Dark Web Search Engine
Compare onion search engines and Tor search tools in one hub—quick picks, side-by-side differences, and links to full reviews.
Looking for a dark web search engine to search .onion sites? This page is the comparison hub. Pick a tool by job—filtered discovery, second-pass coverage, or broader research—then follow through to the full review.
Best default: Ahmia — filtered public onion search
Best second pass: Torch or Haystak
Best overview: Best onion search engine
Best multi-tool chart: Deep search engines comparison
Install Tor Browser from official sources only. Search hits are not automatically safe—see Tor scam checks.
Compare Dark Web Search Engines
There is no single search engine that indexes every site on the Tor network. Different engines discover different services, use different filtering policies, and update their indexes at different rates.
Use the comparison below to narrow down the type of Tor search engine that fits your goal.
| Search engine | Best for | Type | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmia | First-stop filtered .onion discovery | Onion search engine | Ahmia review |
| Torch | Broader second-pass sampling | Onion search engine | Torch guide |
| Haystak | Alternate index / cross-check | Onion search engine | Haystak vs Ahmia |
| Excavator & other Tor tools | Extra research coverage | Tor-oriented search | Excavator notes |
| DuckDuckGo | Private clearnet search over Tor | Clearnet privacy search | DuckDuckGo privacy |
| Wiki-style directories | Understanding link-list culture | Directory (not a crawler) | Onion links guide |
Availability changes. Always confirm a service is reachable and treat results as untrusted until verified.
Choose by Goal
- I need the best onion search engine for beginners → Best onion search engine
- I want a full dark web search engine explainer → Dark web search engine guide
- I want Tor search engine options in depth → Tor search engines guide
- I want Ahmia vs Torch vs Haystak-style tools → Deep search comparison
- I am comparing Haystak and Ahmia only → Haystak vs Ahmia
- I need safer .onion link habits → Verified onion links guide
Dark Web Search Sites at a Glance
| If you want… | Use… | Avoid assuming… |
|---|---|---|
| Safer default onion search | Ahmia | That filtering means every result is harmless |
| More results to sample | Torch, Haystak, other Tor indexes | That a longer list is more accurate |
| Private normal-web search | DuckDuckGo over Tor | That it replaces .onion search engines |
| Link lists | Curated onion-link guidance | That wiki clones are official |
Fast Setup Path
- Install Tor Browser safely
- Set safer browsing habits
- Start with Ahmia
- Cross-check with Haystak or Torch if needed
- Keep scam detection in the loop
Related Resources
- Onion services explained
- Surface, deep, and dark web
- Exploring dark web search sites
- Hidden Wiki 2025 to 2026
- Safe dark web monitoring
- Tor Browser vs VPN
FAQ
What is a dark web search engine?
A tool that helps you discover public Tor/.onion pages that normal search engines do not fully index.
What is the best dark web search engine?
Ahmia is the best default for many users. Serious research usually compares more than one onion search engine.
Are onion search engines the same as Tor search engines?
The labels overlap. Most people mean “search tools for public services on Tor,” especially .onion sites.
Can these engines find every .onion site?
No. Coverage is always partial.
Is Google a dark web search engine?
No. Google is built for the clearnet.
Next Step
Ready to choose? Start with the Ahmia review, then open the full comparison if you need Torch, Haystak, and related dark web search sites side by side.