Best VPN for the Dark Web: Stay Safe With These 5 VPNs

Some statistics indicate that about 50% of the internet is taken by the dark web. Yet, accessing it takes a lot more than your Google Chrome, Opera, or Firefox. The dark web can be a very dangerous place, which is why it’s vital to protect your privacy and anonymize your activities.

While Tor is effective at giving you access to the darknet, your internet provider can still see that you’re using it. And despite its ability to anonymize your traffic, its association with criminal activities is enough to put you under the spotlight of suspicion.

However, using the best VPN for the dark web aims to remedy this issue by completely concealing the fact that you’re using Tor. Thus, allowing you to browse the dark web in complete privacy and anonymity, with no possible legal repercussions.

The bad news is that very few providers are great for this purpose. But the good news is that the dark web VPN providers you’re going to see below are rare exceptions, so we did all the heavy lifting in terms of research and testing, making your job of choosing much easier.

Best Dark Web VPN: Our Top 5 Favorite Choices

Before we proceed to our list, we want to give you a quick disclaimer. The providers that you’re going to see are premium VPNs, so to use them, you’ll need to pay for a subscription. There’s a good reason for that and it lies in the level of security and privacy that free providers don’t have.

Therefore, if you want THE absolute best choices for guaranteed safety on the dark web, these 5 providers are our recommended options.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN’s dedication to dark web users goes far beyond your usual security stuff. That’s why it’s one of the best VPNs to use on the dark web. Namely, NordVPN offers special Onion Over VPN servers that are directly compatible with Tor.

It takes literally one click to connect to one of these servers, after which, you’ll need to open Tor and enjoy browsing safely. NordVPN packs all the security features I talked about – bank-grade encryption, split tunneling, kill switch, and even a proprietary NordLynx protocol.

Its addition of CyberSec, an ad-blocker is also welcome, but so is this new Threat Protection package. Without paying additionally, you get NordVPN’s suite that consists of malware protection, antivirus, Dark Web Monitor, and many other features.

This Dark Web Monitor is useful as well, as it’ll inform you of any compromised information related to your email address and passwords. Not to mention that NordVPN has THREE audits from PwC/Deloitte on its no-logging policy, indicating a stringent no-log approach to privacy.

As such, NordVPN is one of the safest dark web VPN providers. My tests also showed that it has excellent speeds and performance-wise, it’s faster than ExpressVPN. In the same fashion, it has native clients for all major platforms coupled with 10 simultaneous connections.

This will allow you to utilize Onion Over VPN servers even on your phone. Needless to say, a premium provider like this will also work with Netflix. Plus, it offers P2P and Double VPN servers, so you can download torrents safely or double your encryption for added security.

In terms of pricing, I find NordVPN very affordable, priced between ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. However, VAT might increase the price in some countries and states, so be aware if you live in some American states or the UK, for example.

On the brighter side, NordVPN has a 30-day refund period for all plans, making for a risk-free purchase. You can request a refund at any moment in the first 30 days if you’re dissatisfied and you’ll be refunded with no questions asked – quite convenient!

Visit NordVPN

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2. ExpressVPN

In my experience, a great VPN for the dark web like ExpressVPN is always welcome when browsing this part of the internet. It comes with impenetrable security thanks to 256-bit AES encryption, a reliable automatic kill switch, and advanced IPv6/DNS leak protection.

This will conceal your traffic completely, preventing your ISP from seeing that you’re using Tor. Another important factor is a no-logs policy. Indeed, ExpressVPN stores absolutely no logs of your browsing history, IP address, or DNS requests.

Coupled with its audit from PricewaterhouseCoopers, you can be sure that this VPN will go out of its way to protect your privacy at all costs. People often avoid using the best VPN for the darknet with Tor because of decreased performance.

However, ExpressVPN boasts the fastest speeds you can get, so using Tor won’t be slow and sluggish anymore. In fact, I have used this provider for more than several years now and I had no issues visiting the dark web on all of my devices.

ExpressVPN works with Tor on mobile phones as well, so you can install it on Android, iOS, or any other system to achieve the same effect. What’s more, ExpressVPN is fully accustomed to the popular “Tor over VPN” method of accessing the dark web.

Thus, once you connect to its server, you can immediately open Tor and start browsing. To that, I should add ExpressVPN’s 8 simultaneous connections and easy-to-use apps that even a complete dummy will be able to handle.

Other than that, ExpressVPN will be great for Netflix, torrenting, or simply concealing your IP address from prying eyes. Its price isn’t the most affordable but its special 49% discount and 3 months free for the annual plan surely make it MUCH cheaper.

