When work culture shifted from the corporate offices to remote work, the digital space became an integral part of managing work.
But the growing digital threats and cyber crimes make the internet not a safe space for handling sensitive company work. Making workers constantly monitor the connection for suspicious activity.
That’s why they need to use a reliable VPN service. With its dynamic data encryption and network security features, it allows remote workers to safely browse the internet.
Now, among the diverse VPN tools, NordVPN and TunnelBear are the current favorites in the digital nomad community. But the real question is — “Which one offers a safer browsing option?”
Well, no need to fret, your remote buddy is here to debunk exactly that. In this TunnelBear vs NordVPN blog, I am going to delve into the diverse aspects of each tool by focusing on—
Why remote workers need VPN services,
Key features comparison of both tools,
Pros and cons of each tool, and more.
So, come dive right in!
TunnelBear vs NordVPN: Why Do Remote Workers Need VPN Services?
Since VPN services provide data security and network privacy, they allow remote workers to safely browse and work in the digital space.
Now, different VPN tools offer different services, features, and levels of network security.
For instance, TunnelBear is a Canadian VPN service provider. So, it offers free VPN services with a limited data pack.
Moreover, it provides a simple interface. Making it easier for both beginner and expert remote workers to use the VPN protection.
Alternatively, NordVPN is a Panama-based service provider. But it is one of the most popular VPN tools that most users choose.
In addition to this, NordVPN provides advanced security features along with basic encryption and network privacy. That is, it offers dark web monitoring and more.
Making it a complete package for network security while working remotely.
TunnelBear vs NordVPN: Key Features Comparison
Although both the VPN tools seem to offer similar benefits, they are not the same. That is, they share many dissimilarities. So, here is a clear breakdown of the key features comparison.
1. Network Privacy And Jurisdiction
Firstly, TunnelBear is a Canadian based VPN service. That is, it is part of the Five Eyes alliance that allows government bodies to collect user data from the internet without consent.
So, even though it protects the network privacy from hackers and scammers, it discloses the data to the government. And, a little data breach can lead to fatal issues.
But it offers strong network security and data encryption. That is, it incorporates the AES 256-bit encryption model. So, users can rely on its network security features.
On the other hand, NordVPN is a Panama-based VPN tool. That is, it is not a direct member of any surveillance alliances. So, it offers complete data security and network privacy.
Moreover, it employs both AES 256 and SHA 512 data encryption models to protect the user data. So, users get a double VPN service with its security protocols.
As the report from Security Org highlights— “While NordVPN is based in Panama, a non-member country, TunnelBear is based in Canada, a member. That means that, under certain circumstances, they could be forced to hand the feds our data, which is obviously not ideal for a service meant to encrypt our data. In this round, NordVPN is clearly preferable to TunnelBear, particularly for those concerned about privacy.”
2. Encryption And Security Features
As VPN tools, both NordVPN and TunnelBear offer a robust set of encryption and security features. So, users can safely browse the internet without worrying about data breaches.
For instance, TunnelBear employs the AES-256 encryption and comes with both split-tunneling (SplitBear) and network obfuscation (GhostBear) features.
That is, it allows users to mask the VPN traffic as normal internet traffic. So, it can bypass all kinds of connectivity restrictions.
In comparison, NordVPN also provides a massive set of advanced security features. That is, it employs both AES-256 and SHA-512 for data encryption. So, offering a dual protective layer.
Additionally, it supports the major security protocols —OpenVPN, WireGuard, and NordLynx. Providing advanced network security features like dark web monitoring.
3. Performance And Speed
Now, one of the major aspects of any VPN service is its performance and internet speed. So, in comparison between the two, NordVPN offers a speedy network.
Unlike TunnelBear’s lagging performance and internet speed, NordVPN offers smoother internet access. So, users can browse the internet without compromising on speed.
4. Streaming And Torrenting Features
Between the two, NordVPN supports most streaming platforms to allow users to enjoy content on the internet.
Moreover, it has a high-quality P2P server that ensures the data is torrented from peer to peer without any data loss or breach. Making it easier for online users to use the torrent feature.
