What are the Best VPN for Torrenting to Use
Governments in different parts of the world have invested hugely in trying to curb torrenting. Internet Service providers have also had their share of headache in trying to prevent this exercise unsuccessfully. Torrenting is a very popular method of sharing files with different users across the world. Torrent websites have become the one stop shop for everyone who’s looking for software, music, TV shows, movies, and other files. The websites allow users to get this content super-fast than they would under any other website. One big issue with torrents is piracy. This is one of the biggest reasons behind the demand for VPNs among torrent users. While indeed piracy is a serious issue that we don’t condone btw-most torrent users fail to understand that there is another big risk they subject themselves to every time they log into torrent websites. When you are uploading or downloading a file from most torrent websites, other users can easily see your IP address. This means that cybercriminals can now get your address and even initiate cyber-attacks on your devices. This issue is very serious, given the increased popularity of torrents.
Therefore, you need to make sure that your IP address is masked whenever you are visiting any torrent website. This is where VPN services come in. We’ve talked about the Best VPN Services before, but one thing we’d like our readers to understand is that the best general VPN might not be the ideal VPN when it comes to torrenting. What does that mean? Well, some VPN service providers do not condone torrenting and would even ban you for doing so. We also have several providers who do discourage the exercise and would usually limit the amount of data you can use on torrents. It’s for this reason that we’ve decided to give you a separate list of the best VPN for torrenting where you can expect fast speeds with no limits.
Our Top 3 Picks
So, which is the best VPN for torrenting? The best VPN for torrenting has to be NordVPN, and there are very solid reasons behind this choice. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect from this and other top providers.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is a brilliant VPN service, which is not just arguably the best VPN service but also the best VPN for torrenting. This VPN comes with water-tight security to make sure that your online business – be it official or personal – does not compromise the security of your data and privacy. NordVPN supports OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, L2TO, and PPTP protocols. There is also a Double VPN server where data is passed through two different VPN servers for optimal security. The VPN has more than 5,000 servers located in over 60 different locations. Although not all of these servers support P2P, having so many options to choose from comes in very handy. NordVPN have even dedicated a server recommendation list, making it easier for you to get the best server for torrenting.
The strict no logs policy is also very welcomed. This is supported by the fact that NordVPN is based in Panama, where privacy of user’s data is a priority. This means that you can rest easy and get the torrents you need without worrying about any IP, timestamp, or browsing logs ending up in the wrong hands.
NordVPN also comes with a kill switch should you need it. You can customize this switch and set the applications that you’d like to be terminated or shut down should your VPN connection get interrupted. Although the kill switch protects your data when closing these applications, it isn’t very effective. Most people usually prefer closing the internet connection on the system level. Unfortunately, Windows and Mac users won’t enjoy this protection. They will, however, get the connection of their Android and iOS devices terminated in such an event.
Pros
- Supports up to 6 different devices
- Works with different operating systems
- Dedicated servers for optimized torrenting
- Fast and consistent internet speeds
- Clear no-logs policy
Cons
- Some servers can be very unreliable
- Errors with NordVPN apps have been reported
2. ExpressVPN
In case you are looking for an alternative to NordVPN, then this is it. ExpressVPN is just as brilliant as NordVPN, and some of its die-hard fans even believe that it is the best all-round VPN service in the market. We are not going to join the debate on which one is better but rather tell you why ExpressVPN deserves your due consideration.
ExpressVPN has dedicated so many resources in making sure that your online identity is fully masked with reduced risk of IP leaks. The VPN has over 3000 servers located in 160 locations, which are found in 94 different countries across the world! When it comes to IP addresses, these guys have over 30,000 of them to offer! You have to agree with me that this is a complete overkill yet it’s very necessary. Therefore, the question shouldn’t be whether ExpressVPn is secured or not, but rather, how good is its performance? And the answer here is a resounding very secure!
First of all, the VPN comes with a Network Lock which is a fancy techie name for a kill switch. This will automatically disconnect you when your VPN connection is interrupted. By getting you disconnected, the lock makes sure that your IP address is not leaked.
When it comes to speeds, very few VPNs can match ExpressVPN. When you are connected to a strong network, the VPN can deliver speeds over 30mbps! Isn’t that fast enough to help you get the torrents you need and log off the sites within the shortest time possible?
Pros
- Excellent speeds
- 256-bit encryption
- Clear no-logs policy
- Unblocks a host of streaming services including Hulu, Netflix just to mention a few
- Available on multiple OS including Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, selected Wi-Fi routers
Cons
- a bit costly
- Supports just three simultaneous connections
3. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is our third pick but by no means is it any inferior. This Romania-based VPN is designed with 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch for the desktop apps. The kill switch can be found under the name “app protection” in the settings. This kill switch is good in preventing IP leaks, but my biggest concern with it is that it can only be applied to specific programs. This means that even though you can set the kill switch to close the connection to your torrent client, it may still leave some loopholes on the websites where your IP address may be identified. The good news is that the strong DNS, IPv4, and IPv6 leak protections are quite strong and capable of blocking these loopholes.
CyberGhost clients will also have over 3700 servers at their disposal. These servers are spread across 60 different locations. You can also connect up to 7 different devices simultaneously.
Something interesting about this VPN is that it supports P2P file sharing. However, this is limited to the servers that are not located in Russia and the US. Windows and Mac clients can search for the servers dedicated to P2P file sharing.
CyberGhost is available on all the major operating systems i.e., Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS. CyberGhost also offers fast and consistent speeds. It’s nowhere as fast as NordVPN or ExpressVPN, but it is fast enough to get your torrents in time and to stream some shows. Speaking of streaming, CyberGhost can unlock Amazon Prime Video and US Netflix, among other streaming services.
Pros
- Supports P2P on supported servers
- Clear no-logs policy
- Supports up to 7 different connections simultaneously
- Affordable
- Bitcoin capabilities
Cons
- The speeds could have been better
- Some streaming services are inaccessible