While I was happy to find that some free VPNs do have decent security and privacy features, there is usually a catch in other areas. This includes data caps, server limitations, and speed throttling. The only way to torrent without restrictions is by using a premium VPN. An affordable service like ExpressVPN provides anonymous torrenting on every server, unlimited data, fast download speeds, and 24/7 customer support. While it’s not free, you can try ExpressVPN for torrenting without risk. If you’re not happy, you can get a full refund with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Try ExpressVPN risk-free
Short on Time? Here Are the Free VPNs for Torrenting in 2023
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The Best Free VPNs for Torrenting (Tested in 2023)
1. ExpressVPN — High-Speed Servers for Fast Torrenting
Key Features: ExpressVPN’s high-speed servers are ideal for torrenting, ensuring you can get the files you want without limiting your connection. While it isn’t free, I reccomend it for a safe, secure experience when doing something as privacy-important as torrenting. During tests, I measured an average of 289.9Mbps with ExpressVPN’s global servers, only a 14.6% drop from my baseline of 350Mbps. This was more than adequate for torrenting files without a noticeable impact. Its torrent-specific security features are top-of-the-line, providing users with comprehensive protection while downloading torrents. This includes:
AES-256 bit encryption — for secure data transmission, ensuring that your online activities remain private and protected. Automatic kill switch — safeguards your identity if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly, preventing accidental IP exposure. DNS leak protection — stops prying eyes from seeing your DNS queries, further enhancing your privacy while torrenting. TrustedServer technology — RAM-based servers to ensure that no traffic data is ever written to a disk. Audited no-logs policy — verifies that ExpressVPN follows all its claimed privacy procedures.
With ExpressVPN’s Split Tunneling feature, you can select which apps you want to use via the VPN connection. This optimizes your torrenting experience by ensuring secure high-speed downloads without sacrificing the performance of other online activities, such as browsing or streaming. Another aspect that makes ExpressVPN the top torrenting choice out of the best-ranking VPNs overall is its vast network of over 3,000 servers in 94 countries. Such extensive coverage ensures that you will almost always have a nearby server for optimal performance while torrenting. This leads to lower latency and the ability to maintain high download speeds. One drawback of ExpressVPN is its cost. At $6.67 per month with its 1-year plan, it’s the priciest of the two premium options on this list. However, its high speeds and overall exceptional torrenting performance, coupled with robust security features, help justify the higher price. If you want to try ExpressVPN risk-free, you should know that it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested this policy and found it to be fast and simple. When I contacted a support agent via the 24/7 live chat, the agent didn’t ask any questions, quickly approved the request, and sent the money my way (I had it 5 days later). Try ExpressVPN risk-free
2. CyberGhost — P2P-Optimized Servers for Reliable Downloads
Key Features: CyberGhost’s premium service offers multiple global torrent-optimized servers, designed to guarantee fast and uninterrupted torrent downloads. By prioritizing and optimizing P2P file-sharing connections, these servers ensure you can enjoy a reliable torrenting experience regardless of your location. Although I experienced a drop of 34.7% in my tests, CyberGhost’s average speed still clocked in at a respectable 228.41 Mbps. Provided you have a baseline speed of around 25 Mbps to begin with, this level of drop shouldn’t impact your torrenting. I downloaded a 1GB public domain show in around 20 minutes while browsing the internet. It’s reassuring that CyberGhost offers a comprehensive suite of security features tailored for torrenting, including:
Military-grade AES-256 bit encryption — secures your data and maintains privacy. Automatic kill switch — safeguards your identity if the VPN connection drops. DNS and IP leak protection — prevents unintended exposure of your IP address and browsing history. Ad and malware blocker — protects against malicious content and online threats. Strict no-logs policy — so your torrenting activities are never recorded.
