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Let’s clear something up first: legal vs. illegal. Torrenting is frequently associated with piracy because you can share virtually any files online regardless of their copyright status, the most common being movies and games. Yet, torrenting has several legitimate uses. For instance, it opens free channels for people to share personal work. It also lightens the hosting burden on centralized servers. The easiest way to torrent is if you have a VPN.
When choosing a VPN to access the best torrenting sites, make sure it 1) doesn’t log your online activity, 2) won’t slow your upload or download speeds, and 3) isn’t based in a country with laws that enable government officials to seize customer records at a whim. It should also safely hide your IP address and support P2P activity with ease. We’ve found the top providers in 2021 that fit these criteria and ranked the five best torrent VPN services below.
Top 5 VPNs for Torrenting
| # | Provider | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  NordVPN | Best VPN overall for P2P traffic with airtight security measures & a large network Read More |
| 2 |  CyberGhost | Easy-to-use VPN with 80+ dedicated P2P servers & fast speeds Read More |
| 3 |  IPVanish | Secure VPN with 40,000+ dynamic IP addresses & 1,900+ servers Read More |
| 4 |  Surfshark | Affordable VPN with 3,200+ servers & a “NoBorders Mode” for geoblocks Read More |
| 5 |  Private Internet Access | Reliable VPN with P2P support on all servers Read More |
pros
- Sleek app that's easy to use
- Vast array of security features
- Fast download speeds
cons
- Expensive short-term plan
- Does not accept PayPal
- Basic browser extensions
Feature-rich, NordVPN is arguably the best VPN for torrenting on the market today. With over 5,200 P2P-optimized servers in its network, NordVPN is the perfect mix of quality and cost. NordVPN overperforms nearly every other premium service in the categories of speed and security.
To top it off, NordVPN is based in Panama, a privacy-sworn country, which bodes well for users seeking protection from government surveillance. Users can also enjoy NordVPN’s one-click torrenting feature, proprietary SmartPlay DNS settings, and an automatic kill switch that protects your data. You don’t have to compromise on performance to achieve the privacy goals you have while torrenting. NordVPN does it all.
For more in-depth information, read our full NordVPN review.
NordVPN's Black Friday Deal!
NordVPN's Black Friday Deal!
pros
- Fast, secure and easy to use
- Supports torrenting/P2P
- Offers dedicated streaming servers
cons
- No OpenVPN option on Mac and iOS
- Doesn’t work with Chromebook
- Only offers a short 1-day free trial
CyberGhost is one of the best VPN for torrenting thanks to its user-friendly interface and simple P2P server setup. It has over 80 dedicated P2P servers that consistently deliver fast speeds while sharing large files. CyberGhost also prides itself on top-shelf protection, which is great for VPN newbies looking for the quickest solution.
This VPN offers impressive compatibility, with apps for most devices, platforms, and browsers.
CyberGhost offers simultaneous connections on up to 7 devices at once and even advertises an extensive list of the content libraries it can unblock, so you don’t have to prioritize your privacy or entertainment needs. It also works with popular torrent websites like BitLord, Deluge, and Popcorn Time. Users can’t go wrong with CyberGhost if streaming or torrenting capability is their main interest.
For more in-depth information, read our full CyberGhost VPN review.
CyberGhost Black Friday Deal!
CyberGhost Black Friday Deal!
pros
- Supports torrenting & P2P
- Zero data leaks detected
- Unlimited device connections
cons
- Cluttered interface
- Under 5 Eyes surveillance
- Doesn’t work in China
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 torrenting and P2P content on all 1,900+ servers in its network. Even better, IPVanish offers over 40,000 dynamic IP addresses you can easily choose from while streaming and gives clients the ability to configure settings including OpenVPN scrambling, port selection, and split tunneling, so users feel fully protected.
When you sign up for its premium plans, you get up to 10 simultaneous connections, which short of unlimited, is the highest device count you’ll find available. IPVanish promises a strict no-logs policy, too, which is excellent for heavy 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, read our full IPVanish VPN review.
