Best VPNs for Tor: Bolstering privacy and anonymity

On the face of it, VPNs and Tor have a lot in common. They both use proxy servers and encryption to enhance your anonymity, for instance. However, the key difference is that Tor is for anonymity, and a VPN is for privacy. Tor users are technically anonymous, but their ISP is still going to know that you’re browsing the dark web unless you use a VPN. So, which VPN is best for Tor users?

We’ve extensively tested more than a dozen leading providers to find out. We’ll cover each in more detail soon but for now here’s a brief look at the top VPNs for Tor:

1. NordVPN Best VPN for Tor. Delivers first-class speeds and a ton of advanced security tools, including special Tor over VPN servers. 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Tor.
2. Surfshark Best low-cost VPN for Tor. Great speeds, no connection limits, and impressive unblocking abilities. Also offers 24/7 customer support via live chat.
3. IPVanish High-speed service offering servers in 100+ countries and unlimited connections. Powerful security tools and exceptional unblocking ability.
4. ExpressVPN Fast provider that accepts Bitcoin and has an Onion site. Great for streaming and torrenting. Works in China, the UAE, and similar countries.
5. CyberGhost This no-logs provider offers NoSpy servers for maximum privacy. Quick, versatile, and security-conscious. Won’t be stopped by most online restrictions.
6. PrivateVPN Easy-to-use VPN with consistent performance and a strong focus on privacy. Effortlessly bypasses even the strictest digital censorship.

Related: What is Tor? How to use it safely

How to use Tor with a VPN

We’ll use Tor Browser as an example, though there are several ways to connect to Tor. With the Tor Browser installed:

Here’s how to use a VPN with Tor:

1. Sign up with a VPN. Our top recommendation is NordVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN app.
3. Run the app and select a VPN server.
4. Hit the Connect button and wait for the app to confirm the connection.
5. Open the Tor Browser and surf the web.

This setup sends your internet traffic first through the VPN server, and then through the Tor network. That means your data goes through two phases of encryption before it ever leaves your device: once by the VPN and then again by Tor. Your internet service provider can’t see what’s in the VPN’s encrypted tunnel and, therefore, cannot detect that Tor is being used.

How we found the best VPNs for Tor

We’ve evaluated the best VPNs for Tor, based on the following criteria:

• Features designed specifically for Tor users
• No logs policy (preferably verified by a third party)
• Unbreakable encryption and other relevant safeguards
• Anonymous payment methods
• The ability to speak to support staff via live chat
• Apps for all major platforms
• Fast connection speeds

In addition to the above criteria, we run a wider program of extensive VPN testing and research. You can read more about this and see the results of those tests in the methodology section below. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers that impressed us.

The best Tor VPNs: At a glance

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

The best VPNs for Tor

Here are our detailed reviews of the best VPNs for Tor:

1. NordVPN

Apr 2025 Works with TorTested Apr 2025

NordVPN is our top recommended VPN for Tor. This veteran provider gives users access to specialized servers pre-configured with Tor over VPN, which means all traffic is first sent through the VPN and then automatically redirected through the Tor network. This is great if you have apps other than an internet browser that you’d like to use with Tor.

Tor is notoriously slow, which is why it’s important to choose a VPN that has as small an impact as possible. We tested NordVPN’s US servers on a 250 Mbps connection to see what kind of speeds you can expect. Here are our findings:

This provider never fell below 200 Mbps in any of our tests, and was actually the fastest service we saw, with an average speed of 210.16 Mbps. Naturally, your speeds using Tor will be slower, but that’s still a phenomenal starting point.

In terms of security, NordVPN boasts a proven zero-logs policy and 256-bit AES encryption. There’s also a kill switch, leak protection, and automatic tracker-blocking, plus a new protocol named NordWhisper that’s designed to beat even the strictest online censorship. Users can pay in Bitcoin if they’d like to sign up anonymously.

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

Note that some experts object to Tor over VPN servers because NordVPN could hypothetically see what users are doing with their Tor connection by analyzing traffic before Tor encrypts it. NordVPN says it keeps zero logs, but if this is a concern, we recommend setting up Tor and the VPN independently.

BEST FOR TOR:NordVPN is our first choice VPN. Offers Tor-specific servers, exceptionally high speeds, and secure connections. What’s more, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it risk-free.

Read our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Works with TorTested Apr 2025

Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in more than 100 countries, so you should be able to get a fast connection regardless of where you are in the world. This VPN is a solid choice for a Tor browser VPN thanks to its no-logging policy, 256-bit AES encryption, kill switch, and protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks.

This service also has a couple of more advanced features to keep your online activity hidden. For instance, you can connect to multi-hop servers for even greater anonymity or speed up your other apps by using the split tunneling feature. Surfshark accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple payments, allowing you to sign up almost completely anonymously. Support is available 24/7 over live chat.

