Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Tor Browser VS I2P

Compare Tor Browser VS I2P and see what are their differences

Tor Browser logo Tor Browser

Tor is free software for enabling anonymous communication.

I2P logo I2P

The I2P network provides strong privacy protections for communication over the Internet.
  • Tor Browser Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-14
  • I2P Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-03-14

Tor Browser features and specs

  • Anonymity
    The Tor Browser allows users to browse the internet anonymously by routing connections through a network of volunteer-run servers, masking the user's IP address and location.
  • Circumvent Censorship
    Tor can help users bypass government or organizational censorship, allowing access to websites and services that might be blocked in certain regions.
  • Security
    Tor encrypts data multiple times through its network layers (onion routing), making it difficult for attackers to intercept and read communications.
  • Free and Open Source
    Tor Browser is free to use and its source code is publicly available, promoting transparency and trust in its security and privacy features.
  • Access to .onion Sites
    Tor Browser provides access to .onion websites, which are part of the Tor hidden services, offering content that isn't available through traditional web browsers.

Possible disadvantages of Tor Browser

  • Slower Speeds
    Routing traffic through multiple Tor nodes can significantly reduce browsing speed compared to traditional web browsers.
  • Not Fully Immune to Tracking
    Despite its strong privacy features, Tor is not completely immune to sophisticated tracking techniques and cannot protect against all forms of surveillance.
  • Potential for Misuse
    Tor's anonymity features can be exploited for illegal activities, including access to dark web marketplaces and illicit content.
  • Limited Functionality
    Some websites and services may block Tor users or require additional verification steps, reducing the overall usability of the browser.
  • Complexity
    While Tor Browser is generally user-friendly, the underlying concepts and settings can be complex for non-technical users, requiring a learning curve to use effectively.

I2P features and specs

  • Anonymity
    I2P is designed to provide significant anonymity for users by routing communications through a volunteer-run network of globally distributed routers.
  • Peer-to-Peer Architecture
    I2P doesn't rely on centralized servers, reducing single points of failure and enhancing its resilience to attacks and censorship.
  • Layered Encryption
    Messages sent through I2P are encrypted in multiple layers (using garlic routing), which enhances security and makes tracking the data source harder.
  • Uncensorable
    Due to its decentralized and anonymous nature, I2P can be used to bypass censorship and provide access to information in restrictive environments.
  • Versatile Applications
    Supports a variety of applications such as anonymous web browsing, chatting, file-sharing, and email, making it a versatile tool for privacy-focused users.

Possible disadvantages of I2P

  • Performance
    The anonymization and encryption processes in I2P can lead to slower connections and higher latency compared to traditional internet connections.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Setting up and using I2P can be complex for new users, requiring some technical knowledge to configure effectively.
  • Limited User Base
    I2P has a smaller user base compared to other anonymous networks like Tor, which might affect the overall speed and availability of content.
  • Maintenance and Reliability
    As a volunteer-run network, the reliability of routers can vary, potentially causing inconsistency in service quality and availability.
  • Content Accessibility
    Content on I2P is isolated within its network and not directly accessible from the regular internet, which can be limiting for users looking for a broader range of content.

Tor Browser videos

Tor Browser How to Use & Download Tor to Access the Dark Web

I2P videos

Question: Is I2P Better than TOR?

More videos:

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Tor Browser and I2P)
Security & Privacy
85 85%
15% 15
VPN
64 64%
36% 36
Security
58 58%
42% 42
Web Browsers
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Tor Browser and I2P. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Tor Browser and I2P

