To find the best VPN for torrenting, we applied a strict set of ranking criteria to all potential candidates on our list, ensuring only the best of the best get a place. Here are some of the must-haves if you want your VPN to keep you safe and anonymous while you’re torrenting.
The best VPNs for torrenting must have:
- P2P allowed
- Strict no-logs policy
- OpenVPN protocol
- Military-level encryption
- Kill switch
Otherwise torrenting can be compromised. Below are our top VPN picks for torrents.
NordVPN
P2P allowed
Strict no-logs policy
OpenVPN protocol
Military-level encryption
Kill switch
ExpressVPN
P2P allowed
Strict no-logs policy
OpenVPN protocol
Military-level encryption
Kill switch
SurfShark VPN
P2P allowed
Strict no-logs policy
OpenVPN protocol
Military-level encryption
Kill switch
Must have features VPN for torrenting
P2P allowed
The first thing you need to know when looking for a virtual private network for a VPN is, first and foremost, P2P file sharing capability. Some VPNs don’t strictly prohibit P2P, but they will do everything they can to prevent users from downloading copyrighted material. This includes everything from speed limits to canceling your account. Some will actively seek out users who use torrents and block their accounts. To avoid this, you should look for VPNs that explicitly allow P2P file sharing.
No-logs policy
For complete protection, you need a VPN service in a country without mandatory data retention laws. If mandatory data retention laws are in place, companies MUST log your data, so they will definitely be giving out some data if ordered to do so.
VPN providers can keep logs of two different types – connection and usage logs.
OpenVPN protocol
The best VPNs for torrenting usually include the OpenVPN protocol along with some other less attractive and secure options. OpenVPN has everything you’ll ever need to ensure your online security and privacy, as well as protect your sensitive data from prying eyes, whether it comes from criminal circles or the government.
OpenVPN definitely offers the highest level of security, but it is not the fastest connection protocol. For example, PPTP is much faster than OpenVPN, but we would never recommend using it because it is outdated, easily hacked and already compromised by the NSA. L2TP has also been compromised by the NSA and struggles with limited firewalls. L2TP / IPsec uses pre-shared keys and is often poorly implemented. SSTP is a pretty good choice for torrenting, but keep in mind that it is wholly owned by Microsoft.
Military-level encryption
The strongest encryption a VPN can offer at the moment is AES-256, also known as “bank level” or “military level” encryption. This encryption is an indestructible barrier around your online data that protects it from prying eyes that might interfere with your connection.
Some virtual private networks offer AES-128 encryption, which is just as good as its 256-bit counterpart. AES-128 has not yet been successfully cracked, which means that it can get the job done without any problems.
The AES-256 cipher most often works in tandem with RSA-2048 handshake and SNA-256 authentication, and that’s all you need to remain untouchable by your ISP, government, hackers, and large corporations. RSA-4096 and SHA-512 are definitely attractive options, but they can’t give you more security than the configuration we mentioned earlier.
Speed
Speed is one of the most important qualities of the best VPNs for torrenting. Having said that, your security settings can greatly affect the overall speed of your internet connection.
Virtual private networks will always affect your speed to some degree, so you can only try to reduce this speed loss by choosing high-quality services. A general rule of thumb: the higher the level of security, the lower the speed.
Secure connection protocols and strong encryption will have a greater impact on upload/download speeds. This may tempt you to sacrifice security for speed, but you should never do that when it comes to torrenting.
Kill switch
The kill switch is much more important if you’re going to use the VPN for torrenting rather than just browsing or streaming. The kill switch, as the name implies, will “destroy” your Internet connection if the VPN goes down for any reason.
If you disable the kill switch, the moment the VPN connection fails, your computer will automatically re-establish a normal connection through your ISP, which will provide your real location to all the protocols and websites you are browsing.
The kill switch can be seen as a kind of guide, designed to constantly monitor your connection for any suspicious changes. As soon as it detects something (such as a broken VPN connection), it blocks your computer’s Internet connection until the VPN returns to operational mode.
Servers
The best virtual private networks should have a wide network of fast and powerful servers scattered around the world, rather than a few servers scattered over a few countries. The location of all P2P-friendly servers is also very important, so you should always look for VPN services with powerful servers in torrent-friendly countries.
Server switching
Unlimited server switching is an amazing benefit when it comes to P2P file sharing, as it allows you to look for the best connection.
Bandwidth
When it comes to file sharing, the ability to upload or download an unlimited amount of data is an absolute must. Limited bandwidth can ruin your stream, so you should only choose VPN services without such restrictions.
Jurisdiction
If the VPN service you choose is registered in a country with mandatory data retention laws, you have to register your personal data and share it whenever it is required by government agencies. Countries with mandatory data retention laws include Malta, Estonia, Italy, Portugal, Greece and many others.
Top 3 VPNs for torrenting
We’ve selected the best 3 VPN services for torrenting that meet all important criteria. You can explore our top picks in more detail and find out which one is best for you. You might want to read reviews, discover the key features of our top-rated torrent VPNs and determine which one best suits your needs.