Downloading files with a vpn

Torrenting without a Virtual Private Network is asking for trouble, but there’s a lot of confusing information on the best VPNs for torrenting.

Many so-called ‘torrent VPNs’ leak the very information they claim to protect, some don’t allow torrenting or P2P, and others still are so slow you’ll want to give up.

Torrenters use Virtual Private Networks to stay private online and hide their uploads and downloads, but not all VPNs are suitable for BitTorrent.  In fact, dozens of leading VPNs are best avoided by torrenters. We found multiple issues with VPNs we assessed:

• Many VPNs are too slow for torrent users and will result in slow torrent downloads.
• Some don’t provide sufficient leak protection to ensure identifying information is not exposed to copyright trolls and other third parties. This means your real IP address could be revealed to prying eyes.
• Many VPNs keep logs of user activity despite misleading marketing claims to the contrary. This means information that can be traced back to specific internet users (we’ve assessed the logging policies of 123 different VPNs as part of our research).
• Some popular VPNs have policies that do not allow torrenting.

TIP:If you are looking for a free VPN for torrenting, we explain here why we advise against this and why free VPNs are almost always a poor choice for torrenters.

In order to figure out the best VPN for torrenting, we need to decide on criteria by which to judge them. Torrenters and P2P file sharers want extrainternet privacy, no data caps, and fast download speeds above all else. Based on that, we’re going to use the following criteria to evaluate each VPN:

• Security – Encryption ensures third parties cannot snoop on the activity of the VPN user. In particular, encryption helps keep internet service providers off your back. A VPN kill switch and DNS leak protection are must-haves to ensure no identifying data leaves your desktop or mobile device.
• Logging policy – A P2P VPN service must be logless, meaning it does not record and save information about your activity. IP addresses are also not logged. Ideally, the provider collects no information and therefore cannot be hacked or coerced into giving up information about customers.
• Bandwidth limit – Some VPNs have data caps or bandwidth limits that throttle or halt downloads up to a certain limit. We want to avoid these as torrents often require a lot of data.
• Speed – The torrent VPNs we recommend all score above average in our speed tests.
• Shared IPs – We prefer VPNs that use shared IP addresses for torrenting. This means you share an IP address with dozens, perhaps even hundreds of other people. Shared IPs add a significant layer of anonymity, which makes it more difficult to trace activity back to you.

Best VPNs for Torrenting Safely and Privately

Without further ado, here are our top picks for the best VPN for torrenting:

1. ExpressVPN

Nov 2020

ExpressVPN takes the top spot in our list as the best VPN for torrenting. This VPN service offers fast torrent download speeds with 256-bit AES encryption and perfect forward secrecy across 94 different countries. It’s a great plug-and-play option for those who don’t want to fuss with different configurations and just want something that will guarantee data security and anonymity when torrenting.

ExpressVPN doesn’t keep traffic logs and is based in the British Virgin Islands, which has no data retention laws. A kill switch is built in to prevent traffic from leaking onto the unencrypted network should your connection drop. P2P file sharing is supported on all servers.

Other than torrenting, ExpressVPN is also a very capable unblocker of geo-locked streaming services including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Go/Now.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, some wifi routers, and Linux.

BEST VPN FOR TORRENTING:ExpressVPN is our Top Choice and a pleasure to use for torrenting & P2P. It has a vast network of servers that is fine-tuned for high-speed connections. User-friendly apps for all operating systems. Tough to beat on data privacy and security. There is a 30-day no-quibbles money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

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2. NordVPN

Panama-based NordVPN keeps neither connection nor traffic logs. 256-bit AES encryption with perfect forward secrecy is the default, along with optional double-hop encryption and Tor over VPN features. Speeds are lightning fast since Nord introduced it’s NordLynx technology based on the WireGuard protocol, so streaming or downloading movies or music should be a breeze. DNS leak protection and a kill switch can both be toggled on in the settings. The traditional all-or-nothing kill switch is one option, or you can specify which programs get cut off from the internet if the VPN connection drops, such as a BitTorrent client.

NordVPN uses shared IP addresses, and bandwidth is unlimited. Torrenting is explicitly permitted. A proxy, encrypted chat, and self-destructing encrypted notes are extra features included in each subscription. It can also unblock a range of geo-locked streaming services including Netflix US, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. A 30-day money-back guarantee means you can try the service and receive a full refund if not entirely happy.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

BEST BUDGET VPN:NordVPN is a good value all-rounder that works tirelessly with torrenting & P2P. Connects up to 6 devices simultaneously. Also works well with most popular streaming services and achieves consistently good speeds. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

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3. Surfshark

Surfshark offers decent download speeds and its network spans more than 60 countries. It protects your traffic using 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, perfect forward secrecy, and protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. There’s also split-tunneling functionality, which lets you choose certain apps to bypass the VPN.

This VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, a country with no mandatory data retention laws. Accordingly, Surfshark doesn’t log any personally identifiable information. P2P traffic is permitted across all servers and with no bandwidth limits, you can torrent as much as you like. Best of all, Surfshark has no connection limit.

Surfshark has apps for Linux, iOS, Android, Windows, and MacOS. It can be manually installed on supported network routers.

TORRENT WITHOUT LIMITS:Surfshark puts major emphasis on your security and data privacy, allowing you to torrent as much as you like safely. With no connection limit, decent speeds, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s well worthy of your consideration.