When it comes to speed, Surfshark has long been known as one of the best. Our team decided to test its US servers over the course of the day to measure its performance and get an idea of how its speeds change during peak times. You’ll find our results in the chart below:

Following three tests, Surfshark achieved an average speed of 177.27 Mbps. That makes it the second-fastest service we tested and ensures that this VPN can handle anything you throw at it, from torrenting to Tor. Variance was within reasonable levels too, so it doesn’t matter what time you’re browsing, you’ll still get a fast connection.

Surfshark offers iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows apps. It also works with supported routers, but must be configured manually.

BEST BUDGET OPTION:Surfshark takes your security seriously, keeps no logs, and comes at a very reasonable price. Better still, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

Works with TorTested Apr 2025

IPVanish is a sleek and speedy VPN with servers in 100+ countries. This VPN excels at beating regional restrictions and allows any number of simultaneous connections, which is highly unusual for a budget-friendly provider. Customer support is accessible 24/7 via live chat.

This provider has made real strides in terms of speed, recently upgrading its network to use exclusively 10 Gbps servers. Still, we wanted to see how quick its US servers were over the course of a typical day. Take a look at our results below:

The first thing you’ll notice is that there was just 6 Mbps of difference between IPVanish’s highest and lowest speeds. That’s truly exceptional, especially with an average as high as 171.58 Mbps. If you’re looking for a fast and reliable VPN to use with Tor, this one is more than suitable.

This VPN keeps your activities hidden using DNS and IPv6 leak protection, unbreakable encryption, and a strict no-logs policy. It’s also capable of obfuscating OpenVPN traffic for additional privacy. It doesn’t accept Bitcoin, though, so if you want to make an anonymous purchase, look elsewhere.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android and those who subscribe to the advanced tier gain access to a secure cloud-based browser and a massive 1TB of cloud storage.

FAST & SECURE:IPVanish offers a great combination of speed and security, plus no connection or bandwidth limits and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

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4. ExpressVPN

Works with TorTested Apr 2025

ExpressVPN is a veteran provider with servers in more than 100 countries and obfuscation capable of beating even China’s Great Firewall. In other words, it’s perfect for anyone hoping to access Tor safely. Users can connect up to eight devices at a time and speak with staff, day or night, over live chat.

Historically, this service provided reasonably high speeds. With the introduction of its super-efficient Lightway protocol, though, it jumped up the rankings quite significantly. The results below were achieved on a 250 Mbps connection using ExpressVPN’s US servers:

Our testers recorded an average speed of 127.11 Mbps. For context, that’s fast enough to download a 1GB file in about a minute. In other words, ExpressVPN won’t be the bottleneck in your connection when used with Tor, and will be more than enough for any other activities like streaming, torrenting, or gaming.

This provider operates a .onion version of its website for users who want to anonymously create an account. The British Virgin Islands-based company accepts Bitcoin and sticks to a strict no-logs policy. Some non-identifying information is logged, such as dates (not times), choice of server location, and total amount of data transferred each day. Cutting-edge encryption is used by default, including 256-bit AES encryption, 4,096-bit DHE-RSA keys with perfect forward secrecy, and SHA512 authentication.

ExpressVPN is highly rated, fast, user-friendly, and has apps available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux (command line).

SPEEDY AND SECURE:ExpressVPN is fast and versatile, with strong unblocking ability and a ton of security features. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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5. CyberGhost

Works with TorTested Apr 2025

CyberGhost doesn’t have any Tor-specific features, but it scores very highly in our security and privacy testing and pairs well with the Tor Browser. CyberGhost assigns each user a unique anonymous ID, and the email address you use to sign up is encrypted. This prevents third parties from connecting a user’s email address to their CyberGhost account. CyberGhost stores no identifying logs.

This provider has gained a reputation for speed, but it’s important to re-test regularly, so we ran tests on its US servers at three times of the day. Let’s see how CyberGhost holds up:

There’s definitely some room for improvement on consistency, but this VPN still managed to deliver an average speed of 153.95 Mbps, putting it firmly amongst the fastest services we’ve seen. Whether you want to access the dark web or simply watch TV in the highest possible quality, CyberGhost can handle it.

The company is based in Romania, which has no mandatory data retention laws. Strong encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and perfect forward secrecy are all included in the apps, even on mobile. Internet connection speeds are plenty fast enough to handle Tor traffic.

Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. You may connect up to seven devices at a time.

