There are countless reasons why people are using Tor or planning a switch to a Tor alternative. Furthermore, they just want anonymity on the internet, while others plan to access the deepest part of the internet.
Before hopping on the band-wagon, you must know this. Tor or any other Tor alternatives do not provide end-to-end encryption. It just routes your IP address through thousands of relays which makes it difficult to identify your real location.
Tor is brilliant in routing your internet activity through different onion layers. But still, it’s insecure.
For anonymous browsing, I would suggest a reliable VPN service as it’s fulfilling the promise of keeping the activities hidden from ISPs, hackers and surveillance agencies.
Why Need Tor alternatives?
Tor was once considered as the best browser in the market to provide anonymity to its users. FBI’s crackdown made it use its credibility and due to that internet consumers started searching the market for tor alternatives.
Using tor in such a scenario can be considered as going head-first into the lion’s den. Which is why it’s important to consider tor alternatives as nobody wants ISPs snooping around your internet traffic.
Yes, as a matter of fact there is a huge variety of options to choose from. However, not all tor alternatives provide the kind of security and privacy that you deserve. That’s why you have to be careful while selecting one.
Important: You can’t perform activities like (streaming in HD) and (download/upload, P2P file sharing) with Tor.
Why Consider a VPN as Tor Alternative?
There are tor alternatives available for anonymous browsing. Among them is a Virtual Private Network (VPN). It serves as the best tor alternative pretty easily with the features it offers.
It will keep your internet activity hidden and as well as provide you security from Cyber threats. This is something Tor and other Tor alternatives can’t achieve as of now.
With a VPN your internet traffic that is being sent is encrypted. A VPN ensures that your data remains safe and as well as masks your IP address. It can simulate a change in your geographical location, similar to a tor alternative.
VPN implements end-to-end encryption. While there’s still a risk of an individual being exploited by a hacker but you do not have to worry. Due to encryption, all traffic data appears as gibberish and is rendered useless.
18 Best Tor Alternatives for Anonymous Browsing
These tor alternatives provide access to the deep web with complete anonymity. For an ordinary person, it may be difficult to find the best tor alternative.
Therefore here’s a list of tor alternatives that can compete with the god-father. This list was formed after thorough research conducted to find the best tor alternatives that can provide access to content with comprehensive privacy.
1. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Virtual Private Network (VPNs) is the most advanced tor alternative that empower users to be anonymous. Features like “Kill-Switch” and “high-grade encryption” makes it the most compelling option as a tor alternative.
It provides complete security for anonymous browsing. Using a VPN to access the deep web is not possible. You would still need a browser that allows you to access the deep web.
It is vital to know the pros and cons of using a VPN with tor. Most popular VPN providers you can use are ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
Advantages of using a VPN
- A VPN encrypt all the data packs.
- It hides your real IP address leaking to ISP or hackers.
- It maintains the internet speed while downloading or streaming.
- VPN changes your real location to avoid being tracked by ISP or surveillance.
- Access censored content, websites and channels in different countries.
2. Disconnect
Disconnect, a privacy extension, is one of the best tor alternatives that is can be used to identify the websites that store your information and discontinue you from them. Some examples are Facebook, Google, and Twitter. Disconnect is available for Windows, Android, and iOS with different pricing and membership packages.
Once you’ve installed and enabled the Disconnect on your browser, you will see the number of tracking requests blocked on each website you visit. Blocked trackers are indicated with green color. The unblocked trackers incoming from websites are displayed with the color gray.
The feature makes it easier to view and understand what number of requests are blocked on each website visit. For a browser extension, it is worthy to be on the list of tor alternatives.
Disconnect might not block all tracking request. For example, YouTube and Flickr, which won’t work or show broken page if the tracking requests are blocked. These websites are unblocked by default and are not recommended to intercept with.
3. Epic Privacy Browser
Third, on the list of tor alternatives is Epic. It is a private browser that is simple and user-friendly; it varies your network speed and provides with complete privacy. Epic blocks the leakage of your IP address by certain WebRTC.
It has an encrypted proxy that hides your data from an internet service provider (ISP). This encrypted proxy also keeps you secure on the public network. Epic displays the data trackers who are tracking you and allows you to block them.
