Best VPNs for the dark web and darknet for safe, private access

As you venture into the mysterious realm of the dark web, it’s crucial to prioritize your online security and privacy. After conducting extensive research and testing, we’ve identified the best VPNs to safeguard your data and ensure anonymity while exploring the dark web. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll reveal our top picks and explain how to set them up for optimal protection.

The dark web can only be accessed through an anonymity network like Tor, which encrypts data sent to and from your device, concealing the contents of your internet traffic. However, your internet service provider (ISP) and government agencies can still detect that you’re using Tor. Given Tor’s association with criminal activities, merely connecting to the network could draw unwanted attention and lead to blocked access in some countries.

To conceal your Tor usage from ISPs and other third parties, we recommend using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN encrypts all of your device’s internet traffic and routes it through an intermediary server in your chosen location. This process hides Tor traffic within the encrypted tunnel, ensuring that only you and the VPN provider can detect your Tor usage.

By using a VPN in conjunction with the Tor Browser, you’ll significantly enhance your online security and privacy while exploring the dark web. Remember, choosing a reliable VPN provider with a solid commitment to user privacy and a no-logs policy is essential to protect your personal information.

If you don’t want to read the full article, here is our summary list of the best VPNs for the dark web:

1. NordVPN: Our #1 choice for the dark web. Extremely fast, with a no-logging policy, Tor over VPN servers, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for the dark web.
2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN. Zero logs, tons of servers, and strong layer of security. Supports unlimited device connections.
3. ExpressVPN: Security-conscious VPN with its own .onion site, making it great for the dark web. Accepts bitcoin for anonymous payment.
4. CyberGhost: Huge selection of very secure servers. Great speeds and keeps no logs. Perfect for beginners.
5. PrivateVPN: Fast, easy, and comes with modifiable OpenVPN files. One of the most secure VPNs on the market.
6. IPVanish: A secure dark web VPN. No logging, fast, and great privacy features.
7. Atlas VPN: Doesn’t keep identifying logs of users. Secures data with military-grade encryption. MultiHop servers available.

How to use a VPN with Tor and access the dark web

There are many ways to connect to Tor, but for brevity’s sake we’ll assume you’re using the Tor browser.

Here’s how to access the dark web with a VPN:

1. Sign up for and install a VPN. Our top recommendation is NordVPN.
2. Open the VPN app
3. Select a server location and connect to the VPN. Wait for the connection to be established.
4. Download and install the Tor Browser.
5. Open the Tor Browser.
6. Enter the .onion URL for the Tor hidden service (dark web site) you want to visit into the address bar. Only use verified URLs from trusted sources.
7. Surf the dark web!

Using this simple setup, your internet traffic is encrypted twice: first by Tor, then by the VPN. It then goes to the VPN server, where the VPN’s layer of encryption is removed, before going on to a Tor entry node. Your ISP only sees encrypted traffic going to a server and cannot detect that you are using Tor or connecting to Tor entry nodes.

Best VPNs for the dark web – Our hands-on review

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for the dark web.

The downside is that the VPN provider can see that you’re using Tor, even though your ISP can’t. With that in mind, you’ll need a VPN provider you can trust.

1. NordVPN

Dec 2023

NordVPN is a veteran VPN provider that stores zero logs about its users’ online activities. Among its huge global server network is a Tor over VPN option, which automatically routes your traffic through the Tor network after it leaves the VPN tunnel. Whether you use that option or not, you get military-grade encryption, an app-specific kill switch, and strong leak protection. Speeds are among the fastest we’ve tested, and you can connect up to six devices at a time.

NordVPN accepts bitcoin, ripple, and ethereum, so you can pay anonymously.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV and Linux.

NordVPN speed test data

BEST FOR THE DARK WEB:NordVPN is the best option for browsing the dark web safely. Tor over VPN servers, blazing speeds, and a fantastic security offering. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark puts a major emphasis on security and has an excellent privacy policy. It boasts 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch (in all versions of the app), protection against IPv6, WebRTC, and DNS leaks, and a traffic obfuscation feature capable of hiding the fact that you’re using a VPN at all. Most importantly, this service doesn’t log any information that could identify you. Privacy-conscious internet users can pay in Bitcoin, Etherium, or Ripple and use a disposable email address to register almost entirely anonymously.

Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Fire TV, and Android apps are available.

Surfshark speed test data

Read our full review of Surfshark here.

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark is affordable, reliable, and secure. Connect as many devices as you like. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN doesn’t log your real IP address nor any contents of the internet traffic that passes through its servers. It boasts strong encryption and the most robust leak protection we’ve seen on any VPN, ensuring your data never escapes the secure tunnel. Speeds are consistently fast, and 24/7 live chat support is at your disposal if you run into any issues. ExpressVPN accepts bitcoin as payment and even hosts a mirror site on the dark web that can only be accessed via Tor, so you can sign up with complete anonymity.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and certain wifi routers.

ExpressVPN speed test data

PRIVACY FIRST:ExpressVPN makes it easy to use the dark web safely. Offers fast speeds, solid security, and its own .onion site, plus a 30-day guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is the only VPN to earn a perfect score in our annual privacy and security assessment thanks to robust encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and a zero logs policy. You can purchase with bitcoin and connect up to seven devices at a time. Speeds are excellent and connections are reliable. CyberGhost doesn’t have any Tor-specific features, but you’ll get ample protection when using the “Surf Anonymously” option and the Tor browser.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Linux, Fire TV, and Android.

CyberGhost speed test data

VALUE AND PERFORMANCE:CyberGhost is a good value proposition for dark web users who don’t compromise on security, and it comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

5. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN not only works with Tor in the “Tor-over-VPN” setup we’ve described above, but also offers an alternative option: VPN over Tor. PrivateVPN’s website includes a helpful guide on how to modify the OpenVPN configuration files included with the app so that your internet traffic first passes through the Tor network, and then through the VPN. This is useful if you want to use Tor to access sites on the clear web that don’t normally allow Tor connections, since your IP address will be that of the VPN server. Note that if you don’t want your ISP to see that you’re connecting to Tor, it’s best to use a normal VPN connection and the Tor browser.

PrivateVPN offers great speeds and security, and a no-logs policy. You can connect up to six devices at a time. Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Fire TV.

PrivateVPN speed test data

UP AND COMER:PrivateVPN is a newer provider that earns its place among the veteran players. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

6. IPVanish

IPVanish is one of the fastest VPNs around but doesn’t skimp on privacy or security. You get uncrackable encryption, strong DNS leak protection, and a zero-logs policy with every subscription. The apps are easy to set up and use on any number of devices. IPVanish doesn’t accept bitcoin, so if you want to make an anonymous purchase, you may want to look elsewhere. The IPVanish apps include an obfuscation feature that disguises your encrypted tunnel as normal internet traffic, plus the option to periodically change your assigned IP address at certain intervals, bolstering anonymity.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Fire TV, and Android.

IPVanish speed test data

FAST & SECURE:IPVanish offers a great combination of speed and security, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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7. Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN is a highly secure service with servers located across several dozen locations. Aside from fast server speeds for faster browsing and streaming, it provides comprehensive security and privacy protection. This starts with military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, protection from DNS leaks, and a kill switch feature. Better still, you can secure all of your devices at once with just one account.

For even greater security while navigating the dark web, you have the option of connecting to one of Atlas VPN’s MultiHop servers. These route internet traffic via multiple locations for an extra layer of encryption. Add to this an ad, malware, and tracker blocker and the fact that Atlas VPN doesn’t keep identifying logs of users, and this is a service that provides more than enough protection from threats.

Atlas VPN offers apps for desktop (Windows and Mac) and mobile (Android and iOS) while apps can also be downloaded for Android TV and Amazon Fire TV.

MULTIHOP SERVERS:Atlas VPN offers security including 256-bit AES encryption and MultiHop servers. It also doesn’t keep any logs by which you can be identified. Secure all of your devices at once. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Atlas VPN review.

