Getting straight to it, I found the best VPN for uTorrent to be NordVPN. I’ll share my reasons below.
However, there are many other great VPNs to use uTorrent safely. These VPNs ensure fast speeds and help curb security and privacy concerns. They also mask torrenting shenanigans – so your ISP has no excuse to throttle your connection!
During my tests, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, PIA, and were the alternative uTorrent VPNs that made a difference in my torrent download speed and privacy.
Keep reading to explore excellent VPNs that set you up with uTorrent for undetected, smooth torrenting.
Top 3 VPNs for uTorrent (December, 2024)
ExpressVPN boasts automatic obfuscated servers to ensure private torrenting from the get-go. PLUS, all its servers offer P2P support, ensuring stable torrenting. The provider’s exclusive Lightway protocol also assists with superiorly fast download speeds.
NordVPN surpasses torrenting expectations, thanks to its dedicated P2P servers & NordLynx protocol for safe, fast leeching. It also offers SOCKS5 proxy support, increasing torrenting speeds further!
Surfshark offers an affordable solution that guarantees safe and fast torrenting. Enhance your uTorrent experience with Surfshark’s user-friendly app and connect to one of 3,200+ P2P-friendly servers.
Well done for choosing to use a VPN with uTorrent!
But you don’t want a mediocre VPN. You want the cream of the crop!
My top uTorrent VPNs offer the best services, including reliable kill switch settings, P2P-friendly servers, fast speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and audited no-logs policies. During my tests, all these over-and-above unique features enhanced the torrenting experience.
Let’s get started, and you can pick your own favorite VPN provider from my tried-and-tested options.
Ready to Use uTorrent With a Reliable VPN? See Below for My Top 5 Suggestions!
As eager as you may be to torrent intriguing files, don’t skip using a VPN!
If you’re in a rush, choose from my summarized list of uTorrent VPNs:
- NordVPN – Dedicated P2P Servers With SOCKS5 Proxy for Fast Torrenting
- ExpressVPN – Automatic Obfuscation + P2P-Friendly Servers in 94 Countries
- Surfshark – Affordable Torrenting VPN With P2P-friendly Servers
- Private Internet Access – Port Forwarding VPN With Shadowsocks Option
- VyprVPN – VyprDNS for Security + Blazing Fast Speeds
If you have time on your hands, make a more informed decision by reading through my detailed reviews.
I’ll share what makes each VPN valuable, plus how to set up these VPNs for safe torrenting!
Detailed Reviews of the 5 Best VPNs for uTorrent
Ready to learn everything you need to know about the best VPNs for uTorrent?
Enjoy a light-hearted yet informative read on my top picks.
Let’s go!
1. NordVPN - Dedicated P2P Servers With SOCKS5 Proxy for Fast Torrenting
There are many reasons why I chose NordVPN as my number one torrenting VPN. But its dedicated P2P servers are a good place to start!
NordVPN is the only VPN on my list with special servers optimized for peer-to-peer file sharing. This is a big deal, considering the fact that you won’t have to sift through servers trying to find the best one for torrenting smoothly and safely.
These P2P servers work just grand, and a quick test proved the service’s efficiency with uTorrent.
But I was curious to see how the regular, non-specialty P2P servers performed, too. So, I tested both by downloading a 5.32 Mib file from The Pirate Bay, one of my preferred torrenting sites.
Torrent download result using a dedicated P2P server:
Torrent download result using my nearest/fastest available server:
The proof’s in the pudding! NordVPN’s dedicated P2P servers were faster and more stable during my testing. I got an average download speed of 89.0 KB/s and a max of 160.5 KB/s. The regular server in the same location was slower by 43%.
When torrenting the same file without a VPN, I got an average download speed of 172.6 KB/s. This means NordVPN’s dedicated P2P servers yielded a 48% drop.
This is significantly slower than my base download speed but still fast enough to download my file in less than a minute!
Note that I also connected to NordLynx, NordVPN’s proprietary protocol, to get the best speeds without sacrificing security during my torrent download tests. It’s also a data-friendly protocol since its encryption didn’t shave too much off my data usage.
There’s more good news.
NordVPN offers SOCKS5 proxy support for even faster torrent download speeds and torrent client-specific configurations.
The bad news is that you’ll be forfeiting the VPN’s encryption and security measures to enjoy these speeds.
I’ll leave you to determine which is more important.
SOCKS5 proxy can also be complex to set up. However, if you’re set on the task, our guide to set up NordVPN’s SOCKS5 Proxy.
