Tor Vs VPN | 7 Differences between Tor and VPN

Online privacy while surfing the internet has become the primary concern for many users. Everyone wants to ensure that their personal information is being protected. With these concerns users turn their side towards different technologies for safeguarding their privacy. 

Tor and VPN are 2 such tools used to enhance the user privacy. Even though most of their functions are similar, the basis of how they work can be different. The purpose of each tool depends on the situation. If one tool is suitable in a particular situation, the other cannot be guaranteed as well. Tor and VPN has its own strength and weaknesses. Therefore, choosing either of these 2 services can be tough unless you know the core differences between them. 

In this article, let's look at the Tor Vs VPN | 7 Differences between Tor and VPN. From this post, you will know whether an onion browser or a VPN connection is better at providing services.

Let's get started,

1. Speed 

Tor : Tor generally shows a low connection. This is because the traffic has to go through many relays in tor. Each of these relays are different in bandwidths and added latency. Especially the effect can be seen while loading photos and videos.

VPN : However in VPN, the connection speed will remain the same as it is used to be. Because in VPN the connection is established to one particular server. 

Winner : VPN

2. Encryption

Tor : In general traffic in Tor goes through 3 layers of relay.

1. Guard Relay
2. Middle Relay 
3. Exit Relay

When passing through each of these relays, the traffic becomes encrypted. However this encryption only works while using a browser. Any other files on your operating system can expose your IP address and traffic to the internet.

VPN : In VPN the connection is encrypted through either OpenVPN or IPsecProtocol. Out of these OpenVPN is the most used with AES 256-bit cipher. These types of encryptions are considered to be very secure. And also unlike a Tor where it is restricted to a browser, the VPN encrypts all the traffic passing through your computer.

Winner : VPN

3. Anonymity

Tor : Tor provides the best anonymity out of all the online privacy tools. Even the best VPN services cannot provide the anonymity level offered by the Tor. Moreover it is highly impossible for the third parties to eavesdrop on your online activities when using a Tor.

VPN : However unlike Tor, VPNs will not be able to provide true anonymity to the user. Even there are chances where the VPNs can be exploited and expose your IP address.

Winner : Tor

4. Cost

Tor : On the side of cost, Tor is completely a free service. Since it is non-profit service funded by the US government and other sources there are no hidden charges involved in Tor.

VPN : On the other hand, there are variety of choices for VPN. There can be free, cheap and expensive VPN services. Using free or a cheap VPN services can be a bad choice since it has potential risks involved. Therefore, it is highly recommended to go for a premium VPN services. But one huge drawback of using a premium VPN services is that it can be costly.

Winner : Tor

5. Usability

Tor : Tor is generally easy to setup and use, unless you are using a unconfigured Tor browser. However it can be a difficult task to configure Tor on other browsers. And also most at times Tor is unsupported in mobile devices. But the good news is that there are varying options for this.

VPN : Same as Tor, VPNs are also user friendly. But there are chances where VPNs can be complicated too. Such examples are installation of VPN on routers and configuration of VPN on operating systems.

Winner : Draw

6. Versatility

Tor : Tor lack on the side of versatility. Apart from some Linux operating systems, majority of the operating systems such as Windows, MacOS and IOS does not support Tor.

VPN : While VPNs are incorporated in many of the operating systems. And also mobile devices too has builtin VPN functionality. Moreover besides from encrypting traffic, VPNs can be used for variety of works. 


Winner : VPN

7. Geo-restrictions

Tor : Using Tor you cannot access restricted websites. Even many websites block VPN services. When you try to access those websites you will end up getting error messages. However there are some sites which allows access, but you need to enter the CAPTCHAS. 

VPN : In VPNs no matter whatever the geographical location you are from, you can completely access all of the contents. You can do this by choosing a server from the list of countries provided by the VPN. Even if you try to connect a restricted website, still it will be indicating you as a user from the right geographical location.

Winner : VPN