Overview
TunnelBear was founded in Toronto in 2011 by Ryan Dochuk and Daniel Kaldor and acquired by McAfee in 2018. It was the first consumer VPN to publish an independent security audit and still does so annually, offers a free plan with a monthly data allowance and keeps its product deliberately simple.
The program is as simple as the product: 50% on every subscription, a 45-day cookie, and payouts handled by CJ Affiliate under CJ's standard thresholds. There is no recurring commission, and annual plans start under $5 a month, so the dollar value per sale is modest. TunnelBear requires affiliates to disclose compensation and prohibits spam or misrepresenting the service.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 50% flat rate with a 45-day cookie
- Free plan drives strong free-to-paid upgrades from referred visitors
- Beginner-friendly brand that converts audiences other VPNs scare off
Cons
- Low plan prices mean small absolute commissions
- No renewals, no second tier
- CJ is the only route in, with CJ's payout minimums
Who should promote TunnelBear
Beginner-friendly and general-audience sites, education and student content, and publishers who already use CJ Affiliate. The free plan converts curious readers who would not buy a VPN cold.
How to join
- Join CJ Affiliate and apply to the TunnelBear program.
- Add the required compensation disclosure to pages that carry TunnelBear links.
- Promote the free plan as the entry point; conversions come from the upgrade.
- Payouts follow CJ's schedule and thresholds.
Frequently asked questions
How much commission does the TunnelBear affiliate program pay?
50% of each sale, one-time.
How long is the TunnelBear affiliate cookie?
The cookie window is 45 days. Attribution is last-click: a later click on another affiliate's link takes the sale.
What is the minimum payout for TunnelBear affiliates?
CJ Affiliate rules apply ($50 direct deposit, $100 check). Payment methods: Direct deposit, Payoneer or check via CJ.
Does TunnelBear pay recurring commissions on renewals?
No.
Which network is the TunnelBear affiliate program on?
CJ Affiliate only.
