Tor is a privacy-oriented browser that helps you get around internet censorship by anonymizing your internet traffic. Tor encrypts all incoming and outgoing data so that anyone intercepting it cannot read it.
However, both your ISP and governmental organizations are able to detect your use of Tor. This is not ideal since, despite the fact that Tor has many legitimate purposes, it is known for being used for criminal conduct.
This is why using a VPN with Tor is a good idea. However, it can be difficult to find the best VPN for Tor browser that will genuinely keep you safe. So, we did our research, and came up with a list of secure VPNs for you.
Best VPNs for Tor; Quick Overview
- NordVPN – Most Secure VPN for Tor. AES 256-bit encryption with Tor Over VPN servers. Money-back guarantee of 30 days.
- ExpressVPN – Best premium VPN. Fast and experienced VPN provider with an Onion site and Bitcoin support. Excellent for internet surfing, torrenting, and streaming.
- Surfshark – Affordable VPN for Tor. Good speeds, unlimited simultaneous connections, and powerful unblocking capabilities.
- CyberGhost – Easy-to-Use App. User-friendly apps with no-logs and decent speeds.
- IPVanish – Great VPN app and Price. Offers quick servers and no logs. Works great with streaming websites as well.
The Best VPNs for Tor – Full Disclosure
Here is a complete list of all the best VPNs for Tor that you can use in 2022:
1. NordVPN – Most Secure VPN for Tor
Our top choice for a Tor VPN is NordVPN. It is a stalwart in the market and provides incredibly fast speeds in addition to a sizable worldwide server network.
Hails to its Tor over VPN feature, your traffic will be automatically redirected over the Tor network. This is excellent if you want to use Tor with applications other than a web browser.
Other beneficial security features offered by NordVPN include the Double VPN, which routes your traffic over two VPN servers. However, as double encryption slows down connections, we advise sticking with NordVPN’s standard or obfuscated servers if connection speed is a concern.
It also offers DNS leak protection, no-logs policy, split tunneling, and the Nordlynx protocol.
The provider has an excellent global server network, with around 5,500 servers spread across 60 nations. By connecting to these servers, NordVPN prevents outsiders from viewing your personal information.
Along with the Tor browser, NordVPN is compatible with iOS, Firefox, Windows, Chrome, macOS, Android, and routers.
You can get NordVPN at a cost of only $3.49/month, along with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For more details about the provider, go through our NordVPN review.
2. ExpressVPN – Best premium VPN
ExpressVPN is the most secure and another best VPN for Tor browser. It offers a number of features that make using it with The Onion Router simpler and safer, and it goes above and beyond to honor its privacy obligations to its customers.
Recently, ExpressVPN introduced a .onion version of their website for users who want to sign up for an account without being identified.
The company is situated in the British Virgin Islands and follows a rigorous no-logs policy. When the VPN connection drops, the automatic kill switch (also known as “network lock”) shuts down your internet traffic to stop leaks that would inform your ISP that you are using Tor.
Additionally, ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology, which runs all servers entirely from RAM and writes no data to actual hard drives, is used on all of its servers.
ExpressVPN offers a large number of IP addresses to choose from thanks to its over 3000 servers located all over the world.
ExpressVPN works with a variety of common operating systems and devices, including Android, macOS, routers, Windows, Safari, Chrome, and more, in addition to the Tor browser.
You can get ExpressVPN at a cost of only $8.32/mo along with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For more details about the provider, go through our ExpressVPN review.
3. Surfshark – Affordable VPN for Tor
Surfshark is a fantastic cheap option. Despite that, you can access the Tor network with Surfshark to browse the internet anonymously and get around geo-blocks and censorship easily.
To use the Tor browser in restricted areas, Surfshark offers the NoBorders mode. For increased anonymity, you can also use its MultiHop capabilities and Camouflage mode.
Surfshark also offers a wide range of other security features, including Military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak prevention, and ad blocking. Thanks to a no-server-logs policy and a bitcoin payment option, your privacy is adequately safeguarded.
Surfshark’s global server network is substantially bigger now than it was a few years ago, with over 3,200 servers spread across 95 different countries.
Surfshark supports an infinite number of devices simultaneously and offers apps for Fire TV, Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Linux.
You can get this best VPN for Tor at only $2.30/mo, along with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
For more details about the provider, go through our Surfshark review.
4. CyberGhost – Easy-to-Use App
Because of its unique NoSpy servers, CyberGhost is a great option for Tor. These are RAM-only servers that wipe your data and browsing history off when you disconnect from the VPN.
Additionally, to avoid interference from third-parties, CyberGhost directly manages these servers. You can utilise The Onion Router without being concerned that your data will be compromised because of this.
