6 Best VPNs for Torrenting in February 2024

Torrenting is one of the most popular ways for people to download software, large media files, and more online. However, doing so comes with privacy and security risks that many people don’t consider.

Your internet service provider (ISP) can see every website you visit and every file you download. They could also hand over your data to copyright holders or law enforcement if requested. This is where using a virtual private network, or VPN, becomes incredibly valuable for torrent users. A VPN encrypts and routes your internet connection through a remote server, hiding your online activities from snoopers.

In this article, we will explore the top VPNs for torrenting and help you choose the right one based on important selection criteria.

VPN selection criteria

When picking the best VPN for torrenting, there are a few key factors to consider:

Jurisdiction

The country or jurisdiction that the VPN provider is based in matters a great deal. Services based in locations cooperating with the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and 14 Eyes global surveillance networks – like the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand – should generally be avoided. Look for providers outside these regimes to better protect your privacy and anonymity.

No logging policy

A good VPN for torrenting won’t record or store any logs that could be requested by authorities. Look for providers that have undergone independent audits to verify their no-logs claims. Potential log types to watch out for include traffic logs, connection logs, bandwidth logs, DNS queries, and more.

Speed and performance

Torrenting large files requires good download speeds. Test different VPN server locations to find ones that minimize speed loss. Features like protocol choices, unlimited bandwidth, and optimized torrenting servers can also boost performance for P2P file sharing.

Supported devices and platforms

Consider how many simultaneous connections you need across different operating systems like Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and more. Quality VPNs make it easy to protect all your devices with just one account.

 24/7 live chat support

Issues inevitably come up, so go with a service that has friendly, knowledgeable representatives available to help quickly via live chat and email.

Affordable pricing

Since you’ll want to keep your VPN running full-time while torrenting, reasonably priced long-term subscription plans help your budget. Some even accept anonymous payment methods like cryptocurrency.

In-depth reviews of the top 6 VPNs for torrenting in 2024

With those basics in mind, here are detailed reviews of the six best VPNs for torrenting in 2024.

1. NordVPN – Best VPN for torrenting overall

Based in Panama, outside any global surveillance networks, NordVPN has over 5,500 servers worldwide optimized for torrenting. It has exceptional app interfaces for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and more with an intuitive kill switch to prevent data leaks. NordVPN implements the best AES-256 encryption and uses the secure OpenVPN protocol by default.

As the overall #1 rated VPN based on over 550,000 user reviews, Nord reliably delivers lightning-fast speeds without compromising security. Its SmartPlay feature even lets you easily access geo-restricted movie and TV show content from other countries. Nord’s super affordable 2-year plan is under $4 per month and accepts Bitcoin payments. 24/7 live chat ensures NordVPN support is always there when you need it.

Visit NordVPN

2. ExpressVPN – Fastest VPN for high-bandwidth torrenting

Offering unlimited bandwidth and over 3,000 servers worldwide, high-speed torrenters love ExpressVPN. It uses next-gen Lightway protocol and has well-engineered apps for seamless setup on any device, even routers. ExpressVPN secures connections with military-grade AES-256 encryption and supports secure protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec.

With 160+ location options and seriously speedy throughput, ExpressVPN powers through even the highest-resolution torrent downloads without slowdowns. It has a strict no-logs policy confirmed by independent audits too. At just under $8.50 per month for a year, its pricing is reasonable compared to the privacy and performance offered. 24/7 live chat support is impeccable.

Visit ExpressVPN

3. Surfshark – Great value with unlimited simultaneous connections

Surfshark earns its spot among the top torrenting VPNs thanks to competitive pricing of just $2.69 per month. But it doesn’t skimp on features either, offering unlimited simultaneous connections so you can use one subscription on as many devices as you need. Surfshark VPN boasts over 3,200+ servers worldwide with AES-256 encryption to keep torrent traffic fully private.

This excellent value provider maintains high download speeds for 4K torrent files. It has a clean no-logging policy and claims all customer data is kept anonymous. Surfshark’s easy-to-use apps run seamlessly across many platforms. While lesser known, Surfshark still delivers best-in-class security and value that loyal budget torrenters appreciate. The 30-day money-back guarantee removes all risk too.

