Torrenting can be a risky pastime—particularly as it exposes you to unknown files from anonymous sources. That's why I've picked out the 10 best (and most trustworthy) VPNs that'll have your back, and they're all privacy-first providers that are easy to use.
The TechRadar experts are constantly vetting the best VPNs, and have spent more than 3,000 hours testing over 100 services. That's 28,000 speed tests and 2,800 streaming tests on top of my own hands-on research.
Naturally, I don't encourage or condone illegal torrenting. I want to ensure that you're safe online—torrenting, after all, isn't for the faint of heart. People often torrent music, movies, and video games, to the chagrin of governments, internet providers, and media companies. However, when you share P2P, your activity becomes available to the public—and that's where a VPN becomes a must-have.
The best torrenting VPNs at a glance
Recent updates
There's been a big shakeup in TechRadar's VPN world, with NordVPN toppling ExpressVPN and claiming the overall #1 position. ExpressVPN still sits at the top of my torrenting recommendations, however, with NordVPN a very worthy runner-up. For more details, check out the latest VPN test results.
The best torrenting VPNs in 2024
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
The best torrenting VPN overall
1. ExpressVPN
Lots of customization, fast servers, and an enormous global network
Allows torrenting/P2P: Yes |external/go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=trd-us-2912419642673747059&sharedId=trd-us&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2Foffer%2Frecommended-deal" rel="sponsored noopener" target="_blank" data-url="https://www.expressvpn.com/offer/recommended-deal" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" data-hl-processed="hawklinks" data-placeholder-url="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk-prefix&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2Foffer%2Frecommended-deal" data-google-interstitial="false" data-merchant-name="ExpressVPN" data-merchant-id="298450" data-merchant-url="expressvpn.com" data-merchant-network="ImpactRad">
✔️ You want a VPN you can set and forget: the auto-connect feature means you can connect once and always be protected.
✔️ You want a VPN that offers port forwarding: ExpressVPN is one of a handful of VPNs to still offer port forwarding (and handy guides that'll get you up and running)
✔️ You need a VPN you can trust with your life: between ExpressVPN's regular audits and no-logs policy, you can be certain your information is safe from oppressive regimes.
❌ You're on a strict budget: ExpressVPN is an expensive choice. If you can't afford its prices, I'd recommend looking towards NordVPN or Surfshark.
🔒 ExpressVPN is the total package; it works with every device out there, has rock-solid security, and all of its servers are torrenting-friendly. Check out its features in your own time with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our in-depth
✔️ You want a VPN you can set and forget: the auto-connect feature means you can connect once and always be protected.
✔️ You want a VPN that offers port forwarding: ExpressVPN is one of a handful of VPNs to still offer port forwarding (and handy guides that'll get you up and running)
✔️ You need a VPN you can trust with your life: between ExpressVPN's regular audits and no-logs policy, you can be certain your information is safe from oppressive regimes.
❌ You're on a strict budget: ExpressVPN is an expensive choice. If you can't afford its prices, I'd recommend looking towards NordVPN or Surfshark.
🔒 ExpressVPN is the total package; it works with every device out there, has rock-solid security, and all of its servers are torrenting-friendly. Check out its features in your own time with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our in-depth
✔️ You want a VPN you can set and forget: the auto-connect feature means you can connect once and always be protected.
✔️ You want a VPN that offers port forwarding: ExpressVPN is one of a handful of VPNs to still offer port forwarding (and handy guides that'll get you up and running)
✔️ You need a VPN you can trust with your life: between ExpressVPN's regular audits and no-logs policy, you can be certain your information is safe from oppressive regimes.
❌ You're on a strict budget: ExpressVPN is an expensive choice. If you can't afford its prices, I'd recommend looking towards NordVPN or Surfshark.
🔒 ExpressVPN is the total package; it works with every device out there, has rock-solid security, and all of its servers are torrenting-friendly. Check out its features in your own time with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
✔️ You want a VPN you can set and forget: the auto-connect feature means you can connect once and always be protected.
