Exploring the Best Onion and Tor Sites for 2025

The question of online privacy and digital freedom has led many to explore the underbelly of the internet—the dark web. Whether you're a privacy advocate, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious, understanding the dark web and its resources is key. For those interested in VPN services, this guide highlights some of the best .onion sites in 2025, and how using a free VPN like Falcon VPN can enhance your safety.

Why You Need Falcon VPN for the Dark Web
Before accessing any onion sites, it’s essential to protect your privacy. While Tor offers a great level of anonymity, using a VPN like Falcon VPN adds an extra layer of encryption, ensuring your IP address and browsing activities remain secure.

How to Set Up Falcon VPN:

Download Falcon VPN

• Get the VPN App
  Head over to FalconVPN and download the appropriate version for your device.
• Complete Installation
  Open the downloaded file and follow the prompts to install the VPN app on your device.
• Open the VPN App
  Launch the app after installation. Select your preferred server location.
• Connect to Secure Your Internet
  Hit the “Connect” button to encrypt your connection and protect your online activities.

By using Falcon VPN with Tor, you maximize your privacy and ensure secure browsing on the dark web.

What Are Onion Sites, and How Do They Work?

Onion sites are websites that reside exclusively on the dark web, accessible only through special software such as the Tor browser. Unlike standard URLs ending in .com or .org, their addresses use the .onion domain. These sites are much like hidden corners of the internet—beyond the reach of conventional search engines like Google or Bing.
When you open a .onion URL using Tor, your connection is routed through several anonymous servers, also called nodes or relays. Each server adds a new layer of encryption to your data. This multi-layered process not only safeguards your privacy but also obfuscates your real IP address, significantly enhancing your anonymity. However, even with Tor's security, it’s essential to layer your privacy by connecting to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) before accessing the dark web. A VPN encrypts your data and adds another level of protection, making it extremely hard for malicious third parties to intercept your activity during transit.

Why Use Onion Sites?

While the dark web often garners a bad reputation due to its association with illicit activities, it also harbors plenty of legitimate and beneficial services. From privacy tools to whistleblower platforms to uncensored media resources, the dark web can support those seeking absolute online freedom.
For VPN users, onion sites provide an additional layer of anonymity for services like encrypted communications and file storage. With reputed onion services steering clear of harmful content, users can safely explore the benefits of the dark web while staying within legal boundaries.

Best Onion Sites by Category in 2025

Here are some of the most reliable .onion websites, categorized based on their functionality:

1. Dark Web Search Engines

**Ahmia

(http://juhanurmihxlp77nkq76byazcldy2hlmovfu2epvl5ankdibsot4csyd.onion/):

Ahmia stands out as a user-friendly search engine for discovering legitimate dark web resources. Unlike conventional search engines, Ahmia specifically indexes .onion sites that comply with ethical usage guidelines, avoiding any illegal or harmful content. It’s a favorite for those new to the dark web looking for focused, filtered results.

**Haystak (http://haystak5njsmn2hqkewecpaxetahtwhsbsa64jom2k22z5afxhnpxfid.onion/):
Haystak offers premium features like advanced search and email alerts for regular users of onion sites. Its robust filtering mechanism ensures a safer browsing experience by avoiding potentially dangerous links.

**Torch (http://xmh57jrknzkhv6y3ls3ubitzfqnkrwxhopf5aygthi7d6rplyvk3noyd.onion/):
Torch is one of the oldest and most popular dark web search engines, handling over 80,000 daily queries. Though heavy on ads, its database includes an expansive listing of onion sites.

**DuckDuckGo (https://duckduckgogg42xjoc72x3sjasowoarfbgcmvfimaftt6twagswzczad.onion/):
Known for its privacy-centric approach, DuckDuckGo is the default search engine for Tor users. Though it mainly indexes the surface web, it’s highly recommended for quick anonymous searches.

2. News & Media

**ProPublica (http://p53lf57qovyuvwsc6xnrppyply3vtqm7l6pcobkmyqsiofyeznfu5uqd.onion/):
ProPublica became the first major news outlet to launch a .onion site, ensuring its investigative journalism reaches readers worldwide, even in regions with restrictive internet policies.
The New York Times (https://www.nytimesn7cgmftshazwhfgzm37qxb44r64ytbb2dj3x62d2lljsciiyd.onion/):
By extending its services to the dark web, The New York Times provides unfiltered news access to users in highly censored environments.

