Last Update: May 3, 2022
Yes. TunnelBear is a viable VPN solution for torrenting. It maintains a network that’s 100% P2P-enabled, which can facilitate safe downloading sessions. In this article, we shall have a detailed discussion regarding the topic so you’ll know everything you need to about torrenting together with TunnelBear.
Before anything else, here are the pros and cons of TunnelBear when it comes to torrenting:
| Pros | Cons |
| Decent speed capabilities | Supports few VPN protocols |
| Large P2P server network | Based in a Five Eyes Alliance member state |
| Bypasses the geoblocks of most websites | – |
| Very affordably priced | – |
| Supports cryptocurrency payments | – |
Yes. TunnelBear allows for torrenting activity on its network.
However, it doesn’t encourage the said activity. Additionally, the VPN service provider also does not condone the downloading of copyrighted content. This shouldn’t be surprising though. After all, the same thing can be said for most of its competitors in the VPN industry.
You can install TunnelBear by downloading its application from its website. Following that, you’ll have to initialize the installation process then follow every prompt that appears. Please note though that on some platforms, everything will proceed automatically, which is great.
After installing TunnelBear, open its application. Enter your credentials then log in. Remember to do this before opening your torrent client (such as BitTorrent, uTorrent, qBittorrent, Deluge, Vuze, etc.). If not, you’ll immediately put yourself in a position wherein cybercriminals and other entities can compromise your online security.
Once you’ve opened TunnelBear’s app, go straight to the settings menu. From there, activate the kill switch feature, which is under the name VigilantBear. Contrary to popular belief, this stage is not optional. You must always have your kill switch activated when you’re torrenting.
For anyone unaware, an automatic kill switch is a VPN security feature. It acts as a safety net that protects you from accidental exposure while connected to your VPN’s server. How does it work? By eliminating your device’s connection to the internet in the event that its connection to your provider’s network becomes compromised.
The next thing you need to do is connect to a TunnelBear server. You won’t have to distinguish between normal servers and P2P servers since the VPN’s entire network is P2P-enabled. As such, in theory, it has the necessary infrastructure to keep you safe when you’re torrenting.
You won’t run out of connectivity options while using TunnelBear. After all, the provider operates a whopping 3000+ servers in 41 countries across the globe.
Always verify for leaks with IPLeak.net when using any VPN for the first time for torrenting. My experience with TunnelBear in this regard has been positive. That’s because all of the VPN’s servers have managed to successfully mask my legitimate IP address.
If your leak test comes out clean, then there’s nothing left but to open your torrenting client and start downloading. Please remember to never close TunnelBear or disconnect from its servers as you download. Doing so will only leave you in a position wherein you can be hacked.
Yes. TunnelBear is good and safe for P2P torrenting.
The provider passed with flying colors each time I subjected it to a torrenting leak test. In doing so, it has proven that it can be trusted with maintaining my anonymity. Hence, wholeheartedly recommend that the VPN service provider be utilized for torrenting as it’ll definitely keep you safeguarded.
TunnelBear does have a solid zero-logging policy. However, this policy isn’t backed up by a network that’s RAM-based. For that reason, if it really wanted to, the provider could use its server network to gather your private information.
In addition, you should also know that TunnelBear’s apps come with every VPN security feature that you’d deem essential. Aside from a kill switch, they’ve also got an ad & malware blocker as well as split tunneling. Furthermore, there’s GhostBear, which is basically TunnelBear’s version of VPN server obfuscation.
Sad to say, TunnelBear can’t reliably circumvent China’s Great Firewall. Our testers report that they’ve only found success on several occasions with the provider. As such, it’s not the best choice for those who travel frequently to places with draconian internet censorship laws.
Speed isn’t something that TunnelBear is particularly known for.
Needless to say, the provider’s servers are fast enough to meet the needs of any casual internet user. Of course, to have the fastest online connection, it’s best to pair with a nearby server. The reason why is because distance directly impacts the speed capabilities of a given VPN server.
Here’s everything that TunnelBear is compatible with:
TunnelBear cannot readily be installed on Linux devices. To set it up for the platform, you must get in touch with the VPN provider’s customer service via ticket or email. A representative will then assist with every step necessary to set up TunnelBear on your device that runs Linux.
Another thing to know is that TunnelBear doesn’t have an app for Chromebook OS. On top of that, it also doesn’t have router support. As a result, there currently isn’t any way to utilize the provider together with devices that it doesn’t have applications for.
One last thing to know is that TunnelBear supports up to 5 simultaneous connections. While this may seem rather impressive, keep in mind that many competing VPNs have better offerings. An example of this is Surfshark, which allows for unlimited simultaneous device pairings.
It would be wrong not to mention TunnelBear when talking about the most affordable VPNs.
The reason why is because the provider charges just $9.99 per month. You can get it for even cheaper if you opt for the 1 or 2-year subscription plan. In addition, there’s a free-tier plan that comes with a data limit of 500 MB per month.
Please refer to the table below for TunnelBear’s complete pricing schemes:
| Subscription Lengths | 1 Month (Free 500MB/Month) |
| 1 Month ($9.99/Month) | |
| 1 Year ($4.99/Month) | |
| 3 Years ($3.33/Month) | |
| Highest Price Per Month | $9.99 |
| Lowest Price Per Month | $3.33 |
| One Year Price | $59.88 |
| Special Offer | Save 67% for a 3-year plan Save 50% for a 1-year plan |
TunnelBear doesn’t have a money-back guarantee. That’s right. It’s one of the few major VPNs that does not guarantee you a refund. While this may seem like a major setback, we believe it isn’t a big deal. After all, TunnelBear does have a free-tier subscription plan that’s available.
Below is a table showing the full specifications of TunnelBear:
| Logging Policy | No Logging |
| Jurisdiction | Canada (Five Eyes Member) |
| Encryption | AES 256-bit Encryption |
| Protocols | OpenVPN IPSec/IKEv2 |
| Ad & Malware Blockers | Yes |
| Kill Switch | Yes (macOS, Windows, Android) |
| Leak Tests | No Leaks Found |
| Speed Test | Average To Fast |
| Torrenting & P2P | Yes |
| Streaming | Netflix Hulu Amazon Prime HBO Max Kodi |
| Gaming | Windows macOS Linux (limited) Android iOS |
| Compatibility | Windows macOS Linux (limited) Android iOS Chrome Firefox Opera |
| Simultaneous Connections | 5 |
| Servers | 3000+ |
| China | Sometimes |
| Additional Features | GhostBear (Obfuscated Server) |
| Split Tunneling | Yes |
| Prices | Free (Limited Usage) $9.99/month $4.21/month (1 Year) $3.33/month (3 Years) |
| Our Rating | 4.1 |
| Website | tunnelbear.com |
TunnelBear is a great VPN that’s perfectly suited for torrenting. It does not leak and boasts a large server network that’s 100% P2P-enabled. On top of that, its servers are fast enough to facilitate fast torrent downloading sessions. Lastly, TunnelBear is compatible with each major torrenting client that’s currently available.
It should also be mentioned that TunnelBear is only compatible with a handful of operating systems. Moreover, it can’t consistently provide access to the free internet in countries like China, which have draconian internet censorship laws. If anything, these two are the main things that hold TunnelBear back from becoming the ultimate VPN provider for torrenting.
