Best VPNs for the Dark Web in 2024

Most people think Tor is enough to keep you safe on the dark web, but a good quality VPN can add an extra layer of privacy and security. Find out more below.

Tor traffic is easy to identify, meaning that it’s trivial for network administrators and ISPs to block access. 

There are also potential vulnerabilities within the Tor model. When traffic passes through Tor nodes, it is decrypted before reaching the 'open' internet. Hackers and governments could theoretically run their own exit nodes to gather data on users. Even Tor admits its platform does not provide 100% anonymity. Thankfully, you can prevent both of these issues by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) alongside Tor.

VPN services encrypt your data and hide your real IP address from the Tor entry node. It also stops local networks from blocking access to the Tor network and prevents your ISP from knowing that you are accessing the dark web. As a bonus, VPNs secure traffic from all of your apps, not just your Tor browser, which makes it nice and easy to torrent, stream, or chat privately.

Our team has extensively tested a wide range of leading VPNs to see which has the most to offer dark web users. Whether you’re a regular visitor or just want to see what the fuss is about, the services below will help keep your true identity hidden on the darknet.

Best VPNs for visiting the dark web:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for dark web users. Has specially configured Tor over VPN servers and an extensive set of security features, plus a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Our top budget option. Among the fastest on the market, with a real commitment to privacy and no connection limits whatsoever.
3. ExpressVPN: A quick and reliable service with lots of locations to choose from. Operates its own .onion site and works in several countries with strict digital censorship.
4. Proton VPN: This zero-logs VPN has servers that let you access the dark web directly. It’s great for everyday browsing too, with strong streaming ability and high speeds.
5. Mullvad: Cheap, easy to use, and privacy-conscious. Offers a SOCKS5 proxy to use with the Tor Browser, its own .onion site, and detailed manual setup instructions.
6. CyberGhost: A blazing-fast VPN with security-enhancing NoSpy servers and one of the largest networks around. Includes a ton of privacy tools and 24/7 customer support.

Summary Table

So how exactly did we select these services from the thousands that are available? Essentially, we filtered out most of the candidates using a strict set of criteria, then weighed up the pros and cons of those that were left until only the very best remained. Here are a few of our non-negotiable requirements:

• Provides consistently high speeds
• Does not log any data that could personally identify you
• Uses uncrackable encryption to secure your traffic
• Offers access to servers in at least 40 countries
• Has its own apps for a wide range of devices
• Includes free customer support, ideally available around the clock
• In order to qualify for one of the top three positions, the VPN provider must operate a 100% diskless server network
• A provider in the top three positions must also have had its infrastructure audited by a reputable third party

Check out the testing methodology section later in this article for more information about the criteria we used.

Best VPNs for the dark web: Reviews

Now, let’s go into a bit more detail. We’ll highlight the strengths and shortcomings of our top recommendations and explain exactly what they offer dark web users.

Here's our list of the best VPNs for browsing the dark web:

NordVPN is a great option for anyone curious about the dark web. It actually owns and operates specially configured “Onion over VPN” servers in the Netherlands and Switzerland that provide easy, secure access to the Tor network. In fact, you don't even need to use the Tor browser... just connect to an 'Onion Over VPN' server and away you go. Not only that, but this provider is one of the fastest we’ve seen, averaging over 350 Mbps in our most recent testing. NordVPN even works in countries with extreme online censorship, albeit slightly less reliably than it used to. 

This provider offers effectively uncrackable AES-256 encryption, protection against data leaks, and a Threat Protection tool capable of stopping ads and trackers automatically. Crucially, there’s also a kill switch that’ll stop sending data if your connection drops unexpectedly. NordVPN even has its own protocol: it’s called NordLynx and is a custom version of WireGuard that uses a double NAT system to ensure your source IP address is never saved to the server.

On that note, NordVPN follows a no-logging policy, though it does collect some diagnostic data including advertising IDs. These are easily cleared, but could be used to identify you over long periods of time if you forget, so we’d rather they weren’t used at all. Customer support is on-hand 24/7 over email and live chat, plus there’s an expansive help section on the website in case you run into any problems.

BEST DARK WEB VPN: NordVPN is our first choice. It’s extremely reliable and boasts Tor over VPN servers that greatly simplify the process of browsing the dark web. Best of all, this no-logs provider comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can try it risk-free.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

Surfshark users can choose from over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, all of which provide impressive performance and the ability to fly under the radar of VPN-detection systems. Our latest testing revealed average speeds of around 190 Mbps, which is particularly impressive considering how inexpensive Surfshark’s long-term plans can be. This VPN is ideal for users with lots of devices since unlike most of its rivals, it has no connection limits whatsoever.

In addition to AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, Surfshark offers a few more advanced security tools. These include a NoBorders mode designed for beating country-wide censorship, an IP address rotator that makes you even harder to track and a CleanWeb option that blocks trackers, ads, and malware automatically. While many VPNs have privacy policies full of legal terminology and vague wording, Surfsharks’ is clear and unequivocal: it will never log any information that could be traced back to you directly.

