A dark web search engine is a tool that helps users find content hosted on the dark web, specifically .onion websites, which are only accessible via the Tor network. Unlike traditional search engines like Google or Bing, which index the surface web, dark web search engines focus on content hosted on hidden networks like Tor (.onion sites) or I2P. Unlike Google’s web crawlers that follow links all over the public internet, dark web search engines use Tor based crawlers and sometimes user submissions to discover hidden sites. These search engines specialize in indexing hidden services, making it easier for users to access content within the Tor network securely. It began as a simple, categorized directory of .onion links — helping new users find forums, search engines, whistleblowing tools, and more. Dark web search engines help users discover hidden .onion content that isn’t indexed by traditional search tools.
Be Mindful Of Legal Implications
DuckDuckGo is a hidden web search engine that works similarly to Google. Torch is arguably one of the greatest darkweb search engines for researching the dark web. Torch not only provides an unrestricted list of search engines, but it also inhibits web tracking. Torch is the oldest search engine on the Tor network. Investigate the technology that allows users to navigate the depths of the internet unnoticed and discover a domain where traditional norms of engagement no longer apply.
I can tell you what it’s not – a digestible dark web website. Hidden Wiki, although comprehensive, contains some very disturbing and very illegal info. Doesn’t matter whether you’re team Marvel or DC, you’ll certainly enjoy the dark web Comic Book Library, a database containing thousands of downloadable funny almanacs.
Find People, Pay A Price

Its advanced algorithms deliver accurate search results, helping you locate relevant information quickly. Always exercise caution when navigating the invisible web, as some indexed content may pose risks. Bookmark frequently visited marketplaces for quicker access in the future. Utilize its filtering options to narrow down search results based on your preferences.
- The websites on the dark web have the domain name ‘.onion’ as part of their URL.
- For this reason, it is imperative that anybody searching the Dark Web takes great care to stick to topics and categories that are risk-free.
- Rather than manually combing through forums, a pentester can use tools like Ahmia or DarkSearch to quickly spot mentions of the client’s domain or sensitive projects.
- Torch is arguably one of the greatest darkweb search engines for researching the dark web.
- Its anonymous nature enables users to create and submit encrypted documents, chat securely, and receive private responses from journalists.
Best Dark Web Sites And Onion Links On Tor (
Once you upload an image, the site provides you with shareable links for email messages, instant messaging, message boards, and websites. You can also use its .onion link via the Tor network to access the site in restrictive countries, where it might be unavailable. It has indexed more than 1.5 billion pages from over 260,000 .onion websites, so you’ll easily be able to find what you’re looking for. DuckDuckGo is a search engine available on the Tor network that lets you browse the surface and dark web.
🔎 Ahmia – One Of The Best Dark Web Search Engines In 2025
Kilos specializes in locating and accessing dark web markets, many of which are focused on illegal drug trades. The company aims to make dark web browsing safer by curating search results to exclude fake or harmful sites, including those harboring malware. Additionally, it features a minimalistic interface without ads, which means you’re less likely to land on dangerous sites or click harmful links. It’s designed with a strong focus on user privacy, as it does not track search queries or gather any personal information, enhancing anonymity. And whenever you go online, especially when visiting unfamiliar sites, use a VPN for an additional layer of privacy and security.
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. However, DuckDuckGo also has a hidden side that allows you to search the Deep Web. It’s widely used by people on that browser, but you can also use it on regular browsers as a privacy-focused search engine alternative to Google.
- Like other search engines, this community-driven project emphasizes anonymity and privacy, and public examples can be added to make the internet more freely available
- The main advantage is that you can also access other dark web directories without running into malware.
- Unlike random link lists, a search engine gives structure and updates.
- To avoid these dangers, always use deep search engines with encrypted connections and advanced filtering options.
- This prevents tracking and fingerprinting, because Tor browser isolates each website you visit, meaning that third-party trackers and ad networks can’t follow you around.
What Are Deep Web Search Engines?
It doesn’t censor out any content, so you’ll have free access to more than 400,000 indexed pages. I like that it provides an option to report illegal content, such as child pornography or human trafficking. DuckDuckGo also lets you access chatbots anonymously, has image, video, news, shopping, and other search options. So, search results won’t be based on your browsing history, location, or anything else. This can help keep you and your data safer from malicious attachments that need an internet connection to wreak havoc. Please remember that it’s not illegal to enter the dark web, but you browse there at your own risk and it’s your responsibility to abide by the law.
How To Access onion Sites Safely
Instead, visitors must access sites on the Tor Network using a special browser developed by the Tor Project. Users cannot visit .onion sites using normal browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. We’ve compiled an up-to-date list of the best onion sites so you can get a taste of what’s out there. You can also search for onion links on DuckDuckGo’s onion page by clicking Onionize. To search for onion links for any website on the surface web, just copy-paste the URL in a Tor browser window. If you stumble upon any websites that seem illegal, just close the window.

It is the dark web’s version of Wikipedia with a massive links directory. You can also use it within the dark web, as it has .onion links. This article lists some of the best dark web websites you can visit securely. Though people usually think of dark websites as the wrong online place, that’s not the complete truth. A VPN also encrypts your connection, keeping your data safe from surveillance and unauthorized access. OnionLand offers a clean design with a simple user interface that includes search suggestions.
What Is Onionlive Used For?

DuckDuckGo is more than simply a deep web search engine; it also operates on surface websites. Ahmia has been gathering public onion addresses and indexing them for years, allowing users to search for the content they are seeking. The dark web is a secret section of the internet accessible only through specialist darkweb search engines. We found Ahmia a highly useful search engine to look for other deeply hidden search engine onions. Other dark web search engines worth investigating are Ahmia, Torch, NotEvil, and the Onion URL Directory—just type out some keywords for what you're looking for. These pages come with extra protections for user anonymity and data security, and you need special software to access them—you can't get at them through your normal web browser, like you can with much of the rest of the deep web.
Sci-Hub gives access to millions of scientific papers, mostly ones from behind paywalls. Offering books for free, shadow libraries face the morality question of copyright vs. access to information and knowledge. It provides an .onion URL and an interface for you to manage your Tor site easily. Impreza Hosting is a service that helps you host a site on the Tor network. Keybase also offers extremely user-friendly secure chat and file-sharing services through its app.
So if the community flags something as illegal or malicious, DarkSearch will try to exclude it. DarkSearch is a newer engine geared towards cybersecurity professionals. Not Evil is great for anonymous, crowd sourced safe searching, but always double check important findings across multiple sources. Make sure you have the latest onion URL, as it can change. Sometimes it can feel a bit bare bones or slow, likely because it’s run by volunteers and not a big company.