Use a Tor VPN for Multi-layered Privacy Online

Use PIA with the Tor network to obscure your online activities and be safer online.

  • Conceal your IP address from the Tor network
  • Prevent your ISP from knowing you’re using Tor
  • Unblock Tor safely from anywhere in the world
Use a Tor VPN for Multi-layered Privacy and Anonymity Online

Why Use a Tor VPN?

Tor improves your anonymity online, but the Tor entry node still knows your IP address. If someone compromises the Tor network, they could discover your identity. But a VPN for Tor masks your IP address from Tor nodes too, so all they see is your VPN server’s IP.

In some regions, your ISP might restrict you from using Tor. But a Tor VPN conceals your Tor usage from your ISP and keeps you connected to the Tor network. Using a VPN with Tor combines the best of security, privacy, and anonymity.

Why Use a Tor VPN?
What’s the Difference between Tor and a VPN?

What’s the Difference between Tor and a VPN?

Both Tor and VPNs mask your IP address so you can browse more privately. A VPN does this by routing your internet traffic through a VPN server, but Tor bounces you through three intermediary nodes. This improves anonymity, but makes Tor slower than a VPN.

Be warned: Tor nodes are run by volunteers, which means some may be malicious and set up to log usage data. But PIA operates a strict No Logs policy meaning we don’t collect any data. Our VPN also brings extra benefits, like multi-hop and military-grade encryption for added privacy.

How to Get a Tor VPN

It’s simple to set up PIA with Tor, and our VPN integrates seamlessly with the Tor network. Get a reliable Tor VPN in three easy steps.

Step 1

Sign up for Private Internet Access

Step 2

Set up PIA on any device

Step 3

Connect to a server & launch Tor Browser

Onion Over VPN or VPN Over Tor?

Deciding whether to use Onion over VPN (so-called because Tor is an acronym for The Onion Router) and VPN over Tor depends on your needs. To use Onion over VPN, you start a VPN and then connect to Tor. The VPN hides your internet traffic before sending it to the Tor network, making you more anonymous.

But VPN over Tor routes your data through Tor first, and then sends it to the VPN. Your ISP can see you’re using Tor, and the Tor entry node sees your real IP address, which makes you less private. PIA only supports Onion over VPN because it gives you more privacy.

Onion Over VPN or VPN Over Tor?
Unblock Tor on Any Network

Unblock Tor on Any Network

Many public, school, and workplace networks block Tor, but you can use PIA VPN to connect to Tor on any network. PIA encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a VPN server, so your ISP or network operator can’t see your Tor usage.

What is Tor and How Does it Work?

Tor stands for The Onion Router. It’s free, open-source software you can use to browse the web more anonymously. Tor uses layered encryption like an onion, bouncing user traffic through three nodes before sending it to its destination.

But Tor only protects your browsing data. Anything you do online outside of the Tor network is still exposed, and so is your device. In contrast, PIA encrypts all your internet traffic end-to-end, protecting your device and all your online activities.

What is Tor and How Does it Work?

PIA’s Top Tor VPN Features

No Logs Policy

No Logs Policy

Our strict No Logs policy means we don’t collect or store any data about your VPN usage.

High-Level Encryption

High-Level Encryption

We use military-grade 256-bit AES encryption to secure all your network traffic from snoops.

Fast Speeds

Fast Speeds

PIA’s 10 Gbps server network gives you speedy connections for seamless streaming in UHD.

Open Source Transparency

Open Source Transparency

Our apps are 100% open-source, so anyone can inspect our source code and verify our security.

Block Ads & Trackers

Ads & Tracker Blocking

PIA MACE blocks ads, trackers, and malware at the DNS level, before they're downloaded.

24/7 Customer Support

24/7 Customer Support

Chat live with our 24/7 Customer Support team, or email us to get answers to your questions.

Protection on All Your Devices

Download PIA apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Secure unlimited devices simultaneously with just one subscription. You can also install PIA on your Wi-Fi router to secure every device on your network.

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FAQ

No, Tor can’t be used as a VPN. Tor does help increase your anonymity online, but it only secures your browsing data. Any internet traffic outside of the Tor browser may still be visible to network snoops, ISPs, and cybercriminals.

Tor is also too slow for activities such as streaming because it routes your internet traffic through so many nodes. Fortunately, PIA is one of the fastest VPNs, with 10 Gbps servers for buffer-free streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

It’s a good idea. Tor promises greater anonymity, but it has drawbacks. For example, your ISP can see when you connect to Tor, and some ISPs block the Tor network.

Anything you do online that doesn’t go through Tor is visible and unprotected, because Tor only secures your browsing data. What’s worse, some Tor nodes are malicious and log your activities.

When you use PIA with Tor, you’ll be more anonymous. Our VPN conceals your Tor use from anyone monitoring your network, including your ISP. PIA also secures all your internet activities with strong VPN encryption.

Yes, it’s legal to use a Tor VPN in most countries, as long as you use it within the bounds of the law. It’s always a good idea to check local regulations before using a VPN.

The Tor browser itself is legal in most countries. Whistleblowers, journalists, and privacy-conscious individuals use it everywhere to protect their anonymity. However, some countries ban Tor, as do certain public networks.

Get PIA VPN to access Tor securely on any network, and boost your privacy online with the combined power of a VPN and the Tor network.

It’s impossible to be 100% anonymous online, even when you use Tor and a VPN. But a Tor VPN makes it a lot harder for anyone to track your web activities, and helps you stay more anonymous online.

Yes. When you use Onion over Tor, our VPN encryption hides your connection, so your ISP can’t see that you are using the Tor network. You can hide your online activities from your ISP by using PIA VPN on its own. But using the Tor network as well adds further layers of protection. Try PIA VPN risk-free with our 30-day money-back guarantee.

Still Not Convinced? Try PIA Risk-Free

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Disclaimer: Per our Terms and Conditions, using PIA VPN for illegal purposes is not encouraged.

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