What Is Onion Over VPN and How to Use a Tor VPN in 2024

The Tor network is excellent for secure and anonymous browsing even if you’re not trying to access the dark web. It encrypts your traffic several times so that the sites you visit and other third parties can’t see your real IP address and location.

However, data leaks can still sometimes occur within the network. It’s also possible for malicious actors to run Tor servers with the intention of spying and gathering data. Thankfully, you can use Tor safely by also encrypting your data with a VPN.

I tried over 50 VPNs and found that ExpressVPN was the best for Onion Over VPN connections. All its servers allow Tor traffic and provide high-speed connections so that you can browse without lags. It’s also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.

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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use Onion Over VPN or Tor Over VPN

What is a VPN?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) hides your real IP address and reroutes your internet traffic through its own secure server. It also encrypts your data, which adds a layer of anonymity to protect sensitive information during transmission. Combining a VPN with Tor will improve data security and help avoid risks if a Tor relay is compromised.

There are many VPNs available on the market and they vary in terms of security features and connection speeds. If you’re concerned about your privacy and online security, I recommend ExpressVPN as it uses military-grade encryption and has high-speed servers. All its servers are also obfuscated to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN from the network.

What is the Onion Network?

The Onion Network is also known as The Onion Router (Tor) for its layered encryption. It’s accessible via the Tor browser and operates differently from regular internet connections. Instead of taking a direct path, your data travels through at least 3 volunteer-run servers called “nodes” that each adds a layer of encryption.

A guard node encrypts your traffic and serves as your data’s entry point to the network but it can see your real IP address. Your data then passes through the middle node, concealing its origin and finally reaches the exit node, where it’s sent to the destination site. To the website, it appears as if your traffic originated from the last node, and can’t see your real IP address.

Why Use Onion Over VPN?

Onion Over VPN (also known as Tor Over VPN) is when you connect to a VPN server before using the Tor network. Although both are aimed at privacy and security, there are many benefits to using a VPN in addition to Tor, such as:

• Highest level of privacy — since your traffic is routed through a VPN server first, Tor’s entry node can only see the VPN’s IP address and not yours.
• Access Tor anywhere — VPNs let you access the network where Tor traffic is blocked, like in Russia and China.
• Privacy from your VPN — while your VPN will know that you’re using Tor, it won’t be able to see which sites you visit.
• Protection from malware — a VPN adds another layer of defence between your device and the malware-prone Tor network. However, I also recommend using an antivirus program.
• Protection from de-anonymization — “traffic correlation” is a cyberattack involving hackers monitoring Tor traffic in an attempt to identify or “de-anonymize” the person behind it. When you use a VPN, your real IP address is hidden and can’t be used for this attack.
• Protection from data leaks — as Tor only supports TCP data, UDP traffic like VoIP calls move outside the network and isn’t protected by the network. VPNs encrypt both your TCP and UDP data.
• Some protection from malicious exit nodes — as Tor nodes are volunteer-run, it’s possible that some are managed by hackers trying to steal data. Using Onion Over VPN would only provide them with the IP address of your VPN server, so the data couldn’t be linked to you.

Why You Shouldn’t Use Tor Over VPN

Although Onion Over VPN is great for privacy and anonymity, it isn’t always necessary. Here are some reasons why:

• Slower speeds — since your data travels through an additional VPN server, it takes more time to connect to your chosen site through an already-slow Tor network.
• The chance of malicious nodes — Some Tor nodes could be compromised as they’re operated by unverified volunteers, so you may not feel safe using these, even with a VPN. Thankfully, most Tor nodes are reliable and the best VPNs will protect your data.
• Many sites block Tor exit nodes — this means you may not be able to access some sites via a Tor connection, whether or not you use a VPN.
• Lack of server choice — most VPNs that support Onion Over VPN only offer limited servers for Tor, so you might not have enough location options for your IP address.
• Your VPN will know you’re using Tor — since the VPN is your data’s entry point, it can see your IP address and know you’re using Tor. Unless you’re using a trustworthy VPN with a strict no-logs policy, you shouldn’t rely on Tor Over VPN connections.

Tor Over VPN vs. VPN Over Tor

VPN Over Tor is the opposite of Tor Over VPN or Onion Over VPN. With VPN Over Tor, your traffic goes through Tor and then through the VPN. This means that the exit nodes can’t see your data, but the guard nodes can see your real IP address. Many (including The Tor Project) recommend against using VPN Over Tor for this reason.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using VPN Over Tor:

Tips for Using Onion Over VPN Safely

Although Onion Over VPN has many benefits, you’ll still need to take a few precautions to make sure your data is safe:

