How to Safely Access Tor in Turkey (Updated 2024
Reading time: 14 min
Updated on September 22, 2023
Turkey no longer bans Tor, but since the country is known for blocking websites, social media platforms, and VPNs, it could be reinstated at any time. However, Tor doesn’t guarantee complete anonymity online.
Activities on the browser have been traced back to specific individuals in the past. Tor users are also often hacked because criminals, viruses, and other malicious players hide on the web pages — especially on the dark web. The only way to avoid these risks is to use Tor with a VPN.
Of all the VPNs tested, ExpressVPN is the safest for Tor in Turkey because it has top security and privacy features. It also has the fastest speeds compared to other VPNs. You can try out ExpressVPN for Tor risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
The Importance of Using a VPN While Accessing Tor in Turkey
Firstly, Tor doesn’t protect all the traffic that comes from your device, only those from the browser. So if you make transactions on the Garanti BBVA app in Turkey, they’re not secure just because you have Tor on your smartphone.
But even if you use the Tor browser to access your bank account, the entry and exit nodes are at risk. The entry node can see your real IP address and location in Turkey but not what you’re doing, while the exit node could see your online activity but not your IP address.
Since your traffic is fully decrypted and visible at the exit node, you’re exposed to spying, malware, and man-in-the-middle attacks. The attackers may not know who you are unless they hack the entry node. Still, your safety depends on the integrity of the exit node.
A quality VPN provides safe access to a range of sites in Turkey, including Tor. It does this by encrypting all the connections from a device and hiding the real IP address for anonymous browsing. No one can spy on details like browsing history, including advertisers, hackers, web trackers, and other third parties.
Although Tor is currently not banned in Turkey, many leading VPN sites are. So if a trip to the country is approaching, download a reliable VPN client app before entering Turkey so that the service is accessible.
Quick Guide: How to Safely Access Tor in Turkey
- Get a VPN — Get ExpressVPN to access Tor in Turkey with top security and privacy protection. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Connect to a server — A local server should work fine since Tor is not banned in Turkey.
- That’s it! — Access Tor and start browsing privately.
Get ExpressVPN for Tor in Turkey
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
The Best VPNs for Accessing Tor in Turkey
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN for Tor in Turkey With Audited Security and Privacy Features
Key Features:
- 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, including 1 location in Turkey
- Military-grade 256-bit encryption, TrustedServer technology, and Network Lock
- 24/7 live chat and email support, video tutorials, and troubleshooting guides
- Secure up to 8 devices at the same time
- 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN is the best to browse Tor in Turkey because it has top security and privacy features that are proven to keep data hidden. The VPN’s TrustedServer technology ensures all browsing data is deleted every time a server is rebooted. This was verified during an audit by PwC.
In fact, when the Turkish authorities seized one of ExpressVPN’s servers to aid investigations in a high-profile assassination, it held no useful information. Since the VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, privacy laws don’t require sensitive data to be collected, stored, or handed over to anyone.
More recently, a third-party cybersecurity firm, F-Secure, confirmed that ExpressVPN’s app for Windows meets high-security standards. On the security and privacy front, ExpressVPN has:
- A no-log policy that works with its TrustedServer technology and RAM-based servers to make sure no hackable personal information is stored anywhere.
- Network Lock protects privacy when there’s a network failure, especially when connecting to Tor with Turkish public WiFi.
- IP leak prevention that ensures all traffic on the Tor browser and other applications always flows through an encrypted tunnel.
- 256-bit military-grade encryption that won’t reveal your actual IP address to Tor entry nodes.
Compared to standard browsers, Tor is very slow. This can be made worse when a VPN is used due to the encryption process. Tests show that ExpressVPN has super-fast servers, especially after it upgraded its servers in Turkey to 10Gbps recently. Movies and shows did not lag or buffer on any of the ExpressVPN servers I tested.
As with several VPNs, ExpressVPN is blocked in Turkey. But once installed, it works fine in the country without any special configurations. If it isn’t possible to get ExpressVPN before arriving in Turkey, you can download it from the VPN’s onion site, Expressobutiolem.onion with Tor browser.
Regardless of the device used to access Tor in Turkey, ExpressVPN has native apps for all major operating systems, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more. It also allows up to 8 simultaneous connections.
This is not the cheapest VPN for Tor in Turkey, but it is the best in terms of security, privacy, and speed. For the best deal, subscribe to ExpressVPN’s 2-year + 6 months free plan at $4.99 per month. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for complete peace of mind.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
ExpressVPN is compatible with: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Kindle Fire, Nook HD, and more
Use Tor with ExpressVPN in Turkey
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2. CyberGhost — Browse Tor Without Further Delays With High-Speed Connections in Turkey
Key Features:
- 11,670+ servers in 100 countries with 40 in Istanbul
- AES 256-bit encryption, headquartered outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance and has a strict no-log policy
- Online guides, 24/7 live chat assistance, FAQs, and an online ticket system
- Connect 7 devices simultaneously
- 45-day money-back guarantee except for the monthly plan
CyberGhost is a great VPN for Tor in Turkey because it has high-speed connections that don’t slow down the browser further. Many other VPNs often do since it involves encrypting traffic and routing it through one of their own servers.
Plus, with dozens of servers to choose from in Turkey, you won’t experience any congestions that can also reduce speed. When tested, CyberGhost’s speeds were fast enough to stream movies without lags.
Another reason to pick CyberGhost is that it has some of the best security and privacy features. These prevent malicious actors from intercepting your data and revealing your identity and online activities:
- 256-bit military-grade encryption that’s impossible to break into.
