While I was happy to find that some free VPNs do have high-level security and privacy features, there are always limitations when a VPN is free. This includes but isn’t restricted to data caps, server options, and speed throttling. The only way to torrent without restrictions is by using a premium VPN. An affordable service like ExpressVPN provides anonymous torrenting on every server, unlimited data, fast download speeds, and 24/7 customer support. While it’s not free, you can try ExpressVPN’s P2P-friendly servers for yourself without risk. If you’re not happy, you can get a full refund with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Torrent with ExpressVPN risk-free
Quick Guide: Best Free VPNs for Torrenting in 2023
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The Best Free VPNs for Torrenting (Tested in January 2023)
1. ExpressVPN — #1 Torrenting VPN With No-Logs Policy, Military-Grade Encryption, and Fast Speeds
ExpressVPN has military-grade security, strong privacy features, and fast servers with unlimited bandwidth. It has AES-256-bit encryption, IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection, and a kill switch that secures your data if the connection is interrupted. I performed tests on multiple servers and my data was private every time, with zero leaks. With an independently audited zero-logs policy, ExpressVPN’s commitment to privacy is reassuring for torrenting. It also uses RAM-based servers (TrustedServer Technology), which are wiped clean each time they’re rebooted — none of your data or activity can be stored or traced back to you. ExpressVPN’s privacy policy was tested in 2017 when Turkish authorities seized one of its servers to find evidence for a high-profile case, and didn’t find any user data. ExpressVPN’s 3000+ servers all support P2P file-sharing, so you can always find a local connection. With servers in 94+ countries, I could connect to an ExpressVPN server every time I needed to. I didn’t wait or experience any congestion and started torrenting almost immediately. ExpressVPN supports consistently fast speeds across its global network. My base speed fell by an average of 18% — a minor reduction considering the VPN’s high-level security features. I could download a 500MB torrent in just 45 seconds and a 5GB file in just 8 minutes. These high speeds also mean ExpressVPN is a great choice for streaming on Netflix US, playing online games, and browsing without lag or interruptions. ExpressVPN maintained reliably fast speeds even when I connected to distant servers. This is due in part to its proprietary Lightway protocol, which provides high-level security without slowing your connection. During tests, I found the Lightway protocol provided the fastest connections for torrenting — it’s available on Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux devices, but not on iOS. I also like ExpressVPN’s split-tunneling feature, which lets me choose which apps pass through the encrypted VPN connection. I configured ExpressVPN with my torrent client, so I could download torrents anonymously and browse the web locally at the same time. Not only is it good for multitasking, but encrypting part of your connection may give you a speed boost, too. ExpressVPN is configurable with multiple torrent clients, including uTorrent, BitTorrent, Vuze, Deluge, Bitport.io, and more. ExpressVPN isn’t free – but you can try it risk-free. Personally, I find the premium features are well worth investing in. Prices start at $6.67 when you sign up for a 1-year plan – you can also opt to pay monthly but the yearly plan is better value for money. You don’t have to worry about being locked into a subscription though. To make sure it’s right for you, you can test ExpressVPN’s torrent-friendly servers risk-free, as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, you can get a full refund — I tested this myself and was surprised by how easy the process was. I simply contacted the 24/7 live chat and requested a refund, which the agent processed with no questions asked. Best of all, I had the money back in just 5 days. Torrent with ExpressVPN risk-free
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers Provide Fast, Secure Connections for Anonymous Torrenting
CyberGhost’s dedicated torrenting servers provide high-level security and speed while you download files. These optimized servers guarantee a secure, reliable connection every time you want to download. It regularly tests and maintains these to ensure P2P anonymity, protecting your data from hackers and malicious third parties. I was impressed by CyberGhost’s download speeds on optimized servers — my average speed drop was less than 40%, so I could download a 500MB file in just 60 seconds. I recommend always connecting to an optimized server, as I found these were around 30% faster than CyberGhost’s standard servers. Every dedicated server has military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and IP/DNS/WebRTC leak protection to keep your data secure — I ran multiple tests and found zero leaks