If you want a Tor alternative to achieve better privacy and security, using a VPN like NordVPN is best. It’s a better and faster way to browse anonymously and avoid geo-blocking. If you are looking for privacy tools like Tor, then below are our top choices:
- Virtual Private Network (VPN) – By using a VPN, you don’t have to install any other privacy tool; it’s the perfect alternative for Tor.
- I2P Browser – This browser uses darknet technology and provides multiple layers of encryption.
- ZeroNet – There are no central servers, and you can use them without an internet connection.
- FreeNet – A free software for communicating over the web without fearing censorship.
- GNUnet – It is a medium-latency network famous for providing anonymity and security.
- Subgraph – It uses a firewall and meta-proxy to ensure anonymity while using the dark web.
- Epic Privacy Browser – It prevents IP leaks, blocks fingerprints, and increases connection speed while browsing the web.
- Firefox Focus – It is available on all popular platforms, including Android and iOS. Its blocking feature prevents social and ad trackers from recording users’ activities.
- PeerBlock – A helpful tool for downloading torrents.
- Disconnect Browser – It prevents internet tracking by hunting all those companies and websites that track down netizens.
- Comodo IceDragon – It offers you excellent security and privacy-boosting features like a site inspection feature, a built-in ad blocker, and a VPN.
- Tox – It is like an instant messaging app that uses open-source libraries to encrypt everything you do.
- Whonix – Uses Whonix-Workstation, which works on a private framework to provide users security and anonymity.
- Psiphon Browser – It is best at hiding your IP address and comes with features like multi-screening and server exchanging.
- Globus Browser – It uses VPN servers to protect your activities.
- Freepto – It automatically encrypts the data stored on the USB disk to boost security.
- Tails – It uses cryptographic tools to encrypt emails, data files, and other instant messages.
Tor is one of the most reliable networks for accessing the deep and dark web. Its vast range of servers, circuits, layers, bridges, and security updates/patches makes it more secure and anonymous than other Tor alternatives.
80% of people use Tor to access “onion” URLs, but thousands also use The Onion Router to browse the web anonymously. However, the browser has many privacy, security, and speed issues from ISP throttling. Therefore, you should consider its alternatives, which are secure than Tor and offer the same level of privacy.
Why do we need alternatives to Tor Browsers?
People usually use the Tor browser for two significant reasons:
- To access the dark web
- To enjoy an anonymous web browsing experience
Tor is one of the best software for accessing the dark web, but security experts have found some serious issues. Thus, they don’t recommend using it anymore.
Although Tor offers anonymity, the users are now more concerned about their digital privacy than anything else. The following are some valid reasons that make considering Tor alternatives important.
- It slows down your internet connection. Usually, when you browse through Tor, the internet speed is lowered to 40% because the traffic goes through many relays.
- Results in a frustrating user experience.
- Your ISP can easily detect you when you’re using Tor.
- It doesn’t encrypt the data traffic.
- You can get into legal trouble. Usually, people who want to hide sensitive information use it. If the government knows you’re using the Tor browser, they might start watching your online activities.
Top Tor alternatives for accessing the Dark web and anonymous browsing
When you search the web for anonymous browsers like Tor, you get several other options. Though they are suitable options for accessing the dark web via the Tor browser, they won’t give you the best results. After much research and testing, the following Tor browser alternatives work best with the dark web. So, here’s an insight into them.
1. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A VPN is privacy software best for anonymous web browsing. It protects you from snooping eyes and means that when you’re connected to a VPN, web trackers, hackers, ISPs, or other surveillance can’t track or monitor your activities.
Some premium VPNs, like NordVPN, have an impressive kill switch feature. This feature protects the IP address and web traffic from leaking when the VPN connection drops, making it difficult for anyone to trace your activities. There is no need for a specific browser; you can even use it with a regular browser.
A VPN has two main functions:
- A VPN provides online anonymity by assigning you a new IP address and replacing your existing one, providing privacy and anonymity. It helps you bypass geo-restrictions.
- It encrypts internet data and ensures maximum security and protection. A VPN creates a secure and encrypted tunnel that encrypts the data into an unreadable form. From here, the data goes to the VPN server. The encryption makes it impossible for anyone to view your online activities and lets you enjoy the web content without revealing your identity.
