Everything below this table is the page content. Add each FAQ question in the editor as a Details block with the CSS class faq, question as the summary and answer inside.
The Hidden Wiki has always been where people start when they open Tor Browser for the first time. The problem is that the name stopped meaning anything years ago. There’s no official Hidden Wiki any more, just hundreds of copies, and most of them are full of clones, fake shops and dead links.
thehidden.wiki is a different kind of hidden wiki. It’s a directory of verified onion links for real services, such as newsrooms, search engines, secure email providers, software projects and the Tor Project itself. Every address we list is checked against the page where its owner publishes it, and every entry links to that proof, so you never have to take our word for it.
We don’t list markets. We don’t sell placement. And when an address stops matching its source, we take it down and say so, rather than leaving it up and hoping nobody notices.
If you’re new here, the three links below are the best place to start. If you already know what you’re looking for, search the directory or jump to a category further down the page.
Start here#
- Get the real Tor Browser. Most fake onion links reach people through fake browsers and apps. Follow How to Download and Install Tor Browser Safely, or on a phone, Using Tor on Android and iPhone.
- Learn to check an address. An onion address is a long string of letters and numbers, and clones are built to look almost identical. How to Verify an Onion Address Is Official shows how to check any address in under a minute.
- Use the directory. The Official Onion Mirrors Directory lists every verified address we track, with the date it was last checked and a link to its owner’s proof.
What makes this hidden wiki different#
Most hidden wiki lists are copies of copies. Nobody knows who runs them, nobody checks the links, and the top spots are often sold to scammers. We explain how that happened in Why Most ‘Hidden Wiki’ Lists Are Full of Scams. This site works the other way round.
- Every address has a source. We only list an onion address if its owner publishes it somewhere we can link to, such as their own website or an official announcement.
- Every address is checked. Listed addresses are checked regularly. When one stops working or stops matching its source, it moves to a public on-hold list.
- No markets, no shops, no paid spots. We list news, privacy tools, software and public services. Nothing here is for sale, including our listings.
- A real editor. We say who runs the site and how to reach us in About thehidden.wiki.
- Built for Tor Browser. This site loads no trackers, no ads and no third-party scripts, and it works at Tor Browser’s Safest security level.
Every onion address on this site has a copy button and an open button, and shows the first and last characters in bold so you can compare it against its source at a glance. That’s the same check we recommend you make every time.
New to onion sites?#
An onion site is a website that’s only reachable through the Tor network. Its address ends in .onion, and the address itself is a cryptographic key, which means nobody can take it over without the key. Visiting a site this way hides where you’re connecting from, and keeps your connection inside Tor from start to finish. What Is an Onion Service? explains it in plain language, and Tor Browser Security Levels explains how to set Tor Browser up for the sites you visit.
Using Tor is legal in most countries, but not everywhere, and what you do over Tor is judged by the same laws as anything else. Read Is Tor Legal? Using Onion Services Responsibly if you’re unsure. If Tor is blocked where you live, Bridges, Snowflake and WebTunnel explains how to get connected.
Verified onion links by category#
These are the parts of the onion network most people are actually looking for. Each guide explains what the service is, why its onion address is useful, and where its owner publishes the address.
| Category | What you’ll find | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| All verified addresses | Every onion address we track, with proof links and check dates | Official Onion Mirrors Directory |
| The Tor Project | Tor’s own websites, downloads, support and documentation over onion | Tor Project’s Official Onion Sites |
| News and journalism | Newsrooms such as the BBC, DW and The Guardian, and how SecureDrop works | News Onion Sites |
| Search | Privacy search engines with their own official onion sites | Search Engines With Official Onion Sites |
| Proton, Riseup and what an onion address does and doesn’t protect | Secure Email Over Tor | |
| Software | Debian, Qubes, OnionShare and other projects that publish onion mirrors | Open-Source Projects on Onion |
Run an organisation and want your own onion address listed? Start with How to Host Your Own Onion Service (for Organisations), then tell us where you publish it.
Stay safe on the onion network#
The biggest risk for most onion visitors isn’t the network. It’s a fake address, a fake app or a fake list. These guides show how each trap works and how to avoid it.
- Onion Phishing: How Fake Mirrors Clone Real Addresses
- Fake ‘Dark Web’ Apps in 2026: What to Avoid
- Why Most ‘Hidden Wiki’ Lists Are Full of Scams
- How to Verify an Onion Address Is Official
Tor news that affects you#
We cover the releases that change what you should do, not just what changed. The latest are below the FAQ, and recent highlights include Tor’s September 2026 Security Fixes, the Tor Browser 16 alpha, the Tor VPN beta for Android, Arti 2.7.0 and Tails 7.14.
Frequently asked questions#
What is the Hidden Wiki?#
The Hidden Wiki was originally an editable directory of onion links, hosted as an onion site and started around 2007. The original disappeared years ago, and the name is now used by hundreds of unrelated copies, most of which aren’t maintained. thehidden.wiki is an independent directory that uses the name because it’s what people search for, but lists only verified addresses for legitimate services.
Is there an official Hidden Wiki?#
No. There hasn’t been one for more than a decade, so any site claiming to be the official or original Hidden Wiki is making a claim that can’t be true. Judge a directory by whether it shows where each address comes from, not by its name.
Are the onion links on this site safe?#
Every address we list is checked against the page where its owner publishes it, and each entry links to that proof. That makes them as trustworthy as their sources. You should still check any address yourself before using it, especially for anything sensitive, and our verification guide shows how.
How do I open an onion link?#
You need Tor Browser, which is free from the Tor Project. On a computer, download it only from the Tor Project or its official mirrors. On Android, use Tor Browser for Android. On iPhone, the Tor Project recommends Onion Browser. Then copy the address from our directory and paste it into the address bar, or use the open button.
Is it legal to visit onion sites?#
In most countries, using Tor and visiting onion sites is legal. A few countries block or restrict Tor, and what you do on any site is still covered by the law where you live. Our guide on Tor and the law explains the details.
Why don’t you list markets or shops?#
Because most of them are scams, many are illegal, and the rest change addresses so often that no list can keep up safely. Listing them would also make this site a target for the same phishing clones we’re trying to protect people from.
How often are the addresses checked?#
Listed addresses are checked regularly, and each entry shows the date it was last verified. If an address stops working or no longer matches its source, it moves to our on-hold list until it can be confirmed again.
Can I suggest an onion site?#
Yes, if it belongs to a legitimate organisation that publishes the address itself. Tell us where the address is published, and we’ll check it against our listing rules.