Best free VPNs for torrenting in 2024
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Free VPNs are an attractive alternative for many torrent users. Despite limited functionality and a small server network, they’re easily accessible and seem to do the job just fine; however, some free VPNs have vulnerabilities that not everyone knows about. Logging your online activities, selling your data, and installing malware are only some of the risks when opting for an unreliable free VPN.
That’s why I always recommend taking advantage of the free trial or money-back guarantee and test a premium VPN provider. This will give you ample amount of time to decide whether the VPN is worth your money.
Either way, not all free VPNs for torrenting are unreliable. Therefore our experts and I have thoroughly reviewed every free VPN you'll find in this list to help you choose the best free VPN for torrenting. From speed to performance to unblocking capabilities, I will cover it all. Let’s dive in.
While torrenting can be used to download and share files between peers, it’s most often used to pirate copyrighted content. Here at Cybernews, we don’t condone online piracy and don’t recommend using a VPN to engage in illegal activities.
Best free VPNs for torrenting in 2024
- NordVPN – best free-trial P2P VPN
- Hotspot Shield – best free VPN for torrenting
- TunnelBear – free torrenting VPN with reliable privacy protection and no data caps
- Windscribe – a solid free VPN option for torrenting in 2024
We spare no effort to test the products & their features. All information is gathered by our in-house research team & fact-checked by our team of experts. Discover the ins and outs of our testing procedures.
Do you really need a VPN for torrenting?
Yes, using a VPN for torrenting is crucial to keep your online activity private and avoid legal issues. Without a VPN, your IP address is visible to everyone, making it easy for your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and copyright enforcement agencies to track your actions.
Here are the risks of torrenting without a VPN:
- Exposure of IP address. Your IP address is visible to everyone sharing the file. This exposure makes it simple for copyright holders to track and take action against you. Cybercriminals also can take advantage of IP address exposure and can use this information to launch attacks like DDoS or other malicious activities.
- Legal consequences. Many countries have strict laws against unauthorized downloading and sharing of copyrighted content. Getting caught can result in hefty fines or even legal action.
- ISP monitoring and throttling. ISPs can monitor your online activity, throttle your internet speed, or send you warning letters if they detect torrenting activities.
While free VPNs are convenient, I always question their reliability and security. After all, these VPNs are free, meaning they make money through you, the user. At best, they disrupt the user experience by providing you with limited resources or annoying you with ads. At worst, they collect and sell your data, doing the opposite of what a VPN should do – putting your privacy and security at risk.
Instead of free VPNs, consider using freemium VPNs or those with free trials and money-back guarantees. These VPNs offer faster speeds, stronger privacy policies, and more robust security features, making them a safer and more reliable choice.
Best free-trial VPNs for torrenting
- NordVPN – secure torrenting with top encryption and no data caps
- Surfshark – unlimited torrenting with strong privacy and global servers Bitdefender – safe torrenting with advanced security features
With massive server networks, stable performance, and specialized P2P servers, premium VPNs tend to be more reliable. While these are my top picks, there are plenty of other VPN providers that may better suit your needs. Check out our list of the best VPNs for torrenting and find the right one for you.
How I tested these free VPNs for torrenting
With the help of an experienced Cybernews research team, I tested 41 VPN providers on the market. The main criteria we looked at were P2P servers, security, speeds, and torrenting support. For all the testing, we used a Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen2 device (AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U processor, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) with Windows 11 Pro OS.
I used an open-source qBittorrent client for torrenting speed tests and downloaded a legitimate 5.69GB Ubuntu 24.04 Desktop file. Due to safety concerns, I avoided using BitTorrent or uTorrent and did not download from illegal sites like 1337x or PirateBay. My baseline internet speed without a VPN was around 450 Mbps. The Ubuntu file downloaded in 4:05 minutes, averaging a speed of 19.8 MB/s.
Here’s what I looked at when choosing the best free torrenting VPN:
- Security and privacy (20%). A reliable kill switch and strong encryption, such as AES-256, are the most important things a VPN should have, even if it’s free. This is because these features are paramount in securing your connection and avoiding any data leaks.