A VPN changes your virtual location. Some other advantages of using a VPN include:
- It maintains a fast internet connection.
- You can access geo-blocked content from different streaming channels.
- You can prevent ISP throttling.
2. I2P Browser
- Website: geti2p.net/en/
The Invisible Internet Project, or I2P, uses DarkNet technology and is regarded as the best Tor alternative for accessing the dark web. I2P provides encryption that encrypts internet traffic in a layer using public and private keys. This ensures that no one can track or invade your online privacy.
The difference between Tor and I2P browsers is that I2P often creates a network layer within the TCP/IP and UDP sessions, thus becoming a center for network traffic.
3. ZeroNet
- Website: zeronet.io
ZeroNet is another popular darknet alternative that works through the peer-to-peer network. It means there are no central servers, but the network data is still transmitted from user to user. It also uses the BitTorrent network and Bitcoin cryptography, and the websites are identified with a public key instead of an IP address.
The best thing about this network is that you can use it even without an internet connection. It initially works like a forum, but you can jump from one site to another to find web pages on any topic, making it a secure means of accessing the dark web.
4. Freenet
- Website: hyphanet.org
Another darknet alternative is the freenet, which again works on P2P networks and protects privacy. As the name suggests, it is free and allows censorship-resistant communication. The users use a decentralized distributed data store that separates the network structure from the user interface rules. For the past twenty years, it has been a reliable choice.
5. GNUnet
- Website: gnunet.org
Unlike Tor, GNUnet provides decentralized network communication via Bluetooth, WLAN, HTTPS, TCP, and UDP ports. It safeguards sensitive information by keeping the number of your PII as low as possible.
6. Subgraph OS
- Website: subgraph.com
Subgraph OS is an operating system that uses Tor technology and has dedicated software to maintain user privacy. It has a unique interface and anonymous network that allows one to enjoy the web freely. Moreover, it has a firewall and meta-proxy that ensure complete anonymity while surfing the dark web.
7. Epic Privacy Browser
- Website: epicbrowser.com
Epic privacy browser is a private program that is basic and simple to understand but guarantees total protection and increased connection speed while browsing the web. It protects your privacy and prevents IP leaks by certain WebRTC.
The best thing about the Browser is that it shows the information about who’s tracking and following you and then blocks them. Besides this, it comes with an encoded proxy server that masks all your sensitive information from the service provider. The encoded proxy maintains your security if you are browsing the web in public.
It blocks fingerprint content and capacities, such as picture canvas information, making it one of the best browsers like Tor.
8. Firefox Focus
- Website: mozilla.org/en-US/firefox
The Firefox Focus browser is the latest addition to our list of the best alternatives to Tor. Developed by the Mozilla Foundation and Corporation, it is available for all popular platforms, including Android and iOS.
It is enabled by default and helps the Mozilla browser track usage parameters. It also blocks social and ad trackers. Enabling this feature prevents trackers from recording activities and smooths users’ browsing experience without affecting their internet speed.
9. PeerBlock
- Website: peerblock.com
Peerblock is a great tool that protects you from online data tracking. It lets you control the number of people connecting to you on the web. Peerblock is helpful when you’re downloading torrents and file sharing.
However, there are some serious risks associated with Peerblock. It provides no encryption and doesn’t hide your IP address, meaning anyone in the network may know the IP address you are using. Also, it fails to prevent all trackers from following you. But since it is free on the market, it is a popular Tor browser alternative.
10. Disconnect Browser
- Website: disconnect.me
The disconnect browser disconnects users from all websites that track them. It does so by hunting down all those companies and websites tracking netizens. It even asks for permission before blocking them.
You can use it on Android, iOS, and Windows devices. A disconnected browser allows users to search and browse anything on the surface web or even access the deepest part of the internet: the dark web. However, according to security experts, it is not the ideal solution.
11. Comodo IceDragon
- Website: comodo.com
If security and privacy are your primary concerns, you should try Comodo IceDragon. It provides encrypted network and privacy-boosting features like a site inspection feature, built-in ad blocker, and VPN with a good network of servers. It automatically scans web pages for malware before you visit them. Also, it blocks web trackers and ensures that no one breaches your digital privacy.
