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The best torrenting sites in 2026 are The Pirate Bay and 1337x. The Pirate Bay is one of the most popular torrent sites, with its huge selection and solid reputation. On the other hand, 1337x shines with its well-organized collection of movies and TV series, keeping the user experience intuitive.
Here's an overview of the major torrent sites in use today, their pros and cons, and how to stay safe while you sail the high seas.
Privacy-focused VPN headquartered in Switzerland, outside the Eyes alliances, with an independently audited no-logs policy
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In late September 2026, 1337x temporarily went offline after Russian missile strikes damaged data center infrastructure in Ukraine that supported the torrent site. NordicQuality, another torrent tracker, was also affected. Both sites reportedly came back online, but the incident is a good reminder that torrent sites can go offline without warning.
If you use torrent sites, be cautious about searching for alternative domains or mirrors during an outage. Fake torrent sites and copycat domains can expose you to malware, phishing, and other security risks.
To determine the best torrent sites, we took a meticulous approach focused on key features that improve user experience, ensure safety, and guarantee content quality. We evaluated site reliability, security measures, the breadth and depth of the content library, user interface design, and community feedback.
We chose these criteria to ensure users can access a wide range of high-quality torrents and navigate these platforms safely and efficiently.
The Pirate Bay is the quintessential torrent site for seasoned downloaders who value a broad selection and peer-reviewed content. Ideal for users seeking everything from niche indie projects to the latest blockbuster movies, its vast library caters to diverse tastes. The site's resilience against takedowns appeals to those who prioritize reliability amid ever-changing internet regulations.
The Pirate Bay continues to hold its position as one of the best torrent sites, offering a comprehensive selection of torrent files and magnet links. The site has drawn consistent praise from torrent users for its very easy-to-use interface, including a simple search and download process that’s accessible to both novices and seasoned torrent users. The site has stood the test of time through legal battles and shutdown attempts, proving its reliability.
Here's what stands out to us:
On some occasions, The Pirate Bay comes under criticism for featuring links that mislead users and for hosting fake torrents that could damage users' computers. Because the risk is high, make sure you have antivirus software installed before you start downloading anything.
Its popularity also means ISPs in many countries often block it, so you'll need a VPN to access it.
1337x is a haven for movie buffs and TV series aficionados seeking a vast, curated library of entertainment. It's particularly suited for those who appreciate a well-organized platform where they can easily find the latest releases, classic films, and binge-worthy series.
The site's interface simplifies discovery, making it a hit with torrent users who value both variety and a smooth experience.
1337x stands out for its exceptional organization and focus on visual media, making it a premier choice for downloading movies and TV shows. The site's layout facilitates easy navigation, while its detailed torrent pages provide vital information, including file size, upload date, and seeder/leecher ratios, to help users make informed decisions.
Highlights of 1337x include:
1337x sometimes loads slowly, likely due to high traffic, which can frustrate users who want quick torrent downloads. Additionally, like any popular torrent site, it occasionally has misleading links, though less often than other platforms. Users should stay vigilant to torrent safely.
Torrentz2 is a paradise for music enthusiasts searching for various songs, albums, and discographies from artists worldwide. It's specially tailored for audiophiles who appreciate a vast selection, from the latest hits to rare and vintage tracks. Users seeking mainstream music, niche genres, and underground bands will find Torrentz2 invaluable. The site's free access appeals to those who want a comprehensive music library without the financial outlay.
Torrentz2 differentiates itself as a meta-search engine, aggregating results from numerous torrent sites to provide a comprehensive music collection.
Its strengths lie in:
The site's simplicity and focus on functionality mean it lacks some community features and user ratings found on more comprehensive torrent sites, making it harder to assess quality.
Additionally, as a meta-search engine, it redirects users to other sites to download torrents, which can lead to inconsistent experiences or more ads. You'll want to install a top-quality ad blocker to make your experience smoother.
YTS is the ultimate destination for cinephiles who love classic movies and high-quality cinematic experiences. It caters to enthusiasts who want to dive into an ocean of timeless films that aren't easily accessible on modern streaming platforms. The site's focus on high-definition movies makes it ideal for users who want to maintain video quality, even for older titles.
YTS distinguishes itself with an impressive collection of classic movies available in high-definition formats, a rare find on other torrent sites.
The platform is highly regarded for its:
The site's narrow focus on movies means that users looking for a broader range of content, such as TV shows, music, or games, must look elsewhere. Additionally, YTS's popularity has made it a target of copyright scrutiny, leading to occasional access issues that may require a VPN for uninterrupted service.
