
Best Free VPN services for Dark Web in 2023

Even though the Internet was officially invented nearly 40 years ago, the last decade has witnessed an enormous expansion of the web and its uses.
This rise in the net’s popularity has come at a certain price: online security. Despite this, many people are still unaware of the threats lurking on the net and the need to protect themselves in the virtual environment.
- NordVPN Best VPN for general work and entertainment purposes. I found it to be reliable, high-speed, and easy to set up, and it's one that I use daily for work.
- ProtonVPN (Free Version) Proton is often referred to as the single most trustworthy company in the VPN business. They focus on security over anything else and offer the best free VPN available. This is the company behind ProtonMail.
- CyberGhost VPN was voted as the best gaming VPN for 2023 and is one of the cheapest VPN services among the whole top 10.
Best VPN for Dark and Deep Web

6 simultaneous devices.
- ● Fastest VPN 2023
- ● Servers: 5300+
- ● Countries: 60+
WHY I LIKE NORDVPN NordVPN has long been regarded as one of the strongest brands in cybersecurity. With one of the largest server offerings on my list and support for most, if not all operating systems, making NordVPN an obvious choice for many. They have 24/7 customer support if you need help getting started. Their app is one of the most well-designed apps I have ever used. NordVPN even accepts cryptocurrencies as payment for extra anonymity.

Unlimited simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Cheap VPN 2023
- ● Servers: 3200+
- ● Countries: 65+
WHY I LIKE SURFSHARK: Surfshark VPN is perfect for those who want a cheap and reliable VPN that also has many extra features. "Camouflage Mode" hides your usage from your ISP, "Kill Switch" suspends your connection and protects your information if you temporarily lose Internet access, "MultiHop" to connect from multiple countries at the same time just to name a few. My favorite feature of Surfshark is "Whitelists" which allow the user to exclude specific apps and programs from the VPN connection.

7 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Torrent VPN
- ● Servers: 7400+
- ● Countries: 91+
WHY I LIKE CYBERGHOST CyberGhost VPN is the first choice of many other cybersecurity experts, and the reason is clear; they have the most complete VPN service. An incredible number of extra features that are best suited for the more advanced users but also work flawlessly for every-day purposes like P2P-filesharing. Cyberghost VPN also has the longest stretching money-back guarantee at a full 45 days.

Unlimited simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Netflix/Streaming VPN
- ● Servers: 35500+
- ● Countries: 84+
WHY I LIKE PIA VPN: PrivateInternetAccess is at the top of my streaming tests, which is a great combination with their easy-to-use UI, Open-Source software and built in adblocker. PIA is also perfect for those who want to be able to pay with PayPal which for some reason, many other VPN services do not support. 30-day money-back guarantee, multiple Netflix libraries, and extremely affordable are the three main selling points for this VPN service.

Unlimited simultaneous devices.
- ● Robust/Security focused
- ● Servers: 750+
- ● Countries: 43+
WHY I LIKE ATLAS VPN: Atlas VPN is one of the best new free VPN services. With the free version, you get unlimited data, no ads and zero logging. During my speed tests, Atlas VPN performed very well and could compete with mainstream services. Kill Switch, Ad-blocker, and P2P support all included with a regular subscription, which is incredibly cheap for such a robust service.

10 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best Free VPN 2023
- ● Servers: 1713+
- ● Countries: 63+
WHY I LIKE PROTONVPN: ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland and is most known for their e-mail service ProtonMail. They currently offer the safest free VPN services on the market. There is also support for TOR usage and P2P file sharing. I highly recommend ProtonVPN if you are intending to do some extensive online sharing. It goes without saying that Proton does not collect logs of any kind and is completely safe to use.

10 simultaneous devices.
- ● Best VPN for Gaming and Streaming
- ● Servers: 200+
- ● Countries: 63+
WHY I LIKE PRIVATEVPN: PrivateVPN is the strong underdog in the world of VPNs. With a shy number of servers, it is evident that they are focusing on quality over quantity. Overall, PrivateVPN is a very decent choice of VPN, especially if you had enough of the excessive advertising by some of the other more known brands in this list. Setting up the VPN requires extremely little intervention, and you can even pay with Bitcoin.

