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Best VPNs for torrenting 2019: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and more

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7 years ago

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If you torrent like there’s no tomorrow, you’re going to need a VPN. Here’s the lowdown on the services that work best.

Best value

Surfshark

It still has a few kinks to work out, but we’re already impressed with this 1-year-old VPN — especially at such a great price point.

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By Sarah Griffiths and Haley Henschel

UPDATE: October 22, 2019, 2:05 p.m. EDT This story has been updated following news that a NordVPN server was .

This just in: Torrenting is so hot right now.

Unlike most things that came into being in 2004 — Livestrong bracelets, Napoleon Dynamite, Lindsay Lohan’s debut studio album Speak — the popular torrent client BitTorrent is seeing a modern resurgence. That’s according to Sandvine’s latest , an annual study of the state of internet traffic, which went on to cite the competitive streaming service market as the reason for this uptick in BitTorrent usage (and online piracy in general). 

The logic makes sense, TBH: More and more companies are pulling their content from Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video to put them on their own streaming platforms as “exclusives.” (Lookin’ at you, NBCUniversal.) So, instead of paying for a bunch of different streaming service subscriptions, why not just cherry-pick your favorite titles via torrenting?

Wait — what is torrenting, exactly?

The specific mechanics of torrents are some complicated, advanced-level computer science shit, but the gist of it is this: It’s a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing technology in which each downloader distributes pieces of a file to every other downloader (as opposed to everyone downloading the file individually from a single source, which can create a bottleneck). By sharing the love, so to speak, torrenting begets fast downloads and less demand on any one server. 

Um, is that legal?

You can use a torrenting website or client like BitTorrent to download or share copyrighted material such as songs, shows, and films, which we don’t condone — it’s illegal.

There *is* such a thing as legal torrenting, though, which provides a means to easily and quickly share files that are in the public domain.

Are there any risks associated with torrenting? 

Aside from the obvious legal implications of torrenting copyrighted content, engaging in any sort of P2P file-sharing can put your privacy at risk. That’s because the collective nature of the technology allows all of your fellow downloaders to see your internet protocol (IP) address — the unique number assigned to your device when it’s on a local network — which can be used to determine your location. 

You may also run into issues with your internet service provider (ISP) if you try to torrent something: Many ISPs forbid their users from accessing torrent sites and clients on their servers (i.e., BitTorrent) simply because they’re so often implicated in piracy.

In both cases, a virtual private network (VPN) can come in real handy. 

What’s a VPN?

As we’ve written before, a VPN is a service that creates a secure network over a public one by redirecting your connection through its own private server(s). The technology both encrypts your data and conceals your IP address so that no one’s able to pinpoint your exact location or trace your online activities back to you. 

Anyone who wants to stay safe online should be using a VPN, but *especially* if you’re trying to download torrents anonymously. The thing is, some VPNs block file-sharing on some or all of their servers to avoid potential legal complications and/or conserve bandwidth. (BitTorrent, specifically, has a reputation of being a bandwidth hog.) And to make matters even trickier, many popular VPNs are located in countries that are part of an intelligence-sharing agreement called the alliance — meaning authorities there can sometimes force companies to cough up customer data. (Nine other countries participate in this alliance to some degree, and the entire group is known as the 14 Eyes alliance.)

As such, finding the right VPN for one’s torrenting needs requires some thorough research — which we’ve already done for you.

Keep reading to find out more about six of the best VPNs for torrenting, which we’ve selected based on online reviews written by both customers and tech experts. (Be sure to hit the grey arrow in the lower part of each card to expand each write-up.)


Unlimited bandwidth • Speedy • Torrenting allowed on all servers • Based in the British Virgin Islands • Split tunneling • Apps available for Android, IOS, Mac, Windows, and Linux • 30-day money back guarantee • Supports up to five simultaneous connections

A little pricey compared to other VPNs

You should subscribe to this VPN, like, yesterday.

1. ExpressVPN

Whether you’re a regular or occasional torrenter, this ultra-secure, fast, and user-friendly VPN will serve you well.

  • Monthly plan:
    $12.95/month
  • Six-month plan:
    $9.99/month
  • 12-month plan:
    $8.32/month
tops many best-of lists due to its lightning-fast download speeds, great security, global network of servers, and short learning curve. We especially like it for torrenting for two reasons: One, the fact that it supports unlimited bandwidth without throttling, and two, it allows file sharing on every single one of its servers (not just some). Picking it as our No. 1 VPN choice for torrenting was a no-brainer, honestly. 
ExpressVPN is particularly impressive in the security department, offering strong 256-bit AES encryption and a strict no-logging policy. (That means it doesn’t track or store any of your personal data; your data is encrypted and hidden from everyone’s eyes, even ExpressVPN’s.) There’s also a handy kill switch, which keeps your information safe even if your VPN connection drops, as well as a split tunneling tool for both Mac and Windows. (That means you can choose to route only some of your devices or apps through the service’s VPN tunnel so that others don’t suffer drops in speed.) And on top of all of those features, the company itself is based in the British Virgin Islands — a country with zero data retention logs. Consider your digital antics locked down.
FWIW, the biggest drawback to ExpressVPN is probably its pricing: it’s a tad more expensive than most other VPNs out there. But given the overall excellence of its service, it’s well worth your money.

