Tor and VPN are often mentioned together, but they’re different tools for different tasks. Let’s understand how they work and when to use each.
How VPN Works
Principle
- Device connects to VPN server
- All traffic is encrypted between device and server
- Server sends requests on your behalf
- Websites see VPN server’s IP, not yours
Diagram
You → [encrypted tunnel] → VPN Server → Internet
What Different Parties See
| Who | What They See |
|---|---|
| ISP | Connection to VPN, encrypted traffic |
| VPN provider | Your IP, visited sites (metadata) |
| Website | VPN server’s IP |
How Tor Works
Principle
- Traffic passes through 3 random nodes
- Each node only knows the previous and next one
- Nobody sees the complete route
- Chain changes every 10 minutes
Diagram
You → Entry Node → Middle Node → Exit Node → Internet
What Different Parties See
| Who | What They See |
|---|---|
| ISP | Connection to Tor (can hide with bridges) |
| Entry node | Your IP, but not destination |
| Middle node | Only neighboring nodes |
| Exit node | Destination site, but not your IP |
| Website | Exit node’s IP |
Comparison
| Parameter | VPN | Tor |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | High (5-15% loss) | Low (significant loss) |
| Anonymity | Medium | High |
| Trust | Must trust provider | No trust needed |
| Encryption | To VPN server | Multi-layered, to exit node |
| Cost | Paid subscription | Free |
| Simplicity | One click | Requires setup |
| P2P/torrents | Supported | Not recommended |
| Streaming | Works | Too slow |
When to Use VPN
Daily Privacy
- Protection from ISP
- Security on public WiFi
- Hiding IP from websites
Work and Entertainment
- Remote work
- Video streaming
- Online gaming
- Torrents
When Speed Matters
- Video calls
- File downloads
- Any task requiring fast connection
VPN is for: 95% of users and 95% of tasks.
When to Use Tor
Maximum Anonymity
- Journalistic investigations
- Source communication
- Activism in dangerous regions
No Trust in Intermediaries
- Can’t trust any VPN provider
- Anonymity is critical
- Threat from state actors
Accessing .onion
- Sites on Tor network
- Not accessible via regular internet
Tor is for: Specific tasks where anonymity matters more than speed.
Limitations of Each Tool
VPN Limitations
Trust in Provider All traffic goes through provider’s server. If provider keeps logs or is compromised - your activity is exposed.
Single Node Only one point between you and internet. Server compromise = user compromise.
Metadata VPN provider sees which sites you visit (not content, but addresses).
Tor Limitations
Speed Three nodes = three delays. Video, files, games - practically impossible.
Exit Node Can be controlled by attacker. Unencrypted traffic (HTTP) is visible.
Correlation Attacks With sufficient resources, traffic at entry and exit can be correlated.
Blocking Many sites block Tor exit node IPs.
Not for Torrents Overloads the network, reveals IP through protocol.
Can You Use Both Together
VPN + Tor (Tor over VPN)
You → VPN → Tor → Internet
Pros:
- ISP doesn’t see Tor usage
- Entry node doesn’t know your real IP
- Works if Tor is blocked
Cons:
- VPN provider knows you’re using Tor
- Even slower
- Harder to configure
Tor + VPN (VPN over Tor)
You → Tor → VPN → Internet
Pros:
- VPN provider doesn’t know your IP
- Website sees VPN IP, not exit node
Cons:
- Complex setup
- VPN must support TCP
- ISP sees Tor
Recommendation
For most tasks: VPN is enough.
For maximum anonymity: Tor over VPN: hides Tor from ISP.
Common Myths
”Tor is Completely Anonymous”
Reality: Tor provides high anonymity but not absolute. User errors, correlation attacks, malicious exit nodes - all are threats.
”VPN Makes You Anonymous”
Reality: VPN hides activity from ISP and websites, but VPN provider knows your activity. This is privacy, not anonymity.
”Tor Was Made for Criminals”
Reality: Tor was developed for privacy protection. It’s used by journalists, activists, regular people who care about privacy.
”Using Tor Is Illegal”
Reality: In most countries, Tor is legal. The activity might be illegal, but not the tool itself.
Practical Scenarios
| Task | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Public WiFi | VPN |
| Remote work | VPN |
| Streaming | VPN |
| Torrents | VPN |
| Journalism in dangerous region | Tor |
| Communication with anonymous source | Tor |
| Regular browsing with privacy | VPN |
| Paranoid security | Tor over VPN |
Alternatives
I2P (Invisible Internet Project)
Decentralized network for anonymous communication. Focus on internal services, not regular internet access.
Freenet
Distributed storage for censorship-resistant content. Slower than Tor, different use cases.
Mixnets
New generation of anonymous networks (Nym, HOPR). Better protection against correlation attacks than Tor.
Summary
| Criterion | VPN | Tor |
|---|---|---|
| Daily use | ✓ | ✗ |
| Speed | ✓ | ✗ |
| Simplicity | ✓ | ✗ |
| Anonymity | ○ | ✓ |
| Free | ✗ | ✓ |
| No trust in intermediaries | ✗ | ✓ |
Summary
VPN and Tor solve different problems. VPN - for daily privacy, speed, convenience. Tor - for maximum anonymity when speed doesn’t matter.
For 95% of users, a good VPN is enough. Tor is needed in specific situations: journalism, activism, working with sensitive sources.
Tainet provides fast and reliable protection for everyday tasks. For special cases - combine with Tor.
