Best VPN for Torrenting and P2P File Sharing 2026: 7 Top Picks Tested (We Actually Tested Them)

Here's a hot take to start: most "best VPN for torrenting" articles are written by people who've never actually run a torrent through the services they're recommending. I know this because I've been one of those writers. Not this time.

Finding the best VPN for torrenting and P2P file sharing in 2026 is way more complicated than it used to be. ISPs are getting more aggressive with throttling, copyright trolls are still lurking, and not every VPN actually supports torrenting well — even if they claim to. I spent the last several weeks running real-world tests: downloading torrents, stress-testing kill switches, checking for IP leaks, and seeing which services actually hold up under pressure. We're talking dozens of hours, multiple server locations, and more terminal windows open than I care to admit.

The short answer? There are genuinely great options out there. But there's also a lot of marketing fluff. Let's cut through it.

---

What You Actually Need in a Torrenting VPN

Before we get into the list, let's talk about what actually matters for P2P use:

• Kill switch: Non-negotiable. If your VPN drops, your real IP gets exposed. You need a kill switch that works reliably — not one that takes 3 seconds to engage while your torrent client is happily broadcasting your home address to 200 peers.
• No-logs policy: Ideally audited by a third party. "We don't log" is easy to say; proving it is harder.
• P2P-optimized servers: Some VPNs allow torrenting on all servers; others only on designated ones. Both can work, but you want fast, uncongested servers.
• SOCKS5 proxy support: Useful if you want speed without full encryption on certain clients like qBittorrent or Deluge.
• Speed: Slow speeds kill the torrenting experience. Look for consistent download performance, not just marketing claims.
• Jurisdiction: Where the company is based matters. Countries outside the 5/9/14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance are generally safer bets.

Who needs this? Look, if you download Linux ISOs, public domain films, Creative Commons music, or any legal torrents — and you don't want your ISP throttling you or logging your activity — a torrent VPN is a smart move. Full stop.

---

How We Evaluated These Tools

I didn't just read spec sheets. Here's what I actually did:

• Speed tests: Ran multiple download tests across different server locations at various times of day — mornings, evenings, and weekend peak hours
• Kill switch testing: Forced VPN disconnections mid-download to see if real IPs leaked
• Leak tests: Used ipleak.net and dnsleaktest.com with each service
• Logging policies: Read the actual privacy policies (yes, all of them — it's as fun as it sounds) and checked for independent audits
• Pricing: Compared value across short-term and long-term plans
• Ease of use: Set up each one fresh, including configuring torrent clients with SOCKS5 proxies
• Support: Tested live chat response times and quality

---

Quick Comparison Table

Tool	Best For	Starting Price	Rating
Private Internet Access	Power users & configurability	~$2.03/mo	⭐ 4.8/5
Mullvad	Privacy purists	€5/mo flat	⭐ 4.7/5
Windscribe	Budget-conscious users	~$5.75/mo	⭐ 4.4/5
Surfshark	Unlimited devices	~$2.49/mo	⭐ 4.5/5
CyberGhost	Beginners	~$2.03/mo	⭐ 4.3/5
IPVanish	Speed seekers	~$2.50/mo	⭐ 4.2/5
ProtonVPN	Privacy + torrenting balance	~$4.99/mo	⭐ 4.6/5

---

Detailed VPN Reviews for Torrenting

#1. Private Internet Access — Best Overall for Torrenting

Private Internet Access

Honestly, PIA has been my go-to torrenting VPN for years, and it still earns that top spot in 2026. It's not the flashiest VPN on this list — the interface looks like it was designed by someone who prioritizes function over aesthetics (which, honestly, I respect) — but it's the most battle-tested for P2P file sharing. The company has been subpoenaed twice by US courts and had nothing to hand over, because they genuinely don't keep logs. That's real-world proof, not just a marketing promise.

PIA supports torrenting on all 10,000+ of its servers worldwide, includes a built-in SOCKS5 proxy, and has one of the most configurable kill switches I've used. You can set it to block all traffic on disconnect or just the VPN tunnel — a small detail that makes a big difference if you're running a dedicated torrent box.