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30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Best Mobile VPN app
- ● Servers: 3000+
- ● Countries: 94+

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45 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Fastest free VPN
- ● Servers: 3200+
- ● Countries: 80+

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7 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Great free VPN
- ● Servers: 1000+
- ● Countries: 26+

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10 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Best reputation
- ● Servers: 91+
- ● Countries: 17+

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15 day money-back guarantee.
- ★ Great adblocker included
- ★ Servers: 1800+
- ★ Countries: 20+

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30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 5 devices simultaneously
- ● Unlimited usage
- ● 50+ locations

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30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Unlimited traffic
- ● Up to 1 Gbps
- ● Free trial

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30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 10 devices
- ● Unlimited bandwidth
- ● Countries: 60+

14 day free trial/money-back guarantee.
- ● Simple Cloud VPN Setup
- ● Site-to-site VPN Tunneling
- ● Easy Server & User Management

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7 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 5 devices
- ● Locations: 65+
- ● 24/7 live support

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30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● 10 devices
- ● Countries: 20+
- ● P2P Optimization

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Basic, advanced, and pro plans.
- ● Countries: 22+
- ● Locations: 36+
- ● 24/7 live support

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30 day money-back guarantee.
- ● Best multi-device VPN
- ● Servers: 1000+
- ● Countries: 200+
What Is the Dark Web and What Is It Used for?
The web as we know it is only one part of the Internet. Underneath the public network of websites lies another virtual layer – the deep web. The deep web stores hidden content not indexed by search engines: banking, e-mail, or social media accounts, for example.
The dark web is a segment of this hidden deep web, and the only way to access it is with the help of special software. A lot of illegal activity goes on there under the cover of anonymity, which is why many think that the use of the dark web is unlawful.
However, not everything that goes on on the dark web is illegal. Some people use it simply because it provides more privacy, while others use it because it helps evade government censorship.
How Can I Use the Dark Web Safely?

