Best VPN for Torrenting (2024) | Download Torrents Safely

In this post, you will find the Best VPN for torrenting. After extensive testing and evaluation, I have compiled a list of 5 top VPNs that work flawlessly with torrents / P2P. 

Whether you want to bypass the torrenting restrictions in certain regions or keep torrenting activities anonymous, using a VPN during your P2P activities is highly recommended.

Hundreds of VPN services are on the market, and many claim to be best for torrenting. However, only a handful of VPNs are torrent-friendly.

Our tests revealed that most VPNs are too slow for torrenting. You need speed for fast downloads. Many of them had serious security issues. You want to keep your torrenting sessions private and secure. Several VPNs did not work well with torrent clients like BitTorrent and uTorrent.

We tested almost every VPN before compiling this list of the best torrenting VPNs. The VPNs on our list are the leaders in the industry. Speed, security, and privacy—you get the complete package.

However, the one VPN that clearly stands out even on this list is ExpressVPN. It is undoubtedly faster than other VPNs and provides comprehensive torrenting coverage across all its servers. It is also one of the safest VPNs you will find. Here’s a quick look at ExpressVPN’s features:

What is Torrenting?

Torrenting refers to the process of sharing files over the internet directly between users, often described as peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing. This allows the users to exchange data without relying on a centralized server.

When you download a file, say a movie, using the P2P network, you aren’t downloading it from any dedicated server. You are downloading the file saved on the computers of people like you and me connected to the P2P network.

While torrenting, the entire file is not downloaded from a single location. You download separate chunks of the same file from different users. The users from whom you can download the files (or rather, those uploading the file) are called seeders.” The users who are downloading the file are called ‘leechers.’

Depending on the number of seeders, you could download separate segments of the same file from hundreds of peers. The higher the number of seeders, the faster the download. You need a torrent client to download or upload the file (or, in other words, to connect to the P2P network). BitTorrent and uTorrent are the two most popular torrenting clients.

Even though you can choose only to download files and never be a seeder, the concept of ‘paying it forward’ is prevalent among torrent users.

Why do you need a Torrent VPN?

A VPN is highly recommended for torrenting. Here are some reasons why:

• To keep your torrenting sessions safe: Torrenting is usually frowned upon, no matter what country you are in. You don’t want your ISP or government to keep track of your torrenting activities. With a VPN, you can make your torrent sessions safe and private.
• Prevent ISP throttling: Your ISP will likely slow down your internet connection if it detects high torrenting activity. If you are using a VPN, your torrenting activities will go undetected.
• All-round protection: A VPN will protect the torrent client and your IP footprints when you visit torrenting websites.

With a VPN, you get complete torrenting protection. During torrent activities, your IP address is exposed and visible. Please take a look at the image below:

However, when connected to a VPN, you use a shared IP address. This IP address is used by hundreds of other people using torrents like you, so no one can trace your torrent activities back to you.

How Did We Choose the Best Torrenting VPN?

As I said before, we have carefully tested and evaluated dozens of VPNs before finalizing this list of the 5 best VPNs for torrenting. Here are some of the parameters necessary for torrenting that we considered:

Speed

A connection speed of over 10 Mbps is generally sufficient for streaming. However, due to its intensive nature, torrenting has different requirements.

Higher speeds are always preferable for torrenting. Therefore, while testing the VPNs for torrenting, we paid close attention to the ‘speed drop’ factor, a common issue with VPNs

Every VPN experiences a speed drop as it has to reroute its internet traffic through secure servers to ensure security and anonymity.

However, the VPN that retains the original speed the most and experiences the least drop is the one for torrenting. ExpressVPN is the fastest of all. Though the other VPNs on this list also fared well,

Security and Privacy

Speed is important. However, you want a torrenting VPN for a safe and secure experience.

You do not want your footprints on the web while you engage in P2P exchanges.

All the VPNs on this list offer the highest level of security through impenetrable encryption protocols.

In addition, you also get added security features like Kill-Switch, which blocks your internet connection if the VPN connection drops suddenly.

Also, all the VPNs on this list maintain a strict zero-logging policy, which ensures your privacy throughout your torrenting sessions.

Compatibility with Torrent Clients

The VPN client needs to run error-free alongside the torrenting client. I was surprised to see some VPNs acting erratically and even crashing the torrent clients.

