Best VPNs for Torrenting in 2024

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While technically legal, torrenting is often used to download & share copyrighted material – which is entirely illegal. Because of this, torrenters face obstacles online such as speed throttling, data theft, serious legal action, and more. 

The best way to combat these threats is with a secure VPN. Whether you’re accessing trusted torrenting sites like Pirate Bay, or taking your chances with sketchier torrent sites, a good VPN for torrenting will keep users anonymous and secure online. We tested dozens of top-rated providers to round up the five best VPN services for torrenting in 2024.

AlwaysVPN does not support illegal torrenting. Torrents should only be used for legal file sharing and downloading.

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Why do I need a VPN for torrenting?

To put it simply, torrenting without a VPN is an unnecessarily risky choice. While torrenting is perfectly legal in concept, copyrighted material is often downloaded, which is highly illegal and not recommended. ISPs continually scan their networks for evidence of pirated content being downloaded. On top of that, your IP address is exposed to other users while P2P file sharing, which can be monitored, recorded, and exploited. A VPN mitigates these issues, encrypting traffic and providing users with alternative IP addresses. 

VPNs are a great way to ensure that you’re not going to fall afoul of any of the issues related to torrenting, and your IP address will remain hidden while the connection is active. To stay safe while torrenting, we’d stick to one of the VPN providers above, especially if you’re planning to download large files regularly. These providers have proven privacy and security measures in place that are designed with torrenting in mind.

While there may be other cheap VPNs available, what you don’t pay for in price you may end up paying for elsewhere. 

Torrenting VPN Video Review

See why it’s important to use a VPN while torrenting to protect yourself online. P2P file sharing and downloading come with inherent risks, which a VPN can help mitigate.

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Our #1 VPN for Torrenting

1. NordVPN

#1 VPN for torrenting with excellent security features & lots of servers

Lowest Price:
$3.99/mo.
Server Network:
60 Countries
Logging:
No
Money-Back Guarantee:
30 days

1. NordVPN

Lowest Price:
$3.99/mo.
Server Network:
60 Countries
Logging:
No
Money-Back Guarantee:
30 days

#1 VPN for torrenting with excellent security features & lots of servers

5

Pros
  • Great range of security features

  • Extensive server network

  • Fast download speeds with minimal loss

Cons
  • Pricey monthly subscription

  • Only offers free trial on Mac

  • Maximum of 6 device connections

Pros
  • Great range of security features

  • Extensive server network

  • Fast download speeds with minimal loss

Cons
  • Pricey monthly subscription

  • Only offers free trial on Mac

  • Maximum of 6 device connections

NordVPN is a strong choice for a torrenting VPN that provides advanced features (especially in the security realm), a smart user interface, and impressive speeds. With over 5,400 P2P-optimized servers in its network, NordVPN offers the perfect mix of quality and cost. 

When it comes to torrenting, you don’t want to skimp on privacy and security. Of all the VPNs to make our list, NordVPN checked every box off the list from having a solid jurisdiction for the business to its advanced security features.

NordVPN is based in Panama, a privacy-sworn country, which bodes well for users seeking protection from government censorship or surveillance alliances. Users can also enjoy NordVPN’s one-click torrenting feature that instantly connects you to the nearest VPN server optimized for P2P traffic. During testing, we noticed typical lag on farther servers, but there was no real speed loss to worry about.

In addition, the app comes with an automatic kill switch that protects your data in the case of a connection drop (ultimately protecting you from data leaks) and proprietary SmartPlay DNS settings. SmartPlay DNS avoids DNS restrictions while simultaneously keeping the user anonymous – something most smart DNS services don’t do. SmartPlay DNS will mask your IP address while also encrypting their traffic. 

NordVPN uses industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption, but also provides its own proprietary NordLynx protocol. Nordlynx is built around the WireGuard, with the aim to bolster the fast connection with strong security, giving users the best of both worlds. You don’t have to compromise on performance to achieve the privacy goals you have while torrenting.

You can test NordVPN risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee (which we used for testing). There are also plenty of NordVPN deals that put the cost of this torrenting VPN at less than $4 per month.

For more in-depth information about our VPN testing, check out our full NordVPN review.

