Because it is so easy and effective, torrenting—the act of distributing huge files over the internet—has become more and more popular. For this reason, employing a VPN is crucial when torrenting because it carries some risks and raises legal issues iganony. These are These are the top 6 safe and efficient torrenting options; in this section, we’ll discuss P2P (peer-to-peer) VPNs
In this article, we will cover the top 6 VPNs for safe and fast torrent downloads. We evaluated dozens of VPNs and selected the very best options specifically for P2P file sharing and torrenting. These P2P VPNs all offer fast speeds, reliable connections, zero logging policies, and servers optimized for torrenting.
Why Do You Need VPNs For Torrenting?
There are a few key reasons why a VPN is essential for torrenting:
- Hide your IP address: Torrenting exposes your real IP address, which can be tracked by anti-piracy groups monitoring torrent networks. A VPN masks your home IP behind the VPN server IP, hiding your identity.
- Bypass ISP throttling: Many ISPs deliberately slow down torrent traffic. A VPN encrypts your traffic so your ISP cannot identify and throttle torrents.
- Enhanced security: Public torrenting comes with risks of malware and hackers intercepting your traffic. A VPN provides a secure tunnel for all your P2P traffic.
- Access banned torrent sites: The Pirate Bay and other popular torrent sites are restricted by some ISPs. You may visit any website and get around geo-restrictions by using a VPN.
The best VPN for torrenting will also avoid keeping logs of your activity or connection times, provide fast speeds for quick downloads, and have security features like a kill switch.
6 Best Torrenting VPNs That Support P2P
Here is the list of VPNs for Torrenting that you should use:
- ExpressVPN
- Mullvad VPN
- CyberGhost VPN
- ProtonVPN
- Windscribe VPN
- Hide.Me VPN
ExpressVPN – Best VPN For Torrenting Overall
ExpressVPN consistently tops lists of the best VPNs for Torrenting and it’s our top pick for torrenting. With 3,000+ fast VPN servers in 94 countries, unlimited bandwidth, and best-in-class encryption, it’s a fantastic choice for P2P file sharing.
Some of the key features that make Express VPN login ideal for torrenting include:
- Fast server speeds – ExpressVPN’s network of VPN servers provides blazing-fast speeds perfect for torrenting. Their Lightway protocol also optimizes speed across the entire network.
- Zero-logging policy – ExpressVPN never logs browsing data, IP addresses, or connection times. You can torrent anonymously without worrying about your privacy and security.
- Unlimited bandwidth – There are no limits, caps, or throttling on your internet traffic with ExpressVPN.
- Socks5 web proxy – The built-in Socks5 proxy hides torrenting activity from your ISP for an added layer of privacy.
- Split-tunneling – Choose which apps route through the VPN tunnel and which route through your normal ISP connection for greater control.
- Reliable leak protection – ExpressVPN has a reliable no-logs policy, DNS/IP leak protection, and a kill switch to maintain privacy if the VPN connection drops.
The only real downside of ExpressVPN is the higher price tag of $12.95/month. However, even at that price, it provides serious value for torrent users who prioritize speed, privacy, and a quality experience.
Mullvad – Anonymous Torrenting VPN
Mullvad is among the best VPNs for Torrenting based in Sweden that offers complete anonymity with torrenting. They don’t even ask for an email address during sign-up!
Some privacy highlights of Mullvad that benefit torrent users include:
- No logs policy – Mullvad was audited and verified to not record any browsing data or connection logs. You can torrent with total peace of mind.
- Anonymous payment – Pay anonymously with cash, crypto, wire transfer, and more. No accounts or personal info is required.
- VPN kill switch – Mullvad automatically blocks internet access if the VPN connection drops to prevent IP leaks.
- Port forwarding – Mullvad VPN ports are optimized for P2P sharing with port forwarding to improve connection speeds.
- Socks5 proxy – Hide your torrenting activity from your ISP using the built-in Socks5 proxy.
CyberGhost – Fast Servers Worldwide For Torrenting
CyberGhost is a Romania-based VPN service with over 7,400 servers worldwide, making it one of the largest VPN networks. They offer reliable performance for torrenting.
Some of the advantages CyberGhost offers for P2P sharing include:
- Optimized servers – Over 1,000 servers optimized specifically for torrenting. All servers provide fast speeds too.
- No throttling – CyberGhost prohibits throttling and allows torrenting on every server. Download at full speed.
- Kill switch – The VPN kill switch built into CyberGhost’s apps stops your internet access if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly.
- Apps for all devices – CyberGhost offers apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more. Torrent securely on any device.
- 45-day refund window – CyberGhost offers one of the most generous refund windows on the market.
The connections can be less reliable than other premium VPN options on this list, but CyberGhost still beats most competitors in terms of value and torrenting performance.
ProtonVPN – Best Free VPN For Torrenting
ProtonVPN stands out by offering a free VPN tier with unlimited bandwidth and decent speeds. This makes it the best free option for torrenting.
Even without paying, the free ProtonVPN plan offers these advantages:
- Unlimited data – There are no caps or restrictions on bandwidth with the free VPN plan.
- P2P supported – Torrenting is fully allowed on ProtonVPN’s free servers in the US, Germany, and the Netherlands.
- High-speed servers – The free plan provides access to the fastest server network with unlimited bandwidth. Speeds are more than fast enough for torrenting.
- Secure encryption – ProtonVPN uses AES-256 encryption by default, the same as paid plans. No logging of activity either.
Of course, the paid Plus and Vision plans to unlock additional features, more countries, faster speeds, and support torrenting on every server. But even the free plan is still excellent for basic P2P needs.