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4. CyberGhost

Romania-based CyberGhost allows P2P file sharing on any server that isn’t located in the US or Russia. Due to legal pressure, CyberGhost actively blocks BitTorrent traffic in those two countries (presumably by blocking popular ports used by BitTorrent clients, but we haven’t tested this). CyberGhost isn’t wholly adverse to torrenting, though, and even has a “Torrent Anonymously” profile that will connect you to the best torrenting VPN server available.

CyberGhost adheres to a strict no-logs policy, uses 256-bit AES encryption with perfect forward secrecy, and has a kill switch on its desktop clients. An app-specific kill switch is buried in the settings, dubbed “app protection,” which will only cut off the internet to specific programs, e.g. a torrent client. CyberGhost scored well in our speed tests and can even unblock US Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Linux, and Android.

GOOD VALUE VPN:CyberGhost is a great value choice. Strong privacy policy, fast speeds and reliable for torrenting & P2P. We found it easy to set up and use. Works well with most streaming sites. 45-day money-back guarantee

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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5. IPVanish

When it comes to the sheer number of servers to choose from, it’s tough to beat IPVanish. One of the most popular VPNs worldwide, IPVanish takes privacy very seriously and has been built with torrenting in mind. It creates no logs, not even the connection logs used for troubleshooting like ExpressVPN. L2TP and OpenVPN protocols both use 256-bit encryption. IPVanish uses shared IP addresses, and even has a built-in feature that lets users switch IPs periodically, such as every 60 minutes.

Speeds are good and bandwidth is unlimited. IPVanish specifically designates certain countries as P2P-friendly, such as the Netherlands (more on this below). A kill switch can be enabled in the settings. IPVanish is particularly popular with Kodi users thanks to its lightweight Android app and compatibility with all the Kodi addons we’ve tested.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

EASY TO USE:IPVanish is great for families. Generally solid for torrenting, P2P users, and folks who need the highest standard of privacy. Will struggle with popular streaming services and doesn’t work in China. 7-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of IPVanish.

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6. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is a relatively young VPN provider with a smaller network than the others on this list, but you’ll still get blazing fast download speeds and rock solid security. It uses 256-bit encryption with perfect forward secrecy on the OpenVPN protocol. No web traffic or connection logs are recorded. An optional kill switch is built in.

Besides anonymous torrenting, PrivateVPN is also great for unblocking geo-locked content like US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. You can connect up to six devices at a time on a single account.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.

GREAT FOR SPEED:PrivateVPN is consistently reliable. Solid performer for torrenting, P2P and general purpose use. Speeds were surprisingly good at this end of the market. It could do with having more servers and lacks 24/7 support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

7. StrongVPN

StrongVPN recently underwent a full overhaul and now features much-needed improvements to its apps and server network. The company boasts a zero logs policy for both web traffic contents and connection metadata. A subscription nets you unlimited bandwidth on up to five simultaneously connected devices.

All connections are securely encrypted, and you can even opt to obfuscate traffic using a special “Scramble” feature that disguises OpenVPN connections. DNS leak protection and a kill switch are built into the apps. StrongVPN has long been a favorite among users in China, and its recent upgrades make it appeal to a wider audience including torrenters.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android.

SIMPLE INTERFACE:StrongVPN has ample security. Now caters more for torrenters. Good security and privacy features. Sometimes works in China. Server network is mostly focused on the US. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full StrongVPN review.

8. SaferVPN

SaferVPN boasts unlimited bandwidth and very fast download speeds, ideal for torrenting. The simple and intuitive interface makes it a breeze to set up and get connected. A kill switch is built into both the desktop and mobile apps, which will cut off the internet in case the VPN connection drops. SaferVPN keeps no identifying logs. Officially, SaferVPN allows P2P file sharing when connected to its Netherlands, Canada, and Spain locations, but strictly speaking, nothing is stopping you from torrenting on other servers.

SaferVPN can unblock both US and UK Netflix, and we’ve also had success with Amazon Prime Video, Sky Go, and BBC iPlayer from abroad. Live 24/7 chat support is ready to help you fix any issues you may have. You get DNS leak protection and 256-bit AES encryption by default.

FAST SERVERS:SaferVPN scores well on privacy and has good security credentials ideal for torrenters. Lacks some popular features. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full SaferVPN review.

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9. Windscribe

Windscribe is a great all-around VPN that’s perfectly suitable for torrenting. It’s one of the faster VPNs we’ve tested, scoring above average across all locations. In lieu of a kill switch, Windscribe uses a firewall to prevent leaks outside of the encrypted tunnel. The provider doesn’t store any identifying logs.

Windscribe works in China and other countries with strict censorship systems, so you can torrent privately from anywhere. It unblocks US and UK Netflix from abroad, as well as Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer. 256-bit AES encryption is paired with perfect forward secrecy for maximum protection.

KEEPS NO LOGS:Windscribe hits good speeds. Solid for torrenting and P2P. Stores no logs and uses tunneling techniques for good security and has an excellent privacy policy. Lacks true 24/7 support. 3-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Windscribe review.

10. Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield has faced criticism in the past for its logging policy, but it has come a long way. It now only logs encrypted IP addresses during a VPN session but deletes them immediately afterwards, so third parties can never view them. This provider offers excellent security features, including strong encryption, leak protection, a desktop kill switch, and automatic wifi protection (in the mobile apps). The best thing about this provider is its superior speeds, making it a great choice for downloading large files.

Hotspot Shield uses shared IP addresses and imposes no bandwidth limit. It can unblock plenty of popular streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. With a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, you can always test the service out to see if it’s a good fit.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android.