What is the Best VPN for Torrenting in 2024?
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 could track you down and levy fines, or worse. But hold on, not just any VPN will do the trick. We’ve scoured through our extensive roundup of the best VPN services to identify the crème de la crème for secure torrenting.
Why do I need a VPN for torrenting?
First, let’s talk about what happens when you torrent. Whether you agree with it or not, downloading movies, TV shows, or games from torrent sites usually involves some form of copyright infringement. When you download these files illegally, the creators and rights holders don’t get paid for their work.
In response, many countries have organizations that act as copyright watchdogs, protecting the interests of rights holders. In places like the United States and many EU countries, these watchdogs have significant influence over torrenting activities.
Organizations like the DMCA monitor torrenting sites and track downloads. If they catch someone downloading copyrighted material, that person may receive a warning, a fine, or even face jail time in severe cases.
The key to avoiding these consequences is to make sure you can’t be tracked while torrenting. This is where a virtual private network (VPN) comes in. A VPN is a tool that reroutes your internet connection through one of its servers, masking your real location by changing your IP address. It also encrypts your internet connection, making it much harder for anyone to track your online activities.
Using a VPN is the best way to stay anonymous and secure while torrenting, ensuring that your personal information and online activity remain private. As an added benefit, you can use a torrent for everday browsing, too. They’re especially useful when on public networks, like in hotels or airports.
What features should I look for in a torrent VPN?
When choosing a VPN for torrenting, it’s essential to consider several key features to ensure security, speed, and reliability. Here are the most important factors to look for:
- Strong encryption: Ensure the VPN uses high-standard encryption (like AES-256) to secure your data and keep your online activities private.
- Robust VPN protocols: To maintain security and speed, look for a VPN that support secure and fast protocols such as OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2/IPsec.
- Kill Switch: A kill switch is crucial as it disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing your real IP address from being exposed.
- No-logs policy: Pick a VPN that has a strict no-logs policy. This confirms that your online activities aren’t tracked or recorded.
- Speed: Torrenting can be data-intensive, so a VPN with fast and consistent speeds is vital to avoid slow downloads and uploads.
- P2P servers: Look for a VPN that offers dedicated peer-to-peer servers. These are optimized for torrenting, specifically, and can enhance speed and security.
- DNS leak protection: This feature ensures that your DNS queries are routed through the VPN so as to prevent leaks that could expose your browsing activity.
- Simultaneous connections: If you plan to torrent a lot, consider the number of devices you can connect simultaneously with one account.
- Server network: A large and geographically diverse server network can improve connection reliability and speeds by offering more options to find a nearby server.
- Jurisdiction: Not all VPNs are from the same region. Focus on a provider based in a privacy-friendly country outside the 14-Eyes alliance for better protection from government surveillance.
Best VPN for Torrenting: Our Picks
With these criteria in mind, we’ve picked five of the best VPNs for torrenting, each of which has these basics down pat: you will run no real risk using any of these services for torrenting. However, we’ve ranked them according to how easy they are to use, whether they offer any interesting extras, or creature comforts like high speeds or cheap pricing.
NordVPN
NordVPN is our best VPN for torrenting. It has dedicated servers aimed at torrenters, allowing you to route all your torrenting traffic through them at good clip. In fact, in our tests NordVPN comes out on top when it comes to speed, so you can expect your torrent files to arrive quickly.
Pros:
- Great for streaming with strong unblocking capabilities
- Fast speeds with their NordLynx protocol
- Excellent security features
Cons:
- Can be slightly more expensive than some competitors
- Limited to 10 simultaneous connections.
Besides being fast, NordVPN is also safe. As our best torrenting VPN, it has excellent security, letting you choose from a number of VPN protocols, including NordVPN’s very own NordLynx, all of which are paired with some top-of-the-line encryption.
If you’re particularly worried, you can also opt to use NordVPN’s double VPN servers, which reroute your connection through first one VPN server and then another, giving you the protection of two VPN connections.
Finally, NordVPN also has some pretty decent pricing that has you sign on at a steep discount if you subscribe for multiple years at the same time. That said, there are ways around paying if you’re willing to put up with some hassle, we go into our detail in our article on getting a free NordVPN trial.
For the money, you get an easy-to-use, cheap and secure VPN; it’s all that a torrenter could want, so we recommend you check out NordVPN for all your file-sharing needs.
ExpressVPN
Of course, NordVPN isn’t the only player out there, and we reserve a special place for ExpressVPN, one of the best VPN providers out there, whether you’re torrenting or doing anything else. Read all about it in our full ExpressVPN review.
