Best VPN for Torrenting: Only 5 Pass (October 2023)

This guide examines the best VPNs for torrenting in October 2023. We also look at why most VPNs are not secure for torrenting due to data leaks that can expose your identity and put you at risk.

The year 2023 has brought with it an increased need for security and privacy when it comes to torrenting. With governments clamping down on piracy, and hackers lurking around every corner, it’s essential to find the best VPN for torrenting. However, finding the best VPN for torrenting is challenging. Most VPN services suffer from various problems that make you vulnerable.

With the increased pressure today, the last thing you need is problems with your VPN connection that could expose your identity. When it comes to finding a VPN for torrenting, these issues can be annoying and potentially dangerous, putting you at risk:

• Many popular VPN services leak IP addresses and/or DNS requests. This can expose your identity to third parties, such as copyright trolls, content publishers, and law firms, which may sue you for copyright violations.
• Most VPNs are slow with torrenting. Slow and inconsistent torrent speeds can be frustrating when using a VPN.
• Some VPNs are blocking torrents, or even shutting down, after getting sued by copyright holders in US courts. A prominent example of this is with TorGuard blocking all torrents on US servers.

Top VPNs for Torrenting in 2023

Due to the risks involved with torrenting, we are constantly testing VPNs to see which ones come out on top. This table highlights the best VPNs for torrenting based on the latest test results:

1. NordVPN – Best VPN for torrenting with the fastest speeds, secure apps, and extra security features like Threat Protection (with a 68% off coupon)
2. Surfshark – A budget-friendly VPN for torrenting with fast speeds and secure apps
3. ExpressVPN – Reliable VPN for torrenting and user-friendly
4. Perfect Privacy – Secure VPN for torrenting with port forwarding options
5. Proton VPN – Good VPN for torrenting; also has port forwarding

Media companies are increasingly monitoring torrent traffic and collecting IP addresses from torrent swarms. Depending on where you live, you may receive copyright violation notices from your internet provider, or perhaps from a law firm demanding immediate payment for “damages” on behalf of some copyright holder. Some countries, such as the United States, have gone so far as to propose 10-year jail sentences for copyright infringement and/or massive fines:

While a few torrent clients offer different encryption options, these will not protect you. This is because media companies run networks of monitoring nodes, which can join torrent swarms and collect IP addresses and connection data of the infringing parties. If your torrent client connects with one of these nodes and you’re not using a good torrent VPN, then your identity will be compromised.

If a VPN leaks one packet of data, it can expose your identity to third parties, including your internet provider, IP address, and location. We will cover the VPNs that we DO NOT recommend for torrenting further below in this guide.

Note: If you are physically located in the Continental United States, Mexico is interesting. It is the closest country to the US that isn’t cracking down on torrenting. Connecting to a VPN server in Mexico will likely give you the best performance with the least risk of legal issues. Our top three torrenting VPNs all have fast servers in Mexico that you can use for torrenting.

What is the best VPN for torrenting?

Based on our latest test results for this guide, NordVPN comes out on top. It offers the fastest speeds (636 Mbps), the best features, secure apps for all types of devices, and is affordable with the latest coupon for 68% off.

With that being said, any of the five VPNs we recommend in this guide may be the best for your needs. After all, finding a good VPN for torrenting is subjective, so let’s start by discussing how these five stand out from others.

How we rank the best VPNs for torrenting

All five VPNs recommended in this guide allow torrenting on their servers and meet the following criteria:

1. Passed all tests with no leaks found whatsoever (no IP address leaks or DNS leaks)
2. Established VPN with a good track record and history
3. Supports secure VPN protocols and strong encryption standards
4. Located in a good privacy jurisdiction (outside of Five Eyes countries)
5. Fast and reliable speeds for torrenting large files

So without further delay, here are the best VPNs for torrenting:

1. NordVPN – Best VPN for torrenting (fastest speeds and best features)

NordVPN is currently the best VPN for torrenting and tops our list. It does exceptionally well in the areas of speed and security. NordVPN is a Panama-based VPN provider with a strict no logs policy, 24/7 live chat support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

It is also one of the small number of VPNs that has undergone (and passed) independent third-party audits:

• NordVPN passed three separate no-logs audits that confirmed NordVPN’s no-logs policy and data protection measures.
• NordVPN passed an independent security audit conducted by Versprite. Additionally, NordVPN completed an independent infrastructure security audit earlier this year.

