Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Orbot VS I2P

Compare Orbot VS I2P and see what are their differences

Orbot logo Orbot

Orbot is an open source ...

I2P logo I2P

The I2P network provides strong privacy protections for communication over the Internet.
  • Orbot Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-26
  • I2P Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-03-14

Orbot features and specs

  • Anonymity
    Orbot uses Tor to encrypt internet traffic and route it through multiple servers, making it difficult to trace the user's location and internet usage.
  • Open Source
    Orbot is open-source software, allowing users to examine its source code for security and privacy, ensuring transparency and trustworthiness.
  • Privacy Protection
    By routing traffic through the Tor network, Orbot protects users from surveillance and tracking, enhancing online privacy.
  • Bypass Censorship
    Orbot enables users to access websites that may be blocked or restricted in their country, bypassing censorship and content filters.
  • Free to Use
    Orbot is available for free, allowing anyone to enhance their privacy and security without financial barriers.

Possible disadvantages of Orbot

  • Reduced Speed
    Since Orbot routes traffic through multiple nodes in the Tor network, internet speeds can be significantly slower compared to a direct connection.
  • Complex Setup
    For users unfamiliar with Tor or VPNs, setting up and configuring Orbot can be more complex than using standard internet applications.
  • App Compatibility
    Not all apps are compatible with Orbot, and some may require additional configuration to route their traffic through the Tor network.
  • Battery Drain
    Running Orbot can consume more battery power than regular browsing due to the additional processes involved in routing traffic through the Tor network.
  • Legal and Policy Issues
    In some regions, using Tor and similar anonymizing tools can attract legal scrutiny or violate terms of service agreements, potentially leading to restrictions or even penalties.

I2P features and specs

  • Anonymity
    I2P is designed to provide significant anonymity for users by routing communications through a volunteer-run network of globally distributed routers.
  • Peer-to-Peer Architecture
    I2P doesn't rely on centralized servers, reducing single points of failure and enhancing its resilience to attacks and censorship.
  • Layered Encryption
    Messages sent through I2P are encrypted in multiple layers (using garlic routing), which enhances security and makes tracking the data source harder.
  • Uncensorable
    Due to its decentralized and anonymous nature, I2P can be used to bypass censorship and provide access to information in restrictive environments.
  • Versatile Applications
    Supports a variety of applications such as anonymous web browsing, chatting, file-sharing, and email, making it a versatile tool for privacy-focused users.

Possible disadvantages of I2P

  • Performance
    The anonymization and encryption processes in I2P can lead to slower connections and higher latency compared to traditional internet connections.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Setting up and using I2P can be complex for new users, requiring some technical knowledge to configure effectively.
  • Limited User Base
    I2P has a smaller user base compared to other anonymous networks like Tor, which might affect the overall speed and availability of content.
  • Maintenance and Reliability
    As a volunteer-run network, the reliability of routers can vary, potentially causing inconsistency in service quality and availability.
  • Content Accessibility
    Content on I2P is isolated within its network and not directly accessible from the regular internet, which can be limiting for users looking for a broader range of content.

Orbot videos

Orbot Proxy [ App Review ] - How To Use TOR On Android

More videos:

  • Review - Anonymity using the Tor Network (OrBot and OrFox on Android)
  • Review - App Review: Orbot for Android

I2P videos

Question: Is I2P Better than TOR?

More videos:

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Orbot and I2P)
VPN
31 31%
69% 69
Security & Privacy
46 46%
54% 54
Security
25 25%
75% 75
Cloud VPN
32 32%
68% 68

User comments

Share your experience with using Orbot and I2P. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Orbot and I2P

Orbot Reviews

Best Tor Browser Alternative for Risk-Free Web Surfing
Orbot is a freely licensed open-source application developed for the Android platform. It functions as a Tor gateway, enabling users to connect to the Tor network and enjoy improved privacy and security.
10 Best Free Android VPN Apps For Your Smartphone In 2021
Orbot offers a local proxy within the Tor network, and it has the ability to encrypt all TCP traffic from your Android device if you give it the necessary permissions. Apart from that, Orbot also provides an option to activate the VPN mode to hide your location.
Source: techlog360.com
8 Similar Apps like Psiphon that are Actually Better
Orbot is probably the best VPN/proxy app that is known to exist for Android. Yes, it isn’t available for iOS, so if you encounter app at the App Store, that should be considered deceptive. Orbot may not give you the fastest speed when connected to the proxy but it surely the most secure VPN app that utilizes Tor network for the internal communication.

I2P Reviews

Best Tor Browser Alternative for Risk-Free Web Surfing
I2P is an anonymous networking layer that provides strong privacy protections for communication over the internet. Though not a web browser per se, I2P can be integrated with web browsers to create a highly secure environment.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, I2P seems to be a lot more popular than Orbot. While we know about 48 links to I2P, we've tracked only 1 mention of Orbot. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Orbot mentions (1)

I2P mentions (48)

  • SSL certificate expired
    The SSL certificate of https://download.i2p2.no expired on 29.08.2023. Therefore no downloads from the official https://geti2p.net site are available over https. Is this problem known? Source: over 1 year ago
  • RARBG is down and out!?
    They probably got harassed and don't have the man power to act. Great moment to give I2P https://geti2p.net/en/ a look as a viable alternative for torrents. Some clients already support both systems. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: What Are Alternatives to the Internet?
    There's a few abstractions of the web you can use today. https://freenetproject.org/ https://geti2p.net/en/ https://www.gnunet.org/en/ https://www.ipfs.tech/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • YOUR OPSEC SUCKS | UHQ SCHIZOID OPSEC GUIDE | BECOME BULLETPROOF
    Aside from being very secure, it will also be much faster than Tor overall. The best way to explain I2P is as a internet within an internet. One thing to mention is I2P does not hide the fact you are using the service at all. If you don't like Tor for some reason, this is another option to check out. I2P Link: https://geti2p.net/en/. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Reddit tells court: Film studios spewed “nonsense” in demand for users’ names
    If you really want to go down that route, I2P is probably your best bet these days. https://geti2p.net/en/. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Orbot and I2P, you can also consider the following products

Tor Browser - Tor is free software for enabling anonymous communication.

Freenet - Mae-enjoy mo na ang LIBRENG INTERNET ACCESS mula sa freenet! Ang libreng net na bet! freenet is an app where you can access the internet for free. Get 24/7 free access to our partner apps and sites. FREE INTERNET!

Psiphon - Psiphon is circumvention software for Windows and Mobile platforms that provides uncensored access to Internet content. Read more about Psiphon.

Onion.ly - Access the Tor and I2p networking without leaving your favorite browser.

OpenVPN - OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN

ProtonVPN - ProtonVPN is a security focused FREE VPN service, developed by CERN and MIT scientists. Use the web anonymously, unblock websites & encrypt your connection.