The VPNs on our list of the best VPNs for torrenting are all compatible with popular torrent clients like BitTorrent and uTorrent. They run almost without any glitches throughout the torrenting period.

Prevent ISP Throttling

ISPs have a way to detect your streaming and torrenting activities. After you have used up a certain amount of data, many ISPs slow down your internet during torrenting.

Speed is of the utmost importance for P2P activities.

The VPNs on our list ensure that all the detectable torrenting signatures are masked and that there is no ISP throttling.

Torrent-friendly Servers

Torrent-optimized servers are one of the most significant criteria when choosing the best VPN for torrenting.

Only a few VPNs support torrenting across their entire line-up of servers (ExpressVPN is one example). Most VPNs have dedicated servers for torrenting.

With the VPNs on our list, it was easy to find torrent-friendly servers. A couple of them even have a special category for P2P servers.

We left those VPNs that did not perform well while torrenting. 

Best VPN for Torrenting

Here is our list of the Best torrenting VPNs in 2024. ExpressVPN is at the top of the list for well-known features– it has more servers offering high-speed torrenting than other VPNs. However, I have also reviewed other VPNs that performed well while testing. Here is the list of Best VPNs for Torrenting in 2024:

1. ExpressVPN: Fastest VPN with tons of torrent-friendly servers. Provides secure and private P2P connections.
2. IPVanish: Decently fast VPN for torrenting. Several torrent-optimized servers. Top-grade security.
3. PIA: A torrent-friendly VPN with many torrent-optimized servers. Robust security.
4. CyberGhost VPN: Dedicated servers for P2P connections. Secure and reliable.
5. Surfshark VPN: A range of dedicated, torrent-optimized servers for high-speed downloads and uploads. Airtight security.

Now, I will cover the essential features of all 5 VPNs. It will help you find the perfect VPN that fits your requirements and budget.Let us start with ExpressVPN:

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the best torrenting VPN and the best overall VPN. It helps you unblock torrents, download at high speeds, and secure your torrent traffic.

Torrenting Speed

Torrenting requires a high-speed internet connection, and that’s one reason ExpressVPN is the best VPN for torrenting. Widely regarded as the fastest VPN in the world, ExpressVPN offers consistent speeds across most of its servers.

Every VPN loses speed as it has to reroute your internet traffic through secure channels. However, where most VPNs lost over 50% of the original ISP speed, many ExpressVPN servers retained over 90%. No other VPN comes even close to ExpressVPN on this front. It is the fastest VPN for torrenting.

ExpressVPN also ensures the bandwidth cap does not limit your torrent exchanges. You can download or upload any amount of data as your ISP allows.

P2P Server Coverage

Unlike many other VPNs we tested, ExpressVPN provides extensive torrenting and P2P coverage across all its servers worldwide.

ExpressVPN currently has more than 3000 servers in more than 160 locations. With ExpressVPN, you can torrent securely even in countries where torrenting is banned.

Security, Privacy, & Jurisdiction

Express VPN ensures that high-speed connectivity does not compromise your security. It uses industry-standard encryption technology to provide protection and cover your torrenting activities. It also has a kill switch that instantly blocks your internet connection if the connection to the VPN server drops or while you switch VPN servers.

The service integrates advanced security measures such as the OpenVPN protocol, server authentication, HMAC authentication, control-channel encryption, data-channel encryption, and perfect forward secrecy. These features collectively create a robust framework to protect your torrenting and other online activities against threats.

ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, outside the jurisdiction of the major surveillance organizations. It also has a strict no-log policy. In other words, ExpressVPN offers complete privacy.

Additional Features

ExpressVPN also comes with Split Tunnelling. This feature lets you choose which apps to connect to the VPN and which use the regular ISP connection. This means you can secure your torrenting activities by connecting only the torrent client, such as BitTorrent/uTorrent, to the VPN while you continue to browse the web, play online games, etc., without a VPN.

While ExpressVPN is the best torrent VPN, you can do more with it. You can unblock geo-restricted content, secure Kodi streaming, and secure your FireStick and other devices.

Software Support

Each ExpressVPN account lets you connect up to 8 devices simultaneously. It has compatible apps for Android mobiles and tablets, iPhones and other iOS devices, TV devices such as FireStick and Android TV Boxes, Windows, Linux, and Mac computers, browser extensions, routers, and more.

Customer Support

ExpressVPN has a highly responsive chat support system. If you need help, they are available 24/7 to answer your questions. You can also contact ExpressVPN via email. The customer service representatives are knowledgeable and customer-friendly.