NordVPN offers a host of features that are ideally suited for torrenting, including:

• Industry-leading encryption

• VPN kill switches to effectively secure all internet traffic while torrenting

• IP Address & DNS leak protection

• Fastest speeds with NordLynx (636 Mbps download speeds)

• Threat Protection feature to keep you safe from malicious files, trackers, and advertisements.

Recent speed tests confirm that NordVPN remains the fastest VPN we have tested. With full support for the WireGuard VPN protocol built into their own NordLynx protocol, NordVPN sets new standards for both speed and security. It consistently beats out other leading VPNs, as we observerd in the PIA vs NordVPN comparison. Here is one example of NordVPN hitting 636 Mbps download speeds:

NordVPN runs a very secure network with 5,500+ servers spanning 60 countries. All servers run in RAM-disk mode (without hard drives), which guarantees that no user data can be stored on any NordVPN server. Additionally, NordVPN is deploying colocated (self-owned) servers with 10 Gbps bandwidth channels to deliver the fastest speeds.

The most secure torrenting VPN is also loaded with features

NordVPN subscription plans come with six simultaneous connections, unlimited bandwidth, and no restrictions on torrenting. Their network also includes a large selection of dedicated P2P servers that are optimized for torrenting. The NordVPN apps that we tested for the NordVPN review performed very well without any issues. Here is the Windows VPN app we tested out for this VPN torrenting guide:

NordVPN also stands out from the crowd with the range of advanced server types they offer. This includes:

• Double VPN servers encrypt traffic over two separate locations and add an extra layer of security. (See the double-VPN server speed comparison in our NordVPN vs ProtonVPN report.)
• Tor-over-VPN servers that encrypt traffic with the Tor network, in addition to the VPN server.
• Obfuscated servers that will get through VPN blocks by concealing VPN traffic as regular HTTPS encryption. (This is useful if you need a VPN for China or other restricted network areas.)
• P2P servers that are extremely fast and secure.

See all NordVPN features here >>

The Threat Protection feature is particularly useful because it not only improves security and privacy, it also means pages will load faster with ads and trackers being blocked. It’s also important to note that NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for Netflix, offering full support for 15+ regional libraries. NordVPN works with BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney Plus, and more.

Whether you are using NordVPN for torrenting, accessing Netflix, or just basic internet browsing, it remains a great all-around choice at a very affordable price.

You can read the NordVPN review for detailed test results.

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2. Surfshark – Fast, secure, and reliable VPN for torrents

Another one of the best VPNs for torrenting is Surfshark. They continue to impress us with premium features, great speeds, and a polished feel. The service does not restrict torrenting and has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries to choose from. Both Surfshark and NordVPN run all servers in RAM-disk mode for extra data security.

Surfshark also supports the WireGuard VPN protocol in all apps, giving it excellent performance and security. In our speed tests for the Surfshark review, we were able to get nearly 400 Mbps on a 500 Mbps connection using WireGuard. Surfshark also supports the OpenVPN and IPSec/IKEv2 protocols with an AES 256 cipher. All Surfshark apps have a kill switch to prevent any data leaks.

And while this is a great VPN for torrenting, Surfshark also has many other privacy and security features. These features include a VPN ad blocker (CleanWeb) feature, double-VPN servers, and a split tunneling VPN option.

Using Surfshark VPN with a torrent client

One of the best aspects of Surfshark is that it gives you unlimited connections with your subscription, while most VPNs allow five or six. This makes it a great VPN for multiple devices. They support all major operating systems and devices, as well as gaming systems, routers, Smart TVs, and more. Below is the Surfshark Windows VPN app we tested for this torrenting guide:

To use Surfshark VPN for torrents and file-sharing, we recommend following these steps:

1. Go into the VPN app settings and make sure the kill switch is enabled to protect all traffic in case the VPN connection drops.
2. Enable the WireGuard VPN protocol to get the fastest speeds.
3. Connect to a nearby VPN server (closest to your location) to minimize latency.
4. Open your torrent client and begin torrenting as normal with your VPN running in the background.

