OnionPlay is a website that hosts movies, shows, and TV series, which anyone can watch for free. The site collects videos from various sources and allows anyone who visits to either stream online or download them to their device. Despite its benefits like free movie streaming and downloading, is OnionPlay safe?
If you’re wondering how safe OnionPlay is, you’re in the right place. In this article, you’ll read OnionPlay’s safety review and legality to decide whether you should stream or download movies on it or not.
DISCLAIMER: This article serves only as information for the users, and PrivacySavvy doesn’t recommend or support streaming or downloading pirated content from unauthorized websites like OnionPlay. These sites host and publish content without owners’ consent, which is illegal in most jurisdictions. As per copyright laws, you can face serious consequences if you get caught. Also, illegal streaming services like OnionPlay contain malware and viruses that can severely damage your device or steal your personal information. However, if you want to stream on such platforms, we strongly recommend using a VPN and an antivirus to stay protected online.
How to stream OnionPlay safely – Quick guide
First, you should know that OnionPlay isn’t a safe website, so avoid going on it as much as possible. However, if you have something very important to check out on the website, there are safety steps you need to take. They include:
- Register with a quality VPN. We recommend ExpressVPN.
- Download the VPN app on your device.
- Launch your antivirus app. If it tells you that your VPN app is dangerous, add it to the list of safe or authorized apps.
- Open the VPN app and connect to a server. OnionPlay may be blocked in some regions, so you must find a location where it works.
- Type “Onionplay” on Google to see the site and all its mirror links.
- Stream every content on the platform from your device safely and securely.
Who owns OnionPlay
No one owns OnionPlay. There are hundreds of titles for free on this platform, including movies, TV shows, and animations, but it has no known owner. While most websites will have an “About Us” section where you can see details about the platform, OnionPlay’s website doesn’t have that.
Considering the number of titles that you can watch on the website, it’s weird that no one is claiming ownership of them. That’s because OnionPlay is a pirated website that illegally shares copyrighted content. While the website claims that it only stores links to third parties, it doesn’t provide the websites it links to. This makes it even more suspicious and provides more reasons to avoid it.
Legality issues associated with OnionPlay
Like other well-known free movie and TV shows streaming and downloading websites, you must take precautions when using OnionPlay. This website distributes copyrighted materials unauthorized. This is generally known as piracy. Many countries frown upon this, and only a handful allow visiting such websites for personal use. If you’re using the website in a country with strong copyright laws, you could attract unwanted attention to yourself from law enforcement agencies.
For this reason, you’ll find that different governments have banned OnionPlay and other similar websites. If you’re in a country where the website is banned, using it is illegal, and you should avoid it completely. You can turn to other platforms with permission to share copyrighted content, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+.
Better still, you can check your country’s stance on watching copyrighted content before going ahead with streaming on OnionPlay. Below, we see how some prominent countries react to piracy:
| Attitude towards piracy | Countries |
|---|---|
| Allows unauthorized movie streaming and downloading for personal use | Spain, Poland, and Switzerland |
| Pirating is considered illegal, but no official prosecution for piracy. | Argentina, Czech Republic, Brazil, Colombia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Greece, India, Israel, Iran, Mexico, Uruguay, Netherlands, Philippines, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, and Slovenia |
| Pirating is prohibited | Finland, Japan, China, Australia, Finland, Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Latvia, Russia, South Africa, and the United States |
The legal implications of using OnionPlay
The penalties for watching copyrighted films typically differ depending on where you are. In most jurisdictions, you may receive a heavy fine. Depending on the country’s law, this may range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. In other countries, it may land you in jail or prison.
What matters is not getting the movie’s files on your phone, which is generally impossible. When you stream from OnionPlay, your device saves the files temporarily and clears them when you’re done. When you download from this or any other free website, your device saves it permanently to access it whenever you want.
In other countries, streaming and downloading aren’t illegal as you’re not distributing or sharing it. If you’re in such a country, the blame will be on OnionPlay since it’s the website that’s distributing the movies.