Moving on.
While NordVPN isn’t the fastest VPN for uTorrent, it certainly is the most secure. This is why it made first place.
First, NordVPN is the only VPN on my list to boast two kill switches.
One is a standard kill switch that stops your internet if your VPN connection interrupts, and the other protects apps. For example, if your connection drops, you can set uTorrent to “get killed.”
That way, you don’t have to worry about your data or activities leaking into the wrong hands if the VPN app fails.
Second, NordVPN ensures leak protection, so you’re guarded against DNS, IP, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks that can alert your ISP (or copyright trolls) to your torrent download activities.
Finally, the Panama-based VPN is covered by a solid, independently audited no-logs policy. The audit confirms that no user information (other than your email and some payment details) is stored.
This is a relief for uTorrent users because even if authorities or copyright trolls request your details, NordVPN will have nothing to share!
So far, NordVPN seems great, right? It’s great, but nothing is perfect, and NordVPN has one shortfall regarding torrenting.
It doesn’t offer port forwarding, thus, it lacks seeding support!
All the VPNs on my list except NordVPN, Surfshark, and VyprVPN offer this feature.
But why does it matter? Port forwarding can increase torrenting speeds (like SOCKS5, in a way). I’ll elaborate in my ExpressVPN review below.
However, one final fabulous feature I tested on NordVPN is Threat Protection. This nifty tool blocks malware and ads.
After all, there’s nothing more annoying than ads popping up while using uTorrent!
Likewise, the VPN supports up to 6 simultaneous connections on uTorrenting devices such as Windows, macOS, and Android.
That said, NordVPN’s subscription fees are not cheap but fair!
Fortunately, they’re not the most expensive since they’re cheaper than ExpressVPN.
I’ll even throw in a discount to sweeten the deal!
Pros
- Dedicated P2P servers plus normal servers with P2P support
- Average to fast speeds for torrenting with SOCKS5 proxy for even faster speeds
- Two kill switches (one for apps) plus leak protection
- Independently audited no-logs policy
- Threat Protection to block ads & malware
- Downloaded 5.2Mb file in under 1 minute
Cons
- Doesn’t offer port forwarding and torrent seeding
- Not the cheapest VPN for uTorrent
2. ExpressVPN - Automatic Obfuscation + P2P-Friendly Servers in 94 Countries
If it weren’t for NordVPN’s dedicated P2P servers, ExpressVPN would have been my first choice for uTorrent!
Not only does it have servers in 94 countries, but it also offers P2P traffic support on every server. So, traffic congestion should never be a problem, and you’ll easily find a nearby server for faster speeds.
Even so, it offers a unique feature that distinguishes it from my other top uTorrent VPN providers: automatic obfuscation.
Obfuscation (in some form) is also present on the other VPNs on my list. However, you need to specifically select an obfuscated server or enable the feature (and possibly forgo other features).
Instead, with ExpressVPN, your VPN activity is automatically masked, and your ISP remains none-the-wiser. Plus, ExpressVPN supports obfuscation on all protocols, including Lightway that’s renowned for its fast speeds!
Out of all my suggested VPNs, ExpressVPN with Lightway generated the second fastest average download speed, just behind VyprVPN.
My download of the same file I tested NordVPN on was complete in under half a minute! What a feat! The average download speed was even faster than my VPN-free connection. Guess my ISP pulled out the “throttle” card, but ExpressVPN countered it!
Moreover, ExpressVPN supports seeding since it offers port forwarding.
But don’t expect the same blazing fast speeds because of drastic upload limits.
Plus, there’s a catch. This seeding and port forwarding only works with the VPN’s router setup. Still, it’s better than not offering it at all (like NordVPN, VyprVPN, and Surfshark)!
Unlike NordVPN, though, ExpressVPN only has one kill switch.
The feature is called “Network Lock” and, when enabled, will stop torrents if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly.
The kill switch is reinforced with military grade encryption, robust leak protection, RAM-only servers, and a verified no-logs policy.
You can also use ExpressVPN to secure uTorrent downloads on 5 devices at a time, including on Windows, macOS, and Android.
Note, however, that the other providers on my list allow for more devices on one account, with Surfshark offering an “unlimited” option.
While ExpressVPN has a Threat Manager to block malicious activity, it lacks an ad blocker like the other VPNs I featured.
Another pity is that it’s expensive, even more so than NordVPN.
Here’s a discount to lighten the load!
