The best VPNs for torrenting right now

One of the best reasons to get a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is for downloading files. Using a VPN, you should be able to access files from networks and countries that would otherwise be blocked. For people who use torrent links to download files with protocols like BitTorrent, access to a VPN is really important. By its very nature, torrents require the use of a number of online servers, each of which shares a small part of a larger file. A person who accesses a torrent file downloads several smaller files (or pieces of files) at once, which are then assembled into the full file at the end.

Read more: The best VPNs you can get

If you want to maintain your privacy while downloading torrent files, using a VPN is really a requirement. However, if you are looking at potential VPNs for torrenting purposes, which ones are the best?

Note: Torrenting is a popular way for people to get illegal content; we obviously do not condone the use of torrents to obtain copyrighted or otherwise illegal file downloads.

Best VPNs for torrenting:

Editor’s note: We’ll be updating this list of the best torrenting VPNs regularly as new ones launch.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is considered one of the best VPN services around with good reason. It offers everything you would expect from a great VPN, like a zero-logging policy, impressive connection speeds, a large number of servers across the world, and necessary security features like the Network Lock, DNS leak protection, and more. The apps are easy to use but don’t compromise on settings and features.

ExpressVPN also doesn’t skimp on what the VPN is capable of. Everything from P2P file sharing to media streaming, including Netflix, is possible using ExpressVPN. Its zero-logging policy, the fact that it is based in the British Virgin Islands, and support for P2P on all servers makes ExpressVPN one of the best VPNs for torrenting you can get.

ExpressVPN can be more expensive than other providers, but it is certainly one of the best VPN services around and worth the cost. The prices include $59.95 for the 6-month plan ($9.99 per month), and $12.95 for the month-to-month plan. However, you can save 49% and get 3 months free (for a total of $99.95 for the first 15 months) if you are an Android Authority reader. It will then cost only $6.67 a month for the first 15 months.

NordVPN

NordVPN is all about providing the best security features possible. Your online activity stays completely private with its zero-logging policy, IP and DNS leak protection, and the best encryption protocols. Beyond that, you can take advantage of specialty servers for P2P and Anti-DDoS. For even more security, you have the option to enable Double VPN that runs everything through two servers.

While a network kill switch is standard, the service also comes with an App Kill Switch that lets you set certain apps to automatically close if the VPN connection drops. The apps also recognize if you are in a restricted location and load obfuscated servers. Finally, you can request a dedicated IP service, which will set you back an additional $70 a year.

Despite the heavy security features, NordVPN manages to offer excellent speeds and low latency. It features specialty servers for torrenting and Netflix works via select servers as well. NordVPN is also one of the few premium VPN services to offer a free seven-day trial along with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

NordVPN is also quite affordable considering all that it has to offer. It is currently priced at $49 for the 1 year plan ($4.08 per month), and $11.95 for the month-to-month plan. You can also get a two-year plan, billed as $89 or $3.71 a month, with an extra three months for free. With its great mix of security features, speed, useful extras, and reasonable price points, NordVPN is considered by many to be one of the best VPN services currently available.

Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access, or PIA, is a very popular VPN service mostly because of how affordable it is. However, it doesn’t compromise on key aspects that make for a good VPN. The connection speeds are good, all the necessary security features are available, and its zero-logging policy helps alleviate any concern with the fact that PIA is based in the US.

Once you set up and save the various settings and security features, PIA is controlled entirely through a tray icon on Windows, which can definitely take some getting used to. Overall, it isn’t the easiest to use and is recommended for more experienced VPN users who can easily find their way around everything. If you are looking for a fast and cheap VPN service, PIA is the way to go.

Read more: The best cheap VPNs available

PIA is currently priced at just $39.95 for the one-year plan ($3.33 per month), and a monthly rate of $9.95. The best value is the two-year plan, with an extra two months for free, which costs $69.99 ($2.69 per month).

CyberGhost

The speeds are good but not great. However, that may be because of my location. The speeds are still more than enough to stream high-quality videos on sites like Netflix without any lag or buffering issues. CyberGhost is also one of the better VPNs for torrenting. Apart from the Torrent anonymously section, the server list clearly marks the locations that allow for P2P file sharing.

CyberGhost costs $12.99 a month, $47.88 for a year ($3.99 a month), or $28.80 for the first six months ($4.80 a month). There’s also a one year plan, with three months for free,  with the first 15 months priced at just $29, or just $1.99 a month.

IPVanish

IPVanish is a simple VPN to use with apps available for every major platform, and support for Wi-Fi routers, Chromebooks, and more. The security and privacy features are fantastic, and beyond what many competing services have to offer.

IPVanish is known for offering some of the fastest download and upload speeds, and its usually low latency makes it one of the best VPNs for torrenting. The stability and reliability of the connection are impressive as well. IPVanish is based in the US, which can be an issue. However, its strict zero-logging policy should help alleviate any concerns.

IPVanish is priced at $44.99 for the first year ($3.75 per month) and then goes up to $89.99 for each year afterward. You also get to take advantage of a 30-day money-back guarantee with this subscription. A monthly plan will set you back $10.99 per month. There are also plans that add 500GB of cloud file storage. They cost $12.99 a month, or $54.99 a year for the first year, and then $109.99 for each year afterward.

SurfShark

SurfShark is one of the most feature-packed VPNs for torrenting you can get. It uses multi-hop servers to add another layer of security and a Camouflage Mode ensures that your Internet service provider can’t tell that you’re connected to a VPN. You should also not have too much trouble using Surfshark in restricted regions with its NoBorders Mode. Finally, it has a strict no-logging policy and uses the most secure encryption standards and VPN protocols. All of that and more make it one of the best VPNs for torrenting.

Surfshark comes with one of the highest monthly rates for a VPN service at $12.95. It goes down to $6.49 per month for the six-month plan, billed as $38.94. You can also get a two-year plan for the special price of $69.76 ($2.49 a month) for the first two years if you type in the promo code “surfsharkdeal“.

As you can see, there are a ton of options if you want to use VPNs for torrenting files, with many services offering fast downloads, while also keeping those activities private and secure. Of course, we will continue to expand this list as we review even more VPN services.

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