Best VPNs for Torrenting and Downloading Files 2020

Torrents are one of the best ways to get content from the internet. This is because it is cheap, fast, and you get content that is unavailable in other internet repositories. Despite the benefits, some torrent users might share content that infringes copyrights. This is why most ISPs, copyright holders, and government agencies are against torrenting. To be on the safe side and avoid treading in the gray area, it is advisable to use the best VPNs for torrents. A VPN shields you against continuous ISP and copyright agencies’ monitoring and tracking. In a nutshell, the best VPN for torrents ensures your security and privacy is intact, and no one will track your online activities.

What is torrenting, and why use a VPN when torrenting?

Torrenting is the use of a peer-to-peer (P2P) system, mainly the bit torrent protocol, to share files. It is a faster way of getting files since they are many sources. For instance, many peers can have the same file you are downloading. When torrenting, you will download files from multiple links. If one peer goes down, you will continue downloading the files from other peers. When you are done, you also seed the file – making available for other users to download.

Despite getting the files in a faster and reliable manner, torrenting popularity also arises from the fact that users can share or download copyrighted material without the holder’s permission. In many countries, copyright infringement is a crime punishable by hefty fines, jail term, or both. Using P2P/ torrenting is not illegal, but infringing copyrights is illegal. At times, when torrenting, you might not know if you are downloading copyrighted content. To avoid this, use the best VPN to hide all your online activities. Also, most ISPs throttle torrent connections due to the high bandwidth usage and pressure form copyright agencies. Additionally, your peers can also see your IP address, and this might lead to privacy and security issues. The best way to enjoy sharing or downloading torrents is to use a VPN.

Pros and cons of the best VPNs for torrents

What to consider when choosing the VPN for torrenting

• Bandwidth and speed – torrenting involves downloading/sharing big files, which is a speed intensive task. This requires a lot of bandwidth, also for a good experience, it requires a fast VPN. The best VPN for torrenting should offer unlimited bandwidth with incredible speeds.
• Server Locations – VPN servers determine how a VPN delivers its services. For torrenting, a VPN should have a larger network of optimized servers. Larger networks avoid congestion and ensure you can access geo-restricted content with ease. Optimization ensures the overall VPN performance is excellent.
• Privacy & Security – the best VPN for torrenting should offer strong encryptions and be a strict no-log VPN. This ensures that no prying eyes can know what you are doing online. And even if the VPN is coerced to give out details about a user, the records will not be available. Hence, your privacy will be intact.
• Special P2P features – to complement all the above, VPNs with special P2P features are much preferred. These features include supporting P2P traffic, special servers set aside for torrenting, port forwarding, and SOCKS5 proxy and double VPN.

Best VPN for torrenting

IPVanish – For privacy while torrenting

Max devices supported 10

Supported platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, browsers and routers

Server location: 75+

No of servers: 1300+

Cost: $6.99/month (1 year plan), $8.99/month (3 months plan), and $10.00/month (Monthly plan)

From the VPN’s name IPVanish, all your internet activities, and torrent traffic will not be available for anyone to pry. Surf the web and torrent without a trace. IPVanish is suitable for torrenting given the fact that it is one of the best top tier VPN in the industry. This means that IPVanish manages and operates its VPN network, no third parties allowed. This makes it more private and reliable. Despite being located in the US, a jurisdiction that allows and pushes for mass surveillance and other injustices that can expose your privacy, IPVanish keeps no logs. This means no activities will be traced back to you whatsoever.

IPVanish top tier network has 1,300 plus VPN servers in 75plus locations. These servers have a pool of over 40,000-shared IP addresses; this is suitable for privacy. The optimized servers also deliver fast speeds and offer unlimited bandwidth and server switches suitable for torrenting. IPVanish also has a SOCKS5 proxy for masking your P2P connections. This VPN also uses the AES 256-bit encryption, secure protocols, DNS leak protection, a NAT firewall, and a kill switch.

The VPN service is easy to use, and it has apps compatible with most computing platforms. The apps lightweight and sport a user-friendly interface. The customer service is excellent, but you only get a 7-day money-back guarantee on IPVanish pricing plans.

NordVPN – Best security for torrenting

Max devices supported: 6

Supported platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, browsers and routers

Server location: 58+

No of servers: 5600+

Cost:  $3.49/month (3 year plan), $4.99/month (2 year plan), $6.99/month (1 year plan), and $11.95/month (Monthly plan)

Torrenting requires the best security, and NordVPN is known for such. This VPN service provides advanced security, maximum privacy, and delivers fast speeds needed for torrenting and sharing P2P traffic. Additionally, NordVPN is based in Panama, a favorable jurisdiction that does not have mandatory data retention laws. Coupling this with NordVPN’s zero log policy, your connections logs, torrenting and online activities are secure and private, because they will not be available.

Nord VPN has a vast server network of 5600 plus servers spread in 58 countries. These servers are optimized to support P2P traffic and deliver unlimited bandwidth with fast speeds. Also, the servers sport other added features suitable for P2P file sharing. The servers offer obfuscation to scramble torrent traffic, dedicated IP, and double encryption. Other NordVPN features include next-gen AES 256 bit encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, Cybersec, and onion over VPN for more anonymity.