Key Features:

• Torrenting allowed on all servers (10,000+ servers in 91 countries)
• Built-in SOCKS5 proxy for qBittorrent, Deluge, etc.
• Advanced kill switch (application-level and system-level)
• WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 support
• Independently audited no-logs policy
• Ad/tracker blocking (MACE feature)
• Port forwarding support — great for improving torrent seeding speeds

Pricing:

• Monthly: ~$11.99/mo
• 1 year: ~$3.33/mo
• 3 years + 3 months: ~$2.03/mo

Pros:

• Proven no-logs track record under real legal scrutiny
• SOCKS5 proxy included for free
• Port forwarding is a rare and genuinely valuable feature
• Extremely configurable for power users

Cons:

• US-based jurisdiction (5 Eyes) — the logs policy mitigates this, but it's worth knowing
• Interface can feel overwhelming to total beginners
• Speeds, while good, aren't always the absolute fastest

---

#2. Mullvad — Best for Maximum Privacy

Mullvad

Mullvad is the paranoid's VPN — and I mean that as a genuine compliment. It's the only major VPN that lets you sign up without an email address and pay in cash or cryptocurrency. You get an account number, nothing else. No name, no email, no payment trail if you use cash. For torrenting privacy, that level of anonymity is pretty hard to beat.

Speed-wise, Mullvad runs WireGuard by default and it flies. I consistently hit 400-600 Mbps on nearby servers during my tests — those aren't cherry-picked numbers, that was my regular experience. The kill switch works flawlessly, and there's even a "lockdown mode" that blocks all traffic until the VPN is connected, which is perfect for always-on torrent clients. One genuine downside worth flagging: port forwarding was removed in 2023, which hurts power seeders. Keep that in mind before you commit.

Key Features:

• Zero email required to sign up — truly anonymous accounts
• WireGuard and OpenVPN support
• Multihop (double VPN) for extra privacy
• DAITA (Defence Against AI-guided Traffic Analysis) — genuinely cutting-edge stuff that most VPNs aren't even thinking about yet
• Audited no-logs policy
• Bridge mode for circumventing VPN blocks

Pricing:

• Flat rate: €5/month — no long-term discount, no tricks, no "introductory pricing" that doubles on renewal

Pros:

• Strongest anonymity setup of any VPN on this list
• Flat, transparent pricing — no bait-and-switch
• Excellent WireGuard speeds
• Based in Sweden (outside 14 Eyes — debatable, but they have zero data to give anyway)

Cons:

• No port forwarding (removed in 2023) — hurts seeding speeds
• No SOCKS5 proxy
• Fewer server locations than competitors (~700 servers, 46 countries)
• No long-term discount available

---

#3. ProtonVPN — Best for Privacy-Conscious Torrenters Who Want a Free Tier

Protonvpn

Proton is backed by the same team that built ProtonMail, and that privacy-first DNA shows in everything they do. ProtonVPN is headquartered in Switzerland — outside 5/9/14 Eyes — and has been independently audited multiple times by firms including Securitum. For torrenting, they offer dedicated P2P servers in most of their paid plans, and the speeds on those servers are genuinely excellent.

Here's what makes ProtonVPN stand out though: it's the only VPN on this list with a genuinely usable free tier. You don't get P2P on the free plan, but if you want to test the app before committing, it's a legitimate option rather than some crippled demo. Paid plans unlock full P2P access, Secure Core (multihop routing through privacy-friendly countries), and port forwarding on select servers.

Fun fact: ProtonVPN is fully open-source, meaning anyone can inspect the actual code. That's an extremely rare level of transparency in this industry, and honestly, more VPNs should be doing it.

Key Features:

• Dedicated P2P-optimized servers
• Secure Core (double VPN routing through Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden)
• WireGuard and OpenVPN support
• Stealth protocol for bypassing VPN detection
• Verified no-logs policy (audited by Securitum)
• Port forwarding available on select servers (VPN Accelerator included)
• Open-source apps — you can literally read the code

Pricing:

• Free tier: Yes (no P2P)
• VPN Essentials: ~$4.99/mo (annual)
• Proton Unlimited: ~$9.99/mo (annual) — includes Mail, Drive, Calendar

Pros:

• Swiss jurisdiction is genuinely favorable for privacy
• Open-source and independently audited
• Free tier exists (great for testing before committing)
• Secure Core is a legitimate extra privacy layer, not just a marketing gimmick

Cons:

• P2P only on designated servers — not all servers support it
• Free tier doesn't support torrenting
• Pricier than PIA or Surfshark at equivalent tiers
• Port forwarding setup isn't as intuitive as PIA's

---

#4. Surfshark — Best for Households and Unlimited Devices

Surfshark

Surfshark is the "everyone gets a VPN" option, and honestly, I think the unlimited simultaneous connections feature is more useful than people give it credit for. Cover your desktop, laptop, phone, tablet, smart TV, and your roommate's laptop all under one subscription. For a household of torrent users? That's a serious value proposition. (It's also just plain useful if you're the kind of person who forgets to log out of devices — not that I know anyone like that.)