To ensure you don’t accidentally start torrenting without being connected to CyberGhost, you can set up Smart Rules. This way, CyberGhost will initiate a connection as soon as you open a torrenting client. As someone who has thought their VPN was active even though it wasn’t on more than one occasion, it’s reassuring to know I won’t start seeding without protection. By using CyberGhost’s NoSpy servers you get even more bandwidth, as well as added physical security and maintenance speeds (due to the server location inside CyberGhost’s headquarters in Romania). Several of these servers have been set aside specifically for torrenting, making them the best choice if you’re close enough to ensure high speeds. As for pricing, CyberGhost offers a range of plans to suit different needs and budgets. The best-value subscription is the 2-year + 3 months plan, which costs only $2.11 per month, making it one of the most affordable monthly VPNs available. If you want to try CyberGhost risk-free, know that the generous 45-day money-back guarantee on its long-term plan provides you with ample time to test the service’s torrenting capabilities. When I tested the refund process the cancellation was approved within minutes after my live chat request, and I received my money back within a week. Try CyberGhost risk-free
3. Proton VPN — 10Gbps Servers for Fast and Secure Torrents
Key Features: Proton VPN’s 140+ P2P-optimized servers offer up to 10Gbps connectivity, making it a great pick if you’re seeking fast and secure torrenting. High-speed Proton VPN server performance enables you to download large files quickly and efficiently, while the dedicated P2P servers ensure seamless file-sharing experiences without restrictions. It’s essential to note that the free version of Proton VPN doesn’t support P2P traffic. To access the P2P-optimized servers, you’ll need a paid plan, with pricing starting from $4.99 per month for the 2-year plan. Even though its free service doesn’t support P2P connections, I couldn’t leave Proton VPN off the list because of the great torrenting results I had with the paid service. You can still make use of the free version for less intensive tasks like streaming or browsing. With Proton VPN’s paid plan, I experienced a 29.8% drop in speed from my baseline, which is significantly better than the nearly 90% drop I got using the free servers. This goes to show that the paid plan is the way to go for torrenting, allowing you to download and share files without compromising on speed. There are several security features included, designed to provide robust protection for all your online activities:
AES-256 bit encryption — makes your data unreadable for top-notch security. Kill switch — cuts you off from the internet in case of a connection issue to prevent accidental data leaks. DNS leak protection — stops personally identifiable data being exposed to the web. Perfect forward secrecy — generates a new encryption key for each session, so in the unlikely event you get hacked, they won’t be able to access future sessions.
The company has a strong commitment to privacy, which is seen in Proton VPN’s strict no-log policy and the fact that it’s headquartered in Switzerland. This country is known for its favorable privacy laws, providing an additional layer of protection for your torrenting activities. Although a downside is that it’s not free, you can try Proton VPN’s paid plan risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Just keep in mind that it’s prorated, so you’ll be refunded for the time you haven’t already used. Thankfully, the process was straightforward, but I’d like to see a simplification of the policy to bring it in line with other VPNs. Try Proton VPN risk-free Proton VPN works on: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chromebook, Linux, smart TVs, and routers.
4. Hotspot Shield — Generous Free Monthly Data Allowance for Torrenting
Key Features: Hotspot Shield’s free plan is great for torrenting enthusiasts thanks to unlimited data and 5 server locations. These include LA, New York, Singapore, the UK, or Auto (an unspecified US location). For a free plan, Hotspot Shield is generous, especially since you don’t need to worry about data caps which are often the norm with free plans. While the free plan supports P2P traffic, it’s limited to a maximum speed of 2Mbps. To put this into perspective, it would take you 73 minutes to download 1GB at this speed. In contrast, the paid plan showed just a 29.4% drop in speed, which is a significant improvement and delivers a more consistent torrenting experience.
Hotspot Shield’s free plan offers robust security features for torrenting, with additional improvements available in the paid plan:
Military-grade encryption (AES-256) — for secure data transfer. Kill switch — terminates your connection if the VPN drops out. DNS leak protection — prevents exposure of your original DNS and IP addresses while torrenting. Proprietary Catapult Hydra encryption — enables safe and high-speed connections. No need to create an account for a free plan — for heightened privacy.
