TunnelBear vs Mullvad

TunnelBear is friendlier if you want to start free and stop counting devices on a paid plan. Mullvad is the more practical choice when the VPN needs to live on a router or a Linux desktop.

You can start on a continuing free plan

TunnelBear has a continuing free plan. Mullvad does not currently offer a continuing free plan. That makes it easier to decide whether the service belongs in your routine before turning the choice into another subscription.

Paid plans also remove the device counter

TunnelBear's paid plans do not make you count simultaneous devices. Mullvad uses a connection cap rather than an unlimited-device model. If you use a lot of personal devices, that convenience keeps paying off after the trial phase is over.

Official router setup is documented

Mullvad officially documents router setup. TunnelBear does not currently provide an official router-configuration path. If the VPN needs to cover devices that cannot run a normal app, this is a hard practical difference.

There is also a graphical Linux app

Mullvad has a confirmed official Linux app with a graphical interface. TunnelBear does not have a confirmed official Linux app with a graphical interface. If Linux is your main computer, that can matter more than the convenience of a free starting tier.