Tunnello browser VPN for Google Chrome review
Tunnello is a relatively new browser VPN extension for the Google Chrome web browser that is currently in beta and thus offered for free.
The extension works similar to how other VPN extensions for Google Chrome work: install the extension, sign-up for a free account, and start using the service in the browser afterwards.
Note: Tunnello is in beta currently which means that you may use it without limitation. The company behind the product has not released any pricing information yet. It seems likely that it will limit the free version once the service leaves beta. We will update the review when that happens to reflect the change.
Tunnello browser VPN for Google Chrome
You control Tunnello using the icon that the extension adds to the Google Chrome toolbar upon installation.
A left-click on the icon displays options to connect or disconnect from one of the available services. In fact, those are the only options of the interface.
Tunnello has servers in 14 regions of the world that you can connect to. Those regions include the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Canada, the United Kingdom and Spain.
To connect to any server, simply select it and hit the go button afterwards. The connection is established quickly and Tunnello lists switches the interface to a disconnect button.
First thing you may want to do whenever you start using a new VPN is to check whether it is leaking any information (e.g. your real IP).
A quick test on IP Leak confirmed that Tunnello does not leak the local IP when the browser is connected to the service.
A click on the settings icon in Chrome lists one option right now that is enabled by default. It disables WebRTC leaks in the browser when connected to the VPN. It is highly recommended to keep the setting enabled.
I ran several speed tests afterwards using various servers. While I was not able to max out my line, a 50/10 Mbit connection, I managed to get between 20 to 25 Mbps download and between 7 and 9 Mbps upload on all servers.
This is sufficient for most activities on the Internet. As far as those are concerned, all worked fine and without issues.
While I did not verify if services such as Netflix, Pandora or Hulu are accessible when connected to the US server, I confirmed that live TV from around the world could be streamed without issues.
BBC channels worked in the UK, as did Dutch and Japanese TV.
Privacy
The Privacy Policy reveals that Tunnello stores session data for 30 days. Session data includes the IP address of the user, the Tunnello IP address the user's device connected to, the start and stop date and time of the connection, and the total transfer rate in bytes.
It does not include content of communication, deep packet inspection, throttling or rate limiting.
We retain session data for 30 days to use with billing issues, troubleshooting, service offering evaluation, issues, and for handling crimes performed over the service.
Tunnello states furthermore that it does not resell information or hand over information unless ordered to do so by a court of justice.
Closing Words
Tunnello worked fine during tests. I experienced one temporary connection issue to servers in the US, but everything else worked without issues. The speed is fine and good enough to stream HD media or other demanding content.
Privacy is a bit of an issue with the recording of 30-days worth of connection data. If you need full, privacy, Tunnello is not for you. You may want to check out a service like Private Internet Access instead then which has a no-logging policy.
Now You: Do you use a browser VPN or a full one?
Tunnello is a great thing for doing research for a school project because you can turn it on and go into blocked website then turn it off so you won’t waste you’re data without it blocking you from being on that website. :)
Please add auto connect on startup of browser function
It’s already a feature that we will develop in the future.
Waiting for it :)
Yes,Martin. i tried this.
It might be a setting in Google Chrome, you can try to reset the default parameters of Google Chrome chrome://settings/resetProfileSettings or you can try with another Browser like chromium.
it does not work for Iran….
Hello,
We have users in Iran. Please tell us what is wrong : contact@tunnello.com
When i click “GO” Button, It shows “error” masage.
Have you tried a different region?
Hello,
We are John, Clem and Hugo, the founders of Tunnello.
Thank you for the post we just discovered that this morning :) You make our day
We would like to give more information, we have 14 countries available and more soon. We are for the moment only on Google Chrome but we plan to develop Tunnello on PC, Mac, Android and iOS.
Regarding the log, we keep it just for us in order to optimized Tunnello. The privacy of our users is very important for us.
For the comments :
– Betternet is a great VPN but not as fast as we are. We want to create also a totally free offer in the futur and a paid offer.
– We are not going to resell your data like Hola, we don’t thing that can be a business model. We are paying all the servers right now and we invest all our time to make Tunnello the change maker in the VPN industry
If you have any question feel free.
Thanks, I have edited the region count in the article.
Hello,
We are the founders of Tunnello. Thank you for this great article.
Just few modifications, we have currently 14 countries available. We don’t rely log data, it’s just for us to manage the user. We don’t know what you do with Tunnello. It’s mainly for bug purposes.
To answer your questions :
Betternet, use advertising for their free offer, however it’s not fast as we are. Feel free to test Tunnello. It’s freer and unlimited
We are not like Hola, and we don’t want to have the same business model which is not good for the users privacy. We really think that your privacy is the most important. We do not resell your data and we will never do it.
We are going to release a pro offer in the coming months when we will be stable but we want to maintain a free offer because not everybody can afford a VPN.
I have this worry that it will be another Hola
Currently running Betternet.
Free and they claim no logging.
They even explain how the free version is funded.
Speeds are not so great though, but worth checking out.
Limited features when compare this to top VPNs. I would urge users to search & compare top vpns in terms of features and price. See which ones come out to be a great value for money. My personal recommendation would be Purevpn, Nord & Vypr. Just compare and decide, don’t look for the free ones (low internet speed etc.)
“Tops VPN” doesn’t have many other features and it cost 15$/month. Did you try Tunnello? With our system there is no speed reduction. We are 10 times faster than a VPN. Just try before paying 15$ or more by month