Browser
Tor Browser
Maximum anonymity browser with onion routing for journalists, activists, and privacy-conscious users
Tor Browser is a privacy-friendly web browser with protection. It helps you keep more control over your data.
Recommended alternatives
Who is this for?
✓ Good for you if:
- • You need maximum anonymity and protection
- • You're a journalist or activist in a high-risk environment
- • You need to bypass internet censorship
- • You want to access .onion websites ()
- • You need protection against traffic analysis
⚠ Think twice if:
- • You need fast browsing speeds (Tor is slower due to onion routing)
- • You want to stream video or download large files (Tor is too slow)
- • You need websites that block Tor (some sites block Tor traffic)
- • You want a normal browsing experience (Tor requires different behavior)
- • You need to log into accounts tied to your identity (reduces anonymity)
Key qualities
Overview
Tor Browser is the most private and anonymous browser available. It routes all your internet traffic through the Tor network, which encrypts your data multiple times and sends it through volunteer-operated servers around the world. This makes it extremely difficult for anyone to trace your online activity back to you. Tor Browser makes all users look identical to websites, preventing them from tracking you through browser fingerprinting. The browser automatically deletes all your browsing data when you close it, ensuring no traces are left behind. Tor Browser is based on Firefox but with many privacy and security enhancements. It includes three security levels you can choose from - Standard, Safer, and Safest - with higher levels disabling more features that could be used to track you. Tor Browser also lets you access .onion websites, which are special websites only available through the Tor network. The browser is completely free, open source, and maintained by the Tor Project, a non-profit organization. While Tor Browser provides maximum anonymity, it may be slower than regular browsers because your traffic goes through multiple servers around the world.
Privacy highlight
Maximum anonymity through routing, uniform protection, and automatic data clearance - the gold standard for privacy.
Quick facts
- Country:
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Pricing:
- Free
- Platform:
- Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
- Technical:
- Beginner
- :
- No
- :
- No telemetry
- :
- Yes
- Open-source status:
- Fully open source
- :
- No
- :
- Yes
Key features
- Privacy-friendly web browser with protection.
Security & encryption Click to expand
- No
- Encryption protocols
- , Onion Routing (CGO),
- Tor Browser uses Firefox's and mechanisms, enhanced with Tor-specific security features. The browser implements certificate validation through Firefox's network stack, with additional protections for .onion sites. Tor Browser uses / for connections, with all traffic additionally encrypted through the 's onion routing (multiple layers of ). The browser stores certificates in Firefox's certificate store. Tor Browser implements circuit isolation, where different websites use different Tor circuits to prevent correlation. The browser uses Firefox's secure storage with enhanced isolation. Tor Browser includes additional certificate validation for .onion sites to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.
- Offline support
- Yes
Telemetry & tracking Click to expand
- No telemetry
- No
- Ip no
- Third-party services
- Mozilla Add-ons (addons.mozilla.org) — extension updates (e.g., NoScript), Google Play (if installed via Play Store)
- Tor Browser does not collect any data. All mechanisms present in Firefox are disabled or removed. The browser does not send crash reports, usage statistics, or any diagnostic data to Mozilla or the Tor Project. Tor Browser's privacy-focused design ensures complete absence of . The only network traffic is your actual browsing activity, which is routed through the for anonymity.
Jurisdiction & compliance Click to expand
- Tor Project is based in the United States as a non-profit organization. No data is stored on Tor Project servers. All browsing data is stored locally on your device and is automatically cleared when you close the browser. The Tor network operates globally with volunteer-operated servers in multiple countries.
- Tor Browser retains zero data. All browsing data (history, , cache) is stored locally on your device and is automatically deleted when you close the browser. The browser implements automatic data clearance, ensuring no residual data remains after each session. Tor Browser does not store any data on Tor Project servers. The itself operates on a no-logs principle and does not log or retain user traffic data. Circuit information is ephemeral and not stored.
- Legal frameworks
- Tor Project operates as a US non-profit organization subject to US laws, but maintains strong privacy commitments. The no-data-collection design minimizes legal exposure.
- Revenue sources
- Donations, Grants
Editorial signals Click to expand
- 95
- Trust score
- 95
- Trust breakdown (0–10)
- Encryption: 95, Audits: 95, Open source: 100, Telemetry: 100, Jurisdiction: 85, Transparency: 95, Trackers: 100
- Editorial notes
- Usability: 6, Performance: 5, Family friendly: 8
User experience Click to expand
- Signup requirements
- No account or signup required. Tor Browser can be used immediately after download. You do not need to provide any personal information, email address, or create an account to use Tor Browser.
- Onboarding difficulty (1-5)
- 1
- Accessibility features
- Tor Browser inherits Firefox's accessibility features including screen reader support, keyboard navigation, and high contrast mode. Some features may be disabled in higher security levels (Safer, Safest) for security reasons. Screen reader support and keyboard navigation remain available.
Backup & portability Click to expand
- Yes
- Migration tools
- Tor Browser does not support importing from other browsers by design, as this could compromise privacy. You can manually add bookmarks if needed. There is no sync functionality to prevent data leakage.
- No account recovery needed - no accounts are required. All data is ephemeral and cleared when you close the browser. If you save bookmarks manually, you would need to back them up yourself as there is no cloud sync.
Similar privacy apps
Same categoryBrave Browser
Score 71Brave is a web browser that blocks many ads and trackers automatically, so websites collect less data about you.
Google Chrome
Score 40Chrome is Google’s popular browser. It works with everything, but it’s built to integrate with Google accounts and se...
Mull
Score 80Mull is a privacy-friendly web browser with tracking protection. It helps you keep more control over your data.
Related Guides
Best Apps and Tools for Ultimate Data Protection
Discover the top privacy apps in 2025...
Read guide →Brave vs Firefox vs Tor Browser: Privacy Browser Comparison
Compare Brave, Firefox, and Tor Browser for privacy. Learn which browser best protects you from t...
Read guide →Browser Fingerprinting: What It Is & How to Stop It
Learn about browser fingerprinting and how websites track you. Discover methods to prevent finger...
Read guide →