- Speeds (20%). Even if security should be the top priority, no one wants to compromise speeds because of it. And with the VPNs we ranked, we make sure you get the fastest tunneling protocols, such as WireGuard.
- Data limitations (15%). Free VPNs are rarely unlimited, so we made sure to provide you with VPNs that offer little to no data caps.
- Free plan details (15%). I evaluated whether the VPN is free or offers a free trial with a money-back guarantee. If it's a free trial, we checked if registration or adding credit card information is required.
- P2P servers (10%). While most free torrenting VPNs don’t have P2P-optimized servers, we checked which ones still support torrenting.
- Server network (5%). It's important for a free torrenting VPN to have multiple servers across the globe. The more servers, the better speeds.
- Ad-free evaluation (5%). I checked whether completely free VPNs were genuinely ad-free, ensuring a smooth experience without interruptions.
- Free vs. paid plan feature comparison (5%). I evaluated whether the free version restricts access to premium features and services, including analyzing which features are available in the free version compared to the paid version.
- Personal experience (5%). I noted my experience with each VPN, focusing on ease of use, user interface intuitiveness, and overall satisfaction. This included evaluating the installation process, instruction clarity, and VPN responsiveness during use.
Best free VPNs that allow P2P – detailed list
The best free VPNs for torrenting should guarantee solid P2P sharing, good speeds, and at least some kind of security from your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) eyes. To make things easier, we tested 41 VPNs and selected only the best free ones or those with free trials of money-back guarantees. I ranked the top VPNs that you can torrent with and enjoy for free:
1. NordVPN – best free VPN for torrenting overall
| Based in: | Panama |
| P2P servers: | Yes |
| Free version: | No, but includes a 7-day free trial |
| Current deal: | Cyber Monday! Get 74% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free |
NordVPN is the best free VPN for torrenting because of its optimized P2P servers, robust security features, and excellent speed retention. With over 5300 P2P-optimized servers from its global fleet of 6800+ servers across 111 countries, NordVPN ensures a smooth torrenting experience backed by strong encryption and privacy measures. Additionally, NordVPN offers a 7-day free trial for mobile devices, allowing users to test its features before committing. For a full desktop experience, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee to evaluate its performance.
Privacy and security – excellent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
NordVPN excels in security and privacy with industry-standard AES-256 and ChaCha20 (NordLynx) encryption. The presence of a reliable kill switch prevents data leaks if the connection drops unexpectedly. It also features DNS leak protection and supports secure tunneling protocols like OpenVPN and NordLynx. The audited no-logs policy reassures users that their online activities remain private. I felt confident using NordVPN, knowing my data was well-protected. Compared to other VPNs on our list, NordVPN offers strong privacy protection with reliable encryption and a strict no-logs policy. It matches Surfshark in terms of privacy and is more transparent than Hide.me. While Bitdefender provides strong security, its focus is more on comprehensive cybersecurity rather than dedicated privacy for torrenting. Overall, I felt confident using NordVPN, knowing my data was well-protected.
Speed – excellent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
NordVPN delivers exceptional speeds, which are crucial for torrenting. During testing, it retained over 90% of the original internet speed, making it the fastest among all providers on the list. Using the NordLynx protocol, the VPN provided an average download speed of 27.2 Mbps with an internet download speed of 410 Mbps. Its P2P-optimized servers further enhance download speeds for a smooth torrenting experience. In comparison, Surfshark also offers impressive speeds but tends to be slightly slower than NordVPN. Hide.me and Bitdefender, while providing adequate speeds, generally lag behind NordVPN in terms of performance, particularly for high-speed torrenting.
Torrenting – excellent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
NordVPN's 5,300+ specialized P2P servers deliver exceptional torrenting performance without data caps. During testing, these servers noticeably increased download speeds, providing a fast and uninterrupted torrenting experience. Files downloaded quickly, and I had no connectivity issues, making NordVPN a top choice for torrenting. In comparison, Surfshark also offers strong torrenting capabilities with no data caps and good speeds, though it slightly trails NordVPN in terms of server specialization. Hide.me supports torrenting well but tends to have slower speeds and fewer P2P-optimized servers. Bitdefender, while effective for general security, is less focused on torrenting and doesn’t match the performance of NordVPN.