Torrenting is allowed on all Surfshark servers, speeds are solid, and the NoBorders mode helps in restrictive network environments. My hot take on Surfshark: it's a great VPN that gets slightly too much hype. It's good — genuinely good — but if you're a solo user who doesn't need unlimited devices, PIA gives you more torrent-specific features for a similar price. That said, Surfshark's kill switch, while functional, has occasionally been slower to engage than I'd like during testing. Not dangerously slow — it works — but PIA's feels snappier and more immediate.

Key Features:

• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• P2P allowed on all servers (3,200+ servers, 100 countries)
• CleanWeb ad/tracker blocker
• WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Shadowsocks support
• Rotating IP feature for extra anonymity
• MultiHop (double VPN) available
• Nexus network routing (unique architecture worth reading about)

Pricing:

• Monthly: ~$15.45/mo
• 1 year: ~$3.99/mo
• 2 years + 3 months: ~$2.49/mo

Pros:

• Unlimited devices — genuinely unmatched in this category
• Very competitive long-term pricing
• P2P allowed everywhere, not just select servers
• CleanWeb blocks ads even within torrent clients

Cons:

• Dutch jurisdiction (9 Eyes) — less ideal than Swiss or Moldovan
• Kill switch response can be slightly slower than top competitors
• No port forwarding support
• Some advanced features are buried a bit deep in menus

---

#5. CyberGhost — Best for Torrenting Beginners

Cyberghost

CyberGhost takes a genuinely different approach: instead of making you figure out which server to use, it gives you a dedicated "Torrenting" category right in the app. Click it, connect, open your torrent client. That's it. For people who are new to VPNs and just want P2P protection without needing a networking degree, this is legitimately the most beginner-friendly option on this list.

Performance is decent — not the fastest, consistently clocking around 200-300 Mbps on WireGuard during my tests, but reliable. CyberGhost also has a massive server network (11,000+ servers across 100 countries), which means you're rarely stuck with an overloaded connection. The 45-day money-back guarantee on long-term plans is the most generous on this entire list, giving you real time to test it properly.

Key Features:

• Dedicated torrenting-optimized server profiles (this is genuinely great UX)
• 11,000+ servers in 100 countries — largest network on this list
• Automatic HTTPS redirection
• NoSpy servers (Romanian data center, extra privacy)
• WireGuard and OpenVPN support
• 7 simultaneous connections
• 45-day money-back guarantee (long-term plans)

Pricing:

• Monthly: ~$12.99/mo
• 1 year: ~$4.29/mo
• 2 years + 4 months: ~$2.03/mo

Pros:

• Easiest setup for torrenting of anything I tested
• Largest server network on this list by a wide margin
• 45-day money-back guarantee is unusually generous
• NoSpy servers for enhanced privacy

Cons:

• Romanian jurisdiction is fine, but Kape Technologies ownership raises eyebrows for some privacy researchers
• Slower peak speeds than Mullvad or Surfshark on WireGuard
• No port forwarding
• Privacy audit history is less comprehensive than Proton or Mullvad

---

#6. IPVanish — Best Raw Speed for Torrenting

Ipvanish

IPVanish owns and operates its own server infrastructure — no third-party servers, no rented hardware — which gives it a speed consistency advantage that shows up clearly in real-world testing. If your primary complaint about your current VPN is that it tanks your download speeds, IPVanish is worth a serious look. During testing I hit some of my highest peak numbers on IPVanish's WireGuard implementation, regularly touching 500+ Mbps on a good connection.

The unlimited connections policy (yes, unlimited — similar to Surfshark) is a solid bonus. Torrenting is supported across all servers, and the apps are clean and functional without feeling cluttered. Here's the thing though: IPVanish had a historical logging incident back in 2016, before their current ownership. They've completely overhauled their infrastructure since, and there's been no repeat of it. But it's worth knowing that history if privacy is your absolute top priority.

