[mothered]

isn't Tor the safest one out there that's known?

It depends what you mean by "safest". 

Generally speaking and In a nutshell, protecting yourself online comes In three forms:

* Privacy (not being able to "see" what you're doing).
* Anonymity (not being able to "Identify" you).
* Lack of uniqueness (being part of the "majority", not minority).

It takes a lot more than a web browser to achieve all the above In It's entirety.

but of course, i'm just a pleb using a free vpn service with lots of browser extensions for the most of paranoid of people and regardless of whatever i do and search i still exist in one place, not bothering to travel or be in other places, thus i believe i'm 'protected' in some manner

For general navigation, your setup Is fine.

Do note that some extensions/plugins/add-ons, track your online activity. Moreover, In combination with your overall browser configuration, you become more unique. As such, web server fingerprinting techniques can set your device aside from the rest.