Tor Browser Reviews

Brave Alternative - 8 Privacy-Focused and Reliable Options
If you’re looking for maximum privacy and anonymity on the internet, the best Brave alternative is the Tor browser.
Source: mspoweruser.com
Best Tor Browser Alternative for Risk-Free Web Surfing
Epic Browser is another notable contender among Tor Browser alternatives. Developed by Hidden Reflex, Epic Browser boasts a sleek design and a host of privacy-preserving features. Unlike Tor Browser, Epic Browser uses a proxy server instead of the Tor network, resulting in faster browsing speeds.
5 Most Privacy Focused Web Browsers
Unlike LibreWolf, Tor Browser lets you utilize the Tor network, which could affect your web experience but gives a big privacy boost. You can browse onion sites to fight against censorship, and keep things private at the same time.
Source: itsfoss.com
Avoid The Hack: 6 Best Privacy Browser Picks for Windows
The Brave Browser also has a "Tor" tabs feature, which provides some additional privacy by using the Tor network as a proxy. However, using Brave' Tor Tab feature does not provide the same level of privacy as using the actual Tor browser; users needing or wanting a "true" anonymous browser for anonymous browsing should use Tor.
10 Best FREE Anti Tracking Software In 2023 [TOP SELECTIVE]
Tor is a scripted onion browser that uses onion linking on a multi-server linking technique to access a particular website. Users state that Tor is mainly used to access the dark web and for security purposes, as it’s highly untraceable.

I2P Reviews

Best Tor Browser Alternative for Risk-Free Web Surfing
I2P is an anonymous networking layer that provides strong privacy protections for communication over the internet. Though not a web browser per se, I2P can be integrated with web browsers to create a highly secure environment.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, I2P should be more popular than Tor Browser. It has been mentiond 48 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Tor Browser mentions (9)

  • What crime are you okay with people committing?
    Https://torproject.org/download and get the correct app for your device and slap. Source: over 2 years ago
  • HOW to 100% ANONYMOUSLY REPORT unsafe working conditions!!
    TL;DR: The method involves utilizing public wifi (NOT from work or from home) and either the Tor Browser (beginner) OR the Tails OS (advanced, slightly more anonymous) AND one of the free .onion email providers seen here (or similar sites) to send truly anonymous email to anyone you want...including CEOs, state health departments, news agencies, credentialing/accreditation bodies...the list goes on. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Do websites get fingerprint from Tor Mobile?
    Or go to https://torproject.org/download and follow the download link for Android to the PlayStore and check that is the app you have installed. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Hidden Wiki
    This? Well I don't think that's malicious (from looking at it for like 3 minutes), but you should delete that app. Only download stuff that's listed at https://torproject.org/download. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Tor Browser 11.0 Alpha 9 Crack 2022
    Https://torproject.org/download gives you the Tor Browser, for free, with nothing locked behind a license. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

I2P mentions (48)

  • SSL certificate expired
    The SSL certificate of https://download.i2p2.no expired on 29.08.2023. Therefore no downloads from the official https://geti2p.net site are available over https. Is this problem known? Source: over 1 year ago
  • RARBG is down and out!?
    They probably got harassed and don't have the man power to act. Great moment to give I2P https://geti2p.net/en/ a look as a viable alternative for torrents. Some clients already support both systems. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: What Are Alternatives to the Internet?
    There's a few abstractions of the web you can use today. https://freenetproject.org/ https://geti2p.net/en/ https://www.gnunet.org/en/ https://www.ipfs.tech/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • YOUR OPSEC SUCKS | UHQ SCHIZOID OPSEC GUIDE | BECOME BULLETPROOF
    Aside from being very secure, it will also be much faster than Tor overall. The best way to explain I2P is as a internet within an internet. One thing to mention is I2P does not hide the fact you are using the service at all. If you don't like Tor for some reason, this is another option to check out. I2P Link: https://geti2p.net/en/. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Reddit tells court: Film studios spewed “nonsense” in demand for users’ names
    If you really want to go down that route, I2P is probably your best bet these days. https://geti2p.net/en/. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Tor Browser and I2P, you can also consider the following products

Brave - Fast and secure, ad and tracker blocking browser.

Freenet - Mae-enjoy mo na ang LIBRENG INTERNET ACCESS mula sa freenet! Ang libreng net na bet! freenet is an app where you can access the internet for free. Get 24/7 free access to our partner apps and sites. FREE INTERNET!

Mozilla Firefox - Get the browsers that put your privacy first — and always have

OpenVPN - OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN

ProtonVPN - ProtonVPN is a security focused FREE VPN service, developed by CERN and MIT scientists. Use the web anonymously, unblock websites & encrypt your connection.

Psiphon - Psiphon is circumvention software for Windows and Mobile platforms that provides uncensored access to Internet content. Read more about Psiphon.