Best VPN for Torrenting in 2026

Discover the best VPNs for safe and fast torrenting. Compare PIA, NordVPN, Mullvad, and Surfshark with detailed reviews of P2P performance, port forwarding, no-log policies, and more.

Last tested: 2026-05-124 products reviewed

Our Top Picks

#1Private Internet Accessfrom $2.03/mo/mo8.5/10#2NordVPNfrom $3.99/mo/mo8.8/10#3Mullvad VPNfrom €5.00/mo/mo8.4/10

Detailed Reviews

Private Internet Access

8.5
Editor's Choice
Monthly$11.99/mo
Annual$2.03/mo/mo
DevicesUnlimited
Servers35,000+
Countries91
LoggingNo logs
Streaming No
Torrenting Yes
Kill Switch Yes

What we liked

  • Port forwarding available on all servers
  • P2P optimized servers in 91 countries
  • Verified no-logs policy in court
  • Unlimited device connections
  • Affordable long-term plans

Could be better

  • US-based company (5 Eyes jurisdiction)
  • Speeds can vary during peak hours
  • No built-in malware/ad blocking

Best for torrenting on a budget. PIA's port forwarding and P2P-optimized network make it the top choice for torrent users who want proven privacy without high costs.

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NordVPN

8.8
Runner-Up
Monthly$12.99/mo
Annual$3.99/mo/mo
Devices6
Servers7,000+
Countries118
LoggingNo logs (audited)
Streaming Yes
Torrenting Yes
Kill Switch Yes

What we liked

  • Onion over VPN (double encryption)
  • P2P specialized servers
  • Independent security audit 2023
  • NordLynx protocol for fast P2P
  • Malware and ad blocker included

Could be better

  • Only 6 simultaneous devices
  • Double VPN slows speeds noticeably
  • Some servers don't support P2P

Best for security-conscious torrenters. NordVPN's Onion over VPN and dedicated P2P servers give it an edge for users who prioritize anonymity alongside torrenting.

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Mullvad VPN

8.4
#3
Monthly€5.00/mo
Annual€5.00/mo/mo
Devices5
Servers700+
Countries43
LoggingNo logs (anonymous)
Streaming No
Torrenting Yes
Kill Switch Yes

What we liked

  • Completely anonymous account (no email)
  • Swedish jurisdiction (strong privacy laws)
  • Port forwarding included free
  • WireGuard by default
  • Regular independent security audits

Could be better

  • Small server network
  • No specialty streaming servers
  • Limited customer support options
  • Not ideal for streaming Netflix

Best for maximum anonymity. Mullvad's no-email, anonymous accounts and Swedish jurisdiction make it the go-to for users who refuse to leave any digital footprint.

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Surfshark

8
#4
Monthly$12.99/mo
Annual$2.19/mo/mo
DevicesUnlimited
Servers3,200+
Countries100
LoggingNo logs
Streaming Yes
Torrenting Yes
Kill Switch Yes

What we liked

  • Unlimited devices on one plan
  • Camouflage mode hides VPN usage
  • P2P servers across 50+ locations
  • CleanWeb ad and malware blocker
  • Lowest cost for unlimited devices

Could be better

  • Based in Netherlands (14 Eyes)
  • Average speeds on distant servers
  • Some features require paid add-ons

Best value for families or users with multiple devices. Surfshark's unlimited device policy and low annual cost make it ideal for households that torrent across many machines.

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Editor's Verdict

The Bottom Line

PIA wins for most users because it combines port forwarding, verified no-logs in court, unlimited devices, and the lowest price among audited providers. Torrenting is explicitly supported on all 35,000+ servers. NordVPN is the runner-up for users who prioritize security audits and Onion over VPN.

Best OverallPrivate Internet Access8.5/10Get PIA
Runner-UpNordVPN8.8/10Get NordVPN

Frequently Asked Questions

Using a VPN for torrenting is legal in most countries, but the legality depends on what you're downloading. Copyrighted material without permission remains illegal even with a VPN. A VPN protects your privacy from your ISP and peers, but doesn't make piracy legal.

Port forwarding allows incoming connections to bypass your NAT firewall, improving your torrent seeding ability and download speeds. PIA and Mullvad support port forwarding. Most other VPNs block ports entirely for security reasons.

Any VPN will reduce speeds slightly due to encryption overhead and server distance. Premium VPNs with WireGuard (PIA, Mullvad, NordVPN) typically reduce speeds by 10-30%. Avoid free VPNs which often throttle P2P traffic.

No-logs VPNs claim to store nothing. However, some have been served court orders or subpoenas requiring them to produce data. PIA has been tested in US courts with zero logs produced. NordVPN and Mullvad have both undergone independent security audits confirming their no-log claims.

Free VPNs are not recommended for torrenting. Most throttle P2P traffic, limit bandwidth, impose data caps, and some have sold user data to third parties. If budget is a concern, Mullvad at €5/month is the cheapest reliable option.

P2P-optimized servers are configured to allow torrenting traffic and often have better routing for peer-to-peer connections. Some VPNs block P2P on regular servers entirely. NordVPN and PIA both offer dedicated P2P server lists.