To use the dark web safely, you need to have a particular browser with a ‘.onion’ domain. One such browser is the Tor browser (short for The Onion Router). The name onion is meant to depict the Tor network’s layered encryption, which is suggestive of the multiple layers of an onion.
You also need a reliable VPN (short for Virtual Private Network). A VPN’s job is to encrypt your online traffic and keep your IP address hidden from other entities.
Even though the Tor browser provides encryption, you are not advised to access the dark web without a VPN. A VPN, unlike Tor, also prevents others (including your ISP – Internet Service Provider) from knowing that you are using Tor.
In addition, you cannot use surface web engines to search the dark web – you need a private engine that does not track your web activity. One popular search engine is DuckDuckGo, which you need to open in Tor.
How to Use the Dark Web in 5 Easy Steps
Here is what you need to do to access and use the dark web safely:
- Download and install a VPN.
- Connect to your VPN.
- Download and install the Tor browser.
- Start the Tor browser.
- Use a search engine suitable for the dark web.
What Are the Best VPNs for Accessing the Dark Web?
Security should be your priority when choosing the best VPN to access the dark web. For this reason, make sure to opt for a reliable VPN with top encryption and excellent safety features. In addition, get a VPN with a strict no-logging policy so that no trace of your activity remains.
Here is our list of the best VPNs for the dark web:
Take a quick look at the main features of our top VPN picks for the dark web:
ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark VPN | CyberGhost VPN | PIA VPN | ProtonVPN | |
Headquarters | The British Virgin Islands | Panama | The British Virgin Islands | Romania | USA (Denver) | Switzerland |
Number of servers | 3000+ | 5600+ | 3200+ | 9600+ | N/A | 1800+ |
Countries | 94 | 59 | 100 | 91 | 84 | 64 |
Torrenting | on torrenting servers | on all servers | on all servers | on torrenting servers | on servers outside the US | on P2P servers |
Simultaneous connections | on up to 5 devices | on up to 6 devices | on an unlimited number of devices | on up to 7 devices | on up to 10 devices | on up to 10 devices |
Logging policy | strict no-logging policy | strict no-logging policy | strict no-logging policy | strict no-logging policy | strict no-logging policy | strict no-logging policy |
Packages | 1-monthly, 6-monthly, 12-monthly | Basic, Plus, Complete (monthly, annual, biannual) | 1-monthly, 12-monthly, 24-monthly | 1-monthly, 6-monthly, 24-monthly | 1-monthly, 12-monthly, 36-monthly | 1-monthly, 12-monthly, 24-monthly |
Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 45 days | 30 days | 30 days |
NordVPN
NordVPN is another highly reliable and secure VPN provider with many ultra-fast servers and outstanding safety features. In addition, its military-grade encryption (AES-256) guarantees that your online traffic will remain private. At the same time, the provider’s no-logging policy means that no information about your online activity is collected and stored.
NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor informs you if your credentials are leaked on the dark web, whereas its multi-factor authentication keeps your Nord account secure. The provider also offers a dedicated IP address, one that is used only by you.
Other safety features include the kill switch, split tunneling, private DNS, and Onion over VPN (which provides another layer of encryption). Torrenting is also supported on all NordVPN servers.
NordVPN Advantages | NordVPN Disadvantages |
Fast speeds | Does not support torrenting on all servers |
Seamless streaming | Expensive monthly plans ($11.99–14.29) |
Extensions for browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) | |
Nine different plans | |
24-hour customer service |
Surfshark VPN
Surfshark VPN is an affordable VPN provider with a solid safety profile. Even though it is not as good a performer as the previous two for speeds and unblocking ability, Surfshark does not disappoint regarding security. It uses AES-256 encryption and has a kill switch. Its default protocols are IKEv2 and IPSec, but users can also choose to use OpenVPN.
Surfshark provides leak protection and has a private DNS on every server. It also has a handful of useful features, such as Camouflage Mode, which prevents your ISP from knowing that you are using a VPN. Another one is the Bypasser, which allows some apps and websites to bypass VPN (e.g., banking apps).
Surfshark Advantages | Surfshark Disadvantages |
Unlimited number of connections | Pricey monthly plan ($12.95/month) |
7-day free trial on Android, iOS, and macOS | Slower torrenting speed |
Does not automatically extend your subscription | |
Independently audited |
CyberGhost VPN
CyberGhost VPN has over 3,000 self-owned and self-operated NoSpy servers in their Romanian headquarters. This feature guarantees top privacy, security and performance. In addition, the company uses unbreakable AES-256-bit encryption and has a strict no-logs policy – the servers are configured to delete all the internet history as soon as users log off.
CyberGhost offers four different VPN protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPSec and allows users to choose which one to use depending on their needs. It also has a kill switch and split tunneling (for Android), My ID Guard (that informs you when your e-mail address or password is leaked on the dark web), and Smart Rules to help you customize your VPN settings.
CyberGhost VPN Advantages | CyberGhost VPN Disadvantages |
High-performing servers | Split tunneling only for Android |
Unlimited bandwidth | Ad blocker does not always work |
Secure downloads and streaming | More distant servers are a bit slower |
Affordable 2 years + 2 months free plan ($2.19/month) | |
The free trial does not require credit card information |
Private Internet Access VPN (PIA VPN)
Private Internet Access VPN (PIA VPN) is an affordable yet reliable VPN that lets you choose between two encryption types: AES-128 and AES-256. While the higher number means better security, this choice can also affect speed. Therefore, users are advised to select the type of encryption based on their needs.
PIA VPN uses open-source VPN apps and two of the best protocols: OpenVPN and WireGuard. It also has the kill switch and PIA MACE, which helps block malware, ads, and trackers. In addition, PIA’s proxy servers provide added protection by routing the connection through an additional server location.
One PIA VPN subscription equals ten simultaneous connections. Still, you can purchase additional connections if you wish to use this VPN for small businesses and offices.
PIA VPN Advantages | PIA VPN Disadvantages |
Good value for money | Speed can be an issue |
Unlimited bandwidth and data | Few additional safety features |