On top of that, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee with no conditions, so you can’t really complain. Besides, it allows you to test ExpressVPN for free for 30 days, so you don’t have to lose any money if you get a refund!

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3. CyberGhost

A great VPN for the dark web is CyberGhost. While it’s a lot cheaper than NordVPN and ExpressVPN, you shouldn’t think of it as a low-quality provider. As a great dark web VPN, CyberGhost is extremely capable in terms of overall security and privacy.

For the start, its in-app features will surely impress you. Aside from 256-bit AES encryption, CyberGhost has an automatic kill switch, which, along with IP/DNS leak protection, will fully conceal your traffic and prevent potential leaks.

With WireGuard support and a great ad-blocker in place, CyberGhost will make sure you browse the depths of the internet smoothly and with no annoying pop-ups. This is enforced by a strict zero-logging policy and transparency reports that CyberGhost is known for.

Thus, when it comes to privacy issues, you’ll forget about them as soon as you click on the Connection button. For us, this provider isn’t the most user-friendly in terms of how its desktop apps look and feel, as some work and care could be aimed at improving the overall interface.

However, once you get used to it, you’ll love its dedicated streaming and torrenting servers but also NoSpy servers based in Romania for the highest level of privacy. Even better is the fact that this provider is decently fast for the price.

We tested it with Tor numerous times, only to have a proper browsing experience with no slowdowns. Mind you, this applies to all platforms on which Tor is available, which I could utilize to the fullest thanks to 7 simultaneous connections.

The only bigger downside is that CyberGhost won’t work in China. However, you have NordVPN and ExpressVPN for that purpose if you’re a Chinese resident. Still, we think that CyberGhost is a bargain considering its sub-two-and-a-half-dollar-a-month price for the cheapest 2-year plan.

And if you check its 45-day money-back guarantee out, you’ll realize that CyberGhost is a lot more generous than other providers on the list. This is a great way to use CyberGhost for free and enjoy a provider audited by Deloitte for its stringent no-logging practices!

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4. Surfshark

Surfshark is a nearly perfect VPN to go on the dark web. Its servers are brimming with security needed to surf anonymously and explore the darkest corners of the internet. Optimized for Tor Over VPN, all it takes is a connection to any of its 3,200+ servers.

From here, you’re protected by 256-bit encryption, with a top-notch kill switch and Surfshark’s Private DNS servers. This VPN isn’t the fastest, so Tor utilization will drop the performance a bit. However, this isn’t an issue with all the functions you get.

In particular, we like the WireGuard protocol that ensures connection stability. Also, Surfshark comes with RAM servers to prevent unwanted logging and information retention. The VPN’s no-logging policy is impeccable, so your dark web adventures will remain private.

Its ease of use is another perk. Surfshark has some of the best-looking apps out of all dark web VPNs. Plus, you get unlimited simultaneous connections for going on the dark net even on your Android phone. No wonder Surfshark is often used on Android tablets.

We want to address Surfshark’s 24/7 support that responds quickly. But the best thing is its price. Surfshark’s 2-year plans are incredibly affordable, with One and One+ plans with a bonus antivirus and a few other nifty tools.

The VPN’s 30-day refund policy works for all plans and its MultiHop servers are more than welcome. Surfshark is the only great VPN with static and dedicated IPs that won’t cost you a fortune. All in all, a surprisingly capable VPN for the dark web in 2024.

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5. Proton VPN

Proton VPN is our fifth pick just because it’s a bit more expensive. Its 2-year plans won’t be as “forgiving” as Surfshark’s or CyberGhost’s equivalent. However, the VPN justifies its price through security and privacy, being one of the best in this category.

First, Proton VPN has Tor Over VPN servers. They allow you to employ additional VPN protection to Tor with a single click. Second, the VPN uses RAM-only servers and has Swiss-grade privacy thanks to a verified no-logging policy.

Its Swiss jurisdiction is undeniably secure, and with 256-bit encryption, your data will remain private all the time. In our Proton VPN test for 2024, we highlighted its Secure Core servers. They’re owned by Proton VPN for added security while surfing the dark net.

As one of the top-rated dark web VPNs, Proton VPN’s performance is sublime, with WireGuard and the VPN Accelerator to boost things a bit. Proton VPN offers 5,840+ servers in 90+ countries, with a surprisingly vast server fleet larger than Surfshark’s.

