Tom Day We are certain that the majority of users know a thing or two about torrents, but let us give you just a quick reminder as well as an explanation about the reasons for getting the best VPN for torrenting.
Torrents are used to download and upload a variety of files, such as movies, games, various programs and applications. Torrents tend to have a bit of negative reputation because they are most often associated with piracy, but in fact, the actual distribution of files is legitimate. You break the law only if you download or distribute the copyrighted material.
5 Best VPNs for Torrenting
- 2,000 servers in 148 locations
- Strict no-logging policy
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Great for torrenting and streaming
- 5000 servers in 62 countries
- Torrenting-optimized and obfuscated servers
- 6 simultaneous connection
- Onion over VPN and Double Encryption
- 2000 servers in 140 countries
- Unrestricted torrenting
- Built-in malware protection
- Dedicated IP addresses
- 1,100 servers in 60 locations
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Works on Smart TVs and routers
- SOCKS5 web proxy for torrenting
- 3000 servers in 61 locations
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Blazing-fast speeds
- Kill Switch and Split Tunneling
- For the first offense, you’re running the risk of being fined up to 500K US dollars and five years in jail.
- For the second offense, both the fine and the jail time are doubled (up to one million dollars and ten years in prison, respectively).
In the United Kingdom, the DEA (the Digital Economy Act, of course, not the Drug Enforcement Administration) that was recently approved by the government has successfully raised the maximum prison time for this crime to 10 years.
And finally, in Australia, numerous torrenting websites have been blocked for many years. Many European countries are following this strict trend, but, thankfully, there is an easy and cheap way to overcome it. You can access these sites using the best torrent VPN services which we’ll discuss in this review. A VPN application (more in our list of best VPNs) can change your location so that you appear to be accessing these sites from a country with no laws against using torrents. Thus, you can download any content via the VPN app without any harsh consequences.
Is Torrenting Safe With A VPN?
Here are some of the advantages of using a VPN service:
- First of all, it allows you to turn into a digital ghost by hiding your real IP and address.
- Secondly, a VPN is great at encrypting your connection for additional security and privacy.
- Furthermore, when you install and run a VPN, your ISP, government agencies, and hackers won’t be able to track your online activity.
- And finally, with a decent Network, you’ll get easy access to geo-restricted content and can use P2P for downloading torrents.
It all depends on the server that you’re using. It’s important to check where the HQ of the provider is located (somewhere outside the US and the UK would be great for a start) because it will have to obey the laws of that country. The privacy policy is also critical. If the Network is following the no-logs policy that means it won’t have anything to share with the government when they demand your logs. And, of course, make sure that the company’s torrenting policy is open and transparent and that they’re not against it.
What is the best VPN for torrenting?
ExpressVPN
- High level of security, 256-bit encryption, split-tunneling
- Available in more than 90 countries
- Intuitive interface design, great performance
- High price, especially in comparison with its competitors
- Only three devices can be connected simultaneously
ExpressVPN Privacy And Security
ExpressVPN is internationally known for its impressive set of features, and those include Kill Switch and Split-Tunneling, among others. With Split-Tunneling, you’ll be able to hand-pick programs/apps that will be protected by the VPN (say, your browser); Kill Switch is designed to shut down your connection the second the Network breaks down. Add the AES 256-bit encryption protocol, OpenVPN, and company-owned DNS servers, and you’ll get one of the most secure services on the market.
The company doesn’t keep any logs, and the HQ is located in the British Virgin Islands, and that’s exactly what the users are looking for. A quick fact: the BVI is a part of the UK; at the same time, it’s an autonomous piece of land with its own set of laws and legislature. That means VPN service is 100% legal there and the BVI is not a member of any intelligence-sharing agency (we’re talking about 5/9/14-Eyes).
Torrenting Capabilities
So, is ExpressVPN really that fast? Yes, it is. You won’t get a similar experience with a free service, that’s for sure. With a VPN, you choose one of the available VPN servers and run your connection through it to stay secure and private. Of course, that always hurts the speed, but, in the case of ExpressVPN, that difference is never a dramatic one.