- A no-log policy that deletes all your data, including those decrypted at the exit node.
- A kill switch protects privacy when the internet connection is bad in Turkey.
- IP leak prevention ensures your traffic is always encrypted.
CyberGhost is based in privacy-friendly Romania, which means it doesn’t collect, store and share your personal information with anyone.
The VPN has apps for many operating systems such as Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android so browsing with Tor is not difficult in Turkey. It also allows you to use the browser safely on up to 7 devices simultaneously.
In terms of pricing, CyberGhost’s monthly plan is quite pricey, but its long-term plans are super affordable by Turkish standards. You can get CyberGhost’s 2-year + 4 months plan at $2.03 per month, and it has a 45-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy, you can just request a refund. My request was processed fast, and the money was returned in 5 days.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
CyberGhost is compatible with: Windows, iOS, Mac, Android, Chrome, Firefox, routers, Amazon Fire TV, consoles, and more
Use Tor with CyberGhost in Turkey
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3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Stay Safe Browsing on Tor With MACE Malware Blocker
Key Features:
- 35,000+ servers in 91 countries, including 1 location in Turkey
- AES 256-bit encryption, MACE malware, an ad blocker, and a kill switch
- 24/7 live chat and email support, plus an online knowledge base and guides
- Allows unlimited simultaneous device connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans
PIA has MACE to block malware that could be injected by malicious actors at exit nodes when using Tor in Turkey. The feature also blocks suspicious sites and ads. Since Tor doesn’t recommend installing extensions like ad blockers, MACE can be a good alternative.
Aside from MACE, PIA also meets the security standards that a good VPN should have:
- 256-bit military-grade encryption.
- A no-log policy that deletes all data and activities on Tor.
- A kill switch that automatically disables connection when unstable.
- IP leak prevention ensures that real IP addresses and locations in Turkey are never exposed.
For complete anonymity, PIA accepts cryptocurrencies and even gift cards from major brands available in Turkey, such as Nike, Gap, Guess, Starbucks, and more.
PIA has one of the largest networks with over 35,000 servers in 91 countries. This means connection speeds are always fast for Tor as there are other servers to choose from if the ones from Turkey are crowded and slow.
Although the VPN’s website is blocked in Turkey, PIA works perfectly with its ShadowSOCKS proxy. When enabled, the proxy wraps the connection and disguises it as regular web traffic, not one originating from a VPN. You only have to configure the proxy once in the settings. After that, you can connect to any server as normal.
The VPN can be paired with Tor on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. The browser can also be used safely on up to unlimited devices simultaneously in Turkey.
For the best value, get PIA’s 2-year + 2 months plan at just $2.19 per month. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is handy if the service is not as expected. I asked for a refund via a support ticket and got my money back in less than a week.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
PIA is compatible with: Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, consoles, and more
2024 Update! You can subscribe to PIA for as low as $2.19 per month + get an extra 2 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 82%)! This is a limited offer, so grab it now before it's gone! See more information on this offer here!
How I Tested and Ranked the Best VPNs for Tor in Turkey
A VPN for Tor has to meet several criteria so that your identity won’t be compromised while browsing in Turkey. I used the following criteria to test the best VPNs in 2024 to find the top VPNs for using Tor in Turkey.
- Strong security and privacy features — Military-grade 256-bit encryption is necessary to prevent the entry nodes from seeing your IP address. A kill switch, DNS leak protection, and no-log servers ensure privacy when using Tor in Turkey.
- Global server network — A large fleet of servers makes sure there are other options when servers in Turkey are slow or under maintenance.
- Fast speeds — Tor is known for slow speeds. A good VPN will not make it any faster in Turkey, but it won’t slow it down until it’s not practical to use Tor.
- Apps for popular devices — The VPNs on this list are compatible with all major operating systems, so they can be paired with Tor on any device available in Turkey.
- Customer support — Quick response time and helpful advice are important when you need to use Tor in Turkey but can’t. All the VPNs here responded in less than 5 minutes when I contacted them via 24/7 live chat.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
FAQs on VPNs and Tor in Turkey
Is Tor still banned in Turkey?
Is Tor illegal in Turkey?
Are VPNs legal in Turkey?
Can I use a free VPN to Access Tor in Turkey?
It’s possible, but I don’t recommend using a free VPN to access Tor in Turkey. Some of the best free VPNs are quite secure, but they only have a few servers, some far away from Turkey. This means it’s always overcrowded, or the distance the data has to travel is too far for Tor’s connection to be decent. Others have limited bandwidth and servers, resulting in slow speeds on an already slow Tor.
The worst free VPNs contain malware that makes it easier for cybercriminals to hack you. Or they collect and sell your data, which makes using Tor or a VPN pointless if security and privacy is the main concern.
That’s why I recommend taking advantage of the 45-day money-back guarantee of a premium VPN like CyberGhost. If you ask for a refund in time, you can actually use the service in Turkey with Tor for free.
Try Tor with CyberGhost for free
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Access Tor in Turkey Safely With a Quality VPN
Tor isn’t banned in Turkey, but the browser doesn’t guarantee complete anonymity online. Navigating the deep web, which encompasses the dark web where criminals, viruses, and other malicious entities hide, necessitates using a VPN to ensure your safety on these sites.
I recommend ExpressVPN for Tor in Turkey as it has proven time and again that its security and privacy features work. Its fast connection speeds also ensure that Tor doesn’t become impossible to use with all the added security.
Plus, when you subscribe to ExpressVPN for Tor in Turkey, you’ll get a 45-day money-back guarantee for complete peace of mind.
Summary — Best VPNs for Accessing Tor
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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