Deals and buying options

You can get 3 months free and save a whopping 49% on ExpressVPN’s annual plan. ExpressVPN also offers a no-questions-asked 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t like the service, which is a rarity, you can always request a full refund within 30 days. You can pay with your credit/debit card, PayPal, and even Bitcoin.

Visit ExpressVPN.com

2. IPVanish

IPVanish is another solid VPN for torrenting. Though not as fast as ExpressVPN, IPVanish delivers satisfactory speeds across many servers.

Torrenting Speed

Several of our tests revealed that IPVanish could retain 75–80% of the original ISP speed. If you have a decent connection from your ISP, you will have a smooth torrenting experience.

P2P Server Coverage

There are more than 1400 servers in over 75 locations worldwide. Almost all the IPVanish servers are P2P-friendly. You are not limited to how much data you have uploaded or downloaded, and IPVanish will not set a bandwidth limit.

Security, Privacy, & Jurisdiction

IPVanish also follows industry standards in providing top-grade security to your connection while you torrent. The military-grade 256-bit AES encryption makes sure your torrenting activities are completely safe.

The parent company of IPVanish is based in the United States, where many major surveillance bodies have jurisdiction. This is a bit worrisome. However, the company maintains a strict zero-log policy. Therefore, I would like to believe that my information is safe with them. Yet, I would trust ExpressVPN over IPVanish any day.

App Support

IPVanish is available on various devices, including Amazon Fire TV and FireStick, iOS and Android mobiles, Mac OS, Windows, and Linux, as well as browser extensions.

The apps are compatible with all the popular torrent clients, including BitTorrent. With one IPVanish subscription, you can connect unlimited devices simultaneously. You can also share this VPN with your family and friends.

Additional Features

Besides being the VPN that allows torrenting, IPVanish is also handy for unblocking censored content, apps, and websites.

Additionally, you can switch servers as many times as you want. This means you can try servers unlimited times until you find the one that best suits your needs.

Customer Support

Should you have any questions, 24/7 customer support is available via live chat and email. Phone support is also available during business hours.

Deals and Buying Options

You can save 75% on the IPVanish 24-month plan, which now costs $77.95 and comes down to $3.25 monthly. You can also opt for the 12-month plan for $51.95 and save 66%. If you want to keep it month-to-month, the monthly plan is available for $12.99.

IPVanish offers a 30-day unconditional money-back guarantee on all its plans (except monthly).

Visit IPVanish.com

3. PIA (Private Internet Access)

Next in line is the crowd-famous Private Internet Access, or PIA. Made by geeks who are serious about your privacy and security, PIA can be used to download torrents anywhere in the world. Users regard PIA as one of the most torrent-friendly VPN services out there, and when we tested it, we couldn’t agree more.

Torrenting Speed

PIA was one of the best VPN services (just a bit shy of ExpressVPN), and it showed tremendous speeds when it came to torrenting. From download to upload speeds, everything was buttery-smooth and supremely fast!

No matter which type of connection you own, PIA will retain about 50 to 60% of the speed when torrenting. That’s about 50 to 60 Mbps speeds on a 100 Mbps internet connection.

Have you ever noticed the speed and bandwidth throttling on your connection? Does your speed or data get limited with time? That’s where PIA will help you. You’ll experience throttle-free downloading and uploading on torrents. So, no matter where you are, you can use PIA to have the best torrenting experience.

P2P Server Coverage

Torrenting is based on peer-to-peer, or P2P, communication. However, many VPN servers don’t support it due to legal reasons. However, PIA lets you access all P2P content in full flow, including torrenting.

As of writing the piece, there are 29,650+ PIA servers in 84+ countries worldwide, and all support P2P. No matter where you reside, you can download and upload content from or to torrents.

All the PIA servers are based on cutting-edge technologies. This means you’ll receive ultra-fast connection speeds with unlimited bandwidth no matter which server you connect to from PIA’s server list.

P2P support on PIA servers works miraculously! You won’t experience outbreaks, packet loss, low download speeds, or torrent unavailability—just a smooth-sailing torrenting experience.

Security & Privacy

PIA lets you choose between two world-class encryption algorithms: 128-bit or 256-bit AES. Both are famous in security and are used by governments, agencies, and defense.

