Onion Browser vs NLua.Box
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 **
NLua.Box
This application allows users to program on their mobile device using the Lua language. It provides a minimalistic environment for writing and running Lua scripts directly on their phone or tablet.
- Lua programming on device
- Minimalistic interface
- Run Lua scripts
- Mobile development tool
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NLua.Box allow you to program on your device using Lua language.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: NLua.Box at 100% against Onion Browser's 41%. NLua.Box also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.2) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). Onion Browser's advantage is ratings volume (2.1K vs 5). On price, ads 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. NLua.Box asks for nothing beyond the download.
NLua.Box holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Onion Browser has 2.1K ratings behind it against 5, 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 100% of NLua.Box's.
Onion Browser ships an update monthly, NLua.Box every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Onion Browser | NLua.Box |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.2 (2.1K ratings) | 4.8 (5 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 41.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2.1K — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 88 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mike Tigas | Codefoco |
Customer experience
Onion Browser
NLua.Box
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
NLua.Box
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Onion Browser
- Small Onion Browser Tip$0.99
- Medium Onion Browser Tip$4.99
- Large Onion Browser Tip$9.99
NLua.Box
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Onion Browser free?
Is NLua.Box free?
Which has better reviews, Onion Browser or NLua.Box?
Do Onion Browser or NLua.Box have ads?
Which is updated more often, Onion Browser or NLua.Box?
Other comparisons
