5 Alternatives to Kickass Torrent that Still Work
Kickass Torrents (KAT) used to be one of the top sources for P2P file sharing. However, the site has been shut down for many years due to the fact it hosted and shared copyrighted content. While you can find a ton of copycat sites, none of these are the real KAT, so it can be dangerous to use them because they’re not verified.
Today, there are some great alternatives to KAT. But please be aware that these sites also host copyrighted content that is illegal to download. My team and I don’t condone illegal torrenting so be sure to check the rules and regulations in your country. Ensure that whatever files you are downloading are freely available in the public domain.
It’s difficult to comprise a list of alternatives because of how torrenting sites have a habit of disappearing overnight without warning. The sites I’ve listed have gone down in the past but always come back up eventually. Here are the best torrent sites that currently still work:
1. The Pirate Bay
The Pirate Bay has long cemented its status as one of the most popular torrenting sites in the world. Despite facing numerous shutdown attempts and legal battles, the platform has managed to bounce back each time. Of course, this is due to the illegal hosting and sharing of copyrighted material, so be careful not to break any local laws while downloading from the site.
An excellent part of The Pirate Bay’s service is that they provide trusted user tags, so you know which torrents are safe and legitimate. There are millions of files and magnet links available to choose from, plus, the simple interface organizes everything logically, so even a beginner navigates with ease.
With its huge repository, The Pirate Bay offers a trove of content. From movies, music, and TV shows to software, e-books, and more, there are millions of files and magnet links at your fingertips. The platform’s user-friendly design ensures that even those new to the world of torrenting can find their way around with ease. Categories are neatly organized, and a robust search function helps you zero in on specific content.
However, a downside to The Pirate Bay is that they do change their domain often, and occasionally go offline, but that comes with the territory.
2. Limetorrents
LimeTorrents is a versatile torrenting site, catering to a wide array of content categories, from movies and TV shows to software and e-books. As with any torrent site, it’s crucial to use caution and ensure that your downloads are in line with copyright regulations, given LimeTorrents’ mix of copyrighted and copyright-free materials.
The site’s layout is straightforward, making it easy to navigate and find what you’re looking for. A search function aids in finding specific content, while the homepage displays a curated list of popular torrents across different categories. While LimeTorrents is less aggressive with ads than some of the competition, I’d still recommend using one to err on the side of caution.
One of LimeTorrents’ strengths is its community-driven approach. From the comments of each torrent, it’s often possible to glean insights about the file’s quality, authenticity, and any potential issues. This feedback mechanism can be a valuable tool in ensuring safe and satisfactory downloads.
3. 1337x
1337x is a go-to destination for torrent enthusiasts, with a focus on quality movies and TV shows, but with plenty more content available. Despite its extensive collection, it’s essential to exercise caution and ensure that your downloads from 1337x comply with copyright regulations since it hosts both copyrighted and copyright-free materials.
A standout feature of 1337x is its user-friendly interface. Whether you’re searching for TV episodes, popular albums, or blockbuster films, the platform organizes everything logically, making it easy even for those new to torrenting.
The site’s popularity has led to it being frequently removed by major search engines. As a result, it’s advisable to access the site directly via its URL. This is especially vital since there are many duplicate sites out there with spelling and domain ending variations (such as 1377x instead of 1337x) intended to trick you into visiting malware-hosting sites.
4. TorLock
Although it has a good range of torrents, TorLock is particularly known for its rich collection of eBooks and Anime. As such, there’s plenty of copyrighted content here, so it’s crucial to ensure that your downloads from TorLock adhere to copyright laws.
I’m a big fan of TorLock’s commitment to user safety via verified torrents. This verification system ensures that you’re downloading genuine content, adding an extra layer of trust and security to the platform.
The site’s design is both clean and intuitive, making it a breeze to find what you’re looking for. Both TorLock’s top 100 list and “Fresh” page showcase the most sought-after torrents across different timeframes.
What sets TorLock apart is its knack for hosting hard-to-find material. If you’ve scoured other platforms in search of a specific title to no avail, TorLock might just be your saving grace. Its reputation as a reliable source for rare content, coupled with its verified torrents, makes it a valuable resource for dedicated torrenters.
5. Torrentz2
Torrentz2, building on its predecessor Torrentz, is a robust meta-search engine, aggregating results from various torrent hosting sites. Rather than hosting torrents itself, it directs you to sites that do, making it essential to ensure your downloads adhere to copyright regulations.
The platform has one of the simplest interfaces of any torrent site I’ve used, ensuring fast loading, easy navigation, and quick searches.