Next, Private Internet Access provides open-source transparency. This means all PIA apps’ client source code is publicly available. Anyone can scrutinize or verify the code; no hiding = 100% reliability.

To make your torrenting experience faster, more reliable, and fully secure, PIA uses world-class protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IPSec (for iOS). As they are 100% trusted and open-source, you don’t have to worry about the leakage of your data, identity, or any other personal information when torrenting.

No matter which server you are using to download torrents or what files you are downloading, PIA doesn’t share them with anyone. They don’t even know about your activity data, as they have a strict no-log policy. So, whatever you do, PIA will never record, save, or share your internet traffic. So, with PIA, you can freely access torrents from anywhere, knowing that your security & privacy are in safe hands.

Jurisdiction

Private Internet Access is located in the United States, a Five Eyes country. 5 Eyes is an intelligence alliance between the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. This means that a country may not be able to collect data on its citizens but may ask the participating parties to do so on their behalf.

That’s quite alarming. However, according to PIA, they aren’t concerned about it. Why? Because they keep no logs or data on the user in the first place. Regardless of who asks, they cannot share data they don’t have.

PIA had already proven their statement once when Russia asked them to log user data. They immediately shut down their operation in Russia and discontinued their gateways. Here, you can learn more about how PIA’s location in a Five Eyes country doesn’t matter.

Additional Features

There’s no shortage of additional features with PIA. All of these features assist in creating a fast & secure torrenting experience. So, let’s go through some of them.

Firstly, we have the kill switch. This built-in feature on PIA automatically cuts down on incoming and outgoing traffic when a VPN connection drops. Although there can be many reasons behind the drop, the kill switch ensures your data and logs remain within your system.

Next, PIA offers a free ad blocker called MACE. With this feature turned on, you won’t see ads on your torrent app. It also eliminates trackers and malware from profiling or harming your data.

PIA offers payment via cryptocurrencies and third-party gift cards to shield your identity. You can subscribe to PIA to torrent without revealing your identity, payment information, etc.

It would help if you had a VPN for torrenting, but that doesn’t mean you should use it with your banking application. That’s where PIA’s advanced split tunneling feature comes to the rescue. With it, you can automatically set custom rules for individual apps and services to use or bypass the VPN tunnel.

App Support

PIA has designed simple and easy-to-use apps for all the major platforms of the modern era. All software tools are easy to download, install, and set up. Similarly, they have a user-friendly interface with basic and advanced tools at the user’s disposal.

PIA apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and Apple iOS. The service also offers extensions for Google Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. PIA also has official apps for gaming consoles and smart TVs. Lastly, the service offers firmware for routers. PIA allows simultaneous access on 10 devices, allowing you to download and upload torrents on your devices in parallel.

Customer Support

Speaking of customer support, PIA offers 24/7 assistance to its paid users. You can also contact PIA by filling out a form on their contact page.  

Deals & Buying Options

PIA is dead serious about privacy and security. That’s why they provide affordable plans for everyone. FireStickTricks readers can always get a special deal with PIA. Currently, an 82% off deal lets you purchase a 2-year + 4-month subscription of PIA for just $2.03 per month, billed at $56.94 per 2 years. That’s a deal for people who are looking to trust a VPN service in the long term without spending too much money.

Next, we have the 6-month plan that costs $7.50 per month and is billed at $45 per 6 months. This plan is ideal for people who want to purchase a reliable VPN service for torrenting but have no intention of sticking with it for a long time.

Lastly, the standard one-month plan is $11.99 per month. So, if you are looking forward to testing PIA for torrenting, this plan is the right pick. All their plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Visit PrivateInternetAccess.com

4. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has made a name in the VPN world over the past few years. This VPN has become the preferred choice for streamers and many torrent users.

Speed & P2P Server Coverage

The interesting thing about CyberGhost is that many of its servers do not support torrenting. However, it has set aside some torrenting-optimized servers that offer high-speed P2P connections and are perfect for torrenting.

While not all of its servers offer desirable speeds, the ones dedicated to torrenting are fast enough. You can choose one of the torrenting-optimized servers from the app interface.

Security, Privacy, & Jurisdiction

CyberGhost also ensures that all your downloads and uploads are protected with airtight, military-grade security protocols. You can torrent as much as you like; neither your ISP nor anyone else will get a whiff of it. It also has an automatic kill switch, which instantly blocks your internet connection if the VPN connection drops.