RAM-only servers | Expensive monthly subscription |
User friendly |
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a leading VPN provider with a large arsenal of safety features. In addition to its standard AES-256-bit encryption, proven unbreakable, ExpressVPN has the Network Lock kill switch. It automatically disconnects your device from the Internet if your VPN stops working.
Other safety features include a private DNS server, which makes the connection safer and faster, and TrustedServer Technology, which guarantees that no data is written on the hard drive. ExpressVPN’s top protocols (Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2) provide an added layer of safety. At the same time, Threat Manager helps protect you against malware and ads.
ExpressVPN has excellent speeds and unblocking ability, so you can enjoy all your favorite content no matter where you are.
ExpressVPN Advantages | ExpressVPN Disadvantages |
Unlimited bandwidth | Slower speeds with OpenVPN |
Split tunneling | Above-average price |
Built-in speed test | |
Active blog with security tips | |
24-hour live chat support |
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN also uses AES-256 encryption and has perfect forward secrecy, frequently changing the keys used to encrypt and decrypt data. This means that users’ sensitive information will not be compromised even if one key is stolen.
The provider uses the most reliable VPN protocols (Open VPN, IKEv2, WireGuard), and its servers are protected by full disk encryption. In addition, ProtonVPNs’ Secure Core is a feature that protects the connection by sending traffic through several servers.
Another benefit of using ProtonVPN is its Swiss location. Privacy laws are watertight in Switzerland, and the country is not in any 5, 9, and 14-Eyes alliances requiring data exchange.
ProtonVPN Advantages | ProtonVPN Disadvantages |
Kill Switch, DNS leak protection, Tor over VPN | Somewhat limited unlocking power |
VPN Accelerator (increases speed by 400%) | More expensive than other similar VPNs |
Apps 100% open source | |
A high-security data center in Switzerland | |
Free version |
The Best VPNs for the Dark Web Compared
The most important aspects to consider when choosing a reliable VPN for the dark web are:
- Safety profile
- Size of the server network
- Speed
- Number of simultaneous connections
Price – An important issue for most people. Yet, we believe that when choosing a VPN primarily for the dark web, you should not compromise your online safety by going for a cheap VPN with little protection. A good way of saving money is by subscribing to an annual or biannual plan offered by most of the above VPNs. You can also look for their discounts during the holiday season or on Black Friday weekend.
Safety – As far as safety is concerned, all of our top VPN choices for the dark web deliver. They all have state-of-the-art encryption (AES-256), known to be practically unbreakable. Having the kill switch and DNS leak protection has become an industry standard, and all our VPNs have them. In addition to this, our favorites take privacy very seriously. They do not store any information about their users’ online activity. The only pieces of information they store are the users’ e-mail addresses and billing information.
Additional safety features – One aspect in which our VPN picks differ is the number of other features they offer. These include features such as:
- Double VPN – double encryption;
- Private DNS – much safer and private than your ISP’s public DNS;
- Split tunneling – lets you choose which sites and apps need a VPN;
- Onion over VPN – provides safety even if the network is compromised;
- Trusted Server technology ensures data is not written on the hard drive.
More expensive VPN providers, like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, tend to offer more of these additional features, so if safety is your absolute priority, choose one of them.
Server network – Of course, being on the dark web may not be the only reason you might need a trusty VPN. Many people use VPNs to access different content on streaming services in countries with viewing restrictions. In this case, the size of the server network is an important aspect to consider. The location of the servers is also important because the more locations a VPN has to offer the more likely it is to provide good unblocking. Even though NordVPN has more servers than ExpressVPN, the latter has more server locations, which gives it an advantage.
Speed – VPNs have a reputation for slowing down internet speed, which is a deal-breaker for many. With top providers, however, this is not an issue, as these VPNs can provide excellent service.
In addition to the uploading and downloading speeds, you should also check the speeds on nearby and remote servers. Not all the VPNs on our list have outstanding speeds, though. Therefore, you need to decide whether you require an expensive but fast VPN (e.g., ExpressVPN, NordVPN), or a slightly slower one which costs less (e.g. Surfshark, CyberGhost VPN, PIA VPN).
A number of simultaneous connections – This feat is especially important to people who have a large household and wish to ensure that all their devices are secure. Our VPN choices offer up to ten devices simultaneously. Still, Surfshark is the only one that allows an unlimited number of connections.
Dark Web Screenshots



In Conclusion
The dark web is a subset of the deep web which is not indexed by search engines. Because of this, the dark web is frequently associated with illicit activities, so ISPs block it. Not all activity on the dark web is illegal, though, and many people may have valid and legal reasons for wishing to access it.
To be able to use the dark web regardless of your ISP’s restrictions, use a VPN. VPNs hide your IP address and prevent your ISP from knowing that you are on the dark web.
The dark web is full of dangerous people capable of harming you or stealing your information – another reason why it is essential to use a VPN.
When choosing the right VPN for the dark web, choose a VPN with outstanding safety features. To make your choice easier, we have compiled a list of VPN providers that will protect your identity and online traffic.
FAQ
Yes, you can, but you are strongly advised not to. The dark web is a very dangerous place, and using it requires a great degree of caution and protection.
No. Tor encrypts your traffic so nobody can decipher it. However, Tor does not hide your IP address, so your ISP can see that you have been on the dark web.
The best VPN to use when on the dark web is one with the best encryption. Currently, that is AES-256-bit encryption because its code is literally unbreakable. Each of the VPNs from our top 6 list uses that very same encryption and is a perfectly safe choice to use on the dark web.
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