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Cybersecurity · head to head

1Password vs TunnelBear

1Password logo

1Password

Cybersecurity

The world's most-loved password manager

From
$2.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TunnelBear logo

TunnelBear

Cybersecurity

Consumer VPN with a limited free tier and a bear-themed, beginner-friendly app

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only TunnelBear has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 1Password no free tier; all plans require paid subscription; TunnelBear free plan's data cap is small compared to competitors offering more generous free allowances.
  • They diverge on capability: 1Password covers Password generator, TunnelBear covers Encrypted VPN tunnel.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 1Password and TunnelBear actually diverge.

Attributes where 1Password and TunnelBear differ
Attribute1PasswordTunnelBear
Starting price$2.99/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Webwindows, mac, linux, ios, android
Founded2006Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Cybersecurity).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 1Password

  • Password generator
  • Autofill
  • Secure notes
  • Credit card storage
  • Document storage
  • Two-factor authentication
  • Watchtower security alerts
  • Travel mode

Only in TunnelBear

  • Encrypted VPN tunnel
  • Server location switching
  • GhostBear obfuscation
  • Browser extensions
  • Teams account management

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

1Password

  • Password managementnot TunnelBear
  • Secure document storagenot TunnelBear
  • Team credential sharingnot TunnelBear
  • Identity protectionnot TunnelBear
  • Compliance managementnot TunnelBear

TunnelBear

  • Casual browsing protection on public Wi-Finot 1Password
  • Occasional geo-unblocking with a light free allowancenot 1Password
  • Bypassing network-level VPN blocking via obfuscationnot 1Password
  • Managing VPN access for a small team with centralized billingnot 1Password

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

1Password

  • No free tier; all plans require paid subscription
  • Offline access requires prior device sync; cannot add new passwords while offline
  • Enterprise plan does not include free trial access

TunnelBear

  • Free plan's data cap is small compared to competitors offering more generous free allowances.
  • Lacks advanced features like dedicated IP addresses or split-tunneling controls found in some rival VPNs.
  • Server network is smaller than large competitors like NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
  • No standalone router-level app, limiting whole-network protection options.

Pricing, plan by plan

1Password

$2.99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the 1Password review.

TunnelBear

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2GB of data per month
    • Access to VPN servers
    • Unlimited devices
  • Unlimited$9.99/month
    • Unlimited monthly data
    • All server locations
    • Cheaper on annual/3-year billing
  • Teams$undefined/month
    • Unlimited data
    • 5 connected devices per user
    • Dedicated account manager

Which should you pick?

Choose 1Password if

  • You need password generator.
  • You work on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Web.
  • You also want autofill.
1Password review

Choose TunnelBear if

  • You need encrypted vpn tunnel.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
  • You also want server location switching.
TunnelBear review

Questions people ask

Is 1Password or TunnelBear better?
Neither clearly leads. 1Password starts at $2.99/month and TunnelBear at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 1Password or TunnelBear?
TunnelBear has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $2.99/month for 1Password and Free for TunnelBear.
Does 1Password or TunnelBear run on more platforms?
1Password runs on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Web. TunnelBear runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
Can I use TunnelBear for free?
Yes. TunnelBear has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. 1Password starts at $2.99/month.
What is 1Password best used for?
1Password is most often used for password management, secure document storage, team credential sharing, identity protection. Of those, password management and secure document storage are not what TunnelBear is typically brought in for.
What can 1Password do that TunnelBear cannot?
1Password covers Password generator, Autofill, Secure notes, Credit card storage. TunnelBear covers Encrypted VPN tunnel, Server location switching, GhostBear obfuscation, Browser extensions.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

1Password: Does 1Password offer a free tier?

No. 1Password offers no free tier as of July 2026, but provides a 14-day free trial with no credit card required for all plans except Enterprise.

Source
1Password: Can I access 1Password offline?

Yes. The desktop app allows for offline access to your vault once you have synced your passwords to the device.

Source
1Password: What is the pricing for individuals and families?

Individual plan costs 2.99 USD per month or 35.88 USD annually. Families plan costs 59.88 USD per year and includes five licenses with the ability to add more for 1 USD per month each.

Source
1Password: What platforms does 1Password support?

1Password is available on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, with browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and Safari.

Source
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