Every user of CyberGhost receives a special anonymous ID, and the email address you enter to register is encrypted. As a result, users’ email addresses cannot be linked to their CyberGhost accounts by third parties. Moreover, there are no data logs kept by CyberGhost.
With more than 7,700 servers located across more than 90 countries, the provider has a sizable global server network.
You may connect up to seven devices at once with a single account, and there are apps available for the macOS, Android, Linux, Windows, and iOS platforms.
CyberGhost is available at a cost of only $2.29/month along with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
5. IPVanish – Great VPN app and Price
If you need to use Tor to secure a large number of devices, IPVanish is a good choice.
With IPVanish’s Scramble feature, you can get around VPN restrictions and securely surf the Dark Web. It also includes necessary security features like an IP/DNS leak protection, automated kill switch, and military-grade AES 256-bit encryption.
The obfuscation feature included in IPVanish’s apps makes your VPN traffic look like as regular internet traffic. If you want to increase speed, WireGuard protocol are also available.
However, if you want to make an anonymous purchase, look elsewhere because it does not accept bitcoin.
You can get IPVanish at a cost of only $3.75/month, along with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why use Tor over VPN?
Following are a few reasons why you should use Tor over VPN:
- Best privacy and security possible.
- Bypass ISP restrictions on access to Tor.
- Complete security to keep you safe while you browse.
- Use a VPN to get all the best security features.
How does Tor or Onion over VPN work?
To make Tor/Onion over VPN work, you need a VPN as well as a Tor browser. However, in most cases, you’ll just be using the Tor Browser. Follow the steps below for it:
- Subscribe to a VPN service. We recommend NordVPN for this as it offers anonymous payment options.
- Download and install the VPN on your device.
- Connect to any server offering fast speeds.
- Download the Tor Browser, launch, it and connect to the Tor Network.
- Enjoy surfing on the Tor browser.
VPNs with built-in Onion over VPN feature
Only a small number of VPNs offer Tor functionality as part of their offerings.
With its integrated Onion over VPN capability, NordVPN is the market leader in this regard. It can be used without any further setup being added. The configuration is already done for you to browse anonymously right away, without needing Tortilla or the Tor browser.
Pros and cons of using Onion over VPN
The following is a thorough overview of the pros and cons of utilising Onion over VPN:
| Pros | Cons |
| Multi-layer encryption | Your connection can get cut off since Tor’s exit nodes get blocked randomly |
| Actual IP remains unidentified even if Tor network is compromised | Due to various intermediary servers, your speeds below extremely slow |
| The VPN service and ISP cannot view your activities | |
| Various ISPs block Tor networks, so the only technique to access them is by a VPN | |
| VPNs offer features like a kill switch so you stay protected in every case |
Onion over VPN vs. Double VPN
Please note that Onion over VPN isn’t the only solution to remain unidentified. In fact, Tor isn’t the only way to interconnect multiple secure connections.
Using multiple VPNs is also possible. Your traffic is twice encrypted and is routed through many servers in this way.
Every VPN service offering this built-in feature calls it by a different name. These names include DoubleVPN, MultiHop, and Nested VPN.
Another option is to try setting it up by yourself by configuring a VPN on your router, and then further connecting a VPN server to your device. The final method is to use virtual computers, where the host acts as the router.
FAQs
Is Onion over VPN safe?
The Onion network is susceptible to a cyberattack, just like other cybersecurity tools. However, even if the network is compromised, your real IP address will remain hidden if you use Tor in conjunction with a VPN.
Do you need a VPN for Tor?
Although not necessary, a VPN is quite helpful when using Tor. Your entire traffic is encrypted and hidden from your ISP. To put it simply, using Tor with a VPN is significantly safer.
However, we highly recommend not to think of using the best free VPN for Tor browser. That’s because free VPNs would put your data at risk, instead of protecting you on Tor.
How to use Tor over VPN?
Here’s how you can do that:
- Download a reliable VPN while making sure that you select the correct version for your preferred device, and then launch it.
- Open its app and connect to your preferred server.
- Once you connect to the VPN, launch your Tor browser.
- That’s it!
Should I use Tor bridges instead of a VPN?
You have the choice to connect through Tor bridges when utilising the Tor network. Similar in operation to relays, bridges are private and do not show up in the main Tor directory.
Finding one, though, can be difficult. Although it’s not simple, you could set one up on your own.
Tor bridges might provide your browsing experience more freedom. There are specific variations of them, such as disguised tor bridges, which might be helpful for gaining access to blocked content. In most circumstances, your ISP cannot obstruct private Tor bridges.