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Best For Security-Conscious Users
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More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost
Torrenting is often a hot topic in the digital privacy space. While it offers a convenient way to share files, vulnerabilities make a secure network essential. If you're in the market for a virtual private network (VPN) tailored to your torrenting needs, you're in luck: Windscribe and Proton VPN, are remarkable for their speed, secure VPN server options, and pricing. One even offers a compelling free tier.
But be warned: not all free VPNs for torrenting are created equal. Some can compromise your privacy, so we'll touch upon the drawbacks of most free VPN services and also recommend low-cost, paid alternatives.
Whether you're a novice to the VPN landscape or just looking for a refresher, our comprehensive guide can help you decide on the best free VPNs for torrenting.
Before we delve into our curated list of exceptional VPNs, it's imperative to address a vital question: How can you discern if a free VPN is safe for torrenting? First and foremost, seek transparency. A reputable free VPN will offer a clear privacy policy that spells out exactly how it manages your data.
Another pivotal factor is a no-logs policy, which ensures your online activities remain anonymous and untraceable. Equally crucial is robust encryption — AES 256-bit encryption is the gold standard in the industry.
Additionally, a variety of server locations isn't just nice — it's essential for bypassing geo-blocks and ensuring a smooth torrenting experience. Lastly, never underestimate the power of user reviews. Public sentiment can be a treasure trove of information, offering unfiltered insights into a VPN's overall performance and reliability.
| VPN |  Windscribe |
 Proton VPN |
| Starting price | Starts at $5.75/mo (billed annually) | Starts at $2.99/mo (billed every two years) |
| Free version | Yes – 10 GB/mo | Yes – Unlimited |
| Free trial | ||
| Torrenting support | ||
| Streaming support | ||
| Learn more | Read Windscribe Review | Read Proton VPN Review |
Unlimited device connections
Has a customizable plan if you only need access to servers in specific countries
Windscribe is the go-to VPN for streaming aficionados, especially those who love to binge-watch Netflix. The service excels at bypassing even the trickiest geo-restrictions. It offers an array of protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard, as well as split tunneling, to ensure a smooth and secure streaming experience.
For those concerned about cost, Windscribe offers a robust free tier with a 10 GB monthly data cap, making it a viable option for users who need to download bigger torrent files.
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Windscribe is a force to reckon with when it comes to streaming and offers an unlimited number of connected devices. It has server locations in 69 countries. Additionally, it supports an array of VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, Stealth, and WebSocket Stealth, which tailor the VPN to your specific needs — be it streaming or torrenting.
Furthermore, the no-logs policy is reassuring for those concerned about privacy. One of the most attractive points about Windscribe is its 10 GB free tier, which can suffice for moderate streaming and torrenting needs.
Despite its fantastic streaming capability, Windscribe doesn’t offer a free trial for users to test out its full suite of privacy features. Moreover, its pricing, starting at $5.75/mo (billed annually), could be a bit steep for some users, compared to other VPN providers offering similar features. This isn’t a problem if you’re content with the free plan, but we like to keep our options open.
Lastly, while the service performs well, we noticed that speeds can sometimes dip significantly when connected to servers far from the user's location. In our tests, we witnessed a massive 41% decrease in download speed and a 168% increase in latency, when connecting to Sydney from the U.S.
| Price range | $1.00–$9.00/mo |
| Free version | Yes – 10 GB/mo |
| Free trial | No |
| Torrenting support | Yes |
| Number of servers | Unlisted in 69+ countries |
| Number of connected devices | Unlimited |
| VPN protocol | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, Stealth, WebSocket Stealth |
| Encryption | AES-256 |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
| Streaming support | Yes – Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, and more |
| Learn more | Read Windscribe Review |
Easy to use
A strict no-logs policy that’s been tested in court
Proton VPN is the ideal choice for users who place a premium on privacy and security. Whether torrenting, streaming, or browsing, this VPN offers robust encryption, a kill switch, and a staunch no-logs policy. The availability of a free tier with unlimited bandwidth for free users is a significant advantage for those who may be budget conscious but unwilling to compromise on security features.
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Proton VPN has a smorgasbord of features that cater to security-conscious users, including a 30-day money-back guarantee for peace of mind. One of its biggest advantages is supporting P2P servers activities like torrenting, backed by strong encryption. It also offers a whopping 9,100+ servers, albeit with a limited 100+ free servers.
Unlimited data ensures you're not throttled during your online activities, and its support for up to 10 devices adds to its versatility. Advanced users will appreciate features like Connection Profiles and the Quick Country Selector, while the modern interface makes it user friendly for VPN newbies.