2. CyberGhost

User-friendly VPN with dedicated P2P servers & fast connection speeds

Lowest Price:
$2.23/mo.
Server Network:
91 Countries
Logging:
No
Money-Back Guarantee:
45 days

2. CyberGhost

Lowest Price:
$2.23/mo.
Server Network:
91 Countries
Logging:
No
Money-Back Guarantee:
45 days

User-friendly VPN with dedicated P2P servers & fast connection speeds

4.9

Pros
  • Fast, secure & easy to use

  • Supports torrenting/P2P

  • Up to 7 devices per subscription

Cons
  • No OpenVPN option on Mac & iOS

  • Doesn’t work with Chromebook

  • Router config. requires a learning curve

Pros
  • Fast, secure & easy to use

  • Supports torrenting/P2P

  • Up to 7 devices per subscription

Cons
  • No OpenVPN option on Mac & iOS

  • Doesn’t work with Chromebook

  • Router config. requires a learning curve

CyberGhost is another good VPN for torrenting thanks to its user-friendly interface and simple server setup. It has dedicated P2P servers that allow for unlimited bandwidth and consistently deliver fast speeds while sharing large files in many countries. CyberGhost also prides itself on top-shelf protection, which is great for new VPN users looking for the quickest solution. 

This VPN offers an extensive list of compatibility with apps for all major devices, platforms, gaming consoles, web browsers, and even some smart TVs. You can even test out its lightweight Chrome VPN extension that’s free (but limited to a handful of servers) to get a sense of the service. Granted, a paid subscription will give you access to CyberGhost’s full server network.

A single subscription will protect up to 7 device connections at once and offers features like IP configuration, Smart DNS, a built-in ad blocker, an automatic kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection – all features perfect for securing & streamlining the torrenting experience.

Additionally, CyberGhost unblocks most streaming sites, so you don’t have to prioritize your privacy for your entertainment needs when connected to a VPN. It also works with popular torrent websites like BitLord, Deluge, and Popcorn Time. Based on the features it offers, users can’t go wrong with CyberGhost if either streaming or torrenting capability is a main interest.

To learn more, we go into more detail about our testing process and results in our full CyberGhost VPN review.

3. Private Internet Access

Trusted VPN with P2P support on all servers & up to 10 connections

Lowest Price:
$2.19/mo.
Server Network:
84 Countries
Logging:
No
Money-Back Guarantee:
30 days

3. Private Internet Access

Lowest Price:
$2.19/mo.
Server Network:
84 Countries
Logging:
No
Money-Back Guarantee:
30 days

Trusted VPN with P2P support on all servers & up to 10 connections

4.8

Pros
  • Affordable premium subscriptions

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • Secure & customizable encryption

Cons
  • Room for interface improvements

  • Limited advanced features

  • Lacking recent no-logs policy audit

Pros
  • Affordable premium subscriptions

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • Secure & customizable encryption

Cons
  • Room for interface improvements

  • Limited advanced features

  • Lacking recent no-logs policy audit

Private Internet Access is an excellent choice for a torrenting VPN. It offers a slew of customizable features, 53,000+ servers and proxies across 84 countries, almost zero speed loss, P2P support, and great online security, making PIA ideal for torrenting. 

In regards to security, PIA particularly covers its bases well. The app comes with a kill switch to protect devices against connection drops, and it passed our testing with no data leaks. PIA also touts features like PIA MACE, which works to limit access to domains used by ads, trackers, and malware. In essence, this should lead to a more unobstructed browsing experience while looking for content to download.

PIA’s connection speeds are as impressive as its network size, with an especially strong performance on nearby servers where it actually improved download speeds. Users can also boost their speeds with PIA’s port forwarding feature, allowing for more seed connections which can increase torrent download speed.

One subscription protects up to 10 simultaneous device connections – more than most VPN providers. PIA also has native apps for nearly all major devices and platforms, including routers and Linux. If you’d like to try PIA risk-free, take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee.

For more in-depth information, check out our full Private Internet Access review.