At less than $2.50 per month, Surfshark is one of the best cheap VPNs on the market. Despite the low cost, it remains an excellent VPN for torrenting and nearly all uses. Surfshark officially supports 20+ different Netflix libraries and also offers an Amazon app if you need a VPN for Fire TV and Firestick.

Surfshark is based in the Netherlands and has a strict no logs policy that has been externally audited. 24/7 live chat support and a 30-day money-back guarantee round out their offering.

Check out our Surfshark review for more info and test results.

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3. ExpressVPN – A secure and reliable VPN for torrents

ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN for torrenting and P2P downloads with good speeds and the highest security standards. This British Virgin Islands-based provider has a great lineup of custom applications and it also performed very well in testing for the ExpressVPN review. ExpressVPN offers strong protections for customer data with an externally audited no logs policy, very secure applications, and a safe, privacy-friendly offshore jurisdiction.

Aside from the security aspects, another advantage of ExpressVPN is that it offers fast and reliable speeds. With the release of ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol, ExpressVPN delivers faster speeds and better mobile performance than the vast majority of VPN services. However, it’s not quite on par with WireGuard, as we discovered in tests for the NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison.

ExpressVPN’s apps also include advanced leak protection settings. This allows you to torrent for hours without worrying about IP address leaks or DNS leaks. The Network Lock (kill switch) feature will automatically block all traffic if the VPN connection is interrupted for any reason. Here’s the Windows app we tested:

Like NordVPN and Surfshark, ExpressVPN gives you 24/7 live chat support and a 30-day money-back guarantee. So if you want a fast, secure, and user-friendly VPN service for torrenting, ExpressVPN is definitely worth considering, especially with the coupon below.

For more details, see the ExpressVPN torrenting page or check out our ExpressVPN review.

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4. Perfect Privacy – Good VPN for torrenting (but expensive)

Next on our list of torrent VPNs is Perfect Privacy. It offers secure, leak-proof apps, good speeds, and some advanced features. Their network is comprised entirely of dedicated, bare-metal servers that provide you with great performance, security, and full IPv6 support. Every server in their network also supports multi-hop VPN chains and port forwarding, which can be useful for torrenting.

If you are serious about security and online anonymity, this Germany-based, no logs VPN service is tough to beat. While Perfect Privacy has not to our knowledge conducted a formal third-party audit of their no logs policy, they have real-world evidence that they keep no logs after one of their servers was seized by the Netherlands.

Another great feature you get with Perfect Privacy is the TrackStop filter, which effectively blocks ads, tracking, and malware/phishing domains at the VPN server level.

Like Surfshark and NordVPN, Perfect Privacy also offers a multi-hop VPN feature. This allows you to “chain” up to four servers in a row, adding more encryption over a single server. They have apps for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Android, with support for other operating systems as well.

The main drawback is that their best price is $8.95 per month, which is more than double the prices of NordVPN and Surfshark. Streaming is also challenging with Perfect Privacy simply because this is not a core feature they focus on supporting and are mostly focused on privacy and security features.

See the Perfect Privacy torrenting page here, or read our Perfect Privacy review for detailed test results.

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4. Proton VPN – A secure, Swiss VPN that works well for torrenting

Rounding out our list of the best torrenting VPNs is Proton VPN. Based in Switzerland, Proton VPN checks all the right boxes for security. It is an audited no logs VPN service with excellent privacy guarantees.

Proton VPN stands has some great features to catch the eye for those of us who are privacy-minded. Like NordVPN and Surfshark, Proton offers double VPN servers in what they call a “Secure Core” network. The also have a VPN ad blocking feature that is called Net Shield. We also noticed this with Surfshark above, as well as NordVPN and CyberGhost.

Proton VPN offers a great selection of user-friendly VPN apps, allowing you to stream or torrent on all types of devices. Proton VPN apps also include a kill switch, which will hide your IP address and keep your identity secure while torrenting, even if the connection drops.

While Proton VPN is not the best VPN for streaming, it does work with some services. For example, it currently works if you need a VPN for Amazon Prime, Hulu, and some Netflix regions. They also offer a dedicated Firestick app.

Another reason Proton VPN is one of the best VPNs for torrenting is that it offers port forwarding VPN configurations. This can be useful for getting better speeds while file sharing. While we have seen some VPNs remove the option for port forwarding, such as with Mullvad, other VPNs still support this option, such as with TorGuard and Perfect Privacy.

