You need a proper VPN to unblock some torrent sites and secure yourself against getting caught, and NordVPN is the best VPN for torrenting according to Reddit users.
It has P2P support, servers dedicated to torrenting, incredible speeds, robust IP leak protection, military-grade encryption, and unblocks restricted torrenting sites from anywhere.
But that’s not the only VPN that made the cut.
Other capable recommended torrenting VPN providers include Surfshark for its affordability, ExpressVPN for its super-fast download speeds, CyberGhost with its vast server network, and Private Internet Access with its port forwarding.
Interested in knowing more about the best VPN for torrenting Reddit?
Read this to the end!
The 3 Top VPNs for Torrenting by Reddit Users
Surfshark is the cheapest VPN with full support for torrenting. It can unblock torrent sites from anywhere using its 3200+ servers. It also offers a kill switch, encryption, split tunneling, and an ad and malware blocker.
NordVPN supports torrenting from 5000+ servers for unblocking geo-restricted torrent sites. It’s also fast enough to handle massive downloads, has kill switches for IP leaks, and works on Android, iOS, macOS, & Windows.
ExpressVPN offers the fastest torrenting speeds and can unblock torrent sites from anywhere on its 3000+ servers. It has a kill switch, split tunneling, encryption, and a decent ad blocker that stops malware from loading.
Reddit is a trove of valuable information, and it’s understandable how user opinions posted on the platform can carry some weight. However, this doesn’t mean Reddit users are always right. Most recommendations on the best torrenting VPNs are based on personal experience and this changes from one person to another.
This is why I conducted exhaustive Virtual Private Networks tests rather than relying on Reddit info alone. At the end of my tests, I ensured each VPN that made this list satisfied the following six key criteria:
- P2P support.
- Torrenting speeds.
- Protections against IP and DNS leaks, malware, ads, and possible hacking.
- Ability to unblock torrenting sites like Pirate Bay.
- Port forwarding support.
- Device compatibility.
Looking for Quick and Safe Torrenting Options? Here Are the Best VPNs
Ready to jump in and download that classic movie you can’t find anywhere else?
Here’s a quick look at the best VPN providers to make your work easier.
- NordVPN – Specialty P2P Servers for Torrenting
- Surfshark – Most Affordable VPN for Torrenting
- ExpressVPN – Fastest Torrenting Speeds
- CyberGhost – Best for Unblocking Torrenting Sites
- Private Internet Access – Most Reliable Ad & Malware Blocker for Torrenting
To be clear, we don’t encourage torrenting of copyrighted content since it’s a direct violation of copyright laws in multiple countries. This is why most torrenting sites are blocked in many places.
Therefore, exercise personal discretion.
Top VPNs for Torrenting According to Reddit
Connection speeds played a massive role in choosing these five VPNs.
For all the tests, I used base internet speeds of 30 Mbps.
Additionally, for illustrative purposes, I downloaded The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923), a copyright-free movie, for the connection speed tests.
Itching to see how things turned out with these 5 VPN services? Let’s roll!
NordVPN - Specialty P2P Servers for Torrenting
| Location | Servers | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 5500+ | 6 | 26 Mbps | Show Offer |
P2P Support
NordVPN is the best torrenting VPN that wholly supports peer-to-peer file sharing, making it ideal for torrenting. But again, like every other reliable VPN on this list, NordVPN doesn’t encourage downloading copyrighted material. The following is an excerpt of its Terms of Service on the matter:
Please note that the NordVPN service should never be used to bypass copyright regulations. NordVPN does not promote, condone, or endorse the use of the service for such purposes. For more details, please read the NordVPN Terms of Service.
Furthermore, you can take advantage of NordVPN’s SOCKS5 Proxy to improve torrent download speeds when using BitTorrent, uTorrent, Deluge or other torrenting clients to enhance your torrenting experience.
Connection Speeds
I averaged 26 Mbps with this fantastic torrenting VPN, the third fastest on this list after ExpressVPN and Surfshark. Thus, I downloaded the 1.85Gb file in about a minute. The P2P specialty servers also helped, alongside NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol.
Likewise, you get unlimited bandwidth to bypass any speed throttling or data rate caps set by your internet service provider.
Protection Against IP Leaks, Malware & Hackers
NordVPN offers AES 256-bit encryption that protects your traffic from being intercepted by hackers. This encryption’s Wi-Fi protection also comes in handy if you regularly use public networks to download torrents.
Additionally, you get a kill switch, 2 for Windows users, that disconnects your internet when your VPN connection suddenly drops.
This offers IP and DNS leak protection when downloading torrent files.