Note that Hotspot Shield has faced privacy concerns in the past. In 2017, it was accused of violating its “anonymous browsing” promise by redirecting web traffic to partner websites and using third-party tracking to serve targeted ads. Hotspot Shield, however, refuted these allegations — although it does still log quite a bit of data to this day. There’s also a Premium plan which provides additional benefits, including faster speeds, access to more server locations, and more connections. It is $7.99 per month with the 3-year plan. However, it’s still costlier than ExpressVPN, so I’d recommend trying out the free option for now. If you opt for Hotspot Shield’s premium subscription, you can try it risk-free thanks to its 45-day money-back guarantee. I found the refund process to be smooth with zero hassle. After contacting customer support, my refund was promptly processed and I had the money back within a week. Try Hotspot Shield free today
5. hide.me — Stealth Guard Protects Torrent Apps 24/7
Key Features: hide.me’s top torrent-related functionality is its Stealth Guard feature, which significantly minimizes risks when using your preferred torrenting apps. When you add a torrent app to Stealth Guard, it guarantees that it won’t work unless you first have hide.me connected. This prevents you from accidentally exposing your IP address. There is an extensive list of security features included with hide.me’s free plan, with plenty of configurability available, including:
Wide variety of VPN protocols — including OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, SoftEtherVPN, and SSTP. Strong encryption — scrambles your traffic to secure your data. Audited no-logs policy — verifies that nothing is stored to guarantee your privacy. Kill switch — blocks web access in case of a VPN failure, preventing IP leaks.
It’s impressive that hide.me’s free plan supports P2P traffic; however, my speeds dropped a significant 90.55% compared to my baseline speed. You also only get 10GB of monthly data with the free plan, which can quickly hold you back if you’re a frequent downloader. I got through it within a week with only a few downloads.
If the free plan isn’t enough for you, you can try the premium plan risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. You can choose between a few competitive plans, with the best deal being the 2-year + 4 months subscription at $3.84 per month. Note that I had to email hide.me support to get a refund rather than live chat, although it’s hardly a dealbreaker. Try hide.me free today
Why You Need a VPN for Torrenting and P2P Downloads
Torrenting downloads can expose you to a range of security and privacy risks if you’re not careful. A VPN is an essential tool for anyone who engages in torrenting, as it provides a layer of protection and anonymity to ensure your online activities remain secure and private. The main issues can occur during the file-sharing process itself. Seeding refers to the distribution of the files from the source — if you don’t protect your details during this stage of torrenting, they can be seen by everyone sharing the file. While most file sharers mean well, it only takes one person with bad intentions to wreak havoc. A VPN hides your real IP address and replaces it with one from its own network of servers. This means that nobody can see your real information. It also protects you in the event a file you click on contains malware and other cyber threats, which can be a common occurrence on torrent sites. Using a VPN also protects you if you accidentally download or share a copyrighted file. The penalties for breaching copyright vary from country to country but can come with hefty fines and even jail time. If your identity is protected by the VPN, you minimize the risk of accidental breaches. Quality VPNs come with the following features as standard, which are essential for safe torrenting:
Protection against ISP throttling – Your internet service provider can spy on everything you access. If they see that you are torrenting files, it can lead to throttling of your internet speeds. Getting around NAT Firewalls – A NAT (Network Address Translation) firewall is a security feature employed by routers to control incoming and outgoing internet traffic. A VPN can avoid firewalls, enabling seamless P2P connections and faster torrent downloads. IP binding – By binding your torrent client to a specific VPN-assigned IP, you can ensure that your torrenting activities are only conducted through the VPN connection. This adds an extra layer of security since your torrent client won’t function if the VPN isn’t active, preventing exposure during seeding. Port forwarding – allows you to connect to a source directly to speed up your P2P connections for faster download speeds. This feature can be particularly helpful if you’re experiencing slow torrent downloads due to ISP throttling or other network restrictions. Kill switch – automatically disconnects your internet connection if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This prevents your IP address and torrenting activities from being accidentally exposed, maintaining your privacy and security at all times. This is not only useful for torrenting, but during any online activity where you require privacy.
Torrenting public domain files carries minimal risks, but engaging in P2P file sharing can be highly hazardous. A single misguided click can lead to significant consequences. That’s why it is crucial for you to employ a reputable VPN, like the ones recommended in this article, to safeguard yourself whenever you engage in torrenting.
Comparison Table: 2023’s Best VPNs for Torrenting
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Warning! Avoid These Free VPNs for Torrenting (Updated List)
How I Tested and Ranked The Best VPNs for Torrenting and P2P Downloads
I used the following criteria to narrow down the list of the best free VPNs for torrenting:
Turbo VPN
Turbo VPN doesn’t support torrenting and P2P file sharing, and has a history riddled with significant privacy concerns (including being caught stealing parts of other VPNs’ terms pages).
Cross VPN
According to 10+ antivirus apps Cross VPN is riddled with malware, making it not only bad at its job but also inherently dangerous to use for anything, P2P downloads or otherwise.
