Torrenting, or P2P (peer-to-peer) file sharing, is a handy option to obtain massive recordsdata shortly. But it isn’t with out its dangers. Not solely is there the danger of unintentionally downloading a malicious file or malware, however there’s a privateness threat as nicely — your ISP can see all of your on-line exercise and so they often don’t take too kindly to torrenting.
That’s why it’s crucial that you simply use a VPN whereas doing any torrenting or P2P file sharing. A VPN can preserve your connection personal and encrypt your information in order that undesirable prying eyes — cybercriminals, overbearing ISPs, or nosy authorities watchdogs — can’t monitor your on-line exercise. (See “Can a VPN really hide all of your torrent activity?” to be taught extra.)
Why you need to belief me: Here at PCWorld we’ve been testing laptop {hardware}, software program, and providers because the 1980s. As PCWorld’s main VPN reviewer, I’m regularly testing all the main VPNs available on the market and plenty of lesser-known providers as a way to curate an inventory of the perfect VPNs throughout a wide range of classes. Below you’ll discover my favourite VPNs and extra details about what to search for when selecting a VPN by yourself.
If you’re fascinated by utilizing a VPN for one thing different than simply torrenting you may take a look at my checklist of best VPN services for much more nice choices.
NordVPN – Best VPN for torrenting total
Pros
- Loaded with tons of VPN configuration choices
- Outstanding speeds
- Multiple impartial no-logs audits
- Included antivirus and password supervisor
Price When Reviewed:
Basic plan from $3.39 a month for 2 years. Usually $12.99.
Why I like NordVPN
NordVPN is my prime choose for torrenting as a result of its improbable security measures, multi-hop connections, and independently verified no-logs coverage. Plus, it comes with built-in ad- and tracker-blocker in addition to malware safety and a hyperlink checker — you recognize, for any of these doubtful Linux torrenting websites you would possibly run into. NordVPN additionally proved to be the quickest VPN available on the market in my testing, so these massive P2P recordsdata ought to obtain in no-time.
It really has the whole lot you would need to make your torrenting sooner, simpler, and most significantly, safer. NordVPN additionally comes with broad machine assist and an easy-to-use Windows app. It is likely to be a bit costly, however in case you go for longer-term subscriptions it turns into loads cheaper.
Who can buy NordVPN
NordVPN is the right VPN for torrenting and anybody who’s searching for a VPN for this goal would do nicely to subscribe to the service. It’s additionally an ideal total VPN possibility for individuals who need pace and further options. Even energy customers will discover loads of customizable choices to get essentially the most out of their expertise.
Read our full
NordVPN review
ExpressVPN – Best VPN for torrenting runner-up
Pros
- Excellent speeds
- Well-designed interface
- Unblocks all streaming providers
- Great safety and privateness practices
Cons
- More costly than different VPNs
- Slightly gentle on additional security measures
Price When Reviewed:
From $4.99 a month for two years + 6 free months
Why I like ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is our favourite VPN, so it’s no shock that it’s touchdown as one in every of our prime picks for torrents as nicely. Even although it’s the best overall pick for VPNs, I give it the runner-up spot right here as NordVPN comes with just a few extra security measures than ExpressVPN — relating to torrenting, the extra safety the higher.
However, ExpressVPN continues to be a superb VPN selection for torrenting because it makes all the proper privateness guarantees and its speeds are superb. It additionally has a number of different nice qualities that make it value your whereas, akin to good DNS and dependable unblocking capabilities. Also, ExpressVPN is formally based mostly within the British Virgin Islands that means it isn’t topic to any home or worldwide information sharing necessities, that means you may really feel assured your ISP or different events received’t uncover your P2P exercise.
Who can buy ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a real all-arounder and an ideal possibility for everybody. Since it’s my prime choose total for VPNs, I might extremely suggest it to anybody who desires a VPN for extra than simply torrenting — particularly if in addition they need to do streaming.
Read our full
ExpressVPN review
Proton VPN – Best free VPN for torrenting
Pros
- Excellent free plan
- Great privateness instruments
- Reliable and clear no-logs coverage
Cons
- Premium plan is dear
Price When Reviewed:
1 yr: $59.88 ($4.99/mo) I 2 years: $107.76 ($4.49/mo)
Why I like ProtonVPN
My choose for greatest free VPN for torrenting is a no brainer: ProtonVPN. At no value, you’ll get a one-device reference to no information or closing dates. I repeat, no information or closing dates. That’s completely unparalleled from a serious VPN supplier and it means you may safely torrent to your coronary heart’s content material with out worrying about your file sizes. Sure, the free model of ProtonVPN comes with entry to solely 5 servers, however once you’re torrenting, the server location shouldn’t matter anyhow.
ProtonVPN additionally has a number of the quickest speeds round, each upstream and down, which is useful once you need to unfold the Open Office love as shortly as attainable. The Swiss-based service has wonderful privateness guarantees, and it has a bunch of servers in a friggin’ bunker too — taking a look at you, torrenting preppers.