However, it’s better to avoid this website completely to protect yourself. There are free and legal alternatives (which you’ll find as you keep reading this article) that you can switch to for the same experience.
Is using OnionPlay dangerous?
This is also important to consider before logging on to OnionPlay. If you don’t, you can compromise your privacy and security. Earlier, we’ve explained how OnionPlay could get you fined or land you in prison due to its illegal nature. Here, you’ll read about the OnionPlay security inspection and the damage it can cause you or your device.
Since no one claims ownership of this website, there’s no way to prove that it doesn’t belong to a hacker. In fact, this is the type of channel that hackers and cybercriminals create to target their victims. They lure them with something free and, from there, gain access to whatever they want.
You also need to watch out for ads on OnionPlay since that’s how the website makes money. You may click certain buttons on the website that redirect to different web pages. This is a common way cybercriminals transfer malware to their target devices.
If the malware is spyware, this hacker can use it to gather various information from your computer. It may also be ransomware, which grants the hacker complete control of your device until you send the person money or perform other actions. As no one has come out to claim this website, you can’t hold anyone responsible for whatever damages OnionPlay does to you or your device.
Be careful of OnionPlay mirror sites
A mirror site is another way by which you can address a blocked or geo-restricted website. They look exactly like their original sites, but the only difference is that you access them under a different URL. These mirror or copycat sites typically don’t have links to OnionPlay. They’re not from OnionPlay, and unregulated third parties generally host them.
Mirror sites for mystery sites are even riskier than the original site. They have short life spans and will vanish from the internet shortly after they appear. This takes away any form of accountability from them as whatever file you download from there will be traceable to nowhere after some days or a few weeks.
Regarding malware and spyware risks, mirror sites are even more dangerous. They contain various pop-up ads that lead to different websites where you might inadvertently pick up some viruses. There’s also no assurance that the movie or series you’re downloading from these sites doesn’t carry malware. This software can scan your device for crucial data and send it to the hacker behind it.
Tips to enhance the OnionPlay streaming experience
Avoid illegal streaming sites like OnionPlay as much as possible and use free and legal alternatives that are safer and secure. However, that doesn’t mean you still can’t have a safe browsing experience on the app. We’ll explain how you can use OnionPlay securely below:
Get a VPN
With many VPNs to choose from today, selecting may be challenging. You can choose from one of our three recommended VPNs: ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and ExtremeVPN. These encrypt your data and traffic using military-grade AES 256, hide your information from the public, and ensure no one gains access. Using a VPN isn’t the only way of staying safe on the OnionPlay site, but it’s very important.
Get antivirus software, ideally premium
Antivirus software will protect your device from any type of virus you encounter online. Considering the number of ads on OnionPlay and how most can be viruses, these are essential for staying safe.
These programs scan whatever your computer or smartphone downloads from the internet, big or small. If the scanning shows that a file may be harmful, they tell you to remove it and provide details like its location and size.
For the best result, use the antivirus program and the VPN together. Nowadays, VPN providers are also incorporating antivirus functionalities into their apps. While this ensures seamless integration, getting a separate premium antivirus is still advisable if you can afford it. These are better at protecting your device than an antivirus package inside a VPN.
Can a VPN protect me when streaming OnionPlay?
VPNs have safety and security at the core of their operations, which means they can also protect you when streaming OnionPlay.
VPNs provide extra layers of security for your internet connection to ensure that it isn’t accessible to anyone. Stealth VPNs feature a no-logs policy that clears your data and traffic anytime you close a browsing session. Some can also tunnel through firewalls, rendering government restrictions useless.
In short, there are many ways by which VPNs can keep you safe when browsing OnionPlay. You only have to ensure that you’ve subscribed to the right one. Also, using a suitable VPN will make your streaming legal and safe.
Best VPNs to stream content on OnionPlay
In choosing a quality VPN for OnionPlay, we consider factors like the number of servers, data encryption, speed, and affordability. From the multiple VPNs available online today, the three below stood out to us:
1. ExpressVPN
A powerful VPN service known for its exceptional high-speed servers and robust security features. It effortlessly bypasses geo-blocks and censorship, granting unrestricted access to your favorite websites and streaming services.
