Its brilliantly named Catapult Hydra protocol meant that it could ramp up the connection speeds to a much faster Mbps than the mere OpenVPN can manage. Honestly, now that other VPNs have begun developing their own proprietary protocols like Express and Nord above , Hotpot Shield no longer stands out as the market-leader. But luckily, Hotspot Shield has plenty more strings to its bow. We found the ready availability of online support guides on how to safely torrent with Hotspot Shield somewhat lacking. To climb higher in this countdown, we'd really like the service to begin auditing the no-logging policy to give us a bit more confidence in its privacy credentials. Indeed, Hotspot actually admits that there is some logging of sessions. Nothing potentially harmful to you - we're talking about session duration, devices and IP addresses. Again, nothing that we'd certainly consider a red flag, but it does mean that we prefer the above torrenting VPNs in this list. We'd highly recommend it - especially if your main reason for doing so is to downloaded pirated videos and games.

Because torrenting VPNs effectively make your movements online anonymous, nobody can tie your activity back to your IP address. So, you don't need to worry about aggressive letters through the door telling you to cease and desist. We've put ExpressVPN to the top opens in new tab of our torrenting VPN list - it just ticks all the boxes. It's a given that it's fast, secure and easy to use. But it also benefits from really effective kill switches on its desktop clients and Android app, and we really like that its thorough no-logging policy is independently audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers. It's an excellent choice for torrenters. As well as giving all the data you exchange online end-to-end encryption, torrenting with a VPN turned on also helps to keep your identity completely anonymous.

That means there's no chance for your ISP or anybody else to find out who you are or what you're downloading online. In a word There are some genuinely excellent free VPN downloads out there that function perfectly well for letting you check emails on public Wi-Fi and basic IP spoofing. But they tend to limit the data you use, throttle internet speed and, in some cases, won't allow P2P activity whatsoever. So for torrenting, it pays to grab a premium version like ExpressVPN or NordVPN - both of which are VPNs with free trials. VPNs are fantastic for online privacy, but if your VPN connection drops for any reason you'll immediately be at risk from having your IP details leaked - a real problem if you're downloading something dodgy. A kill switch shuts off your entire internet connection the moment its own connection drops, and thus keeps your IP address hidden.

You can learn more about them in our dedicated guide to VPN kill switches. A DNS leak is a type of security flaw that effectively allows your IP address to be seen by other people, for example cybercriminals or the government. Any VPN worth its salt will have strong encryption measures and protocols in place that make sure DNS leaks aren't possible and therefore keep you anonymous online. We approached some of the biggest VPN companies in the world to get their thoughts on torrenting and port forwarding, and this is what three of them had to say. In order for true port forwarding to work, the customer would need a dedicated IP.

We use shared IP's for enhanced privacy. A little explanation: It's impossible to do port forwarding when everyone shares the same IP address on the VPN server. Because you'd run into port collisions. However, torrenting still works fine on the VPN. Because of NAT. Inbound connections then work through that. It's more or less the same how NAT would work in your home environment on your router. Port forwarding dedicates a specific port to a specific client. Say for instance you wanted to start a Minecraft server on port You'd setup your router to tell it All connections for port should be directed to This works well for your home, but it doesn't work well for VPN's where multiple users would want to open the same port for the same reasons.

NAT, on the other hand, opens ports based on association, and it assigns the ports at random so it avoids space exhaustion and collision. Meanwhile, P2P traffic is allowed on the portion of designated servers. It is the same policy as a number of other VPN providers on the market. Many customers believe our speeds for torrenting are fast nevertheless, and in our internal testing port forwarding often has little impact on speeds when downloading popular legal torrent files. There are a number of VPNs that do offer port forwarding if that is something you are looking for, but unfortunately we do not offer that.

Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals! Security measures like VPNs prove essential in countries where torrenting is frowned upon. By hiding your IP address and encrypting your internet activity, these VPNs help you from being recognized. Some offer only a few servers, while others limit how much data you can use per month. To help you narrow your search, we also listed the best VPNs with free trials. These let you use a premium VPN service for free for 30 days. Read on to get to know our list of the best free VPNs for torrenting and P2P file sharing. After extensive testing, we recommend ProtonVPN as the best free VPN for torrenting and P2P file sharing.

You get unlimited data and speeds, as well as dedicated P2P servers, for completely free. Check out the table below for a quick comparison of our favorite torrenting VPNs. Law enforcement agencies with sufficient time, motivation, and resources can still track you down if you break the law. ProtonVPN is the best choice for users who want to torrent over VPN for free. Not only does it offer unlimited monthly data , but it also includes P2P-friendly VPN servers. This VPN provider also bundles your free VPN with security features that you only see with premium services. ProtonVPN comes with an automatic kill switch and DNS leak prevention. Your internet traffic is also secured with the OpenVPN protocol and AES encryption. This free VPN is an audited, no-logs provider and is headquartered in Switzerland, away from the Fourteen Eyes alliance. ProtonVPN only has free servers in Japan, the US, and the Netherlands.

