Type: Open-source metasearch engine — aggregates multiple engines
Requires Tor Browser: Yes (for .onion instances)
Clearnet version: searx.space (instance directory)
Open source: Yes — fully auditable
Last verified: March 2026
Finding Active .onion Instances
SearXNG has no single canonical .onion address — anyone can run an instance. Find current active .onion instances through searx.space or by searching Ahmia for “searxng onion”. Instances vary in which source engines they aggregate and in their privacy policies.
Why Use SearXNG
Rather than searching a single index, SearXNG queries multiple search engines simultaneously and returns combined results — reducing the gaps that any individual engine has. For broad research where comprehensive coverage matters, aggregated results from several engines outperform any single engine alone.
The code is fully open-source and auditable. Instances that publish a no-log policy can be verified against the codebase. This makes SearXNG among the most transparent search options available.
Common Questions
Which instance should I use? Check searx.space for rated instances with documented privacy policies. Prioritise instances with “no logging” confirmed in their configuration and active maintenance.
Does it index .onion sites? Depends on the instance configuration. Some aggregate Tor-specific engines; others focus on clearnet sources. Check the instance’s configured engines before using it for dark web research.