Tor Browser compared with Mullvad Browser and VPN services| Tor Browser | Mullvad Browser | VPN services (typical) |
|---|
| Network path: Traffic is routed through the Tor network of volunteer relays using onion routing. The exit relay sees unencrypted traffic unless the site uses HTTPS, and destination sites can tell that the visitor comes from Tor. | Network path: Runs independently of Tor. It is meant to be used together with a VPN, either the one from Mullvad or another trusted provider, so the network path depends on that VPN. | Network path: Traffic is tunneled to the provider, using protocols such as IPsec, OpenVPN or WireGuard. The provider and the sites reached may still see user activity. |
| Anonymity limits: Does not protect against an attacker who can watch both ends of a connection and correlate traffic. It also does not protect traffic sent outside the browser or user errors such as revealing identifying details. | Anonymity limits: Reduces tracking and fingerprinting through Firefox resist fingerprinting, private mode by default and isolated first-party cookie jars. | Anonymity limits: VPNs hide traffic from the local network and the ISP, but they do not guarantee anonymity. |
| Browser hardening: Modified Firefox ESR with NoScript and three security levels (Standard, Safer, Safest). Higher levels disable JavaScript and some fonts, images and media. By default it allows only onion-service or HTTPS connections. | Browser hardening: Built by the Tor Project team and distributed by Mullvad, with privacy settings similar to Tor Browser. It was first released on 3 April 2023. | Browser hardening: Typically no browser is involved. Protection applies at the network layer to whatever applications use the tunnel. |
| Onion services and platforms: Usual way to open .onion addresses, which are reachable only through Tor. Available for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android. | Onion services and platforms: Cannot open .onion addresses, since it does not use the Tor network. Available for Linux, macOS and Windows. | Onion services and platforms: Typically supported by desktop and smartphone operating systems, either through provider apps or manual configuration. |