Surfshark’s apps are well-designed and beginner-friendly. That said, there’s a huge range of support available on the website in case you have any difficulties. Alternatively, you can speak to staff for free using the 24/7 live chat service or support email address. This provider also offers its own private search engine, antivirus app, and a tool that’ll let you know if your details are leaked on the dark web as part of its Surfshark One addon. This costs a little extra each month but might be of interest to consumers looking for a more comprehensive privacy package.

BEST BUDGET VPN: Surfshark is an affordable yet capable VPN that boasts first-class performance, security, and versatility. It even has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Surfshark.

ExpressVPN has a lot to offer anyone hoping to visit onion sites safely. For starters, it’s extremely quick, averaging around 180 Mbps in our most recent tests. Further, all of its 3,000+ servers are RAM-based, meaning they’re completely wiped whenever they’re reset. With 94+ locations to choose from and the ability to beat even the strictest digital censorship, this provider gives users the freedom to browse securely from just about anywhere in the world.

The apps themselves don’t have very many customizable features – you can have the service connect automatically or allow certain apps to pass through unencrypted. That’s alright, though, because most of ExpressVPN’s protection happens in the background. Your traffic is secured with 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch that ExpressVPN calls its “network lock”. It also prevents IPv6, WebRTC, and DNS leaks so there’s no danger of your packets being inadvertently revealed to anyone monitoring the network.

ExpressVPN can’t reveal what you do online as it doesn’t log any session or activity data. ExpressVPN also has its own protocol, Lightway. This is significantly more lightweight at around 2,000 lines of code (for context, OpenVPN is around 70,000), which means faster processing and ultimately, higher speeds. Lightway can even keep your packets shielded while you change networks, making it a fantastic option for anyone who primarily browses on their phone.

Live chat is available around the clock just in case you need assistance, and there are hundreds of support articles that address just about any common issue you might face.

ANTI-CENSORSHIP: ExpressVPN works in places like China and follows a no-logging policy, so your privacy is in good hands. In fact, this veteran provider even has its own .onion site and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

Proton VPN might be best known for its free plan, but if you’re prepared to upgrade, you can take advantage of Tor over VPN servers in seven countries. Paid plans come with a host of other benefits too, like access to the full network (66+ locations instead of three) and unrestricted speeds. You’ll also be able to protect up to 10 devices at a time, torrent as much as you like, and block trackers automatically, which is a huge bonus for privacy-minded consumers.

It’d be a mistake to write this off as just another low-budget provider. It actually uses the same encryption algorithm as better-known VPNs, and thanks to its leak protection and kill switch, there’s minimal chance of any packets sneaking out unencrypted. Proton VPN is extremely flexible too, allowing users to create profiles for specific situations. This means you can quickly swap between customized streaming, general-purpose, and Onion over VPN servers in a matter of seconds.

Proton VPN doesn’t keep any logs at all. Better still, its servers all use full-disk encryption to reduce the chance of data being compromised if one is seized or stolen. We’d have preferred to be able to contact staff over live chat but you’ll usually get a reply from the support email address or ticket system in a day or two. You can also search the knowledge base for answers to commonly-asked questions, which is a good starting point for confused users.

TOR OVER VPN SERVERS: Proton VPN is quick and committed to privacy, with special servers designed for accessing the dark web. This service runs its own .onions site and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Proton VPN.

Mullvad is a simple, easy-to-use VPN that is open and upfront about what it can and can’t do. For instance, it acknowledges that watching Netflix while connected might be a problem, which is something a lot of providers are pretty cagey about. This service has maintained the same low price for over a decade and has been built from the ground up to provide maximum privacy. For instance, you’ll use a secret code to log in instead of a username/password. You can even buy gift cards to extend your subscription, which means there’s no need to provide payment details.

User traffic is secured with effectively uncrackable encryption, no matter whether they connect via OpenVPN or WireGuard. Mullvad also offers DNS and IPv6 leak protection plus a kill switch. This even has a lockdown mode that prevents you from browsing at all if the VPN is turned off. It’s possible to obfuscate your traffic, block all adult content, or let certain apps pass through the VPN unencrypted, and thanks to Mullvad’s verified no-logs policy, it can’t tell anyone what you get up to while connected.

Unfortunately, if you want to contact customer support, you’ll have to go through email. Still, there is a robust help section on the website that covers everything from setting up a Shadowsocks proxy to manually configuring OpenVPN for Tor. With respectable speeds and over 900 servers around the world, this provider is well worth checking out.

NO LOGS PROVIDER: Mullvad is designed with your anonymity in mind. It boasts solid performance, powerful security features, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of Mullvad.

CyberGhost has one of the largest networks of any major provider, with over 9,000 servers spanning 91+ countries, great if you want to access the dark web while traveling abroad. Moreover, these are capable of delivering speeds in excess of 280 Mbps, so it’s certainly not going to bottleneck your connection. Users can even connect via NoSpy servers that are owned outright and physically stored at CyberGhost’s HQ in Romania, ensuring no third party can gain access.

