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Best VPN Services for Torrenting

January 22, 2021 By Sven Taylor — 35 Comments
best vpn for torrenting
Best VPNs for Torrenting
#1NordVPN with [68% Discount]
#2Surfshark with [81% Discount]
#3ExpressVPN
#4Perfect Privacy

Finding the best VPN for torrenting can be challenging simply because most VPN services suffer from various problems.

When it comes to finding a VPN for torrenting, these issues can be annoying and potentially dangerous:

  • Many popular VPN services leak IP addresses and/or DNS requests. This can expose your identity to third parties, such as copyright trolls, media companies, 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.

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.

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 VPN (that doesn’t leak!), your identity could 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. Here is an example of a popular VPN that leaks data and is not a good VPN for torrenting:

vpn for torrenting 2021
Many popular VPNs leak IP addresses and/or DNS requests. Choosing a secure VPN for torrenting is essential.

We will cover the VPNs that we DO NOT recommend for torrenting further below. But first, let’s examine the best VPNs for torrenting.

What is the best VPN for torrenting?

Based on the latest test results, the best VPN for torrenting is NordVPN.

NordVPN offers the fastest download speeds and high-security applications to keep your data safe with no leaks. NordVPN is currently ranked as the fastest VPN we have tested, hitting speeds of 445 Mbps. It offers the best VPN speeds for torrenting with strong security and leak protection features to keep your IP address safe.

fast vpn for torrenting
NordVPN offers the fastest speeds and best security for torrenting.

Coupon: Right now you can get 68% off NordVPN with this coupon.

In addition to NordVPN, there are also four other VPN services that made the ‘best VPN for torrenting’ rankings. 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 all-around VPN for torrenting

VPNNordVPN
Based inPanama
LogsNo logs (audited)
Price$3.71/mo.
Support24/7 Live chat
Refund30 days
WebsiteNordVPN.com

best vpn for p2p torrents

Get a 68% Off NordVPN Coupon >>

NordVPN is currently the best VPN for torrenting in 2021. It does exceptionally well in the areas of speed and security. NordVPN is a Panama-based VPN provider with a strict no logs policy. It is one of the few VPNs that has undergone (and passed) independent third-party audits:

  • NordVPN passed a no-logs audit conducted by PWC AG in Zurich, Switzerland. This audit confirmed NordVPN’s no-logs policy and data protection measures.
  • NordVPN passed an independent security audit conducted by Versprite. Additionally, they have partnered with Versprite to conduct ongoing audits and penetration testing, while also launching a public bug bounty program.

Recent speed tests confirmed that NordVPN offers excellent performance throughout the server network. NordVPN is one of the few services with full WireGuard VPN support built directly into their VPN apps. This offers the highest security and even faster speeds than legacy protocols. NordVPN consistently beats out other market-leading VPNs with speed, as seen in the recent PIA vs NordVPN comparison.

NordVPN runs a very secure network with 5,500+ servers spanning 59 countries. All servers run in RAM-disk mode (without hard drives), which makes it impossible to store any data on the server. Additionally, NordVPN is currently rolling out colocated (self-owned) servers with 10 Gbps bandwidth channels to deliver the fastest speeds and strong security. And unlike ExpressVPN and Surfshark, NordVPN does not use any virtual server locations.

Subscription plans come with six simultaneous connections, unlimited bandwidth, and no restrictions on torrenting. Their network also includes a large selection of P2P servers that are optimized for torrenting. The NordVPN apps (below) that we tested for the review performed very well without any issues.

VPN app for torrenting
NordVPN offers secure and user-friendly apps that include leak protection (kill switch).

NordVPN also stands out from the crowd with the privacy and security features it offers. These include:

  • Double VPN servers that 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.)
  • Secure apps that incorporate built-in leak protection (kill switch) to secure all data.
  • CyberSec feature to block ads, tracking, malware, and phishing domains.

The CyberSec feature is particularly useful because it not only improves security and privacy, it also means pages will load faster with ads and trackers blocked. It’s also important to note that NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for Netflix, offering full support for 15+ regional libraries. We have also found that NordVPN works with many other streaming services, including 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.

