Tor websites get a bad reputation because of all the criminal activity that thrives on the network’s anonymous domains, but it’s not all doom and gloom.
Tor websites are a great way to surf the internet free from trackers, government snoopers, and censorship. You can find a lot of cool stuff on the onion network if you know how to avoid shady and illicit things.
Don’t know where to start?
Here are the top 10 Tor websites you can visit safely in 2024.
Before You Get Started
Onion links and Tor relays offer enhanced anonymity and online privacy, which unfortunately attracts cybercriminals. A lot of onion links are teeming with malware and illegal content.
To protect yourself and your devices from onion threats, use CyberGhost VPN.
- Sign up for CyberGhost VPN.
- Connect to a secure VPN server.
- Start surfing onion links!
Having Tor over VPN is the safest way to visit Tor links and CyberGhost VPN is your best choice for Tor. Here’s why.
Robust No-Logs Policy
CyberGhost VPN has a strict No-Logs policy. We don’t monitor, store, or record what you do while you’re on our servers. We’re also based in Romania, outside of any international surveillance alliance, so no one can ever access your browsing information.
Lightning-Fast VPN Servers
The Tor network is great for anonymity, but it’s notoriously slow because your traffic jumps through different relays before finally connecting to the service you need. CyberGhost’s ultra fast VPN servers deliver Tor content as fast as the onion network allows it. Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with constant loading and buffering, which can make your onion experience very frustrating.
A Worldwide VPN Network
Tor relies on a worldwide relay network where information is not directly sent but transferred through different devices to reach the final destination. In short, you’ll need a good VPN to match the Tor connection coverage. CyberGhost VPN has a large server fleet with 7200+ servers in 90+ countries. No matter your exit node, you’ll always find a server nearby.
A Multiplatform VPN for Tor
Whether you’re looking to visit onion links on your PC or mobile, we have you covered. CyberGhost VPN has dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and various Linux distributions, meaning you can always access onion links safely. You can also connect up to 7 different devices simultaneously with one CyberGhost VPN subscription.
Unbreakable Encryption Standards
Tor provides online anonymity and privacy by hiding where your Internet traffic is going and where it came from, but it lacks encryption.
Without it, anyone can access and read your browsing information and traffic data. Encryption protects your personal information and data when surfing the internet. Use CyberGhost VPN’s AES 256-bit encryption to hide your online activity even after your traffic exits the last relay.
1. Get Started: DuckDuckGo
Onion link: https://3g2upl4pq6kufc4m.onion/
DuckDuckGo is one of the most popular search engines among privacy activists. It’s no wonder the site made its way to the Tor network! Cybersecurity experts often consider it a safer alternative to Google Search, so it’s a perfect choice for Tor.
DuckDuckGo doesn’t log your search history and doesn’t store your data no matter the version you’re using. The search engine has no personalized ads and no trackers, encrypting all your search queries.
The best part? DuckDuckGo also indexes (sorts and organizes) onion websites, which most search engines never do. Meaning you’ll have a much easier time navigating the Tor network with DuckDuckGo and finding websites you need based on keywords and descriptions. Use CyberGhost VPN with DuckDuck for the ultimate combination for worry-free Tor surfing.
Other safe onion alternatives
SearX: http://ulrn6sryqaifefld.onion/
Torch: http://xmh57jrknzkhv6y3ls3ubitzfqnkrwxhopf5aygthi7d6rplyvk3noyd.onion/
2. Find What You Need: The Hidden Wiki
Onion link: http://zqktlwiuavvvqqt4ybvgvi7tyo4hjl5xgfuvpdf6otjiycgwqbym2qad.onion/
Tor websites aren’t indexed, so The Hidden Wiki is a much-needed site to keep a link archive. You might recognize The Hidden Wiki’s interface since it’s similar to Wikipedia. It will make it easier to navigate. Most of the links listed have annotations indicating if the site is safe to visit, defunct, or has the content you don’t want to see.
Be careful what links from The Hidden Wiki you choose to visit. Not all are legal, and some can have very violent and snuff imagery. My advice is to use a reputable VPN and stick to the websites The Hidden Wiki deems risk-free.
You won’t find many safe onion alternatives to The Hidden Wiki. One safe alternative is Daniel, but other sites like Another Hidden Wiki or Pug’s Ultimate Dark Web Guide have previously indexed scams and malware websites without warning users. It’s safest to stick to The Hidden Wiki.
3. Get Social: Facebook
Onion link: https://www.facebookcorewwwi.onion/
The social media giant is the only media network to make its way to the onion domain. People have mixed feelings about it since Facebook claims to value online privacy and anonymity but mines data and invades privacy.
Regardless of how you feel about it, Facebook remains one of the safest onion domains you can visit without fear of malware.
You won’t find any other safe onion alternatives in terms of social media. Companies don’t design social media with privacy in mind, meaning you won’t find Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok onion versions — at least, not at this point. Although people developed anonymous forum-based social media for the Tor network, these sites are not moderated. You could still see or even download illegal content through them.
4. Start A Conversation: Hidden Answers
Onion link: http://answerstedhctbek.onion/
Most people describe Hidden Answers as the anonymous version of Quora. You can ask any question you might have and not fear people tracking you or your activity. People can give you a variety of answers, ranging from genuine to silly.
Keep in mind Hidden Answers has no moderators as Quora does. You can run into questions tackling harmful and even illegal content. Activate CyberGhost VPN on your device and be mindful of what links you click. Use your best judgment when debating people on deep web forums.
Other safe onion alternatives
Dread: http://dreadytofatroptsdj6io7l3xptbet6onoyno2yv7jicoxknyazubrad.onion
The Hub: http://thehub7xbw4dc5r2.onion
5. Get in Touch with People: ProtonMail
Onion link: https://protonirockerxow.onion/
ProtonMail is one of the most popular and privacy-oriented mail services out there. Because of its popularity, ProtonMail became a service many journalists and activists rely on.