Visit Surfshark

4. Mullvad – Maximum anonymity for privacy-focused users

Sweden-based Mullvad offers the strongest privacy and anonymity protection for highly security-minded torrenters. It collects no personal user information at all during signup, accepting anonymous cash or Bitcoin payments instead. Zero-knowledge DNS and stream isolation further separate your online identity from downloaded files.

With top-tier AES-256 encryption across all apps, Mullvad delivers safe internet access on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android without bandwidth restrictions. Randomizing your IP improves stealth for private downloads. Though pricier at $5.42/month, Mullvad’s privacy guarantees make it worth considering for high-risk torrents or jurisdictions with strict copyright laws.

Visit Mullvad

5. IPVanish – Great performance for 4K torrents

US-based IPVanish boasts an impressive network of over 1,500 servers worldwide with unlimited bandwidth. Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Fire TV, and more work seamlessly on any device. Though its US jurisdiction is a privacy tradeoff, IPVanish has remained zero-log since inception with confirmation via independent audits.

Fast speeds make IPVanish ideal for torrenting HD movies and television shows in 4K resolution. Its lightweight yet full-featured apps are optimized for high bandwidth activities and feature an auto-connect kill switch. At $3.25 per month on a 2-year plan, IPVanish prioritizes both affordability and performance, which is highly valued among power users.

Visit IPVanish

6. Private Internet Access – Budget-friendly with torrent support

Despite being headquartered in the US, Private Internet Access doesn’t log connection, bandwidth, or browsing data, as confirmed by independent audits. It supports P2P torrenting across over 3,300+ servers worldwide using OpenVPN and AES-256 encryption which is essential for safe torrent downloads.

PIA runs seamlessly on all major platforms while retaining the full functionality of torrent clients and seeding. Affordable long-term plans starting at $1.98 a month make PIA an excellent choice for budget-minded torrenters. Though speeds can vary, its generous simultaneous connection limit helps maximize bandwidth. 24/7 live support is always available for troubleshooting too.

Visit Private Internet Access

Frequently Asked Questions

Does torrenting require a VPN?

While not strictly necessary, using a VPN provides important security and privacy benefits when torrenting. It hides your IP address and online activities from snoopers like hackers and your ISP. A VPN also prevents copyright trolls from identifying your personal information if they monitor torrent swarms. Stealth torrenting through a VPN creates a safer, more anonymous experience overall.

Will my VPN provider see what I download?

Reputable VPN services use strong encryption to completely hide your online activities from others, including the VPN company itself. No-logging policies enforced through independent audits help verify providers don’t track or record usage data that could expose private torrent downloads. However, high-encryption protocols and selecting a VPN jurisdiction outside global surveillance networks offer the strongest download protection.

Can my ISP see my torrenting activity?

Yes, your internet service provider can view all unencrypted internet traffic passing through their network – including torrent downloads and uploads. They can observe file names, sizes, and even IP addresses of other users in torrent swarms. A VPN effectively routes all your activity through an encrypted tunnel that shields it from the prying eyes of your ISP. This protects privacy and prevents potential throttling or punishment for torrenting copyrighted content.

Are there any speed tradeoffs with VPNs?

Using a VPN does introduce a small amount of latency that can impact speeds, though reputable VPN providers have networked to minimize these effects. Streaming high-definition video may stutter on some overseas servers due to great distances. But for high-bandwidth activities like torrenting large files, close server locations and good overall infrastructure usually ensure speeds stay high. As long as a VPN is chosen with performance in mind, real-world download rates for torrents are typically only 10-20% slower than without encryption. This privacy premium is a worthy tradeoff for most users.

The bottom line: Your ultimate guide to choosing the stealthiest VPN for torrenting in 2024

For maintaining privacy and security while torrenting, choosing one of the above VPN providers is highly recommended. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark combine effective encryption protocols with priority for P2P streaming to deliver top overall experiences. But also consider your individual needs, as services like IPVanish and Mullvad may better suit technical or budget-conscious users. Simply by obscuring online activities with a VPN’s secure tunnel, downloaders gain a shield against potential fines or privacy intrusions.

If you want to trade crypto using a secure internet connection, check our list of the best VPNs for crypto trading.