+ Pros

  • User-friendly and reliable apps
  • 30 day money-back guarantee
  • Double-VPN & Tor-over-VPN servers
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • No logs (audited and verified)
  • Great VPNs for streaming
  • Competitive prices at $3.71/month
  • CyberSec ad-blocking feature
  • Excellent leak protection settings for all apps (kill switch)
  • Passed independent security audits

– Cons

  • Discounts only available for longer subscriptions

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You can read the NordVPN review for detailed test results.


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

VPNSurfshark
Based inBritish Virgin Islands
LogsNo logs
Price$2.49/mo.
Support24/7 Live chat
Refund30 days
WebsiteSurfshark.com

cheap vpn for torrents

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Another solid choice when selecting a VPN for torrenting is Surfshark. Despite being a relatively newer VPN service, Surfshark impressed us with premium features, excellent speeds, and a very polished feel. It does not restrict torrenting and has 3,200+ servers in 65 countries to choose from. Both Surfshark and NordVPN now run all servers in RAM-disk mode for more data security.

In terms of performance, Surfshark also supports the WireGuard VPN protocol in all apps. In our speed tests for the Surfshark review, we were able to get nearly 400 Mbps using WireGuard. Surfshark also supports the OpenVPN and IPSec/IKEv2 protocols with an AES-256 cipher. All Surfshark apps include a kill switch to prevent any data leaks. They also offer some great privacy features, including a VPN ad blocker (CleanWeb) feature, double-VPN servers, and a split tunneling option.

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

safe and secure vpn for torrents

At only $2.49 per month, Surfshark is among the best cheap VPN services on the market. Despite the low cost, it remains an excellent VPN for nearly all uses. Surfshark officially supports 10 different Netflix libraries and also offers an Amazon app if you need a VPN for Fire TV and Firestick.

Like ExpressVPN, Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands, a great jurisdiction for data privacy. It is a no-logs VPN service that continues to grow and gain popularity. This is an excellent all-around VPN for torrenting and many other use cases.

+ Pros

  • Unlimited connections
  • User-friendly apps for all devices and operating systems
  • CleanWeb feature to block ads, trackers, and malware domains
  • Works great with Netflix, Amazon Prime VPN streaming, and other services
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • Split tunneling feature
  • Strong encryption and good leak protection features

– Cons

  • Limited VPN router support
  • Average speeds with OpenVPN (use WireGuard instead)

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


3. ExpressVPN – Secure and reliable VPN for torrenting

VPNExpressVPN
Based inBritish Virgin Islands
LogsNo logs (audited)
Price$6.67/mo.
Support24/7 Live chat
Refund30 days
WebsiteExpressVPN.com

secure vpn for torrents

Get a Three Months Free Coupon

ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN for torrenting and P2P downloads with the best speeds and 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 a no logs policy, very secure applications, and a safe, privacy-friendly offshore jurisdiction.

Like NordVPN and Surfshark, ExpressVPN is one of the few VPNs that has passed a third-party security audit performed by Cure53. Additionally, it is a verified no logs VPN service that was audited by PWC and found to be in compliance with its no-logs policies.

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 OpenVPN. 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:

vpn to use for torrenting

If you want a fast, secure, and user-friendly VPN service for torrenting, ExpressVPN is definitely worth considering, especially with the coupon below.

+ Pros

  • User-friendly and secure VPN apps
  • No restrictions on torrenting or bandwidth
  • Fast speeds throughout the server network
  • 30 day money-back guarantee
  • Split tunneling feature (for Mac OS, Windows, and routers)
  • Works with Netflix and other streaming services
  • Built-in leak protection settings (Network Lock kill switch)
  • 24/7 live chat support

– Cons

  • Above-average prices
  • Fewer features than other leading VPNs

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


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

VPNPerfect Privacy
Based inSwitzerland
LogsNo logs
Price$8.95/mo.
SupportEmail & forum
Refund7 days
WebsitePerfect-Privacy.com

vpn that allows torrents

Get 31% Off Here >>

Last 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 is useful for torrenting.

If you are serious about security and online anonymity, this Switzerland-based, no logs VPN service is tough to beat. 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 the price, at about $8.95 per month. On a positive note, all subscriptions come with an unlimited number of connections, unlimited bandwidth, advanced features, and solid performance. Streaming is also challenging with Perfect Privacy simply because this is not a core feature they focus on supporting. For additional test results, see the Perfect Privacy review.

