# Onion Browser vs TOR Browser Private + VPN

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Onion Browser | TOR Browser Private + VPN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.2 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/onion-browser/id519296448/reviews) | **[4.2 (2.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tor-browser-private-plus-vpn/id1454171374/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2.1K | **2.3K** |
| Positive reviews | **40.9% of reviews** | 31.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 88 MB | 85 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | +17 |
| Developer | [Mike Tigas](https://appshunter.io/developer/519296451) | [Asian Turbo Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1107522061) |

## 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 Private + VPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tor-browser-private-plus-vpn/id1454171374)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VPN+TOR Weekly Subscription | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| VPN+TOR Trial Subscription | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| VPN+TOR Monthly Subscription | $9.49 | per month |
| VPN+TOR Pro Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| VPN+TOR 3 Months Subscription | $19.99 | per 3 months |
| VPN+TOR Pro 3 Months | $19.99 | per 3 months |
| VPN+TOR Annual Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| VPN+TOR Pro Annual | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to connect to VPN
- Subscription issues
- Compatibility problems

**Requested features**

- More server locations
- Free trial option
- Improved customer support


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