The obvious perks of choosing this Network include 2000+ servers in 148 locations (in 94 countries), unlimited bandwidth, and absolutely no throttling. More good news: ExpressVPN isn’t against torrenting per se, and you can freely download and upload files through your favorite client (more about ExpressVPN in our review). You’ll also be able to watch your favorite shows on mega-popular streaming services like Netflix, HBO, and others, including the ones in the UK.
ExpressVPN Installation And Interface
As we mentioned earlier, the team has been working on ExpressVPN for a very long time, and they’ve managed to perfect every single component/feature. The downloading/installation procedure is fast and straightforward; the interface is very friendly and intuitive. The Win/Mac clients and the iOS/Android apps are amazing. You’ll find yourself switching between servers in no time!
Pricing Plans
Take a look at the available packages:
- Exclusive deal – $6.67 a month (save 49%) – 15 months – $99.99;
- $9.99 a month – 6 months – $59.95;
- $12.95 a month – 1 month – $12.95.
Remember: even though ExpressVPN doesn’t offer a free trial, it does come with a 30-day Money-Back Guarantee. Customer service is great and available 24/7. 
NordVPN
NordVPN Privacy And Security
Located in Panama, NordVPN is another great choice, as it doesn’t fall under any strict jurisdictions and laws. Just like the British Virgin Islands, this country is very “loyal” to the fans of VPNs, and they are 100% legal there. Plus, it’s not a part of any surveillance alliances, and you won’t be a target for any third parties. Add a Zero-Logs policy, Double Encryption, 256-bit encryption, and Kill Switch, and you’ll see why numerous users around the globe choose this VPN service for protection.
OpenVPN is also a part of the deal, which, again, goes to prove that these two services (Express VPN and Nord VPN) have a lot in common with each other. Sadly, Split-Tunneling is not available in NordVPN, but it’s not really a protection tool. It does, on the other hand, offer protection for six devices, which makes it a better choice for owners of multiple devices.
Torrenting Capabilities
Our team did a thorough job of testing the available servers in real time and was impressed by their performance. However, if you’re, say, in Europe, and want to connect to servers in the States, there will be a significant drop in speed. It’s not that you won’t be able to download files and/or enjoy the US-based streaming services, but, compared to ExpressVPN, NordVPN is not that fast (check our NordVPN review). At the same time, the provider offers a list of fast and stable servers for torrenting and streaming.
The torrenting policy of NordVPN is identical to that of ExpressVPN, meaning you won’t ever have to worry about downloading copyrighted material (not that we’re encouraging you to do that). As we just said, P2P servers are one of this Network’s strongest suits (there are more than 500 servers optimized for that task).
NordVPN Installation And Interface
Go to the official website, choose the package you want, the payment method you like, and click “Install” – that’s it! The user interface of all the clients and apps is friendly and easy-to-use. True, the desktop version could have more features than it does today, and there are some minor bugs here and there in the mobile apps, but everything else is near-perfect.
Pricing Plans
Take a look at the available packages:
- Exclusive deal – $2.99 a month (save 75%) – 36 months – $107.55;
- $3.99 a month (save 66%) – 24 months – $95.75;
- $6.99 a month (save 41%) – 12 months – $83.88;
- $11.95 a month – 1 month – $12.95.
A quick fact: unlike ExpressVPN, NordVPN offers a 3-day free trial (more good VPNs with free trial), which is more than enough to “test-drive” this service. 30-day Money Back Guarantee is also included. 
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access: Privacy And Security
Protection for up to 5 devices, 256-bit encryption, and support of OpenVPN – that’s what PIA has in common with ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Plus, it comes with a very clear privacy policy that claims the company never keeps any logs. True, you can never be 100% sure when it comes to this, but the good news is – Private Internet Access has never been accused of spying on its customers (which has happened several times with other providers). The bad news is – the headquarters are located in the United States, a country with some of the most “tyrannical” online privacy laws.
However, since they’re not keeping any logs, your personal data will never be in danger. In America, VPNs are legal, and they have the largest number of active servers. Still, the US is one of the founding members of the surveillance agencies we mentioned earlier (5/9/14-Eyes). ISP monitoring is something they do on a regular basis.
Torrenting Capabilities
Complete P2P support is another reason for PIA’s popularity. There are no torrenting limits with this VPN. A quick note: while the company doesn’t keep any logs, they do hold keep details concerning your payment method and email address. That is not a big problem, as you are free to use Bitcoins or other cryptocurrencies to pay for the package of your choosing and create a new mail.
