How to Build Your Own TunnelBear
Replace TunnelBear with a custom build. A more secure way to browse the web
Build Difficulty: 4/5
A few focused days to build a solid replacement
Estimated Timeline
Based on 24 features at Few Days difficulty, expect about 3-5 days with AI-assisted development.
Recommended Tech Stack
Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components
PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions
Utility-first styling for rapid UI development
Key Features to Replicate
Top features across 6 categories. See all 24 features
Features(7 features)
Administrative tools for managing team accounts and access
Unblock apps and websites on school and work networks
Manage billing for multiple team members from one dashboard
Simple interface - select country and flip switch to connect
Change virtual location to access region-restricted content
+2 more in this category
Privacy(5 features)
Set to launch at startup to stay connected and not worry about reconnecting on restart
Unblock websites and apps blocked by governments by changing virtual location
Stop ad services from tracking behavior across sites by assigning a new IP address
TunnelBear does NOT log any activity of customers connected to the service
Control which apps and websites are tunnelled through TunnelBear's secure and encrypted connection
Security(5 features)
Strong AES 256-bit encryption by default to encrypt device's incoming and outgoing data
Defeat VPN blocking and make encrypted VPN data less detectable to governments, businesses and ISPs
Blocks hackers from stealing passwords and data over insecure public WiFi
Only VPN in the industry to perform annual independent security audits and publish results
If connection gets disrupted, blocks all unsecured traffic until safely reconnected
Network(3 features)
Browse from 46+ countries with city-level server selection in premium plans
Control how you connect to TunnelBear with WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols
More than 8000 of the fastest VPN servers physically located in countries across the globe
Performance(3 features)
Automatically connects to the fastest available server without needing to select a specific country
Peer-to-Peer friendly servers that allow secure and private file sharing
Prevent speed throttling and play on new game servers
Support(1 features)
Priority customer support included in premium plans
Cost Calculator
Keep Paying TunnelBear
Build It Yourself
Total Cost Comparison
DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 24 features at easy complexity.