Who ought to use ProtonVPN
Anyone who desires to torrent ought to use a VPN and anybody who doesn’t need, or have the means, to pay for a premium VPN ought to use ProtonVPN as a substitute. It’s free and has no information limits. I name {that a} win-win.
Read our full
ProtonVPN review
Mullvad – Best for privateness
Pros
- Good speeds
- Higher stage of anonymity attainable than with most VPN providers
- Windows desktop is simple to make use of
Cons
- Not assured to work with Netflix
- Lacks the additional providers that some VPNs supply
- No password safety in your account
Price When Reviewed:
$5.26 a month (€5)
Why I like Mullvad
Mullvad is the last word VPN relating to privateness and anonymity. The Sweden-based firm appreciates what you are promoting, but it surely’s not fascinated by discovering out who you’re. It goes nicely past the requirements of most different VPN firms relating to defending your anonymity. Instead of utilizing an e mail and password combo, Mullvad randomly generates an account quantity that features as your username and password. And you may even determine to mail in money as a subscription cost in case you don’t need your bank card on file.
While Mullvad focuses on privateness, it’s no slouch in different departments as nicely. It ranks within the prime 10 for speeds, and comes with a handy split-tunneling function as nicely. All servers are able to P2P transfers so you may simply choose your favourite server and begin torrenting. Plus, the service has a really cheap month-to-month subscription charge.
Who can buy Mullvad
Mullvad is finally for the privacy-conscious consumer. Those who actually demand final anonymity when torrenting or simply utilizing a VPN basically will discover that Mullvad takes energetic measure to make sure they by no means know who you’re — that means no different observer will know who you’re both. Due to its reasonably priced month-to-month plan it’s additionally an ideal possibility for VPN customers on a funds.
Read our full
Mullvad review
Private Internet Access – Best for personalization
Pros
- Independently verified no-logs coverage
- Unlimited simultaneous machine connections
- Incredible variety of servers
- Great additional options akin to multi-hop and break up tunneling
Cons
- App panel awkwardly situated on the lower-right nook of display screen by default
- Speeds are simply okay
Price When Reviewed:
$11.95 monthly
Why I like Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) is likely one of the hottest VPN suppliers and has seemingly been round eternally. PIA not solely comes with an insane quantity of servers, but additionally nice options akin to multi-hop, an app-based kill swap, and break up tunneling. All servers are able to P2P file transfers, and options like port forwarding imply your torrenting might be sooner and extra dependable.
PIA additionally has an ideal report of transparency, frequently present process impartial no-logs audits. It does lack some pace compared to different prime picks right here, however that shouldn’t translate to an excessive amount of of successful whereas torrenting.
Who can buy Private Internet Access
PIA is greatest suited for many who wish to tinker with their software program. It supplies so many customizable options that it may possibly come throughout as a bit overwhelming to the uninitiated and people simply searching for a set-it and forget-it possibility. But energy customers will discover a plethora of tweakable choices and settings to maintain them joyful by way of all of their torrenting endeavors.
Read our full
Private Internet Access review
Other VPN opinions and options
How I examined
If you’ve learn numerous these VPN articles, you recognize the drill by now. I take a look at on three completely different days taking the common speeds I discover in six completely different international locations (every nation is examined a number of occasions per day). Then I take all these every day averages to get an total world common in megabytes per second. Then I evaluate that to the bottom pace and not using a VPN, after which categorical the end result as a share based mostly on how a lot of the bottom pace the worldwide common maintains. If there are significantly standout speeds in a sure nation or area I’ll usually name these out too.
The cause I don’t quote particular speeds is that these can fluctuate by all types of things akin to your location, ISP, dwelling community load and gear, and so forth. The percentages, nonetheless, offer you a usually good thought of how a lot of a dip to count on once you hook up with a VPN — there’s at all times a dip.
One different issue torrent customers will need to find out about is that I learn the privateness coverage for every VPN I cowl. Yes, it’s painful to do, so I prevent the effort. The cause I do that may be a VPN might promise up entrance that it doesn’t monitor your net shopping, however then you definitely discover that truly it does log IP addresses, timestamps, and bandwidth used. So I dig into the main points so you may know precisely what the VPNs I assessment promise.
For extra particulars on my testing course of, see how we take a look at VPNs at PCow
What to search for in a VPN for torrenting
There are just a few hard-and-fast guidelines you want from a VPN when downloading torrents. Here’s what to search for:
Blocking
First of all you need a VPN service supplier that permits torrenting of P2P file sharing on their community. Most do, however there are just a few notable exceptions akin to Tunnel Bear, which actively blocks torrents.
Then there are VPNs that partially block torrents, particularly on U.S. servers akin to TorGuard. This VPN service not too long ago settled a lawsuit introduced towards it by a consortium of Hollywood manufacturing firms and because of this, TorGuard promised to not permit torrents on its U.S. servers. On prime of that, many different VPN providers don’t need to find yourself in a lawsuit like their opponents and actively disallow torrenting on their American servers.