FAST SPEEDS:CyberGhost offers comprehensive protection and has one-click unblocking enabled by default. High download speeds and a low cost are ideal for those new to VPNs. Comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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6. PrivateVPN

Works with TorTested Apr 2025

PrivateVPN’s website has a helpful guide on how to alter the OpenVPN configuration files included in the app so that outgoing internet traffic first passes through the Tor network, and then through the VPN a setup known as “VPN over Tor”. If you want to use the Tor browser to access sites on the clear web that don’t normally allow Tor connections, your IP address will be that of the VPN server, and the site won’t block you. Note that if you don’t want your ISP to see that you’re using Tor, it’s better to use a standard VPN connection with the Tor browser.

In previous speed tests, we’ve noted that PrivateVPN struggles to reach the same heights as other providers in this list. Instead, it focuses on providing a reasonably quick connection that’s far more stable than those of its rivals. Let’s see how this VPN performed following a day of testing:

With an average speed of 50.79 Mbps, it certainly could be faster. That said, there was less than 5 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results, which is outstanding. If you’re on a fairly slow internet connection to begin with, though, you may want to consider a different provider.

This VPN offers powerful security features, including adjustable encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a no-logs policy. Further, it has a stealth mode that’s able to bypass ultra-strict censorship in countries like China. You can connect ten devices simultaneously, and customer support is available almost 24 hours per day over live chat.

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.

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VPNs that Tor users should avoid

HideMyAss

Due to poor logging policies that have led to the arrest of at least one user in the past and more invasive data retention laws recently passed in the UK, England-based VPN provider HideMyAss should be avoided by anyone who values privacy and anonymity.

Free VPNs

Technically, nothing is stopping you from connecting to a free VPN service and firing up the Tor browser, but you might be doing more harm than good.

Be wary of free VPNs. They look enticing on the surface, but in reality, they often use substandard encryption, lack security, force users to wait in queues to connect, and impose data or bandwidth caps on users. They often have fewer servers and IP addresses, which makes it easier to trace individual users. Many inject advertisements and tracking cookies into users’ browsers, sacrificing their privacy rather than bolstering it.

Tor over VPN vs VPN over Tor

Should you use VPN over Tor or Tor over VPN? Both have their advantages when it comes to both security and usability. We’ll outline the advantages and disadvantages here.

Tor over VPN

You can use Tor over VPN simply by connecting to a VPN and accessing the internet through the Tor browser. Your traffic is encrypted by both Tor and the VPN before leaving your device. The traffic flow looks like this:

My device –> Encrypted by VPN and Tor –> VPN server –> Tor Network –> Internet

Pros:

• ISP cannot see that you are using Tor
• Neither ISP nor VPN can see your traffic*
• Easy to set up. Just connect to the VPN and turn on the Tor browser
• Access to .onion websites
• Flexibility to use VPN by itself with a normal browser for non-critical tasks
• Tor entry node cannot see real IP address

Cons:

• Websites can block traffic from Tor exit nodes
• VPN can see (and potentially log) your real IP address
• Exposes traffic to compromised Tor exit nodes

*Note that NordVPN and BolehVPN could hypothetically analyze your traffic before it’s encrypted by the Tor network when using their Tor-over-VPN-enabled servers. The trade-off is that all traffic can be routed through Tor without configuring individual apps to be used with Tor.

VPN over Tor

VPN over Tor is more difficult to set up because it requires configuration on the VPN server. As far as we know, only AirVPN offers this capability. The traffic flow looks like this:

My device –> Encrypted by VPN and Tor –> Tor network –> VPN server –> Internet

Pros:

• Neither ISP nor VPN can see your traffic
• Access to websites and apps that normally block traffic from Tor exit nodes
• VPN cannot see your true IP address
• Not vulnerable to compromised Tor exit nodes
• All traffic routed through Tor without individual configuration
• No packet discrimination by Tor exit nodes

Cons:

• ISPs can see that you are using Tor
• Difficult setup requires VPN provider’s assistance
• No access to .onion websites
• The Tor entry node sees your real IP address
• Not application-specific, so it’s unable to run P2P or other programs outside of the Tor network without disconnecting from the VPN.

See also: Tor vs VPN – What’s the difference?

Our Methodology: Finding the best VPNs for Tor

If you’re using Tor, it’s a safe bet that you’re interested in privacy. However, this isn’t the only thing to think about when looking for a VPN; you’ll also need one with high speeds, consistent performance, and the ability to fly under the radar. Here are the key features we looked for when creating our list of the best VPNs for Tor:

Speed

Your VPN’s speed is extremely important. To begin with, every VPN will reduce your speeds to some degree, and Tor drives that figure even lower. That’s why, for the best performance, we have to prioritize finding VPNs that have as small an impact on your base connection speed as possible.