Furthermore, NordVPN has an ad & malware blocker called Threat Protection that does a decent job of keeping malicious ads and malware away.
A quick ad blocker test returned a score of 67/100.
So, it didn’t eliminate all the ads, but it was enough to keep aggressive ones at bay.
If you’re on Android or Windows and want to keep location-sensitive apps (like banking apps) from using the VPN connection, then the split tunneling feature is indispensable. Thus, you can route the VPN client and your browser alone through the VPN.
Finally, NordVPN’s shared IPs offer anonymity when torrenting.
It becomes more challenging to single you out on these shared IP addresses since they’re also used by hundreds of other users.
Ability to Unblock Torrenting Sites
Torrent sites like Pirate Bay are blocked in over 25 countries like Russia, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. You can unlock these torrent sites through NordVPN’s 5,500+ VPN servers and access all the torrent files you need.
This is the second largest server network after CyberGhost, and they’re well distributed across the globe, minimizing the likelihood of overcrowding. Furthermore, like CyberGhost, NordVPN offers dedicated torrenting servers optimized for speed.
Port Forwarding
NordVPN doesn’t offer port forwarding as the feature is a security risk, giving hackers access to sensitive information like your IP address.
Thus, no torrent seeding on NordVPN.
The lack of port forwarding on NordVPN won’t stop you from torrenting, but you’ll remain a leecher.
Device Compatibility
You can torrent securely on the move with NordVPN on any device as it’s compatible with Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.
Plus, you can connect six devices simultaneously with the same NordVPN account, enough to torrent on multiple devices at once for faster downloads.
Finally, NordVPN is a mid-priced VPN significantly cheaper than ExpressVPN but slightly costlier than Surfshark. But it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you can save a lot more if you grab these amazing subscription deals right now!
Pros
- Offers P2P support
- Fast torrenting speeds
- Reliable kill switch and adblocker
- Compatible with multiple devices
- Unblocks torrenting sites anywhere
Cons
- No Port-forwarding
Surfshark - Most Affordable VPN for Torrenting
| Location | Servers | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Netherlands | 3200+ | Unlimited | 27 Mbps | Show Offer |
P2P Support
Surfshark allows fast torrenting but doesn’t have specialty torrenting servers like NordVPN and CyberGhost. Even so, it supports P2P traffic across all its servers.
Like other premium VPNs, Surfshark doesn’t explicitly encourage pirating copyrighted materials from torrenting sites. Instead, it ensures users who wish to do that have the best support for their torrenting activities.
This is Surfshark’s statement on copyright infringement:
You shall not use our VPN Services for any illegal use, such as transmitting any illegal material that would constitute a criminal offense as per the local, state, national or international law or regulation.
Sadly, Surfshark doesn’t offer a SOCKS5 proxy. But considering how fast it is with regular servers, you’ll still download torrents securely while making it hard for your internet service provider to determine your torrenting activities.
Connection Speeds
Surfshark was the second fastest VPN with 27 Mbps, and the file only took a minute to download. I used the WireGuard protocol and the closest server I could find to push the speeds up.
Furthermore, Surfshark has updated its services over the years, making it ideal for speed-related activities like torrenting. You don’t have to worry about data caps or speed throttling from your ISP either.
Protection Against IP Leaks, Malware & Hackers
Surfshark comes with a reliable kill switch (2 for Android) that prevents IP leaks when the VPN connection is interrupted. The VPN encrypts your internet traffic, stopping hacks and keeping unauthorized parties out of your torrenting activities.
Surfshark also offers a split tunneling feature called “Bypasser” on Windows and Android. Once enabled, you can boost your download speeds by only routing your torrenting client through the VPN, leaving all the other apps on the regular internet connection.
Like all the other VPNs on this list, Surfshark has an ad blocker called CleanWeb that handles malware and pop-up ads.
A quick ad blocker test registered a score of only 33/100, way lower than NordVPN. So, a lot of ads still slipped through.
Thankfully, you can use Surfshark’s shared IPs to hide your torrenting activities among hundreds of other users on the same servers.
Ability to Unblock Torrenting Sites
Surfshark has over 3,200 servers in 99 countries to unblock torrenting sites from anywhere. This is slightly more than ExpressVPN but falls short of NordVPN and CyberGhost. Even so, I unblocked Pirate Bay, EZTV, and LimeTorrents over these servers.
Port Forwarding
Surfshark doesn’t allow port forwarding for security reasons.
The VPN provider argues that it gives hackers an easy way past the solid encryption since all they need to do is get a hold of your ports and IP. Therefore, forget about seeding your torrents on Surfshark.
