How to hide your IP address: 5 ways, from free to one tap
By Jean Luc Poitier, SEO and growth marketing strategist · NordVPN Reviews · Updated October 1, 2026
Disclosure: this site reviews NordVPN and earns a commission if you sign up for it through our links. NordVPN is one option below, and we say where it isn't the right fix.
Your IP address tells every site you visit roughly where you are and which internet provider you use. Hiding it means sending your traffic through someone else's address first. There are five common ways to do that. They differ in what they cover (one browser or the whole device), how fast they are, and who can see your traffic instead.
Ways to hide your IP address, compared
| What it hides | Trade-off | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Tor Browser (free) | Your IP inside the Tor Browser only | Slow; some sites block Tor |
| 2. Web proxy or proxy extension (often free) | Your IP in one browser or app | Usually no encryption; the proxy owner sees your traffic |
| 3. Switch networks (mobile data, public Wi-Fi) | Swaps your IP for another real one | Still tied to you or the network; public Wi-Fi is risky |
| 4. Free VPN | Every app on the device | Data caps, few servers, and some sell data |
| 5. Paid VPN such as NordVPN | Every app on the device, encrypted | Costs a few dollars a month |
Figures checked against each company's published pages and review-platform listings as of 2026-10-01. “Not published” means the company does not publish that figure.
1. Use Tor Browser to hide your IP for free
Tor Browser routes your traffic through three volunteer-run relays, so the site you visit sees the last relay's address. Download it from torproject.org, open it, and click Connect. It's free and strong for privacy, but pages load slowly, streaming barely works, and some sites block Tor addresses. Only traffic inside Tor Browser is covered; your other apps still use your real IP.
2. Use a proxy server for one browser or app
A web proxy or proxy browser extension forwards your requests from its own IP address. It's quick to set up and often free. Most proxies don't encrypt your traffic, though, and the company running the proxy can see everything you send through it. Use one for low-stakes tasks, not banking or logins.
3. Switch to a different network
Turning off Wi-Fi and using mobile data, or joining another network, gives you a different IP address. It doesn't hide you: the new address still belongs to your carrier or the network owner, and public Wi-Fi in cafes and airports adds its own risks. It's a quick fix when a site has blocked your home IP, not a privacy tool.
4. Try a free VPN, carefully
A VPN encrypts all the traffic from your device and sends it through a server, so every app shows the server's IP. Free VPNs cap data or speed and offer few locations, and some make money from your data. If you go free, choose a provider with a published no-logs policy and an independent audit.
5. Use a paid VPN to hide your IP on every device
A paid VPN is the one-tap version of everything above. NordVPN, for example, covers up to 10 devices with 7,300+ servers in 150 countries, encrypts all traffic, and has had its no-logs policy checked six times by PwC and Deloitte. Its Onion Over VPN servers add Tor on top, and obfuscated servers help on networks that block VPNs. Every plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
See NordVPN pricingHow to check that your IP address is hidden
- Note your current IP on a what-is-my-IP site.
- Connect to Tor, your proxy, or your VPN.
- Reload the page. The address and location should now match the server, not you.
- Run a DNS leak test; the DNS servers listed should belong to your VPN, not your internet provider.
Thinking about a VPN? Read what 95+ NordVPN users say or how it compares in our best VPN services roundup.
Hiding your IP address FAQ
What is the easiest way to hide my IP address?+
A VPN app. You install it, tap connect, and every app on the device uses the VPN server's IP address instead of yours. Tor is free but slower and only covers the Tor Browser.
Can I hide my IP address for free?+
Yes. Tor Browser is free and hides your IP for anything you do inside it. Free proxies and free VPNs also exist, but the people running them can see your traffic, so pick ones with a clear privacy policy.
Does incognito mode hide my IP address?+
No. Private or incognito browsing only stops your browser saving history and cookies on your device. Websites and your internet provider still see your real IP address.
How do I check whether my IP address is hidden?+
Look up your IP address on a what-is-my-IP site before and after you connect. If the address and location change to the server you chose, it worked. A DNS leak test confirms your lookups go through the same route.
Is it legal to hide my IP address?+
In most countries, yes: VPNs, proxies, and Tor are legal tools. A few governments restrict or ban VPNs, and hiding your IP never makes an illegal activity legal.