**BBC (https://www.bbcnewsd73hkzno2ini43t4gblxvycyac5aw4gnv7t2rccijh7745uqd.onion/):
The BBC's dark web mirror allows global audiences to access their international news coverage securely.

**CIA
http://ciadotgov4sjwlzihbbgxnqg3xiyrg7so2r2o3lt5wz5ypk4sxyjstad.onion

The CIA's Onion Site on the Dark Web

It might seem unusual to see the CIA listed among resources for privacy-focused individuals, but Tor’s history with the U.S. government is more complex than it first appears. Initially developed by the U.S. Navy, Tor was designed to help informants securely communicate with their agencies while abroad. Reflecting this purpose, the CIA launched its own Onion site to offer safe access to its resources globally.

Bitcoin Wallets

**Wasabi Wallet
http://wasabiukrxmkdgve5kynjztuovbg43uxcbcxn6y2okcrsg7gb6jdmbad.onion

Wasabi Wallet's Onion Site on the Dark Web

Wasabi Wallet is a Bitcoin wallet that enhances user privacy by routing data through Tor, ensuring anonymity. It takes this a step further by allowing users to combine their transactions with others, making it far more difficult to trace any payments. Although this process comes with a fee, it avoids the risks typical of other services, such as coin mixing scams.

**Email Services
ProtonMail
https://protonmailrmez3lotccipshtkleegetolb73fuirgj7r4o4vfu7ozyd.onion/

ProtonMail's Onion Site on the Dark Web

ProtonMail, based in Switzerland, is a popular encrypted email provider, particularly among cryptocurrency users. While it’s a paid service, its security measures are among the highest in the industry, making it a trusted tool for anyone seeking confidentiality in their communications.

**Riseup**
http://vww6ybal4bd7szmgncyruucpgfkqahzddi37ktceo3ah7ngmcopnpyyd.onion

Riseup's Onion Site on the Dark Web

Riseup is a community-driven email service dedicated to serving activists worldwide. Since its founding in 1999 by a group of Seattle-based activists, Riseup has grown to support over six million users. The service offers its email, chat, and Onion-accessible tools to ensure secure communication for those needing privacy.

Other Privacy Tools and Services

**Keybase**
http://keybase5wmilwokqirssclfnsqrjdsi7jdir5wy7y7iu3tanwmtp6oid.onion/

Keybase's Onion Site on the Dark Web

Keybase is an innovative identity service that allows users to securely link their online profiles across various platforms using cryptographic proofs. Through Keybase, you can upload your PGP key or generate one, and then link your accounts from Twitter, Github, or even Bitcoin addresses. The platform also provides secure communication and file-sharing tools through its app.

**ZeroBin**
http://zerobinftagjpeeebbvyzjcqyjpmjvynj5qlexwyxe7l3vqejxnqv5qd.onion/

ZeroBin's Onion Site on the Dark Web

ZeroBin offers a secure, privacy-focused alternative to traditional pastebin services. Unlike regular platforms, it encrypts text directly in the browser, ensuring that even the server hosting the content can’t view or store it.

**SecureDrop**
http://sdolvtfhatvsysc6l34d65ymdwxcujausv7k5jk4cy5ttzhjoi6fzvyd.onion/

SecureDrop's Onion Site on the Dark Web

A tool frequently used by journalists and their anonymous sources, SecureDrop allows individuals to share confidential information without revealing their identity. Many major news organizations have implemented SecureDrop on their Onion sites for secure whistleblowing and document submission.

**Impreza Hosting**
https://imprezareshna326gqgmbdzwmnad2wnjmeowh45bs2buxarh5qummjad.onion/

Impreza Hosting's Onion Site on the Dark Web

Impreza Hosting offers a platform for hosting websites on the Tor network. They provide an easy-to-use interface for managing your Onion website, along with anonymous payment options, including cryptocurrency, ensuring that users can create and maintain dark web sites without revealing their personal data.

Libraries

**Just Another Library**
http://libraryfyuybp7oyidyya3ah5xvwgyx6weauoini7zyz555litmmumad.onion/

Just Another Library's Onion Site on the Dark Web

Just Another Library provides free access to books, with a specific focus on niche topics like computer programming, science, and rare hobbies. It offers not only written works but also audiobooks and educational materials. As with many free library sites, users must consider the ethical questions surrounding copyright and content distribution.

