You can use ExpressVPN for Deluge by pairing the VPN app with the torrent client, binding your ExpressVPN IP address to Deluge, or installing ExpressVPN on your router to protect your torrenting devices.
In any of these cases, you get ExpressVPN’s robust encryption to keep copyright trolls and your ISP out of your torrenting activities.
But which method is the most straightforward and secure? Find out below.
How to Setup ExpressVPN With Deluge?
I’ll show you how to set up the ExpressVPN app for Deluge, bind your ExpressVPN IP address to Deluge, and use the ExpressVPN router setup for safe torrent downloads via Deluge.
How to Setup ExpressVPN for Deluge on PC?
The PC setup method is the most straightforward option to use ExpressVPN with Deluge without sacrificing download speed or security. Here’s how to set it up:
- Grab an ExpressVPN subscription. Save more with these HUGE deals.
- Download the ExpressVPN app for your PC (macOS, Linux, or Windows). I’ll grab the Windows PC app for this guide.
- Launch the app and log in with your ExpressVPN credentials.
- Select ExpressVPN’s Lightway – UDP protocol for the best balance of speed and security. Go through the menu icon > Options > Protocol > Lightway – UDP.
- Enable the ExpressVPN Network Lock to prevent data leaks on random server disconnections. Go through the menu icon > Options > General > check the boxes under Network Lock.
- Return to the ExpressVPN homepage and click the big power button to connect to a random server. You can also connect to the Smart Location.
- OR click the three dots icon near “Selected Location” to open the ExpressVPN server list. Then, click a preferred server to connect.
- Once connected, download the Deluge torrent client if you don’t have it yet. Then, launch it.
- Open your browser and go to your preferred torrent website. I recommend using your browser in Incognito/private browsing mode here.
- Search for a file you want to download and click on it. For this example, I’ll search for the copyright-free movie, The Amazing Mr. X.
- Click on the file you want to download. Then, right-click the magnet link (named “GET THIS TORRENT,” in this case) and copy the link address.
- Return to Deluge, and it should have automatically pasted the magnet link. Otherwise, click the “+” sign to add your torrent file.
- Select “URL.”
- The client should automatically populate the URL field with the magnet link. Otherwise, enter the link you copied there. Then, click “OK.”
- Wait a few seconds for Deluge to load the files associated with that magnet link. Then, uncheck the files you don’t want to be downloaded, if any.
- Click “Add.”
- Enjoy your secure torrent downloads over Deluge with ExpressVPN.
How to Bind Your ExpressVPN IP Address to Deluge?
Binding your ExpressVPN IP address to Deluge ensures you can only download files over the VPN’s IP, never your regular IP address. Thus, Deluge shouldn’t continue downloading a file when ExpressVPN loses a server connection, preventing exposure to your ISP and copyright trolls.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Got your ExpressVPN subscription handy? Grab these discount offers otherwise.
- Repeat steps 2-8 from above.
- In the ExpressVPN app, go through the menu > Help & Support > IP Address Checker. Copy and keep the displayed ExpressVPN IP address.
- Go to the open Deluge app to click “Edit” then “Preferences.” Windows PC users can hold “Ctrl + P” to launch the Preferences menu.
- Click “Network.”
- Enter the ExpressVPN IP addresses you copied in the “Incoming Interface” section. Leave “Outgoing Interface” bare; else your torrent won’t download.
- Click “Apply,” then “OK.”
- Start downloading your preferred torrent files, or resume paused downloads.
While binding a VPN IP address to Deluge is usually recommended, it’s impractical since ExpressVPN already provides a Network Lock kill switch. No matter what server you’re on, this kill switch keeps Deluge from transmitting any internet traffic the instant ExpressVPN loses connection to a server.
I’ve tested the ExpressVPN Network Lock kill switch several times, and it works on all occasions. However, when I tested the IP binding by connecting to another server (Netherlands), Deluge still allowed me to download.
Thus, showing that reliance on IP binding alone isn’t safe.
How to Setup ExpressVPN on Router for Deluge?
Setting up ExpressVPN on your router allows you to bypass its five simultaneous connections. Hence, unlimited users can enjoy the VPN’s encryption while downloading via Deluge. Likewise, you can enjoy ExpressVPN’s port forwarding for Deluge over the router setup:
- Buy an ExpressVPN plan; save more with these offers.
- Install the ExpressVPN app on your router or choose the manual setup method based on your router model. I’ve included a video guide below.
- Connect your PC to the router’s network to enjoy ExpressVPN’s protection.
- Download the Deluge app and torrent anonymously.
How to Test ExpressVPN's Deluge Protection?
As seen above, Deluge bypassed its ExpressVPN-bound IP address to keep downloading torrents. So, what’s to say ExpressVPN is a reliable Deluge VPN?
Here are a few tests to perform for yourself to find out.
IP/DNS Leak Test
Deluge leaks the IP address and torrent client of peers downloading the same file you are. And in case you don’t know, ISPs have gotten better at identifying users by their IP addresses – since they usually assign a unique IP to each user.
So, a copyright troll or your network admin can join a torrent download, copy your IP address, and force your ISP to identify you. That’s why you need reliable IP/DNS protection, which ExpressVPN provides. Here’s how to test for that:
- Connect to an ExpressVPN server. I’ve connected to the Netherlands server in this example.
- Go to an IP leak test website. I use www.ipleak.net.