✔️ You want a VPN that offers port forwarding: ExpressVPN is one of a handful of VPNs to still offer port forwarding (and handy guides that'll get you up and running)
✔️ You need a VPN you can trust with your life: between ExpressVPN's regular audits and no-logs policy, you can be certain your information is safe from oppressive regimes.
❌ You're on a strict budget: ExpressVPN is an expensive choice. If you can't afford its prices, I'd recommend looking towards NordVPN or Surfshark.
🔒 ExpressVPN is the total package; it works with every device out there, has rock-solid security, and all of its servers are torrenting-friendly. Check out its features in your own time with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our in-depth ExpressVPN review for a closer look at this luxe service.
ExpressVPN has all the tools you'd want from a torrenting VPN—including a massive network of more than 3,200 servers. All of these servers support P2P activity, too, so you won't have to go scrolling through the VPN's server menu to find a specific torrenting-friendly option, and you'll have unlimited bandwidth to use however you please.
The VPN makes its home in the British Virgin Islands, which is outside the jurisdiction of major surveillance alliances that could force a VPN company to hand over user information. This is massively important for torrenters and a huge win for your anonymity—and ExpressVPN sweetens the deal with an independently audited no-logs policy, too.
▶ Try ExpressVPN with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
As you'd expect from one of the most popular, well-known providers out there, ExpressVPN is jam-packed with tools—and even developed its very own proprietary, open-source Lightway protocol to offer users a faster, more secure VPN experience. Your downloads will be kept secure by military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, too, which means that nosy third parties (like your ISP, for instance) won't be able to keep tabs on what you're getting up to.
With kill switches, your data is safe even if your VPN connection drops, so you don't risk leaking data about your online activities or identity. We're glad to see effective kill switches for desktop and Android phones, although iOS doesn't have one specifically—you'll have to settle for an auto-reconnect option if you do most of your torrenting on iPhone or iPad. The software's split tunneling feature for both Mac and Windows users is worth mentioning, as it allows users to choose to protect their torrent client only. That leaves all other online activities, such as web browsing or gaming, unaffected by the VPN.
ExpressVPN is speedy enough for downloading large files—I tested its connection speed to multiple servers around the world and witnessed an average of 750 Mbps. However, it's not the fastest VPN on the market—nowhere near NordVPN and Surfshark, for example. Also, if you want a VPN service with built-in antivirus capabilities, note that Express lacks this option.
Price-wise, ExpressVPN costs more than other providers, so if you are on a strict budget, we recommend going for NordVPN or Surfshark. Yet, you can subscribe to ExpressVPN using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP if you wish to remain anonymous from the very beginning. Although its interface is not as intuitive as some of its competition’s, ExpressVPN provides 24/7 customer support via live chat or email, a valuable feature for first-time VPN users.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Security and privacy | Express offers highly secure protocols and military-grade protection | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Fast enough for the average user’s needs, but slower than Surfshark | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Can easily access sites and services worldwide | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | 24/7 available and helpful live chat support | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | More expensive compared to top competitors | ⭐⭐⭐ |
The best torrenting VPN with antivirus
2. NordVPN
Watertight security measures make it a natural choice for P2P
Allows torrenting/P2P: Yes |external/go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=trd-us-2912419642673747059&sharedId=trd-us&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2Foffer%2Frecommended-deal" rel="sponsored noopener" target="_blank" data-url="https://www.expressvpn.com/offer/recommended-deal" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" data-hl-processed="hawklinks" data-placeholder-url="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk-prefix&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2Foffer%2Frecommended-deal" data-google-interstitial="false" data-merchant-name="ExpressVPN" data-merchant-id="298450" data-merchant-url="expressvpn.com" data-merchant-network="ImpactRad">
✔️ You want a VPN you can set and forget: the auto-connect feature means you can connect once and always be protected.
✔️ You want a VPN that offers port forwarding: ExpressVPN is one of a handful of VPNs to still offer port forwarding (and handy guides that'll get you up and running)
✔️ You need a VPN you can trust with your life: between ExpressVPN's regular audits and no-logs policy, you can be certain your information is safe from oppressive regimes.