Has 3,000 fast servers in more than 90 countries
Has RAM-based servers
Employs a rigorious encryption standard; AES-256
Does not store users’ data
Offers a dedicated split tunneling feature to route specific traffic
Has a reliable kill switch to prevent data leakage
Offers Onion over VPN servers
Allows Peer-to-Peer (P2P) sharing or torrenting
Supports 5 devices to be connected concurrently
Comes with a hassle-free 30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Boasts tremendous cross-platform compatibility
- Offers advanced security and privacy protocols
- Offers a flexible customer support 24/7
Cons
- Expensive subscription fee relative to other VPNs
ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for downloading and streaming movies online. Since its launch in 2008, it has provided unmatched privacy and security features and has ultrafast servers for streaming high-quality movies. As an additional feature, some of its servers also have obfuscation, which hides VPN usage. The VPN will switch you to one automatically if it encounters restrictions.
Unblock all major and minor platforms, including Netflix, Facebook, YouTube, Google, and Spotify. This VPN also helps you access many of these blocked free streaming platforms, regardless of your location.
It uses AES 256 to encrypt your data and traffic. This encryption system is virtually impenetrable and is the gold standard for all modern encryption systems. ExpressVPN is quite pricey, but you can rest assured that you’re getting next-gen privacy and security.
Read our extensive ExpressVPN’s review
2. NordVPN
For many, the VPN is the ultimate choice for safely streaming on unauthorized platforms like OnionPlay. With this VPN, you can stream your favorite content securely and buffer-free, making it a top choice for unrestricted entertainment.
Boasts an expansive high-speed VPN server network that covers 60+ countries
Cybersec feature block ads, malware, and tracking
Implements AES-256 encryption for the utmost security
Integrates a specialized kill switch to secure data against leaks
Enables customized data routing with split tunneling function
Offers stealth protection through Double VPN mode
Integrates Tor over VPN servers
Commits a strict no-logs policy
Allows up to 6 simultaneous connections
Offers a 30-day refund policy
Pros
- Offers multiple high-speed servers
- Dedicated IP address
- Effective and efficient customer service
Cons
- Poorly optimized mobile apps
For many online security advocates, NordVPN is the go-to provider for premium VPN service. Considering NordVPN’s powerful privacy and security features, this comes as no surprise. NordVPN’s servers can unblock all the popular and remote streaming platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max. Also, you can access geo-blocked streaming search engines with this stealth VPN service.
The ultrafast servers ensure you can watch videos, play games, and download files without lag or buffering. You can’t enjoy streaming on OnionPlay if your connection speed is slow. NordVPN also uses an AES 256 for airtight data and traffic encryption to keep up with global standards. It has ad and malware blockers, protecting you from most viruses online.
NordVPN’s best monthly plan helps you save 62% on a two-year plan, with an additional three months for free. This means you can enjoy top-notch VPN services for as low as $3.99 a month.
Read our extensive NordVPN’s review
3. ExtremeVPN
A complete VPN service with robust security features and unblocking capabilities. It ensures buffer-free, high-definition streaming of your favorite content.
Offers 6,500 servers scattered across 78 countries worldwide
Utilizes up-to-date security protocols, including AES-256 encryption
Enables distributed file sharing through P2P connections
Doesn’t collect users’ data
Includes a unique kill switch feature to block data leakage
Offers flexible data routing through split tunneling feature
Boasts Tor over VPN servers for stealth protection
Offers 10 simultaneous devices to be connected at one subscription
Provides protection against IP/DNS leaks
Has a refund policy of 30 days
Pros
- Boasts high-speed servers for fast streaming
- Numerous features at an affordable fee
- 24/7 customer support via various channels
Cons
- Doesn’t offer dedicated IP
ExtremeVPN is a recently launched VPN network that is quickly entering the league of the best VPNs for streaming, security, and privacy. Numerous VPN-review websites, including PrivacySavvy, have already acknowledged its potential after thorough testing and analysis.