Windscribe – Best Free Data VPN For Torrents
Windscribe is another top free VPN option thanks to its generous 10GB monthly data allowance. While not unlimited, 10GB is more than enough bandwidth for light to moderate torrent users.
The following outlines the main factors that make Windscribe one of the top free VPNs for torrenting:
- 10GB of free data – The 10GB of free data per month that comes with the free plan. Need to torrent only infrequently? Windscribe will take care of you.
- P2P allowed – Torrenting is fully permitted on both free and paid Windscribe plans. So VPN movie download from torrents gets easier and you can get unlimited movies.
- No credit card – You don’t even need to enter payment info or an email address to use the Windscribe free plan.
- No restrictions on the number of devices you can utilize with a single subscription – Windscribe offers unlimited connections. Give to loved ones and pals!
- Powerful desktop app – Windscribe offers one of the best free VPN desktop apps packed with privacy tools.
The only catch is the free plan gives access to a limited number of server locations. Upgrading to the unlimited premium plan is affordable and unlocks all locations and features.
Hide.Me – Best Free Option For Us Torrenters
Hide.me is an up and coming VPN service that offers 2GB per month on its free VPN plan. For Americans looking for a free US-based VPN for torrenting, Hide.me is a great choice.
Here’s what helps make Hide.me one of the top free VPNs:
- 2GB free data – The free plan comes with 2GB of data per month. Again, perfect for occasional torrent downloading.
- US and Canada servers – Hide.me offers US and Canada-based servers on its free plan, ideal for North American torrents.
- 5 device connections – You can use Hide.me free VPN on up to 5 devices simultaneously. Protect all your torrenting devices.
- No credit card required – You only need to provide an email address to use their free VPN service. No payment info is needed.
- Apps for all devices – In addition to the desktop VPN app, Hide.me offers free VPN apps for iOS, Android, and more.
For the best speeds, location choice, and unlimited data, we still recommend upgrading to Hide. me’s premium plan which is very affordable. But the free plan is a terrific free VPN option for US torrents with basic needs.
Do You Need Paid Or Free VPNs For Torrenting?
When deciding on the best VPN for your torrenting need, you should check the differences between free and paid:
- Free VPN – A free VPN provides a limited amount of monthly data (usually 2GB to 10GB) usable on a smaller number of servers. Speeds can be slower but are still usually adequate for torrenting. Free plans work well for light or occasional torrent downloads.
- Paid VPN – A paid VPN service provides unlimited data across a large server network at faster speeds. They also tend to offer better privacy protections, more security features, and more simultaneous connections. Paid VPNs are recommended for heavy torrent users.
Many of the best VPNs offer both free and paid plans, giving you the ability to start with a free plan and upgrade later if needed. ProtonVPN and Windscribe in particular stand out for their free offerings.
ExpressVPN and CyberGhost also offer free trial periods on paid plans. In general, if you only torrent occasionally or at slower speeds, a quality free VPN will work well. But hardcore P2P sharers and anyone focused on speeds will want to invest in a paid VPN for the best experience.
5 Essential Factors For Picking VPNs For Torrenting
Besides whether you need a paid or free VPN, there are several other crucial factors to consider when selecting a torrenting VPN:
- No logging policy – Make sure the VPN does not keep logs of your online activity or connection times. All the VPNs listed above have strict no-logging policies.
- P2P allowed – The VPN must permit torrenting and P2P file sharing. Again, all major VPNs today allow torrenting on at least some servers.
- Fast speeds – Look for VPNs that offer unlimited bandwidth and high-speed server networks optimized for torrent performance.
- Leak protection – Your real IP can get exposed if your VPN connection drops. Make sure your VPN has kill switch protection.
- Many global servers – The more servers a VPN offers around the world, the more likely you’ll get fast speeds wherever you use the VPN.
Are VPNs For Torrenting Legal?
Using torrents is not inherently illegal and torrent clients themselves are legal.But most media (games, music, movies, etc.) that may be obtained using torrents is protected by copyright. It is forbidden to download or distribute copyrighted material without authorization.
Does A VPN Hide Your IP When Torrenting?
Yes, using a VPN will hide your real home IP address and replace it with the IP address of the VPN server you connect through. This masks your identity to anyone monitoring torrent networks.
Can Your ISP See You Are Using Torrents With A VPN?
No, VPNs for Torrenting encrypt all application traffic, including torrent traffic. So while your ISP can see you are connected to a VPN, they cannot identify your torrent or P2P activity.
Does A VPN Slow Down Torrent Speeds?
Minimally. A good quality premium VPN will cause less than 10-15% speed decrease, which is unnoticeable for most. Free VPNs often have slower speeds but are still fast enough for basic torrenting.
What Is The Best VPN Protocol For Torrenting?
OpenVPN and Wireguard offer the best speeds and performance for torrenting. Most leading VPNs now use their own optimized protocols like ExpressVPN’s Lightway or NordVPN’s NordLynx which are also excellent for P2P.
Conclusion
While torrenting does carry some privacy and security concerns, using one of the best VPNs minimizes the risks of your ISP throttling speeds or outsiders monitoring your downloads.
We looked at the top 6 VPNs for Torrenting for online safety and anonymity.
ExpressVPN was our top recommendation for its blazing-fast speeds, watertight security, and reliable connections. However, all of our top choices excel in the areas most important for P2P file sharing – zero logging, unlimited bandwidth, worldwide servers, and top-tier encryption.
Choosing between paid and free tiers depends on your needs. Occasional torrents find free VPNs provide adequate allowance and speeds. Heavy torrent sharers will want the unlimited data and better speeds of premium VPNs.
By understanding exactly what to look for in a VPN for torrenting, you can download and share files worry-free knowing your internet activity is truly private and secure.