With 3500+ servers at your disposal and 51 countries to choose from, you’ll always be able to find an equally fast and stable server within seconds. Streaming is also available with PIA (check best VPNs for streaming), even though you might have to scroll through the list for a minute or two. A quick note: a VPN that is strongly against any illegal copyrighted material download will forcefully reduce your connection speed. Thankfully, that’s not the case here.
PIA Installation And Interface
The PIA clients and apps might not be as fancy and stylish as the industry leaders, but they are, most definitely, intuitive and easy-to-use. They are fast, responsive, and you won’t have to set anything up: just run the VPN with a single click/push of a button, and you’re all set!
Pricing Plans
Take a look at the available packages:
- Exclusive deal – $2.91 a month (save 58%) – 24 months – $69.95
- $3.33 a month (save 52%) – 12 months – $39.95
- $6.95 a month – 1 month – $6.95
Unlike ExpressVPN and NordVPN, PIA doesn’t offer a 30-day MBG (only 7). And, there’s no free trial. 
PureVPN
PureVPN Privacy And Security
Military-grade encryption, 100% anonymous IPs, and a clear privacy policy turn this Network into a crowd-pleaser. About the policy: while they do follow the Zero-logs policy, this provider still keeps data concerning the connection time and the bandwidth. On the bright side, the VPN comes packed with features like Kill Switch, Split-Tunneling, and P2P protection. The HQ is located in Hong Kong, and while China is very strict regarding online privacy laws, Hong Kong is an entirely different story. It is not a part of any surveillance agencies and isn’t obliged to keep track of the ISPs and VPNs.
VPNs are legal in HK, as it’s a Special Administrative Region of China and doesn’t have to follow its rules. Recently, there were some attempts of interference by the “big brother,” but for now, it’s safe. This puts PureVPN on par PIA, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN in terms of security.
Torrenting Capabilities
With 2000+ servers in 140 countries and 300K IP addresses, PureVPN offers the ultimate torrenting/streaming experience. With that kind of an “arsenal,” you can expect steady performance and impressive connection speed. In fact, this is one of the fastest and most reliable servers on the market. Unlimited server switching, unlimited data transfer, no throttling, and five multi logins are some of the highlights of this VPN.
Furthermore, they own a massive network of servers, and that ensures fantastic performance 99% of the time. Geo-restricted content is also accessible: for watching Netflix, choose a server in the US, and the service will instantly become available. All the latest protocols, including OpenVPN, and IKEv2, are included.
PureVPN Installation And Interface
Installation is easy; the interface is very user-friendly. You won’t have any problems with the Win/Mac clients; there are some minor bugs with the mobile apps, though (they might not work as smoothly on the older operating systems). If you have a modern-day phone/tablet with the latest OS, PureVPN will be a pleasure to use.
Pricing Plans
Take a look at the available packages:
- Exclusive deal – $3.33 a month (save 70%) – 12 months – $35.88;
- $8 a month (save 27%) – 3 months – $24;
- $10.95 a month – 1 month – $10.95.
Much similar to PIA, with PureVPN, you’ll get only 7 days of money-back guarantee.[/vc_column_text] 
IPVanish
IPVanish Privacy And Security
OpenVPN, SOCKS5, AES 256-bit encryption, and LAN Blocking will make sure your device is protected 24/7. Interesting fact: even though IPVanish follows the no-logs rule, there are some rumors and real-world stories that prove otherwise (allegedly, the company is keeping logs of the connection start/end, IP address, and payment). In a way, this is a risky choice, as you’ll never know whether you’ll be under surveillance or not. The HQ is in the United States, which is potentially dangerous, especially if you consider those rumors.
The bottom line is – if privacy is your #1 concern (or, rather, priority), then it would be best to go with ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or PureVPN, as those services have proven over time that they can be trusted. IPVanish is also a solid pick, but since America is a “founding father” of the 5/9/14-Eyes system, you might want to stick with Panama, Hong Kong, or the BVI.
Torrenting Capabilities
IPVanish gives access to 1000+ servers in more than 60 countries. Our experts took some time to review this provider’s Terms Of Use, and, as it turns out, they are strongly against piracy and any copyrighted material download can cause you a lot of trouble. But, as mentioned, no server was slow or average in performance. Thus, even when you connect to a server on the other side of the planet, you’ll still be able to enjoy it.