While our top picks cater to a broad range of needs and preferences, several other torrenting sites deserve recognition for their unique offerings. These platforms offer alternatives for users looking for specific content or features not emphasized in our main recommendations. Here are a few notable mentions:
Private torrent sites require an invitation to join, offering higher security, better quality content, and faster download speeds. Sites like PassThePopcorn and BroadcastTheNet are highly regarded in the community for movies and TV shows, respectively, though access is more restricted.
Torrenting is largely unregulated, and you're putting a lot of trust in the file's host. While checking that each download you initiate has a healthy history of reviews, ratings, and seeders is a good starting point for torrenting safely, it may not keep you 100% safe.
That's why using a VPN can significantly increase your security while torrenting.
VPNs do this by hiding your IP address from your internet service provider (ISP), the file host, and other bad actors. The best VPNs also come with built-in antivirus tools that automatically scan what you download, so you can stay safe even after the download completes.
Your ISP may also block or throttle your internet connection if you download from known torrenting sites, but using a VPN makes it much harder for them to trace your activity.
That's why we always recommend using one of the best VPNs to stay secure while you torrent:
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|
| Award | Best features | Best value VPN | Best privacy VPN |
| Star rating | |||
| Price | $3.49–$29.99/mo | $2.49–$21.85/mo | $2.99–$9.99/mo |
| Max # of connected devices | 10 | Unlimited | 10 |
| # of servers | 8,400+ servers in 160+ countries | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries | 20,700+ servers in 149 countries |
| Netflix access | |||
| Learn more | Get NordVPN | Get Surfshark | Get Proton VPN |
People who torrent tend to know a lot of people who torrent, but how popular is it among the general public? We surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults to see.
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66% of people are familiar with torrenting, while only about one-third (34%) said they’ve never heard of it. That 66% includes those familiar with the concept but who have never torrented themselves.
However, 35% of people have torrented content in the past, with an additional 20% reporting they’ve torrented content in the last year.
So what motivates people to turn to torrents and torrenting websites to access the shows and movies they want to watch?
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Money and availability are two of the biggest factors driving people to torrent content online. Nearly half of people, 47%, said they did not want to pay for the shows and movies they want to see. This includes avoiding streaming services as well as renting or buying individual shows and movies.
Other top reasons people use torrents relate to content availability. 43% of people say they turned to torrents after discovering the content they wanted to see wasn't available on any other platform, while 40% said they use torrents to watch things before they’re officially released to a traditional at-home audience.
Lastly, 35% report torrenting to avoid streaming subscriptions.
The safest torrents are those verified by the community or provided by reputable sources on well-established torrent sites. Look for torrents with many positive comments and a good seeder/leecher ratio to ensure both safety and download speed. Always keep an eye on the files you're downloading. A torrent file or fake torrent may include unwanted software or files that could be harmful to your system.
The best torrent site depends on your specific needs. The Pirate Bay is renowned for its vast selection and resilience, making it a top choice for a wide range of content. However, 1337x is excellent for movies and television series.
Despite challenges, many good torrenting sites are still available, offering a wide variety of content across genres and types. The best torrent sites include The Pirate Bay, 1337x, Torrentz2, and YTS, each catering to different preferences and needs.
Generally speaking, the act of torrenting is legal, but torrenting copyrighted content is illegal. So that means the technology of sharing files over the internet via peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing is fine, but you have to be careful of what kind of content you're downloading and sharing.
Torrenting is a vast ocean, and the options can be overwhelming. Our top picks — The Pirate Bay, 1337x, Torrentz2, and YTS — stand out with their unique strengths and features. Whether you're seeking a broad selection of high-quality movies, music torrents, or classic films, these popular torrenting sites offer reliability, extensive libraries, and user-friendly interfaces.
While the rest of the players, such as EZTV and Zooqle, are no less resourceful, especially with regard to this niche, the chosen five excel in their domains. Remember, always pair your torrenting with one of the best VPNs for torrenting to protect your privacy and security and ensure an optimal, secure torrenting experience.
Privacy-focused VPN headquartered in Switzerland, outside the Eyes alliances, with an independently audited no-logs policy
Secure Core servers in Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden add an extra hop to your connection, making it much harder to trace back to you
Includes a Stealth protocol that disguises VPN traffic to bypass blocks in restrictive networks and countries
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