10 Best VPNs for Torrenting 2024 | Fast & Secure Torrent & P2P Friendly VPNs

Looking for a torrenting-friendly VPN service? It’s not always a straightforward process. Plenty of VPNs don’t support P2P traffic, are too slow to torrent, or will even end up leaking your identifiable information. In this guide, we’ll pinpoint the best VPNs to use when torrenting on any device, as well as why they’re necessary.

Torrenting isn’t illegal, unless you’re downloading copyrighted content, but it’s still easy to find yourself on the wrong side of the law if you’re not careful – and that’s where having a VPN comes in handy. A VPN encrypts all of your internet traffic and prevents ISPs from figuring out that you’re torrenting at all. As a result, it’s harder for third parties to identify traffic belonging to you.

At ProPrivacy, we routinely test VPNs to make sure that they’re secure, reliable, and worth the cost of a subscription – and we’ve tested all the services on this page to ensure that they support P2P activity. Our researchers use these services in their day-to-day lives and are active participants in the cybersecurity community, so you can trust that our recommendations are grounded in first-hand experience and a comprehensive understanding of the industry.

The top VPNs for torrenting at a glance

Short on time? Not to worry. Below are our top five torrenting VPN recommendations. For help picking out your perfect provider, take our brief questionnaire or check out our in-depth analysis for a comprehensive review of each VPN.

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See in-depth analysis

Torrenting can cause all kinds of headaches. If you choose to download pirated content, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) could cut off your plan, you could be lumped with a fine, or you might even end up fighting a legal battle that results in jail time.

You’ll need to ensure that you pick the right VPN if you plan to use it even whilst torrenting legal content, seeing as some services don’t support P2P file sharing and there are, sadly, many people out there who will deliberately seed malware-ridden versions of files.

With all this to keep in mind, and the sheer number of VPNs on the market, finding the right provider to help keep you safe online can feel like navigating a minefield.

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But don’t despair! We’ve put together a list of the very best VPNs for torrenting. These services will help protect your privacy when downloading torrents, going about your day-to-day browsing, and when relying on public Wi-Fi hotspots.

Before we can recommend a VPN for torrenting, however, we first make sure that it has:

• Strong, well-implemented encryption
• No IP or DNS leaks
  
• Key privacy features, like a kill-switch
• Fast network speeds

Only VPNs that meet all of the above criteria are included in our best VPN for torrenting list. So, now that you know what makes a top-notch service, let’s take a look at those that made the cut.

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The best VPNs for torrenting | In-depth analysis

We recommend the following VPNs to anyone looking to improve their online security when torrenting.

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Which is the fastest VPN for torrenting?

Speed is a hugely important factor to consider when picking out a VPN – nobody wants to waste their time (or money!) on a service that’s slower than a snail, after all. We run regular speed tests in order to help you understand which of our torrenting VPNs is the fastest. The most up-to-date results are displayed in the table below – so take a look!

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Will a VPN improve my download speeds?

No, but this is a common misconception about VPNs. You’ll actually be more likely to experience a slight loss of speed when connected to a VPN, as it encrypts your connection and routes your data through a remote server. However, if you stick to one of our recommended VPNs, their speedy servers should ensure that this discrepancy is only ever marginal in terms of your download speeds.

The one circumstance where a VPN might improve your speeds is if your ISP is actively throttling P2P traffic on your network. If you believe this is happening to you – and slowing your download speeds as a result – then a VPN might be the answer. VPN encryption keeps your online traffic concealed from your ISP. And when your ISP can’t tell what you’re up to, they won’t be able to enforce bandwidth throttling!

Fortunately, all the VPNs we’ve highlighted offer VPN free trials and generous money-back guarantees, letting you put the service through its paces without taking risks. If you’re not happy with how a VPN is performing or the features on offer, getting your money back is quick, quibble-free, and easy.

Why are these the best VPNs for downloading torrents?

Privacy and security should always be your number one priority when choosing a VPN to use whilst torrenting. However, to avoid frustratingly long download times, speed comes a close second. 

Below, we’ve outlined some key criteria to keep in mind when choosing a torrenting VPN. This should give you some insight into why we picked these services over the hundreds of others available on the market today.