Pros
- P2P support on all servers with servers across 94 countries
- Independently audited no-logs policy
- Lightway proprietary protocol for very fast download speeds
- Offers port forwarding on its router setup and can be used for seeding
- Downloaded 5.2Mb file in 20 seconds
Cons
- Most expensive VPN on my list
- Only allows up to 5 simultaneous device connections
3. Surfshark - Affordable Torrenting VPN With P2P-Friendly Servers
Surfshark has 3200+ servers across 99 countries, and all are P2P-friendly!
But the VPN’s stand-out feature is affordability. Few VPNs offer unlimited simultaneous connections; Surfshark does! This makes the VPN a steal if you combine this convenience with a superiorly cheap long-term subscription!
Rest assured that the cheap price tag doesn’t reflect poorly on the VPN provider’s qualities for uTorrent.
For starters, you don’t lack sufficient download speeds and guaranteed anonymity for the bargain price.
Note that I define Surfshark’s speeds for torrenting as “sufficient.”
This is because they aren’t the best since it took me just under 2 minutes to download my file.
Still, if you’re patient, Surfshark is an affordable means to use uTorrent safely!
Here I’m downloading my 5.32 Mib file with Surfshark and uTorrent:
Unfortunately, Surfshark doesn’t support seeding.
However, it argues that this is to enhance security and reduce chances of hackers infiltrating your open ports.
On that note, I checked out Surfshark’s other safety features, including standard DNS leak protection, military grade encryption, and an automatic kill switch.
Rest assured, you’ll be using a safe VPN for uTorrent!
Plus, Surfshark also offers CleanWeb, the provider’s solution to annoying ads, banners, and trackers that infiltrate uTorrent.
Besides not supporting port forwarding and seeding, Surfshark shares a similar opinion of SOCKS5 and doesn’t advocate it as a safe option for torrenting or any internet activity.
Like I said earlier, Surfshark’s most impressive feat is providing a VPN-protected uTorrent experience at a highly affordable price.
If you want an EVEN BETTER deal, click here!
Pros
- P2P support on 3200+ servers
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Cheap VPN for safe torrenting
- CleanWeb for blocking malware and uTorrent ads
- Downloaded 5.2Mb file in under 2 minutes
Cons
- Not the fastest VPN for uTorrent
- Doesn’t offer port forwarding for torrent seeding
4. Private Internet Access – Port Forwarding VPN With Shadowsocks
Private Internet Access (PIA) is your best bet if you want a VPN with port forwarding for your torrent files. It’s the only quality uTorrent VPN I found that offers this feature on its PC and mobile apps.
In fact, it’s miles ahead of most VPNs with a one-click solution that enables port forwarding once you check a “Request Port Forwarding” box.
It also has P2P-friendly servers in 84 countries.
However, the provider’s a bit vague on how many servers it has overall.
Still, that isn’t much of a dealbreaker since you can always find a reliable server to download torrents.
I connected to one of these general servers to test torrenting speeds before enabling port forwarding. My nearest (fastest) server gave somewhat disappointing results, and uTorrent only managed an average download speed of 114.4 KB/s.
HOWEVER!
After enabling port forwarding, I noted an average download speed increase, although it was not as significant as I expected.
My screenshot below shares the outcomes. The captured average download speed is 128.5 KB/s, a 12% increase compared to the same server with no port forwarding.
Note, though, that not all of PIA’s servers work with the port forwarding feature, such as the US and Sweden locations. Also, port forwarding may enhance torrenting speeds, but it’s not the safest method to download!
Talking about downloading methods, PIA also offers SOCKS5 and Shadowsocks. Due to the security risks, I decided not to test these features. However, they should encourage faster speeds, much like port forwarding.
To elaborate, SOCKS5 proxy replaces your IP address with one provided by a proxy service. This means PIA isn’t solely responsible for your privacy.
Likewise, Shadowsocks is a proxy popular for circumventing censorship. While it’s not the safest, it can be useful for uTorrent in a region with firewalls, like China and Russia!
Sadly, PIA doesn’t offer proprietary protocols like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and VyprVPN, but it offers Wireguard like Surfshark.
You can enable this protocol for tighter torrenting security and faster download speeds.
Other notable security features include a kill switch, an advanced kill switch, and PIA MACE, which is the VPN provider’s ad and malware blocker.
Moreover, PIA’s robust leak protection ensures you’re safe from DNS, IP, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks while torrenting.
