The best VPN services for torrenting in 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

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BitTorrent is a complex topic. As a technology, it's perfectly legal. What you do with it, however, could be illegal.

BitTorrent can be used to download and upload large files. The peer-to-peer protocol divides the load of sharing a large file by avoiding centralized servers and allowing multiple people to download the same file simultaneously, with speeds dependent on the number of users within a swarm.

BitTorrent does not restrict the files that can be shared. It can thus go beyond sharing copyright-free and open-source material. Often, BitTorrent clients are used to share copyrighted content, including popular movies and TV shows, which is illegal in most jurisdictions.

Also: The best VPN for streaming: Expert tested

Virtual private networks (VPNs) can protect your usage and location for legitimate reasons while you are torrenting. While we do not endorse using a VPN with a BitTorrent client to mask illegal activities, we do recommend you use a VPN whenever you're online to improve your personal privacy and security.

It's important to remember that BitTorrent technology is not illegal -- the illegality stems from how some use it.

What is the best VPN for torrenting right now?

We've extensively tested all of the top VPNs on the market. The best VPN for torrenting is NordVPN, with ExpressVPN coming in as a close second. NordVPN has servers dedicated to P2P traffic and provides users with rapid speeds, stable connectivity, and an expansive server network. For the rest of our top picks for VPNs to use when torrenting in 2024, check out our recommendations below.

The best VPNs for torrenting in 2024

NordVPN

Best torrenting VPN overall

NordVPN is a widely used and an often well-reviewed VPN service, and we consider it the best VPN overall for use with BitTorrent clients.

In our testing, NordVPN consistently had quick connection times, fast download speeds, and solid and reliable overall performance. Its user interface is attractive and works well on PCs and mobile devices. The VPN provides a massive server network of 111 countries.

You can select "P2P" in the app, which automatically connects you to the fastest P2P server. While testing, we found the VPN's best performance during torrenting was reserved for these servers. Aside from simply securing your internet connection and supporting P2P sharing, NordVPN also has an Onion over VPN feature and a Double VPN option for heightened security.

Also: Our NordVPN review

We found the connection to NordVPN's servers to be quick and reliable. In our tests of the service, torrenting was a quick and painless process with no connection issues. Overall, it's a good VPN that performs consistently and has all the bells and whistles most users need, and customers say that NordVPN provides a reliable service with great customer support.

NordVPN isn't the cheapest VPN on the market and its limited simultaneous connections are a downside, but it provides good value for money. The cheapest option is a two-year plan for $3.59/month with three months of free access. If you want additional features, such as browsing protection or a password manager, you will need to opt for a premium subscription.

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ExpressVPN

Best torrenting VPN for speed

ExpressVPN is the perfect VPN for you if you want to prioritize speed while torrenting.

ExpressVPN has an exceptionally large network of servers in 105 countries, one of the largest available. It's also an extremely fast VPN. Regardless of your device, ExpressVPN likely supports the platform as it offers native applications for all the major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

According to its privacy policy, ExpressVPN does not log IP addresses, DNS queries, browsing history, or traffic destinations. While it does collect some data, it doesn't maintain activity or connection logs of the contents of your traffic, session duration, or source IP address.

Also: ExpressVPN review

During our testing, we found torrenting to be seamless and fast, with no problems connected to finding or downloading from seeders. Overall, customers applaud its server availability, speed, and customer service team.

Subscriptions begin at $6.67 per month on a 12-month plan, increasing to $9.99 per month for six months or $12.95 for a single month. If you pick the annual plan, you will get three months of free access added to the length of the contract and Backblaze cloud backup options.

ExpressVPN features: Simultaneous connections: 8 | Kill Switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, ChromeOS, Apple TV, and more | Logging: No browsing logs, some connection logs | Supports torrenting/P2P: Yes | Countries: 105 | Money-back guarantee: 30 days

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Mullvad

Best torrenting VPN for security

Mullvad VPN, based in Sweden, is one of our top VPNs for torrenting if you want to combine speed and security.

This open-source VPN has a smaller server network than most, and only five simultaneous device connections are permitted under one account, but it is compatible with a variety of platforms and operating systems. Mullvad VPN also adheres to a strict logging policy and allows external, independent audits -- giving you peace of mind that your data is safe.

Accounts are anonymized as much as possible -- they are created using a generated number rather than your email address. Users can benefit from features like a kill switch, MultiHop, custom DNS servers, and Wireguard.

During our testing, Mullvad performed well with minimal speed loss and had no obvious issues during torrenting. Customers like the VPN's transparent attitude to privacy, service, and fixed pricing model.

Mullvad is unusual in its pricing structure. Whether you want a month of service, a year, or 10 years, pricing stays the same: €5 per month, or $5.52.

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Private Internet Access

Best torrenting VPN for the long term

Private Internet Access is one of the best VPNs out there if you want a set-and-forget VPN on a long and affordable plan.