on any CyberGhost connection. What’s more, CyberGhost protects against ads, trackers, and malware. While I was disappointed the blocker only removed ads suspected of containing malware, I appreciated the extra protection, as torrent sites are usually full of suspicious ads. CyberGhost doesn’t log user data, meaning you can torrent files anonymously. While its policy hasn’t been independently audited, I’m reassured by CyberGhost’s use of RAM-based servers. Better yet, CyberGhost is based in Romania, which has no electronic surveillance laws. Still, I’d like to see CyberGhost undertake an independent audit to confirm its strict privacy approach. CyberGhost also has an App Rules feature, which I found useful for torrenting. I configured App Rules with uTorrent, BitTorrent, Bitport.io, Vuze, and Deluge, so every time I’d use these clients, the VPN would automatically find a dedicated torrenting server. This way, I could download files worry-free without having to find the right server manually. CyberGhost struggles to maintain top speeds on distant servers, so your downloads may be slower if you’re not close to the dedicated torrenting server. I connected to one 17,000km from my location and had a 60% speed drop. As my internet is normally fast, this drop didn’t impact my downloads too much. However, if your internet is slower, your torrenting time could increase significantly if you use a faraway server. The 2-year + 4 months plan offers the best value for money as it lets you save 84% off the full price. This comes down to just $2.03 per month. Alternatively, you can use CyberGhost’s 45-day money-back guarantee as a free trial. When you’re finished, you can get a full refund without hassle. I tested the refund process and it took less than 5 minutes through live chat. I had my money back within 7 days. Torrent with CyberGhost for free
3. Hotspot Shield — Generous Free Monthly Data Allowance for Torrenting
Hotspot Shield gives you 15GB of free monthly data for torrenting and other online activities. This is one of the highest allowances I’ve seen for a free VPN. The 500MB daily cap may force you to spread your torrenting across several days for larger files, but it’s a minor inconvenience considering the service is free. Hotspot Shield provides the same high-level security for free users as it does for premium customers. Every time you connect, you’re safeguarded by military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch that secures your data if the VPN is interrupted. I tested its security and found my data was fully protected — I didn’t experience a single leak. It also has a split tunneling feature called Smart VPN, which allows specified apps and websites to bypass the VPN connection. Smart VPN reduced the amount of data passing through Hotspot Shield’s connection, limiting my data usage to just torrenting. I found its download speeds are reasonable for a free VPN, especially since there is only 1 server available. This single server has a US IP address, so bear this in mind when torrenting. When I connected, my speeds fell by around 75% — it took around 3 minutes to download a 500MB file. Unfortunately, Hotspot Shield throttles speed for free users to encourage them to switch to a paid plan. Keep in mind that Hotspot Shield logs your general geographic location, device information, non-identifiable data from the domains you visit, and VPN timestamps. The company also hasn’t been independently audited to prove it doesn’t keep user logs, so I recommend being extra vigilant when torrenting. Fortunately, no sign-up information is needed to use the service. You can download and install Hotspot Shield in a couple of minutes, and you’ll be ready to connect straight away. Download and installation take a couple of minutes, and you’re ready to connect straight away. If you feel like upgrading later, Hotspot Shield’s 3-year plan offers the cheapest price at only $2.99 per month. Torrent with Hotspot Shield for free
4. hide.me — Complete Torrenting Anonymity With No Sign Up Needed for Free Users
hide.me is one of the few free VPNs that provides a completely anonymous service. You’re not required to create an account or enter any personal details — just download the app and connect right away. There are a range of configurable security options for a free VPN. Its military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, 8196-bit RSA keys, and leak protection are always active, creating a secure tunnel for torrenting. I ran multiple leak tests and found my data was private and secure. Since hide.me is based in Malaysia (a privacy haven), I felt assured there were no web surveillance laws that could compel it to disclose my data to authorities. Additional features include split tunneling, a kill switch, browser extension, and Stealth Guard functionality. I configured Stealth Guard with my torrent client so I could only download torrents when the VPN was active. This gave me peace of mind that I wouldn’t forget to use the VPN while torrenting and effectively behaved like an extra kill