i2p is a bit like Tor. Both are overlay networks, meaning that they use the “normal” Internet as their lowest layer. They use similar method of obfuscation using multiple hops.

i2p doesn’t rely on special nodes, I think, which Tor does. i2p also does not connect to the “normal” Internet (basically).

Like with Tor there is no need for a VPN (or rather, little need for a VPN… probably both i2p and Tor are safer than any VPN, but nothing is 100% safe, so some people use double VPN, or Tor over a VPN).

Tor is not designed for torrenting. It assumes TCP connections - mostly for web stuff - and doesn’t handle torrent well. They also don’t want you bogging down the system with your filthy porn. 😆

i2p solves this by forcing you to send data for other users in order to download anything. This helps make your traffic harder to track and helps the overall network. It also means that downloads are slow. Very slow. Like, basically start your download and come back in a day or two. Not a problem if you have four or five downloads in progress, but it makes spontaneous watching impossible.

Anyway, I’m hardly an expert but this is my understanding!