12. Tox
- Website: tox.chat
If you are looking for a Tor alternative that allows encrypted communication and anonymous browsing, you should try Tox. It is like an instant messaging app that is secure and easy to use. It has no hidden agendas or motives behind it.
Tox uses open-source libraries that encrypt everything you do on it. No one can spy or track you while you use Tox. Only the people with whom you are talking can see your conversation.
13. Whonix
- Website: whonix.org
The high level of security that Whonix provides to users is similar to that of Tor. It works exceptionally well on Linux and routes your internet traffic through a series of nodes to cover your IP address while you’re on the web. It uses Whonix-Workstation, which provides security and anonymity on a private framework.
14. Psiphon Browser
- Website: psiphon.ca
Next in our list of Onion browser alternatives is the Psiphon browser. This browser uses several systems to verify your security over the web. It offers a simple and easy-to-use user interface. Also, it comes with multi-screening and server-exchanging features that increase its worth and attract many users.
It is a free Tor alternative that depends upon VPN and SSH to benefit its users. It is best at hiding your IP address and is operational on Android and iOS.
15. Globus Browser
You can also use the Globus browser as a Tor browser alternative. It uses VPN servers to protect your activities. Besides protecting against third-party trackers, it also protects against malware using the Tor browser. Since it uses the Tor browser, it also helps unblock blocked websites.
16. Freepto
- Website: github.com/AvANa-BBS/freepto-lb
If you’re a Linux user searching for the best Tor browser alternative, use Freepto. It uses such high-standard encryption that tracking is difficult. It also helps you in bypassing government surveillance.
Freepto is portable, and you can run it from a USB stick. It is designed to automatically encrypt the data stored on the USB disk and further boost your security.
17. Tails
Destinaion URL: tails.net
Tail’s complicated system is the safest and unique alternative protection used today. It encrypts emails, data files, and other instant messages using cryptographic tools. It allows users to surf the web anonymously, preventing trackers from tracking their online activities. You can also use it to bypass strict internet censorship.
TOR issues
Tor has some known issues that include:
- Tor is designed in such a way that it cannot employ a bridge if a proxy is set.
- Issues with setting Onion browser as your default browser.
- You cannot open Tor on Windows if the folder path contains non-ASCII characters. If Tor Browser was functioning before and now fails, your system may be hibernating. Rebooting your system will resolve the issue.
- BitTorrent is not anonymous over Tor.
- Videos that need Adobe Flash are unavailable because Adobe is disabled for security purposes.
- Tor requires your system clock and time zone to be set to the correct time.
- Antivirus or threat protection may block users from accessing the Tor browser.
- Most Tor Browser plans are dated 1st January 2000 00:00:00 UTC to ensure every software model can be rebuilt.
VPNs may interfere with Tor and will need to be disabled. You should configure a VPN with Tor in a way that does not compromise your security.
Why is a VPN always an ultimate necessity?
Tor may be a better option than most Onion Router alternatives, but it has some security drawbacks. Conversely, Tor users seek other options to improve their online safety and anonymity. Most users choose a VPN service provider because it helps them safeguard their online privacy while browsing Tor.
The best VPNs for Tor browsers include cutting-edge security and privacy features like Tor over VPN. In addition, they allow users to access online sites entirely anonymously. VPNs also offer optimized or dedicated servers for accessing Tor sites or the Tor browser, enabling users to access the dark web safely and anonymously.
Best VPNs to use with browsers like Tor
Below are the best VPNs that we curated after testing multiple of these:
NordVPN: It’s a top-ranked VPN provider with 6,100+ servers, robust security features, works with Netflix, Torrenting, Tor, and ISP throttling – 30-day money-back guarantee www.nordvpn.com
Surfhark: Excellent VPN for Netflix and torrenting, can bypass ISP throttling, and has great privacy features. Boasts 3,200+ servers and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee www.surfshark.com
Proton VPN: It has 1400+ servers and is loaded with all privacy features. Works with Netflix, Torrenting, Tor, and bypassing ISP throttling. Free Version available www.protonvpn.com
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About the Author
Danish Shah is a legal and public policy researcher whose work focuses largely on technology regulation. At BeEncrypted, he writes about cybersecurity, Privacy, and VPN encryption. He wants to educate people about online privacy and how to regain it. Aside from his work, Danish enjoys spending time on the Baseball field. He is also an avid streamer and gamer.
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