No other extension offers the blocking of fingerprinting scripts and functions (like image canvas data) except Epic. It has built-in protection against tracking scripts, tracking cookies and other third-party widgets, ad networks and tracking agents.
4. Firefox Focus
Firefox Focus is the latest addition to the list of best tor alternatives developed by Mozilla Foundation and Corporation. It is available on platforms like iOS and Android, though Android uses Blink Engine instead of Gecko Engine.
While the aesthetics and graphics of Firefox Focus are generally pleasing. Also, it protects the data from the prying eyes of the surveillance agencies and cyber-criminals. The Software telemetry is also enabled by default which helps Mozilla track usage perimeters; unfortunately, it is disabled on Firefox Klar.
It has introduced a feature to stop ad tracking and blocking social trackers. Enable the option will provide you an uncompromised experience of the internet without slowing your speed and the session being recorded by trackers. Android has some exclusive features, which includes the list of a number of ads intrusion blocked on the website you’ve browsed.
5. Brave Browser
Brave Browser is a smaller player and comparatively newer to Tor alternatives, It is an open-source browser based on Chromium developed by Brendan Eich, co-founder of Mozilla project. It boasts itself as the privacy-focused browser which blocks all website tracking activities while concealing your identity on the Internet.
Not on Windows? No need to fear. This tor alternative is cross-platform compatible and is available as a stable release on Android, Linux, iO, etc. It also blocks all intrusive advertisement tracking requests from websites.
Along with this, there is a rewarding system called “Brave Payment” which rewards publishers in order to compensate for the advertisement blocking. Also, they are partnered with DuckDuckGo, a widely known privacy-focused search engine which enhances your anonymous experience on the Internet.
6. Yandex Browser
Yandex is yet another browser that serves as another one of the tor alternatives on the list. It automatically scans the internet for malware and gives you protection from different kinds of malware disregarding the website you visit.
It is also capable of blocking the fraudulent websites it protects your passwords, credit card details and makes your online payments safer. Yandex browser blocks third parties from tracking your location and behavior during browsing.
The feature that makes it the best Tor alternative, is the anonymity; it hides your real IP address and uses DNSCrypt technology that encrypts the Domain Name System traffic. Yet, this option needs to be enabled from the browser settings.
7. Psiphon Browser
Psiphon is the seventh contender in the list of tor alternatives. It is simple to utilize, has multi-screening and server switching. It utilizes a few procedures to secure your protection on the web. Psiphon depends on VPN and SSH to furnish its clients with Internet access even in restricted regions.
Psiphon would shield you from your internet provider. It even conceals you from government authorities who are simply sitting tight for you to commit an error. Psiphon even disguises your IP address.
This is a free tor alternative. It’s available on Android and iOS as well and provides premium security features.
8. PeerBlock
Peerblock is a commendable answer to square spies from following you down. It is one of the tor alternatives to prevent anyone from tracking you down. It encourages you to control the number of people you connect with on the web.
Yet at the same time, you should be wary as Peerblock is unable to prevent all the trackers from following you. Even though it can’t block all the trackers, It’s still one of the most used tor alternatives on the internet. Best of all, Peerblock is free available.
9. Whonix
Whonix will give you the security you’re searching for and furthermore keeps running on Linux. The level of security it provides makes it one of the best tor alternatives. It will cover your IP address when you’re on the web, and it’s made to work inside a VM.
It utilizes a novel system named “Whonix-Workstation” that keeps running on a private framework. Whonix highlights two virtual system interfaces. One of them, interfaces with the Web through NAT that contacts the Tor framework. The rest of the system interface is combined with a virtual LAN.
10. Globus
Globus is another one of those tor alternatives that are known to use VPN servers for keeping your internet activities hidden. Your traffic gets hidden which makes third party tracker fail in tracking your activities.
Globus browser also gives protection against the malware using the Tor browser. A hacker often uses malware to get into your system. Also, it protects you against all the malware. By using the Tor software it also helps in unblocking websites.
It provides premium online anonymity and security. It’s for the user to select the location of the VPN server. This software is also compatible with many operating systems.
11. Tails
It is a live operating system which is considered as one of the best tor alternatives. Tails can be started on any device using a USB stick or a DVD. It consists of built-in pre-configured apps which allow you to use the web browser, editors for the image, IM client, office suite, and sound.