This newbie VPN boasts over 6,500+ ultrafast servers in more than 78+ different locations worldwide. For maximum security, each server uses the standard AES 256 encryption. This prevents your details from ever falling into the wrong hands so that you can stream movies on OnionPlay and similar websites safely.
The VPN also has a strict no-logs policy, ensuring no records of your internet activities. By being in the British Virgin Islands, a country outside the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes Alliances, ExtremeVPN also has an advantage over its competitors.
With this VPN, you can get 68% off the yearly plan to get premium VPN experiences at only $3.29 monthly. There’s a 30-day, assured money-back guarantee, which you can claim through the 24/7 customer support.
Read our extensive ExtremeVPN’s review
OnionPlay legal alternatives
Are you looking for legal alternatives to OnionPlay? Here are some excellent alternatives you can consider:
1. Vudu
- Destination URL: vudu.com
Vudu is an American video streaming service and one of the most impressive alternatives to OnionPlay. It’s a subsidiary of Fandango Media, a joint venture between NBC Universal and Warner Bros. Discovery. Unlike OnionPlay, Vudu has known owners and only shares licensed movies. You can watch some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and blockbusters on this platform.
The platform also continually updates its library with new movies to keep its relevance and continue to attract customers. You can access various content on Vudu’s website at no cost if you sign up for a free account. Be prepared to see a lot of ads, though. Vudu is also a geo-restricted platform that is only available in the US and Mexico. Nonetheless, a good VPN should help you bypass this geo-restriction without hassle or stress.
2. YouTube
- Destination URL: youtube.com
What comes to your mind when you think of YouTube? Most likely, it is a platform for watching short to medium-length video content. Not many people see YouTube as a website or app to watch feature-length movies or stream top-quality films and series. The truth, however, is that YouTube is a trusted website and app that allows people to watch movies of different genres freely and legally.
YouTube currently has more than 2.7 billion monthly active users, the most of any streaming platform. Some producers depend on this popularity to share their videos, while others grant the right to distribute their films to trusted channels on YouTube.
If a channel shares a show it doesn’t have the right to share, YouTube will take down the video and penalize the channel.
3. Tubi
- Destination URL: tubitv.com
Tubi reached 33 million users in 2021 and is on its way to becoming one of the largest free movie and TV streaming services worldwide. Its content library is extensive and has over 500,000 movies and television shows. While similar free streaming platforms only show old titles, Tubi’s partnerships enable it to air some of the industry’s most recent movies and shows.
As good as Tubi is, it’s only available in the United States. However, this is not a challenge for you if you have subscribed to a top-quality VPN. Open your VPN app, then find and connect to a US server. After that, you can return to Tubi’s website or app to stream your desired content for free. Tubi also supports platforms like Amazon Fire TV and Roku.
4. The Roku Channel
- Destination URL: therokuchannel.roku.com
Roku is an over-the-top streaming service owned and operated by Roku Inc. It is a fairly popular name in households in the US due to the various streaming devices that it makes. The channel is a standalone platform that doesn’t require a Roku streaming device to work. It’s available as a web service in selected regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Mexico. However, you can use a VPN to access it wherever you are.
The Roku Channel’s programming contains over 40,000 television shows and movies. The company has licensing deals for content from Sony Pictures, Disney, Paramount Pictures, and Warner Bros. Hence, you can watch some of the most popular movies and TV series in the world. The website’s interface is also clean, making it easy to find and watch any show quickly.
5. Popcornflix
- Destination URL: popcornflix.com
Popcornflix isn’t as popular as the others on the list. However, it’s a highly valuable platform for streaming movies and shows. It mainly hosts indie movies but occasionally shows films and shows from other well-known studios. Since its launch in 2011, the service has grown immensely in popularity. It works on various platforms and operating systems, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Free alternatives to OnionPlay
Here are some free OnionPlay alternative sites to download and stream movies and other videos of your choice:
1. VHMovies
- Destination URL: vhmovies.to
VHMovies is similar to OnionPlay in various ways. They both allow you to stream movies, shows, and animations for free, and both have no owners. The biggest difference between them is that VHMovies allows you to stream and download, while OnionPlay only allows online streaming.
