Tor Browser vs Mullvad VPN for Journalists
Published March 2026 · Last updated March 2026
These serve different purposes. Use Tor Browser for anonymity when researching sensitive topics or accessing .onion sites -- traffic routes through three independent relays. Use Mullvad VPN for fast, private everyday browsing. Tor is slower but provides stronger anonymity. Mullvad is faster but trusts one provider.
| Tor Browser | Mullvad VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy Model | Anonymity (3-hop relay network) | Privacy (single-hop VPN tunnel) |
| Speed | Slow (2-10 Mbps typical) | Fast (minimal speed loss) |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes |
| Owner | The Tor Project (US nonprofit) | Mullvad VPN AB (Sweden) |
| Data Jurisdiction | Decentralized (global relay network) | Sweden (EU) |
| Free Option | Yes, completely free | No (5 EUR/month, flat rate) |
| Security Rating | Strong | Strong |
| Best For | Anonymous research, .onion sites, high-threat browsing | Everyday private browsing, public Wi-Fi, ISP privacy |
When to use Tor
Use Tor Browser when the goal is anonymity, not just privacy. Researching a subject who might monitor incoming traffic to their website. Accessing SecureDrop instances. Browsing in a country with internet surveillance. Accessing .onion services. Tor's three-hop architecture means no single relay knows both who you are and what you are accessing. The tradeoff is speed -- expect significantly slower page loads.
When to use Mullvad
Mullvad is the right tool for daily browsing privacy. It hides your traffic from your ISP, protects you on public Wi-Fi, and prevents network-level surveillance of your browsing habits. Mullvad's no-logs policy was tested in April 2023 when Swedish police raided their office and found nothing to seize. At 5 EUR/month with no account email required and cash payment accepted, Mullvad minimizes the personal data you share with the VPN provider itself.
The verdict
Most journalists need both. Mullvad for everyday browsing privacy -- keep it running whenever you are on a network you do not fully trust. Tor for specific high-sensitivity research sessions where you need to prevent anyone from connecting your identity to your browsing activity. They solve different problems and complement each other.
Frequently asked questions
Should journalists use Tor or a VPN?
It depends on the task. Use Tor Browser for researching sensitive topics where anonymity matters -- accessing .onion sites, investigating subjects who might monitor who visits their websites, or browsing in countries with heavy surveillance. Use Mullvad VPN for everyday browsing where you want privacy from your ISP and network operators without the speed penalty of Tor.
Can Tor be traced back to me?
Tor routes traffic through three relays, making it extremely difficult to trace. However, Tor is not infallible. Exit node monitoring, traffic correlation attacks by well-resourced adversaries, and user error (logging into personal accounts while using Tor) can compromise anonymity. For high-risk research, combine Tor with Tails OS for stronger protection.
Does Mullvad keep logs?
Mullvad claims a strict no-logs policy and has taken steps to back this up. In April 2023, Swedish police raided Mullvad's offices and found no user data to seize. Mullvad accepts anonymous payment (cash by mail, cryptocurrency) and does not require an email address to create an account. Accounts use a randomly generated number, not personal information.
Why is Tor so slow?
Tor routes your traffic through three separate relays around the world before reaching the destination. Each hop adds latency. This is a fundamental tradeoff: more hops mean stronger anonymity but slower speeds. Typical Tor browsing speeds are 2-10 Mbps compared to your normal connection speed. This makes Tor impractical for video streaming or large downloads.
Can I use Tor and Mullvad together?
You can, but the Tor Project does not generally recommend it. Running Tor over a VPN can prevent your ISP from seeing that you use Tor, but it adds a fixed entry point (the VPN server) to your traffic pattern. For most journalists, use one or the other based on the task rather than layering them.
Assessment by Mike Schneider at Fieldwork. Read our methodology or browse all tool ratings.