Pros:
- Excellent speeds with their Lightway protocol
- Very user-friendly interface
- Strong focus on security and privacy
- Works well for bypassing censorship
Cons:
- More expensive than some other options
- Only allows 8 simultaneous connections
Security-wise, ExpressVPN is a powerhouse, offering all standard features, including a kill switch and high-end encryption. It offers all standard VPN protocols, but, like NordVPN, it also offers its own, called Lightway. The upshot is a VPN that provides security and speed at the same time.
However, if you compare NordVPN and ExpressVPN, you’ll quickly find the main issue is with price. Where NordVPN offers a lot of bang for your buck, ExpressVPN focuses mainly on the bang, and leaves you holding the buck. With a plan that costs $100 per year, ExpressVPN is likely the most expensive VPN provider out there.
Still, you get an awful lot of features for your money, it’s just that it needs to be worth it to you. For cash-strapped torrenters, though, we can imagine the price tag is a little scary, which is why we’ve put ExpressVPN second.
CyberGhost
In third place we find CyberGhost, one of the best VPN services out there, and great for torrenting thanks to some advanced security features. Naturally this includes excellent VPN protocols, top-of-the-line encryption, a kill switch and fast servers; read all about it in our CyberGhost review.
Pros:
- Large server network spread across many countries
- Good for beginners with a user-friendly interface
- Strong focus on privacy with a no-logs policy
Cons:
- Speeds can be inconsistent compared to some competitors
- May not be the best for advanced users who need more customization options
Unlike NordVPN (read our NordVPN vs CyberGhost comparison for more), CyberGhost doesn’t have specialized torrenting servers, instead letting you share files on all its servers. This makes torrenting easy, as all you need to do is pick a nearby server to minimize speed loss, and you’re off to the races.
However, CyberGhost does lack some advanced features that we see with NordVPN or ExpressVPN (check out how CyberGhost compares versus ExpressVPN). Still, it has some great offers and is also extremely easy to use, making it an interesting option for anybody that wants a good deal when choosing a VPN.
Also, CyberGhost is a great pick if, besides torrenting, you also want to access different countries’ Netflix libraries. In our testing, it did a great job ofg getting through, so if you want to broaden your entertainment options, CyberGhost is a great pick.
VyprVPN
In fourth place is VyprVPN, which we’ve chosen for its long track record of helping keep people anonymous. It does so using its specialized Chameleon protocol, which hides your VPN connection by making it appear like a regular internet connection.
Pros:
- Owned by a Swiss company with strong privacy laws
- Unique Chameleon protocol for bypassing strict censorship
- Awesome for torrenting
Cons:
- Smaller server network compared to some
- Can be more expensive than some options
Though this won’t be necessary for most people, if you’re downloading torrents in an especially strict jurisdiction, having this extra protection is vital. For example, if you live in countries with a restricted internet, like China or Russia, it’s important to add this extra layer of protection.
Even without this special protection, though, VyprVPN is one of the great torrenting VPNs, offering all the tools you need to stay anonymous while you download torrents. Besides the Chameleon protocol, it offers OpenVPN and WireGuard, plus a kill switch to make sure you stay protected even if the VPN connection drops; read all about its features in our VyprVPN review.
Price-wise, VyprVPN is decent, offering plans that come in around the same price as NordVPN, say, though without the same feature packet. Still, for the right person VyprVPN is a great buy, so if being extra stealthy sounds good to you, check it out.
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Finally we come to Private Internet Access, which pretty much everybody knows as PIA. It’s been around for a long time and has been a fighter for online privacy almost all of that time, making it an obvious choice as one of the best VPNs for torrenting. However, the main reason why we included it is its price.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Allows unlimited simultaneous connections
- Strong security features and supports torrenting
Cons:
- Speeds can be slower than some competitors
- May not be the best for streaming as it doesn’t always unblock all platforms
- Messy user interface
Of all the VPNs we’ve tested, Private Internet Access has the best prices, letting you sign on for three years for just around $70. This is a great offer, and you renew your subscription at the same price, too, so it’s pretty much a lifetime guarantee. We go over how well this compares to the rest of the industry in our Private Internet Access review.
Even for the price, PIA is a solid VPN, with good speeds and excellent security. That said, if you compare it to market leaders like ExpressVPN (check out our PIA vs ExpressVPN article) some gaps do appear, but still, for the money it may be worth it. It has all the basic security you need, for example, and a decent server network.
