Though Tor and VPN are both anonymity tools, you can enhance your security while using the Tor browser by using a VPN over Tor. You can use a top-rated VPN while using Tor to enhance your security online. When you use the Tor network with a VPN, your data will be protected from malicious final Tor nodes known as exit nodes. A VPN will hide your Tor usage completely by routing your traffic through one of its servers.
But not all VPNs work with Tor and there are just a few VPNs that work with the Tor network. In this article, we have listed out the top five VPNs that work with Tor. Read on to find out which VPN service you can use with Tor.
How to Use the Tor Browser With a VPN
In just a few simple steps you can use the Tor browser with a VPN. Here are the steps involved.
- Choose a VPN service from the VPNs recommended below. While there are quite a few VPNs that work with Tor, our top recommendation for Tor is NordVPN. That is because NordVPN comes with specialized Onion over VPN servers.
- Download and install the VPN software for your device, be it a mobile phone or desktop computer.
- Once you sign in, you will be able to connect to a server in the target country, for eg. the US.
- Now, you can open the Tor browser and start streaming or browsing.
Top 5 VPNs for Tor
- NordVPN
- ExpressVPN
- Surfshark VPN
- Atlas VPN
- PureVPN
NordVPN – Best all-rounder Tor VPN with Onion Over VPN servers
NordVPN takes your security and privacy to the next level through its Onion over VPN feature. Not all VPNs come with this feature and this VPN is one of the few VPNs that support this feature.
NordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs that will let you stay secure online. You can connect to the Tor network using NordVPN without having to download the Tor browser. With NordVPN’s super-fast servers, you can navigate through the internet without lags. Though Tor is slow, NordVPN will let you navigate through this network without more delays.
It uses 256-bit encryption and strong authentication to keep your data secure and private. NordVPN follows a stringent no-logs policy so that your data will be kept secure and only you can see it.
- 5200+ servers in 62 countries
- Use up to 6 devices
- Next-generation Encryption
- Double VPN Feature
- Strict no-logs policy
In addition to the Tor browser, NordVPN is compatible with Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, and routers. NordVPN possesses excellent unblocking capabilities and works well with BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Showtime, Sky Go, Sling TV, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
When you browse the web using NordVPN’s Onion over VPN feature, your whole web traffic will be encrypted right from the entry node. This is done by replacing your IP with that of the VPN’s. This in turn will hide your IP address even from the entry node.
In general, if you wish to use the Onion network, you will have to use only the Tor browser. But when you use NordVPN, you can use any browser like Chrome or Firefox and obtain the security of both VPN and Tor.
Do you wish to know more? Check out our detailed review of NordVPN to know more about its features and the number of parallel connections allowed.
ExpressVPN – Tor VPN with superfast speeds
ExpressVPN offers strong encryption and follows a stringent no-logs policy. With over 3000 servers worldwide, ExpressVPN offers plenty of IP addresses to connect to.
With ExpressVPN, you can quickly access Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hotstar, Sling TV, Showtime, and more. ExpressVPN is not just compatible with the Tor browser, but with other popular platforms like Windows, macOS, Safari, routers, Chrome, Android, and more.
- 160 server locations
- Network Lock kill switch
- Zero-knowledge DNS
- VPN split tunneling
- Stream Sports online
ExpressVPN’s strict no-logs policy and its automatic kill switch will make sure your data never gets exposed. Even accidental IP leaks will be prevented. When it comes to speed, you can rely on ExpressVPN for blazing-fast speeds for streaming. As it offers good speeds, you can enjoy a better streaming experience while browsing through the slow Tor network.
Without having to sign up for multiple VPN subscriptions, you can use just one ExpressVPN subscription for five different devices. If you have more questions, you can read our full review of ExpressVPN.
SurfShark VPN – Cost-effective Tor VPN for multiple devices
Surfshark is a fast and reliable VPN that you can use to access the Tor network to browse the internet privately and bypass censorship and geoblocks. Using a VPN with Tor is preferred by many, as it is one of the most secure methods to browse the web.
You can use Surfshark VPN’s NoBorders mode to access the Tor browser in regions with restrictions. You can also use its Camouflage mode and its MultiHop features for enhanced anonymity.
Surfshark VPN uses multiple security protocols and 256-bit encryption to secure your connection. If you would like to use the Tor browser on all your devices, you can do so with Surfshark VPN as it does not limit the number of concurrent connections.
