Tor vs I2P vs Freenet: The Secret Cities of the Dark Web

The dark web is not a single place. It is a collection of overlapping secret cities, each with its own architecture, culture, and technology. Three main networks — Tor, I2P, and Freenet — form the backbone of this hidden universe.

Each network was created to provide:

• Anonymity from surveillance
• Freedom to access and host information
• Protection from censorship
• Resilience against shutdown attempts

Understanding these networks is like studying the maps of hidden kingdoms — each with unique laws, pathways, and dangers.

Tor: The Onion Router

Tor is the most famous of the dark web gateways. Originally developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in the mid-1990s, Tor provides both anonymous browsing and hosting capabilities through onion routing.

How Tor Works

• Onion Routing: Data is encrypted multiple times and passed through a random series of volunteer-run relays.
• Exit Nodes: The last relay decrypts the final layer and sends traffic to its destination
• Hidden Services: Special websites ending in .onion are accessible only via Tor.

Tor's structure creates a sprawling metropolis of hidden services, black markets, whistleblowing platforms, and underground forums.

Strengths of Tor

• Widespread Adoption: Millions of users and a large number of hidden sites.
• Strong Anonymity: If used correctly, Tor effectively conceals identities.
• Active Development: Supported by the Tor Project and numerous privacy advocates.

Weaknesses of Tor

• Exit Node Vulnerability: Regular (non-hidden) browsing can be monitored at the exit point.
• Centralization Risks: Dependency on a limited number of directory authorities.
• Attracts Attention: Simply using Tor can make users suspicious in heavily monitored regions.

Tor is the entry point for most new explorers of the dark web, offering vast opportunities — and risks.

I2P: The Invisible Internet Project

I2P (Invisible Internet Project) operates more like an internal hidden web rather than a way to access the surface internet anonymously. It is designed for peer-to-peer communication within its own network.

How I2P Works

• Garlic Routing: Data packets are bundled together ("garlic cloves") for added anonymity.
• Eepsites: Websites accessible only inside the I2P network.
• Decentralized Traffic: Unlike Tor’s relays, I2P routes traffic directly between users.

I2P feels like a series of connected underground tunnels — tighter, more secretive, and more community-driven.

Strengths of I2P

• Internal Services: Built specifically for hidden, private communication.
• High Resilience: Fully decentralized routing reduces the risk of surveillance.
• Efficient for Messaging: Ideal for chat services, file sharing, and internal forums.

Weaknesses of I2P

• Difficult Entry: Setup is more technical than Tor, deterring casual users.
• Limited Content: Fewer hidden sites compared to Tor.
• Isolated Ecosystem: Limited integration with the surface internet.

For users seeking pure hidden communication with minimal external exposure, I2P offers a quieter refuge.

Freenet: The Library in the Shadows

Freenet was designed with a singular mission: resist censorship at all costs. It operates as a distributed, peer-to-peer data store where users host encrypted fragments of files.

How Freenet Works

• Distributed Data Storage: Users contribute hard drive space to store encrypted pieces of files.
• Darknet Mode: Connect only to trusted friends for enhanced security.
• Freesites: Static websites distributed across the network.

Freenet feels less like a city and more like an enormous underground archive — less about real-time interaction, more about preserving forbidden knowledge.

Strengths of Freenet

• True Censorship Resistance: No central server can be shut down to erase content.
• Permanent Archives: Once uploaded, data can persist indefinitely.
• Anonymity by Default: Users cannot easily track where files originate.

Weaknesses of Freenet

• Slow Access: Retrieving data across distributed nodes can be sluggish.
• Limited Interactivity: Freenet is better suited for static content rather than dynamic sites.
• Niche Usage: Small community with limited active development.

For those seeking to store or retrieve censored books, banned research, or forbidden political content, Freenet offers unmatched durability.

Choosing Your City: Which Network Fits Which Explorer?

Different secret cities attract different types of residents, depending on needs, skills, and goals.

Choosing the Right Network

• Tor: Best for newcomers, journalists, whistleblowers, and those wanting a broad hidden ecosystem.
• I2P: Ideal for privacy purists, encrypted messaging, and tightly knit communities.
• Freenet: Perfect for archivists, information warriors, and digital preservationists

Some seasoned users traverse all three networks, adapting their tools and identities as they move through these invisible realms.