If you're into torrenting, you should seriously consider one of the best VPNs for torrenting. To torrent is to download or upload media files through a BitTorrent network. Most of the best VPN providers will have some solid torrenting credentials, but it's always worth knowing for certain. This is considered a peer-to-peer online activity, commonly abbreviated to P2P. You connect to this shared network, have access to publicly shared files and can download them at will.
Picture downloading anything from anywhere, like opening a portal linking the recipient to your online device. Though you may only intend to download one thing, we hate to imagine what other nasty threats might latch onto your download while it makes its way to your device. Torrenting with a VPN is just as, if not more important, than streaming with a VPN (very).
Online torrenting without a VPN is like going out in the rain without an umbrella. Your Virtual Private Network will grant you the necessary level of protection so you can torrent safely and with peace of mind.
The best VPNs for torrenting at a glance:
• The best VPN for torrenting: ExpressVPN - View on ExpressVPN
• The most secure VPN for torrenting: NordVPN - View on NordVPN
• The best VPN for torrenting for beginners: CyberGhost - View on CyberGhost
When looking for the best VPNs for torrenting, there's a huge factor to keep an eye out for. Choosing a provider with specialised P2P servers is a must, otherwise, you won't even be able to humour the idea of torrenting. Take the trip with us down the windy road of Virtual Private Networks and torrenting. Find the best one for your needs and achieve a safe and secure torrenting experience.
Please note: All prices are correct at time of writing. VPN deals and savings are subject to change at short notice.
The best VPN for torrenting
go.expressvpn.com
When we talk about the best VPNs for torrenting, Express has it in abundance and then some. With ExpressVPN in your arsenal, you get torrent support on all servers; yep, that's all 3000+ servers. It doesn't matter where you are in the world, as long as you have access to an Express server, torrent away.
ExpressVPN reliably excels. Millions of users are loyal to Express for its above-average speeds and its ability to maintain them. Security is also no joke either, you don't get to be the most recognisable Virtual Private Network for having lacklustre security.
Torrenters are at home with ExpressVPN. Despite some users finding upload speeds to be a little less consistent than download speeds, it's certainly never noticeable enough to shy people away.
Pros
- Torrent support for all servers
- Reliably fast speeds
- Reliably strong security
Cons
- Download speeds superior to upload speeds
| Servers: | 3000+ |
| Encryption: | AES-256 |
| Kill switch: | Linux, Windows, Mac, and routers |
| Independent audit: | Yes |
- Customer review: "Great app, easy to use, and excellent connection speed. Well worth the money."
The best VPN for torrenting for coverage
www.privateinternetaccess.com
Picking PIA is as sound a choice as it comes for anyone looking to torrent. Not as much a household name as some of the other inclusions in our ranking, but don't let that fool you. Private Internet Access has more worldwide servers than some of these other VPNs put together.
35,000 servers mean the torrenting opportunities are near endless with PIA. This is even more impressive when you consider that the provider is more on the budget side too. Users get 10 simultaneous connections, and PIA has been said to be fairly consistent with supporting this device limit.
Some subscribers have found Private Internet Access to be a little buggy at times, lacking the sleekness of other premium competitors. Although, for its price and the mere potential it has for torrenting, you cannot deny what PIA achieves.
Pros
- Incredible coverage
- Decent affordability
- 10 simultaneous connections
Cons
- Sometimes buggy
- Not as clean as competitors
| Servers: | 35000 |
| Encryption: | AES-256 |
| Kill switch: | All major operating systems |
| Independent audit: | Yes |
- Customer review: "Fantastic app. One of those apps that you know does what it's designed to do, and rather well I might add! I think it's great that it doesn't keep logs either."
The most secure VPN for torrenting
nordvpn.com
Privacy is precious when torrenting is concerned. Much like streaming, torrenting is a heavy online activity that takes a fair amount of usage. Additionally, when torrenting or streaming, your online device is vulnerable for long periods of time. This is why using a super secure provider like NordVPN is vital for torrenting.
Nord is known for its double data encryption, which is a huge contributor to why it's one of the most secure Virtual Private Networks you can choose. It's massively configurable with a generous offering of customisable security settings. Speeds don't take a back seat either, what makes NordVPN that much more impressive is that you get airtight security, as well as sublime speeds. This is a top VPN for gaming, so we're not surprised at all that it's equally as good at torrenting.
