Onion Browser vs Private Browser Deluxe
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Onion Browser
This app provides a secure and private way to browse the internet using the Tor network. It protects your privacy from trackers, secures your traffic on public Wi-Fi, and allows access to .onion sites. It also offers features to block scripts and clear cookies automatically.
- Browse internet over Tor
- Protect privacy from website tracking
- Secure traffic on insecure networks
- Access .onion sites
- Block scripts
- Automatically clear cookies and tabs
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Onion Browser is the original free and open-source Tor-powered web browser for iOS. Onion Browser helps you access the internet with more safety and privacy, and no extra cost to you. “The best Tor-related offering on iOS right now is Onion Browser” - The Daily Dot, October 14, 2015. Featured in: The New York Times, The Guardian, Salon, TechCrunch, Gizmodo, Boing Boing, Lifehacker, Macworld, The Daily Dot, & others. FEATURES: • Browse the internet over Tor: - Protect your privacy from website tracking - Secure your traffic from insecure wireless networks and ISPs - Access .onion sites that are only accessible over Tor. • Fight online tracking: block scripts and automatically clear cookies and tabs, based on your preferences. • And more privacy-enhancing features! DISCLAIMERS: - Web browsing is much slower than through a normal web browser or a VPN because your traffic is encrypted and relayed through the Tor network. - Onion Browser might not work on networks with advanced network restrictions. If the app does not connect, try using bridges (or a different type of bridge), force-quit, and then restart the app. - Use of Onion Browser is at your own risk; remember that sensitive data does not always belong on a mobile device. ** Onion Browser is free and open-source software. You can read more about Onion Browser and how to support development of Tor on iOS by visiting onionbrowser.com **
Private Browser Deluxe
Browse the internet privately with a secure VPN and ad blocker. Download and store files securely, with options to hide them in a secret vault. Customize your experience with discreet app icons and choose your preferred search engine.
- Secure VPN
- Ad blocking
- Private file vault
- Custom app icons
- Download manager
- Passcode/Touch ID protection
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EXPERIENCE INTERNET PRIVACY Browse your favorite websites without trackers, cookies, or ads; download and store files privately. Keep your search, history & downloads private with an app passcode or Touch ID, or quickly delete by tapping “Destroy.” Personalize your Home Screen with a variety of discreet app icon colors & design choices. ENJOY DELUXE BROWSER FEATURES Unlike some incognito browsers, Private Browser Deluxe has all the functions of a premium web browser, including: - Virtual Private Network (VPN) - Ad blocking - Custom app icons - Choice of Google, Yahoo, and Bing search engines - Ability to set Private Browser Deluxe as your default web browser - List of potential downloads on each web page - Desktop site requesting - Browsing history can be kept forever, never, or until you exit the app - Bookmarks & Favorites can be easily added & deleted DOWNLOAD QUICKLY & SECURELY Keep your downloads private with powerful background downloading over WiFi or cellular. Manage, pause & resume downloads easily with the download manager. MANAGE FILES EASILY Conveniently edit folders and file structure, file naming & storage locations. Protect your file vault with a passcode or Touch ID. Share via AirDrop or to any app you select on your device. KEEP PRIVATE FILES HIDDEN Exclusive ‘Secret Vault’ feature allows you to stash private files & downloads in a hidden folder, accessible only by you. VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK VPN protects your privacy & data while using any app on your device, allowing you to safely browse the internet without worrying about third-party surveillance. Thanks for using Private Browser Deluxe! Have questions or feedback? Email us at contact@maplemedia.io for fast & friendly support. Website: https://maplemedia.io/ This app offers in-app purchases, including an automatically renewing subscription service. Subscription terms are outlined in the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, linked below: Terms of Service: https://maplemedia.io/terms-of-service-vpn/#vpn Privacy Policy: https://maplemedia.io/privacy/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Private Browser Deluxe at 4.5 against Onion Browser's 3.2. Private Browser Deluxe also leads on review sentiment (81% vs 41%) and ratings volume (14K vs 2.1K). Onion Browser's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Onion Browser sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Private Browser Deluxe sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Private Browser Deluxe holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Private Browser Deluxe has 14K ratings behind it against 2.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of Onion Browser's written reviews are positive against 81% of Private Browser Deluxe's.
Onion Browser ships an update monthly, Private Browser Deluxe every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Onion Browser | Private Browser Deluxe |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.2 (2.1K ratings) | 4.5 (14K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 41.2% of reviews | 81.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2.1K | 14K — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 83 MB | 157 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Mike Tigas | Maple Media Apps, LLC |
Customer experience
Onion Browser
Private Browser Deluxe
User reviews
Onion Browser
From 2.1K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast and stable
- 🔒 Secure and private
- 👍 Recommended by Tor Project
- 💡 Customizable security settings
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent disconnections and reconnections
- 🐛 Unstable and unreliable
- 🐛 Endless permission loops
- 🐛 Bookmarking issues
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly
Private Browser Deluxe
From 14K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🔒 Privacy and security features
- 🚀 Fast and efficient browsing
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
Room to improve
- 💰 Paid features and subscriptions
- 📢 Intrusive and persistent ads
- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
Bugs and requests
Onion Browser
Reported bugs
4 issues- Fails to connect to Tor network
- Crashes or freezes when switching apps
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- Inability to disable JavaScript completely
Requested features
4 requests- Add option to disable JavaScript
- Improve tab management and browsing experience
- Integrate with more privacy-focused search engines
- Allow setting custom default search engine
Private Browser Deluxe
Reported bugs
3 issues- Bookmarks and downloads not working properly
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- Freezing and lagging on certain websites
Requested features
3 requests- Improved bookmark and tab management
- Customizable home page and settings
- Built-in ad-blocking or content filtering
In-app purchases
Onion Browser
- Small Onion Browser Tip$0.99
- Medium Onion Browser Tip$4.99
- Large Onion Browser Tip$9.99
Private Browser Deluxe
- Browser Deluxe+$0.997 Days
- Insider Offer - Monthly2 variants$2.991 Month
- Browser Deluxe+ Weekly$2.997 Days
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- Browser Deluxe+ Monthly$4.991 Month
- Private Browser+ Monthly$4.991 Month
- Browser Deluxe+1 Month trial$4.991 Month
- Browser Deluxe+ Weekly$4.997 Days
- Browser Deluxe+ Monthly$9.991 Month
- Browser Deluxe+ | Monthly$9.991 Month
- Insider Offer - Yearly$24.991 Year
- Private Browser Deluxe+ Annual3 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Browser Deluxe+ | Annual3 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Private Browser Deluxe+ Annual3 Days trial$34.991 Year
- Browser Deluxe+ | Annual3 Days trial$49.991 Year
- Private Browser Deluxe +1 Year trial2 variants$49.991 Year
- Browser Deluxe Plus1 Year trial$49.991 Year
- Private Browser Deluxe Bundle1 Year trial$129.991 Year
- Remove All Ads$34.99
Questions
Is Onion Browser free?
Is Private Browser Deluxe free?
Which has better reviews, Onion Browser or Private Browser Deluxe?
Do Onion Browser or Private Browser Deluxe have ads?
Which is updated more often, Onion Browser or Private Browser Deluxe?
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