Service location
For that cause, I like to recommend utilizing VPN providers which are based mostly exterior the U.S., and from these VPNs you need to use servers based mostly in international locations which are friendlier to torrents. This avoids the difficulty of coping with torrents being blocked outright when all you need to do is load up Ubuntu on that new laptop computer. Most VPN providers will specify which servers permit torrents, however a well-liked and straightforward selection is Sweden. The speeds are often good, and most providers embody Swedish servers of their networks together with many different international locations which are torrent-friendly.
No-logs coverage
The subsequent factor you need is a VPN that has an ironclad no-logs promise from the service supplier, as a result of no person desires to be uncovered downloading free and open supply software program. That signifies that the service ought to embody a promise to not preserve logs of any type.
I say “promise” since there’s no actual option to know for certain {that a} VPN isn’t logging your exercise. You finally must belief that it’s not doing it. This belief can come from just a few components, so as of reputability: The firm’s no-logs promise has been confirmed by a courtroom problem, quite a few third-party audits have verified the service’s claims, otherwise you would possibly simply take the corporate at its phrase proceed with warning.
Speed
Finally, after these particulars have been verified, you need a VPN with strong speeds. Torrents can take a very long time to obtain as it’s, relying on how many individuals are sharing the file. The last item you need is to see your obtain slowed down by shoddy VPN speeds.
To get the VPN you want for torrenting, simply put all these attributes collectively: permits torrents, absolute no-logs promise, torrent-friendly providers and servers exterior the U.S., and wonderful speeds.
FAQ
What is a VPN?
A VPN (digital personal community) encrypts your web site visitors and disguises your identification whereas shopping the web. When used for torrenting, a VPN will anonymize your torrenting site visitors and preserve your ISP from doubtlessly throttling your connection sooner or later.
Additionally, VPNs permit you to hook up with servers all internationally. So in case you’re seeking to entry location-restricted content material, akin to streaming providers, you may hook up with the suitable nation’s server and acquire entry that manner.
How does a VPN work?
A VPN hides your IP tackle by redirecting it by way of a distant server hosted by the VPN firm. To anybody wanting in, the VPN server then turns into the supply of your information as a substitute of your precise location. These distant servers might be in your personal nation or situated in numerous international locations all over the world. All of your community site visitors out of your laptop to the VPN is shipped over a safe and encrypted connection.
When related to a VPN whereas shopping the web, the VPN acts as a intermediary between your laptop and an internet site. Your laptop sends a request to the VPN, which then passes it on to an internet site. The web site then sends its response again to the VPN which forwards it by way of the safe connection to your laptop. All of the site visitors rerouted by way of the VPN exhibits as coming by way of its server relatively than your personal laptop. This retains your ISP and different third events from snooping in your web exercise.
Are VPNs authorized to make use of?
Yes! In most international locations, together with the United States, utilizing a VPN is completely authorized. Even although some web sites would possibly attempt to block VPN connections, they’re nonetheless okay to make use of. Please notice, whereas utilizing a VPN is authorized, a number of the actions performed whereas utilizing a VPN is likely to be unlawful. Activities akin to downloading pirated copyrighted content material or accessing darkish net markets are each unlawful with or and not using a VPN.
Is torrenting by way of a VPN protected?
Safety whereas torrenting comes down to 2 issues: anonymity and safety from malware or different malicious recordsdata.
As far as anonymity goes, sure, you can be protected against any snooping outsiders or your personal ISP’s restrictions on file torrenting by utilizing a VPN. If you recognize and belief the the service you’re utilizing, torrenting with a VPN needs to be fully protected from prying eyes.
In regards to safety from malware and different malicious recordsdata, no. A VPN by itself won’t shield you from unintentionally downloading malicious recordsdata from P2P networks or torrent websites. For this, it’s extremely really useful that you simply use an antivirus program to assist preserve you protected.
Do VPNs monitor my shopping or retailer my information?
This relies upon solely on the VPN supplier you select to make use of. There have been situations up to now of VPN suppliers spying on their customers or amassing information. However, these have been primarily free VPN providers with no express no-logging insurance policies.
When trying to find a VPN, watch out to examine the corporate’s web site for a no-logging coverage, third-party belief verification, and reliable consumer opinions. That being stated, many of the main paid VPNs have clearly acknowledged no-logging insurance policies so it’s sometimes greatest to stay with one in every of them.
How many servers ought to my VPN have?
There isn’t a selected variety of servers that make one VPN higher than one other. It’s widespread for VPN suppliers to promote the variety of servers they’ve, however that is largely a advertising gimmick and doesn’t essentially equate to the standard of the VPN service itself. Other components akin to server-location unfold and server high quality are simply as necessary if no more so than the variety of obtainable servers.
That being stated, hottest VPN suppliers supply between 3,000 to 5,000 servers. I like to recommend that you simply keep away from any premium service with lower than 1,000 servers as this could possibly be a sign that the corporate shouldn’t be but nicely established, which may portend reliability points.
