The best torrenting VPN shields you from the risks of peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, which can expose your IP address and leave your online activity vulnerable to prying eyes. A dedicated VPN for torrenting, however, will encrypt your traffic and spoof your IP, keeping your downloads private, secure, and anonymous.
Choosing a VPN comes down to understanding your requirements (and budget) and then ensuring you only pick a reliable provider. Too much to do, right? Let us help you. Our experts at TechRadar are constantly vetting the best VPNs, and with 11 years of experience writing and reviewing VPNs, we know exactly what you need.
We've compared the top providers across parameters like security, performance, ease of use, and P2P support. Although ExpressVPN occupies the top spot in our rankings thanks to class-leading privacy and P2P support, NordVPN, with its all-around security suite and value for money, is a solid alternative.
The best torrenting VPNs at a glance
In our latest round of updates, we've completely overhauled the format of our mini reviews, which now include dedicated sections to explain different aspects of the VPN. We've also updated all facts and figures, such as the server count and peak speeds, so all the details are now in line with our latest VPN test results.
Best VPN for torrenting: mini-reviews
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The best torrenting VPN overall
ExpressVPN is hands down the best torrenting VPN on the market right now. It comes with a massive network of more than 3,200 servers, all of which support P2P activity. So, unlike with some of the other providers that don't have a 100% P2P server network, you don't have to scroll through the server list to find a torrenting-friendly option.
Another reason ExpressVPN tops our torrenting charts is its rock-solid privacy. It's jam-packed with tools that will keep your online activities, including your downloads, away from the clutches of nosy third parties. It's worth noting, though, that in its quest to offer the best torrenting experience, ExpressVPN doesn't compromise simplicity. As the easiest-to-use VPN, ExpressVPN offers intuitive apps and 24/7 customer support on all devices.
Read more about ExpressVPN ▼
Privacy & security
As one of the most secure VPNs going around, ExpressVPN swept us off our feet with its commitment to proving its privacy claims. The provider has put its no-logs policy through independent third-party audits over 18 times now – the most by any VPN provider – and each time it came out with flying colors.
Also, ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is outside the jurisdiction of major surveillance alliances, meaning the VPN company cannot be forced into handing over user information. This is massively important for torrenters and a huge win for your anonymity.
In addition to being P2P-friendly, all of ExpressVPN's servers are also RAM-only, meaning all data is erased with every reboot. This leaves ExpressVPN with nothing to hand over to the authorities in case they come knocking on its doors.
ExpressVPN has even developed its very own open-source VPN protocol, Lightway, to offer users a faster, more secure VPN experience. It has been designed with obfuscation-by-default, which makes it nearly impossible for snoopers to find out that you're using a VPN.
That's not all, though, as the torrenting king also comes with military-grade AES-256 encryption, excellent kill switches, and leak protection, which will further bolster the security of your downloads.
Speed & performance
With peak speeds of 898 Mbps in our latest testing, ExpressVPN, when set to use its proprietary Lightway protocol, is sufficiently quick for downloading large files or streaming 4K content all day long. Still, it's worth noting that it's not the speediest of the lot. If you're looking for the highest possible up/download speeds, go for NordVPN or Surfshark instead.
That said, the difference between ExpressVPN and the other two providers is minimal, and truth be told, you'd hardly notice any difference in real-world usage. If anything, ExpressVPN should be your preferred option when torrenting or streaming from a region with tight internet restrictions.
ExpressVPN is on par with NordVPN when it comes to sidestepping geo-restrictions on overseas content. In our most recent tests, it comfortably unblocked all big- and small-name streaming platforms, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, 9Now, and 10Play.
The best torrenting VPN with antivirus
NordVPN is only second to ExpressVPN, so long as your primary use case is torrenting. For pretty much everything else, though, we consider NordVPN a better overall VPN thanks to a triple whammy of speed, security, and streaming, plus it's also cheaper than ExpressVPN.
NordVPN has a P2P-optimized infrastructure. However, not every NordVPN server is P2P-optimized. Still, you'll never be short of server options thanks to NordVPN's ability to automatically connect you to the best P2P server depending on your location.
Read more about NordVPN ▼
Privacy & security
NordVPN is one of the first names that springs to mind when talking about VPN security. In fact, it offers the best all-around security suite of any VPN we've tested.
For starters, you get a strict no-logs policy, and Nord even invests in regular third-party audits to prove its privacy claims. It recently underwent its fifth no-logs audit – in February of this year – when independent auditors from Deloitte confirmed that NordVPN doesn't store any user data.
NordVPN also comes with a robust kill switch and strong AES-256 encryption that will protect your data from snoopers. NordVPN's crown jewel, however, is its extras. These include the Threat Protection Pro, which will protect you from phishing and malware attacks so that you can torrent without worrying about harming your device.
Then there's Double VPN, which sends your traffic through two servers instead of one and encrypts your data twice, and Onion over VPN, which allows you to access the super-secure Tor network without having to download the browser.
