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Best Free VPN for Torrenting
Torrenting and P2P file sharing is perfectly legal as long as you’re not downloading any copyrighted content. Torrenting without a VPN puts your privacy at significant risk, though.
Popular programs like BitTorrent are an effective way of sharing large files, but some governments and ISPs block torrenting traffic and websites, and many VPN services throttle your speeds if you attempt to torrent.
Using a secure, quality VPN is essential, but they can be pricey. We’ve put together a list of the best free VPNs for torrenting so you can try some out before committing to a paid subscription.
The Most Important Factors When We Review a Free VPN for Torrenting
- P2P traffic allowed on all servers
- No throttling of torrenting traffic
- Generous data cap
- VPN kill switch and DNS leak protection
- Reliable and fast speeds
- Transparent, fair, and privacy-focused logging policies
Wondering why you should trust our reviews? Take a look at How We Test VPNs
Read More Information on Our Top 5 Best Free VPN Services for Torrenting
Works with
Torrenting
Available on
The Bottom Line
Windscribe is without a doubt the best free VPN we’ve tested – it’s also our top pick for torrenting due to the superior security it provides.
Torrenting is permitted on almost all of Windscribe’s free VPN servers, and its fast, reliable upload speeds make it ideal for P2P activity.
Windscribe’s 10GB monthly data cap is one of the more generous we’ve seen from a free VPN, but heavy torrenters may still find it restrictive.
Works with
Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO, Torrenting, Kodi
Available on
The Bottom Line
The free version of Hide.me is a reliable VPN for torrenting that’s just as private as Windscribe, if not more so.
Hide.me maintains a strict zero-logs policy and comes with security extras such as a VPN kill switch to keep you safe while torrenting.
The 2GB data cap will be a big hindrance for frequent torrenters, and if you’re not located near one of the P2P-friendly servers speeds will suffer.
Works with
N/A
Available on
The Bottom Line
TunnelBear is a beginner-friendly VPN for torrenting that doesn’t compromise on security. Minimal logging and a VPN kill switch will protect you while you torrent.
Like Hide.me, TunnelBear’s data cap is an issue, and it’s even more restrictive at 500MB per month. Torrenting is permitted on all 22 free VPN servers, though.
We’d suggest testing out TunnelBear’s free VPN for torrenting before you buy a paid plan, which comes with unlimited data.
What is the Best Free VPN for Torrenting?
Our preferred free VPN for torrenting is Windscribe, as it offers the best all-round experience without too many major compromises.
The only main downside is its 10GB monthly data cap, but this is one of the most generous allowances we’ve seen from a free VPN that allows torrenting, and shouldn’t be too much of an issue for the majority.
Do I Really Need a VPN for Torrenting?
You absolutely need a VPN for torrenting, as torrenting without a good VPN leaves you exposed to all sorts of privacy risks. Your IP address, along with that of everyone taking part in that file transfer, is exposed.
To avoid that – alongside bandwidth throttling which could bring your torrenting to a halt – simply install a trusted VPN to the device that you use for torrenting.
How We Picked the Best Free VPN for Torrenting
Our top free VPNs for torrenting are above all secure and private. They don’t log personally identifiable data and they come with robust security features like a VPN kill switch to ensure that you can torrent safely.
Our VPN recommendations are quick on local connections and don’t put restrictions on torrenting so you can connect to a nearby server for the fastest speeds.
Most free VPNs do have data caps, so we chose the services that give a more generous allowance. If you need unlimited data, it’s best to look into paid VPNs – check out our top recommendations for torrenting here.
How To Use a Free VPN for Torrenting
Using a free VPN for torrenting is incredibly easy. Simply choose the VPN service you’re going to use, install it onto the device that you’re going to torrent on and you’re ready to go.
Check that the VPN kill switch and any leak protection is enabled on your VPN before you connect. This will keep your personal information out of the wrong hands should the connection fail for any reason.
Now connect to the closest VPN server to your physical location for the best performance, and begin torrenting securely. Keep an eye on the data cap, if applicable, to ensure you don’t run out unexpectedly.
Is Torrenting Safe With a VPN?
The sole purpose of a VPN is to keep you safe online, and that doesn’t change when you’re torrenting. Using a VPN is perhaps the most effective way to protect yourself while torrenting, as not only does it mask your true IP address, it also encrypts all of your online traffic.
Is Torrenting Illegal?
Torrenting itself is completely legal – it’s copyright restrictions that you have to be careful with. If you download content that is in breach of any copyright rules, you are breaking the law, regardless of how you do it. The act of torrenting, however, isn’t illegal at all.
Which Free VPN is Best?
Our overall best free VPN service is Windscribe, as it comes with the most generous data cap and provides the best all-round Free VPN experience. Watch out, though, as not all free VPNs will protect you online – we recently conducted an independent investigation that discovered some free VPN services actually do more harm than good.
You can check out our top free VPN services for 2019 here.
How to Choose a Free VPN for Torrenting:: 6 Tips
Some free VPN services don’t allow torrenting on certain servers, which may force you to connect over longer distances, slowing down performance.
Choose a VPN with no restrictions so that you can choose the server closest to you for the best possible speeds while torrenting.
Most free VPNs come with data restrictions so that users can try out the service before buying a premium subscription.
Be sure to pick a free VPN service that allows you to do what you want online – the bigger the allowance the more you’ll be able to torrent.
Quick uploads and downloads are key to smooth torrenting. Check out the Speed & Reliability sections of our VPN reviews to find out how each one performance in our independent speed tests.
Online privacy is a necessity for everyone – but the stakes are even higher for heavy torrenters.
You’ll need a VPN service that doesn’t keep tabs on your online activities or log your IP address. Look out for zero-logs VPNs or ones that collect very little user data.
Do you torrent on your desktop or mobile? You’ll need a VPN service that is compatible with your preferred devices and easy to use on them too.
Torrenting is a sensitive activity, so you’ll want to be protected at all times. That’s why a VPN kill switch is essential – it blocks your internet traffic should the VPN connection drop, which prevents your IP address and online activities from being exposed to snooping third parties.
Also look for a VPN service that includes DNS and IPv6 leak protection.
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