Why Tor Browser Only
Regular browsers leak your IP address even when using a VPN. Tor Browser routes all traffic through multiple encrypted relays, making it practically impossible to trace your connection back to your physical location. Darknet markets are only accessible via the Tor network using v3 onion addresses — these cannot be opened in regular browsers. For more on how the Tor network works, see our darknet introduction.
Tor Browser Security Levels
Tor Browser offers three security levels. Standard enables all features. Safer disables JavaScript on non-HTTPS sites. Safest disables JavaScript entirely, along with WebGL, certain fonts and other potential attack vectors. For darknet market access, Safest is the recommended setting — active markets including Mars Market, Nexus Market and Torzon Market are fully functional with JavaScript disabled.
Platform-Specific Installation
Windows
Download the .exe installer from torproject.org. Verify the signature using Gpg4win. Run the installer and follow the prompts. Tor Browser installs to a portable folder and does not require administrator privileges.
macOS
Download the .dmg file from torproject.org. Verify the signature using GPGTools. Open the .dmg and drag Tor Browser to your Applications folder. On first launch, right-click and select Open to bypass Gatekeeper.
Linux
Download the .tar.xz archive from torproject.org. Verify the signature using gnupg. Extract the archive and run the start-tor-browser.desktop file. For persistent use, create a desktop shortcut or launcher entry.
Android
Install Tor Browser for Android from the Tor Project's F-Droid repository or Google Play. The Android version provides the same onion routing capabilities as the desktop version with a mobile-optimised interface.
Common Connection Issues
If Tor Browser cannot connect, try switching to a bridge in the connection settings. Obfs4 bridges are effective in most regions. If specific darknet market onion addresses are slow to load, this is normal — onion routing adds latency by design. Try an alternative verified mirror address if one is unreachable. See the darknet markets directory for verified working mirrors.
Next Steps
Once Tor Browser is installed, read our security and OPSEC guide before accessing any darknet market. For verified current market onion addresses, see our darknet markets directory. Common questions are answered in the FAQ.