30-day money-back guarantee • Based in the British Virgin Islands • Can be used on an unlimited number of devices • Split tunneling

Customer service can be slow to respond • Kill switch not available for Linux OS

In a few more years, this VPN could be a real contender for the top spot on our list.

2. Surfshark

It still has a few kinks to work out, but we’re already impressed with this 1-year-old VPN — especially at such a great price point.

  • Monthly plan:
    $11.95/month
  • 12-month plan:
    $5.99/month (billed $71.88 every 12 months)
  • 24-month plan:
    $1.99/month (billed $47.76 every 24 months)
Founded in 2018, Surfshark is a newcomer to the VPN world that’s already made a name for itself as a ridiculously affordable privacy protection service. If you sign up for a 24-month plan, using its suite of features on an unlimited number of devices will cost you just $1.99 a month. (That’s, like, four-and-a-half times cheaper than your monthly Netflix subscription.) 
Surfshark bills itself as a “torrent-friendy VPN,” offering more than 1,700 servers in 63-plus countries, a kill switch, split tunneling, private DNS and leak protection, ad blockers, 256-bit encryption, and a strict no-logging policy. What’s more, Surfshark falls outside the jurisdiction of the 14 Eyes alliance due to the fact that it’s based in the British Virgin Islands (just like our No.1 pick, ExpressVPN).
The biggest drawback to Surfshark is obviously its age — you have to be down to do some “guinea pigging” with such a new service. So far, though, users seem to be happy with Surfshark aside from it missing a kill switch for Linux and occasionally being slow in the customer service department. (The company claims to offer 24/7 support, but many reviewers report slow response times — if they get one at all.) All things considered, it’s worth a download in our book.

7-day money-back guarantee • 24/7 customer support • Apps available for virtually every platform • Lots of customization tools for app interface • No-logging policy • Split tunneling • Supports simultaneous connections on up to 10 devices

No torrenting resources or how-to guides • Based in the U.S., a Five Eyes country

Ideal for experts who already know a thing or two about torrenting with a VPN.

3. IPVanish VPN

This VPN will appeal to torrent buffs who want a good balance of speed and security.

  • Monthly plan:
    $11.99/month
  • Quarterly plan:
    $35.97 billed every three months
  • Annual Plan:
    $143.88 billed every year
Plenty of VPNs are fast, but very few offer top-notch security, a vast global network of servers, and support for torrenting on top of consistently high speed test scores. is one of them. Users can take advantage of 256-bit AES encryption, unlimited server switching, and unlimited bandwidth on more than 1,400 servers in over 75 locations by installing its app, which is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Windows Phones, Linux, Chrome OS, and routers.
Unlike CyberGhost, IPVanish’s website offers few resources for its users; there’s no how-to guide or tutorials for things like torrenting. As such, we recommend using IPVanish only if you have some experience with torrents and VPNs.
As with Windscribe, we’re not fans of the fact that IPVanish is based within a Five Eyes country — the United States, in this case — where authorities can force companies to disclose customer data. That might be a non-issue since IPVanish claims to abide by a no-logging policy, but just keep it in mind as you go about your torrenting business. $11.99 may seem high, but sales are common and we’ve recently seen a discounted price as low as $3.25 a month. 

24/7 live chat support • Inexpensive if you sign up for a long-term plan • Can be used on up to six devices at once • Based in Panama • Helpful tutorials available on website • 30-day money-back guarantee • Apps available for virtually every platform • Dedicated IP addresses available

Onion over VPN feature can reduce speeds • Only certain servers allow torrenting • No split tunneling

Offers a comprehensive security package for the frequent torrenter.

4. NordVPN

This well-established provider is heavy on the security features but (relatively) light on the price.

  • Monthly plan:
    $11.95/month
  • One-year plan:
    $6.99/month
  • Two-year plan:
    $4.99/month
  • Three-year plan:
    $2.99/month
Note: NordVPN has announced that it suffered a breach in March 2018 when a hacker exploited an insecure remote management system at a Finnish data center from which the company was renting servers. However, we still think it’s a strong contender in the VPN space.
In some parts of the world, BitTorrent generates more traffic than even Netflix. If you’re one of those people who’s doing a lot of file-sharing, you should definitely sign up for a subscription with , a popular provider that “takes basic VPN services to the next level with extra layers of functionality, additional web security services, and outstanding usability.”
Based in Panama, another country without data retention laws, NordVPN maintains more than 5,600 servers in 59 countries. Its app comes with a suite of security tools that includes double encryption, an automatic kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a robust ad blocker. For additional protection, users can also request a dedicated IP address and enable an exclusive feature called “Onion over VPN,” which makes your traffic extremely difficult to track with the help of the Tor network. (This is all on top of NordVPN’s iron-fisted no-logging policy, by the way.) 
We’re also big fans of the “Tutorials” section on NordVPN’s website, where you’ll find beginner-friendly step-by-step guides on how to set up the SOCKS5 proxy on BitTorrent,  Deluge, uTorrent, or Vuze for improved torrent speeds.