+ Pros

  • Multi-hop VPN chains with up to 4 servers
  • Zero logs with an unlimited number of connections
  • Dedicated bare-metal servers with full IPv6 support
  • Full obfuscation support (Stealth VPN)
  • Customizable firewall and port-forwarding
  • TrackStop filter (advertisement, tracking, and malware blocker)

– Cons

  • Higher price than most VPNs
  • Does not work with most streaming sites (such as Netflix)

https://www.perfect-privacy.com

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


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

VPNs that are 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.
  • 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 torrent clients.
  • VPN Unlimited – I found this VPN to have problems with IPv6 leaks, which will expose your identity while torrenting.
  • HMA (HideMyAss) VPN – Like IPVanish and PureVPN, HMA provided logs to authorities for a hacking case. mm

So now let’s move on to some torrenting VPN FAQs (frequently asked questions).

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.

Given the recent trends with copyright violations, torrenting without a good VPN is no longer worth the risk. After all, the consequences of copyright infringement can be very serious. Here’s one headline from the United States that shows the dangers of torrenting without a good VPN:

Safe VPN to use for torrenting

Many countries throughout the world are ramping up copyright violations 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 cancelling service for repeated DMCA violations.
  • 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 up to $2,000 per infringement.

We see these trends unfolding in Canada as well, prompting people to seek out the best VPNs for Canada to reclaim their digital privacy. In the realm of torrenting, we also see some alarming trends up north:

torrenting with a VPN in Canada

We see these trends throughout Europe as well, particularly in Austria, Denmark, and Germany.

So no matter where you are located, using a good VPN for torrenting and P2P downloads is now just basic digital self-defense.

Your torrent activity is being recorded and published online

You should also know that 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:

ip address exposed from torrents use a VPN
Everything you do online is likely being recorded somewhere. All your torrents are available in a public database. Protect yourself accordingly and hide your real IP address with a VPN.

Thanks to websites such as these, 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 safe with a VPN?

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:

  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. 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.

Conclusion on using VPNs for torrenting

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 cancelling 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.

As a brief recap, here are the best VPNs for torrenting with fast speeds and secure apps to keep your data safe:

Torrent VPN Comparison Table


nordvpn torrents

$3.71
(68% discount)
(30 day refund)

Review
(NordVPN)

NordVPN.com


p2p torrents with vpn

$2.49
(81% discount)
(30 day refund)

Review
(Surfshark)

Surfshark.com


can you use a vpn for torrenting

$6.67
(49% discount)
(30 day refund)

Review
(ExpressVPN)

ExpressVPN.com


privacy vpn for torrents and p2p downloads

$8.95
(7 day refund)

Review
(Perfect Privacy)

Perfect-Privacy.com


Last updated on January 22, 2021.

Sven Taylor

About Sven Taylor

Sven Taylor is the founder of Restore Privacy. With a passion for digital privacy and online freedom, he created this website to provide you with honest, useful, and up-to-date information about online privacy, security, and related topics. His focus is on privacy research, writing guides, testing privacy tools, and website admin.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarEric Woods

    December 6, 2020

    What about saferVPN

    Reply
    • Avatar0123456789-9876543210

      January 3, 2021

      I think it isn’t a safe VPN despite it’s name.

      Reply
  2. AvatarReiji

    May 12, 2020

    How about those VPNs offered by antivirus companies such as Kaspersky and Avira? Can I trust them? Will they really keep my internet activity private?

    Reply
    • Sven TaylorSven Taylor

      May 12, 2020

      We’ll be reviewing some of these VPNs soon. Unfortunately, many of the free antivirus companies do not do well in terms of privacy:
      https://restoreprivacy.com/antivirus-privacy/

      Reply
  3. Avatarsea way

    March 20, 2020

    You are awesome Taylor your honest reviews about products are great I am your fan now please continue these awesome reviews thanku

    Reply
  4. Avatarcuriosity

    March 20, 2020

    Hi sir will you please tell me about downloading stuff everybody only talks about torrent downloading is simple or direct downloading a safer option then torrent should we use a VPN on direct downloading

    Reply
  5. Avatarsaif

    March 20, 2020

    Hi Taylor is surf shark vpn safe to use I somewhere read surf shark collects meta data

    Reply
    • Sven TaylorSven Taylor

      March 20, 2020

      Surfshark looks like a good option. I’ll be reviewing it soon.