NordVPN's DNS leak blocking is particularly noteworthy for torrenters. It'll prevent your device from accidentally bypassing the VPN connection and sending DNS requests directly to your ISP's DNS servers. In addition to encrypting all DNS requests, NordVPN also ensures they're all sent to its own servers, thereby keeping your original IP address under wraps at all times.
Speed & performance
NordVPN shares the top spot with Surfshark as the speediest VPN in our testing. In our most recent tests, it clocked over 950 Mbps when set to use its proprietary NordLynx protocol. It can chew through any high-bandwidth task without breaking a sweat, whether that's torrenting, gaming, or streaming.
With record VPN speeds and a huge number of servers everywhere in the world (over 7,400 in 141+ locations), NordVPN is also the best streaming VPN. It easily unblocked every streaming service we tested, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, 9Now, 10Play, and more.
It's also worth mentioning that during our time testing NordVPN's streaming performance, we also never experienced any unwanted buffering or slow loading times.
The best cheap VPN for torrenting
Right off the bat, Private Internet Access (PIA) impresses with its massive fleet of 35,000 servers. Even better, each of these servers is P2P-friendly, meaning you'll have a wealth of options when it comes to choosing a server location for torrenting.
PIA is also one of the most privacy-focused VPNs we've used, which, combined with its staggering value for money (it's only second to Surfshark as the cheapest VPN and comes with unlimited simultaneous connections, too), makes it the best pick for users looking for a secure torrenting VPN solution.
Read more about PIA ▼
Privacy & security
PIA is true to its name in that it's the most private VPN of all. PIA is, in fact, the only VPN to have proven its no-logs policy in court on two separate occasions. When presented with a warrant for information, PIA didn't hand over anything because it didn't log any user data in the first place.
That's exactly the kind of confidence you'd want when using a VPN for torrenting. Plus, PIA also puts out a transparency report every quarter, which is further proof of its commitment to user privacy.
In addition to protecting you from prying eyes, PIA will also protect your torrenting sessions from pesky ads, trackers, and malware thanks to the MACE feature. What's more, in our most recent testing, MACE blocked 96% of trackers and 81% of ads. We also tested PIA's encrypted DNS servers, and it didn't cough up any leakage.
Other nifty security features PIA offers include an email breach scanner and a Boxcryptor license that encrypts all of your cloud storage. Plus, all PIA apps are completely open source, allowing curious developers to check the underlying code and confirm it's as secure as advertised.
A unique benefit of choosing PIA as your VPN of choice for torrenting is that it allows you to configure port forwarding. This will help you significantly enhance your P2P download speeds and ensure a smoother, more secure torrenting experience. It's worth noting that port forwarding works by establishing a direct connection between your device and a P2P seeder, streaming service, or gaming server.
Speed & performance
PIA lags behind the competition when it comes to pure download speeds, with peak speeds of 436 Mbps when using the WireGuard protocol in our latest tests. If speed is a priority for you, consider Surfshark or NordVPN instead, both of which are more than twice as quick as PIA.
Still, PIA is sufficiently quick for 4K streaming, and it also recorded a clean sweep of streaming services in our testing. That includes Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and iPlayer, as well as several other local streaming platforms like 9Now and 10Play.
The fastest torrenting VPN
The fact that it's not immediately obvious which one of its servers supports P2P activity has pushed Surfshark lower than usual on this list. It's still a fully featured VPN, though, and one of the top choices for torrenters on a budget. It tops the list in our cheap VPN guide thanks to incredibly pocket-friendly multi-year plans that make it an absolute bargain.
Surfshark is also one of the few VPNs to come with unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning you can use the VPN for torrenting on your PC, Mac, smartphone, and every other compatible device.
Read more about Surfshark ▼
Privacy & security
Despite being super cheap, Surfshark offers a comprehensive security suite. Right off the bat, torrenters can rest easy knowing their online activities will remain anonymous with Surfshark's AES-256 encryption, zero-knowledge DNS servers, and Multi-Hop. The latter is similar to NordVPN's Double VPN in that it, too, encrypts your data twice by routing it through two servers.
Surfshark also comes with CleanWeb, which will prevent your device from connecting to ad networks, malware platforms, and phishing sites. It's worth noting, though, that our testing revealed that Surfshark's CleanWeb isn't as effective as NordVPN's Threat Protection system when it comes to blocking new phishing and malware sites.
If you can spend a tiny bit extra and go for Surfshark One, you'd be greeted with a handful of new-age security features. Our favorite of the lot is Alternative ID, which generates an entirely new online persona for you, including a legitimate-looking full name, gender, age, and an email address. This will protect you from handing out your real details on either suspicious or spammy online platforms, including torrenting sites.
The only gripe we have with Surfshark when it comes to user privacy is that its headquarters is in the Netherlands, which is a member of the 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing community. That said, Surfshark comes with a clear-cut no-logs policy, which was independently audited by Deloitte in 2023. Still, if you'd like to be absolutely certain that your VPN won't be pressurized by their government to share private user data, choose one of the other options on this list.