IPVanish owns every single server in the network (the same goes for the highly secure DNS servers). A quick fact for the fans of streaming services: this isn’t the best pick, as you’ll always struggle with making Netflix, Hulu, and other geo-restricted websites work.
IPVanish Installation And Interface
When it comes to the user interface, performance, and usability of the clients/apps, very few rivals can compete with IPVanish (how to install IPVanish). The team did a marvelous job with every single version of the software. Add responsive and professional customer support, along with a reasonable price (we’ll get to that soon), and you’ll get a near-perfect VPN. Forget about freezes, crashes, and error reports!
Pricing Plans
Take a look at the available packages:
- Exclusive deal – $4.12 a month (save 69%) – 2 years – $98.88;
- $6.49 a month (save 46%) – 1 year – $77.99;
- $10.00 a month (save 17%) – 1 month – $11.99.
No free trial; only a 7-day Money Back Guarantee.
CyberGhost
With 15 million users around the world and the reputation of a respectable company, this team is in the top 5 of the most popular VPNs. Finally, you can pay for any of the packages using cryptocurrency (including, of course, Bitcoins), which will be appreciated by the users that prefer to stay as anonymous as possible.
CyberGhost VPN Privacy And Security
But what about the privacy/security front, you might ask? Is CyberGhost on par with the leaders? The answer is “Yes.” With this Network, you’ll get 256-bit encryption, OpenVPN, DNS/IP leak protection, unlimited bandwidth, and more. And, since the company’s HQ is located in Romania, a country that has nothing to do with the 14-Eyes alliance, no law enforcement agency in the world will be able to request your personal data from CyberGhost. Besides, they stick with the no-logs policy, and you can rest assured that your online activity will never be under surveillance.
Torrenting Capabilities
This is, indeed, a very fast VPN. The software automatically picks the fastest and most secure server in the vicinity and providers industry-leading connection speeds. CyberGhost VPN follows a strict no logging policy; but, this VPN forbids copyrighted material download. At the same time, there’s also a big button that says “Torrent Anonymously” in the Windows client, along with an online tracking blocker.
If you decide to ignore that “Torrent Anonymously” and connect manually, that can potentially lead to some problems. The VPN will make sure to block the most popular torrent ports if you’re from a country like the United States. Therefore, for torrenting, the Anonymous mode should always be on. For unblocking Netflix/iPlayer/other streaming services, CyberGhost is an excellent choice.
CyberGhost Installation and Interface
CyberGhost is available not only on Windows and Mac, but also devices that run on Android, iOS, Linux, and even routers. Customer service is fantastic: they’re available via email and live chat. Just follow the instructions during installation, click on the “On” button, and the VPN will do the rest. The user interface is a bit too sophisticated for our taste, but you’ll make sense of it all in no time.
Pricing Plans
Take a look at the available packages:
- Exclusive deal – $2.5 a month (save 81%) -12 months – $90;
- $3.69 a month (save 71%) – 2 years – $88.56;
- $5.25 a month (save 56%) – 1 year – $62.4;
- $12.99 a month – 1-month – $12.99.
And one more thing: with CyberGhost, you’ll get as much as 45 days of MBG, which puts it on top of the list and “beats” ExpressVPN and NordVPN. 
TorGuard
Privacy And Security
The HQ of this company is located in the United States, which puts it in the same slot as PIA and IPVanish. On the bright side, security and privacy are TorGuard’s top priorities, and it features all of the protocols that we mentioned above (including OpenVPN and AES 256-bit encryption). Furthermore, TorGuard supports the Socks5 protocol and provides a BitTorrent-based proxy designed for secure file sharing.
With it, your traffic goes through several dozen IP-servers in multiple countries, which makes you untraceable. The headquarters are located in the US (Florida, to be exact). The company strictly follows the no-logs policy, just like all the other services on our list. The US is still a part of the 5-Eyes group (find your best VPN for USA), though.
Torrenting Capabilities
TorGuard offers the users access to more than 3000 servers (located in 50+ countries) and an above-average download/upload speed. As far as performance goes, it’s steady, but don’t expect any industry-leading connection speeds. In this regard, TorGuard isn’t a particularly brilliant service, especially if you’re trying to connect to a server on the other side of the globe. Streaming services may prove to be problematic at times.