• The VPN must allow P2P file sharing (torrenting). This seems obvious, but there are a surprising number of VPNs that don’t allow users to torrent on their networks.
• A proven track record of privacy and security. Privacy policies and past behavior are very telling when it comes to knowing if you can rely on your VPN for privacy.
• A no-logging policy. If your VPN keeps no logs about you, and what you do online, it can’t be forced to hand anything over to authorities who come knocking.
• Fast and stable servers. We know how frustrating long download times can be when torrenting – these VPNs won’t have a huge negative impact on your connection.
• A kill-switch and other useful privacy features. A kill-switch is crucial for anyone torrenting through a VPN, since it will prevent your data from being exposed if your connection drops for any reason. 
• No leaks. VPNs that leak personal data are as downright dangerous as they are useless, especially if you’re torrenting, which is why we rely on our VPN leak test tool to ensure all of our torrenting picks are watertight.

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How do we test torrenting VPNs?

We don’t want you to take any undue risks when it comes to P2P file sharing – and that’s why we’ve put all of the VPNs in this guide through a rigorous testing and review process. Our team of experts routinely trial the industry’s biggest names (and up-and-coming services) to make sure they adequately safeguard your digital privacy. As a result, all of our recommendations are informed by first-hand experience.

Here are some of the key factors we look for during our tests:

• How many servers does the VPN have, and are there P2P-optimized locations for users to connect to?
• Does the VPN have key torrenting features? A kill-switch, port forwarding support, and split-tunneling are all invaluable tools for torrenters who want to balance speed with watertight security, and we make sure that they work as they should
• How quick is the VPN? A service that slows your seeding and leeching to a crawl just won’t be suitable for regular torrenting (But remember, this can be influenced by outside factors like your baseline speeds)
• What protocols are offered? OpenVPN is my personal favorite when it comes to torrenting, seeing as it’s super secure and well-tested, but WireGuard and IKEv2 are speedy alternatives
• Does the VPN stick to a zero-logs policy? And has it invested in a public security audit? This one is vital, seeing as nobody wants logs of their online activity being handed over to anyone
• How easy is the VPN client to use? The very best VPN providers only take a few minutes to install and setup, and have sleek apps for all platforms

ProPrivacy’s VPN review process

How do I access blocked sites?

VPNs offer more benefits than those listed above, however. Their unlocking power – and ability to access blocked and geo-restricted sites – make them invaluable to anyone taking part in P2P activity.

ISPs around the world frequently block torrenting websites. It’s a common practice, but just as a VPN prevents anyone else on the internet from seeing your real IP address, it also works the other way around. With a VPN, your ISP won’t be able to see what you’re getting up to online.

And your ISP can’t block what it can’t see! All it takes to access blocked torrent sites is a few clicks – join a VPN server located somewhere where the sites aren’t blocked, and browse them freely, without restrictions.

This is just a very brief overview of VPN technology – for a more detailed look, check out our what is a VPN? Non-technical beginner’s guide. 

How to use a VPN for torrenting?

Setting up and using a VPN for torrenting is much like setting up a VPN for anything else. However, there are a few tests that we recommend you perform on your VPN before you begin downloading torrents – just to be on the safe side.

To set up, follow these simple steps:

Following these steps will get your VPN up and running in no time. But, setting up a VPN so that it works optimally when you’re torrenting is far more nuanced than a six-step process. If you would like to take the setup of your VPN further, check out our step-by-step guide to setting up and using a VPN for torrenting.

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How to test your VPN is working

As stated at the top of this guide, your number one concern when deciding which VPN to use when torrenting should be privacy and security. That’s why, before using a VPN to torrent, you should always make sure that it works properly.

To do this, simply:

If you would like to know more about improving your privacy when torrenting, check out our guide on how to torrent safely for more tips and tricks.

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Other VPNs that allow file sharing

We’ve put together a list of some more services that allow torrenting – but it isn’t exhaustive! In fact, most (but certainly not all – see below) reputable paid-for services allow torrenting these days. These include: 

Most of the providers mentioned in this article come with money-back guarantees, too, so you can try them out in your own time before committing to a long-term subscription. Check out our free trial VPN page for more details about making the most out of these handy trials.

