Getting Started
Install the Tor Browser and make your first private connection in minutes.
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Understand the Tor Browser — and browse the web privately.
A calm, jargon-free guide for complete beginners. Learn what Tor is, how it shields your identity online, and how to start using it safely in just a few minutes.
The basics
What is the Tor Browser, in plain English?
The Tor Browser is a free web browser designed to help you browse privately. When you visit a website normally, your connection goes straight from your device to that site — and your internet provider, the website, and advertisers can often see who and where you are.
Tor works differently. It wraps your traffic in layers of encryption and bounces it through three separate volunteer-run computers, called relays, before it reaches the website. No single relay ever knows both your identity and what you're looking at — a bit like passing a sealed letter through three trusted strangers. That's why it's nicknamed “onion routing.”
The result: websites see the connection coming from the Tor network, not from you, and trackers find it far harder to follow you around the web. It's the same easy point-and-click experience as a normal browser — the privacy just happens in the background.
Read the full guideExplore the guide
Where would you like to begin?
Four clear paths through everything you need to know about Tor — from your very first download to staying private like a pro.
How-To Guides
Plain-English explainers, starting with how Tor compares to a VPN.
Read: Tor vs VPNSafety & Privacy
Simple habits that keep you genuinely private and protected while you browse.
Read: Is Tor safe?FAQ
Quick, honest answers to the questions beginners ask most about Tor.
Read answersGet the browser
Download the Tor Browser
Ready to try it? Get the official Tor Browser for Windows, macOS, Linux, or Android. It's free, takes a couple of minutes to set up, and there's nothing to configure to get started.
Download Tor BrowserStay safe: only ever download Tor from the official torproject.org website. Copycat sites and unofficial mirrors can hide tampered, unsafe versions.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tor Browser legal?
Yes. Using the Tor Browser is legal in most countries, including the United States, the UK, Canada, and across the European Union. Tor is a mainstream privacy tool used every day by journalists, researchers, businesses, and ordinary people. A small number of governments restrict or block it, so if you travel it's worth checking local laws. As with any browser, what matters legally is what you do online — not the software itself.
Is the Tor Browser safe?
Yes, when used sensibly. Tor is built by a respected non-profit and is widely considered safe as long as you download it from the official torproject.org site. It blocks many common trackers and isolates your activity by default. Your safety also depends on your habits: keep it updated, avoid signing into accounts that identify you, and never use unofficial copies.
Is the Tor Browser free?
Completely free. Tor is free and open-source software maintained by the non-profit Tor Project — no subscriptions, no paid tiers, and no ads. Because the code is open, security researchers worldwide can inspect it, which helps keep it trustworthy.
Is Tor the same as a VPN?
No. A VPN sends your traffic through a single company's server, so you have to trust that one provider. Tor sends your traffic through three volunteer-run relays with layered encryption, so no single relay can see both who you are and what you're doing.
Tor is free and focuses on anonymity; VPNs are usually paid and focus on privacy and access. Some people even use both together.
Does Tor make me anonymous?
Tor gives you strong anonymity, but no tool can promise you're perfectly anonymous. It hides your location and makes your traffic very hard to trace — yet you can still reveal yourself by logging into personal accounts, sharing identifying details, or adding browser extensions. Think of Tor as a powerful layer of protection, not an absolute guarantee.
Is the Tor Browser slow?
It can feel a little slower than a normal browser, because your traffic travels through three relays around the world instead of going directly to a site. For reading, messaging, and research this is usually fine. Streaming HD video or large downloads will be slower — a normal trade-off for the extra privacy.