Thankfully, the VPN comes with dedicated IP addresses, and those will help you access geo-restricted content. For torrenting, it’s just what the doc ordered (there is a “Tor” in the name, after all). There’s even a dedicated proxy for increased download speed. Torrenting is allowed with this VPN, meaning you won’t have to continually look over your shoulder and expect some penalties from the provider.
Installation And Interface
With this Network, you get solid support, a 24/7 live chat, and fantastic clients for Windows and Mac (best VPNs for Windows and for Mac). Sadly, to run this VPN on Android and iOS gadgets, you’ll need the help of third-party apps. On the bright side, you will be able to protect up to 5 devices and secure every single device you (and, possibly, your family members) own.
Pricing Plans
Take a look at the available packages:
- Exclusive deal – Privacy Bundle – $11.54 a month (includes the VPN, the Proxy, and the Email);
- Anonymous Proxy – $5.95 a month;
- Anonymous Email – $6.95 a month;
- Anonymous VPN – $9.99 a month.
Every single package comes with discounts (you can choose between three months, six months, one year, and two years).
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, it all depends on your current needs and preferences. If you put speed and performance first, go with the fastest VPNs from our list (CyberGhost, IPVanish, and ExpressVPN). On the other hand, if security and privacy are the #1 concern for you, then NordVPN and PureVPN might be precisely what you need. As we’ve learned today, to stay safe on the WWW, a modern-day user simply can’t use the Internet without a proper VPN. We hope that this list will be helpful and you’ll be able to find the service that will be perfect for you and your gadget.
NordVPN will be the best torrent VPN if you get that sweet 3-year deal. Without it, this service is just a bit too expensive for comfort.
I think that the likes of Express, Nord, and CyberGhost get too much attention. It was great to see HideMyAss on the list ($6.99 is good enough for me).
Could someone please point me towards a decent free torrenting VPN? I’m new to this and would prefer something entry-level for now.
A decent torrent VPN should be equally fast and reliable. For me, that’s CyberGhost.
Cliff, in my opinion, Windscribe is an excellent free torrent VPN. True, if you’re planning on downloading high-res movies every single day, the 10GB of free traffic won’t be enough for you. But for me, it’s quite alright.
Thanks, mate, I’ll make sure to check it out. I’m not a big fan of VPN torrenting, but in the UK, where I’m from, online privacy laws are ridiculous.
Ricky, Cliff, please note that in the free edition of Windscribe, there are only 11 servers to choose from, and thus, the download speed tends to be slow at times.
If you’re calling this the list of the best VPNs for torrenting, then why didn’t you put IPVanish on the pedestal?
Charles, we understand your concern, but the list is meant to cover a wide range of available VPNs, not grade them. Higher up doesn’t mean better.
I get that you’re trying to review the most versatile and robust Virtual Private Networks, but please understand that most of us often need something basic.
Carla, this is the list of the high-ranked VPNs. For something more affordable, an entry-level VPN for Torrents, take a look at IvacyVPN and HideMe. We’ve reviewed them in the Best VPN For Torrents article.
My experiences with VPN torrent downloading used to be awful until I went for NordVPN’s famous 3-year-plan. It was not easy to commit to it, but now I’m happy with my choice!
Must admit it: ExpressVPN is, indeed, the best VPN for torrents. I went with the 1-year-plan, and the price is not that steep this way. It almost feels like I’m not even using a VPN – the download speed is always high.
Can’t argue there – free VPNs tend to be a lot worse than the paid ones. HideMe is a good one, yes, but a bit limited to my taste.
Guys!
Which is the best anonymous Torrenting VPN because I will have to say that I am confused a bit.
just felt to let users know that when searching for the best VPNs for torrent, their search can simply be streamlined to the top five or top three because so many VPNs may as well pop up but they are not as effective.
I just need to know which is the one of the most secure VPNs for torrenting. Tired of reading reviews that basically say same things. Any help please? just one
hmmm I think if asked I will suggest both Pure VPN and Private internet access VPN as the ideal VPN for downloading torrents – so if you are wondering what to pick – take my advice.