1-Year IPVanish Deal for 70% off!
1-Year IPVanish Deal for 70% off!
pros
- Free 7-day trial available
- Unblocks 30+ Netflix libraries
- Unlimited device connections
cons
- Limited P2P servers with poor speeds
- No IPv6 support can lead to data leaks
- Pricey 1-month subscription
An up-and-comer, Surfshark is another reliable VPN for torrenting. It supports P2P sharing on all 3,200+ servers it runs, which are backed by military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, multi-hop protection, and a zero-logs policy. Surfshark also has a user policy that does not restrict bandwidth (partly thanks to its ability to hide users from ISP monitoring and therefore speed throttling) and allows access to restricted websites.
A special torrenting feature Surfshark has is its “NoBorders Mode,” which circumvents most geoblocks and censorship firewalls worldwide. Surfshark is also compatible with most devices and works with sites like BitTorrent, Vuze, and more. Despite being just two years young, Surfshark is already making a strong name for itself in the VPN market.
For more in-depth information, read our full Surfshark VPN review.
5. Private Internet Access
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
Whether you want to expand your content options at home or struggle to download torrents abroad, a VPN like Private Internet Access (PIA) can help. PIA operates one of the largest networks in the world, with P2P support on all of its servers. It passed testing with no data leaks and also came with a security feature called PIA MACE that 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, proving to maintain my base speeds on nearby servers. With a single subscription, users get up to 10 simultaneous device connections and can find native PIA apps for nearly all major devices and platforms, including routers and Linux OS. If you’d like to try PIA risk-free, take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee.
For more in-depth information, read our full Private Internet Access VPN review.
VPN FAQs for Torrenting
- What happens if you torrent without a VPN?
- How do I download torrent using a VPN?
- How do I torrent without a VPN?
- How do I torrent with a VPN?
- Does a VPN make torrenting safe?
- Is torrenting legal?
1. What happens if you torrent without a VPN?
Without a VPN, your IP address is made public and your personal data is at risk. An open IP address means your internet service provider and other website operators like advertisers and government surveillance agencies 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 simply shared with other third parties for marketing, hacking, or research purposes. We recommend always using a VPN, especially when torrenting. You can find the best torrenting VPN options above.
2. How do I download torrent using a VPN?
Your torrenting client and VPN are two separate pieces of software that both require downloading. To use a VPN for torrenting, you’ll want to select your VPN of choice and install/configure/run 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’re ready to torrent.
3. How do I torrent without a VPN?
You do not need a VPN service to access torrenting software. A VPN is simply added software that helps protect your identity, location, and online activity from third parties like your internet service provider, advertisers, and other website snoopers. It’s always recommended to use a torrenting VPN for security and privacy, but it ultimately comes down to your personal needs.
4. How do I torrent with a VPN?
In order to torrent with a VPN, simply download and install your VPN app on your device, make sure it’s connected and turned on, and you’re all set. Open up your torrenting client of choice, and begin accessing free content at your fingertips. VPN torrenting is always safer than torrenting without one.
5. Does a VPN make torrenting safe?
Yes. A VPN safely hides your IP address and physical location from outside operators like your ISP, advertisers, and hackers attempting to track you. It also encrypts all your data for added privacy and security over your personal information. When using a VPN for torrenting, this protects you from speed throttling, data leaks, and potential cyberattacks.
6. Is torrenting legal?
Torrenting in general is perfectly legal. However, just like a car, torrenting can be wielded by users to break the law. It’s up to individuals to follow the law and abide by copyright boundaries placed on certain content regardless of torrenting’s free-range network. When a user uses a VPN while torrenting, it adds an extra layer of protection and anonymity online that allows for virtually any file sharing. Use your best judgment when torrenting, and always refer to creators’ terms and conditions if you wish to share content that isn’t yours.