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Can I use a free VPN for the dark web?

Free VPN service providers are generally a bad idea if your aim is to remain anonymous online. They tend to be less secure and many will log your online and dark web activity to sell to third parties. Others inject advertisements into your browser, and some even carry malware payloads.

Aside from privacy and online security risks, free VPNs are slow. If you’re using the Tor browser, your bandwidth will already be pretty limited, and a free VPN will only hamper it further. Server congestion, bandwidth limits, and data caps all contribute to a slow experience.

Paid providers have a vested interest in keeping your activity private, so we strongly recommend avoiding free alternatives.

I have a VPN and Tor Browser. Now what?

If your goal is to access the darknet, you need to know where to look. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our guide on how to access the dark web safely while keeping your anonymity intact.

Because the dark web isn’t regularly indexed by search engines like Google, it can be hard to find stuff. That’s on purpose, as most sites and services on the darknet aim to be kept secret, at least to some degree. You can’t just surf the dark web like you can the clear net.

Be very careful about links to dark web sites that you find on the clear web. The links may well lead to scam, malware, and phishing sites that look indistinguishable from a genuine site.

That being said, the darknet is home to a wide range of content, both legal and illegal. It’s important to tread with caution and never divulge any personal information that could be used to identify you.

Tor over VPN vs VPN over Tor

When you connect to a VPN and then fire up the Tor browser, outgoing internet traffic first goes through the VPN, and then through the Tor network. This setup is called Tor over VPN, and if you want to use a VPN while on the dark web, is the preferred option. Your ISP cannot detect that Tor is being used, but websites and other online services can see your traffic coming from a Tor exit node.

VPN over Tor works the opposite way, where outgoing traffic is sent through the Tor network first, and then through the VPN. Your ISP will be able to see that you’re using Tor, but websites and online services will see the internet connection coming from the VPN server. This setup is rarely useful but can be used to access websites that normally block Tor users. It can’t be used to access the darknet, though.

If you want your Tor traffic to exit the network in a specific country, a better option would be to use Tor country codes.

Our VPN testing methodology

At Comparitech, our top priority is to offer you the most comprehensive, meticulous, and informative VPN reviews you can find online. We achieve this by conducting rigorous tests on all the VPNs we recommend, using real-life scenarios, expert analysis, and performance evaluations. Our primary area of focus is on Tor VPNs, and we meticulously scrutinize the following aspects:

1. Encryption: We ensure that the VPN’s data cipher, RSA key exchange, and authentication hash meet a minimum set of criteria to ensure maximum security and privacy.
2. Logging policy: We meticulously scrutinize the VPN’s privacy policy and terms of service to check for any language or lack thereof that suggests the collection of personally identifiable user data while using the VPN. We aim to ensure that the VPN provider does not keep any logs of your online activity and browsing history.
3. Data leaks: We thoroughly examine each VPN for IP address, DNS, and WebRTC leaks on IPv4 and IPv6 networks. We aim to ensure that your online activity and browsing history remain private and secure.
4. Anonymous payment options: We evaluate the VPN provider’s acceptance of cryptocurrencies and other anonymous or pseudonymous payment methods to help you maintain your anonymity and privacy while subscribing to a VPN service. We aim to ensure that your identity and payment information remains anonymous and untraceable.
5. Customer support: Having someone around when things don’t work as expected is crucial for any VPN. We look for providers that offer 24/7 support via live chat or email at a minimum.
6. Value: everyone wants to get a good deal when they’re committing to services, so we find VPNs with generous money-back guarantees and those that offer a decent number of concurrent connections to their service.
7. Apps and devices: We look for VPNs that work with a variety of devices and have easy-to-use apps for different platforms. We also expect a generous number of simultaneous device connections included in a subscription.

In addition to those elements, we test each VPN’s speed, ability to unblock region-locked streaming services like Netflix, and ability to bypass internet censorship in places like China. For more details, read how we test VPNs on our methodology page.

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