Check out our ProtonVPN review to learn more.

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Now that we have examined the best VPNs for torrenting, let’s examine some VPNs that we do not recommend for torrenting.

VPNs that we do NOT recommended for torrenting

For various reasons, these VPNs are NOT recommended for torrenting:

• IPVanish – IPVanish is a US VPN provider that was found to be giving logs to the FBI despite claiming to be a “zero logs” VPN service. Speeds were also below average, as we verified in the recent IPVanish vs NordVPN comparison.
• PureVPN – Like IPVanish, PureVPN was also busted for giving up logs to US authorities, despite claiming to be a “no logs” service. We also found the speeds to be quite slow in our recent PureVPN vs NordVPN tests.
• Opera VPN – Despite claiming to be a full VPN, Opera VPN only works for browser and will therefore not encrypt traffic on your operating system with bittorrent clients.
• VPN Unlimited – I found this VPN to have problems with IPv6 leaks, which will expose your identity while torrenting. VPN Unlimited is also blocking torrenting traffic in the US, after getting sued by copyright holders.
• HMA VPN – Like IPVanish and PureVPN, HMA (formerly HideMyAss VPN) provided logs to authorities. With HMA, it was for an alleged hacking case.
• TorGuard VPN – As we noted above, TorGuard was sued in US courts by copyright holders and now blocks all torrenting traffic on US servers. It’s speeds in our TorGuard vs NordVPN comparison were also not great.
• CyberGhost VPN – We found many problems in our CyberGhost VPN review, including slow speeds, clunky apps, and the inability to access streaming websites. I have also noticed CyberGhost users complaining about getting DMCA notices while using this VPN:

Torrenting VPN FAQs (frequently asked questions)

Here are answers to some common questions about the best VPNs for torrenting.

Is torrenting illegal?

Torrenting is only illegal when downloading copyrighted material without the permission of the rights holder.

However, there are legal uses of torrents, such as distributing large files or accessing content that you have already purchased.

What are the dangers of not using a good VPN for torrents?

Some people may torrent without using a good VPN for months and not have problems. These lucky few are “flying under the radar” and avoiding the consequences. Keep in mind, though, this is risky business.

Torrenting without a good VPN is not worth the risk. The consequences of copyright infringement can be very serious. Many countries throughout the world are ramping up copyright laws and enforcement actions, particularly in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Here are a few examples:

• United States – The US is home to the infamous Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). For repeat offenders, DMCA penalties for copyright violations include up to $1,000,000 in fines and 10 years in jail. Internet providers in the US are also canceling service and suing users for DMCA violations. One such example was a lawsuit against LiquidVPN. In another strange case, copyright holders even went after GitHub over Popcorn Time.
• United Kingdom – The Digital Economy Act was passed in the UK, which raises the maximum prison sentence for copyright infringement to 10 years.
• Australia – Many torrenting websites have already been blocked in Australia (but a torrent VPN will get around these restrictions). Now, industry lawyers will be targeting copyright infringers for damages with fines of up to $2,000 per infringement.
• Canada – Canadians have been getting hit by lawsuits for torrenting, prompting people to seek out the best VPNs for Canada.
• European Union – We see legal action against torrenters throughout much of Europel, particularly in Austria, Denmark, and Germany.

Disclaimer: We are writing for a global audience. Check your local laws and regulations to verify what is legal in your own respective jurisdiction.

Is my torrent activity being tracked and published?

It may well be. Without a VPN hiding your identity and IP address, you can be easily tracked, monitored, and recorded online.

Even worse, random groups are now creating giant databases of torrenting activity, which is linked up with IP address, available for anyone to see. One example is the website I Know What You Download. This site publishes all torrents under the user’s IP address. This information is logged, published online, and available for everyone to see:

This one website teaches us a very important lesson: Your activities online are not private when your IP address is exposed.

It is easier than ever for copyright attorneys and media companies to target you. If you are using a good VPN for torrenting, the most any media company could do is go after your overseas VPN provider, but they wouldn’t have any luck. An overseas VPN service does not need to abide by American or Canadian copyright laws.

Is torrenting with a VPN safe?