Naturally, the Swiss company made an onion version on the dark web. This way people under authoritarian regimes can access the service securely and anonymously.
If ProtonMail isn’t your thing, you’ll find other onion email providers. The only downside is they don’t have as much storage space as ProtonMail.
Other safe onion alternatives
SecMail: http://secmailw453j7piv.onion/
MailPile: http://clgs64523yi2bkhz.onion/
6. Read Top Stories: ProPublica
Onion link: https://www.propub3r6espa33w.onion/
Investigative journalism thrives on the Tor network.
Many countries have less-than-stellar freedom of the press. The government censors articles exposing corruption, violating human rights, political scandals, controversial practices, and many other inhumane acts.
ProPublica is one of the news networks committed to transparency and spreading media literacy, and its onion mirror is the way to make its articles accessible worldwide.
You can also find other safe-to-visit news outlets on the Tor network.
Other safe onion alternatives
The New York Times: https://www.nytimes3xbfgragh.onion/
BBC: https://www.bbcnewsd73hkzno2ini43t4gblxvycyac5aw4gnv7t2rccijh7745uqd.onion/
7. Keep Your Finances in Check: The Hidden Wallet
Onion link: http://d46a7ehxj6d6f2cf4hi3b424uzywno24c7qtnvdvwsah5qpogewoeqid.onion/
Bitcoin has been a currency on the deep web for years before it gained popularity with the general public. You’ll find a lot of wallet services with onion links. These services allow you to buy and sell cryptocurrency.
On the Tor network, the Hidden Wallet mixes your Bitcoin with other users to provide extra anonymity. The service mixes your coins with other people’s transactions. Your funds are distributed among various wallets which makes it impossible to establish a clear link between you and the wallet receiving funds from you or sending you coins. After this mixing process is done, your coins are “cleaned”, meaning they’re obfuscated from your transaction history.
Other safe onion alternatives
Wasabi Wallet: http://wasabiukrxmkdgve5kynjztuovbg43uxcbcxn6y2okcrsg7gb6jdmbad.onion/
Green Address: http://s7a4rvc6425y72d2.onion/en/
8. Listen to Oldie-But-Goldie Songs: Deep Web Radio
Onion link: http://76qugh5bey5gum7l.onion/
If you’re a fan of digital radio stations, this one’s for you. The Tor network has its own radio with eleven channels. Each channel focuses on a different musical genre, so you’re likely to find something to suit your taste.
Despite its limited playlist, Deep Web Radio is still worth a listen. More importantly, it’s safe to visit as it has no trackers, hidden malware, or the possibility to speak to scammers.
You won’t find other radio onion alternatives any time soon. The Tor Project does not encourage streaming audio or video on onion links since it takes up a lot of bandwidth. This puts a lot of strain on the network, so Deep Web Radio will be a one-of-a-kind thing.
9. Entertain the Data Scientist in You: Tor Metrics
Onion link: http://rougmnvswfsmd4dq.onion/
Tor Metrics is a website dedicated to further informing you on the Tor Project. You can find details about servers, bandwidth limits, onion services, and Tor applications. You can also search for a particular Tor relay.
Whether you’re researching the Tor network or you’re just curious to see how much activity there’s on the deep web, Tor Metrics is safe to visit.
You won’t find any reliable Tor Metrics alternatives. You can find other websites offering details on various blockchain technologies, but keep in mind some lead to shady links.
10. Check Intelligence Agencies: CIA
Onion link: http://ciadotgov4sjwlzihbbgxnqg3xiyrg7so2r2o3lt5wz5ypk4sxyjstad.onion/
The United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) mirrored its website on the Tor network in 2019.
The CIA claims it facilitates communication with people worldwide with its onion site. It has the same information and contact means as the clearnet site does. The spy agency hopes more people would be willing to share information if no one is tracking them.
Other safe onion alternatives
Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR): http://svrgovru24yd42e6mmrnohzs37hb35yqeulvmvkc76e3drb75gs4qrid.onion
FAQ
Tor websites are websites you can access through The Onion Router (Tor) network. Tor directs your internet traffic through a worldwide overlay network, concealing your actual location and — to a certain extent — protecting your connection from monitoring and surveillance. You can tell Tor websites apart based on the URL. Tor URLs end in .onion and consist of random numbers and letters, making it impossible to memorize.
Yes, you need a VPN to visit Tor websites. The anonymous nature of the Tor relay network created a breeding ground for illegal activity. Scammers, cybercriminals, and other malicious parties lurk around the deep web.
Use CyberGhost VPN to conceal your real identity on both the clearnet and the deep web so no one can track you or snoop on your traffic.
Different people use onion sites for various reasons.
Journalists, activists, and whistle-blowers use onion links to bypass government censorship and communicate anonymously over the internet.
Privacy enthusiasts use onion links to evade data-miners, and cybercriminals use onion links to conceal their illegal activities from law enforcement agencies.
It’s not illegal to use Tor to visit websites or use the Tor browser. However, search engines don’t index sites or filter content, making it easy to click on links with illegal content.
You’ll find many Tor websites selling drugs, weapons, hacking services, pornography, hitmen, and more. Use your best judgment to avoid buying shady things or clicking on suspicious links when you’re visiting Tor websites.
When in doubt, use CyberGhost VPN to protect your digital identity from malicious parties.
Tor websites don’t have trackers, so you can’t get caught unless you’re using it for illegal purposes and the FBI is after you. If you don’t want your internet service provider (ISP) or school network to see you’re using Tor, make sure to download CyberGhost VPN to encrypt your connection and hide your online activity from prying eyes.
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