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Improve your privacy with Onion Over VPN
Combine the privacy of the Tor browser with extra VPN security
Shield your online activities — even that you’re using the Onion Network
No extra setup to use the Onion network — one click is all you need
What is Onion Over VPN?
Onion Over VPN is a special feature of NordVPN. It gives you all the advantages of The Onion Router (Tor) combined with the extra security of a VPN tunnel.
How does the Onion network work?
In the Onion network, you send your web traffic through a network of volunteer-operated servers. Instead of taking a direct route, your internet data enters the Onion network via a random relay anywhere around the globe. Your internet traffic goes through layers of encryption at every point of connection, making it difficult to identify where the traffic comes from.
01
Entry
You connect to the Onion network at a random entry point.
02
Maze of servers
While traveling through multiple servers, your data is enveloped in layers of encryption.
03
Decryption
Further down the road, the layers of encryption are peeled off one by one.
04
Exit
Your data is decrypted, and you exit through a random node, landing on the web.
Why do you need Onion Over VPN?
Protect yourself from snoops on the Onion network
Onion servers are volunteer-operated — anyone can set up and run one. That means bad actors could deploy thousands of compromised servers to track you online. But using Onion Over VPN hides your real IP address from the entry node, meaning your identity is protected even from someone monitoring vast portions of the Onion network.
Add an extra layer of privacy with a VPN
Without NordVPN, your internet service provider can see that you use the Onion network. This can be especially risky for activists, journalists, and bloggers in censorship-heavy countries. NordVPN shields your online activities from all third parties and does not track your online activity, letting you enjoy privacy online.
How to use Onion Over VPN
Start using our Onion Over VPN feature in 3 easy steps.
01
Log in
Open your NordVPN app and enter your account credentials.
02
Find specialty servers
The “Specialty servers” tab is on the left-hand side of the screen on desktop devices. On mobile devices, simply swipe up.
03
Connect to Onion Over VPN
Press “Onion Over VPN” to automatically connect to the best available server.
Who should use Onion Over VPN?
If you feel you need an extra layer of protection against surveillance and censorship.
If you want to keep the fact that you’re using the Onion network to yourself.
If a single leak can cause tremendous harm or place people in real danger.
When don’t you need Onion Over VPN?
A VPN tunnel is more than enough to guarantee your safety. You already have increased security when you’re connected to a NordVPN server.
Since you take a longer path, routing your traffic through multiple Onion servers, you’ll have to deal with lower connection speeds.
If you don’t want to deal with the Onion network, use the Double VPN feature, which routes your data through two VPN servers, providing double the security.
Tor over VPN or VPN over Tor?
Our Onion Over VPN feature operates under the principle known as Tor over VPN — that is, you connect to a VPN server first, then access the Onion network. But it’s not the only privacy solution to combine Tor anonymity with VPN security. VPN over Tor reverses the steps, first plugging you into the Onion network, and then adding VPN protection to the mix.
VPN over Tor lets you reach websites that normally block Tor traffic, but suffers from serious drawbacks compared to Tor over VPN. Notably, it’s more difficult to set up, doesn’t shield your IP address from the entry node, and doesn’t hide the fact that you’re using Tor from your ISP. You’re trading the biggest plus of Tor over VPN — increased privacy — for a few extra websites.
Tor over VPN
ISP can't see you using Tor
ISP can see you’re using a VPN
Can access
.onionCan’t access sites that block Tor traffic
Protects your IP from the entry node
VPN over Tor
ISP can see you using Tor
ISP can’t see you using a VPN
Can’t access
.onionCan access sites that block Tor traffic
Keeps traffic encrypted at the exit node