How do VPNs and Tor differ fundamentally?

VPN and Tor are both tools that enhance online anonymity. VPN offers a higher level of security compared to the Tor browser. While Tor is free and encrypted software, it can be slower than VPN and may allow access to the dark web, which could result in legal issues. In contrast, a VPN allows you access to all websites on the Internet and choose your virtual location without losing noticeable speeds.

What are the downsides when I use Tor?

Since Tor is a volunteer-run network, it can be relatively slow. As a result, there is considerable speed loss as your traffic moves between nodes. This loss is more noticeable when you attempt to use streaming platforms such as Netflix on the Tor network or voice-over-IP phone call platforms such as Zoom.

Will Tor work without a VPN?

Yes, Tor works without a VPN. But using a VPN with Tor reduces your chances of exposure while browsing the dark web.

On what platforms can I use the Tor browser?

Tor Browser is presently available on Linux, Windows, and macOS. Tor browser is also available on Android, and The Guardian Project also provides the Orbot app to route other apps on your Android device over the Tor network. However, there is currently no Tor Browser for iOS.

Tor has a few chinks in its armor and can be susceptible to attacks. These attacks can track user traffic. Most of these attacks include compromising exit nodes, the last server relay in the sequence. However, they are expensive and require a well-resourced foe to execute. Moreover, Tor's privacy and security are more than sufficient for its vast majority of users.

Is it risky to download Tor?

No, it isn't because it has numerous legal purposes as well. For example, journalists and activists use dark web message boards. However, in some countries, using Tor is illegal, and if this is the case for you, downloading and using Tor can be dangerous.

Is it safe to use free VPNs with Tor?

In theory, nothing stops you from connecting using a free VPN with the Tor browser, but you must be wary of free VPNs. That's because free VPNs often have sub-par encryption, poor security, and impose strict bandwidth limits on users. They also have limited servers and IP addresses, making it relatively simple to track users. Not to mention the constant infusion of ads and tracking cookies that jeopardize your privacy.

Can I be tracked if I use Tor?

Due to some of its vulnerabilities, Tor is vulnerable to attacks that can be used to track users. These attacks primarily target the exit node, the chain's final server relay. However, such an attack would be costly, targeted, and necessitate a well-equipped adversary. As a result, most users will find its anonymity and security sufficient. Furthermore, because Tor cannot prevent tracking, users may endanger their safety if they log in to a website using their actual credentials.

Which is the best free VPN for browsing the deep web?

It would help if you did not trust Free VPNs with your privacy. A premium VPN, such as NordVPN, is recommended; if you’re on a budget, you can use its free trial.

Tor is a dependable security tool because it employs strong layered encryption to eliminate vulnerabilities. Most users face no threats because only a well-funded adversary can attack to identify Tor users.

Should I use Tor for all my browsing?

You can, but it's not advisable since many websites block connections from Tor exit nodes. Tor's script blocking and cookie deletion make most websites inconvenient, or you'll end up dealing with many CAPTCHAs. Furthermore, Tor connections are slow, which causes sites to load slowly and videos to buffer frequently.

Can I use Tor on iOS and Android?

Android devices have an official first-party browser available on the Google Play Store. You could also try Orbot, a third party that has been around for a while. iOS users, on the other hand, have only the Onion Browser, a third-party and open-source browser recommended by the Tor Project.

Will a VPN hide my IP address when using Tor?

Your VPN and Tor can encrypt your data and mask your IP address. As a result, you don't need a VPN to hide your IP address when using Tor. However, without a VPN, your ISP can see your connection to Tor but not the websites you browse. Combining a VPN and a Tor adds an extra layer of security and ensures complete anonymity and privacy.

7 best VPNs for Tor browser in 2023 (tried and tested)

Sneak peek at best Tor VPNs

Since Tor is the gateway to the dark web, it is often restricted in many countries. Also, using Tor without security precautions can have security risks, such as malware attacks. Therefore, privacy experts recommend using a robust VPN service with Tor. But not every VPN supports Tor, whereas those that do, compromise browsing speeds due to the underlying encryption. Thankfully, services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN work great for such crucial tasks. But what other VPN services can you use with Tor? Read this article to find the answer to this question.