• Use a reliable VPN — unfortunately, not all VPNs are created equal. Some don’t use strong protocols to encrypt your data, while others lack an automatic kill switch. There are a few VPNs that even inject malware into your device or steal your data. Many free VPNs are unsafe to use, although there are some pretty good free VPNs. I recommend a premium VPN like ExpressVPN, for its strong encryption and other security features.
• Stick to safe sites — the dark web can be a dangerous place, so do your research and find out which sites are safe. Always avoid HTTP sites, as they don’t encrypt your data, leaving you at risk. URLs that end in “.onion” are more likely to be secure, but you’ll still have to be careful and follow the other tips on this list.
• Use antivirus software — the dark web has many sites with viruses and other forms of malware. You’ll need a reliable antivirus program, alongside a VPN.
• Switch to the highest Tor browser security setting — by default, security will be on the “Standard” setting. I recommend switching this to “Safer” or “Safest”.
• Don’t share personal information — some dark websites are run by hackers and people looking to steal your information. Create a throwaway email address and consider using a fake name if you have to share information.
• Use cryptocurrency — I don’t recommend buying anything on the dark web. However, if you have to make a purchase and it’s legal, use cryptocurrency to remain anonymous to hackers.

The Best VPN for Onion Over VPN Connections in 2024

1. ExpressVPN — The #1 VPN For Accessing Onion Over VPN Smoothly and Securely

Outstanding

Outstanding

📍Servers	3,000+
📱Devices	8
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

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Key Features:

ExpressVPN is the best overall VPN for Onion Over VPN connections. It has many security and privacy features to keep you safe and anonymous on the Tor network. ExpressVPN also beat all other VPNs in my speed tests, so using Tor was smooth despite the network’s infamously slow speeds.

Your data is protected with industry-leading AES 256-bit encryption, which has never been cracked. Additionally, ExpressVPN makes sure the encryption always works with IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection which never failed during my tests.

Other features to keep you safe on Tor include:

• RAM-based servers — the physical hardware allows only for short-term storage of your data, and it’s wiped at the end of each session.
• Network Lock kill switch — shuts down your internet connection automatically if your device loses connection to the VPN to prevent your Tor activities from being exposed.
• British Virgin Islands headquarters — based in one of the most privacy-friendly jurisdictions in the world, with no obligation to share data with other countries.

Unfortunately, ExpressVPN is one of the more expensive options. The 1-year + 3 months plan is $6.67 monthly, which is justifiable, considering ExpressVPN’s speed and privacy protection. You can even pay in cryptocurrencies for extra anonymity. There’s also a 30-day refund policy, which I tested by messaging the 24/7 live chat and had my money back in 4 days.

2. NordVPN — Onion Over VPN Servers Let You Use Tor Via Your Regular Browser

Outstanding

Outstanding

📍Servers	6,300+
📱Devices	10
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	Yes

See Deals

Key Features:

NordVPN has at least 3 servers optimized for Onion Over VPN, which let you access .onion sites without having to download the Tor browser. They’re based in the Netherlands and Switzerland, and route your traffic through both the NordVPN server and the Tor network, for an extra layer of encryption and privacy.

One slight drawback is that NordVPN’s Double VPN feature (which routes your traffic through two servers rather than one) halves your speeds because of the extra distance your data travels. Thankfully, NordVPN has plenty of servers that also use military-grade encryption, whether they’re standard servers or Onion Over VPN servers.

You can get NordVPN for just $3.09 for the 2-year + 3 months plan, and it also has an affordable 1-month plan if you don’t need it for very long. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee — I tested this using the customer support 24/7 live chat, and my money was returned to me within a week.

3. Proton VPN — More Specialized Tor Servers Than Any Other Premium VPN

Excellent

Excellent

📍Servers	4,690+
📱Devices	10
💰Refund	30 days
📝Keep logs	No
🔰Kill switch
📞Support 24/7	No

See Deals

Key Features:

Proton VPN has more specialized Onion Over VPN servers than any other top VPN I tested. You can choose from 9 in total — 2 in the US, 2 in Germany, and 1 each in France, Iceland, Sweden, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. This means you’re unlikely to have your Tor speeds slowed down even further by a crowded server.

Unfortunately, ProtonVPN doesn’t have a 24/7 live chat feature, so it can take slightly longer to reach customer support than with other VPNs. However, I received responses to my emails within 24 hours.

The 2-year + 6 months plan costs $4.49 monthly, and there’s a 30-day refund policy. I sent an email requesting a refund and had my money back for the unused portion of this period within the week.

FAQs About Onion Over VPN

Get the Best VPN for Tor in 2024

Though powerful, Tor isn’t without security weak points, which include potential data leaks and malicious nodes. Onion Over VPN can increase security and shield you from risks on Tor by adding an extra layer of encryption that hides your IP address from the guard node.

ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for using Onion Over VPN. It has exceptional speeds, seamless functionality with Tor, and robust security features. Its 30-day money-back guarantee also means you can get ExpressVPN and try it risk-free. If you don’t like it, it’s easy to get a refund.

Summary — Best VPNs for Onion Over VPN Connections in 2024

Rank

Provider name

Our score

Price

Top Ranked Top Choice

1.

9.8

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$6.67 / month Save 49%

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2.

9.4

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$3.09 / month Save 76%

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3.

8.5

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$4.49 / month Save 55%

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