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Hiding your IP address changes the network address that websites see when your traffic reaches them. Three mainstream options do this in different ways: a VPN routes selected traffic through a provider’s servers, Apple’s iCloud Private Relay routes Safari browsing through two relays, and Tor Browser routes browsing through the Tor network. The right choice depends on how much of your traffic you want covered, which devices you use, where you live, and which company you are willing to trust with the traffic. Hiding an IP address does not make you anonymous, and each option below has limits that matter as much as its benefits.
What an IP address reveals and what hiding it changes
Your public IP address is the identifier that websites and online services receive when your connection reaches them. It is tied to your network and an approximate location. A hiding method replaces or masks that address for the traffic it covers, so the sites you visit see the relay’s or provider’s address instead of your own. What it does not do is erase every party that handles your traffic. Whoever routes the traffic still sits in the path, and websites can still see whatever you choose to tell them, such as account logins.
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VPN services
Apple’s VPNs and Privacy disclosure describes a VPN this way: “A virtual private network (VPN) is a service that can encrypt and route certain network traffic from your device in a way that may hide your IP address from the websites and services you visit and interact with.” The key phrases are “certain network traffic” and “may hide.” A VPN hides your address only for traffic that actually passes through it.
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Apple’s disclosure says that certain traffic needed for essential services may occur outside a VPN, and that some app traffic may be excluded depending on configuration. Before relying on a VPN for privacy, check which apps and system services your VPN app routes, and whether it offers a setting to include all traffic. Do not assume a VPN protects every connection on a device.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
Trust moves to the provider
The same Apple disclosure notes that VPN providers control routing and may be able to see, intercept, or modify online activity. A VPN therefore replaces trust in your internet service provider with trust in the VPN company. Evaluate that company on its published privacy policy, its ownership and jurisdiction, and any independent audit or verification it has published. Verify these claims directly from the provider rather than from marketing pages. This article does not rank specific VPN providers, and it does not report measured speeds for any of them. Test any service on your own connection before committing.
iCloud Private Relay
Apple’s iCloud Private Relay and Privacy disclosure states: “Your internet connection requests are routed through two separate relays operated by different entities.” The split is the core of the design:
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- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
- The first relay sees your IP address but not the destination website.
- The second relay sees the destination website but not your IP address. It supplies a generalized IP address and location to the site.
Because neither relay sees both your address and the site you are visiting, no single relay has the full pairing. Private Relay does keep an approximate regional location, so it hides your precise address rather than your general area.
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Private Relay is included with an iCloud+ subscription and protects Safari browsing on supported Apple platforms. It is not system-wide VPN coverage. Apple says the service may not be available in every country or region, and some websites may require extra steps to sign in or to access content. Apple’s Private Relay support article, published 31 August 2023, covers the feature’s requirements and behavior. Check Apple’s current support pages for your country before you rely on it.
Rank #3
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- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
Location sharing on Apple devices
Separately from Private Relay, Apple’s legal disclosure describes a “Use country and time zone” option for less precise location sharing on supported iPhone, iPad, and Vision devices. This setting limits the location detail apps receive; it does not change your IP address by itself.
Safari’s Hide IP Address setting
Safari has its own control, separate from whether you subscribe to iCloud+. Apple’s Safari and Privacy disclosure gives the coverage choices below. The two levels differ in who can use them and what traffic they cover.
Rank #4
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- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
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- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
| Safari option | Who can choose it | Traffic covered |
|---|---|---|
| Trackers Only | All users | Traffic to known trackers is sent through the relay architecture. |
| Trackers and Websites | Private Relay subscribers (iCloud+) | Traffic to known trackers and to websites is covered, which is broader than Trackers Only. |
Because the setting is a browser feature, it does not extend to other apps or to a non-Safari browser on the same device.
Tor Browser and Tor Project software
The Tor Project’s official download page, accessed 7 October 2026, lists several products. Check the page before downloading, because product lineups change.
Best Value
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
Tor Browser
Tor Browser is the Tor Project’s browser, offered for desktop and Android. It is a distinct option from the mobile VPN product below, and it is the one most people mean when they say “Tor” for browsing.
Tails
The same download page lists Tails, a separate operating system offered by the Tor Project. It is a different kind of tool from a browser and is not a setting you turn on within your current system.
Tor VPN beta for Android
The Tor Project also lists a Tor VPN in beta for Android. Do not confuse it with Tor Browser. It is a VPN-style product for Android devices, and its beta status means its features and behavior may change.
Comparing the options
| Option | What it covers | Devices | Who you must trust | Availability notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPN service | Traffic routed through the VPN; some traffic can remain outside it | Depends on provider app support | The VPN provider, which controls routing | Depends on provider; check its documentation |
| iCloud Private Relay | Safari browsing through two relays | Supported Apple platforms, with iCloud+ | Split between two relays operated by different entities | May not be available in every country or region |
| Safari Hide IP Address (Trackers Only) | Traffic to known trackers | Safari on supported Apple devices | Not stated by Apple’s Safari disclosure beyond the relay architecture | Available to all users |
| Safari Hide IP Address (Trackers and Websites) | Traffic to known trackers and websites | Safari on supported Apple devices | Same relay architecture as Private Relay | Requires an iCloud+ subscription with Private Relay |
| Tor Browser | Browsing in the Tor Browser window | Desktop and Android | Not stated on the Tor Project download page | Listed as a download on the Tor Project page |
This comparison reflects documented differences between products. It does not include measured speeds, access rates, or any ranking of how well each option protects you, because this article did not measure those things.
Setting up Safari’s Hide IP Address
- Open Settings and go to Apps, then Safari, then Hide IP Address. Apple’s Safari disclosure gives this path on current systems.
- Select Trackers Only, which is available to every user. If you have an iCloud+ subscription with Private Relay, you can select Trackers and Websites instead.
- To turn the feature off, return to the same screen and select the off option.
- If a site fails to load or asks for additional sign-in steps, that can be a normal effect of the relay. Apple notes that some sites require extra steps, so test the site with the setting on and off if it matters.
Choosing the right option
- Choose Safari’s Hide IP Address (Trackers Only) if you want basic tracker protection in Safari without a subscription.
- Choose iCloud Private Relay if you use Safari on Apple devices, have iCloud+, live in a supported country, and want the two-relay split for browsing.
- Choose a VPN if you need coverage across apps or a non-Safari browser, but only after you have checked the provider’s routing, privacy practices, and what traffic the app actually covers. Accept that the provider becomes a party you must trust.
- Choose Tor Browser if you need a browser that is separate from your everyday browsing setup, and understand that it is not a VPN and does not replace one.
Whichever you choose, treat the result as reduced exposure, not anonymity. Websites can still identify you through logins and the information you share, and each option depends on the trust and coverage described above.
Quick Recap
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