Common or Tornado Cash: Which Fits Your Privacy Needs?

Common is the more direct fit if you want a guided web app for shielding funds on Arbitrum or Aleph Zero EVM. It connects to an existing wallet and is designed to interrupt the visible link between a depositing wallet and a different withdrawal address. Common says its core features do not require KYC, though some fiat on- or off-ramp services may require verification.

Tornado Cash is a protocol-based option, not a conventional account service. It lists eight networks, but you need to verify that the particular pool and contract you intend to use are available on your chosen chain. Its KYC policy and support model are not published. For either product, check the network and transaction details before confirming: sending funds to the wrong chain or address can be difficult or impossible to reverse.

Neither publishes a clear current fee schedule, so compare the transaction quote rather than assuming one is cheaper. Common says it integrates gas fees so you can pay in the token you are shielding, which may avoid needing a separate native gas token for that flow. Still check the app’s quote and whether any later withdrawal or yield option adds charges.

Tornado Cash use can involve gas for deposits and withdrawals, and a relayer may charge an additional fee if you use one. Network costs vary by chain and demand. Confirm the token, network, gas estimate and any relayer charge in the transaction flow before approving. A quote can change before confirmation, and neither product’s published information gives you a fixed total cost for every use.

Neither option removes smart-contract risk or makes your activity invisible. Common describes its app as non-custodial and names Kudelski Security and zkSecurity as auditors, but detailed audit reports and their scope are not published on its site. You therefore cannot judge from that claim alone which versions or contracts were reviewed or whether findings were addressed.

Tornado Cash is also described as non-custodial, and two audits are listed; their names, dates and contract coverage are unspecified. Treat both audit claims as limited assurance, not a safety guarantee. In either case, wallet mistakes, malicious interfaces and contract defects can put funds at risk. Privacy has limits too: public transaction records remain, and timing, amounts or other information may help observers infer links.

Common’s advantage is a more focused web-app experience, support for Arbitrum and Aleph Zero EVM, and integrated gas-fee handling. It may suit you if those networks match your wallet and you want a tool centered on shielding and withdrawing to a new address. Its mobile app is described as waitlist-only, and exact fees, withdrawal limits and detailed audit reports are not published on its site.

Tornado Cash stands out for its broader listed network coverage and its non-custodial transaction-privacy design. That breadth does not mean every pool or contract is available on every chain, so confirm deployment details yourself. Its legal risk also deserves particular care: U.S. Treasury action was reported in 2022, and the rules and practical effects can depend on where you live and current law. Check applicable restrictions before considering use.