Comparison

Onion Browser vs Paranoia File Encryption PRO

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

Paranoia File Encryption PRO

Securely encrypt your private files and folders with strong encryption algorithms. This app creates encrypted archives and offers options to delete original files automatically or manually. The PRO version includes advanced encryption methods and batch processing capabilities.

Highlights
  • Encrypts files and folders
  • Creates encrypted .enc archives
  • Supports multiple strong encryption algorithms
  • Optional automatic deletion of original files
  • Batch processing of multiple files (PRO version)
  • Key to activate desktop PRO versions
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

• Paranoia File Encryption is a universal file encryption application for iOS (iPhone/iPad/iPod), brought to you by Paranoia Works. It securely encrypts your private and confidential files or entire folders. P.F.E. works like an archiver, creating a new .enc file after encryption. The original file(s) can be deleted or wiped after the encryption process is completed. This can be done manually or set to be done automatically. • The app ensures real security as data is encrypted using the strongest encryption algorithms: Blowfish 448bit, AES 256bit, RC6 256bit, Serpent 256bit, Twofish 256bit, Threefish 1024bit, SHACAL-2 512bit, and Paranoia C4 2048bit ciphers are available. • Steganography: The application offers steganographic features, allowing you to conceal files within a JPEG image. Two algorithms are available: J-UNIWARD and F5. The selected algorithm works with your chosen symmetric cipher to create the final steganogram. • Versions for other systems and platforms are available on the application's homepage (download section - https://paranoiaworks.mobi/download/). • The AES web version is available at: https://pteo.paranoiaworks.mobi/paranoia-file-encryption/ • Free / PRO version differences: The PRO version contains more algorithms - specifically, Threefish 1024bit, SHACAL-2 512bit, and Paranoia C4 2048bit (which is a cascade of Threefish–Serpent–AES–SHACAL2). The free version can decrypt data encrypted by these advanced algorithms, but encryption is exclusive to the PRO version. In addition, the PRO version allows the selection of multiple files and their batch processing. It also provides a key to activate the PRO version of the desktop application: Paranoia File & Text Encryption for PC, Paranoia Text Encryption for PC and S.S.E. File Encryptor for PC • We greatly appreciate your feedback, including suggestions for improvement and reports of technical problems. Please feel free to contact us via email, particularly if you have questions. Comments don't provide the means for us to communicate with you effectively.

Screenshots

Onion Browser4 screens
Paranoia File Encryption PRO4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Paranoia File Encryption PRO at 100% against Onion Browser's 41%. Paranoia File Encryption PRO also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.2) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). Onion Browser's advantage is price (Free vs $3.99) and ratings volume (2.1K vs 5). On update cadence, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Onion Browser is free to download; Paranoia File Encryption PRO costs $3.99 up front. Onion Browser sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Paranoia File Encryption PRO asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Paranoia File Encryption PRO holds the better App Store score, 5.0 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 Paranoia File Encryption PRO's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Onion Browser ships an update monthly, Paranoia File Encryption PRO every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Onion Browser versus Paranoia File Encryption PRO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOnion BrowserParanoia File Encryption PRO
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating3.2 (2.1K ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.1K — better5
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank—#199 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.014.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size83 MB23 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperMike TigasFrantisek Dvorak

Customer experience

Onion Browser

All ratings2,120 ratings
Positive52.5%
Neutral8.2%
Negative39.3%
Written reviews428 reviews
Positive40.9%
Neutral7.0%
Negative52.1%

Paranoia File Encryption PRO

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Paranoia File Encryption PRO

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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

Paranoia File Encryption PRO

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Onion Browser free?
Onion Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Paranoia File Encryption PRO free?
Paranoia File Encryption PRO costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Onion Browser or Paranoia File Encryption PRO?
Paranoia File Encryption PRO is rated higher. Onion Browser averages 3.2 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while Paranoia File Encryption PRO averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Onion Browser or Paranoia File Encryption PRO have ads?
Neither Onion Browser nor Paranoia File Encryption PRO shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Onion Browser or Paranoia File Encryption PRO?
Onion Browser ships an update monthly, and Paranoia File Encryption PRO every 2 months. Most recently, Onion Browser was updated on October 14, 2026 and Paranoia File Encryption PRO on October 8, 2026.

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