The worst thing about Private Internet Access is probably its interface, which could use some work — or, let’s be honest, a lot. Still, for a great VPN the price is right, so you could give it a spin if you want to torrent safely, but cheaply.
Can I use a free VPN for torrenting?
Naturally, all our picks come with one major issue, namely that you need to pay for them to make use of their services. Thankfully, there are some excellent VPNs around that offer free plans you can use for torrenting; we’ve picked our five favorites and you can check them out in our article on the best free VPNs for torrenting.
However, there are two things you should know: first is that all our picks will cap your usage, usually not letting you download more than 5GB to 10GB per month. There’s not much you can do about that, it’s just the rules of the game.
Secondly, we strongly recommend you not seek out any free VPNs online as many of them exist purely to harvest your data and often, to add insult to injury, not even bother to actually encrypt your connection, leaving you open to interception. Please stay away from these dodgy providers and their false promises.
Is it legal to torrent with a VPN service?
Finally, you may wonder whether any of this is even legal. The answer is that technically, no, it’s not. Using a VPN isn’t illegal in most countries – the exceptions being authoritarian countries like China, Russia, etc. – but downloading files through a torrent client usually is, or at least leaves you open to a civil suit. While jail terms for file sharing are incredibly rare, that doesn’t mean the police won’t come after you, either.
Using a VPN doesn’t make it legal to torrent, it just makes it so nobody will be able to come after you for it. Still, using a bad VPN, or one that protects you poorly, may make it so you can be traced. Make sure you always use a reputable VPN. We particularly like NordVPN, but any of our other picks will do a fine job.
How to find the best VPN for torrenting
Listed above are our choices for the best torrent VPNs. We suggest you start there.
If you’re looking for additional options, start by conducting thorough research online. Begin with reputable review sites and tech forums where users and experts discuss their experiences with various VPNs. Look for reviews that specifically mention torrenting to get insights into performance and reliability in this area. Pay attention to user feedback on speeds, security features, and customer support, as these can significantly impact your torrenting experience.
Next, visit the websites of the VPN providers that have received positive feedback. Look for detailed information about their features, especially those relevant to torrenting, such as strong encryption, a no-logs policy, and dedicated P2P servers. Many VPN providers also offer free trials or money-back guarantees, allowing you to test their service risk-free. Take advantage of these offers to evaluate the VPN’s speed and stability during torrenting sessions.
Join online communities and forums focused on privacy and torrenting. Websites like Reddit have active user bases that regularly discuss the pros and cons of different VPNs. Engage with these communities by asking questions about specific VPNs you are considering. Current users can provide real-world insights and tips that you might not find in official reviews.
Finally, consider your personal needs and preferences. Make a shortlist of VPNs that meet your criteria and compare their prices, subscription plans, and additional features. Some VPNs might offer better deals or extra benefits like simultaneous connections on multiple devices, which can be advantageous if you use several gadgets for torrenting. By following these steps, you can effectively locate a VPN that meets your torrenting needs and provides a secure, fast, and reliable experience.
Additional Torrenting Resources
Go deeper into the world of torrenting with our comprehensive guides and reviews. Whether you’re a seasoned torrenter or just starting out, we’ve got tips and tricks for all.
Discover the best private torrenting sites to keep your downloads secure. If you’re having trouble accessing your favorite sites, learn how to unblock LimeTorrents in just a few simple steps.
Curious about the basics? Check out our guide on what is torrenting. And if you’re wondering about the risks, we explain how dangerous is torrenting without a VPN.
We’ve also ranked the best torrenting sites for you to explore. If you’re looking for alternatives to your current software, consider our picks for the best uTorrent alternatives, the top uTorrent VPNs, and the best VPN for qBittorrent.
If you’re missing Torrentz, check out our best alternatives to Torrentz or our list of the best BitTorrent clients.
And if you’re a Pirate Bay user, don’t miss our guide to the best VPN for Pirate Bay.
Happy torrenting!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Should I always use a VPN for torrenting?: Yes, using a VPN for torrenting is recommended to protect your privacy and avoid potential legal issues.
- Does a VPN speed up torrenting?: No, a VPN usually does not speed up torrenting and may even slightly reduce your download speed due to encryption overhead.
- Can I use a free VPN for torrenting?: Opting to save money with a free VPN is generally not advisable as they often have data limits, slower speeds, and may not provide adequate security, the latter of which is most important when torrenting.
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.
May be these are the ones which got cracked by NSA , so they are listed
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.
Too many adverts for VPNs in the last 2 weeks
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.
Been using ExpressVPN for a few months now with zero complaints.
Second. Great service for torrenting.