5 Best VPNs for Torrenting

Introduction

In today’s world, torrenting without protection puts you at risk of IP leaks, bandwidth throttling by your ISP, and even terms-of-service violations. A high‑quality VPN addresses all that—hiding your IP, encrypting your traffic, and preventing accidental exposure. At VPN AdWiser, we’ve reviewed dozens of VPNs over the years. Below is our carefully curated and up‑to‑date list of the best VPNs for torrenting in 2025 based on real-world testing, privacy safeguards, and user experience.

Table of Contents

1. Why You Need a VPN for Torrenting
2. What to Look for in a Torrenting VPN
3. Top 5 VPNs for Torrenting
   • NordVPN
   • Surfshark
   • Proton VPN
   • Private Internet Access (PIA)
   • ExpressVPN
4. Tips to Speed Up Torrenting With a VPN
5. FAQ
6. Conclusion & Call to Action

Why You Need a VPN for Torrenting

• Privacy from your ISP: Torrenting often triggers bandwidth throttling. A VPN hides your P2P traffic, preventing ISPs from targeting torrent users
• Mask your IP: Your real IP can be exposed to peers. A VPN replaces it with a VPN server IP.
• Leak protection: VPNs with kill switches and DNS leak protection prevent accidental exposure if the VPN connection drops.
• Malware protection: Some VPNs scan or block malware embedded in torrent files.

What to Look for in a Torrenting VPN

Ensure your VPN provider offers these key features:

✅ P2P‑Optimized Servers

Look for VPNs that explicitly support torrenting on dedicated or optimized servers. Examples include NordVPN and Surfshark.

✅ High Speeds & Fast Protocols

New protocols like WireGuard or Lightway deliver faster, more reliable speeds during large file transfers. NordVPN uses NordLynx based on WireGuard.

✅ Strict No‑Logs Policy & Jurisdiction

Providers based in privacy‑friendly jurisdictions and audited no‑logs policies help ensure your torrent history stays private. NordVPN, Proton VPN, and PIA all fit that bill.

✅ Kill Switch & Leak Protection

Automatically shuts down traffic if the VPN drops, stopping exposure of your IP. DNS leak protection is also essential.

✅ Port Forwarding (Optional)

Important for seeding: allows incoming connections from peers to boost performance. Proton VPN supports port forwarding

✅ Malware & Ad Blocking

Some VPNs include built‑in protection against malware delivered through torrent sites. For instance, NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro.

Top 5 VPNs for Torrenting

1. NordVPN – Best Overall VPN for Torrenting

• Supports dedicated P2P servers in dozens of locations.
• Uses NordLynx (WireGuard‑based) for ultra‑fast speeds—tests show up to 892 Mbps.
• Includes Threat Protection Pro for malware scanning.
• Independent no‑logs audit, based in Panama.
• Kill switch & full DNS leak protection built-in.
• Thousands of servers worldwide, great for geo‑spreading.

2. Surfshark – Best Value & Malware Protection

• Unlimited simultaneous connections, making it great for multiple devices.
• P2P optimized servers and kill switch.
• Included malware protection and ad‑blocking features.
• Very budget-friendly plans yet strong performance.
• User-friendly/apps across all platforms.

3. Proton VPN – Best for Seeding & Privacy

• Supports torrenting on servers in 110+ countries.
• Port forwarding support for improved seeding speeds (up to ~15% boost).
• Open source apps, audited and based in privacy‑friendly Switzerland.
• Strong encryption and Secure Core routing.
• Excellent upload speeds—ideal for seeding large files.
• Free tier with unlimited bandwidth (but no torrent support)

4. Private Internet Access (PIA) – Best for Power Users

• P2P allowed on all servers; supports port forwarding.
• Highly configurable and advanced settings for experienced users.
• Verified no‑logs policy audited by Deloitte.
• Strong speeds and kill‑switch protection.
• Very affordable pricing with long‑term plans.

5. ExpressVPN – Best for Simplicity & Reliability

• Premium speeds over Lightway protocol, very stable.
• Works on routers (MediaStreamer), ideal for devices without native VPN support.
• Strong encryption, kill-switch, leak‑proof DNS.
• No port forwarding (less ideal for seeding), but fast donwload speeds.
• Based in the British Virgin Islands—privacy favorable.

Tips to Maximize Torrenting Speeds With a VPN

• Use fast protocols: Prefer WireGuard or Lightway (NordLynx) for lowest latency and high throughput.
• Select nearby P2P servers: Closer servers = faster speeds + lower latency.
• Enable port forwarding if available: Boost seeding performance.
• Avoid public Wi‑Fi: Torrenting over open networks can expose your data; a VPN mitigates but doesn’t eliminate all risk.
• Test for leaks: Use IP and DNS leak test tools while torrenting to be sure the VPN is working.
• Update torrent client settings: Integrate the VPN’s SOCKS5 proxy or configure your torrent client to bind only to the VPN interface.

FAQ: Torrenting VPNs

Q1: Can I use a free VPN to torrent safely?
A: Generally no. Free VPNs often throttle bandwidth, limit P2P support, log data, or inject ads. Only Proton VPN offers a free plan—but torrenting is disabled there

Q2: Is torrenting with a VPN legal?
A: Torrenting itself is legal in most jurisdictions. However, downloading copyrighted material without permission is illegal. A VPN doesn’t make illegal actions legal—it simply adds privacy and security.

Q3: Will using a VPN slow down torrent downloads?
A: Minimal slowdown is normal (typically 5–10%), especially if you use strong protocols like WireGuard or Lightway. Some services actually optimize P2P traffic to minimize loss.

Q4: Do I need port forwarding?
A: Only if you want to seed torrents more effectively. Without it, you can still download content anonymously—but uploads may be slower. Proton VPN and PIA support port forwarding; ExpressVPN does not.

Q5: What if the VPN disconnects mid‑torrent?
A: Always enable the kill switch in your VPN. This halts all Internet traffic if the VPN drops, ensuring your real IP doesn’t leak.

Q6: Can VPNs detect torrent activity?
A: VPN providers see encrypted traffic; they cannot see torrent protocols or file names thanks to encryption layers.

Conclusion

Torrenting safely in 2025 means choosing a VPN that supports P2P, delivers fast download/upload speeds, enforces privacy via no‑logs policies, and protects you from leaks or malware. Our top picks:

1. NordVPN – Best all-rounder with robust privacy and speeds
2. Surfshark – Excellent value and malware protection
3. Proton VPN – Best for seeding and advanced privacy
4. PIA – Powerful and customizable for power users
5. ExpressVPN – Simple and reliable with native router support

Each of these VPNs excels at torrenting in different ways—pick the one that aligns with your needs for speed, advanced features, usability, and price.