It also has an extensive library, hosting over 30,000 titles. You can watch old and new movies in HD, and there’s also a dedicated anime section for anime and East-Asian entertainment lovers.
2. FMovies
- Destination URL: fmovies.co
FMovies is highly comparable to OnionPlay in terms of legality and safety. Since its launch in 2016, the site has faced various copyright infringement lawsuits and is on the active blacklist of many countries. Australia, Denmark, Sweden, and India have all blocked the site.
Its database contains over 20,000 titles, including old and new movies. Watching a movie is as simple as typing the name in the search box and clicking on it to play. The site has pop-up ads with virtually every click, which can sometimes get annoying. One of its upsides is that it requires no registration or payment.
3. GoMovies
- Destination URL: gomovies.sx
GoMovies is a popular website for streaming various high-quality movies. At peak popularity, the number of users of this website exceeded 98 million. What makes GoMovies so popular is its extensive database, with over 10,000 titles. You can watch new and old movies at no cost and in high definition.
GoMovies also hosts unlicensed movies, faces government backlash, and is blocked in certain areas. As a result, it is not globally accessible. Although there are no visible ads on the website, you can still be redirected to various websites when you click certain buttons.
4. YesMovies
- Destination URL: yesmovies.ag
Quality-wise, YesMovies is an excellent alternative to OnionPlay. It has an intuitive and simple interface and hosts hundreds of movies across multiple genres. You can switch between countries to see the trending movies in each or watch from a list of top IMDb-rated movies. If you have ample time, you can even binge-watch series and shows.
One important advantage that YesMovies has over its competitors is the absence of ads. Whether pop-up ads or redirected clicks, this website doesn’t have any. On the surface, this can make it safer, but it still has mysterious owners. That means using a VPN while streaming on it is always better.
5. CouchTuner
- Destination URL: couchtuner.show
CouchTuner is different from the other OnionPlay alternatives on our list. While they all have a homepage consisting of a big search box and details about the website, it doesn’t. Instead, it has a homepage that contains a list of popular shows with a search button at the top right corner.
This site has over 30,000 titles, and you can stream each one free of charge. There are pop-up ads, but they’re not as frequent as other free streaming websites. This site also lets you watch movies without creating an account.
Conclusion
If you’re assessing websites by the size of their library and the quality of their content, then we’d have recommended OnionPlay as a good website. However, this site carries many risks and is not suitable for streaming unless it is with a quality VPN like ExpressVPN. Otherwise, you can turn to other platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Have you recently visited OnionPlay? What’s your opinion about it? You can leave them as comments below.
FAQs
OnionPlay is a movie hosting website that allows you to stream or download different films, shows, series, and animations. It has a massive catalog of old and new movies. However, it publishes copyrighted content without permission, making it a piracy website.
OnionPlay is a rather mysterious website because no one knows who owns it. So, when streaming this site, it’s better to keep yourself safe rather than depending on the website’s safety. Use a premium VPN and secure antivirus software to ensure maximum security on that site.
You don’t need to create an account or sign up to watch any video on OnionPlay. Everything is freely available. The site does allow you to register for extra features, such as adding movies you like to your favorites or creating a list of viewed movies. We don’t recommend this, though, because of its security risks. You’re delivering your data on a silver platter.
There are numerous alternatives to OnionPlay that you can stream that are both legal and free. Popular streaming services like Hulu and Discovery+ have time-limited free trials. When your free trial expires, you can switch to forever free but legal websites like Vudu and YesMovies.
OnionPlay hosts different genres of movies, shows, TV series, and animations. The site features both classic and modern blockbusters, and you can watch everything in high definition.