With servers located in 91 countries, PIA has a smaller server network than the more expensive VPN providers. This open-source VPN allows third parties to examine its code for any potential security issues or information leaks. PIA also provides users with unlimited connections, allowing them to protect numerous devices at the same time.

Review: Private Internet Access

During our tests, PIA provided reasonable speeds but excellent stability, streaming options, and no torrenting faults. Customers find the features useful and note the tool is beginner-friendly.

Private Internet Access has an excellent deal available at the time of writing, that of a three-year contract for only $1.98/month. This is one of the cheapest deals around at the moment and comes with four months of free service added to the length of the contract. Alternatively, you can sign up for one year ($3.33/month) or one month ($11.95).

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Surfshark VPN

Best affordable torrenting VPN

Surfshark is a good option if you want a VPN that puts affordability first.

Surfshark supports P2P traffic within its AES-256 encrypted server network, and it has a MultiHop feature that allows you to route your connection through two servers. Its split tunneling feature routes traffic from specific apps or websites through or around the VPN connection.

With over 100 countries, you also have plenty of locations to choose from.

Also: Surfshark VPN review

Surfshark performed well in our speed tests. While connection times could be a touch slower than some competitors, we think the speed offered is reasonable considering the VPN's price point. Customers say that Surfshark is excellent value for money and has a supportive customer service team.

The cheapest option, Surfshark Starter, costs $2.19 per month and comes with three months for free on a two-year plan. If you select the mid-tier plan, Surfshark One, you will pay $2.69 per month. A two-year subscription for the highest tier, Surfshark One+, costs $4.29 per month. Annual and monthly plans are also available.

Surfshark VPN features: Simultaneous Connections: Unlimited | Kill Switch: Yes | Platforms: Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Firefox, Chrome, Apple TV, and more | Supports torrenting/P2P: Yes | Countries: 100 | Logging: None, except billing data | Money-back guarantee: 30 days

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Best VPN for torrenting	Price	Kill Switch	Countries	Simultaneous connections
NordVPN	$3.59/month with a two-year plan + three free months	Yes	111	10
ExpressVPN	$6.67/month with a one-year plan + three free months	Yes	105	8
Mullvad VPN	$5.52/month, any plan	Yes	46	5
Private Internet Access	$1.98/month with a three-year plan + four free months	Yes	91	Unlimited
Surfshark	$2.19/month with a two-year plan + three free months	Yes	100	Unlimited

A VPN service for torrenting is a client that permits P2P traffic to route through its server network. Not every VPN provider permits torrenting, but of those that do, some will offer P2P-specific servers for optimized performance.

BitTorrent clients perform better when a VPN allows port forwarding, as this creates an improved incoming and outgoing connection setup for seeding and leeching files. Unfortunately, many VPN providers have retired this feature.

You should use a VPN, in general, to improve your online privacy and security, and this includes when you are torrenting large files. We do not condone using a VPN to hide illegal activities performed through a BitTorrent client.

How to use a VPN for torrenting

Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

Remember, you should enable your VPN before you conduct any online activity -- and this includes grabbing a torrent. To begin, open up your preferred VPN service. For this tutorial, I will be using ExpressVPN.

Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

Select the server you want to connect to, or if you have no preference, most VPNs have a "smart" server option to give you a local IP address and optimal speeds. Click connect.

Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

Find the torrent for the file you want. FOSS Torrents is an excellent resource for finding open-source software, for example, and many of these can be downloaded through BitTorrent.

Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

Once you've selected the torrent file you want, download it and open it. It should automatically open in your preferred BitTorrent client, such as µTorrent shown above.

Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

When it opens, you will be asked to confirm the download and select the location to save your file.

Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

That's it! Keep in mind that the speed of your VPN-protected torrent will depend on many factors, including active seeders (the host computers storing the file), active leechers (the number of people attempting the download), your VPN's server speed, and the speed offered by your home Internet Service Provider (ISP).

A torrenting VPN should be secure and have the performance needed to handle the demands of file sharing. As a baseline, every VPN on our best VPNs for torrenting list needs to have reasonable speeds for downloading and uploading, as well as robust security.

We can't run typical speed tests, as any torrent's speed is impacted by the number of active seeders and leechers. We can, however, test for overall reliability, alongside download and upload speed consistency.

Many providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by members of our ZDNET team. We've been talking about VPNs for years, spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression.

ZDNET tests VPN services from multiple locations, but we can't test them from all locations. Every home, every community, every local ISP, and every nation has a different infrastructure.

We analyzed the best VPNs for torrenting using the following criteria that were most important in helping you make an informed decision:

Performance: Our top VPNs must have a minimum level of performance. After all, there's no point in using a VPN if your connection continually drops or lags, making file downloading difficult.P2P support: Not every VPN allows or supports P2P file sharing. If a VPN provider chooses not too -- potentially to avoid legal problems -- then it is not suitable for use with BitTorrent technology.Security: There's no point in using a VPN unless its security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements over time and patching reported bugs.Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an important feature for a VPN, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop. This applies to when you are torrenting, too.Geo-blocks and streaming: VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you're away from home. We ensured that our top recommendations performed well considering these factors and are unlikely to slow down your connection while streaming.Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on? Our VPN recommendations have to offer easy-to-use and intuitive apps suitable for a variety of hardware.Countries and servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether there are enough -- at least 50 or so -- to provide options.Trial length and price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee of at least 30 days.

