Onion Browser
Tor-powered privacy browser for iOS.
Open the official app on onionbrowser.com
This tool is hosted by its maintainers. Click below to open onionbrowser.com in a new tab — it's their official demo.
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Choose how you want to get started.
Use it free
Open the official tool or demo — no account needed.
Self-host it
Run the open-source version on your own infrastructure.
What is Onion Browser?
Onion Browser is an open-source web browser for iOS devices designed to enhance privacy and anonymity by routing internet traffic through the Tor anonymity network. Its primary purpose is to provide users with encrypted, untraceable browsing by masking their IP addresses and bypassing traditional internet surveillance. The tool is particularly useful for individuals seeking to protect their online activities from tracking, censorship, or data collection. By leveraging Tor's decentralized infrastructure, Onion Browser ensures that users' browsing behavior remains unlinked to their physical location or identity. It addresses the problem of digital privacy erosion by eliminating targeted ads, preventing history retention, and offering secure access to.onion websites hosted on the Tor network. Developers and privacy advocates are the core audience, though it also appeals to users in regions with restricted internet access.
How it works
Onion Browser is a privacy-focused iOS application that integrates with the Tor network to anonymize internet traffic. It prioritizes user confidentiality by encrypting data and obscuring online activity, making it difficult for third parties to monitor or trace browsing behavior. The tool's purpose is to enable secure, private access to the internet by leveraging Tor's onion routing protocol. It eliminates traditional tracking methods, such as IP address logging, and prevents websites from storing user history, ensuring a browsing experience free from surveillance. Onion Browser encrypts all traffic through Tor, ensuring data is routed via multiple relays to mask the user's origin. It supports access to.onion sites, which are hidden services only reachable through the Tor network. Users can customize security settings for individual websites to balance privacy and functionality.
How to use it
- 1Download Onion Browser from the iOS App Store or GitHub. 2. Open the app and enable Tor by tapping the 'Connect' button. 3. Navigate to a.onion website using the built-in browser or manually enter the onion URL. 4. Browse securely with automatic tab closure and encryption. Practical tips include using HTTPS connections for added security, avoiding public Wi-Fi for sensitive sessions, and regularly updating the app to benefit from security patches and feature improvements.
What it can do
- tor browser ios
Use cases
Assumptions and limitations
Assumptions
- source: https://github.com/OnionBrowser/OnionBrowser
- license: MIT — free to use
- privacy: Self-hosted — you control your data
Limitations
- Slower browsing speeds due to Tor's multi-hop routing
- Limited support for modern web protocols like WebRTC
- No built-in password manager or encrypted note-taking features
- Requires a stable internet connection to maintain Tor anonymity
- Potential for accidental exposure of real IP addresses if Tor fails
Understanding the result
Tor-powered privacy browser for iOS.
Tool details
- Clearly flagged when a network request is needed.
- No account, no sign-up, and no tracking of your content.
- Powered by (MIT).
- Built with
- (OnionBrowser/OnionBrowser)
- License
- MIT
- Runs locally
- No — requires a network request
- Verification
- Not yet verified
- Input
- Query
- Output
- Text
Built with OnionBrowser/OnionBrowser. OpenToolVault provides the discovery and browser interface while crediting the original project maintainers.
- Built with
- License
- MIT
Open-source project
OpenToolVault is an independent directory. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by this project.
References
- / — GitHub Repository
Upstream project · GitHub
- MIT License
Upstream project
Frequently asked
How does Onion Browser ensure my privacy?
Onion Browser routes all internet traffic through the Tor network, which encrypts data and masks your IP address by bouncing connections through multiple relays. This prevents websites and ISPs from tracking your online activity. The app also closes tabs automatically to avoid history retention, and it does not store any user data locally.
How does Onion Browser differ from regular browsers?
Unlike standard browsers, Onion Browser is specifically designed to work with the Tor network, enabling access to .onion sites and encrypting all traffic through Tor relays. It prioritizes privacy by default, such as closing tabs automatically and blocking tracking mechanisms. Regular browsers may lack these Tor-specific features and often include third-party services that can compromise anonymity.
How do I access a .onion website?
To access a .onion site, open Onion Browser and tap the 'Connect' button to enable Tor. Then, either navigate to the site directly (if it appears in search results) or manually enter the onion URL in the address bar. The app will route your request through Tor, allowing access to hidden services while maintaining anonymity.
How does Onion Browser compare to Firefox Tor?
Onion Browser is a standalone iOS app optimized for Tor integration, while Firefox Tor is a modified version of Firefox with Tor built-in. Onion Browser focuses on minimalism and privacy features like automatic tab closure, whereas Firefox Tor offers broader compatibility with web standards but may include additional tracking protections. Both rely on Tor, but Onion Browser is tailored for iOS users seeking a lightweight, privacy-first experience.
What should I do if Tor fails to connect?
If Tor fails to connect, check your internet connection and ensure no firewall or antivirus software is blocking Tor traffic. Verify that the Tor network is operational by visiting https://check.tor.net/. If issues persist, try restarting the app or switching to a different Tor relay. Avoid using the browser without Tor enabled, as it will not provide anonymity.