Speed & performance
Surfshark's speeds make it stand out from the competition. It came out on top of our fastest VPN list in our latest tests, where we recorded peak speeds of over 950 Mbps when using the WireGuard protocol. Although there was a bit of jitter, the bottom line is that Surfshark is hard to beat when it comes to pure up/download speeds.
In addition to being ideal for avid torrenters, Surfshark's blazing connection speeds – combined with over 3,200 servers in 140+ locations worldwide – also make it great for accessing geo-restricted content. It effortlessly unblocked every streaming platform we threw at it in our testing, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, 9Now, and 10Play.
The best unlimited router VPN
Hotspot Shield might not have as huge a server network as the ones above in this list, but all its 1,800+ servers support P2P activity. Plus, it also doesn't have any bandwidth limits or restrictions, so you can use the service as much as you like.
Add to this a proprietary protocol for extra security and above-average download speeds, and it's easy to see why we've included Hotspot Shield here. Despite all that it offers for torrenting aficionados, Hotspot Shield remains a very expensive service – it's even pricier than ExpressVPN.
Read more about Hotspot Shield ▼
Privacy & security
When compiling our detailed Hotspot Shield review, we found that its apps come with an option that automatically turns on the VPN when you connect to public Wi-Fi. Combined with reliable kill switches on its Windows, iOS, and Android apps, Hotspot Shield allows you to torrent your heart out without worrying about IP leaks due to VPN drops, no matter where you are.
We tried out Hotspot Shield's torrenting abilities for ourselves, and we were able to successfully download torrents while connected to the US, UK, and Japan. Even though the VPN's support site doesn't explicitly mention the keywords "P2P' or "torrent," there are a handful of guides for beginners in the Resources and Blog sections.
It's worth mentioning, though, that Hotspot Shield has yet to put its no-logs policy through an independent third-party audit. That said, it clearly mentions the data it logs: session duration, devices, and IP addresses. None of this is potentially harmful to you. Still, the lack of a privacy audit means it's tough to recommend Hotspot Shield over the likes of ExpressVPN or PIA.
Speed & performance
Hotspot Shield uses its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol to achieve significantly faster connection speeds, especially when compared to OpenVPN. Although it's sufficiently quick, peak speeds of 540 Mbps aren't nearly enough for us to recommend it to speed buffs, especially over the likes of Surfshark and NordVPN.
Still, you can rest assured that Hotspot Shield won't let your torrenting or streaming session be bogged down with any buffering or lag. Speaking of streaming, Hotspot Shield unlocks an impressive selection of services, which include the UK, Canada, and Japan Netflix, BBC iPlayer, 9Now, and ITV.
However, popular platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus, as well as the US Netflix and the Aussie 10Play, proved to be too tough for Hotspot Shield to crack open. If you're after a clean sweep of streaming services, you'd be better off elsewhere.
Torrenting VPN FAQs
Can you be tracked when using a VPN?
Yes and no. If you're using one of the best VPNs, snoopers (like your ISP, government agencies, and cybercriminals) won't be able to get their hands on what sites you're visiting on the internet or what data you're sharing. This is because a good VPN spoofs your original IP address and encrypts your data by sending it through an end-to-end encrypted tunnel.
However, prying eyes may still be able to identify that you're using a VPN, which alone could put you in danger, especially if you're in a country where VPNs are banned by law. To prevent this, i.e., to fool snoopers into thinking that you're not using a VPN when in fact you are, use a VPN with obfuscation. VPN obfuscation technology will make your VPN traffic look like regular internet traffic, thereby protecting you from VPN bans.
Is torrenting legal with a VPN?
First, let's talk about the legality of torrenting. P2P sharing, as it's called, is not illegal as long as you're using it for the benefits it was meant for, i.e., to transfer large files quickly and efficiently from one device to another. However, torrenting becomes illegal when you use it to share copyrighted content, which is content that you yourself do not own.
Using a VPN, too, is legal so long as you’re in a country that hasn't explicitly illegalized the use of VPNs. However, similar to torrenting, VPN usage may still attract fines and other punishments (even in a country where it's legal) if you use it for illegal purposes.
The legality of torrenting with a VPN, therefore, depends on the content you're downloading and whether or not you're in a region where VPNs are permitted.
Can you use a free VPN to torrent?
For all intents and purposes, no. Although there are a few awesome free VPNs out there, they can only shore up your security in a pinch. For example, you can use a free VPN app to check your email or browse securely on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.
Sure, some free providers might also allow you to access a handful of geo-restricted streaming titles, but then they'll almost always come with data limitations, meaning you can't really use them for full-blown streaming, let alone torrenting that involves downloading large files.
In addition to data limits, free VPNs also come with throttled speeds and fewer servers in fewer locations, which make them really unideal for torrenting. Some free providers even forbid P2P activity altogether.
So, when it comes to torrenting, it's worth shelling out for a premium VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Note that both of these providers are VPNs with free trials, meaning you can try them out risk-free before committing.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.