Software · head to head
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint vs TunnelBear
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Software
Enterprise endpoint security built into Microsoft 365
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
TunnelBear
Software
Consumer VPN with a limited free tier and a bear-themed, beginner-friendly app
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only TunnelBear has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales; TunnelBear free plan's data cap is small compared to competitors offering more generous free allowances.
- They diverge on capability: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, TunnelBear covers Encrypted VPN tunnel.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and TunnelBear actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | TunnelBear |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | quote | freemium |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | windows, mac, linux, ios, android |
| Founded | 1975 | Unknown |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Threat & vulnerability management
- Attack surface reduction
- Next-gen protection
- EDR
- Auto investigation
- Microsoft Threat Experts
- Threat analytics
- Secure score
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.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Enterprise endpoint security across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS via Plans 1 or 2not TunnelBear
- Small and medium-sized businesses using Microsoft Defender for Business as alternativenot TunnelBear
- Organisations using Microsoft 365 E5 which includes Defender for Endpoint Plan 2not TunnelBear
TunnelBear
- Casual browsing protection on public Wi-Finot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Occasional geo-unblocking with a light free allowancenot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Bypassing network-level VPN blocking via obfuscationnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Managing VPN access for a small team with centralized billingnot Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Pricing not published on public websites; quote required from Microsoft sales
- Defender for Endpoint Plan 1 and Plan 2 do not include server licenses; additional licensing required for server protection
- Specific feature differences between Plan 1 and Plan 2 require consulting Microsoft documentation
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
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint 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 Microsoft Defender for Endpoint if
- You need threat & vulnerability management.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
- You also want attack surface reduction.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or TunnelBear better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request and TunnelBear at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or TunnelBear?
- TunnelBear has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Free for TunnelBear.
- Does Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or TunnelBear run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. 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. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint starts at On request.
- What is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint best used for?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is most often used for enterprise endpoint security across windows, macos, linux, android, and ios via plans 1 or 2, small and medium-sized businesses using microsoft defender for business as alternative, organisations using microsoft 365 e5 which includes defender for endpoint plan 2. Of those, enterprise endpoint security across windows, macos, linux, android, and ios via plans 1 or 2 and small and medium-sized businesses using microsoft defender for business as alternative are not what TunnelBear is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Defender for Endpoint do that TunnelBear cannot?
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint covers Threat & vulnerability management, Attack surface reduction, Next-gen protection, EDR. TunnelBear covers Encrypted VPN tunnel, Server location switching, GhostBear obfuscation, Browser extensions.
Related pages
More on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
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