switch. hide.me’s 10GB monthly data allowance is generous for a free service, although it didn’t let me torrent as much as I wanted to. I downloaded 2 movies and some e-books before I hit the data cap. While my speed dropped around 80% from my standard ISP, I could still download a 500MB file in 90 seconds. As hide.me only has 5 free servers (in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, US East, and US West), you may notice a bigger drop if you’re connecting from far away. Unfortunately, hide.me doesn’t give free users access to its best protocols, like OpenVPN and SoftEther. You only get IKEv2, SSTP, and the obsolete PPTP protocol. I’d urge you to use IKEv2 while torrenting, as it’s the safest and fastest of the 3. You can start torrenting with hide.me right away as it requires no sign-up at all. The subscription lasts for 30 days at a time, but you can renew as many times as you want. Alternatively, you can choose to upgrade at any point to access all the premium features. The 1-year + 3 months plan is the most affordable subscription and it only costs $3.00 a month. Torrent with hide.me for free
5. TunnelBear — 500MB of Free Monthly Data and Access to Servers in 47+ Countries
TunnelBear has servers in 47+ countries for free, all of which allow torrenting. Unfortunately, you only get a tiny 500MB of free data each month. While this makes TunnelBear a decent free VPN for torrenting small files like ebooks and PDFs, you can’t rely on it for anything larger than that. In tests, TunnelBear has decent download speeds. On average, my speeds dropped by around 65% — I had the best results when connected to servers closest to my physical location. Fortunately, this barely impacted my downloads, but your experience may vary. TunnelBear has military-grade AES 256-bit cipher, leak protection, and kill switch on every app. I ran tests on multiple servers and found my data was secure with every connection. There’s also a TCP Override feature, which creates a more stable connection if your internet is unreliable. This function stabilizes your connection while torrenting, to ensure your files download without interruptions. While TunnelBear is based in Canada (5 Eyes alliance member), the company has been independently audited multiple times to verify it never logs user data. Unfortunately, TunnelBear only provides 500MB of monthly data for free users. While I was able to download a few small files like ebooks and PDFs, larger files for movies and video games were too big for the VPN’s data cap. You can get a 1GB data boost by sending a Tweet promoting TunnelBear, but this is a 1-time-only offer. You’ll revert back to the 500MB allowance the following month. If you don’t want to wait, you can upgrade to the paid version. When you sign up for the 3-year subscription, you’ll save 67% and only pay $3.33 per month. Otherwise, it’s easy to create a TunnelBear account to start torrenting for free — you don’t have to enter any payment details or other personal information. The process is easy, and took me less than 5 minutes to set up. Torrent with TunnelBear for free
6. NordVPN — Premium VPN With Cheap Prices on Long-Term Plans
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market — and you can get super cheap prices when you sign up for a long-term subscription. One thing to note, however, is that when it’s time to renew your subscription, prices do increase quite significantly. I did, however, have issues with using NordVPN’s native Fire TV app. Although it worked and unblocked some streaming services, it sometimes had issues unblocking Netflix US and kept crashing. I also found that NordVPN’s user interface for desktop devices was less user-friendly than ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. NordVPN has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryption A kill switch that cuts your internet access if your connection to a VPN server drops suddenly Built-in ad and malware blocker, so you don’t need a third-party ad blocker Fully audited no-logs policy (audited by PwC) – NordVPN doesn’t store any personal or identifying data while you’re connected to the VPN
In addition, NordVPN includes Threat Protection that protects you from viruses, infected websites, and trackers – and it works whenever you have the NordVPN app open, even if you’re not connected to a VPN server. While NordVPN is not entirely free, you can stream, torrent, and browse for free for up to 30 days with its money-back guarantee. NordVPN has plans that cost as little as $3.69 per month. To ensure that you’ll really get your money back, I tested NordVPN’s money-back guarantee. At first, the support team tried to give me an extended trial period — but they initiated my refund right away after I told them I wasn’t interested in the extension. I got my money back in 6 business days. NordVPN works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Chromebook, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Fire Stick, and Android TV
7. Surfshark — Best Value for Money with Unlimited Device Connections and Fast Speeds