Pricing and free plan – very good ⭐⭐⭐⭐
NordVPN does not offer a completely free version, but it provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to try the service risk-free. The cost starts at $$2.99/month. Additionally, NordVPN provides a 7-day free trial via the Google Play Store, requiring a credit card for activation.
To avoid charges, users need to cancel the trial on the Google platform before it ends.
In comparison, Surfshark offers a lower starting price of $1.99/month and also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, but does not have a free trial. Hide.me has a free version with limited features and data, and its paid plans start at $2.29/month. Bitdefender’s VPN is generally included as part of its broader security suite, which can be more expensive overall, with VPN access starting at around $2.92/month. Despite not having a completely free version, NordVPN's pricing is competitive, and its trial and money-back guarantee provide flexible options to test the service.
2. Hotspot Shield – a free VPN for secure torrenting with unlimited bandwidth
| Based in: | United States |
| P2P servers: | Yes |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Now up to 77% OFF! |
Hotspot Shield is a notable choice for secure torrenting, particularly with its free version offering unlimited bandwidth. Although the free plan has some limitations, it still provides solid security features, including advanced encryption and anti-phishing protection. For users seeking more advanced torrenting capabilities, the premium plan unlocks additional features and improved performance. Hotspot Shield also offers a 45-day money-back guarantee on its premium service, allowing users to thoroughly test its capabilities before committing.
Privacy and security – excellent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hotspot Shield excels in privacy and security with its comprehensive protection features. The VPN uses advanced encryption protocols to safeguard your data and protect your online activities from unwanted scrutiny. Its anti-phishing technology adds an extra layer of security, defending you against malicious sites and potential threats. With a strict no-logs policy, Hotspot Shield ensures that your browsing history remains private and confidential.
Speed – excellent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hotspot Shield is known for its impressive speed performance. Whether you’re streaming, browsing, or torrenting, the VPN delivers fast and reliable connections. Its proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol is optimized for speed, reducing latency and buffering. This ensures a seamless online experience with minimal interruptions, even when accessing high-bandwidth content.
Torrenting – excellent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For torrenting, Hotspot Shield performs exceptionally well, especially with its premium plan. The VPN offers unlimited bandwidth and high-speed connections, making it ideal for downloading large files quickly. The dedicated P2P servers in the premium plan are optimized for torrenting, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience while maintaining strong security and privacy.
Pricing and free plan – very good⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hotspot Shield’s pricing is quite competitive, offering good value for its premium features. The free plan provides unlimited bandwidth and solid basic security, though it lacks some advanced features. The premium plan, which unlocks additional benefits like dedicated P2P servers and enhanced performance, is backed by a 45-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to test its capabilities risk-free. Overall, the pricing structure is fair and provides flexible options to suit different needs.
3. TunnelBear VPN – user-friendly and secure torrenting with a generous free plan
| Based in: | Canada |
| P2P servers: | Yes |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Cyber Monday! Now up to 67% OFF! |
TunnelBear is a user-friendly VPN that offers a solid option for secure torrenting, especially with its generous free plan. While the free version comes with a data limit, it provides essential security features and a simple interface that’s easy to navigate. The premium plan, however, removes data restrictions and includes enhanced features for a more comprehensive torrenting experience. TunnelBear is known for its strong encryption and privacy measures, ensuring that your online activities are well-protected.
A major downside is that the service doesn’t offer a 30-day money-back guarantee like the majority of VPN providers. However, this won't be a problem if you’re using a free version.
Privacy and security – excellent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
TunnelBear excels in privacy and security with its advanced protection features. The VPN uses strong encryption protocols to secure your data and ensure your online activities are protected from unauthorized access. With a clear no-logs policy and additional privacy measures, TunnelBear prioritizes user confidentiality and maintains a high standard of security across its services.
