Hotspot Shield vs TunnelBear

​​Hotspot Shield, developed by Pango (formerly AnchorFree Inc.), is a prominent VPN service headquartered in Redwood City, California, with additional offices in Boston and Ukraine. Founded in 2005 by David Gorodyansky and Eugene Malobrodsky, the company has grown significantly, boasting over 3,200 servers across over 80 countries. This extensive server network allows users to bypass geo-restrictions and access region-locked content, enhancing privacy and security online. Hotspot Shield offers both free and premium plans. The free version includes limited server access and a daily data cap, while the premium version provides faster speeds, a broader server selection, and additional features like antivirus protection. A standout feature of Hotspot Shield is their proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol, which aims to deliver enhanced speed and security compared to traditional VPN protocols. Despite their strengths, Hotspot Shield has faced criticism for not conducting third-party audits to verify their no-logging policy. However, they maintain a strict no-logging policy to protect user privacy. The service is available on multiple platforms, including iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. As of December 31, 2024, Hotspot Shield will discontinue support for router-based VPN configurations.

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, TunnelBear has made a name for themselves as a user-friendly VPN provider focused on privacy and accessibility. With a clean, intuitive design, they offer secure browsing via AES-256 encryption and a strict no-logs policy, ensuring users’ data remains private. TunnelBear’s global server network spans 45+ countries, making it easy to access worldwide content, while unique features like GhostBear help users bypass heavy censorship and internet restrictions in regions with strict data policies. The VPN’s free plan with 2 GB monthly data provides an option for new users to try out the service before committing to a paid plan. Customers generally appreciate TunnelBear’s simplicity, but some note their limited advanced settings and features compared to other VPNs. Nevertheless, TunnelBear’s lighthearted branding and commitment to privacy continue to make them a compelling choice for casual VPN users and those new to the technology. Dive into our full review for a closer look at what makes TunnelBear a standout in the VPN industry.