So how secure is this service, and does it allow you to browse the dark web safely? Well, it relies on as-yet-uncrackable encryption, protects against IPv6 and DNS leaks, and prevents accidental unsecured browsing using a kill switch. However, that’s only the beginning: there’s also an automatic connection feature, split tunneling capabilities, and a random port option designed to help fool VPN-blocking systems. CyberGhost never logs any personally identifiable information and limits how easily you can be followed across the web by blocking ads, tracking cookies, and malware for you.

This VPN is available on every major operating system and even has its own browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Live chat is on-hand around the clock if you can’t find answers to your questions in the knowledge base, and we’ve found staff to be both responsive and knowledgeable about the service. Our biggest gripe is that CyberGhost can’t be relied upon in places like China or the UAE, though the same could be said of most providers.

FAST AND VERSATILE: CyberGhost is a beginner-friendly VPN that nevertheless offers a ton of customizable security features, task-specific servers, and 24/7 support. It also has a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is longer than any other service on this list.

Read our full review of CyberGhost.

Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for the dark web

You can never be too careful when it comes to online privacy, especially if you’re using sophisticated networking software like Tor. That’s why our recommendations were guided by a strict set of non-negotiable criteria. Here are just a few of the most important characteristics we looked for in a dark web VPN:

• A strong commitment to privacy: The whole point of using Tor over VPN is to protect your anonymity so any provider that fails to use appropriate encryption or provide countermeasures such as a kill switch simply isn’t worth using. We strongly prefer no-logs providers, particularly those that have undergone third-party audits.
• Consistently high speeds: Tor is known for being extremely slow, and sluggish VPNs effectively restrict your speeds even further. Only services with first-class speeds (an average of 200 Mbps or more on a gigabit connection) are eligible for inclusion.
• 24/7 customer support: It must be as easy as possible for users to get help. Ideally, support staff would be available via live chat but we also consider the extent and scope of supporting materials such as troubleshooting posts and manual Tor over OpenVPN setup guides.
• Beginner-friendly apps: There’s no reason that using a VPN with Tor has to be complicated. Providers have found all kinds of ways to welcome in newcomers, from including short descriptions detailing what each setting does to removing connection limits outright.
• Diskless infrastructure: This is a prerequisite to be considered for one of the top three positions. Data stored on a VPN server could be accessed if the servers were seized or hacked, which is why moving processes to RAM means that no information can be physically taken from servers and it is wiped on shutdown. Plus, it can also easily be wiped as a part of regular security procedures.
• Third-party audits: When you sign-up for a VPN service, you are essentially placing more faith in your VPN provider than you are in your ISP.  Many VPNs claim to be a ‘no logs' provider, but this claim can only be tested through the courts or through audits. To make it into our top three positions, providers must have undergone infrastructure audits from a reputable third party. While this isn't foolproof, it's the closest the industry has to a verification process for logging policies.

Dark web VPNs: FAQs

Do I really need to use a VPN with Tor?

The Tor Project actually recommends most people don’t use a VPN with Tor because they often need to be manually configured and users can simply forget to turn them on. It’s certainly true that you can access the dark web without a VPN, but there are some circumstances when it’s better to use one anyway.

If you live in a country with strict online censorship, there’s a solid chance that the darknet is blocked outright. In these cases, you’ll have to connect to a VPN before you can even start using the Tor Browser. Additionally, there’s no telling who’s operating your entry and exit node, so hiding your IP address and location adds another layer of security.

Finally, Tor only shields your browser traffic. As such, VPNs are a great option if you want to secure traffic from P2P apps, chat services, and other programs on your device.

Can I be tracked if I use Tor and a VPN?

Let’s be clear: there is no way to remain 100% anonymous online. The best digital security in the world will not protect you if you decide to post your home address on Facebook. That said, you can limit how much of your personal information is collected. Tor, for instance, can prevent websites from learning your true IP address or location.

So where does a VPN come in? Well, all of your data passes unencrypted through a Tor exit node that’s run by a volunteer. This person could be a privacy aficionado with no intention of monitoring your traffic, or they could be a member of an intelligence agency looking to collect as much information as possible. A VPN simply hides your activities, IP address, and location from whoever is running the exit node.

This leaves your VPN provider. Most reputable services will follow a no-logs policy meaning that they can’t tell what you get up to online or when you connect. This prevents your provider from revealing details of your sessions, even if asked to by law enforcement.

Is it legal to visit the dark web?

The dark web (or darknet, as it’s sometimes called) is just the name for sites that require special software to visit. This in itself is not inherently illegal, and as a matter of fact, there are plenty of recognizable brands with a dark web presence. You can read the New York Times, post to Facebook, or access your ProtonMail account for instance, and it’s all completely above board.

It’s true that there is a lot of illegal material on the dark web but you could say the same about the “regular” internet. As long as you aren’t seeking this content out, you’re unlikely to find yourself in any legal trouble.