Key Features:

• Owns 100% of its server hardware (2,400+ servers, 90+ countries)
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• SOCKS5 proxy included
• WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP support
• Scramble mode for obfuscation
• Split tunneling available

Pricing:

• Monthly: ~$12.99/mo
• 1 year: ~$3.99/mo (first year deal often available)
• 2 years: ~$2.50/mo

Pros:

• Consistently excellent speeds thanks to owned infrastructure
• SOCKS5 proxy included — great for torrent client configuration
• Unlimited devices
• Clean, functional apps across all platforms

Cons:

• Historical logging incident (2016) — old news, but relevant to privacy-focused users who want a clean record
• US-based jurisdiction (5 Eyes)
• No port forwarding
• Audit history isn't as strong as Proton or Mullvad

---

#7. Windscribe — Best Free/Budget Option for Occasional Torrenters

Windscribe

Windscribe is the dark horse on this list, and honestly, I think it's underrated. The free tier gives you 10GB per month — legitimately generous compared to competitors who cap free users at 500MB or just block them entirely — and torrenting is actually allowed on select free servers. R.O.B.E.R.T. is Windscribe's custom DNS and blocking system that works across both free and paid tiers, which is a nice touch.

For someone who torrents occasionally and doesn't want to commit to a paid subscription, Windscribe is genuinely worth trying. The paid "Build a Plan" option is unique: you pay per server location, so if you only need servers in 3 countries, you're not paying for 50. Speeds are decent but variable depending on server load — this is my main complaint. On a congested server, Windscribe can feel sluggish in a way that PIA or Mullvad rarely do. The UI also feels a bit dated in 2026 compared to Surfshark or ProtonVPN. But look, the value proposition — especially on the free tier — is just hard to argue with.

Key Features:

• 10GB/month free tier (torrenting allowed on select servers — this is rare for free VPNs)
• R.O.B.E.R.T. custom DNS blocking system
• SOCKS5 proxy (paid plans)
• Port forwarding available (paid plans)
• WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 support
• Build-a-plan custom pricing
• Unlimited devices on paid plans

Pricing:

• Free: 10GB/month
• Pro: ~$5.75/mo (annual) or $9/mo monthly
• Build a Plan: from ~$3/mo (select locations)

Pros:

• Best free tier in the VPN market for occasional torrenting — nothing else comes close
• Port forwarding included on paid plans (genuinely rare)
• Flexible custom pricing is great for budget-conscious users
• SOCKS5 proxy on paid plans

Cons:

• Variable speeds — can get noticeably slow on popular servers
• Dated interface compared to Surfshark or ProtonVPN
• Canadian jurisdiction (5 Eyes)
• Customer support is slower than competitors

---

Detailed Feature Comparison Table

Feature	PIA	Mullvad	ProtonVPN	Surfshark	CyberGhost	IPVanish	Windscribe
P2P on All Servers	✅	✅	❌ (dedicated)	✅	❌ (dedicated)	✅	❌ (select)
Kill Switch	✅ Advanced	✅ + Lockdown	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
SOCKS5 Proxy	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅ (paid)
Port Forwarding	✅	❌	✅ (select)	❌	❌	❌	✅ (paid)
WireGuard	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
No-Logs Audit	✅	✅	✅	✅	Partial	✅	Partial
Free Tier	❌	❌	✅ (no P2P)	❌	❌	❌	✅ (10GB)
Simultaneous Devices	10	5	10	Unlimited	7	Unlimited	Unlimited
Jurisdiction	USA	Sweden	Switzerland	Netherlands	Romania	USA	Canada
Best Price/mo	$2.03	€5.00	$4.99	$2.49	$2.03	$2.50	$5.75

---

How to Pick the Right Torrenting VPN for Your Situation

Look, the "best" VPN depends entirely on your situation. Here's a simple decision framework rather than another generic recommendation:

You're a Privacy Absolutist

Go with Mullvad. No email, no identifiable account info, flat pricing, audited no-logs, and WireGuard speeds that won't frustrate you. The lack of port forwarding is the only real sacrifice — and for most privacy-focused users, that's an acceptable trade.

You Want the Best All-Rounder

Private Internet Access is your pick. It's proven under actual legal pressure, has port forwarding, SOCKS5 proxy, the most flexible kill switch I tested, and the no-logs policy has been stress-tested in real court cases — not just marketing materials. Hard to beat.

You're Brand New to VPNs and Just Want It to Work

CyberGhost with its dedicated torrenting profiles. Connect, download, done. The 45-day guarantee gives you plenty of time to decide if it's right for you without any risk.

