# Onion Browser vs TOR Browser

The clearest difference is rating: TOR Browser at 4.6 against Onion Browser's 3.2. TOR Browser also leads on review sentiment (74% vs 41%) and ratings volume (19K vs 2.1K). Onion Browser's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Onion Browser sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and TOR Browser sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

TOR Browser holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TOR Browser has 19K 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 74% of TOR Browser's.

Onion Browser ships an update monthly, TOR Browser every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Onion Browser | TOR Browser |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.2 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/onion-browser/id519296448/reviews) | **[4.6 (19K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tor-browser-vpn-plus-onion-browser/id1450809061/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2.1K | **19K** |
| Positive reviews | 41.2% of reviews | **74.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 83 MB | 210 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Mike Tigas](https://appshunter.io/developer/519296451) | [Brick Dust Technologies LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1618925110) |

## What reviewers say

### Onion Browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/onion-browser/id519296448)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Onion Browser Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Onion Browser Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Large Onion Browser Tip | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and stable
- 🔒 Secure and private
- 👍 Recommended by Tor Project
- 💡 Customizable security settings

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnections and reconnections
- 🐛 Unstable and unreliable
- 🐛 Endless permission loops
- 🐛 Bookmarking issues
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- Add option to disable JavaScript
- Improve tab management and browsing experience
- Integrate with more privacy-focused search engines
- Allow setting custom default search engine


### TOR Browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tor-browser-vpn-plus-onion-browser/id1450809061)

Enhance your online privacy and anonymity with a secure browser that routes traffic through the TOR network. It blocks trackers, ads, and hides your IP address for a safe browsing experience, even accessing .onion sites.

**Highlights:** Anonymous web browsing via TOR, Access .onion websites, Hide IP address, Block trackers and ads, Secure public Wi-Fi, Auto-clear history and cookies

**Features:** Safari Extension, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Discounted Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly @ 50% Less | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| TOR+VPN Premium @ Lowest Price | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly @ 50% Less | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly with free trial | $10.99 | per month |
| Discounted Yearly Subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly @50% Less | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $58.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and reliable VPN
- 🔒 Secure and private browsing
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 💡 Tor and VPN in one app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes
- 🔍 Intrusive ads and upsells for premium
- ⏱️ Slow browsing speeds at times
- 🤔 Confusing settings and features

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to disable VPN or switch providers
- Inconsistent behavior when connecting/disconnecting
- Syncing issues between app and device settings

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Improved server selection and stability
- Better transparency around data collection
- Easier access to Tor browser functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Onion Browser free?

Onion Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is TOR Browser free?

TOR Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Onion Browser or TOR Browser?

TOR Browser is rated higher. Onion Browser averages 3.2 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while TOR Browser averages 4.6 from 19K ratings.

### Do Onion Browser or TOR Browser have ads?

Neither Onion Browser nor TOR Browser shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Onion Browser or TOR Browser?

Onion Browser ships an update monthly, and TOR Browser every 3 weeks. Most recently, Onion Browser was updated on September 25, 2026 and TOR Browser on September 25, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*