Comparison

Onion Browser vs TOR Browser Private + 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

TOR Browser Private + VPN

This app combines VPN and Tor network capabilities for enhanced online privacy and security. It allows access to .onion websites and offers advanced browser security features like ad blocking and JavaScript control. Choose between VPN speed or Tor's layered protection for anonymous browsing.

Highlights
  • VPN and Tor network integration
  • Access .onion and dark web sites
  • System-wide VPN
  • Block JavaScript
  • Ad Block
  • IP address masking
  • Encrypted connection
Features
Read full description

VPN + TOR Browser combines the power of both VPN and The Onion Router network. VPN + TOR Browser is the most secure and advanced application that allows you to choose between the speed of VPN connection and the additional layer of protection offered by the TOR network. This app ensures user privacy and anonymity in both VPN and TOR modes while using browser with security features such as Block JavaScript, Ad Block, Reject Active Content, Change User Agent, etc. VPN + TOR Browser features: • Connection to TOR network - all traffic will be tunneled over The Onion Router. • 7 unlimited VPN servers. • Fastest country option. • Robust IP vanish • System wide VPN. • Websites will not see your real IP address. • Strongly​ encrypted connection. • Access to .onion and dark web websites. • ISPs won't be able to trace you anymore. • No sign up is required. Information about the auto-renewable nature of the subscription: VPN+TOR BROWSER offers three auto-renewing subscription options: $9.99 per month with 3 days trial period. $19.99 per three months with 3 days trial period. $39.99 per year with 3 days trial period. These prices are for United States customers. Pricing in other countries may vary and actual charges may be converted to your local currency depending on the country of residence. The subscription will automatically renew unless turned off in your iTunes Account Settings at least 24 hours before current period ends. You can go to your iTunes Account settings to manage your subscription and turn off auto-renew. Your iTunes Account will be charged when the purchase is confirmed. If you subscribe before your free trial ends, the rest of your free trial period will be forfeited as soon as your purchase is confirmed. Privacy Policy: http://bit.ly/TOR-VPN-Privacy Terms And Conditions: http://bit.ly/VPN-TOR-Terms

Screenshots

Onion Browser4 screens
TOR Browser Private + VPN4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: TOR Browser Private + VPN at 4.2 against Onion Browser's 3.2. Onion Browser's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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 and TOR Browser Private + VPN sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TOR Browser Private + VPN holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.1K and 2.3K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 41% of Onion Browser's written reviews are positive against 32% of TOR Browser Private + VPN's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Onion Browser ships an update monthly, TOR Browser Private + VPN every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Onion Browser versus TOR Browser Private + VPN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnion BrowserTOR Browser Private + VPN
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (2.1K ratings)4.2 (2.3K ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.9% of reviews — better31.8% of reviews
Number of ratings2.1K2.3K — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size88 MB85 MB
Age rating17++17
DeveloperMike TigasAsian Turbo Limited

Customer experience

Onion Browser

All ratings2,132 ratings
Positive52.4%
Neutral8.1%
Negative39.4%
Written reviews430 reviews
Positive40.9%
Neutral7.0%
Negative52.1%

TOR Browser Private + VPN

All ratings2,306 ratings
Positive80.4%
Neutral3.2%
Negative16.4%
Written reviews66 reviews
Positive31.8%
Neutral3.0%
Negative65.2%

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

TOR Browser Private + VPN

From 2.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast connection
  • 🔒 Secure browsing
  • 👍 Well-built UI

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes
  • 🔒 Requires subscription
  • ⚠️ Unreliable performance
  • 💰 Expensive subscription

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

TOR Browser Private + VPN

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Unable to connect to VPN
  • Subscription issues
  • Compatibility problems

Requested features

3 requests
  • More server locations
  • Free trial option
  • Improved customer support

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
8 purchases

TOR Browser Private + VPN

Subscriptions8
  • VPN+TOR Weekly Subscription$3.997 Days
  • VPN+TOR Trial Subscription3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • VPN+TOR Monthly Subscription$9.491 Month
Show 5 more
  • VPN+TOR Pro Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • VPN+TOR 3 Months Subscription$19.993 Months
  • VPN+TOR Pro 3 Months3 Days trial$19.993 Months
  • VPN+TOR Annual Subscription$39.991 Year
  • VPN+TOR Pro Annual3 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Onion Browser free?
Onion Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TOR Browser Private + VPN free?
TOR Browser Private + VPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Onion Browser or TOR Browser Private + VPN?
TOR Browser Private + VPN is rated higher. Onion Browser averages 3.2 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while TOR Browser Private + VPN averages 4.2 from 2.3K ratings.
Do Onion Browser or TOR Browser Private + VPN have ads?
Neither Onion Browser nor TOR Browser Private + VPN shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Onion Browser or TOR Browser Private + VPN?
Onion Browser ships an update monthly, and TOR Browser Private + VPN every 2 months. Most recently, Onion Browser was updated on October 20, 2026 and TOR Browser Private + VPN on October 15, 2026.

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