Device Compatibility
This VPN client is compatible with Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows, which can support torrent clients like BitTorrent, uTorrent, qBittorrent, and Vuze. Furthermore, you get unlimited connections with one Surfshark account, allowing simultaneous torrent downloads on numerous devices.
This VPN app is also the cheapest one I reviewed, complete with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Get your subscription today using these great deals to save even more.
Pros
- Offers P2P support
- Fast torrenting speeds
- Cheapest VPN
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Unblocks torrenting sites anywhere
Cons
- No Port-forwarding
- Obfuscation is slower than ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN - Fastest Torrenting Speeds
| Location | Servers | Connections | Average Test Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BVI | 3000+ | 5 | 28 Mbps | Show Offer |
P2P Support
ExpressVPN may lack P2P dedicated servers like NordVPN and CyberGhost, but it fully supports torrenting.
Like the other alternatives, though, ExpressVPN doesn’t support copyright infringement. All it does is provide a secure way to download torrents privately.
Here’s a statement from its Terms of Service that touches on this.
We don’t encourage the uploading, downloading, posting, reproduction, or distribution of any content protected by copyright or any other proprietary right without first having obtained permission from the owner of the proprietary content.
Furthermore, ExpressVPN doesn’t offer SOCKS5 proxies on its servers or native applications. Considering how fast the automatic obfuscation is, it makes less sense for this service to offer a proxy that will only undermine your privacy.
Connection Speeds
ExpressVPN was the fastest VPN during the tests, averaging 28 Mbps.
It took about a minute to download The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and I didn’t experience any connection speed drops.
Like other premium VPNs, ExpressVPN’s speeds are influenced by the protocol you use. For torrenting, the Lightway protocol came through nicely. There aren’t any bandwidth limitations or speed throttling, even if you torrent with mobile data.
Protection Against IP Leaks, Malware & Hackers
ExpressVPN offers a reliable Network Lock kill switch across all the major platforms to prevent IP leaks when your VPN connection is interrupted.
This option isn’t available on the iOS platform, but it’s automatically enabled once you connect to any server.
Plus, you get military-grade encryption that keeps hackers, the government, and other third-party snoopers in check, even when you use public Wi-Fi for your torrenting needs. The same applies to your internet provider if you’re on mobile data.
Furthermore, the quality VPN has a strict no logs policy and is located outside the surveillance treaty regions. So, no one can compel the service to give up user information in any copyright infringement situation.
There won’t be anything to give up in the first place, though, given its zero logs policy. On top of that, the shared IPs provided by ExpressVPN hides you among many others for extra anonymity.
You also get an ad blocker called Threat Manager that doubles as an anti-malware tool. This tool keeps online trackers at bay, stopping them from getting hold of your online metadata and sharing it with others.
But the adblocker got a score of 28/100, the lowest on this list.
So, not very effective.
Fortunately, split tunneling boosts ExpressVPN’s overall torrenting performance by only encrypting the needed torrenting traffic.
But this feature only works on Android, Windows, and macOS 11 and above.
Ability to Unblock Torrenting Sites
ExpressVPN offers 3000+ servers, a little short of what CyberGhost and NordVPN offer, but can still unblock any torrenting site.
ExpressVPN is also the only alternative on this list that offers automatic obfuscation which works with all protocols and servers.
So, you can rest easy when torrenting in places like the UK and Australia where LimeTorrents, YTS.MX, 1337x, and The Pirate Bay are blocked.
Port Forwarding
ExpressVPN is one of the few VPNs that offer port forwarding, but only through the router app. So you may be able to seed your torrents if you connect directly to an ExpressVPN-compatible router.
You can at least score a few popularity points in the torrenting community with this by not being a leecher.
Device Compatibility
ExpressVPN works on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows, which in turn support torrenting clients like BitTorrent and uTorrent.
You can download files on the move as long as you have a solid internet connection.
Moreover, you can connect up to 5 devices with ExpressVPN simultaneously to handle multiple downloads.
Unfortunately, ExpressVPN isn’t cheap, posting prices that may discourage torrent users on a budget.
The good news is that it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and you can push that price down with these fantastic deals.
Pros
- Offers P2P support
- Fast torrenting speeds
- Compatible with multiple devices
- Unblocks torrenting sites anywhere
- Allows port forwarding on routers
Cons
- Expensive
CyberGhost - Best for Unblocking Torrenting Sites
| Location | Servers | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romania | 8800+ | 7 | 23 Mbps | Show Offer |
P2P Support
CyberGhost allows torrenting and even has P2P dedicated servers for secure and speedy connections like NordVPN. You just have to choose a P2P server, connect and launch your preferred torrenting client to enjoy CyberGhost’s privacy and security.