One disappointment is that although the provider has a no-logs policy, it’s yet to be verified by a third party. PIA is the only VPN on my list with a non-audited policy, leaving me in doubt as to whether its privacy claims are true.
The VPN service is also rooted in the US, which isn’t the most privacy-friendly jurisdiction!
As for seeding, technically, it should offer this service because of port forwarding. However, PIA support couldn’t confirm the efficiency of this service.
Fortunately, you can enjoy using PIA on torrenting devices such as Windows, macOS, and Android and benefit from 10 simultaneous connections.
This is not as many as VyprVPN’s 30 and Sufshark’s unlimited connections, but it still outdoes NordVPN and ExpressVPN!
On top of that, PIA is cheap, giving Surfshark a run for its money.
You’ll get an even cheaper deal when you grab this exclusive discount!
Pros
- P2P support on servers across countries
- In-app port forwarding for possible seeding
- SOCKS5 for faster torrenting speeds
- Shadowsocks to bypass uTorrent censorship
- MACE ad and malware blocker
- Downloaded 5.2Mb file in under 1 minute
Cons
- Not the fastest VPN for uTorrent
- No-logs policy hasn’t been audited by a third party
- Seeding can be unstable
5. VyprVPN - VyprDNS for Security + Blazing Fast Speeds
VyprVPN treats all traffic equally, which means P2P activity is allowed on its 700+ servers spread across 70+ locations. A good start!
Even better – this VPN rendered the fastest download speeds using uTorrent! It even surpassed ExpressVPN with its ultra-fast Lightway protocol!
If it wasn’t for the fact that it doesn’t allow seeding or port forwarding, it might even have replaced ExpressVPN as my second best VPN for uTorrent!
Back to those blazing speeds I mentioned!
During my uTorrent tests, VyprVPN impressed with an average download speed of 257.0 KB/s. FYI, I was connected to the fastest recommended server and using the WireGuard protocol.
Like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, VyprVPN also has a proprietary protocol, Chameleon, and I was curious to see if this would offer even faster speeds.
Here’s my Chameleon test:
So, we’re back to VyprVPN with WireGuard for the win!
I already mentioned that VyprVPN doesn’t offer port forwarding.
It also doesn’t offer SOCKS5 proxy support. But who needs these features when you’re already downloading torrents within seconds?
While WireGuard may offer faster downloading speeds, Chameleon cleverly works to add an extra layer of security to a connection.
It does this by disorganizing OpenVPN packet metadata.
This comes in handy to bypass and unblock torrent sites in restrictive regimes like China and Russia!
Then there’s VyprDNS.
VyprDNS provides optimum privacy for uTorrent because the VPN provider owns all its DNS servers. There’s no interference from third parties!
Like the VPNs above, VyprVPN features a robust kill switch, high-end encryption, and DNS, IP, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection.
It also offers peace of mind through an independently audited no-logs policy and a watertight Switzerland jurisdiction.
However, one concern was raised during my research. The provider’s copyright policy is a concern. It states that it will:
“Expeditiously block access to or remove content that it believes in good faith may contain material that infringes the copyrights of third parties and remove and discontinue service to repeat offenders.”
This could just be VyprVPN’s tactic to “play it safe” and keep copyright trolls off its back!
VyprVPN rounds off its services with the Block Malicious Sites feature that wards off malicious content while downloading torrent files.
The bummer is that this only caters to Android and macOS users – so not handy if you’re using uTorrent on Windows!
As for price, it’s expensive – even more so than ExpressVPN!
Luckily, you can use this link to grab a better deal!
Pros
- P2P support on 700+ servers across 70+ locations
- Superiorly fast uTorrent speeds
- Propriety Chameleon protocol for faster speeds and bypassing censorship
- Audited no-logs policy with privacy-friendly Switzerland jurisdiction
- Block Malicious Sites feature for blocking malware on macOS and Android
- Downloaded 5.2Mb file in 21 seconds
Cons
- No port forwarding or SOCKS5 settings
- Expensive uTorrent VPN
- Can’t be used for seeding
- Suspicious copyright policy
uTorrent VPN Comparison Table
As I said, there are several VPN services that are great for uTorrent, and I found 5 of the best!
But maybe you’re overwhelmed with all the information and features I shared?