Speed – excellent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
TunnelBear offers impressive speed performance, making it a reliable choice for various online activities. Its servers are optimized for fast and consistent connections, whether you're streaming, browsing, or downloading. The VPN’s performance ensures smooth and uninterrupted usage, even with the encryption and security measures in place.
Torrenting – excellent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For torrenting, TunnelBear delivers an excellent experience with its premium plan. The VPN supports P2P file sharing and provides reliable speeds for downloading large files. Although the free plan has data limitations, the premium version offers unlimited bandwidth and optimized performance for efficient and secure torrenting.
Pricing and free plan – very good ⭐⭐⭐⭐
TunnelBear’s pricing is competitive, offering good value for its premium features. The free plan provides a generous but limited amount of data, making it suitable for occasional use. The premium plan, which removes data restrictions and unlocks additional features, is reasonably priced. However, the refund policy seems to be confusing, as Tunnelbear offers refunds case-by-case as not based on a 30-day money-back guarantee as most VPN providers do.
4. Windscribe – reliable privacy and security with effective torrenting features
| Based in: | Canada |
| P2P servers: | Supported except in India and Lithuania |
| Free version: | Yes |
| Current deal: | Cyber Monday! Now up to 55% OFF! |
Windscribe is a versatile VPN that provides robust security and privacy features, making it a solid choice for secure torrenting. The free plan offers 10GB of monthly data and access to essential security tools, though it has some limitations compared to the premium version. The paid plan removes data restrictions and includes additional features for an enhanced torrenting experience. Windscribe is known for its strong encryption and effective privacy protections, ensuring that your online activities remain secure. The service also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee on its premium plan, allowing you to fully test its capabilities before making a commitment.
Privacy and security – excellent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Windscribe provides strong privacy and security features, using AES-256 encryption to safeguard your data and protect your online activities. The VPN adheres to a no-logs policy, ensuring that your browsing history and personal information remain private. Additionally, Windscribe includes advanced security features like a firewall and ad-blocker, which further enhance your online security and privacy.
Speed – very good ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Windscribe delivers solid speed performance across its servers, allowing for smooth browsing and streaming. While it may not be the fastest option available, it offers consistent and reliable speeds suitable for most online activities. The VPN’s performance is generally commendable, with minimal impact on connection speeds during regular use.
Torrenting – excellent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Windscribe excels in torrenting with its robust support for P2P file sharing. It provides a generous data allowance on its free plan and unlimited data on its paid plans, making it a great choice for downloading large files. The VPN’s secure and high-speed servers ensure an efficient and safe torrenting experience.
Pricing and free plan – very good ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Windscribe offers a competitive pricing structure with a generous free plan that includes 10GB of monthly data. The free version supports basic features and provides access to a decent number of servers. For more extensive use, the paid plans offer unlimited data, additional features, and enhanced performance. Windscribe’s pricing is reasonable, and it also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to try the service with minimal risk.
Free torrenting VPNs to avoid
Free torrenting VPNs can be dangerous if not chosen wisely. Some of them are cyberthreat goldmines and some make money off your personal information. Here are a few examples of free VPNs that you should avoid:
- Betternet VPN – it’s a service acquired by the Aura group, and to put it simply – the privacy of users is not their main concern. They log various personal data, including account, billing, identity verification, usage, and device information. Plus, they collect the approximate location of users.
- Hola VPN – this VPN has some stains in terms of reputation. Devices of users that had premium VPN services would be used as a botnet without them being aware. This means users’ computers could be used to perform DDoS attacks and act as open doors for cybercriminals.
- Thunder VPN – it’s an Android VPN that may collect various information, including your Internet Service Provider (ISP), operating system (OS) version, device model, language of the device, app version. They also collect connection timestamps and total amount of data transferred per day.
Is it safe to use a free VPN for torrenting?
Yes, it can be safe to use a free VPN for torrenting, but equally, it might not be. It all depends on the VPN service you use. Some free torrenting VPNs might be perfectly safe, while some untrustworthy providers could potentially sell your data or expose you to malware.