But, CyberGhost makes it clear that it doesn’t support downloading copyrighted content. Here’s an excerpt of its statement on the issue.
While we do not condone the use of torrents for copyrighted material, we believe that everyone should be able to use torrents safely and anonymously.
Connection Speeds
I averaged 23 Mbps with CyberGhost, making it the 4th fastest on this list, just slightly above Private Internet Access. I conducted these tests while connected to the torrenting servers which are best suited for this role.
Using the IKEv2 protocol also pushed the speeds up significantly, especially when combined with the nearest torrenting servers.
CyberGhost doesn’t have bandwidth limitations, preventing your ISP from throttling your speeds; something most of them do when they detect heavy internet usage.
Protection Against IP Leaks, Malware & Hackers
CyberGhost features a kill switch for countering IP leaks anytime your VPN connection drops. This could happen due to a power blackout or when you switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data.
It also offers 256-bit encryption for protection against hacks and targeted surveillance. You can rest easy knowing no one can snoop on your torrenting activities.
Furthermore, you get split tunneling on Android and Windows to keep apps that don’t work well with VPNs free of the encrypted network.
This is good for your overall speeds, and you’ll need that if you’re dealing with heavy torrents.
Furthermore, the VPN provider offers a Block Content feature that stops malware and ads from loading on your device. This is handy, considering how malware and ad-ridden torrent sites can be.
On testing, the adblocker posted an impressive score of 73/100, the second best after Private Internet Access. Thus, it kept a lot of ads in check across all torrenting sites I opened.
Ability to Unblock Torrenting Sites
Besides a steller ad blocker, CyberGhost also has the largest server network on this list. You can unblock any geo-restricted torrenting platform anywhere from any of the 8,000+ servers.
Like NordVPN, CyberGhost is the only other alternative that offers torrent-optimized servers. So you don’t have to spend too much time looking for the right server. Simply click on one from the torrenting list, and you’re good to go.
Port Forwarding
CyberGhost doesn’t allow port forwarding, so kiss seeding bye-bye.
But considering the security you get in exchange for port forwarding, it’s worth the sacrifice.
Device Compatibility
You can use CyberGhost on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows for all your torrenting needs. Downloading files should be a walk in the park, even when traveling. Additionally, you can connect a maximum of 7 devices with a single CyberGhost account, more than NordvPN and ExpressVPN.
After all, having multiple simultaneous downloads is every torrent user’s dream.
CyberGhost is reasonably priced too, almost in the same price group as Surfshark. It’s also the only VPN to offer a 45-day money-back guarantee.
So, take full advantage of this alongside these fantastic deals before they run out.
Pros
- Offers full P2P support
- Fast torrenting speeds
- Largest server network
- Compatible with multiple devices
- Unblocks torrenting sites + has P2P optimized servers
Cons
- No Port-forwarding
- No obfuscation
Private Internet Access - Most Reliable Ad & Malware Blocker for Torrenting
| Location | Servers | Connections | Average Speeds | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | - | 10 | 21 Mbps | Show Offer |
P2P Support
Private Internet Access allows torrenting on all its servers.
It doesn’t have specialty servers like NordVPN and CyberGhost, but that only means you can choose any random server and hit it off with fast torrenting speeds.
Like other premium VPNs covered so far, PIA doesn’t explicitly support torrenting of copyrighted content. Below is the closest statement you can find on the issue from its TOS.
We don’t condone the uploading, possessing, receiving, transporting, or distributing any copyrighted, trademark, or patented content that you do not own or lack written consent or a license from the content owner.
Excitingly, PIA also offers SOCKS5 Proxy across all its accounts.
The feature can be activated from within the app on all platforms to unlock faster download speeds. However, this jump in speed is at the expense of the steller encryption synonymous with full-fledged VPNs.
Connection Speeds
PIA was the slowest VPN in the tests, but with average torrenting speeds of 21 Mbps, that was more than enough to blaze through downloads in minutes.
I used the WireGuard protocol, which is the fastest, and combined it with the closest server I could find. The download ran smoothly to the end, reinforcing the fact that PIA offers unlimited data caps.
Protection Against IP Leaks, Malware & Hackers
First, you get two kill switches on Windows and macOS and one on Android. These prevent IP leaks when your VPN connection is disrupted in the middle of your torrenting. Anyone who may be snooping around waiting for a way in would have to try another day.
There’s also reliable encryption across all devices that keep your torrenting activities under wraps from the government, your ISP, or hackers.
This protection extends to public Wi-Fi networks that you may choose to download your files on, too.