Protects up to seven devices at once • Decent customer support via chat or email • 45-day money-back guarantee • Excellent support site with tips, troubleshooting guides, and FAQs • Approachable, friendly app • Apps available for just about every platform, even routers

Only certain servers allow torrenting • Partially based in Germany, a 14 Eyes country

Stick to its NoSpy servers for torrenting and you’ll be golden.

5. CyberGhost VPN

Just getting into VPNs? The friendly CyberGhost will walk you through the basics and help you torrent anonymously.

  • Monthly plan:
    $12.99/month
  • One-year plan:
    $5.99/month (billed $71.88 every year)
  • Two-year plan:
    $3.69/month (billed $88.56 every two years)
  • Three-year plan:
    $2.75/month (billed $99 every three years)
Most VPNs seem dead set on intimidating newbies with overly complicated lingo, but not CyberGhost VPN. Not only does its app sport a simple, clean interface with simple, friendly language, but the company makes available to its users a support website that’s jam-packed with uncomplicated, easy-to-follow tutorials and tips for torrenting and beyond. (Its customer service department is also easily accessible via chat or email.)
But don’t let CyberGhost’s affable demeanor or emphasis on accessibility fool you into thinking that its a pushover when it comes to security — it still packs a punch by anyone’s standards. Just like many of our other top picks, it features a kill switch, DNS and IP leak protection, and 256-bit encryption. 
Our biggest problem with CyberGhost is the fact that it’s partially based in Germany, a 14 Eyes country. However, the company maintains a no-logging policy and gives its users the option of connecting to servers at its “NoSpy” data center in Romania (a non-14 Eyes country), where it also operates. Some of those servers are specifically reserved for torrenting, offering additional bandwidth for downloading large amounts of data and extra protection from the prying eyes of third parties, governmental or otherwise.

Split tunneling • Decent privacy policy for a free VPN • Strong encryption • User-friendly interface • Available for many platforms

Based in a Five Eyes country • Some servers don’t allow torrenting

If you have to use a free VPN for torrenting, make sure it’s this one.

6. Windscribe

Windscribe is pretty remarkable for a free VPN, but users should be mindful of the implications of its location within a Five Eyes country.

  • Free plan:
    Requires confirmed email address
  • Monthly plan:
    $9/month
  • Annual plan:
    $4.08/month (billed $49 every 12 months)
Using free VPNs for torrenting is highly discouraged due to the fact that most of them log your activities in exchange for their services. (The old adage “there’s no such thing as a free lunch” definitely applies here.) But if you just bought a new iPhone and don’t have any money leftover for a VPN that’ll protect you while you download torrents on iOS 13, we recommend downloading Windscribe. 
Windscribe is a service that offers two kinds of privacy tools: an app and a browser extension. Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Amazon FireTV, Nvidia Shield, and Kodi, the app is a standard VPN client that masks your IP address. The browser extension, which works on Google Chrome, Firefox, and Opera, is a “lite” VPN that both masks your IP address and blocks ad beacons, ad trackers, and social widgets that may document your online activity. (We recommend downloading both tools for extra protection.) You can use these features for free with unlimited connections and up to 10GB of data per month so long as you give Windscribe your email address. For unlimited data, monthly plans start at $9.
Windscribe’s VPN is unique in that it offers decently fast speeds, supports devices on a bunch of different platforms, and boasts several robust privacy features, including split tunneling and 256-bit AES encryption. Most notably, the service allows torrenting on most of its servers and offers a helpful how-to guide for anyone who wants to use its service with torrent clients — which, again, is all very uncommon for a free VPN. (Many prohibit torrenting entirely.) FYI: If a Windscribe server shouldn’t be used for torrenting, it’ll be marked with a crossed-out P2P icon.
As far as free VPNs go, Windscribe’s privacy policy is among the most stringent we’ve seen (relatively speaking, of course). Here’s the TL;DR version: It’ll record the amount of bandwidth you use every 30 days and keep a timestamp of your last activity on its network, but it won’t keep historical records of your VPN sessions, document your source IP, or log the sites you visit. That’s all well and good, but you should also know that Windscribe is based in Canada — a Five Eyes country — which makes some users disqualify it entirely as a VPN option for torrenting.

Editor’s note: IPVanish is owned by J2 Global, the parent company of Ziff Davis, Mashable’s publisher. Any J2 products featured on Mashable are covered independently by our content team.

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