      Reply
  6. AvatarKumar

    March 20, 2020

    Hello what about surf shark is it a good vpn please review surf shark vpn boss!!

    Reply
    • Sven TaylorSven Taylor

      March 20, 2020

      I’ll be reviewing it soon, it looks good on the surface.

      Reply
  7. AvatarDanny

    February 11, 2020

    I purchased the nord vpn.
    Does this make it comfortably confident to download torrents through wifi with no worries?
    Thanks for your time.

    Reply
    • Sven TaylorSven Taylor

      February 11, 2020

      Yes it does! Be sure to enable the NordVPN kill switch to protect you against any data leaks. NordVPN chat support can help if you have any questions.

      Reply
  8. AvatarKarol

    January 7, 2020

    So, i have NordVPN, and im living in Germany right now…
    Thats means, if im using NORD i can download by torrent? With no fear?

    Reply
    • Sven TaylorSven Taylor

      January 7, 2020

      Hi Karol, yes that is correct. Be sure to activate the kill switch (leak protection settings) to ensure that your real IP address is not exposed if the VPN connections drops for any reason. Germany is a really bad place for copyright trolls, as I’m sure you know. Internet providers collect and hand over data on their users who torrent, and then copyright lawyers go after these people demanding fines around 500 Euros or more.

      Reply
      • AvatarKarol

        January 9, 2020

        Hi! But i need to do something more in the utorrent (any configuration +)?
        I already use my VPN with the kill switch for apps and internet.

        Reply
        • Sven TaylorSven Taylor

          January 9, 2020

          Ok, you should be good to go then.

        • AvatarPeter

          November 22, 2020

          I read that you use uTorrent. uTorrent is not a good piece of software, it has been injected with bitcoin miners in the past and it is not trustworthy. I recommend using qBittorrent. It looks the same, functions the same but is open source and has a good reputation.

  9. AvatarOleh

    September 16, 2019

    What is your opinion of Proton VPN [https://protonvpn.com]?

    Reply
    • Sven TaylorSven Taylor

      September 16, 2019

      See the ProtonVPN review

      Reply
  10. Avatarvijay

    August 17, 2019

    Using Expressvpn. Excellent so far. Great speeds. My only issue: unable to seed torrents while i was connected.
    Port forwarded manually on router. Does expressvpn supports seeding!?

    Reply
    • Sven TaylorSven Taylor

      August 17, 2019

      Yes, they do support seeding.

      Reply
  11. AvatarJim

    July 12, 2019

    Do you have a review of Ivacy vpn? I am not knowledgeable enough about VPNs to know. They say no logs, hidden IP, and encryption enabled.

    Reply
    • Sven TaylorSven Taylor

      July 12, 2019

      No, but it is a white label version of PureVPN, a VPN service that was caught logging user data and handing it over to the FBI.

      Reply
  12. AvatarTismo

    April 25, 2019

    What about Private Internet Access (PIA) ? Is it any good for keeping me safe as far as being logged and potentially sued by copyright infringements agencies for torrenting?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Sven TaylorSven Taylor

      April 25, 2019

      Hi Tismo, PIA has both Pros and Cons, see the PIA review and the section on torrenting.

      Reply
  13. AvatarAndre

    February 27, 2019

    Hi Sven,
    If my understanding is correct, a copyright holder would need to identify the IP address being used to torrent and they would then contact the vpn provider to serve a DMCA notice, but if the vpn service doesn’t keep logs, especially a user’s IP address then the vpn company can’t pass that DMCA notice onto the user. Does that sound right? If so then it makes sense to go with a company that has been audited to prove they don’t log such as vypr has. I know there has been other vpn providers that have claimed not to log but were then exposed as actually logging so I’m not willing to just blindly trust anymore.