But, on the other hand, TunnelBear offers a more limited P2P server. So, torrenting might be hindered while using the tool.
In addition to this, it does not readily work with many streaming platforms. Making it difficult for users to stream content from diverse streaming sites.
5. Pricing Models
Finally, both tools do not have the same pricing model. That is, one is a semi-paid tool, while the other is a fully paid one. So, here is a breakdown of their pricing models—
TunnelBear
| Plan | Pricing | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Basic network security and data encryption with up to 2 GB of data per month. |
| Monthly | $9.99 | Advanced security features, data encryption, and unlimited simultaneous connections. |
| 1 Year | $59.88 | Complete set of security features, encryption models, and unlimited simultaneous connections. |
| 3 Years | $120 | Advanced data encryption and security models, and unlimited simultaneous connections. |
NordVPN
| Plan | Pricing | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $12.99 per month | Basic security and privacy features with access to a smooth network. |
| Plus | $13.99 per month | Combined features of both NordVPN and NordPass with smooth internet access. |
| Complete | $14.99 per month | Additional features of NordLocker, along with the Plus features. |
| Prime | $17.99 per month | An advanced set of features with complete access to all NordVPN tools and models. |
TunnelBear vs NordVPN: Pros And Cons Of Each Tool
Even though both TunnelBear and NordVPN are tough VPN tools, they have their own set of benefits and challenges. So, here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of each tool—
TunnelBear
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Offers a free plan that does not expire after a specific period. | 1. Inconsistent and slow internet speed. |
| 2. Allows unlimited simultaneous connections with one VPN Service. | 2. Lacks advanced VPN services like dark web monitoring or double VPN. |
| 3. Provides a simple interface and regular audits for privacy checks. | 3. Not reliable and poor customer support. |
NordVPN
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Offers a highly efficient VPN service with superior speed and advanced security features. | 1. No free plan, but a 30-day free trial. |
| 2. Provides a privacy-focused network server that offers extensive coverage of IP addresses. | 2. Expensive monthly subscription plans. |
| 3. Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and quality customer service. | 3. Limited simultaneous connections supported under one plan. |
Tips To Choose The Right VPN Service For Remote Teams
Having a VPN service is not enough. Rather, you need to know which one will be more beneficial for your remote team. So, here are some tips to help you choose the right VPN to support secure browsing—
If you are working with sensitive data that requires utmost protection from cyber threats and breaches, investing in NordVPN is a better option.
Moreover, if you are working with a site that is regionally restricted, NordVPN can help you access it by bypassing the blocks easily.
But if you are looking for a budget-friendly option, going with TunnelBear’s free services is a better idea.
Now, choosing a VPN can be easy if you simply use this comparison guide. Whether you need a good-performing VPN service or a reliable and budget-friendly option, you can make the right choice.
So, why wait for hackers to attack your online data? Just install and start using a VPN service to enjoy browsing securely.
FAQS
Here are some common questions around the VPN service comparison of NordVPN and TunnelBear.
Yes, absolutely. TunnelBear offers a comparatively good VPN service that allows users to browse the internet with basic security. But its free version is limited to only 2 GB of data per month. So, it provides a moderately strong encryption, a simple interface, and a kill switch under its budget-friendly options.
Yes. Unlike other VPN services, NordVPN offers a reliable platform. That is, it provides high streaming speed, large server networks, and robust geo-restrictions bypassing abilities. So, users can unblock Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming platforms using NordVPN’s services.
Given that NordVPN’s higher-tier plans offer better security and enhanced features for safe browsing, paying more can get users better network security options. Moreover, the higher pricing plans provide a strong data encryption model — AES 256-bit. So, users can enjoy browsing without worrying about digital threats and data leaks.
Yes, absolutely. TunnelBear’s free plan offers the same security features and robust data encryption model as the paid plans. But the only drawback is that the limitation on the data pack is 2 GB per month with the free plan. So, if the data limit is not an issue, users can choose the free version of TunnelBear to safely and securely browse the internet.
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