A recent improvement is the 24/7 live chat service and Proton VPN’s updated apps for better ease of use. Like other dark net VPNs, Proton VPN works on all devices and is rated highly even on iOS and Android app stores. A refund policy is here too – a 30-day one.

Proton VPN is optimized for streaming and torrenting, with a handy ad blocker to clean up ads on your web pages. Overall, an amazing service if you don’t mind a big higher price and the lack of Smart DNS for easier streaming on gaming consoles and specific Smart TVs.

Visit Proton VPN

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How to Safely Access the Dark Web With a VPN

Since you now know what is the best dark web VPN, I think it’s the right time to talk about how to use it. Of course, I’m going to assume that you’re using Tor for this purpose and that you’ve already installed it.

If you haven’t, Tor is completely FREE and you can download it from the official website for Windows, Android, Linux, and macOS. Once you do that, follow the steps below to find out how to use a VPN for the dark web:

1. Subscribe to one of the providers we presented in our ranking. I recommend NordVPN and its nearly 70% discount and 3 months free for the two-year plan, which makes it very affordable and saves you quite a bit of money.
2. Download and install NordVPN on the device that is going to be used for accessing the dark web.
3. Open NordVPN and sign in with the credentials you provided in the subscription process.
4. Connect to the VPN server of your choice. I recommend using the server as close as possible to your location to maximize the performance and get the most stable connection.
5. Open Tor Browser.
6. To access the dark web, you need to visit any of the “.onion” websites. If you don’t know any dark web websites, simply visit thehiddenwiki.org or any similar sites where you can find links to “.onion” sites.
7. Copy the link of the site you want, paste it into the search bar of Tor, and press Enter.
8. Congrats! You’re on the dark web, so enjoy browsing through numerous sites, forums, and portals on the darknet safely and anonymously!

How We Selected the Best VPNs for the Darknet?

Going on the dark web requires some serious privacy and security, and without a VPN, that’s impossible, despite using TOR. To make sure we’re giving you the best possible options, we tested each provider according to several criteria mentioned below:

• Privacy. We wanted to make sure you’re getting a no-log VPN provider for going on the dark web. Your service mustn’t be storing logs and giving them out to the authorities. This will preserve your privacy and ensure that your ISP or anyone else doesn’t discover your dark web presence, as it can lead to you being suspicious, even if you’re performing no illegal activities.
• Security. The Dark web is a dangerous place and it’s not rare to see people getting hacked, with personal data stolen. We wanted to ensure you’re getting bank-grade encryption, DDoS attack protection, IP/DNS leak protection, and other features to be able to surf on the dark web without any worries. Thankfully, all services on the list offer these features.
• Speed. Using TOR will slow down your connection, so we wanted VPNs that maximize your performance to prevent further speed losses. That’s why we included NordVPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Surfshark, and Proton VPN as they’re the fastest.
• VPN Jurisdiction. This is quite important, as the jurisdiction dictates the provider’s logging practices. All our choices are based in privacy-friendly countries like the British Virgin Islands, Romania, and Panama, so you can be sure they’re not subject to data-retention laws.
• Price. We’re not encouraging our readers to shell out their hard-earned money on an expensive VPN that won’t work. We’re also not going to tell you to get the cheapest possible option that won’t work. However, the dark web VPNs we picked for today are all affordable and they offer valuable features and functionalities at a price that you can “swallow.” Starting from just over $2 a month, you can get powerful VPNs like CyberGhost, NordVPN, or, ExpressVPN, and enjoy plenty of other benefits aside from this one.

Why You Should Use a VPN on the Dark Web

When using Tor, you’ll easily find out that you can get on the dark web without using a VPN. All you have to do is download the browser and visit any “.onion” site, and you’ll be on the darknet in no time. But is this really a good solution?

Not really.

You see, when using Tor alone, government officials and ISPs can still see that you’re using it. And while they can’t read your traffic because it’s anonymized by Tor, the fact that they know that you’re using it is enough for you to be suspicious.

After all, Tor’s association with the dark web and criminal activities leaves no government organization unsuspicious. Tor bounces your traffic through different nodes in the Tor network, making your traffic untraceable.

However, the main problem is its entry node where your ISP can see that you’ve connected to Tor. Thus, using this browser alone is all but enough if you want to completely conceal your activities and preserve your online privacy.

This is where a VPN for the dark web comes into play. Before using Tor, you need to connect to a VPN server and THEN open Tor, and start browsing. Doing so, you’ll encrypt your connection right away, making it completely unreadable and untraceable from the get-go.