VPNs to avoid if you want to file-share (P2P)

Below, you’ll find a list of providers that either don’t support P2P file sharing or are simply not suitable for avid torrenters. Again, note that this list isn’t complete by any means.

What about free VPNs for torrenting?

Running a VPN service is a huge operation – and it’s a costly one, too. Nobody, and we really mean absolutely nobody, will do this for “free”.

Free VPNs do exist, though, and the more reputable of these offer free plans that come with various limitations. Expect bandwidth restrictions and stingy monthly download limits. Basically, the VPN is hoping the free plan will convince you to upgrade to a premium subscription.

There are hardly any free VPNs that will permit torrenting

These, at least, are transparent about how they monetize their free services. Less reputable providers have been known to spy on users’s information and sell user data to the highest bidder, or to steal and sell your bandwidth.

And almost no decent free VPN services permit P2P, anyway! Dealing with the hassle of DMCA notices and the like simply isn’t worth it for non-paying customers.

Can I download a cracked VPN from torrent sites?

You might be wondering if you can torrent a VPN if you’re pirating everything else. Short answer? You can, but you really shouldn’t.

More and more VPN apps are popping up on torrent sites, complete with cracks, but downloading one is a terrible idea for a number of reasons:

• All reputable services work on a subscription model. Functionality is, therefore, tied to your account, not whether you are using “activated” software or suchlike. So “cracking” the software is pointless.
• This means the so-called “cracks” bundled with apps on torrent sites are invariably malware. Make sure to avoid, avoid, avoid!
• It is also possible to torrent “free” VPN apps. Apart from the fact that these are readily available anyway, many of them are scams that monetize their service by stealing your browser history and/or bandwidth (see the section above).

FAQs

[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”Is torrenting without a VPN safe?” answer=”No, torrenting copyrighted material without a VPN is categorically unsafe. If you get caught doing so, you could land in some serious hot water with your ISP or even with law enforcement. Therefore, whenever you torrent copyrighted material, whatever it may be, it is vital that you use a VPN, such as the ones listed in this guide, to keep you safe and secure – so that you can torrent with peace of mind that you won’t get into trouble.” /]]

[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”Is using a VPN for torrenting safe?” answer=”If you use a secure VPN like the ones we recommend in this guide, then yes, you can feel safe when torrenting. If, however, you opt for a substandard VPN provider that doesn’t properly secure your connection and doesn’t offer the privacy features necessary to protect your identity online, then that’s a different story and can indeed put you at risk.” /]]

[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”Which devices can I torrent on?” answer=”You can torrent on any internet-connected device for which there are BitTorrent and VPN apps. Basically, this means that you can torrent on any Windows, Mac, Chromebook, or Linux desktop computer. You’re also able to torrent on Android and iOS devices, too. <a href=’/guides/torrent-iphone’>Bear in mind that torrenting on your iPhone</a> or iPad is a bit tricker, seeing as Apple bans BitTorrent apps from its App Store. However, using a VPN with any torrent client, like offcloud or bitport. We still recommend that you use a VPN on alongside a cloud torrent service.” /]]

[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”Is torrenting illegal in my country?” answer=”The BitTorrent protocol, by itself, is not inherently illegal. Copyright infringement is considered ‘illegal’ almost everywhere, however. The extent of this illegality can vary wildly from country to country, and we’d recommend seeing our page on the <a href=’/vpn/guides/torrenting-illegal’>legalities of torrenting</a> for a detailed discussion on this complex subject.” /]]

[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”Will a VPN slow down my download speeds?” answer=”Slightly, as a VPN’s encryption and decryption measures require processor cycles. Connecting to a VPN server also creates an extra leg to the journey since your VPN will route your traffic through a remote server. Because of this, any VPN you subscribe to will, unfortunately, slow your internet connection to some extent.