For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive VPN testing methodology page.

Choose this VPN for torrenting	If you want...
NordVPN	The best VPN for torrenting overall. NordVPN's speeds are excellent, and the VPN provider has an expansive server network.
ExpressVPN	A fast VPN. ExpressVPN's torrenting connections are some of the fastest, and the VPN is user-friendly with a large server network and country selection.
Mullvad VPN	A security-first VPN. Mullvad VPN, based in Sweden, adheres to strict privacy laws and puts security at the forefront.
Private Internet Access	Unlimited connections. PIA is a cheap long-term option that is suitable for users who want a VPN for multiple devices.
Surfshark	To save money. Surfshark doesn't provide the best speeds overall, but it has an attractive user interface, a reasonable network, and an affordable price point.

When you are selecting your new VPN for torrenting, you need to consider the following factors:

Price: VPN prices vary, and although the most expensive services can cost you upwards of $10 to $20 per month, you can also find solid, reliable VPNs for as little as a few dollars. Keep an eye on renewal rates, as some VPN providers hike prices after introductory periods. Free options: Many VPN providers give users a 30-day money-back guarantee; some even provide free plans. While free, legitimate options -- such as those offered by Proton VPN and Windscribe -- are often fine for casual use, you typically won't be able to use a BitTorrent client with them.
Simultaneous connections: Even if you're paying for a VPN suitable for your PC, you might still want to use it across multiple devices, such as smartphones or tablets. We recommend you sign up for a plan with support for at least six devices. Thankfully, many paid VPN plans now offer at least this number or unlimited connections.P2P support: If you intend to use your VPN to torrent, it will need to support P2P file sharing. BitTorrent clients use these protocols, so if the VPN provider says P2P is incompatible, the VPN won't work correctly during torrent sessions.Legality: We do not condone using BitTorrent or VPNs for illegal activities, including downloading copyrighted material. Remember: using a VPN does not mean that you are completely anonymous.Usage length: You need to consider your preferred price point given how long you think you will need a VPN. If you're in it for the long haul, consider a two-year subscription, as you also tend to earn the best prices with the most extended terms. Some VPNs will offer longer options. Apps and extensions: When selecting a VPN, you might want to try out its accompanying mobile apps and extensions to ensure you're getting the most out of your subscription.

Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested

What is BitTorrent, and how does it work?

When you typically download a file, you pull all the information from one server. If that server has limited bandwidth, the number of people able to download the file simultaneously and at speed can be limited.

BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing network and protocol that changes the game. Files on the BitTorrent network are scattered in pieces among "seeders" (computers that host the full or parts of the file) and downloaders, so when someone downloads a file, they're pulling pieces of that file from many different machines. That's the peer-to-peer component of torrenting. You're not just pulling from one central server; you're sharing with other users (peers) on the torrent network.

Torrenting is not important for smaller files, but it helps distribute the load among users for large file sizes.

Am I committing a crime using BitTorrent?

In most countries, using BitTorrent technology or clients is not a crime. Distributing content via the BitTorrent network can be a crime if you're trafficking in or distributing content illegally. This includes downloading and sharing copyrighted TV shows, games, and films.

How do I know what's safe to download?

While there's no universal answer, here's a quick way to think of it: If it's something owned or copyrighted by someone else, it is probably piracy. That means downloading TV shows, movies, games, and most software is illegal if you haven't paid for them, or acquired them through official channels.

As far as safety is concerned, anytime you download something from a sketchy source, you risk being infected with malware or a virus.

How can I get caught if VPNs don't keep records of my online activities?

First, remember that law enforcement and major movie studios are devoting much more resources to penetrating the VPN veil than you or VPN services are for protection. Don't use VPNs for anything heinous or illegal, and you'll be safe.

Is a free VPN good enough for torrenting?

It's unlikely. Most free VPNs do not allow P2P sharing as this can require a lot of bandwidth -- something free plans tend to restrict. Furthermore, aside from trustworthy VPN providers that provide limited, free plans supported by paying subscribers, free VPNs typically take something else in lieu of payment: your data.

Can I use any VPN for torrenting?

No. Not every VPN provider permits P2P sharing or the use of BitTorrent clients on its networks, although the majority of paid plans will include this feature.

Does a VPN slow down my internet connection?

Yes, it does -- but the best VPN providers will not drastically reduce your speeds. You'll tend to find that speed degradation occurs the most when you are connecting to a far-flung server: from the UK to Australia, for example. It's not uncommon for a speed loss of up to 35%, but if you are connected to a local server, it could be as low as 5%.

There are a number of other reputable VPN services that support torrenting. If there isn't a provider in our best torrenting VPNs list that you prefer, then these alternatives might be a better fit.

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