Developer Tools · head to head
Notepad++ vs TunnelBear
Notepad++
Developer Tools
Free, lightweight source code and text editor for Windows
- From
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
T
TunnelBear
Cybersecurity
Consumer VPN with a limited free tier and a bear-themed, beginner-friendly app
- From
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Notepad++ windows-only, with no official native macOS or Linux build.; TunnelBear free plan's data cap is small compared to competitors offering more generous free allowances.
- They diverge on capability: Notepad++ covers Syntax Highlighting, TunnelBear covers Encrypted VPN tunnel.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Notepad++ and TunnelBear actually diverge.
| Attribute | Notepad++ | TunnelBear |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | open-source | freemium |
| Platforms | windows | windows, mac, linux, ios, android |
| Category | Developer Tools | Cybersecurity |
| Founded | 2003 | Unknown |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).
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 Notepad++
- Syntax Highlighting
- Tabbed Editing
- Plugin System
- Regular Expression Search
- Function List
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.
Notepad++
- Quick editing of code and config files on Windowsnot TunnelBear
- Batch find-and-replace across multiple files with regexnot TunnelBear
- Lightweight alternative to a full IDE for scriptingnot TunnelBear
- Viewing and editing logs or large text filesnot TunnelBear
TunnelBear
- Casual browsing protection on public Wi-Finot Notepad++
- Occasional geo-unblocking with a light free allowancenot Notepad++
- Bypassing network-level VPN blocking via obfuscationnot Notepad++
- Managing VPN access for a small team with centralized billingnot Notepad++
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Notepad++
- Windows-only, with no official native macOS or Linux build.
- Lacks built-in debugging or project/build management found in full IDEs.
- Plugin quality and maintenance varies since they are community-contributed.
- No built-in version control integration beyond what plugins provide.
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
Notepad++
Free- FreeFree
- Full editor and plugin ecosystem, no paid tiers
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 Notepad++ if
- You need syntax highlighting.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on windows.
- You also want tabbed editing.
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 Notepad++ or TunnelBear better?
- Neither clearly leads. Notepad++ starts at Free and TunnelBear at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Notepad++ or TunnelBear?
- Notepad++ starts at Free and TunnelBear at Free.
- Does Notepad++ or TunnelBear run on more platforms?
- Notepad++ runs on windows. TunnelBear runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
- Can I use Notepad++ for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Notepad++ best used for?
- Notepad++ is most often used for quick editing of code and config files on windows, batch find-and-replace across multiple files with regex, lightweight alternative to a full ide for scripting, viewing and editing logs or large text files. Of those, quick editing of code and config files on windows and batch find-and-replace across multiple files with regex are not what TunnelBear is typically brought in for.
- What can Notepad++ do that TunnelBear cannot?
- Notepad++ covers Syntax Highlighting, Tabbed Editing, Plugin System, Regular Expression Search. TunnelBear covers Encrypted VPN tunnel, Server location switching, GhostBear obfuscation, Browser extensions.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Notepad++: Is Notepad++ free?
Yes, Notepad++ is free and open-source software distributed under the GNU General Public License, with no paid tiers.
SourceNotepad++: What license does Notepad++ use?
Notepad++ is licensed under the GNU General Public License v2.0 (GPLv2), meaning its source code is freely available and modifiable under GPL terms.
SourceNotepad++: Which operating systems does Notepad++ support?
Notepad++ runs exclusively on Microsoft Windows; there is no official native build for macOS or Linux.
SourceNotepad++: How do I install plugins in Notepad++?
Plugins are installed and managed through the built-in Plugins Admin (plugin manager), which lists community plugins available for download and update.
SourceNotepad++: Where can I get help or documentation for Notepad++?
Official documentation is at the User Manual site, and community support is available through the Notepad++ community forum and GitHub issue tracker.
SourceRelated pages
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- TunnelBear vs Avast One
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- TunnelBear vs LastPass
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- TunnelBear vs KnowBe4
- TunnelBear vs Legit Security
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