If you live far from these countries, your download and upload speeds might suffer. However, we still recommend you give ProtonVPN a try. If you need more server locations than ProtonVPN can offer, then PrivadoVPN is your best bet. That means faster connection times and better download speeds. Like ProtonVPN, PrivadoVPN is based in Switzerland , where privacy laws are strict. PrivadoVPN also protects your anonymity with bit encryption , an ironclad no-logs policy , and a kill switch. Otherwise, PrivadoVPN is a top-tier free torrenting VPN.

An excellent free VPN in its own right, hide. me offers torrent-friendly VPN servers in five locations, including the US, Canada, the Netherlands, and Germany. With a free subscription, you get 10 GB data per month. If you run out of data, hide. It randomly assigns you an IP, so depending on where you are, downloading speeds might suffer. This provider offers many of the same security and privacy features as the above two. This includes bit AES encryption and a kill switch. Uniquely, you can also choose your VPN protocol , such as IKEv2, SSTP, OpenVPN, and SoftEtherVPN.

This VPN has been independently audited by security analysts and promises not to log your data. me is the free torrent VPN for you. With a slick user interface, good speeds, and excellent security options, AtlasVPN is a rising star among free VPNs. It comes with WireGuard protocol, a kill switch, and split tunneling. Free users get 5 GB data per month for their torrenting needs. While Atlas VPN was only launched in , it was acquired by Nord Security in This is the same group that owns some of our best VPNs , NordVPN and Surfshark. Atlas VPN offers a range of other useful features, including a tracker blocker and dedicated IP addresses.

However, most features are exclusive to paying customers. For a provider that offers a free tier, Windscribe is a fairly feature-stuffed VPN. In terms of speed, other providers have done better. That's because torrenting exposes you to unknown files from anonymous sources. While accidentally downloading copyright-infringing files is a real danger, it's not the only risk. When you share P2P, your activity becomes available to the public — if you don't believe us, check out this website opens in new tab to see what's been downloaded on your IP address — so staying anonymous is a must.

However, not every VPN is well-suited for torrenting. So, to help you avoid a potentially dangerous trial-and-error session, we've tested dozens of providers and pulled together what we consider the best five VPNs for torrenting available today. NB: We do not condone illegal torrenting, and our advice is only intended to assist legitimate torrent users seeking extra security. The two most important features are impeccable privacy and excellent connection speeds. Many providers satisfy those demands though, so extra features like split tunneling, a kill switch, port forwarding and fully audited apps and servers should also be considered when choosing a torrenting VPN. Check how the VPN performs in other areas, too.

While your primary use may be to torrent safely , if your VPN can also access geo-blocked Netflix libraries or has a quality apps for all your devices, that's a nice added bonus. However, we've also rounded up a number of useful alternatives that may suit you better — all you need to do is read on to learn about the best torrenting VPNs available today. ExpressVPN — Hands-down the best VPN available opens in new tab Overall, we consider ExpressVPN to be the best torrenting VPN on the market. Plus, you'll get three months free through Tom's Guide. NordVPN — Great speeds and top privacy features opens in new tab Although it's hasn't been designed from the ground up to be a VPN for torrenting, NordVPN opens in new tab still performs very well. With incredible speeds, stable apps and a great range of servers, it's definitely worth considering — and regular discounts mean it's often very affordable, too.

Simply put, ExpressVPN is the top VPN out there right now — and that's in part due to the fact that it's perfectly suited to keeping you safe when torrenting. A quality VPN for torrenting should have plenty of security features to keep you safe, and that's exactly what ExpressVPN delivers. Not only does it have full torrenting support on every server, but it provides WebRTC leak protection, private DNS servers and Perfect Forward Secrecy, which uses a unique key every time you connect and every 60 minutes afterwards. Beyond excellent privacy, ExpressVPN also provides good connection speeds — essential for any torrenting VPN. Connections to servers in your home country will remain fast, and its wide server network means you'll be able to pick from a whole host of overseas connections to make sure you're connected close to home.

Express boasts both a kill switch and split tunnelling, and combined with a strict, independently audited policy of no activity or connection logs, it offers the most complete torrenting VPN package we've had the pleasure of testing. The helpful team will get you torrenting in a matter of minutes rather than hours, and they're also great for recommending the best servers when streaming global content on sites like Netflix. While ExpressVPN costs marginally more than some of its rivals, it's not worth scrimping on a torrenting VPN as there's often a lot at stake — and if it turns out it's not for you, then there's a day money-back guarantee too. Tom's Guide readers get 3 months free from ExpressVPN opens in new tab Sign up for 12 months with ExpressVPN and you'll get 3 months additional coverage for free.

