic warnings about all free services. No measured speeds or streaming access are claimed in this review. Later hands-on checks should focus on reconnect behaviour and what happens near the allowance limit, while keeping the free and paid plans separate.
Free plan and limits
This continuing free plan has no subscription charge. Check the actual allowance and restrictions before relying on it.
Data allowance: 2 GB per month, shared across the account. The allowance resets on the monthly anniversary of account creation; unused data does not roll over.
- 2 GB per month shared across the account
- Unused data does not roll over; resets on account-creation monthly anniversary
- Country selection is paid-only for normal Free accounts
- SplitBear split tunneling is paid-only
- No native Linux app; free manual Linux access not established
The 2 GB allowance can run out quickly with video, downloads or several devices. Standard free accounts cannot choose a country or use SplitBear, so this plan may not suit a specific exit location or all-day use.
An ongoing free plan with 2 GB of shared monthly data. There is no subscription charge unless you choose a paid upgrade.
Features and platform support
Support can differ between apps and operating systems. Platform coverage and limitations are shown below.
- Windows
Native app available. The account shares a total allowance of 2 GB per month across devices.
- macOS
Native app available. The account shares a total allowance of 2 GB per month across devices.
- Linux
Linux has limited manual support, but access under the current free-plan restrictions has not been confirmed. There is no native Linux app.
Current support not verified.- iOS
Native app available. The account shares a total allowance of 2 GB per month across devices.
- Android
Native app available. The account shares a total allowance of 2 GB per month across devices.
- WireGuard / WireGuard-based protocol
WireGuard is available in the native apps and is not among the features removed from Free in December 2025.
Verified platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.- OpenVPN
OpenVPN is available in the native apps. Manual Linux access under the free plan has not been confirmed.
Verified platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.- Kill switch
VigilantBear is available on Windows, macOS, iOS and Android and remains included in Free.
Verified platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.- Router support
The provider does not supply router or modem configurations.
- Split tunneling
SplitBear application and website routing is paid-only for standard free accounts following the December 2025 changes. The censorship Bandwidth Program has separate exceptions.
- Dedicated IP available
The provider does not offer a static IP address.
Questions about TunnelBear Free
How many devices can connect simultaneously?
PricingFAQno devicelimit;2GBallowanceisaccountwide,not2GBperdevice.
Is this a continuing free plan or a paid trial?
This is a continuing free plan, not an introductory paid subscription. 2 GB per month, shared across the account. The allowance resets on the monthly anniversary of account creation; unused data does not roll over.
Does a supported platform include every feature?
No. Protocols, split tunneling and kill switches can have different platform support. Use the feature descriptions above to check the app you intend to use.
Can TunnelBear Free choose a country?
Normal Free accounts no longer include country selection following the provider’s December 2025 changes. Country selection and SplitBear are paid features.
Is TunnelBear Free 2 GB per device?
No. The 2 GB monthly allowance is shared by the account. It resets on the account-creation monthly anniversary and unused data does not roll over.
Before you choose
Check data, location, speed and connection limits for the free plan. Paid subscriptions and trials have separate terms and are not included here.
We have not conducted hands-on speed, streaming or app tests for this review. No numerical ratings or test badges are assigned.