4. ExpressVPN

Powerful VPN with data leak protection, torrenting support & great network coverage

Lowest Price:
$8.32/mo.
Server Network:
94 Countries
Logging:
No
Money-Back Guarantee:
30 days

4. ExpressVPN

Lowest Price:
$8.32/mo.
Server Network:
94 Countries
Logging:
No
Money-Back Guarantee:
30 days

Powerful VPN with data leak protection, torrenting support & great network coverage

4.8

Pros
  • Verified no-logs policy

  • Blazing-fast speeds

  • Safe, unrestricted torrenting/P2P

Cons
  • No port-forwarding

  • Pricey monthly subscription

  • No WireGuard support

Pros
  • Verified no-logs policy

  • Blazing-fast speeds

  • Safe, unrestricted torrenting/P2P

Cons
  • No port-forwarding

  • Pricey monthly subscription

  • No WireGuard support

While ExpressVPN is a great VPN for general use, it truly excels when it comes to torrenting. With a verified zero-logs policy, consistently fast download speeds, and an advanced suite of security features, ExpressVPN provides an efficient and privacy-focused package. 

Users will find AES-256 encryption, built-in IP leak protection, and the Network Lock kill switch (not available on iOS) all standard on ExpressVPN apps. ExpressVPN also provides unlimited bandwidth on all servers, meaning no monthly cap and no speed throttling by internet providers.

For connection speeds, ExpressVPN utilizes its proprietary Lightway protocol, aimed at supplanting the speedy WireGuard protocol many VPNs implement. While it isn’t quite as effective as WireGuard at the moment, it’s a promising technology that may yield impressive results in the near future and shows you how dedicated ExpressVPN is to maintaining control over its security measures.

In terms of network viability, ExpressVPN offers over 3,000 server locations in 94 countries, all of which support unlimited P2P traffic and are compatible with major devices and platforms. If you’re interested, this VPN has a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee for you to test it out, or shop available ExpressVPN deals.

For more in-depth information, read our full ExpressVPN review.

5. IPVanish

Fast VPN for torrenting with robust security features & an automatic kill switch

Lowest Price:
$3.99/mo.
Server Network:
50 Countries
Logging:
No-logs policy
Money-Back Guarantee:
30 days

5. IPVanish

Lowest Price:
$3.99/mo.
Server Network:
50 Countries
Logging:
No-logs policy
Money-Back Guarantee:
30 days

Fast VPN for torrenting with robust security features & an automatic kill switch

4.5

Pros
  • Supports torrenting & P2P

  • Unlimited device connections

  • No IP address/DNS/IPv6 leaks

Cons
  • Cluttered interface

  • No browser extensions

  • Based in the US (Five Eyes)

Pros
  • Supports torrenting & P2P

  • Unlimited device connections

  • No IP address/DNS/IPv6 leaks

Cons
  • Cluttered interface

  • No browser extensions

  • Based in the US (Five Eyes)

Another top VPN for torrenting is IPVanish. It’s a quality service that puts users’ privacy and security at the forefront of everything it does. It also supports P2P content on all 2,000+ servers in its network. IPVanish offers over 40,000 dynamic IP addresses you can easily choose from while torrenting, which makes it easier to avoid being flagged by ISPs for VPN usage. 

IPVanish also gives users the ability to configure settings including OpenVPN scrambling, port selection, DNS/IP/WebRTC leak protection, and split tunneling, so users feel fully protected. In particular, the OpenVPN Scramble feature is extremely effective at preventing ISPs from identifying and terminating VPN connections through deep packet inspection. 

When you sign up for their premium plans, you get unlimited device connections, so you can essentially protect all of your family’s devices with a single account. IPVanish promises a strict no-logs policy, which is excellent for frequent users who want to stay anonymous. This, coupled with its fast connection speeds and a SOCKS5 proxy, make IPVanish a great choice for torrenting.

For more in-depth information, check out our IPVanish VPN review.

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Add new blocks within this block to appear above our picks.


Disclaimer: Partnerships & affiliate links help us create better content. Learn how.

While technically legal, torrenting is often used to download & share copyrighted material – which is entirely illegal. Because of this, torrenters face obstacles online such as speed throttling, data theft, serious legal action, and more. 