Nord shines brightest on desktop versions, so if you're priority is torrenting, then perhaps avoid going about it on mobile. The mobile experience can be somewhat jarring to use at times, whereas desktop is near flawless.
Pros
- Double data encryption
- Excellent security
- Solid speeds
Cons
- Mobile apps lack torrent refinement
| Servers: | 5709 |
| Encryption: | AES-256 |
| Kill switch: | All major operating systems |
| Independent audit: | Yes |
- Customer review: "Love NordVPN. I use it with a dedicated IP, and the option to auto connect to this makes it perfect."
The best VPN for torrenting on a budget
surfshark.com
The word budget should not by any means discourage you from a certain VPN provider. By any means, you want the best value for your money. If that means choosing a VPN that offers so much more in respect to its price tag, more power to you. Surfshark is one of these providers, get premium online security without the premium price tag.
When torrenting is on the cards, Surfshark is more than up for the task. Find dedicated P2P servers across an impressive worldwide coverage. Your kill switch covers all devices and operating systems, which can't be said by even some of the market leaders. It's worth noting that under intense use, Surfshark users might face some minor kill switch problems. So, we'd advise against pushing the provider's unlimited simultaneous connection limit too much. The functionality of a kill switch is essential when torrenting.
Pros
- Best value VPN around
- Reliable P2P servers
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
Cons
- Kill switch issues under intense use
| Servers: | 3200+ |
| Encryption: | AES-256 |
| Kill switch: | All major operating systems |
| Independent audit: | Yes |
- Customer review: "Best VPN on the app store. No frustrating tiers of data speed to try and upcharge you. Just one service that works very well."
The best VPN for torrenting for beginners
www.cyberghostvpn.com
Are you new to VPNs? Or maybe it's your first time torrenting? CyberGhost has you covered on both. A highly intuitive Virtual Private Network that's ideal for newbies to both. It's a VPN that's not overcrowded with features or intent on selling you a more expensive plan. All the friendly yellow ghost wants is for you to have a pleasant VPN experience.
CyberGhost's dedicated worldwide P2P servers are the foundation for any user intending to torrent. The WireGuard protocol works well for the most part, with only slight performance issues occurring for Mac users. This means that privacy and speed are bread and butter for CyberGhost.
Your online data is in very safe hands too, CyberGhost conducts some of the best independent privacy audits of any VPN provider.
Pros
- User-friendly
- Exceptional privacy
Cons
- Some encryption issues on Mac
| Servers: | 9500+ |
| Encryption: | AES-256 |
| Kill switch: | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Independent audit: | Yes |
- Customer review: "I did a lot of research when choosing a VPN, and the main reason for CyberGhost was just the yearly subscription instead of a mandatory three years. It is so easy to use and very quick to turn on and off."
Key terms
VPN - Virtual Private Network
Kill switch - If internet connection is lost, it kills any internet connection until a secure VPN link is re-established
Torrenting – Downloading or upload media files through a publicly shared BitTorrent network
P2P – Peer-to-peer, in torrenting it means sharing information user to user
Should I use a VPN when torrenting?
Yes, you should definitely consider using a VPN while torrenting. It's an online activity where you could be even more susceptible to data and privacy breaches. We recommend you use a Virtual Network for all online activities, the benefits are absolutely endless.
How to use VPNs for torrenting
Using one of the best VPNs for torrenting is simple. Firstly, you download your VPN from your device's app store, and you log in or sign up. Once you've accepted the default VPN settings or customised them to your preferences, just activate it. Now your Virtual Private Network is active, you can torrent to your heart's desire with a newfound level of protection.
Is torrenting safe with a VPN?
Torrenting is much safer when you use a VPN. Downloading or uploading to a BiTorrent network can be very risky if your online device is unprotected.
Jack Barrell is the Commercial Content Writer for VPNs. He's hands-on when it comes to producing best-of articles, how-to guides, and product reviews for Virtual Private Networks. On his off-days, Jack can be found in the gym, at the movies, or flicking through a car mag.