- Ensure that ExpressVPN returns the connected server’s IP address, not your IP address.
- Check Deluge’s bottom bar to confirm that it also registers the ExpressVPN IP address.
Now, anyone snooping on the torrent download will only get ExpressVPN’s IP address. And since that IP is shared among millions of ExpressVPN users worldwide, you won’t get caught.
Torrent Leak Test
Another definitive test is the torrent leak test which focuses on whether your network admin or ISP can see that you’re downloading torrents on the network.
So, beyond staying anonymous with a new IP address, you can conduct your online business privately with ExpressVPN. Here’s how to test:
- Connect to an ExpressVPN server. I switched to its Switzerland server for this example.
- Open www.doileak.com.
- Click “Torrent IP Leak Test,” then “Begin test.”
- Click “Yes, my VPN is on.”
- Copy and add all four magnet links to Deluge.
- Check “All four files are running in my torrent client” after adding them, then click “Show Results.”
- A “Not Detected” verdict shows all is well.
If the test shows issues found, disconnect and reconnect to the same or a different ExpressVPN server.
Even so, most of the issues found are that ExpressVPN broadcasts the server IP address over Deluge, not your IP address. So, you’re safe either way. But for your peace of mind, it’s best to disconnect and reconnect.
What Makes ExpressVPN an Ideal Deluge VPN?
Being compatible with Deluge across multiple setup processes is the first of many reasons why ExpressVPN shines with this torrent client. But there’s more.
P2P Server Spread
ExpressVPN boasts 3000+ servers in 94 countries, and unlike most other VPNs, all its servers are P2P-optimized.
Likewise, the extensive spread makes getting a nearby P2P server easier, ensuring your data doesn’t travel too far and you can enjoy the best speeds + optimal performance.
Reliable Encryption
ExpressVPN’s encryption is a two-fold blessing for Deluge torrenting:
- It ensures your IP address stays hidden throughout, as shown in the torrent IP leak test above.
- It ensures your torrenting activity looks like gibberish to anyone snooping. So, they won’t even know you’re using Deluge or see what files you download.
The VPN service provider builds on that with automatic obfuscation, which hides your VPN traffic under HTTPS traffic. This comes in handy when:
- Your network admin is blocking VPN traffic on the network you’re using to download torrents.
- Your firewall is set up to block torrent website traffic, even under standard VPN servers.
- You don’t want your ISP and network admins to know you’re using a VPN.
So, you get the ultimate privacy and security in one package!
The best part is that ExpressVPN offers its obfuscation across all servers and protocols without losing speed. Most of its competitors only offer obfuscation on one protocol (OpenVPN mostly) and suffer a massive speed hit once enabled.
Port Forwarding for Seeding
You can use ExpressVPN’s port forwarding setup (via the router guide) to
- Boost torrent download speeds
- Remotely connect to peers for faster file sharing
- Seed torrents on private trackers or to the public community
However, ExpressVPN doesn’t allow port forwarding on its PC and mobile apps.
What’s the Best ExpressVPN Server for Deluge?
Every one of ExpressVPN’s 3000+ servers is ideal for Deluge, offering the same security, privacy, and P2P support.
However, you can unlock faster downloads by choosing the P2P server closest to your physical location. Ensuring your internet traffic doesn’t have to travel too far to the server for encryption reduces latency and enhances speed.
Alternatively, choose the ExpressVPN-recommended “Smart Location” as it’s usually the best-performing server for your current connection type.
In fact, it can sometimes outperform the server closest to you.
What Are the Best ExpressVPN Alternatives for Deluge?
ExpressVPN ticks Deluge’s privacy, security, and compatibility boxes.
But what happens when you want to enjoy SOCKS5 proxy-enabled downloads, use port forwarding on a PC or connect more than five devices to Deluge?
That’s where ExpressVPN alternatives come into the mix:
NordVPN – SOCKS5 Proxy and Threat Protection
NordVPN offers P2P servers, packs a fast in-house protocol (NordLynx), and offers thousands of servers like ExpressVPN. Furthermore, its SOCKS5 proxy feature impresses, which you can set up with Deluge for even faster, secure downloads devoid of the VPN’s encryption load.
On top of that, NordVPN brings Threat Protection – an ad and tracker blocker – with its VPN package. So, you no longer have to worry about ad-ridden torrent websites like The Pirate Bay, nor would you be concerned about malicious trackers!
PrivateVPN - SOCKS5 Proxy + Dynamic Dedicated IPs
PrivateVPN might not have as many servers as ExpressVPN, but it counters with free dedicated IP servers in multiple regions.
Unlike other VPNs (even NordVPN) that charge for their dedicated IPs, PrivateVPN doesn’t. The best part is that each dedicated IP address is only available once and never used again.
That means you’ll be the only one on that server getting the full blast of the unshared bandwidth to download files on Deluge.
Furthermore, PrivateVPN offers Deluge-compatible SOCKS5 proxy addresses.
Set it up when you don’t feel like firing up a VPN server, and you can download torrents faster without VPN interference.
Experience Private Torrenting
ExpressVPN’s impact on your Deluge torrenting activity will give Harry Potter’s cloak of invisibility a run for its money. It’s that good at keeping your IP address hidden and ensuring no one sees you using Deluge, browsing torrent websites, or downloading files.
So, why not grab these ExpressVPN discounts to get better deals on the VPN and start torrenting anonymously from today?