Tor vs VPN: which one do you need?
Tor and VPNs both hide your IP address, but they work very differently and protect you from different people. Here is how to choose.
How a VPN works
A VPN sends all your traffic through one company's server. Your internet provider only sees that you connect to the VPN, and websites see the VPN's IP address instead of yours. But the VPN company itself can see where you connect, so you are trusting it not to keep or share logs.
How Tor works
Tor sends your traffic through three volunteer relays, each knowing only the one before and after it. No single relay knows both who you are and what you visit. It is free and run by a nonprofit, but slower than a VPN, and some websites block it.
Side by side
| VPN | Tor | |
|---|---|---|
| Hides your IP from websites | Yes | Yes |
| Who can see your traffic | The VPN company | No single party |
| Speed | Fast | Slower |
| Cost | Paid, from a few dollars a month | Free |
| Works for every app | Yes | Mainly the browser, or apps through Orbot |
| Blocked by some sites | Sometimes | Often |
Which should you use?
- Everyday browsing and public Wi-Fi: a no-logs VPN paid with Monero.
- When it matters who you are: Tor Browser, or Tails for the strongest protection.
- Your phone: a VPN app, or Orbot to send apps through Tor.
Neither one helps if you log in to accounts tied to your name. And a VPN does nothing against browser fingerprinting, which is why Mullvad Browser pairs well with one.
Browse anonymous VPNs and free privacy tools.
Monereo only links to services; we never hold your funds. Always check a service yourself and start with a small amount.