Surfshark offers the best value for money out of every premium VPN on the market. You can connect an unlimited number of devices with a single subscription, which means you can use Surfshark on all your devices without getting logged out. I tested Surfshark’s simultaneous connections on 2 PCs, 2 phones, a Fire Stick 4K, and an iPad. My connection remained reliable on all 6 devices. Even while I was actively streaming on all my devices, my average speed was 112 Mbps — fast enough for UHD quality. When I saw the price of this service, I thought it couldn’t possibly have top-grade security features for such a low price, but I was pleasantly surprised. Surfshark has the following security and privacy features:
AES 256-bit encryption on all devices, with ChaCha encryption available for Android users Wireguard VPN protocol enabled by default Diskless, RAM-only servers to protect your privacy (no data can be physically extracted from any servers) Kill switch (although this isn’t enabled by default) IP and DNS leak protection
Surfshark offers two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account. This feature requires you to enter an extra code before you can log in to ensure that only you can access your account. While Surfshark does have slightly fewer global servers than rivals such as CyberGhost and PIA, I didn’t experience any issues during my tests. I easily connected fast working servers every time, and I had excellent speeds for streaming Netflix in UHD, downloading torrents, and browsing the internet. Surfshark is not truly free, but it offers a 7-day free trial on Android, iOS, and macOS devices. You can also test out Surfshark on other devices for 30 days thanks to its money-back guarantee. It has plans that cost as little as $2.05. Requesting a refund is easy with Surfshark’s live chat feature. Although the support team asked why I wanted to cancel my subscription, I had no problem getting my money back (and it only took 4 days!). Surfshark works on: Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, Linux, Fire Stick, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Android TV, Kodi, and selected routers
Comparison Table: 2023’s Best Free Torrenting VPNs
Based on extensive testing, ExpressVPN is the top choice for anonymous torrenting. It has no data caps and its entire global network supports P2P file-sharing, so you can torrent anonymously wherever you are. Torrent with ExpressVPN risk-free
Warning! Avoid These Free VPNs for Torrenting (Updated List)
While the best free VPNs have some limitations, they won’t compromise your safety. If you want a service that doesn’t restrict your data or speed, I recommend you use ExpressVPN for torrenting risk-free. It’s a safe, reliable service and supports unlimited P2P file-sharing on every server connection.
Betternet VPN
In recent tests, Betternet VPN tested positive for malware on more than 10 antivirus programs. It also tracks a considerable amount of user data, which isn’t ideal when you want to torrent anonymously.
Cross VPN
Cross VPN ranks as one of the worst free services for malware, testing positive on more than 10 antivirus programs. Torrent anonymously with ExpressVPN risk-free
Step-By-Step Guide: How to Torrent Safely With a VPN
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How I Tested and Ranked the Best Free VPNs for Torrenting
I used the following criteria to narrow down the list of the best free VPNs for torrenting:
Free to use — I made sure that each VPN on this list is either 100% free or lets you try it without risk. P2P-friendly servers — Not all free VPNs support torrenting, but I verified that every VPN above has torrent-friendly servers for easy and secure connections. Reasonable data allowance — I confirmed each VPN offers enough data for torrenting. Top-tier security and privacy — All of the free VPNs above have robust security like a kill switch and military-grade encryption. They also never log identifying information, so your downloads are safe and anonymous. Reliable download speeds — I ran multiple speed tests to ensure each VPN on this list won’t leave you waiting forever for your torrents to download. Supports multiple platforms — Use any of the VPNs above to torrent on Windows, macOS, Android, and other popular devices.
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What’s the best free VPN for torrenting?
All of the free VPNs on this list are suitable for safe, secure torrenting. The best completely free option is Hotspot Shield, with a 15GB monthly data allowance and solid download speeds. However, it comes with limitations that could impede your torrenting such as data caps, speed throttling, and server limitations. For the best torrenting experience, I suggest trying a premium VPN. CyberGhost offers optimized P2P file-sharing servers and has no data caps or speed limits. Plus, you can try CyberGhost for free using the 45-day money-back guarantee. It acts like a free trial so you can get a full refund if you’re not totally satisfied.
Are free VPNs safe for torrenting?
