OnionShare is one of the best tools for that purpose, whether on the surface or deep web. Hence, it’s quite useful to be able to connect to its onion link. If you’re new to the deep/dark web, DuckDuckGo’s onion link should be your first port of call.
User Interface And Usability
It is the best and safest tool for searching for regular websites while in the Tor network without identification. One of the biggest and most comprehensive databases of .onion sites. And unlike other search engines, you will not be on a website with a host of more sanitized links that keep you on the sketchy side of the web. That’s why we’ve created this guide, your complete map to the best dark web search engines of 2025. However, not all dark web search engines are created equal. Start with verified directories like Ahmia or Hidden Wiki, use a secure environment (VM + VPN + Tor), and stick to ethical, research-oriented content only.
Best Dark Web Sites In 2025 + How To Stay Safe

This service is very easy to use, especially for beginning users. VormWeb is a good alternative if you want an actual search engine that not only works but also has other features. It’s like Yahoo! from yesteryear, just for dark websites.
Common Mistakes While Security Incident Response Planning
It has a simple user-interface with some instructions, and a search bar on the homepage. Thing which you will like most about Thedarkweblinks.com is here you will get working onion links along with nice and informative description and all links are categorised in a standard manner for your ease. It is a Clearnet website but it has a largest database of active dark web links as name implies.
Is It Illegal To Use A Dark Web Search Engine?
Torch excels at providing comprehensive search results, whether you're looking for academic resources, forums, or other hidden services. Always verify the legitimacy of the sites you visit, as even filtered platforms can occasionally index questionable content. Whether you're conducting research or searching hidden services, Ahmia provides a reliable platform for uncovering valuable information.
- The dark web is a segment of the deep web that is intentionally concealed and requires specific tools for access.
- I personally recommend Tor over VPN because it’s the safer option — the VPN encrypts your traffic and changes your IP address, so the Tor network can’t see them.
- DuckDuckGo is the default search engine inside the Tor browser, and once you turn on the Onionize toggle switch in the search box, you're able to use it to find dark web links.
- Let me tell you that these search engines aren’t like your traditional search engines, most of the times the information may not be as accurate or well—presented as on the normal search engines.
OnionLand
Yes, many professionals use tools like Maltego, IntelX, and custom scripts to automate scraping, indexing, and alerting on dark web activity. Use platforms like Dark.fail or Onion.live to check uptime, domain authenticity, and community trust levels before accessing a dark web site. Use a VPN, access the dark web only through the Tor browser, avoid logging in with personal credentials, and use virtual machines for isolation.
The Best Tor And Onion Links

Beneath the surface lies the deep web, a realm of unindexed content, and within it, the dark web. As far as database size goes, it currently has 9,736, 907 indexed onions. It has content ranging from Agriculture to Rocket-science, literally; but because the site is nearly as old as the Internet itself, the majority of the listed links have gone dead.

How Do OSINT Professionals Monitor Criminal Forums?
Notably, LibreY supports dark web image search, text results, and torrent links. As a non-profit operation, Not Evil relies on a community of volunteers to identify and report false results and "abusive" sites, contributing to the integrity of its dark web search results. It emphasizes speed and aims to protect user identity and privacy by not tracking search data. DuckDuckGo does not track your search history or collect personal data, making it a strong privacy-preserving option for searching both the surface and dark web. Ahmia is a search engine that aims to make searching the dark web more accessible and safer. It emphasizes user privacy by not tracking user activity or storing search history.
How To Stay Anonymous On The Internet In 2025

In 2025, Torch continues to stand as proof that even the oldest dark web search engines can still play an important role. Like most dark web search engines, Phobos avoids tracking and does not log personal information. While names like Ahmia and Torch dominate conversations about dark web search engines, Phobos has been quietly gaining attention.
With its sleek design and user-friendly interface, Grams offers a streamlined shopping experience for Tor users. Its longevity and reliability have made it a favorite among many Tor users. It provides a platform for users to explore the Dark Web with ease. It’s an invaluable resource for researchers, developers, and anyone keen on understanding the intricacies of this vast network. For those interested in the statistics and technical aspects of the Tor network, Tor Metrics offers a wealth of data.
- Since the internet is open to everyone, there is no privacy.
- Whether you're conducting research or searching hidden services, Ahmia provides a reliable platform for uncovering valuable information.
- The interface is user-friendly, and the search results are comprehensive.
- Unlike other search engines, Kilos exclusively caters to searches related to "drugs," making it a go-to platform for those seeking illicit substances on the dark web.
This engine uses information from publicly sourced sites (such as Wikipedia) with the aim of increasing traditional results and improving relevance. One notable feature is its "I'm feeling lucky" button, reminiscent of Google's counterpart, which displays searches for a random keyword chosen from popular searches on OnionLand. Users can also specify the exact market they wish to search, offering a tailored browsing experience. Furthermore, Kilos goes beyond mere listings by incorporating reviews and average scores for each vendor, enhancing user confidence and decision-making.
The engines provide search results based on keywords, but the index is typically smaller and less comprehensive due to the hidden nature of many dark websites. Regular search engines like Google use “crawlers” to index their pages, following links from known web addresses to index other linked pages. Recon allows users to search for specific products from dark web vendors and marketplaces as opposed to just the sites themselves. Recon is a dark web search engine that was built by HugBunter, a prominent dark web figure who is an administrator for the forum Dread.