We can’t say that the difference has ever been noticeable to us when it comes to torrenting (NAT firewall/port forwarding issues aside). Many ISPs, notably in the United States, discriminate against torrent traffic. They use ‘traffic management’ or ‘traffic shaping’ systems, which is more commonly referred to as ‘throttling’. ISPs do this because they consider torrent traffic to be a nuisance, a bandwidth hog, and/or they believe in supporting the rights of copyright holders. If your ISP does this, then using a VPN will actually speed up your torrent downloads, as the VPN encryption prevents your ISP from seeing that your data includes P2P traffic.” /]]

[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”Which torrent client should I use?” answer=”Most torrent clients work in the same way, so for most torrenters, it won’t actually matter too much. It is the list of arcane advanced features that differentiates torrent clients, and few users, even die-hard torrenters, actually use these. We prefer open source clients, especially since these do not inflict you with ads. Check out our list of <a href=’/guides/bittorrent-clients’>Best BitTorrent clients</a> for a list of great torrent clients. One of our favorites is <a href=’/guides/qbitorrent-review’>qBitTorrent</a> because it has a ‘bind to VPN interface’ feature (which <a href=’/vpn/comparison/vuze-vpn’>Vuze</a> also has). ” /]]

[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”Can I go to jail for torrenting with a VPN?” answer=”Torrenting with a VPN is completely legal in most countries in the world – unless you download copyrighted content, which most countries prohibit, or you use a VPN in a <a href=’/guides/are-vpns-legal’>country where VPNs are banned</a>. But even in such cases, using a VPN for personal downloads will very unlikely land you in jail. The authorities usually have more interest in catching major-league copyright abusers, such as those who run illegal streaming businesses. So far, there haven’t been any known incidents of police catching individuals for low-key torrenting with a VPN.

Still, you shouldn’t be just trying your luck. And it’s very important that you know your country’s latest torrenting and VPN laws, so you don’t engage in any illegal activities with a VPN – as they will still be illegal, even if you use a VPN to cover your digital footprint.” /]]

[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”What’s the best torrenting VPN for beginners?” answer=”All of the VPNs on this list come with slick, user-friendly apps for popular OS, and we gladly recommend them to our less experienced readers. For example, <a href=’/vpn/review/privatevpn’>PrivateVPN</a> is an excellent choice for VPN newbies since it comes with slightly fewer functionalities than ExpressVPN and NordVPN, and is, therefore, less likely to confuse them. Despite its clutter-free interface, this VPN offers all of the key privacy features and great speeds, so its overall service won’t disappoint you.

That being said, the rest of the VPNs from above also offer great beginner-friendly traits, such as clear and practical user manuals, professional 24/7 customer support, free trials, and money-back guarantees. So, make the best use of them, and decide for yourself which of the above services suits you best.” /]]

[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”How does a VPN make my torrents private?” answer=”A VPN routes your online traffic through a remote server operated by a VPN company, ensuring your real IP address doesn’t show. On top of that, your data gets encrypted by the latest security standards (if you choose a good VPN). This means your ISP (Internet Service Provider), government, or anyone else trying to monitor your torrenting activities has much less (or no) chance of succeeding.  The only thing they could potentially see is encrypted data and your new IP address that no longer matches your location but the location of a VPN server.” /]]

[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”Which VPNs specialize in torrenting?” answer=”While there are no VPNs that support torrenting services exclusively, some VPNs are particularly suited for torrenting. They come with super fast P2P-friendly servers, strict no-logs policies, and an excellent torrenting track record. VPNs like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark are very popular choices for their torrenting capabilities, due to optimized speeds, P2P servers, and policies that protect user privacy. Private Internet Access and PrivateVPN come with slightly fewer features and slightly less consistent speeds, however, they offer port forwarding that can help enhance your performance on torrenting sites.” /]]

[[post-object type=”accordion” question=”Does using a VPN make my torrenting entirely anonymous?” answer=”No, but you can get very close to becoming anonymous online with a VPN. It hides your online traffic by replacing your real IP address and encrypting your traffic, however, no system is entirely foolproof. To help protect your anonymity online, ensure that you choose a no-logs provider with top-notch security features and VPN protocols to maximize your anonymity. Pairing a VPN with other privacy tools like a secure browser (Tor) or an encrypted messaging app can help further enhance your anonymity online.” /]]

Conclusion

If you’re in the market for a torrenting VPN, there are a number of key features you’ll need to keep an eye out for. Strong encryption, leak protection, a kill-switch, and speeds that can handle your seeding and leeching – these are just some of the criteria we’ve prioritized in our search for the best P2P-friendly VPNs. Fortunately, there are plenty of providers out there that meet the measure.

So, let’s take a final look back over our top picks:

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