We perform three tests per provider using their US servers. These are run on a 250 Mbps connection since that’s the average US household broadband speed. Once all tests are complete, we average the results and normalize them, giving us a score out of 10 for each VPN tested. Let’s see how our top Tor VPNs compared to each other:

NordVPN delivered the highest average speed and earned a perfect score in this category. Surfshark and IPVanish took second and third place, respectively, with PrivateVPN coming in last. That said, PrivateVPN is still fast enough for virtually any task — it’s just that it was quite a bit slower than the rest of the VPNs we tried.

Functionality

Next, we tried to evaluate each VPN’s overall functionality and versatility. This is a tricky thing to quantify, so we looked into how large their networks are (both in terms of servers and the number of server locations), whether they supported split tunneling, and whether they could be used reliably in China.

Once this was done, we added up the resulting scores and averaged them. Then, we put these final ratings into a chart, so you can more easily compare our top providers side by side:

NordVPN took the top spot again here, earning an impressive 9.7 points. In fact, it only lost out because other providers have dramatically increased their server counts recently. Honorable mentions go to Surfshark (9.5 points) and ExpressVPN (9.4 points) — both are extremely versatile services that clearly have a lot to offer.

Security and privacy

A VPN’s primary goals are to keep your activities private and ensure nobody can see what you get up to. To ensure that our recommendations are capable of this, we look for services offering uncrackable encryption, a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a no-logs policy at a bare minimum. Overall, we look at 16 separate criteria when assigning security and privacy scores:

Not an expert on digital security? No problem. Our next step is to take the scores each VPN earned and normalize them, providing a single representative score out of 10 that you can use as shorthand for how secure each provider is. See for yourself:

NordVPN and Surfshark share the top spot here, each earning a phenomenal 9.5 points. ExpressVPN also scored very highly thanks to its powerful encryption, censorship-beating obfuscation, and extensive audit history.

Ease of use

The more newcomer-friendly a VPN is, the better. This doesn’t mean our top picks don’t have advanced functionality; they just present it in a way that’s easy to understand and pick up. We also check for the presence of other features that reduce the barrier to entry, like task-specific servers, high connection limits, and 24/7 customer support. Here’s a full list of our judging criteria for this category:

NordVPN came in first place thanks to its beginner-friendly interface, extensive support section, and the ease with which it unblocks platforms like Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. IPVanish and ExpressVPN scored similarly well, but lack much of NordVPN’s advanced functionality.

Value for money

Part of our job is making sure you get the biggest bang for your buck. That’s why we consider things like connection limits, streaming capabilities, and whether providers go on sale regularly. If there’s any discount for students or long-term subscribers, we’ll let you know too. The only requirement here is that VPNs offer a money-back guarantee. After all, this allows you to try the service completely risk-free.

Surfshark and IPVanish were our two top scorers in this category. Both offer high speeds, low-cost plans, and unlimited connections, which helped catapult them to first and second place. NordVPN and CyberGhost scored highly too, but these have connection limits and cost a little more.

Looking to find out what other tests we perform? You’re in luck: we have a post that breaks down every step of our VPN testing process.

Why use a VPN for Tor?

A VPN encrypts all of a device’s traffic and routes it through a remote server in a location of your choosing. This assigns the user a new IP address–a string of numbers and decimals unique to a device that can be used to pinpoint the user’s location. The encryption prevents internet service providers from being able to monitor your activity.

While most good VPN providers offer a “no logs” policy, VPNs still require a degree of trust that the provider won’t record user traffic or give in to corporations, hackers, and governments that demand user information. Your activity is private but not necessarily anonymous.

Tor encrypts the user’s traffic and routes it through several nodes run by volunteers, known as the Tor network. Every time a new website request is sent, the route changes, making it next to impossible for anyone to trace the user. Unlike a VPN service, there’s no central authority that controls the traffic flow, so trust is not necessary.

These entry and exit nodes are well documented, however, so both your ISP and the destination server can easily find out if you’re using Tor. Some ISPs, websites, apps, and governments will block traffic to and from Tor entry and exit nodes altogether. In some countries, simply accessing the Tor network will get your name added to an ISP’s naughty list. That means your activity is anonymous, but not entirely private.

VPNs are faster and thus more suitable for streaming video, torrenting, and other download-intensive tasks. Tor is more suitable for anonymous web browsing and accessing .onion websites on the DarkNet.

For extra protection and more flexibility, Tor and a VPN can be combined. Traffic can be encrypted by both and then channeled first through the Tor network and then over a VPN (VPN over Tor) or vice versa (Tor over VPN). We’ll discuss the pros and cons of both configurations further down, but first, let’s talk about which VPNs are most suitable for Tor users. Note that while combining Tor with a VPN will improve anonymity and privacy, it will have a heavier impact on connection speed and latency than using either one on its own.

VPNs for Tor: FAQ