**Comic Book Library**
[http://nv3x2jozywh63fkohn5mwp2d73vasusjixn3im3ueof52fmbjsigw6ad.onion/](http://nv3x2jozywh63fkohn5mwp2d73vasusjixn3im3ueof52fmbjsigw6ad.onion/)

Comic Book Library's Onion Site on the Dark Web

The Comic Book Library is an online repository dedicated to preserving rare and vintage comic books. It allows visitors to explore classic comics from the Golden Age and beyond, focusing on cultural significance rather than just providing free content.

Bonus: Sci-Hub

Although not an Onion site itself, Sci-Hub (accessible via [sci-hub.se](https://sci-hub.se)) offers free access to millions of academic papers, bypassing paywalls for scientific research. Despite its widespread usage, Sci-Hub is controversial due to copyright issues, and its legality varies across jurisdictions.

Tor and the Onion Browser

Inside the Tor network, websites use unique domain names that end with .onion. These domains are not registered with a central authority but are instead generated from cryptographic keys, adding an extra layer of anonymity.

To access these sites, you cannot simply use your standard browser. You’ll need to download and install the **Tor Browser** (or similar alternatives like Brave) to connect to the network. It’s also worth noting that Tor encrypts traffic between you and the destination site, which means HTTPS isn’t typically used, but your connection is still secure when using Tor.

How to Access Onion Sites

We strongly recommend using a VPN to protect your privacy before accessing any dark web sites. This will further secure your browsing and shield you from external threats. Once you have your VPN set up (like **ExpressVPN**), simply follow the steps to connect through Tor:

1. **On Your Computer:**
- Download and install the Tor Browser.
- Open it and click **Connect**.
- Wait for the connection to establish.
- Begin browsing securely.

2. **On Android:**
- Download the Tor Browser app.
- Open the app and tap **Connect**.
- Wait for it to establish a connection and you’ll see the onion icon.

3. **On iOS:**
- Download **Onion Browser** from the App Store.
- Open the app and tap **Connect**.
- Follow the prompts to set your security level, and you’re ready to browse.

What is the Dark Web?

The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that can only be accessed through specialized browsers like Tor. Sites within the dark web are designed to maintain anonymity, offering encrypted communication channels that are particularly appealing for people in censored regions or those concerned with privacy.

Despite the risks associated with dark web activity, the network is also used by individuals and organizations focused on securing free speech and sensitive information.

Dark Web vs. Deep Web

While often confused, the dark web is just a

part of the deep web. The deep web includes any content that isn’t indexed by traditional search engines—like private databases or email inboxes—while the dark web consists of sites deliberately hidden from normal browsers.

The Role of VPN for Onion Site Access

While Tor alone anonymizes your web traffic effectively, combining it with a VPN service takes your security to the next level. A VPN prevents your internet service provider (ISP) from detecting your usage of the Tor browser. This can be especially beneficial in regions where the use of privacy tools draws unwanted attention.
Some highly rated VPN services include:

ExpressVPN – Known for its high-speed servers and robust encryption protocols.

NordVPN – Offers Onion Over VPN, automatically routing your traffic through both Tor and the VPN.

Surfshark – A budget-friendly solution for users looking to enhance privacy across multiple devices.

Accessing Onion Sites Safely

Exploring onion sites is fascinating yet comes with its risks. Below are a few tips for safe browsing:
Always Use a VPN: This protects you from IP leaks and adds an additional layer of encryption.
Verify Links: Only use verified .onion URLs like those listed above to avoid malicious sites.
Enable Tor’s Security Settings: Adjust your Tor browser’s security preferences to minimize vulnerabilities.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Never reveal sensitive details while browsing onion sites.

Final Thoughts

The dark web remains a misunderstood corner of the internet, often overshadowed by its associations with illegal activity. However, as evidenced by the onion sites listed, it serves as an essential platform for privacy-conscious users, journalists, and advocates alike. By leveraging tools like Tor and complementing them with VPN services, you can safely explore these less-known resources while protecting your identity and digital footprint.
Choose the right VPN today and unlock a more secure browsing experience—even on the darkest corners of the web.