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What is the Best VPN for Torrenting in 2025?

If you are planning on downloading torrents, you absolutely need the best VPN for torrenting. Without it, your online activity is exposed and copyright watchdogs (or automated notice systems run by rightsholders and ISPs) could link your IP to torrents and issue warnings, throttling, or civil claims. But hold on—not just any VPN will do. We’ve scoured our extensive VPN testing to identify the crème de la crème for secure P2P in 2025.

Why Trust AddictiveTips
Our expert team has rated and compared 30+ VPNs over a decade. As technology advances, we update our rigorous testing and scoring methodologies to match it and stay relevant.

Why do I need a VPN for torrenting?

When you use BitTorrent, your IP address is visible to every peer in the swarm and can be scraped by anti-piracy monitors. A VPN masks your IP and encrypts traffic, so your ISP can’t easily see or throttle P2P and third parties can’t link torrents to your home connection. Note that a VPN doesn’t make copyright infringement legal; it just restores privacy and helps you avoid automated notices. Use it to protect yourself, to prevent profile-building by ISPs, and to stay safer on public Wi-Fi.

Tip: stick to reputable providers, enable the kill switch, and prefer apps that support WireGuard (fast) or OpenVPN (battle-tested).

What features should I look for in a torrent VPN?

Prioritize these P2P-relevant features in 2025:

  • Strong encryption: AES-256 or ChaCha20 with modern handshakes.
  • Robust protocols: WireGuard/NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec.
  • Kill Switch + leak protection: Stops traffic if the VPN drops; protects against DNS/IPv6 leaks.
  • No-logs policy: Prefer independently audited claims.
  • Speed: Consistent multi-Gbps backbone for fast seeding and 4K-sized downloads.
  • P2P-ready servers: Either dedicated P2P locations or P2P allowed network-wide.
  • Port forwarding (optional): Can improve peer connectivity; not all providers support it.
  • Split tunneling: Route only your torrent client via VPN if desired.
  • Simultaneous connections: Enough devices for your setup.
  • Wide server network: More nearby options generally = better speeds.
  • Jurisdiction & audits: Privacy-friendly base and regular third-party audits.

Best VPN for Torrenting: Our Picks

All picks below support P2P and meet our baseline for speed, safety, and stability. We rank them by overall torrenting experience (performance, ease of use, price, and helpful extras).

NordVPN

Why it’s #1 for torrenting: NordVPN offers special P2P servers, excellent performance with NordLynx (WireGuard), and hardened privacy features. It does not support port forwarding (PF), but speeds and swarm connectivity were still class-leading in our tests.

  • Pros:
    • Fast P2P performance on NordLynx
    • Audited no-logs policy; apps include kill switch and leak blocking
    • Double-VPN and Threat Protection extras
  • Cons:
    • No port forwarding
    • Up to 10 devices per account (generous, but not unlimited)

Good to know: If you want even more anonymity, Nord’s Double VPN routes traffic through two hops; it’s slower, but great for sensitive torrents.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a terrific all-rounder for P2P, pairing a simple UI with consistently strong speeds via its Lightway protocol. Port forwarding isn’t offered, but swarm connectivity was solid across US/EU servers.

  • Pros:
    • Fast, stable P2P on Lightway with minimal setup
    • Excellent apps, strong kill switch & leak protection
    • Plan-based device limits now range from 8–14 simultaneous connections
  • Cons:
    • Pricier than rivals
    • No port forwarding

Great pick if you want a plug-and-play client that “just works” for torrenting without manual tweaks.

CyberGhost

CyberGhost is beginner-friendly and offers P2P-optimized servers you can filter to in the app. It allows 7 simultaneous connections—a sweet spot for most households.

  • Pros:
    • Clearly labeled P2P servers for easy setup
    • Good speeds and automatic kill switch
    • Huge network with many location choices
  • Cons:
    • Speeds can vary by location
    • Fewer advanced tweaks than power-user VPNs

If you also stream, CyberGhost’s specialty servers for platforms and regions are handy bonuses.

VyprVPN

VyprVPN combines strong performance with its Chameleon protocol (useful for restrictive networks). Crucially, it follows an independently audited no-logs policy, making it a privacy-sound choice for P2P.

  • Pros:
    • Audited no-logs; solid speeds
    • Chameleon helps avoid DPI and throttling in tough networks
  • Cons:
    • Smaller network than the big three
    • No port forwarding

Ideal if you need a stealthier connection in places that aggressively police P2P traffic.

Private Internet Access (PIA)

PIA is the value pick: unlimited devices, robust apps, and rare among majors for supporting port forwarding on select regions—useful to improve seeding/peer counts.

  • Pros:
    • Unlimited devices per account
    • Port forwarding support on desktop/mobile
    • Open-source apps, tons of tweaks
  • Cons:
    • Speeds can trail the top two
    • Interface can feel busy

For budget torrenters who still want advanced controls (PF, encryption ciphers, MACE blocking), PIA is hard to beat.

Can I use a free VPN for torrenting?

We generally don’t recommend it. Many free plans block P2P outright or impose harsh data caps (5–10GB/month). Some log activity or inject trackers. If you must, choose a reputable free tier from an established brand and expect limits; otherwise, use a paid service with a 30-day refund and test it on your setup.