P2P-friendly servers — to ensure you won’t face any restrictions when using the VPN for torrenting purposes. Powerful security features — including strong encryption, a kill switch, and proven reliability to protect your data and privacy while torrenting. High speeds — crucial for torrenting without issue and activities such as gaming or watching shows on Netflix US (and anywhere) without lag or buffering. No-logs policy — even better if it’s independently audited, meaning it doesn’t store any user data or activity logs. This ensures that your privacy remains intact and prevents any potential data leaks or tracking by third parties. Wide device compatibility — including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Unlimited bandwidth servers — prevents throttling or limits in data usage so users can download and upload as much as they want without worrying about data caps. Reliable customer support — to address any issues or queries. I evaluated each VPN’s customer support to ensure they provide quick and helpful assistance. Money-back guarantee — since not all the VPNs on the list are 100% free, the paid ones have trustworthy guarantees so you can at least try them out risk-free.
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Get the Best Free VPNs for Torrenting Today
Utilizing a VPN is the most secure and user-friendly way to protect yourself while torrenting. Although there are free VPNs that support P2P downloads, it’s crucial to remember that free VPNs add risk, and taking risks while torrenting is a bad idea. That’s why a reliable premium VPN is the safest choice for P2P file sharing. For the best and safest torrenting experience, I suggest trying a premium VPN. ExpressVPN offers superfast servers and has no data caps. Plus, you can try it risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. It’s not free, but it is the top VPN for torrenting, so it’s great value for money. Free VPNs often impose limitations that hinder torrenting, such as data caps, slow speeds, and a limited server selection. These restrictions can lead to a frustrating torrenting experience, making premium VPNs a much better option. Worse still, several free VPNs have even been found to log users’ online activity to sell to advertisers or other third parties. Some have even been found to contain malware that activates upon downloading, compromising your device’s security. To avoid these issues, it’s crucial to choose a VPN with robust encryption, leak protection, and a no-logs policy. Note that I don’t condone torrenting copyrighted material, but I know it’s possible to accidentally click on a file that could get you in serious trouble. This is why I recommend using a high-quality VPN like ExpressVPN if you need to use apps like Kodi or Popcorn Time. It provides top-tier encryption and security to keep your online activity anonymous. Torrenting copyrighted material is illegal in practically all countries around the world (Somalia and the Marshall Islands being the only exceptions at the time of publication). Here are some of the main penalties you can face around the globe if you share or access copyrighted content:
United States: Fines up to $1,000,000 and jail time. Canada: Legal action is rarely taken for non-commercial purposes, but ISPs can monitor and issue warnings to customers who torrent copyrighted files. United Kingdom: ISPs can throttle bandwidth and disconnect users. Copyright holders can sue for damages. Netherlands: Fines can be imposed, but criminal charges are unlikely but not impossible. Germany: Fines of up to 1,000 Euros. India: Focus is on redistribution rather than personal consumption. Enforcement is relatively weak, but caution should always be taken.
Protection from malicious 3rd parties – seeding can be dangerous, as everyone in the swarm can see the IP address you are using. Without a VPN, you are also at risk of malware and other cyber-attacks embedded in the torrent file. ISP throttling – a VPN stops your internet service provider from throttling your speeds if it sees you are using your bandwidth to torrent. Accidentally clicking a copyrighted file – in the event you accidentally click or share a copyrighted file, having your IP address hidden keeps you safe from repercussions.
However, it’s essential to note that using a VPN is more likely to decrease your overall internet speed due to encryption overhead and the additional distance your data has to travel. Despite this, the security advantages and potential benefit of bypassing ISP throttling make a VPN a valuable tool for increasing torrenting speeds. Modern torrenting protocols also use Distributed Hash Table (DHT) and Peer exchange (PEX) mechanisms for a more decentralized process. For instance, while trackers can be shut down by authorities, DHT allows for a peer-to-peer discovery of other peers in the network without relying on a centralized tracker. It’s essential to always use a top VPN, such as the ones listed in this article, to protect yourself while torrenting. While it’s a paid service, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for torrenting. Its audited zero-logs policy, military-grade encryption, and high-speed servers ensure you can torrent swiftly and anonymously. Plus, with a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try ExpressVPN for torrenting risk-free. If you don’t like it for any reason, you can claim a full refund. Try ExpressVPN risk-free
