Comparison

Onion Browser vs Opera Browser with VPN

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Browse internet over Tor
  • Protect privacy from website tracking
  • Secure traffic on insecure networks
  • Access .onion sites
  • Block scripts
  • Automatically clear cookies and tabs
Features
Read full description

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 **

About

Opera Browser with VPN

This AI-powered web browser offers lightning-fast speeds, enhanced privacy with a built-in VPN, and an ad-free experience. Customize your interface and enjoy seamless one-handed browsing with intuitive gestures and a smart AI assistant.

Highlights
  • AI-powered browsing with Aria
  • Built-in private VPN
  • Native ad blocker
  • One-handed browsing design
  • Customizable wallpapers
  • Lightning-fast search
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Fast, safe and private, Opera is a beautifully-designed web browser with a Red Dot Award-winning interface. Loved by millions worldwide, Opera is built for people on the go, delivering lightning-fast browsing with powerful privacy tools. The All-New Opera One for iOS Experience a browser that moves with you, with a sleek bottom search bar for effortless thumb-driven browsing. Enjoy a more immersive full-screen experience and fluid navigation with intuitive, smooth-swipe gestures. Ad-Free Browsing with an Enhanced Native Ad Blocker Say goodbye to distractions and hello to faster page loading. Opera’s built-in Ad Blocker removes intrusive ads and pop-ups automatically, helping pages load faster and making browsing smoother and cleaner. Built-in VPN Enjoy enhanced privacy. Opera’s built-in VPN encrypts your browsing traffic and masks your location with a strict no-logs policy. No subscriptions, logins, or extra extensions required. Just turn it on with a single tap to shield your personal data on any network. Sync Stop leaving your tabs behind. Whether you’re stepping out for coffee or switching to the couch, Opera makes life easy. Sync your mobile and desktop browsers to access your open tabs, bookmarks, and speed dials instantly. Pick up exactly where you left off, no searching, no re-typing, just seamless browsing. Meet Opera AI Discover a smarter way to explore the web with Opera AI, seamlessly integrated into your browsing experience. You can now search with AI directly from the address bar, making it easier than ever to ask questions, explore topics, and find information instantly while browsing. Your Browser, Your Design Customize your browser with beautiful wallpapers or upload your own images to match your style. Whether you prefer minimal, colorful, or personal designs, Opera lets you shape your browsing environment exactly the way you like it. Designed for One-Hand Browsing Choose between sleek Bottom Navigation or the Fast Action Button (FAB) for total control of your browsing experience. Swipe gestures make it easy to switch tabs, reload pages, share links, or return to recent tabs. All with one hand. ABOUT OPERA Founded in 1995 in Norway on the idea that everyone should have fast access to the web, we have spent the last 30+ years helping millions browse in a safe, private, and innovative way. We care about the internet, about open standards, and about people. By downloading this application, you are agreeing to the End User Licence Agreement at https://www.opera.com/eula/mobile. Also, you can learn how Opera handles and protects your data in our Privacy Statement at https://www.opera.com/privacy

Screenshots

Onion Browser4 screens
Opera Browser with VPN4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Opera Browser with VPN at 4.7 against Onion Browser's 3.2. Opera Browser with VPN also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (258K vs 2.1K). Onion Browser's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Onion Browser sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Opera Browser with VPN asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Opera Browser with VPN holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Opera Browser with VPN has 258K 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 58% of Opera Browser with VPN's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Onion Browser ships an update monthly, Opera Browser with VPN fortnightly. Both last shipped on September 30, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Onion Browser versus Opera Browser with VPN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnion BrowserOpera Browser with VPN
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (2.1K ratings)4.7 (258K ratings) — better
Positive reviews41.2% of reviews58.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.1K258K — better
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#26 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size83 MB106 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperMike TigasOpera Norway AS

Customer experience

Onion Browser

All ratings2,120 ratings
Positive52.5%
Neutral8.2%
Negative39.3%
Written reviews425 reviews
Positive41.2%
Neutral7.1%
Negative51.8%

Opera Browser with VPN

All ratings258,283 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral3.1%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews4,223 reviews
Positive58.5%
Neutral10.4%
Negative31.1%

User reviews

Onion Browser

From 2.1K App Store ratings

What 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

Opera Browser with VPN

From 258K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and reliable
  • 🔒 Blocks ads and crypto mining
  • 👍 Customizable UI
  • 💡 AI integration
  • 🔋 Battery efficient

Room to improve

  • 🐛 News pages keep popping up
  • 🐛 Glitches with search bar and tab management
  • 👎 Lack of reader mode and extensions
  • 🔒 Security concerns due to Chinese ownership
  • 💤 Forced new tabs on startup

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

Opera Browser with VPN

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Freezing and crashing issues
  • Incompatibility with certain websites
  • Download and file saving limitations
  • Inconsistent ad blocking performance

Requested features

5 requests
  • Bookmark management
  • Password sync across devices
  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Webpage zoom
  • Customizable dark mode

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Onion Browser

One-time3
  • Small Onion Browser Tip$0.99
  • Medium Onion Browser Tip$4.99
  • Large Onion Browser Tip$9.99
None

Opera Browser with VPN

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Onion Browser free?
Onion Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Opera Browser with VPN free?
Opera Browser with VPN is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Onion Browser or Opera Browser with VPN?
Opera Browser with VPN is rated higher. Onion Browser averages 3.2 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while Opera Browser with VPN averages 4.7 from 258K ratings.
Do Onion Browser or Opera Browser with VPN have ads?
Opera Browser with VPN shows ads; Onion Browser does not.
Which is updated more often, Onion Browser or Opera Browser with VPN?
Onion Browser ships an update monthly, and Opera Browser with VPN fortnightly. Most recently, Onion Browser was updated on September 30, 2026 and Opera Browser with VPN on September 30, 2026.

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