If so, this table will help you settle on the best VPN for torrenting:
| VPN | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark | PIA | VyprVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P2P Servers | Dedicated P2P servers | P2P support | P2P support | P2P support | P2P support |
| Servers | 5400+ | 3000+ | 3200+ | - | 700+ |
| Countries | 59 | 94 | 99 | 84 | 70 (locations) |
| Fastest Average uTorrent Download Speed | 89.0 KB/s | 215.4 KB/s | 47.9 KB/s | 114.4 KB/s | 257.0 KB/s |
| Seeding Support | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Port Forwarding | No | Yes | No | Yes (in-app) | No |
| SOCKS5 | Yes | No | No | Yes (plus Shadowsocks) | No |
| Proprietary Protocol | NordLynx | Lightway | None | None | Chameleon |
| Kill Switch | 2 on Windows (1 on macOS) | Network Lock | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Malware & Ad-Blocker | Threat Protection | None | CleanWeb | PIA MACE | Block Malicious Sites (Android & macOS) |
| Device Support for uTorrent | Windows, Linux, Mac, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | Windows, Linux, Mac, Android | Windows, Linux, Mac, Android | Windows, Linux, Mac, Android |
| Simultaneous Connections | 6 | 5 | Unlimited | 10 | 30 |
| No-Logs | Audited | Audited | Audited | Not audited | Audited |
| Jurisdiction | Panama | British Virgin Islands | Netherlands | USA | Switzerland |
| Price | Get the Deal | Get the Deal | Get the Deal | Get the Deal | Get the Deal |
Use this comparison to suss out which of the best uTorrent VPNs will work for you!
How to Use a VPN With the uTorrent Client?
Using a VPN with uTorrent is quite simple, but here are detailed steps to make the process even easier:
- Purchase a subscription from your chosen VPN. I’m sticking to NordVPN for the best security.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device.
- Enable/disable your preferred app settings and protocols.
- Connect to a P2P-supported VPN server.
- Open your web browser in Incognito or private browsing mode.
- Go to your preferred torrent site/s to download your file/s.
- When you download your file, a pop-up window will appear asking if you want to open uTorrent. Select “Open uTorrent.”
- A new window will appear with your file details. If these details are correct, click “OK.”
Enjoy fast downloads using safe, unlimited bandwidth VPNs!
How to Set uTorrent SOCKS5 Proxy to Ensure Bulletproof Torrent Encryption?
I’ll show you exactly how to set up a uTorrent SOCKS5 proxy for bulletproof encryption and fast torrenting. Just follow the steps below.
Let’s start:
- Purchase a subscription from your chosen VPN. NordVPN’s still my go-to provider.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device.
- Go to uTorrent and download and install the free torrent client.
- Open uTorrent and click on Options > Preferences > Connection.
- In the new menu, click “Socks5” from the Proxy Server drop-down menu.
- Open your VPN’s server address page in your web browser. I found the NordVPN server address page here.
- Click on “Select server type.”
- Select “P2P” from the drop-down menu. The best server for your location will appear on the left. Keep this page open for reference.
- Go back to your uTorrent client and enter the server address your VPN provider issued in the “Proxy” field.
- Set the Port to 1080.
- Enable all the checkboxes as shown in the image below, and enter your VPN username and password:
- Click on “Apply” and then “OK.”
- Go to DoILeak to do a torrent leak test.
- Click on the “Torrent IP Leak Test” checkbox to enable the correct test. Click “Begin test.”
- Download all 4 files via the Magnet Link option and click “Show Results.”
- If your results indicate that no issues are found, then your proxy and torrenting activities are completely invisible within uTorrent.
FAQ
Is Using a VPN With uTorrent Illegal?
Using a VPN with uTorrent is not illegal.
However, downloading or sharing copyrighted content is illegal, and you can be penalized if you’re caught using the applications for this type of content.
Use uTorrent and your VPN wisely and fairly, and there’ll be no issues.
Can I Use a Free VPN for uTorrent?
You can use a free VPN for uTorrent, but it’s not advised!
Free VPNs can lack features such as P2P support, fast speeds, and military-grade encryption that ensure safe, smooth, and fast torrenting.
If money is a concern, opt for an affordable VPN such as Surfshark or PIA.
That’s All, Folks!
A secure VPN connection can help keep your torrenting activities on uTorrent private. Some VPNs can even prevent bandwidth throttling and increase your torrent download speeds!
As far as the best VPNs for uTorrent go, NordVPN is still my top pick, thanks to its P2P servers, fast torrent download speeds and reliable encryption on every server.
Don’t forget to grab these NordVPN discounts to save more on your torrent security journey.
Concerned about torrenting with a VPN? Read: “Can I Get Caught Torrenting With a VPN?” for peace of mind on what to expect!