And don't forget, if you just want to give it a try with no obligation, there's a day money back guarantee in place that you can rely upon without any quibbles. Known for its stringent security measures, NordVPN has made a name for itself as a great VPN for torrenting. Thanks to powerful encryption, a choice of protocols, two kill switches, DNS leak blocking and zero-logging, there's plenty here to keep you safe. While not all servers are P2P supported, there are hundreds in the US, UK and plenty more across the globe that do support torrents. And, since the VPN will connect you to the best P2P server in your location when it detects torrenting traffic, the process is painless too.

Nord also offers a ton of extra features like payment via Bitcoin, traffic leak protection, Double VPN and Onion over VPN, and it's a great everyday VPN for Netflix and general security. You'll also have access to a good selection of mobile apps. In our complete NordVPN review , the provider delivered connection speeds of up to Mbps — more than enough for even the most hardened torrenter — and with its wide variety of servers, you can't really go wrong here. Sign up now on the NordVPN website opens in new tab. From the creators of ProtonMail, Proton VPN is a high-quality torrenting VPN — and in our Proton VPN review , we found that it just keeps getting better and better, now rivalling the behemoths that dominate the industry. Clearly targeted at a more VPN-savvy crowd, we won't lie — a product like ExpressVPN will appeal to newbies more than Proton VPN will.

This guide examines the best VPNs for torrenting and also shows you why most VPNs are not secure for torrenting due to data leaks that can expose your identity and put you at risk for copyright violations. Finding the best VPN for torrenting can be challenging simply because most VPN services suffer from various problems. And if you are using a VPN to torrent files online, 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:.

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 :. NordVPN Review. Surfshark VPN Review. ExpressVPN Review. Perfect Privacy Review. Media companies are increasingly monitoring torrent traffic and collecting IP addresses from torrent swarms. 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 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. Based on our latest test results for this guide, NordVPN comes out on top.

With that being said, any of the four VPNs we recommend in this guide may be the best for your needs. All four VPNs recommended in this guide allow torrenting on their servers and meet the following criteria:. 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. It is one of the few VPNs that has undergone and passed independent third-party audits :. 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 fastest speeds. NordVPN consistently beats out other leading VPNs, as seen in the PIA vs NordVPN report. Here is one example of NordVPN hitting Mbps download speeds:. 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. 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 below that we tested for the review performed very well without any issues. NordVPN also stands out from the crowd with the privacy and security features it offers.

These include:. 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. 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. Coupon is applied automatically. You can read the NordVPN review for detailed test results. Another one of the best VPNs for torrenting is Surfshark. Despite being relatively new launched , Surfshark impressed us with premium features, great speeds, and a polished feel.

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 Mbps using WireGuard. 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. 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. Below is the Surfshark Windows VPN app we tested:. Despite the low cost, it remains an excellent VPN for nearly all uses.

Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands and has a strict no logs policy. This is an excellent all-around VPN for torrenting and many other use cases. Check out our Surfshark review for more info and test results. 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 Cure 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. 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. 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.

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. Like Surfshark and NordVPN, Perfect Privacy also offers a multi-hop VPN feature. They have apps for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Android, with support for other operating systems as well. 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. Some people may torrent without using a good VPN for months and not have problems. 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. Many countries throughout the world are ramping up copyright violations laws and enforcement actions, particularly in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. 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:. We see these trends throughout Europe as well, particularly in Austria, Denmark, and Germany. In the United States, there are even lawsuits where media companies target VPN services for concealing the identity of torrenters. One such example was a lawsuit against LiquidVPN. In another strange case, copyright holders even went after GitHub over Popcorn Time. So no matter where you are located, using a good VPN for torrenting and P2P downloads is now just basic digital self-defense. In other words, better safe than sorry. Disclaimer: We are writing for a global audience. Check your local laws and regulations to verify what is legal in your own respective jurisdiction.

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 information is logged, published online, and available for everyone to see :. Thanks to websites such as these, it is easier than ever for copyright attorneys and media companies to target you. An overseas VPN service does not need to abide by American or Canadian copyright laws. 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. 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. Free VPNs are also regularly in the news for unscrupulous activities.

Hello what about surf shark is it a good vpn please review surf shark vpn boss!! So, you don't need to worry about aggressive letters through the door telling you to cease and desist. me offers torrent-friendly VPN servers in five locations, including the US, Canada, the Netherlands, and Germany. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. NordVPN - secure choice for P2P and torrenting opens in new tab Nord has become a synonymous name with VPN, and its world-class security credentials fit nicely for torrenting. Such an agreement could require a back-door for content producers to get user IP addresses in real-time. With a passion for digital privacy and accessible information, he created RestorePrivacy to provide you with honest, useful, and up-to-date information about online privacy, security, and related topics.

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