Likewise, there’s the split tunneling feature to direct only torrent traffic through the VPN on Windows, Android, and macOS.
Finally, this VPN service offers one of the best ad blockers, PIA MACE.
It handles the annoying pop-up ads and malware, stopping them from loading and causing damage to your online privacy model.
A quick ad blocker test registered a score of 77/100, the best on this list.
Ability to Unblock Torrenting Sites
The exact number of servers offered by PIA isn’t well known.
But I could unblock EZTV and Limetorrents, which aren’t available in my area. When it comes to hiding your VPN traffic in heavily censored regions, PIA offers Shadowsocks protocol. This makes your VPN connections look like regular internet to anyone who may be hunting for heavy torrent users.
Port Forwarding
PIA allows port forwarding like ExpressVPN (partially), a feature you can activate from the settings. Once you check the “Request Port Forwarding” option, you’ll automatically connect to a server location that offers port forwarding (only a few support this).
So, you can seed your torrents and avoid being the villain who leeches on the sweat of other users. However, this port forwarding feature is only available on Windows, Android, and macOS.
Device Compatibility
PIA is compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
So, you can protect your torrent download sessions on any of these devices with a compatible torrenting client of your choice. Plus, PIA allows up to 10 device connections simultaneously, the second highest after Surfshark.
The VPN is relatively cheaper compared to ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
Like most other VPNs, it also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Combine that with these exclusive discounts to get the best deal.
Pros
- Offers full P2P support
- Best ad blocker
- Compatible with multiple devices
- Unblocks torrenting sites
- Offers port forwarding
Cons
- The exact server size is unknown
- Slowest torrenting speeds
How to Set up a VPN for Torrenting?
Setting up a VPN for torrenting is easy. Here are the steps:
- Download and install NordVPN.
- Launch the VPN and choose a P2P server.
- Open your preferred torrenting site and select the file you want to download.
- Launch your preferred torrenting client and enjoy secured downloads.
Best Practices Tips on Torrenting From Reddit
When dealing with torrenting sites, exercise caution at all times to ensure safety.
Here are some tips to follow.
- Bind your torrent client to the VPN: This ensures that torrent files are only downloaded when the VPN is on. Thus, you never open the sites when your device is unprotected.
- Activate the kill switch always: A kill switch saves you from IP leaks if you keep running into VPN disconnections. Ensure it’s always on.
- Constantly check for IP and DNS leaks with every connection: If you want to keep sensitive information (like your IP) safe, conduct IP and DNS leak checks before you start torrenting. Not all VPNs are foolproof, and bugs happen from time to time.
- Only launch your torrent client after launching the VPN: Ensure the VPN is active with the appropriate server selected, not the other way round, before launching your torrent client.
- Avoid free VPNs: A free VPN lacks the security framework that protects you from threats on torrent sites. They also share user information with third parties and have limited unblocking capabilities.
Will a VPN Slow Down Torrenting Speeds?
A VPN won’t necessarily slow down your torrenting speeds. In fact, a VPN can help to improve your torrenting speeds in some cases.
However, a few factors can affect your torrenting speeds when using a VPN.
Some VPNs, like CyberGhost and NordVPN, are better equipped to handle torrenting traffic than others. Thus, you may experience some issues If you’re using a VPN not designed for torrenting.
The location of the VPN server you’re connected to is another factor.
So, connect to closer servers to get better speeds without sacrificing security.
FAQ
Is Port Forwarding Necessary for Torrenting?
Port forwarding isn’t necessary for torrenting since your torrent client will automatically connect to other clients on different ports.
However, if you want to maximize your download speeds, consider port forwarding to improve your connection by allowing incoming connections to bypass NAT (Network Address Translation) firewalls.
Do Redditors Recommend Any Free VPN for Torrenting?
Most Redditors who torrent over VPNs don’t recommend a free VPN for torrenting. Free VPNs have limited server networks which limit your ability to unblock torrenting sites, lack proper security features to keep you safe on torrent sites, keep user data and have bandwidth limitations.
Do Premium VPNs Allow Seeding?
Most premium VPNs don’t allow seeding because of security issues, and it’s also against their terms of service. However, some services, like ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access, allow it. When using a VPN for seeding, choose one with a good reputation and plenty of servers to avoid any issues.
Wrapping Up
These five are the most capable VPNs for torrenting based on Reddit opinions and my rigorous tests. NordVPN remains my top Reddit VPN for torrenting, but you’re free to decide based on what fits your needs best.
The bottom line is that whether you’re using Surfshark, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, or Private Internet Access, your safety should come first.
If NordVPN fits your needs and budget, grab your subscription with these amazing deals while they last!