Using a VPN is legal in most countries. Torrenting itself is just a technology—but downloading or sharing copyrighted works without permission is illegal in many places (e.g., US/UK/EU). Laws vary by country and are nuanced. For example, in Switzerland, private downloading is allowed but uploading is not. In the Netherlands, downloading copyrighted content has been illegal since 2014. Always check local rules and use torrents responsibly.

How to find the best VPN for torrenting

Is VPN legal

Start with our top five above. If you need more options, read expert reviews, scan privacy-focused forums, and test candidates with refund windows. Prioritize providers with audited no-logs claims, proven P2P performance, and—if you need it—port forwarding. Match plans to your devices and budget, then lock in a long-term discount if you’re happy with speeds.

Which VPN country is the best for torrenting?

Avoid guessing based on “friendly countries.” Instead, use the P2P or “torrenting” locations your VPN recommends in-app. These are chosen for performance and policy reasons and are routinely updated. As a rule of thumb: pick a nearby P2P-allowed server for speed; if a city gets congested or blocked, try another or enable port forwarding (if your VPN supports it).

Where is torrenting illegal?

Most countries prohibit sharing copyrighted material without permission. Penalties and enforcement differ widely (civil notices vs. fines vs. rare criminal cases). When in doubt, stick to legal torrents (Linux ISOs, public-domain media) and keep your client configured to avoid seeding copyrighted works.

How to fix it if the VPN is not working while torrenting?

1. Connect to P2P-friendly servers

Use the provider’s P2P-labeled or recommended cities. If P2P is blocked on your current location, the client will usually suggest alternatives.

2. Change the VPN protocol

Switch between WireGuard/NordLynx and OpenVPN. This often fixes poor peering or throttling. Also check DNS/IPv6 leak settings and ensure your kill switch is on.

3. Utilize Port Forwarding

If your VPN supports port forwarding (e.g., PIA), enable it and paste the assigned port into your torrent client’s connection settings. Expect better inbound peer connections and seeding. If your VPN doesn’t offer PF (e.g., NordVPN/ExpressVPN/VyprVPN), skip this step and switch to a different server instead.

Additional Torrenting Resources

Go deeper with our guides: discover the best private torrenting sites, learn how to unblock LimeTorrents, and see our picks for the best torrenting sites. If you’re swapping clients, try our best uTorrent alternatives, uTorrent VPNs, and the best VPN for qBittorrent. Missing Torrentz? Check the best alternatives to Torrentz or our best BitTorrent clients.

And if you use The Pirate Bay, don’t miss our guide to the best VPN for Pirate Bay.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Should I always use a VPN for torrenting?
    Yes—turn it on before opening your client, and keep the kill switch enabled.
  • Does a VPN speed up torrenting?
    A VPN adds encryption overhead, but it can improve speeds if your ISP throttles P2P. Results vary by provider/server.
  • Can I use a free VPN for torrenting?
    Most free plans block P2P or cap data. For real torrenting, a reputable paid VPN is safer and faster.
  • Can I get caught torrenting with a VPN?
    If you choose an unreliable VPN (no kill switch, leaks, logs), yes. Stick to audited no-logs providers and test for leaks.
  • What is the best VPN protocol for torrenting?
    WireGuard/NordLynx for speed; OpenVPN for maximum compatibility. Try both and keep whichever performs best with your ISP.
  • Which VPNs support port forwarding?
    Among our picks, PIA supports PF in select regions/apps. NordVPN/ExpressVPN/VyprVPN do not.

What’s New in This Update

  • Refined legal guidance: clarified that VPN use is legal in most countries; added examples (e.g., Switzerland allows private downloading but not uploading; Netherlands has banned downloading copyrighted works since 2014).
  • Updated device limits: NordVPN up to 10; ExpressVPN now offers 8–14 depending on plan; CyberGhost stays at 7; PIA remains unlimited.
  • Port forwarding note: highlighted that PIA supports PF, while NordVPN/ExpressVPN/VyprVPN do not.
  • Feature checklist modernized for 2025 (WireGuard, kill switch defaults, split tunneling, leak protection).
  • Troubleshooting expanded with leak checks and protocol switching.
  • Copy edits and clarity fixes (e.g., replaced “copyright watchdogs like the DMCA” wording; DMCA is a law, not an organization).

Last updated: 2025-10-09

How to get a FREE VPN for 30 days

If you need a VPN for a short while when traveling for example, you can get our top ranked VPN free of charge. NordVPN includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. You will need to pay for the subscription, that’s a fact, but it allows full access for 30 days and then you cancel for a full refund. Their no-questions-asked cancellation policy lives up to its name.

6 Comments

    • Ha! 🙂 No they aren’t. These are the ones that really put privacy at the top. These are the ones that will allow you to privately do whatever you want online. Please note that AddictiveTips does NOT condone or encourage piracy. Please stick to legal torrents.

    • Hi Artem, thank you for your feedback.
      There’s a genuine need for privacy and anonymous/safer browsing. We’re trying to enter new markets/niches and educate people on what they could do to leave a smaller footprint online. Hope it helps.