With this tor alternative, users can surf the internet anonymously and can also bypass censorship. It absolutely finishes any trace on the computer that you used. Using cryptographic tools it’s able to encrypt your files, emails, and even instant messages.
12. Tox
Tox is one of the first Tor alternatives for those who want high security for their conversations with friends. It is a peer-to-peer instant messaging and video-calling protocol that enforces end-to-end encryption.
Tox isn’t a total substitute for Tor, yet it can give informing administrations. It gives private and encoded IM, video conferencing and calls that are to some degree easy to understand. The main goal of this tor alternative is to provide security of communication which is easily accessible.
13. Freenet
Freenet is shared to contradict the oversight like I2P. It stands tall at 13th rank in the list of tor alternatives. Freenet utilizes the same P2P instruments of appropriating information stockpiling to convey and keep the data, however, isolates the arrangement of tenets of the UI and system structure.
It is the leading Tor alternative, use peer-to-peer platform for censorship-resistant communication and publishing. This alternative uses P2P technology for sending and storing the information, it has separate protocols for user interaction and network structure.
Freenet offers two kinds of security, Darknet, and OpenNet. The OpenNet allows the user to haphazardly connect with other users and DarkNet allows the users to connect solely with the users with whom they have changed the public keys in the past.
This browser lacks a central server which makes it difficult to hack their system. Lack of central server gives it an increment in points that could possibly make it one of the best tor alternatives. Before sorting and storing the data, it is encrypted so that it becomes impossible for the hackers to exploit.
14. I2P
L2P is also called the Invisible Internet Project. It is a complete anonymous network in which applications can be used to send messages anonymously and securely. This is a network within a network which provides protection from the tracking of third parties such as ISPs.
It uses end-to-end encryption that makes the communication secured on this network. Messages sent using this network is covered in four layers of encryption. Not only this, even the endpoints are cryptographic identifiers
The major goal of I2P is to prevent attacks from mounting. The most common users of I2P are journalists, oppressed people, whistle-blowers, activists as well as average people who are concerned about their privacy.
15. Lantern
The lantern is a product application for a work area that conveys quick, solid and secure access to blocked sites and applications. This is another addition in the category of best Tor alternatives.
Lantern is new since it utilizes the quickest Geo-improved servers to boost your surfing speed. It gives you a chance to stream HD content immediately.
Lantern gives you continuous access to the open web by using a range of systems to sidestep control and firewalls. Different methodologies are directly accessed if certain gateways are closed.
The designer group at Lantern is always adjusting and overhauling procedures relying upon the blocking condition. Client input is simple to Lantern, with new releases fusing proposals and tending to concerns.
16. Freepto
Freepto is the best go-to choice in the market of tor alternatives, specifically for Linux users. It gives hackers an uncomplicated approach to impart easily simply like Tor. It is anything but difficult to utilize and the speediest approach to spare encoded information.
Freepto is an excellent Tor alternative that hides your identity during online browsing. It makes tracking you difficult for the trackers. It provides encryption and software that are capable of providing high-security.
Freepto is the best browser for activists who want to skip government surveillance. It’s portable and can be run directly from a USB stick. It automatically encrypts the data stored on the USB disk.
17. Subgraph OS
Subgraph OS is designed in to combat malware attacks and network vulnerabilities. This Tor alternative has strong attack mitigation that gives protection to the applications and the core operating system.
It includes kernel hardened security which protects against the attacks. Subgraph OS also has an application firewall which detects and notifies the user of any unexpected outbound connections by applications.
Subgraph OS was coded using go-lang coding language. It has built-in Tor integration that allows sensitive applications to communicate over the Tor network.
18. Ipredia OS
Ipredia OS browser is the best Tor alternative for Linux users as most browsers will not allow you to access the deep web. It is a stable and powerful operating system which encrypts and anonymizes all your network traffic.
It is an anonymizing network which uses a layer that provides security to the identity-sensitive applications during communication.
IprediaOS offers I2P router, anonymous IRC client, anonymous email client, anonymous BitTorrent client and you can also find anonymous (i2p sites).
Conclusion
Before its hacking, Tor was the most popular tool for anonymous searching. The best Tor alternatives were the need that allowed browsing the internet anonymously. These alternatives not only block the tracking done by ISP and third parties but also give you protection against the malware.