That’s why it’s better to opt for the so-called freemium VPNs. Such free VPNs will provide you with basic security and online anonymity, yet they aren’t the best options as they come with limitations, such as data caps and only a select number of servers.
However, the best option is getting a premium service. They offer unlimited bandwidth which means unlimited torrenting. Plus, they usually have torrenting-optimized servers and ensure great download speeds. And thanks to their 30-day money-back guarantees and free trials, you can try the VPNs out for free.
What should I do if my free VPN stops working while torrenting?
Since free VPNs are not as reliable as paid VPN services, you may run into connectivity issues, exposing your IP address and leaving your internet traffic unencrypted. If your VPN stopped working while torrenting, there’s not a whole lot you can do besides stopping the download and exiting the torrenting app.
However, there are a few things you can do to mitigate this. Number one – prevention. Use VPNs that have a kill switch and make sure that it’s always enabled. A kill switch will shut down your internet if you lose your connection to the VPN server, effectively blocking any data leakage. You should also rely on P2P servers as they’re designed specifically for torrenting and may be more stable.
Overall, your best bet is to opt for a trusted VPN that has an obligation to keep its servers up and running. NordVPN is my number one recommendation for a reliable VPN. It has a massive server network with specialized servers for P2P traffic, making it an excellent option for torrenting.
Conclusion
There are many advantages of using a free VPN for torrenting. The biggest one being increased security and privacy online. However, completely free torrenting VPNs often come with limitations or even risks. These include data caps, limited amount of servers, and sometimes even compromised personal data.
To be able to use everything that a P2P VPN can offer, I strongly suggest opting for a free trial of a premium provider like NordVPN. It’s a reliable, time-tested torrenting VPN, offering everything you need for torrenting – optimized P2P servers, market-leading download speeds, an audited privacy policy, and first-class security. After the trial ends, you can also take advantage of a 30-day refund policy, enabling you to use the service for free for over a month.
Should you still want a completely free P2P VPN, make sure you find a reliable one. I recommend going for Proton VPN, which doesn’t have data caps, offers a reliable kill switch and a no-logs policy.
FAQ
Is there a free VPN that allows torrenting?
Yes, there are free VPNs that allow torrenting, but not all are safe or strong enough. Hotspot Shield has a free version that supports torrenting. However, the speeds might not be the best due to the limited server count.
Can I use a free VPN to access geo-restricted torrent sites?
Yes, you can use a free VPN to access geo-restricted torrent sites. However, due to the limitations of free VPNs, you may run into speed issues.
Can I use a free VPN for torrenting without being detected by my ISP?
Yes, a VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it nearly impossible for your ISP to track your online activities.
Are there any legal concerns I should be aware of when using a free VPN for torrenting?
A VPN won’t protect you against the law if you’re using it to hide illegal activities. Using a VPN for online pirating and torrenting copyrighted files can get you in legal trouble.
What's the best free VPN for torrenting?
The best free torrenting VPN is NordVPN. It offers lightning-fast speeds and P2P optimized servers on top of an audited no-logging policy. You can try it out for free thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Which free torrenting VPN has the most servers?
It’s difficult to say which free torrenting VPN has the most servers available as it’s usually not stated publicly and is hard to count manually. Yet, Proton VPN offers 147 free servers in 5 countries, which is very generous for a free VPN service.
Is it legal to use a VPN for torrenting?
Yes, it’s legal to use a VPN for torrenting but only if you’re not using it for illegal activities. A VPN hides your IP address to ensure more privacy, but it doesn’t make downloading copyrighted material legal.
Are free VPNs fast enough for torrenting?
No, free VPNs are generally too slow for torrenting due to limited servers and bandwidth caps. However, using a paid VPN with a money-back guarantee, like NordVPN, can be a good short-term solution, offering fast and unrestricted torrenting for a limited period.
What is the best free VPN for downloading movies?
The best free VPN for downloading movies is NordVPN. You can take advantage of their 7-day free trial on mobile apps and 30-day money-back guarantee. NordVPN offers fast speeds, P2P-optimized servers, and strong security, making it ideal for downloading movies.
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