This VPN service also sports an award-winning 24/7 customer service. NordVPN is compatible with most computing platforms, and its VPN apps are straightforward and easy to use. Its subscription plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN – The all-rounded VPN

Max devices supported: 5

Supported platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, browsers, consoles, and routers

Server location: 94+

No of servers: 3000+

Cost:  $8.32/month (1 year plan), $9.99/month (6 months plan), and $12.95/month (Monthly plan)

ExpressVPN is an excellent option for torrenting due to its well-balanced performance, privacy, and security. Unlike other VPNs, ExpressVPN does not explicitly indicate that it supports torrent traffic. Nevertheless, P2P traffic is allowed, and this includes torrenting. Based on the British Virgin Islands, this VPN service enjoys favorable jurisdiction with no mandatory data retention laws. In addition, its strict zero log VPN. Your security and privacy are always intact and away from prying eyes.

It has a huge server network of 3000 plus servers strategically placed across 160 locations in 94 countries. These servers deliver optimized speeds and unlimited bandwidth suitable for P2P services, such as torrents. Additionally, its features also ensure you are always getting the best from this VPN service. The features include Zero-knowledge DNS, Trusted Server technology, split tunneling, DNS & IPv6 Leak protection, multiple secure protocols, best in class encryption, and perfect forward secrecy.

ExpressVPN features unified VPN apps with a user-friendly interface, and the VPN service is compatible with almost all computing platforms. It has a reliable 24/7 customer service, and it offers a no-risk and hassle-free 30-day money-back guarantee policy on its subscription plans.

CyberGhost VPN – Fast and secure torrenting

Max devices supported: 7

Supported platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, browsers and routers

Server location: 90+

No of servers: 6000+

Cost: $2.75/month (3 years plan), $5.99/month (1 year plan), and $12.99/month (Monthly plan)

CyberGhost is among the few VPN services that have always allowed P2P traffic. This VPN service has a dedicated profile for just torrenting. Most of its servers are optimized to offer the best torrenting experience. Except a few, those that are within jurisdictions that have very hostile copyright environments such as Australia and the US. To offer torrenting abilities, VPN services must be secure and private. CyberGhost VPN is a privacy and security-focused VPN. Its Romanian jurisdiction does not have mandatory data retention laws, and it is a no-log VPN.

This VPN service sports one of the largest VPN networks. It comprises of 6000 plus VPN servers which span over 112 server locations in more than 90 countries. The servers offer the highest possible speeds with unlimited bandwidth and traffic. CyberGhost VPN features include an automatic Kill Switch, DNS and IP Leak Protection, military-grade 256-bit AES Encryption, and secure protocols.

CyberGhost offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and can handle your requests in English, German, French, and Romanian. The VPN service is compatible with multiple platforms, and its apps are intuitive and easy to use. CyberGhost is among the few VPN services that offer a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Private Internet Access – For protecting your privacy

Max devices supported 10

Supported platforms: Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, browsers and routers

Server location: 29+

No of servers: 3000+

Cost: $3.33/month (1 year plan), $5.99/month (6 months plan), and $9.95/month (Monthly plan)

Private Internet Access (PIA) is among the few US-based VPN service providers that allow torrenting and P2P traffic in its servers. Also, it is among the few VPN services that have its no-log policy claim proven in court. With this service, you do not have to worry about prying eyes peeping at your online activities; they will not have anything to see. This VPN service also offers the SOCKS5 proxy, which is useful in the torrenting realm.

PIA has a wide server network on 3000 plus servers in more than 29 countries. These servers are optimized to deliver maximum speeds with unlimited bandwidth. Other VPN features include a military-grade subscription, multiple VPN gateways, blocks ad, malware and trackers, port forwarding, and a NAT firewall.

Its VPN apps are compatible with most computing platforms. It worth noting that its Linux app offers all the functionality as other apps, something that other VPNs do not offer. PIA offers 24/7 customer support. Its subscription plans carry a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Conclusion

With the rise in monitoring from both ISPs and copyright agencies, torrenting is risky nowadays. But this does not mean you should stop using P2P networks to get your favorite content. You can torrent safely by using the above best VPNs for torrents. They offer impeccable security, privacy, and unlimited speeds suitable for torrenting.

FAQs for best VPNs for torrents

Can I use free VPNs for torrenting?

Yes. However, torrenting using free VPNs is riskier, and the experience will be frustrating. They also lack proper mechanisms necessary for torrenting.

Can I use a cracked VPN?

The above best VPNs offer the best value for your money. Using cracked VPN apps increases your risk of getting malware and unlimited ads.

Is torrenting illegal?

Torrenting is not illegal. But sharing or downloading copyrighted content without the holder’s permission is illegal.

How can I start torrenting?

To start torrenting, you first need to use one of the above VPN services. Second, install a bit torrent client and get torrents from torrent sites. Use a VPN to unblock them; most torrenting sites are blocked.

What is the best device for torrenting?

You can safely torrent on any internet-enabled device that has storage and supports VPNs. Mostly, desktops and smartphones are preferred.

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