Choosing your first VPN can be intimidating. There are dozens of services, each promising security, speed, and privacy. Two providers that often catch the attention of beginners are Surfshark and TunnelBear. Both have user-friendly designs and strong privacy commitments, but they approach the VPN experience in very different ways.

If you’re new to VPNs and want to know which of these two might suit you best, this guide breaks down their ease of use, pricing, features, and overall value.

First Impressions

Surfshark has quickly become one of the most talked-about VPNs since its launch in 2018. It’s known for affordability, unlimited device connections, and a wide array of features that appeal to both beginners and advanced users.

TunnelBear, on the other hand, has been around since 2011 and has built a reputation for being approachable and fun. Its bear-themed interface and cartoon animations make it far less intimidating for VPN newcomers.

Both are beginner-friendly, but Surfshark leans toward flexibility and advanced features, while TunnelBear focuses on simplicity.

Ease of Use

When you first open the Surfshark app, you’re greeted with a clean interface and a simple “Quick Connect” button. Behind the scenes, it still offers advanced options like protocol selection, split tunneling, and MultiHop, but these don’t clutter the main screen.

With TunnelBear, the experience is even more straightforward. You see a map with tunnels (locations), and you simply toggle the switch to “ON” to connect. Animations of a bear “digging” to your chosen country add a playful touch, which can help first-time users feel comfortable.

Verdict for beginners:

• TunnelBear is slightly more beginner-proof thanks to its stripped-down interface.

• Surfshark offers more tools without being overwhelming — better if you expect to grow into more advanced use.

Device Support

Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning you can secure every phone, laptop, tablet, and smart TV in your household with one subscription. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, smart TVs, and even browser extensions.

TunnelBear limits you to five devices per account. While this is enough for one person’s essentials, it can feel restrictive for families or those with many gadgets.

Verdict for beginners:
If you have multiple devices or share with family, Surfshark’s unlimited policy is a major advantage.

Speed & Performance

Surfshark supports the WireGuard protocol, known for delivering some of the fastest VPN speeds available. It also offers OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec, giving you flexibility if one protocol is blocked.

TunnelBear supports OpenVPN and IKEv2 but not WireGuard. While speeds are respectable for browsing and HD streaming, they tend to lag behind Surfshark in most independent tests, especially for long-distance connections.

Verdict for beginners:
Surfshark is the better choice if you plan to stream in HD/4K or download large files regularly

Privacy & Security

Both providers use AES-256 encryption — the gold standard for VPNs — and have strict no-logs policies.

Surfshark’s headquarters are in the Netherlands, part of the Nine Eyes alliance, but it maintains an independently audited no-logs policy. TunnelBear is based in Canada, a Five Eyes member, but also undergoes independent audits of its privacy practices.

Key security features:

• Surfshark: Kill switch, DNS leak protection, MultiHop (double VPN), Camouflage Mode (obfuscation), and CleanWeb (ad & tracker blocker).

• TunnelBear: Kill switch (“VigilantBear”), GhostBear (obfuscation), and always-on encryption.
  
  

Verdict for beginners:
Both are safe, but Surfshark gives you more security extras to explore if your needs grow.

Streaming & Content Access

Surfshark is designed with streaming in mind. It can consistently unblock Netflix libraries (including US, UK, and Japan), Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more. Its Smart DNS feature helps access streaming platforms on devices that don’t support VPN apps.

TunnelBear’s streaming capabilities are limited. While it works for some services, it often struggles with Netflix and BBC iPlayer. The company doesn’t market itself as a streaming VPN, focusing more on privacy for casual browsing.

Verdict for beginners:
If streaming access is important, Surfshark wins easily.

Pricing

Surfshark:

• Monthly: Around $12.95

• 1-year plan: ~$3.99/month

• 2-year plan: ~$2.29/month

• All plans include unlimited devices.
  
  

TunnelBear:

• Monthly: $9.99

• 1-year plan: ~$4.99/month

• 3-year plan: ~$3.33/month

• Free plan available (500MB/month) — great for testing but too small for daily use.
  
  

Verdict for beginners:
TunnelBear’s free plan is excellent for testing a VPN with no risk. But for long-term value and device coverage, Surfshark’s multi-year plans are far cheaper per device.

Customer Support

Surfshark offers 24/7 live chat and email support, plus an extensive knowledge base with setup guides and troubleshooting tips.

TunnelBear only provides email support and a help center. For urgent issues, Surfshark’s live chat can be a lifesaver.

Verdict for beginners:
Surfshark’s real-time support makes onboarding easier.

Final Verdict – Which Should Beginners Choose?

Both Surfshark and TunnelBear are beginner-friendly, but they serve slightly different audiences:

• Choose TunnelBear if:
  You want the simplest possible VPN with zero learning curve, playful design, and a free plan to experiment. It’s perfect for casual users who mainly browse, shop, and use social media.

• Choose Surfshark if:
  You want a VPN you can grow with. It offers more features, faster speeds, better streaming access, unlimited devices, and round-the-clock support. It’s ideal for beginners who want simplicity now but flexibility later.
  
  

Bottom line:
TunnelBear feels like a friendly “starter VPN,” while Surfshark is more like a long-term privacy tool that can scale with your needs. For most beginners who plan to keep using a VPN regularly, Surfshark offers far greater value.