You Have Multiple Devices or Share With Family/Roommates

Surfshark or IPVanish — both offer unlimited device connections. Surfshark has slightly better privacy credentials overall; IPVanish has slightly better raw speeds. Pick based on which matters more to you.

You're on a Tight Budget or Only Torrent Occasionally

Windscribe's free tier handles light use well, and 10GB/month is enough for a few downloads. If you need more, their Pro plan is fairly priced. The port forwarding feature alone makes it worth considering over other budget options.

You Want Privacy AND a Great Ecosystem

ProtonVPN integrates beautifully with ProtonMail and Proton Drive — if you're already using those (and you probably should be, honestly), it makes sense to keep everything under one roof. Swiss jurisdiction, open-source code, and a solid P2P track record make it ideal if you value that level of transparency.

---

Verdict: Top Picks by User Type

🏆 Best Overall: Private Internet Access — proven no-logs, port forwarding, SOCKS5, and unbeatable value at $2.03/mo on the long-term plan. Private Internet Access

🔒 Best for Pure Privacy: Mullvad — anonymous signup, flat pricing, zero data to ever hand over. Mullvad

🌱 Best for Beginners: CyberGhost — dedicated torrenting profiles make the whole setup foolproof. Cyberghost

💻 Best for Households: Surfshark — unlimited devices, solid speeds, and P2P on all servers. Surfshark

🆓 Best Free Option: Windscribe — 10GB free with actual P2P support beats every other free tier on the market. It's not even close. Windscribe

🔬 Best for Privacy Researchers/Tech Users: ProtonVPN — open-source, Swiss-based, and fully audited. Protonvpn

⚡ Best Raw Speed: IPVanish — owned server infrastructure means consistently fast downloads that most VPNs simply can't match. Ipvanish

---

---

You Might Also Like

• TunnelBear vs Windscribe 2026: Which VPN Is Actually Worth It?
• IPVanish vs Windscribe 2026: Which VPN Actually Delivers?

---

FAQ: Best VPN for Torrenting 2026

Is torrenting legal if I use a VPN?

In most countries, torrenting itself is legal. Downloading copyrighted material without permission is not — and a VPN doesn't change that legal reality. What a VPN does is protect your privacy and prevent your ISP from throttling or monitoring your P2P traffic. Always torrent legal content.

Will a VPN slow down my torrent speeds?

Yes, some slowdown is inevitable because your traffic is being encrypted and routed through an extra server. Here's the deal though: good VPNs running WireGuard reduce this to around 10-20% speed loss in practice. Mullvad, Surfshark, and IPVanish are the fastest options on this list based on my actual testing — and on a fast base connection, you'll barely notice the difference.

SOCKS5 proxy vs. full VPN — what's the difference for torrenting?

A SOCKS5 proxy routes your torrent traffic without encrypting it — faster, but less secure. Full VPN encryption protects everything passing through your connection. Many experienced torrent users actually use both: VPN active system-wide for protection, plus SOCKS5 configured directly in qBittorrent for maximum per-client performance. PIA, IPVanish, and Windscribe (paid) all support this dual setup.

Does port forwarding actually matter?

It matters if you care about seeding and being a "connectable" peer in torrent swarms. Without port forwarding, you can still download just fine — but your upload speeds and peer connectivity improve significantly with it enabled. On this list, PIA and Windscribe are your best bets for port forwarding support. Mullvad used to support it too, until they removed it in 2023, which was a genuinely frustrating decision for power users.

Can I just use a free VPN for torrenting?

Honestly? Almost certainly not. Most free VPNs either block torrenting outright, impose data caps that make P2P completely impractical, or — worst of all — log your traffic and sell it to third parties. Windscribe is the one legitimate exception with a 10GB/month free tier that actually allows P2P on select servers. For anything beyond occasional light use, a paid VPN is worth every penny.

Best VPN for torrenting if I'm worried about copyright notices?

Private Internet Access or Mullvad — both have independently audited no-logs policies, and PIA has actual court cases proving the policy holds up under real legal pressure. Neither service has meaningful data to hand over if requested. That said, the single best protection is always to torrent only legal content in the first place.

---

Prices listed are approximate and may vary based on current promotions and billing cycles. Always check the provider's official site for up-to-date pricing. Affiliate links in this article help support our testing work — we only recommend tools we've actually used and would use ourselves.