    I’m also a little confused why so many people think using cryptocurrency is important when buying a vpn. I mean unless you’re in a country like China or Russia where vpns are illegal all you are doing is buying a vpn service and there is nothing illegal about that, or am I missing something?

    Reply
    • Sven TaylorSven Taylor

      February 27, 2019

      Hi Andre, good questions. First, there are verified no logs VPN providers, and you are correct that VyprVPN is one of them. But there are two factors when it comes to DMCA complaints:
      1) Jurisdiction: DMCA complaints are null and void with a VPN provider in an overseas jurisdiction where these copyright laws do not apply. So yes, they could send a DMCA takedown notice to ExpressVPN in BVI, or VPN.ac in Romania, and the VPNs would just laugh because they do not need to comply with these laws.
      2) Logs: Yes, a VPN that does not keep logs has no data to hand over. So again, a DMCA complaint would be worthless. But even a VPN with minimal connection logs, such as VPN.ac, would still not comply because they are overseas, and the data would have already been erased (after 24 hours).
      A more realistic situation would be for a copyright holder to pressure a data center in New York, for example, to shut down a server with lots of torrenting traffic. This does happen sometimes and it’s why VPNs may restrict torrenting to specific regions. But again, the user is protected and there’s nothing to worry about from the torrenter’s perspective.
      Regarding cryptocurrency payments, I would agree that it is most likely not worth it. Acquiring cryptocurrency also includes a degree of hassle, high fees (especially for Bitcoin), setting up a crypto wallet, and of course more risk. With Bitcoin, all transactions are publicly recorded via the Blockchain, so it may not be very “anonymous” depending on how you acquired your bitcoins and how much information your past transactions reveal…

      Reply
      • AvatarC.J.

        February 1, 2020

        Hi Sven,
        I ran into your article and was reading the responses and have a question.
        I’ve never used a vpn before and thinking about getting one.
        I was reading a review that said Vyprvpn is very slow and there are kill switch issues.
        Isn’t that kill switch issue a bit dangerous?

        Reply
        • Sven TaylorSven Taylor

          February 1, 2020

          Hey C.J. I’m not sure what the kill switch issues were exactly, but if it leaks traffic, then yes, that could expose your IP address (bad). Another issue we’ve recently uncovered is that VyprVPN uses a very large number of virtual server locations without disclosing which locations are virtual.

  14. Avatarpjos

    February 16, 2019

    Hello
    What do you think about purevpn? For kodi and torrent. Thank you

    Reply
    • Sven TaylorSven Taylor

      February 16, 2019

      Definitely not recommended. When I tested it out for the PureVPN review I found various data leaks. Not too long ago they cooperated with US authorities by logging customer data and handing it over to the FBI for a criminal case. Some commenters are also complaining about PureVPN refusing to issue refunds.

      Reply
  15. AvatarChris

    February 2, 2019

    How good or safe is CyberGhost VPN especially on Ubuntu linux?

    Reply
    • Sven TaylorSven Taylor

      February 2, 2019

      Here’s the CyberGhost review but I did not test on Ubuntu. CyberGhost is now owned by a company that has a history or producing malware, see here.

      Reply
  16. Avatarscott

    January 14, 2019

    How safe is vypr for doing this. In there tos? it seems they dont log anything but say if they get a letter they will suspend your account and seems not protect you. I dont torrent or download anything. what about streaming from an apk or kodi here and there. I was about to actually get their service till I ran into a few random reviews that say they will help agencies just about. if they are really no log how could they help at all? then again reviews are not legit many times. Express is too pricey. Read some bad things about pia, what do you think of them?

    Reply
    • Sven TaylorSven Taylor

      January 14, 2019

      Hi Scott, good question. Basically VyprVPN is now a good option for torrenting because:
      – They are no a certified no logs VPN provider.
      – They cannot respond to DMCA requests (because they don’t have any logs)
      Just like with nearly every VPN service, they will have an official policy along the lines of “don’t use our service for copyright infringement” – but this is essentially unenforceable.
      I discussed this issue also in the VyprVPN review, where I confirmed the new policy after reaching out to VyprVPN staff, since this is a big change over their previous torrenting policies.
      Long story short: VyprVPN is a good choice for torrenting with their new policies.

      Reply

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