As always, we strongly recommend using a reliable antivirus and a robust VPN to increase your security. For this reason, it is always better to use a trustworthy VPN for Tor while accessing the Dark Web, as this will provide a robust additional layer of privacy. Make Tech Easier provides tech tutorials, reviews, tips and tricks to help you navigate the complicated world of technology. Qubes is a leading Linux-based operating system, well known for privacy.
Below, I’ve dissected the eight leading dark web search engines in 2025, including NotEvil, based on hands-on testing and 15 years of navigating Tor. No matter what you’re looking for on the dark web, it’s crucial that you safeguard yourself with the highest level of privacy and security. WormWeb is a user-friendly search engine built specifically for the dark web, providing quick and easy access to .onion websites. Also known as Not Evil, this dark web search engine offers access to a wide array of .onion content. Finding data on the dark web can be challenging, in this post we’ll cover how the dark web works, how to access it, and the top 5 dark web search engines. Haystak is often considered one of the deepest search engines for the dark web because it indexes around 1.5 billion dark web pages.
The Imperial Library currently holds around 1.5 million books, some of which may be hosted illegally, and thus, their consumption might violate copyright laws. To protect yourself against any legal repercussions, you should consider using NordVPN. Still, while the latter has a large digital collection of comic books, the Imperial Library has a large collection of books. The wallet is free, and since it’s open-source, anyone can inspect, verify, and contribute to the code.

The Deep Web
There are private and encrypted email services, instructions for setting up anonymous operating systems, and advanced privacy tips. You can also find materials like hard-to-find books, curated political news, and even whistleblowing platforms similar to a dark web version of WikiLeaks. Legitimate organizations and companies also sometimes establish a presence on the dark web. Law enforcement agencies monitor the dark web for stolen data and criminal activity, while major media organizations track whistleblowing sites for news.
FAQs On The Best Dark Web Search Engines
They are located in Europe, where privacy laws are among the strictest in the world. This search engine’s mission is to be leaders in providing services on the deep web, protecting the anonymity of each user. In addition, they share information of great importance, about the Tor network and the Tor project. Because dark web sites can only be reached with a dark web browser like Tor browser, the best dark web sites, best onion sites, and best Tor websites are all one and the same. And because they aren’t searchable via Google or Bing, onion site lists are important roadmaps to help users find what they’re looking for on the dark web. While it may have a reputation for seedy and dangerous content, many dark web websites are legitimate and useful resources.

Best Sites Like The Chive For Funny Photos, Memes
Verify links via trusted directories like tor.taxi or daunt.link to avoid phishing clones. Kilos specializes in locating and accessing dark web markets, many of which are focused on illegal drug trades. Unlike many search engines that avoid the darkest corners of the web, Kilos actively delves into these areas without filtering search results. While this unfiltered approach propelled Kilos to prominence as a top black market search engine, it also makes it a potentially risky gateway to dangerous sites.
Also, its search results include links of other search engines results like clicking on a few links you can land on OnionLand Search. The Deep Searches offers a neat-clean search engine to find what you are looking. It does have sponsored listing at search result page like other search engines but it brings a ads-free homepage to you. Additionally, It offers direct navigation to most popular searches which you will find at bottom. Torch is one of the most well established and dark web search engines. Its primary suit is its database, which claims having over 898,385 documents indexed.
- In addition, its technology is open-source, and it doesn’t keep your data, which proves it is safe to use.
- The threat can extend to your entire network of devices connected to the internet.
- For engines like Torch, which return unfiltered results, preview site descriptions without clicking and consult community blacklists on r/onions.
- When you pair DDG with the .onion version, you are then able to perform a much larger search of the Web that includes the Deep Web.
- You can choose the best darknet (.onion) website that suits you and start surfing.
Alt Address
It runs an onion site to help like-minded people mobilize more securely and anonymously. AVG Secure VPN encrypts your internet traffic and obscures your IP address every time you use it to go online — dark web or not. With a variety of server locations around the world to choose from, you’ll be able to navigate the web more privately and access the content you want. You could try to visit a major site like Facebook’s onion site to check if your browser is working at all. This would verify if it’s a browser issue or just an issue with the site.

How To Access Onion Sites
Continue reading to learn more about the dark web and how to access it. When exploring the invisible web, ensuring that your tools work seamlessly with privacy-focused technologies is essential. Many deep web search engines and browsers rely on specific configurations to maintain your anonymity. If your tools are incompatible, you risk exposing your identity or accessing unreliable results.
Quick Links
On the other hand, negative reviews may reveal issues like indexing harmful content or poor privacy protection. Use this information to choose a search engine that aligns with your needs and ensures a safe experience on the invisible web. Look for search engines that clearly state their policies on data collection and user tracking. A trustworthy platform will avoid storing your personal information or tracking your search history. This commitment to privacy protects you from corporate data mining and ensures your anonymity.
Hidden Wiki
- The process costs a fee, but unlike other “tumbler” or “mixing” services, there is no risk that Wasabi or any of its users could scam you out of your coins.
- When using Tor without a VPN, each volunteer-operated node that your traffic passes through can potentially see some of your data.
- Whenever you’re online, but especially if you go on the dark web, you need a VPN to encrypt your online communications and data.
- Even though DuckDuckGo is the Tor browser’s default search engine, it doesn’t index dark web websites, which means you won’t be able to find .onion sites with it.
- In addition to these tools, you need to exercise extreme caution when browsing on the dark web because there are tons of phishing and malicious sites on there.
- While news and map searches are restricted to the clearnet, OSE offers a diverse array of multimedia search options within the dark web.
Here, you’ll find links to various resources, including educational archives, private forums, anonymous services, and more. Like traditional search engines, dark web search engines also use web crawlers, but not the same ones. The difference is that they are specialized web crawlers designed to operate within the Tor network and index .onion sites. However, the process is slower and much more complex because of the encryption, anonymity protocols, and the unstructured nature of many dark web sites. Launched around 2007, The Hidden Wiki is a legendary entry point to the dark web, though not a traditional dark web search engine.
Yippy is a search engine that started in 2009, since then it has evolved. To become a leading provider of business learning and knowledge for all types of data users and consumers. Hidden Answers is an uncensored and anonymous forum that’s essentially a dark web version of websites like Reddit. On it, people can ask any question; no discussion will be taken down or moderated.

However, be mindful of the risks, as mobile devices can also be vulnerable to malware. Examples include, but are not limited to, the trafficking of people, the drug trade, the sale of weapons, and pornography. Strict internet censorship is enforced by some governments and nations, preventing access to international news sources. One of the best examples of a news source that is unavailable in some repressive nations is the BBC website. We advise using a reliable VPN, such as iProVPN, which protects your IP address with military-grade encryption and monitors the dark web to warn you in the event of identity theft.
Step 2:- Set Up A VPN
Clicking the wrong link can compromise your device or even expose your identity. Normal search engines collect data to improve results and sell ads. They log queries, track users, and use this information to build profiles. Dark web search engines, on the other hand, are built with privacy in mind.
For engines like Torch, which return unfiltered results, preview site descriptions without clicking and consult community blacklists on r/onions. Regular system audits and avoiding executable files further reduce infection risks. Use it as a privacy bridge for initial queries, but switch to dedicated tools like Torch or Haystak for comprehensive dark web results. Others are clicking unverified links without cross-checks, downloading files without scans, or using the same setup for surface and dark web browsing.