CyberGhost is based in Romania, outside the surveillance organizations’ jurisdiction. The company has a strict zero-log policy, ensuring your privacy is always maintained.

App Support

CyberGhost has desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Mobile apps for iOS and Android, browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, TV apps for Amazon FireStick and Android TV devices, and router support for select routers

It also allows up to 7 simultaneous connections. You can secure torrenting and online activities on other supported devices and share them with your family or friends.

Additional Features

There is also Split Tunnelling, in case you want only your P2P client to stay connected to the VPN servers and other online activities through your ISP.

Deals & buying options

You can save 83% on the 2-year plan and get an additional 4 months for $56.94 (billed every two years). CyberGhost also has a 6-month plan that costs $41.94. If you want to go on a month-to-month basis, you can pay$12.99 monthly.

CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, the longest known among VPNs. You can also use the 24-hour free trial to test the service without submitting payment information. Bitcoin payments are supported in addition to credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal.

Visit CyberGhostVPN.com

5. Surfshark

Surfshark offers several high-speed servers for torrenting, which is why it is included in this list of the best VPNs for torrents.

Speed & P2P Server Coverage

It has more than 1000 servers in over 60 countries. However, not all of them may be entirely torrent-friendly. You may have to go through a bit of a hit-and-trial process. Sadly, Surfshark does not have the option to choose P2P-friendly servers separately.

Security, Privacy, & Jurisdiction

This VPN provider follows the industry standards for security and safeguards your torrenting activities with AES 256-bit encryption, the best you can get. It has a Kill Switch to block internet access if the VPN connection drops.

Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands, which means it is outside the jurisdiction of the primary surveillance bodies.

App Support

Surfshark offers apps for macOS, Windows, and Linux computers. It has mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. Browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox Smart TV apps for FireStick, Apple TV, and Android TV

It is also available on gaming consoles, including the Xbox and PlayStation. Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, allowing you to protect as many devices as possible with one account.

Additional Features

Surfshark works well with P2P clients like BitTorrent and uTorrent. It also helps you avoid internet throttling if your ISP slows down your connection while you torrent.

Customer Support

You can contact Surfshark customer care via live chat or email from their contact page.

Deals and buying options

The 2-year plan has a maximum savings of up to  85%. The 2-year Surfshark Starter plan costs $59.54, gives you two extra months, and comes down to $2.29 monthly. You can save 81% on the yearly plan, which costs $41.86 and is effectively $2.99 monthly. The monthly plan is the most expensive, priced at $15.45.

Surfshark also offers two other plans, Surfshark One and SurfShark One+. If you only want a VPN for torrenting, Surfshark Starter is good enough for you.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee with every plan.

Visit Surfshark.com

Best Free VPN for Torrenting

Yes, there are many free VPN providers available on the market. They remind me of a popular saying: You are likely the product if it is free. We have also tested several free VPNs, and there isn’t a single name we can take with confidence that would do more harm than benefit.

Maintaining a VPN network requires a lot of money. Free VPN providers are not here for charity. They must be making money in some way. Many free torrent VPN providers are known to have sold users’ data to the highest bidders. With them, your privacy is always at risk of being compromised.

Some dubious VPN services have even sneaked malware onto your devices. I highly recommend that if you are looking for a torrent VPN, go for one of the paid ones. Even though you spend some money, you will remain safe and secure.

Read: How Free VPNs Make Money

VPN vs. Proxy for Torrenting

Whether to use a VPN or Proxy for torrenting is a very common question among torrent users. The answer is quite simple, though: VPN is best. A proxy will only hide the IP address for one app at a time, while VPNs provide all-around protection.

For instance, you can set up a proxy server within the BitTorrent or uTorrent client to mask your IP address. However, your IP address will remain exposed when you visit the torrent sites.

Furthermore, a paid VPN uses a military-grade encryption protocol to protect your torrenting activities. These protocols are almost impossible to crack. On the other hand, a proxy can be compromised much more easily. If you are serious about safeguarding your privacy, a VPN is the only answer.

FAQ’s

Wrapping Up

This is our list of the VPNs we believe are the best for torrenting. If you ask me to pick one from the list, ExpressVPN will be my undisputed choice. Not only does ExpressVPN have more torrent-friendly servers, but it also offers the fastest P2P connections.

The other VPNs on this list also did well, especially compared to all the other VPNs that did not make it to our list. What are your thoughts? Let us know via the comments section below.

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