Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OpenDNS VS TunnelBear

Compare OpenDNS VS TunnelBear and see what are their differences

OpenDNS logo OpenDNS

OpenDNS provides faster and safer Internet access for your home or Business.

TunnelBear logo TunnelBear

Really simple VPN to browse the web privately & anonymously.
  • OpenDNS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-22
  • TunnelBear Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-17

OpenDNS features and specs

  • Improved Security
    OpenDNS offers robust protection against phishing attacks, malware, and botnets by blocking access to known malicious domains.
  • Enhanced Control
    Users get granular control over website access, enabling custom filtering to block inappropriate or unsafe sites, which is especially useful for parents and schools.
  • Faster DNS Resolution
    OpenDNS aims to provide faster domain name resolution, potentially reducing the time it takes to load websites compared to using ISPs' DNS services.
  • DNS Uptime
    With globally distributed servers, OpenDNS ensures high availability and reliability, minimizing the risk of DNS outages.
  • Detailed Analytics
    OpenDNS provides insightful web usage statistics and reports that can help identify trends and potential security threats.
  • Device Compatibility
    It is compatible with multiple platforms and devices, making it easy to configure on routers, computers, and mobile devices.
  • Ease of Use
    The service is straightforward to set up, often requiring only a simple change in DNS settings on your device or router.

Possible disadvantages of OpenDNS

  • Privacy Concerns
    By using OpenDNS, users are subject to its terms of service and privacy policy, which may involve data logging and sharing with third parties.
  • Limited Free Features
    The free version of OpenDNS has limited features compared to the premium offerings, which may not be sufficient for all users.
  • Potential Circumvention
    Tech-savvy users or devices can potentially circumvent OpenDNS filtering by manually changing DNS settings to another provider.
  • Dependency on Third-Party Service
    Relying on an external DNS service introduces an additional point of dependency, which could be problematic if the service experiences outages or disruptions.
  • Geographic Performance Variations
    Performance improvements in DNS resolution speed may vary based on geographic location due to the proximity of OpenDNS servers.
  • Complex Configuration for Advanced Features
    Utilizing some of the advanced features, like custom filtering and detailed analytics, may require a more complex configuration that could be challenging for non-technical users.
  • Limited control on Pure DNS Services
    Since OpenDNS modifies DNS requests for security and filtering purposes, users needing pure DNS services without any changes may find it restrictive.

TunnelBear features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    TunnelBear offers a simple and visually appealing interface that is easy to navigate, making it accessible even for users who are not tech-savvy.
  • Strong Security Features
    The VPN provides robust encryption with AES-256, ensuring user data is well-protected from potential threats and unauthorized access.
  • No-Logs Policy
    TunnelBear operates with a strict no-logs policy, meaning user activity is not recorded or stored, enhancing privacy.
  • Free Plan Available
    A free plan is available with 500 MB of data per month, which allows users to test the service before committing to a paid plan.
  • Multiple Device Support
    The service allows for multiple simultaneous connections, letting users secure several devices under one account.
  • Vigilant Mode
    The Vigilant Mode feature acts as a kill switch, which cuts off internet access if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly, maintaining privacy.

Possible disadvantages of TunnelBear

  • Limited Server Locations
    TunnelBear has fewer server locations compared to some of its competitors, which may affect connection speeds and access to geographically restricted content.
  • Data Cap on Free Plan
    The free plan caps data at 500 MB per month, which may not be sufficient for users who require extensive use of a VPN.
  • No Linux Support
    TunnelBear does not offer a dedicated app for Linux users, limiting its accessibility for those on this operating system.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While TunnelBear is great for basic use, it lacks some of the advanced features offered by other VPN providers, such as split tunneling and more customizable settings.
  • Inconsistent Speeds
    Some users report that connection speeds can be inconsistent, especially when connecting to servers that are geographically distant.

OpenDNS videos

OpenDNS - #2 - OpenDNS Review

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to secure home network using OpenDNS
  • Review - IN DEPTH: openDNS

TunnelBear videos

TunnelBear VPN Review - Which Tier is It?

