Comparison

Onion Browser vs Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser

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

Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser

A powerful, private web browser designed for customization and control. It offers desktop-style tab management, built-in ad and tracker blockers, and sync capabilities across devices. Personalize your browsing experience with themes, wallpapers, and dark mode.

Highlights
  • Ad Blocker
  • Tracker Blocker
  • Desktop-like tabs
  • Encrypted Sync
  • Customizable Themes & Wallpapers
  • Dark Mode for Webpages
  • Notes & Bookmarks
Features
Read full description

Vivaldi Browser is a powerful, personal, and private web browser. It comes packed with built-in features including desktop-style tabs, an Ad Blocker, tracking protection. Designed to put you back in control. Trusted by millions of users across the world. FEATURES: - Ad Blocker: Browse with minimal distractions. - Tracker Blocker: Stay protected with leading privacy and security features. - Custom Wallpapers & Themes: Pick a theme and background that matches your style. - Dark Mode for all webpages: Force Dark Mode to every website you visit. - Desktop-like tabs: Efficiently manage multiple websites at once. - Encrypted Sync: Seamlessly sync data across your mobile and desktop devices. - Notes: Jot down thoughts and ideas while browsing. - Bookmarks: Organize your favorite sites effortlessly. - Reading Lists: Save articles for offline reading. - Custom App Icon: Personalize Vivaldi's appearance on your home screen. - Switch Search Engines: Choose your preferred search engine on the fly. POWERFUL Packed with flexible features, all built in. PERSONAL You make it your own, Vivaldi adapts to you. PRIVATE We don't track you, or your behavior. DESKTOP-LIKE TABS Bring the robust tab management from your desktop to your iOS device. Vivaldi on iOS features a unique Tab Bar akin to the desktop browser. To activate or deactivate the Tab Bar, head to Vivaldi menu > Settings, and tap on "Show Tab Bar" to toggle the setting. SYNC ACROSS DEVICES Never feel out of touch. Sync your data across devices with end-to-end encryption. From open tabs and saved logins to bookmarks and notes, everything is seamlessly available wherever you go. Add an extra layer of security with an encryption password. SET AS DEFAULT BROWSER Ready to make the switch? Set Vivaldi as your default browser and experience the web like never before. Here's how: Go to Settings, scroll down to Vivaldi, and select it as your Default Browser App. It's that simple! ABOUT VIVALDI With millions active users and a vibrant community of over 1.4 million members worldwide, Vivaldi is redefining what a web browser can be. At Vivaldi, we believe a browser should be powerful, personal, and private. With our unique philosophy of "respect, question, create, and deliver," we're crafting a browsing experience that adapts to you, not the other way around. Some of the links in this app are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the development of Vivaldi and keeps the web browser independent. Thank you for your support! By downloading Vivaldi, you are agreeing to the End User License Agreement at https://vivaldi.com/privacy/vivaldi-end-user-license-agreement/. Learn more about how Vivaldi handles and protects your data in our Privacy Policy at https://vivaldi.com/privacy/browser/.

Screenshots

Onion Browser4 screens
Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser at 4.7 against Onion Browser's 3.2. Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 41%) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). Onion Browser's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.1K and 4.4K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of Onion Browser's written reviews are positive against 78% of Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Onion Browser ships an update monthly, Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 20, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Onion Browser versus Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnion BrowserVivaldi Powerful Web Browser
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (2.1K ratings)4.7 (4.4K ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.9% of reviews77.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.1K4.4K — better
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size88 MB241 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperMike TigasVivaldi Technologies

Customer experience

Onion Browser

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

Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser

All ratings4,386 ratings
Positive93.5%
Neutral2.4%
Negative4.1%
Written reviews1,154 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral7.5%
Negative14.7%

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

Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser

From 4.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Highly customizable
  • 🔒 Strong privacy and security features
  • 🚀 Fast and responsive
  • 💡 Innovative features like tab stacking
  • 👍 Seamless cross-device sync

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and performance issues
  • 🔋 Battery drain concerns
  • 🔒 Lack of support for third-party password managers
  • 👎 Missing some basic mobile browser features (e.g., reader mode, bottom address bar)

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

Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Issues with ad blocker not working consistently
  • Problems with tab syncing between devices
  • Text input lag and delays
  • Forced review prompts

Requested features

6 requests
  • Option to move address bar and navigation buttons to the bottom of the screen
  • Ability to set custom search engines
  • Implement a reader mode
  • Add support for browser extensions
  • Improve tab closing/management gestures
Show 1 more
  • Provide more customization options

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

Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Onion Browser free?
Onion Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser free?
Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Onion Browser or Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser?
Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser is rated higher. Onion Browser averages 3.2 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser averages 4.7 from 4.4K ratings.
Do Onion Browser or Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser have ads?
Neither Onion Browser nor Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Onion Browser or Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser?
Onion Browser ships an update monthly, and Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser fortnightly. Most recently, Onion Browser was updated on October 20, 2026 and Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser on October 20, 2026.

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