Though Proton VPN excels in many aspects, there are some downsides. While generous with unlimited bandwidth, the free version restricts you to just one connected device and a limited number of servers. This could be a hindrance for those who wish to use multiple devices.
Additionally, although the pricing starts at a reasonable $2.99/mo (billed every two years), some users may find the higher-tier plans a bit steep, especially compared to competitors offering similar features.
| Price range | Free–$9.99/mo |
| Free version | Yes – unlimited |
| Free trial | Yes – 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Torrenting support | Yes |
| Number of servers | 9,100+ servers in 112 countries (100+ for free version) |
| Number of connected devices | 10 (1 for free version) |
| VPN protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec |
| Encryption | AES 256 |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
| Streaming support | Yes – Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video, and more |
| Learn more | Read Proton VPN Review |
While our top two selections — Windscribe and ProtonVPN — are well suited for various needs, several other quality VPNs deserve mention. While these didn't make the top tier due to certain limitations or missing features, they still offer commendable services that might be the right fit for specific use cases.
When it comes to torrenting, a VPN can act as your virtual cloak, providing that extra layer of VPN encryption to hide your IP address and activity. But let's get this straight: While the term "free VPN" may sound like music to your ears, it often comes with pitfalls that can turn that tune into a cacophony of potential threats.
Here's the unsettling reality — most free VPN services have limitations that can compromise your safety and privacy.
These services may have speed caps, data limitations, or fewer server options, affecting your torrenting activity. More worryingly, some free VPNs have been caught red-handed selling user data to third-party companies or were malware in disguise. Additionally, hackers may search through torrent clients, so it is important to have your IP address hidden.
Considering that anonymity is one of the main reasons to employ a VPN in the first place, this is a significant concern. Meanwhile, torrenting without a VPN can reveal your IP address and identity to internet service providers (ISPs). If you're serious about your online privacy, we strongly recommend considering paid VPN alternatives. While it may require a small investment, the peace of mind you get in return is invaluable.
These VPNs offer superior security and faster download speeds, making them the ideal choice for torrenting. For some of the best VPN services in this category, refer to our list of the best paid VPNs for torrenting. Top paid contenders include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost.
Many premium VPN providers offer free trials for those not quite ready to commit financially. These are often feature rich and don’t have the limitations or risks that are associated with free VPN services. This could serve as your test drive phase, where you can torrent with a VPN and evaluate if upgrading to a paid plan is worth it.
So, while the allure of free VPNs for torrenting can be strong, remember: Sometimes you get what you pay for. Opting for a low-cost, paid service or leveraging a free trial can offer a vastly superior and safer experience.
The legality of using a VPN for torrenting varies by jurisdiction. Generally speaking, VPNs are legal in most countries, but torrenting copyrighted material is illegal. VPNs can help you maintain anonymity and protect your data from prying eyes, but they don't give you a free pass to violate laws.
For more insights, check out our article explaining when and where VPNs are legal.
Speed can be hit or miss with free VPNs. While some free VPN services may offer decent speeds for torrenting, most will likely be slower than their premium counterparts. Slow speeds can be frustrating when downloading large files. Always refer to reliable reviews and speed test results for current information.
While some reliable free VPNs exist for torrenting, many services should be avoided due to security risks, invasive advertising, and questionable data logging policies. Be particularly wary of VPN services that don't offer transparent information about their privacy policies or those that have been flagged for leaking data (DNS leaks).
Always research before trusting a free VPN service, and when in doubt, consider opting for a trusted, low-cost option.
For secure and efficient torrenting, look no further than Windscribe and Proton VPN — two providers that excel in different yet complementary ways.
Windscribe strikes a harmonious balance between entertainment and torrenting. What sets Windscribe apart is its generous 10 GB free tier, offering a good amount of data for moderate streaming and torrenting needs.
Proton VPN is a sanctuary for the privacy focused, offering high-end security features, including AES-256 encryption and a no-logs policy. Its expansive server list and specialized features like Connection Profiles make it versatile and highly customizable, ensuring that both novices and VPN veterans can maximize their online experience.
Although these two VPN apps are our frontrunners, honorable mentions like PrivadoVPN, hide.me, and TunnelBear are not to be overlooked. They each offer dependable performance and unique features that cater to different user preferences and requirements but couldn't quite edge out our top picks regarding overall functionality and value.
| Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
| Windscribe | Starts at $5.75/mo (billed annually) | Best for streaming Netflix | Read Windscribe Review |
| Proton VPN | Starts at $2.99/mo (billed every two years) | Best for security-conscious users | Read Proton VPN Review |
Affordable pricing and a free plan option
Fast speeds and unblocks Netflix
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