The Tor network (often seen in its shortened form “Tor”) is an open-source privacy network that offers its users the ability to surf the internet anonymously. It also enables users to visit sites that would have been otherwise inaccessible to them. When you use Tor, traffic that comes from and goes into your device is encrypted, making it hard for anyone else to read it, even if they could intercept it.

As good as this level of anonymity and privacy Tor provides you, it still needs to be 100% full-proof. For starters, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and government security agencies can identify traffic protected by Tor. Unfortunately, this is not convenient because even though you use Tor for its many legitimate services, the network gets infamously tied to illegal activity. And as such, you stand the risk of attracting unwanted attention.

For this reason, you should use Tor alongside a Virtual Personal Network (VPN). A VPN serves as a means to hide the use of Tor. It does this by adding an extra layer of encryption and routing your traffic through a secondary server. Note that your VPN provider can tell you’re using Tor, but only them.

With this solution to the anonymity and privacy problem, we will discuss the best VPNs to maximize privacy when using the Tor network.

Best VPNs for Tor privacy – Quick list

This guide elaborates on all the VPN services that work great with Tor. But if you’re looking for quick recommendations to start your Tor session immediately, check out these three.

NordVPN: The leading VPN service that defiantly supports Tor via dedicated servers. Also, it never compromises on speed.
ExpressVPN: The industry-veteran that is always the best choice to protect online privacy, and this fact remains true even for Tor browsing.
Surfshark: A pocket-friendly VPN service offering robust privacy even with critical activities like Tor browsing.
PrivateVPN – A user-friendly VPN for Tor that has quick servers and doesn’t record any of your activity.
CyberGhost. It is one of the safest and most reputable Tor VPNs with top-notch security, no tracking, and speedy connections.
IPVanish. It is a trustworthy VPN with strong encryption that guarantees no logs and safeguards Tor privacy.
AtlasVPN. A good VPN service provider that secures your personal data and offers standard privacy and essential security features for Tor.

A brief overview of the best Tor VPNs

VPN	NordVPN	ExpressVPN	Surfshark	PrivateVPN	CyberGhost	IPVanish	AtlasVPN
Ranking for Tor	1	2	3	5	4	6	7
Average speed (Mbps)	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	71 Mbps	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps	100+ Mbps
Popular sites unblocked	95%	86%	88%	85%	85%	70%	93%
Simultaneous connections	6	5	Unlimited	10	7	Unlimited	Unlimited
Devices supported	macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux	macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Windows, macOS, Linux (command line), Android, iOS	iOS, Windows, macOS, Android	macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV
Best deals per month	$3.49 SAVE 57% on a 2yr standard plan	$6.67 SAVE 49% on the annual plan	$2.30 Get 2 Months OFF with a 2-year plan	$2.00 SAVE 85% on the three-year plan	$2.19 SAVE 83% on a two-year plan + 2 months FREE	$2.50 SAVE 77% on a two-year plan	$1.83 SAVE 83% on the three-year plan + 3 months OFF

Determining the best VPNs for Tor

When getting a VPN, you expect it to tick the privacy box, but that’s not nearly enough. Instead, VPNs have more features that can improve your internet surfing experience. If you do not know what other boxes your VPN should be ticking, here are the key features we’ve used to determine our list of best VPNs for Tor:

1. Security

To consider a VPN among the best for Tor, it must prioritize security. As a result, it must be equipped with IPv6 and DNS leak protection, 256-bit encryption, and a kill switch. The VPN must have anti-surveillance protocols or cloaking features, enabling you to access Tor anywhere in the world.

2. Privacy

Although you might think secure means private, this is not the case. A VPN that provides security but not privacy is a no-no. For a VPN to offer complete privacy, it must have a no-logs policy, meaning third parties can’t review your activities at any time under any circumstances.

In addition, look out for the ones that go a step further to allow you to pay anonymously, adding a second layer of protection to the whole process.

3. Speed

Speed is critical for various things, for example, streaming. If you wish to enhance privacy and security while streaming online content, especially on free streaming sites.

Tor is great for many things but can be pretty slow. For this reason, you must ensure that you do not pair it with a sub-par performance speed VPN. So, look for VPNs that perform well in speed testing when used with Tor.

Note that the overall speed depends on your base connection speed.