More videos:

  • Review - TunnelBear VPN FULL In-Depth Review! Is It BEARable?
  • Review - TunnelBear Review - In Depth (2020 Updated) - Does It Work With Netflix And Torrenting?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenDNS and TunnelBear)
Security & Privacy
36 36%
64% 64
VPN
0 0%
100% 100
DNS
100 100%
0% 0
Cloud VPN
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare OpenDNS and TunnelBear

OpenDNS Reviews

Best Free Firewalls for Windows, Mac & Android in 2024
Note that OpenDNS Home works best alongside Windows’ built-in firewall. Since it’s not a complete firewall software, you’ll need another firewall to properly monitor incoming and outgoing traffic to help block network intrusions. All things considered, though, OpenDNS Home is a great free solution to improve online safety.
Source: www.wizcase.com
Best DNS servers of 2022: Boost your internet speed with these free, public services
Google's support site offers only very basic guidance targeted at experienced users, warning that "only users who are proficient with configuring operating system settings [should] make these changes." If you're unsure what you're doing, check the tutorials from a provider such as OpenDNS, remembering to replace its nameservers with Google's: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
Best DNS Servers to Use for Free in 2022
Again, for users concerned about their children’s Internet safety, OpenDNS offers a service called OpenDNS FamilyShield that blocks adult content (available at the servers 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123).
Best free DNS servers: 14 options to check out
Owned by Cisco, OpenDNS has two free options: Family Shield and Home. Family Shield is good for parents who want to make sure their kids can’t access inappropriate content. Home focuses on internet safety and performance.

TunnelBear Reviews

The Best Top 10 VPNs for Spotify 2025
TunnelBear is a user-friendly VPN solution for Spotify users, offering fast and secure connections to its vast network of servers. With a free trial option, TunnelBear is perfect for users who want to test its services before committing.
Best Top 20 OpenVPN Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
TunnelBear VPN is an excellent VPN service that provides various features at a reasonable and affordable price.
Best 5 Psiphon Alternatives in 2023
TunnelBear should be your go-to option if you’ve never used a VPN in your life or have been absolutely horrified by the complicated menus in the other services. TunnelBear offers a simple and clean interface that connects you to the fastest server with the click of a button. It also happens to be one of the cheaper options. The VPN grants you 500 MB of free data per month,...
Top 10 Best VPN Software For Windows/MAC – [2023 Edition]
Tunnelbear is another best VPN Software for Windows & MAC. It is available for Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android platforms. Additionally, they provide 500 MB of free data transfer per month. Its premium version is available for a cost of 6.99 $ USD dollars per month.
Source: safetricks.org
10 Best Hamachi Alternatives for Virtual LAN Gaming
You can use TunnelBear VPN to keep your IP address private from websites, hackers, and advertisers. TunnelBear VPN shields your personal information from prying third parties and hackers on public WiFi, ISPs, and other local networks. Your connection is secured with bear-grade (that’s strong) AES 256-bit encryption.
Source: techviral.net

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenDNS should be more popular than TunnelBear. It has been mentiond 11 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

OpenDNS mentions (11)

  • Multiple DDNS configs?
    I've been using the DDNS option in the UI to sync with no-ip.com, so that I can remotely access my NAS via Wireguard, and this works great. However, my new router no longer supports DDNS without subscription. I need another DDNS client to sync with opendns.com, to get content filtering and parental controls, as my new router has no options for this. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Evaluating DNSfilter
    We have used opendns.com for this for years. Might take a look at them. Source: about 2 years ago
  • What does this error message mean? How/where do I change the URL?
    Can you visit opendns.com on your home network? The problem likely that site is getting blocked, and can't use the API to get the public IP of your box. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Firefox detected a potential security threat and did not continue to calyxos.org
    This might be an issue with my DNS provider. I use opendns.com to filter my DNS queries. They're giving the following reasons for blocking the site... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Wi-Fi web filtering
    If all users need the same level of filtering, opendns.com is free and works great. You need a way to forward DNS requests to the Open DNS server, such as a typical Windows DNS. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

TunnelBear mentions (2)

  • BBC iPlayer - In Conversation - 2. Ken Loach in Conversation with Cillian Murphy
    I used to use a VPN to watch Sherlock so I wouldn't get spoiled on the plot. (I'm in the US.) Granted, this was a while ago, the company I used to use was tunnelbear.com. I have been itching to use it to watch Peaky Blinders, but I haven't. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • (JP/DMM) Top 3 VPN-services to use
    #0 - TunnelBear - https://tunnelbear.com/ (or similar, with data limits and lots of other limits in free versions). Source: about 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OpenDNS and TunnelBear, you can also consider the following products

1.1.1.1 - The free app that makes your Internet safer.

Hotspot Shield - Hotspot Shield is a software application developed by AnchorFree, Inc.

Quad9 - Quad9 is a free, recursive, anycast DNS platform that provides end users robust security protections, high-performance, and privacy.

ProtonVPN - ProtonVPN is a security focused FREE VPN service, developed by CERN and MIT scientists. Use the web anonymously, unblock websites & encrypt your connection.

NextDNS - Block ads, trackers and malicious websites on all your devices.

OpenVPN - OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN