The dark web isn’t a secure platform and using it only with a Tor browser doesn’t provide much security. Therefore, for an additional security use it with a VPN.
After thorough research and reviewing various VPN providers, here’s a quick list of the six best VPNs for the dark web and the deep web:
- NordVPN – The VPN has 25 dedicated servers, so you can access the Tor browser without downloading. It also offers identity theft protection.
- ExpressVPN – A fastest VPN service that has launched its own onion services.
- ExtremeVPN – The VPN offers AES 256-bit encryption and a split-tunneling feature to access the dark web safely.
- CyberGhost – Offers great compatibility with the Tor browser and provides fast speed.
- Surfshark – It uses strong encryption and provides a list of secure .onion sites.
- Proton VPN – It offers blazing-fast speed and top-notch security while you access the dark web.
The dark web is often known for its controversies. Despite offering fantastic benefits like helping journalists and whistleblowers gather facts and dig out history, it can put your privacy at risk. Therefore, you need a VPN. Most people can hide their identity on the dark web using Tor browser, but a VPN adds an extra layer of encryption and protection and completely hides your dark web activity.
Not every VPN provides robust security. Therefore, we curated a list of the best VPNs to use on the dark web. All these service providers work exceptionally well while you explore the dark web pages and also provide the same level of anonymity while using the surface web.
Best VPNs for the dark web to use with Tor browser
Below are the best dark web VPNs to use in 2025 based on our extensive research and multiple tests. These VPNs provide secure access to the dark web, but it is suitable to connect to a VPN before you connect to the Tor network.
1. NordVPN
- NordLynx protocol
- Optimized Tor over VPN servers
- Ultra-fast browsing speeds
- Global server coverage in 111 countries
- Follows a verified no-log policy
- Offers 30-day money-back guarantee offer
NordVPN is the top VPN for the dark web as it offers a top-notch level of security and impressive Tor-centric features that are handy for accessing the dark web. It’s among the few VPN providers that save you from the hassle of downloading the Tor browser. It offers 25 dedicated Tor network servers. You can connect to any of them and directly browse the dark web with utmost security and protection.
The VPN provider ensures greater online security on the dark web by using the industry’s highest AES-256-bit encryption. Moreover, it also uses reliable and robust OpenVPN and NordLynx protocols to take your online security to the next level. You can even benefit from the dedicated IP address and the kill switch feature and keep your activities private from anyone.
While you use NordVPN on the dark web, none of your activities will be logged and shared with the ISP or intelligence agencies. This is because it follows a strict zero-logging policy that has twice undergone the independent log-audit process. Also, it belongs to the Panama jurisdiction, which respects users’ privacy and doesn’t follow mandatory data retention laws, so all your activities remain private.
Furthermore, NordVPN offers super-fast connection speeds and ensures that your connection to the dark web isn’t interrupted. The extensive global servers and unlimited bandwidth help circumvent speed throttling issues.
Overall, NordVPN is an ideal VPN that ensures a secure browsing experience on the dark web. You can get NordVPN now with a 30-day refund offer.
2. ExpressVPN
- Global server network in 105 countries
- Ultra-fast server connection speed
- Lightway protocol
- Onion websites
- Safe jurisdiction and verified no-log policy
- Avail 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee offer
ExpressVPN is yet another secure and trusted service provider for the dark web. Besides being compatible with the Tor browser, ExpressVPN launched its own. Onion websites in 2016 that ensure safe and anonymous access to the dark web.
The VPN provider is among the safest to use, and all thanks go to its encryption standard and advanced features. It uses AES-256-bit encryption, strong authentication keys, and tunneling protocol for data protection. Moreover, it uses a secure proprietary Lightway protocol that uses wolfSSL encryption and is best for increasing security and browsing speed. It has impressive features like the network lock, split tunneling, onion over VPN, and trusted server technology, ensuring greater online anonymity on the dark net.
ExpressVPN is a reliable private VPN that allows users to access the dark web. It has a verified zero-logging policy and is located in the safe jurisdiction of the British Virgin Islands. Thus, you don’t need to worry about exposing your identity and activities.
Apart from this, ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN and guarantees a speedy connection on the dark web. It comprises 3,000 servers in 160+ locations and comes with unlimited bandwidth and data caps, which helps prevent Tor browser slow speeds. Download Express VPN now and avail yourself of the 30-day money-back guarantee offer.
3. ExtremeVPN
- Located in the British Virgin Islands
- Follows a no-log policy
- Advanced encryption and protocols
- Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee offer
- Up to 10 simultaneous connections
ExtremeVPN is among the most affordable VPNs for accessing the dark web. It uses uncrackable AES-256-bit encryption, WireGuard, and IKEv2 protocols to protect data from getting into the wrong hands. Moreover, it has a split-tunneling feature, allowing you to access some platforms without the VPN’s influence.
You can use ExtremeVPN without any doubt. It is a trustworthy VPN and follows a verified no-log policy, so your activity or data logs will not get exposed. Also, it belongs to the privacy-friendly jurisdiction of the British Virgin Islands, which protects users’ data with strong data protection laws.
ExtremeVPN boasts an extensive server network of 6,500+ servers across 78 countries and offers unlimited bandwidth for smooth streaming. In addition, it has an onion over VPN feature that makes it compatible with the Tor network. You can subscribe to this service or use its 7-day free trial. However, if you are unsatisfied, you can ask for a refund within the initial 30 days of the purchase.
4. CyberGhost
- Uses advanced encryption and tunneling protocols
- Follows a no-log policy
- IP leak protection
- Dedicated IP address
- Extensive server network
- 24-hour free trial and 45-day money-back guarantee offer
CyberGhost is a secure VPN provider with maximum security and protection. When tested, the VPN showed excellent compatibility with the Tor browser, making it an excellent VPN for Tor to access the dark net. You can use this VPN to encrypt your traffic and hide your data from all the prying eyes. Also, it doesn’t leak your IP address and thus boosts your online security.
You can further strengthen your digital identity on the dark web by using CyberGhost’s dedicated IP address feature. It’s an impressive add-on that enables users not to share their IP address with anyone and helps retain greater online anonymity.
It is a private VPN that follows a no-log policy, belongs to Romania, and doesn’t impose harsh data collection rules on the users. Your activities on the dark web would not get recorded or shared with anyone. Besides this, CyberGhost lists it as the best dark web VPN because of its extensive server network and fast browsing speeds. It offers over 7,000 servers in 91 countries and guarantees fast and reliable speeds without significant buffering and connection lags.
You can try CyberGhost’s free trial period to see how it performs on the dark web. If you are unsatisfied with the service, you can request a refund.
5. Surfshark
- Compatible with Tor, allowing a safe browsing experience
- Advanced WireGuard protocol
- Servers spread over 100 countries
- Fast browsing speeds
- Impressive camouflage, No borders, and clean web features
- Both free trial and refund offers are available
Surfshark is another VPN for accessing the dark web that offers onion over VPN servers and guarantees a secure browsing experience. The best part about Surfshark VPN is that it provides .onion sites, enables users to access the dark web via the best safe Tor websites, and ensures the best user experience.
Its popularity also stems from the security it offers on the dark web. The VPN uses state-of-the-art AES-256 encryption, a 2048-bit RSA key, and a secure authentication key to encrypt your data from your ISP and other snooping eyes. It also uses OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols to protect your online identity on the dark web. Surfshark comes with various security-centric features that can improve your overall experience. For example, you can use the camouflage and no-borders mode to access the dark web in an authoritarian regime or in a country where the Tor browser is banned.
With Surfshark, all your activities on the dark web remain private. The VPN comes with RAM-only servers that store your data on the RAM servers and delete it permanently after each session. Its headquarters are in the British Virgin Islands, a safe jurisdiction, and it even follows a verified no-log policy. All this proves that it is true to its claims.
The VPN lets you enjoy dark web browsing without any speed issues. It has a decent server network spread in 100 countries, offering unlimited bandwidth and fast and consistent speed. Try Surfshark’s seven-day free trial on Android and Apple devices or a 30-day money-back guarantee offer on all devices.
6. Proton VPN
- Belongs from Switzerland
- 6,700+ servers in 100+ countries
- Alternate routing technology
- VPN leak protection
- Ultra-fast connection speeds
- 30-days money-back guarantee offer
Proton VPN is another best VPN for the dark web. It supports Tor over VPN and ensures a secure browsing experience. To use the VPN on the dark web, you need to enable the Tor over VPN feature and start browsing. It has Proton VPN Tor nodes that create a new route when you open up the VPN session. As a result, the Tor nodes don’t receive any user information, so you can remain more private on the dark web.
The VPN encrypts your traffic using AES-256-bit encryption and secure tunneling protocols to safeguard your data from hackers and government surveillance agencies. To further maintain your online security, you can benefit from various advanced features, such as a kill switch that disconnects your internet connection when the VPN connection is down, full disk encryption, and alternate routing technology.
The VPN provider is located in Switzerland, a safe and privacy-friendly jurisdiction that is also known as the privacy heaven. Switzerland respects users’ privacy more than anything else and protects their data under solid Swiss laws. The company won’t log and share your IP address, browsing activities, or connection timestamp with anyone. Moreover, it follows a no-log policy and issues transparency reports that prove that all its claims are valid.
Besides this, Proton VPN won’t cause users any trouble while connecting. It has more than 6,700 servers in 111+ locations, and all provide consistently fast speed. If you want to test Proton VPN’s features and services on the dark web, you can subscribe to the Plus plan and demand a refund if unsatisfied with the service.
How to access the dark web safely in 2025
Accessing the dark web is risky and can get you in serious trouble. However, you can make your access safe by taking some measures.
Below are some steps that you can follow to access the dark web securely:
- Use a VPN that offers compatibility with the Tor browser. Download the VPN app and connect to an onion over VPN server.
- Always run the best antivirus software and block malware and viruses that aim to harm your device.
- Configure your Tor browser settings for increased security and protection. Connect to Tor, and it will route your traffic through the Tor network.
- You can even use the best private search engines, as they won’t track your activities on the dark web.
- Don’t use your email address or share much information while using the dark web.
- Access the dark web via trusted .onion sites.
Which is the best dark web VPN?
When you use a reliable VPN for the dark web, you should pay attention to security, encryption, fast speeds, and compatibility. Although all the VPN providers listed above have these features, NordVPN is the best. It’s because it has optimized Tor servers that help in easy access. Moreover, it offers blazing-fast speed with unnoticed lagging and uses top-notch encryption to protect your data.
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About the Author
Rebecca James is an IT consultant with forward thinking approach toward developing IT infrastructures of SMEs. She writes to engage with individuals and raise awareness of digital security, privacy, and better IT infrastructure.
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