If you are using a good VPN service that effectively secures your connection, then torrenting with a VPN is indeed safe. In fact, it is much safer than torrenting without a VPN service. Of course, we don’t recommend torrenting copyrighted material, but since this is often a grey area, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

A good torrent VPN service offers many advantages when you are torrenting:

1. Hides your real IP address and geographic location
2. Adds an extra level of security by encrypting your internet connection (on all your devices)
3. Prevents your internet service provider (ISP), corporations, governments, and other third parties from spying on your online activities
4. Allows you to access blocked content that’s restricted to certain geographic locations
5. Protects you when torrenting or streaming from unofficial sources

If you want blanket protection for all devices on your network, you may also want to consider using a VPN router. This allows you to protect everything on the network without having to install VPN software on each device.

What is the best free VPN for torrenting?

The problem with using a free VPN for torrenting is that free VPNs are notoriously dangerous.

There are a lot of free VPN services available right now, but free VPNs are risky and usually collect the user’s data, which is sold to third parties. Free VPNs are also regularly in the news for unscrupulous activities. Here are a few of the dangers when using a free VPN for torrenting:

• Data leaks – If you are torrenting with a free VPN you should know that your IP address is likely being leaked. One in-depth study found that 84% of free VPN apps will leak your IP address.
• Tracking – Free VPNs often included hidden tracking libraries. One example of this is Betternet.
• Malware – Many free VPNs include hidden malware to collect your data. This study found that nearly 40% of free VPNs tested positive for malware.
• Stolen bandwidth – Some free VPNs will even steal your bandwidth, which will then be resold to third parties (see Hola VPN, for example).
• Browser hijacking – The popular VPN service Hotspot Shield was called out for browser hijacking – using JavaScript codes and iFrames for tracking and advertising purposes.

Additionally, most free VPNs also do not allow torrenting on their network. For example, ProtonVPN has a basic free plan, but all torrenting activity is blocked.

The bottom line here is that using a free VPN for torrenting is not safe or secure. If you are looking to save money, then NordVPN or Surfshark would be two great options, both under $4 per month.

Why do VPNs block torrenting?

One interesting trend we have been seeing is with VPNs that they block torrenting. Right now, this is mainly affecting US-based VPN services due to copyright lawsuits.

One example of this we noted above is with TorGuard VPN, a US-based VPN provider. In 2022, TorGuard was sued by copyright holders, basically for facilitating piracy with the VPN (as the lawsuit alleges). As part of the settlement, TorGuard was forced to block all torrenting on US servers.

This also happened to VPN Unlimited, which is another US-based VPN provider we mentioned above. Finally, there was also the case of LiquidVPN, which completely shut down after a copyright infringement lawsuit.

This trend shows us that US-based VPNs are not safe for torrenting. The court system has proven to be friendly to these types of lawsuits that target VPN providers.

What are the best server locations for torrenting?

Choosing the right VPN server location for torrenting can have a significant impact on your VPN connection and the overall torrenting experience. Optimal server locations for torrenting include Switzerland, Mexico, and the Netherlands, as these countries either allow torrenting for personal use or do not take legal action against torrenters.

When selecting a VPN provider, consider their VPN server locations and choose one with servers in these countries for the best torrenting experience.

Conclusion on torrenting with a VPN

Most people are now using a VPN for torrenting simply to protect themselves against copyright infringement penalties. But aside from copyright issues, there are many other alarming trends, which further highlight the importance of a good VPN service:

• Internet service providers (ISPs) in many countries are now legally allowed to record your activities and hand this information over to third parties. These third parties may include advertising companies, corporate partners, and/or government authorities.
• Many ISPs are canceling internet service for repeated copyright violations (this is common in the US).
• Governments and ISPs are actively blocking torrent websites, such as The Pirate Bay and 1337x, throughout the world. This is unfolding in Australia, the United Kingdom, and parts of Europe.
• Websites are now publicly posting all torrent activity associated with your IP address, which can be viewed by anyone and used to prosecute and fine you for copyright violations.

The trend is clear. Be smart and use a good VPN whenever you go online. Our top recommendation for torrenting VPNs is NordVPN, but any of the recommended VPNs in this guide should work for your needs.

However, if NordVPN is not what you want, or if you are on a tight budget, you may want to check out our VPN coupons and deals page, which includes all of the coupons featured in this guide, plus more.

This guide on the best VPNs for torrenting was last updated on October 1, 2023.