Surfshark VPN has a good network of servers in over 60 countries so that you can connect to any server and use the Tor network.
- Connect unlimited Devices
- AES-256-GCM encryption
- IP & DNS leak protection
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Free Browser Extensions
- Strict no-logs policy
Surfshark VPN offers reliable connection speeds for Tor, as well as for other online activities like streaming, torrenting, and more. You can securely browse the internet privately without being monitored.
With industry-standard encryption strength, it hides your online traffic. Likewise, it uses a wide range of protocols, including the OpenVPN protocol, to offer high-level security.
When you use the Camouflage Mode, your ISP will not be able to see that you are connected to a VPN. It also comes with an in-built ad blocker that protects from trackers and ads. To know more about Surfshark VPN, we recommend reading our full Surfshark VPN review.
AtlasVPN- Fast and safe VPN for Tor
Atlas VPN is one of the speedy VPNs we recommend for Tor. This VPN has over 750 servers worldwide and you can connect to any of its servers to connect to the Tor Network. This VPN offers the highest level of encryption and comes with security features like split tunneling, advanced leak protection, malware and ad blocker, private DNS, and network kill switch.
This VPN is not just a great choice for Tor but to access geo-blocked streaming services, as well. You can use this VPN to access Netflix US, Sling TV, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Showtime, HBO GO, Hulu, and more. You can also stream or download as much as you wish as there are no bandwidth or data limitations.
As this VPN does not meter connections, you are free to connect all devices you use in your household to the VPN at a time. You can use the VPN on multiple platforms and devices like Android, Android TV, Windows, iOS, and Mac.
- 750+ servers worldwide
- Unlimited number of devices
- Block trackers and ads
- Military-grade encryption
- 24/7 Support
PureVPN – Secure and no logs VPN for Tor
Well-known for its good speeds and secure connections, PureVPN is our next choice for Tor. It has over 6500 servers across 78+ countries and you can be assured that all your online activities will be fast through its worldwide server network.
It follows a strict no-logs policy and secures connections with 256-bit AES encryption. Other security features it offers include split tunneling, kill switch, DNS leak protection, and IPv6 leak protection. No matter what you do online, your data will remain secure and private with this VPN.
Unblocking blocked content will be a breeze with this VPN. You can effortlessly unblock Netflix US, Hulu, DAZN, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, HBO GO, and more. You can also use the VPN on Mac, Android, Firefox, and iOS, in addition to Tor.
- 6500+ Secure Servers
- 3 Million+ Satisfied Users
- 10-Multi Logins
- One-click Software
- 31-Day Refund Policy
- 24/7 Customer Support
Though your connection could slow down while you use the Tor network, this VPN will certainly help speed up your connection to a certain extent. To know more about Pure VPN and to get your questions answered, we recommend reading our detailed Pure VPN review.
Why You Need a VPN for Tor Browser
VPN and Tor are both anonymity tools and you can use them for security and privacy online. Though both can be used individually, you can use them both together for enhanced security and privacy. This way, you can be assured that you will completely stay away from all kinds of snoops and surveillance online.
When you use just Tor, there are chances of your identity getting exposed at the entry or the exit nodes. But when you connect to a VPN before you visit the Tor browser, the VPN will assign you a different IP address and make you invisible online using robust encryption algorithms.
A VPN will secure your whole device, which means anything you do on the internet will pass through the VPNs encrypted tunnels. Likewise, it will also hide the fact that you are using the Tor network from your ISP. On the other hand, if you use just Tor, it will encrypt only traffic that passes through the Tor browser. Other apps and websites will pass through regular internet connection.
So by using a VPN while using the Tor network, you can enhance your security. Your data will be encrypted twice as the VPN will add an extra layer of protection when your data travels through the Tor network.
Free VPNs for Tor
Likewise, free VPNs are not fast and they offer slow speeds, which in turn will make your browsing experience worse. They also do not have a good network of servers, so that you might have to connect to overcrowded servers. With Tor being slow, such free VPNs will slow down your connection even more. In order to browse at a normal pace, you will need a VPN that offers fast speeds. For fast speeds and reliable connections, you will need a premium VPN like NordVPN.
Biggest Discount: 72% Discount on World's