The best way to combat these threats is with a secure VPN. Whether you’re accessing trusted torrenting sites like Pirate Bay, or taking your chances with sketchier torrent sites, a good VPN for torrenting will keep users anonymous and secure online. We tested dozens of top-rated providers to round up the five best VPN services for torrenting in 2024.

AlwaysVPN does not support illegal torrenting. Torrents should only be used for legal file sharing and downloading.

Commercial Bottom Blocks

Add new blocks within this block to appear below vpn list.


Why do I need a VPN for torrenting?

To put it simply, torrenting without a VPN is an unnecessarily risky choice. While torrenting is perfectly legal in concept, copyrighted material is often downloaded, which is highly illegal and not recommended. ISPs continually scan their networks for evidence of pirated content being downloaded. On top of that, your IP address is exposed to other users while P2P file sharing, which can be monitored, recorded, and exploited. A VPN mitigates these issues, encrypting traffic and providing users with alternative IP addresses. 

VPNs are a great way to ensure that you’re not going to fall afoul of any of the issues related to torrenting, and your IP address will remain hidden while the connection is active. To stay safe while torrenting, we’d stick to one of the VPN providers above, especially if you’re planning to download large files regularly. These providers have proven privacy and security measures in place that are designed with torrenting in mind.

While there may be other cheap VPNs available, what you don’t pay for in price you may end up paying for elsewhere. 

Torrenting VPN Video Review

See why it’s important to use a VPN while torrenting to protect yourself online. P2P file sharing and downloading come with inherent risks, which a VPN can help mitigate.

Torrenting VPN FAQs

1. What happens if you torrent without a VPN?

If you torrent without a VPN, your IP address is made public. An open IP address means your internet provider and advertisers can see your online activity including the sites you visit and the content you view. Your data can then be packaged up for resale or shared with other third parties for marketing, hacking, or research purposes. Conversely, your ISP can target you through throttling or even (in rare cases) litigation. We recommend always using a VPN, especially when torrenting.

2. How do I download torrents using a VPN?

Your torrenting client and VPN are two separate pieces of software that both need to be downloaded. To use a VPN for torrenting, you’ll want to select your VPN of choice and install the app on your device. Once you’ve set up your VPN, download and install a torrenting client like BitTorrent or Vuze. Make sure your VPN is turned on when you’re ready to torrent, and you’ll be ready to go. Your IP address will be undetectable while downloading files from torrenting sites.

3. Can a VPN increase download speeds for torrents?

Yes, it’s possible. The most likely a VPN does this is by helping users evade speed throttling. Internet service providers (ISPs) will “throttle” or intentionally slow down a user’s internet connection when that user is consuming a large amount of bandwidth. This typically happens when users are online gaming, streaming from multiple devices, or torrenting large files.

A VPN gives a user a new IP address and hides internet activities from the user’s ISP. This prevents the ISP from snooping on their traffic, and if they can’t see the traffic, they can’t identify and throttle connection speed.

4. Can an ISP tell if you are torrenting?

Yes. Torrenting absorbs a large amount of bandwidth, and when a specific IP suddenly shows a significant bandwidth increase, ISPs take notice. ISPs also use networking monitoring software and deep packet inspection to gather information like a user’s IP, metadata, and more from user-shared network packets. The only sure-fire way to hide this activity is through a VPN, which encrypts all user traffic and hides your IP address. This won’t prevent your ISP from noticing bandwidth increases, but it will prevent them from seeing what’s inside the transmitted data.

5. What is the best VPN for torrenting?

As seen above, there are many reliable torrenting VPNs. In truth, the choice between these top torrenting VPNs comes down to your preference; all the above providers will do the expected job of hiding activity from your ISP.

6. Is torrenting legal?

Torrenting is perfectly legal. It’s up to individuals to follow the law and abide by copyright boundaries placed on certain content. When a user connects to a VPN while torrenting, it adds an extra layer of protection and anonymity online.

Torrenting becomes illegal when users download and share copyrighted material. While it may seem obvious when torrents contain copyrighted material, this isn’t always the case. Use your best judgment when torrenting, and always refer to creators’ terms and conditions if you wish to share content that isn’t yours. 

AlwaysVPN does not support illegal torrenting. Torrents should only be used for legal file sharing and downloading