Where is Tor Browser blocked?

Tor Browser is blocked or restricted in 9 of the 130 countries we track. Updated November 2026.

Tor Browser routes your traffic through three volunteer-run relays so websites can't see who you are. That makes it a target: Russia blocked the Tor Project in December 2021, and China, Iran, Belarus and Turkmenistan block its public relays.

Is Tor Browser safe?

Blocked 6

Belarus
Anonymisers have been banned since 2015.
China
Public relays blocked; only some bridges get through.
Iran
Public relays blocked; bridges needed.
North Korea
Russia since Dec 2021
The Tor Project site and many relays were blocked in December 2021.
Turkmenistan

Partly blocked 3

Egypt
The Tor Project website is blocked; the network still works with bridges.
Saudi Arabia
The Tor Project website is blocked on some networks.
United Arab Emirates
The Tor Project website is blocked; the network still works with bridges.

How to unblock Tor Browser

Tor Browser works normally in 121 countries

The 3 VPNs that fit Tor Browser

Tor has its own built-in ways around blocks, called bridges (Snowflake and obfs4). In some countries a VPN first, then Tor, is the more reliable combination.

Picked for privacy and getting messages through.

Proton VPN

Swiss-based with open-source apps and a free tier, plus a Stealth protocol for restrictive networks.

For strict networks: the Stealth protocol.

Try Proton VPN

ExpressVPN

Obfuscation is switched on automatically on every server, so there is no special mode to find.

For strict networks: automatic obfuscation.

Try ExpressVPN

NordVPN

Largest network of the six, with the NordWhisper protocol for networks that inspect traffic.

For strict networks: NordWhisper or obfuscated servers.

Try NordVPN

Not sure about these three? See 3 more VPNs Private Internet Access, Surfshark and CyberGhost

Private Internet Access

Open-source apps, unlimited devices and servers in every US state, at a low price.

For strict networks: the Shadowsocks proxy option.

Try Private Internet Access

Surfshark

Unlimited devices on one plan, with NoBorders mode that switches on in restrictive regions.

For strict networks: NoBorders mode.

Try Surfshark

CyberGhost

Servers labelled for specific streaming services and a 45-day refund window on longer plans.

For strict networks: a nearby server.

Try CyberGhost

Top 3 for Tor Browser at a glance

VPN	Score out of 100	Stealth	Connection	Privacy	Status
1. Proton VPN	93 / 100	The Stealth protocol (8/10)	—	10/10	—
2. ExpressVPN	84 / 100	Automatic obfuscation (10/10)	—	8/10	—
3. NordVPN	84 / 100	NordWhisper or obfuscated servers (9/10)	—	8/10	—

Scores are out of 100 for this app, without a country connection factor. Stealth and Privacy are the ranking’s 0–10 factors.

Questions people ask

Which countries block Tor Browser?

Tor Browser is blocked in Belarus, China, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Turkmenistan.

Which VPN is best for Tor Browser?

Our picks are Proton VPN, ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Picked for privacy and getting messages through. Open your country's page to see which one is connecting there this week.

Is it OK to use a VPN with Tor Browser?

Tor has its own built-in ways around blocks, called bridges (Snowflake and obfs4). In some countries a VPN first, then Tor, is the more reliable combination.

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