Tor is not a good alternative to VPNs, nor are VPNs reliable. If you create a VPN on your own hardware with your own networking setup (usually difficult because of upstream speeds thru non-fiber cable networks) then you’re not any safer with either - more protected from the average script-kiddie on a VPN, but not particularly safe.

I use a commercial VPN, but mostly just to protect against bad actors randomly trolling open hotel WiFi and LTE networks, not as protection from the State or determined attackers.