❌ You're on a strict budget: ExpressVPN is an expensive choice. If you can't afford its prices, I'd recommend looking towards NordVPN or Surfshark.
🔒 ExpressVPN is the total package; it works with every device out there, has rock-solid security, and all of its servers are torrenting-friendly. Check out its features in your own time with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our in-depth
✔️ You want a VPN you can set and forget: the auto-connect feature means you can connect once and always be protected.
✔️ You want a VPN that offers port forwarding: ExpressVPN is one of a handful of VPNs to still offer port forwarding (and handy guides that'll get you up and running)
✔️ You need a VPN you can trust with your life: between ExpressVPN's regular audits and no-logs policy, you can be certain your information is safe from oppressive regimes.
❌ You're on a strict budget: ExpressVPN is an expensive choice. If you can't afford its prices, I'd recommend looking towards NordVPN or Surfshark.
🔒 ExpressVPN is the total package; it works with every device out there, has rock-solid security, and all of its servers are torrenting-friendly. Check out its features in your own time with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
✔️ You want an all-in-one security suite: NordVPN has ad blocking and malware protection as standard with its VPN subscription.
✔️ You want a blend of quality and cost: With its regular audits and no-logs policy, you can be sure your information is completely safe
❌ You want to access content everywhere: with servers in 60 locations, you get a lot of options, but compared to our other top picks, NordVPN is more limited in countries and locations.
🔒 NordVPN strikes the perfect balance between security, usability, performance, and unblocking capability, all while offering exceptional customization. Try for yourself and see why it's such a close runner-up with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our in-depth NordVPN review for a closer look at this all-in-one security solution.
When talking about VPN security, NordVPN is one of the first names that springs to mind. That's unsurprising when you consider the ultra-secure connections you get with IKEv2/IPsec and OpenVPN protocols both supported, alongside the provider's very own high-speed NordLynx version of WireGuard. It offers numerous 'Double VPN' servers, which pass your data through two separate VPN servers for additional security. Furthermore, it supports Onion over VPN for extra privacy.
Like most top-notch VPNs, there's a clear no-log policy, too. Nord even regularly goes the extra step here by inviting external auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers to verify the security of its apps. It also launched a program that encourages anyone to uncover and report security problems with the service. Besides, NordVPN delivers extraordinary connection speeds of over 950 Mbps, which place the service among the fastest VPNs around.
▶ See how NordVPN compares with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN has a P2P-optimized infrastructure, meaning that it explicitly supports and allows this type of file-sharing activity on its entire server network. However, NordVPN stands out from its competition by offering obfuscated servers as an additional layer of privacy and security. This feature is crucial for residents of countries with strict internet censorship, as it disguises VPN traffic as regular HTTPS-encrypted traffic, making it near-impossible to detect for ISPs and network administrators.
In addition, NordVPN prevents any potential leaks of your DNS requests. This feature is particularly crucial while torrenting, as it keeps your device from accidentally bypassing the VPN connection by sending DNS requests directly to your ISP's DNS servers. NordVPN ensures all DNS requests are encrypted and handled through its servers, keeping your IP address hidden from third parties.
While NordVPN has more servers than ExpressVPN, it operates in only 60 countries, a surprisingly low number for a high-end provider. However, its server network is well-placed, ensuring you have a nearby server on every continent. It also doesn’t allow unlimited simultaneous connections to its encrypted servers, making it a worse choice than PIA for families.
Thanks to its advanced features, NordVPN is a robust and reliable VPN solution for torrenting, and it is affordable if you opt for its two-year-long plan. Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN accepts cryptocurrency payments and allows you to try its services risk-free for a month, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Security and privacy | Complete security suite guarantees high levels of protection | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | One of our fastest VPNs, but it might be slower for torrenting | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Perfect for Netflix and other streaming sites | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Always available, supportive, and professional | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Fantastic value for the money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
The best cheap VPN for torrenting