From this moment, you can open Tor without anyone knowing about it and browse to your heart’s contempt. Once on the dark web, a VPN will be valuable in hiding your IP address and preventing hackers and snoopers from knowing your real location.

A VPN for the darknet will also help you unblock Tor in countries where it’s blocked so that you can enjoy the dark web no matter where you live.

If you want to know the differences between Tor and VPNs, make sure to read our article on the subject.

Free VPN for the Dark Web – Should You Use One?

Everything I said so far applies to the five premium providers I talked about. However, people always fall into the trap of free VPN promises, only to realize that they’ve been played after a while. So, are free VPNs for the dark web any good?

The answer is a clear NO.

Free providers are known for a mile-long list of limitations that makes using them all but enjoyable. The only free provider I can recommend is Proton VPN due to unlimited bandwidth and security, but it severely lacks speeds and streaming capabilities.

All other free providers are either limited in terms of bandwidth and performance or they’re not respecting your privacy. Besides, free VPNs for the dark web must earn money somehow, and more often than not, it’s by showing you ads or collecting and selling your personal info.

Moreover, they lack some crucial security features, so in many of them, you won’t find a kill switch or OpenVPN support. With their poor device compatibility, no simultaneous connections, and very slow speeds, your enjoyment is surely going to take a nosedive.

In our opinion, you should ALWAYS invest in a proper, safe, and secure premium provider that you won’t have to worry about. After all, they’ll cost you merely a few bucks per month, which you already spend on cigarettes, snacks, and whatnot.

This will ensure that browsing the (dark) web is always safe, making sure you avoid legal trouble and being suspected of illegal activities you didn’t participate in.

In Conclusion

Accessing the darknet is a pretty controversial topic keeping in mind its sometimes disturbing nature. And while not all darknet sites are bad (in fact, some are pretty educational!), using Tor to access them is dangerous without proper security measures.

Therefore, it’s vital to use one of the best dark web VPN providers such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Surfshark, or Proton VPN. With them, you’ll make sure your personal info never slips into the wrong hands or exposes your traffic to your ISP, avoiding legal troubles in the process.

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FAQ

With everything you’ve learned today, it doesn’t hurt to get a bit more valuable information on the subject through frequently asked questions (and answers to them):

Should I access the dark web without a VPN?

You absolutely should… if you don’t mind risking your privacy and provoking your ISP into suspecting you of criminal activities. For us, Tor is an excellent Firefox-based browser that does dabble in anonymity but only to a certain extent.

However, its entry node makes a problem due to its inability to conceal the fact that you’ve connected to the Tor network. Even its middle nodes are sometimes problematic, as they can malfunction and expose your original IP address.

This is extremely dangerous while on this part of the internet and requires a fix in the form of a VPN. With its ability to fully encrypt your connection and prevent any IP or DNS leaks, it’s a great companion for danger-free roaming across the internet.

Dark web vs deep web: what’s the difference?

The deep web is a part of the internet that isn’t indexed by search engines. It can, but doesn’t necessarily include dark web websites, so parts of it can be accessed through your “normal” web browser like Chrome or Firefox.

The dark web, on the other hand, is a part of the internet that you can access only with a special browser that can access “.onion” sites. Every site on the dark web has this domain, which cannot be accessed with conventional browsers.

Is getting on the dark web legal?

Yes, it is legal, but let’s just say that you should be cautious. If you visit the darknet and you’re not into criminal activities, you won’t get into trouble. However, a big portion of the dark web is what’s considered illegal.

As you’ve most likely heard, you can order a hitman here, sell/buy drugs, distribute underage pornography, watch snuff films, and whatnot. This is extremely dangerous and illegal, so you should stay clear of these sites, let alone try to order something.

Apart from Tor, are there other browsers for accessing the darknet?

Yes, there are. If you don’t like Tor for some reason, you can try some of these alternatives:

• Invisible Internet Project (ISP)
• Tails
• Whonix
• Subgraph OS

What is VPN over Tor?

Another method of using a VPN for the dark web is called VPN over Tor. This method is rarely supported by VPNs, except for a few ones – there’s a good reason for that.

Connecting to Tor first and then using a VPN does nothing for your anonymity. In this case, the entry node will still see your traffic, and while the exit node won’t, the VPN will be the one that will see your traffic fully.

This makes you dependent on a VPN and its no-logging claims to keep you safe and secure. With NordVPN, for example, you won’t have any issues in this case. But if you use Tor first, you’ll have to deal with its slow speeds and poor performance.

That’s why we always recommend using a VPN first and then using Tor to access the dark web.