The free VPNs listed in this article are safe for torrenting. They all provide high-level encryption and leak protection, kill switch functionality, and never log identifying data. However, most free VPNs are not suitable for torrenting as they don’t have the security features necessary to keep your data safe. While they may be able to mask your IP address, free VPNs are often unable to stop your data from leaking. Data leaks expose your IP address to third parties, putting your personal information at risk. These leaks can include:
DNS leaks: This happens when a DNS request is sent outside of the VPN’s encrypted connection, which can expose your true IP address when your device responds. IPv6 leaks: Most internet connections use IPv4, which is securely contained within the encrypted tunnel. However, if your internet connection uses IPv6, it’s sometimes routed outside the tunnel, causing a leak. This often happens with Windows 10 and can be prevented by using a service like ExpressVPN, which has dedicated IPv6 leak protection. WebRTC leaks: These occur when your browser sends a WebRTC request, which is a way for you to communicate through a browser in real-time with other users. This communication channel can bypass the VPN connection and expose your data.
Most free VPNs also keep logs of your online activity as a way to generate revenue, selling it to advertisers and other third parties. Some free providers have been found to contain malware that activates when you download it to your device, putting your personal security at risk. To avoid these issues, it’s vital to choose a VPN that provides military-grade encryption, leak protection, and a zero-logs policy. ExpressVPN offers top-tier security and privacy on every server, so you can torrent anonymously without the worry of data leaks. Most free VPNs aren’t safe to use while P2P file-sharing due to their poor security features and data logging. The only free services you can use safely are “freemium” — limited versions of high-quality premium VPNs. Fully free VPNs rely on third-party advertisers for revenue, so they could be logging your data and online activity to sell for profit. Worse still, some shady free services are loaded with malware designed to steal your information, potentially leading to identity theft or fraud. Using a free VPN poses a risk to your privacy and device security. Data logging and poor encryption mean you could be targeted by ads, attacked by malware, or even found liable for torrenting copyrighted content. During my research, I found a few services that you should avoid.
What free VPNs work with Kodi or Popcorn Time?
All the best free VPNs for torrenting work with Kodi and Popcorn Time, which both use a BitTorrent client that downloads videos while you’re watching. Unfortunately, this process leaves your IP address and other data exposed to hackers, your ISP, and potential civil or criminal liability. This is a problem given that Kodi and Popcorn Time offers a lot of illegal copyrighted content. While I don’t condone illegal activity, it’s important to know how to use these services safely, especially if you’re conducting official research. This is why I recommend using a high-quality VPN if you need to use apps like Kodi or Popcorn Time. A service like ExpressVPN provides top-tier encryption and security that keeps your online activity anonymouss, protecting you from exposing your data to hackers or your ISP.
What is the best free VPN for torrenting on my device?
The best totally free VPN for torrenting on most devices is Hotspot Shield. With its desktop and mobile apps, you have access to 15GB of monthly data, which is one of the largest allowances you’ll find from a free VPN. However, Hotspot Shield restricts users to 500MB per day, so it’s not ideal if you need to torrent larger files. If you’d prefer uninterrupted torrenting, I recommend ExpressVPN as a risk-free alternative. While it is a paid service, you can test ExpressVPN without putting your money at risk as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. I think you’ll agree its torrent-ready global servers provide top speeds and security for P2P file-sharing, but if you’re not satisfied, you can easily get a full refund. Torrent with ExpressVPN risk-free
Get the Best Free VPN for Torrenting Today
Finding a free VPN for torrenting is difficult — many services are too limited or don’t have the high-level privacy you need to keep your data anonymous. Fortunately, all of the free VPNs recommended in this article are solid choices for anonymous torrenting. While they do have some limitations, like data caps or speed restrictions, you can rest assured your personal information is protected while downloading. Ultimately, you’ll only get unlimited service with high-level security and privacy if you choose a premium VPN. While it isn’t free, ExpressVPN is the top choice for anonymous torrenting. I suggest that you torrent with ExpressVPN and see for yourself. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee so if you’re not satisfied, you can get a no-questions-asked refund — I tested the process myself, and it was easy, plus I had my money back in just 5 days.