One of Torrentz2’s unique selling points is its ability to unearth hard-to-find music, some of which dates back decades. For audiophiles and collectors, this feature alone makes Torrentz2 an invaluable resource.
Don’t Torrent Without a VPN
There are dozens of unsafe torrent sites out there. Since they’re not regulated, torrent sites can become a haven for hackers to acquire your personal information and infect your devices. To add to this, the moment you start a P2P transfer, you make your IP address visible to every other seeder and leecher sharing the file. A VPN hides your real IP and encrypts your traffic, so none of your personal info or online activity can be seen by anyone.
The encryption provided by a VPN will prevent any third-party from observing your online activity, allowing you to avoid throttling.
There are other reasons why using a VPN for torrenting is encouraged.
- Provides privacy and anonymity
- Bypasses geo-blocks and restrictions
- Protects you from malicious third-parties
Best VPNs for Browsing Torrent Sites and Safe Torrenting in 2024
1. ExpressVPN — High-Speed Torrenting with Advanced Security Measures
Key Features:
- Over 3,000 servers spread across 105 countries, all fine-tuned for P2P activities.
- Combines top-tier security features to protect you while torrenting.
- Guarantees unlimited bandwidth, ensuring no throttling during torrenting sessions.
- Accommodates up to 8 devices simultaneously.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
Thanks to its cutting-edge security features and lightning-fast speeds, ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN for torrenting. Its expansive server network also ensures that you can always find a reliable and fast connection no matter where you’re located.
During rigorous testing, ExpressVPN showcased its ability to maintain high-speed connections. While downloading several large public domain torrents, ExpressVPN didn’t drop more than 14.6% lower than my baseline speed. This was the case whether I was connected to a local server or even one several thousand kilometers away.
ExpressVPN’s speeds are plenty fast for P2P downloads
When it comes to security, ExpressVPN offers a suite of features designed to protect you while torrenting:
- AES-256-bit encryption — is the gold standard in encryption, ensuring that your data remains unreadable to any potential eavesdroppers.
- Automatic kill switch — immediately halts internet traffic in the event of an unexpected VPN disconnection, preventing any data leaks while torrenting.
- Leak protection — prevents your identifiable IP and DNS addresses from being visible.
- Audited zero-logs policy — ensures that no records of your online activities are kept.
- RAM-based servers — wipe all data upon a reboot, ensuring that no data is ever stored on a hard drive where a clean wipe would be much more difficult.
The split tunneling feature is another noteworthy addition. You have the flexibility to decide which applications are routed through the VPN and which access the internet directly. This is particularly useful for torrenting, as it ensures that your P2P client always uses the VPN connection, while other apps can operate without it.
While ExpressVPN offers a wide range of features and top-notch performance, it does come at a slightly higher price point than the other popular VPNs. With plans starting at $6.67. However, if you’re prioritizing speed and security while torrenting, it should be a worthwhile purchase.
All plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN out risk-free. I’ve personally tested this policy, and the refund process was both quick and straightforward, with no hoops to jump through. It took me less than 5 minutes to be approved via live chat, and I had the money back a week later.
ExpressVPN unblocks: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Peacock, Discovery+, Now TV, Showtime, BBC iPlayer, BritBox, Starz, Crunchyroll, fuboTV, Sling TV, DirecTV, YouTube TV, Kodi, and more.
ExpressVPN works on: Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Nvidia Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TVs, smart TVs, routers, and more.
2024 Update! ExpressVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $6.67 per month for the 1-year plan + 3 months free (you can save up to 49%)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. CyberGhost — P2P Optimized Servers for Seamless Torrenting Experience
Key Features:
- 11,780 servers in 100 countries, with dedicated servers optimized for P2P activities.
- Multiple features that enable highly secure P2P downloads.
- Unlimited bandwidth ensures smooth torrenting without any interruptions.
- Supports up to 7 devices simultaneously.
- Offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.
Thanks to its dedicated P2P optimized servers, CyberGhost is a perfect pick for torrenting securely. These servers are not just an afterthought; they’re specifically configured to offer the best possible torrenting experience, balancing both speed and security.
During in-depth tests, CyberGhost dropped an average of 34.7% from my baseline speeds. Although it’s a little slower than ExpressVPN, the remaining speeds were still plenty for torrenting. Although there was some variability, the P2P servers were roughly 10-15% faster than the regular servers while torrenting, so are always worth using.
When it comes to ensuring your torrenting activities remain private and secure, CyberGhost offers:
- AES-256-bit encryption — guarantees that your traffic remains shielded from prying eyes.
- Automatic kill switch — acts instantly to stop all internet traffic if the VPN connection is interrupted.
- Leak protection — ensures your IP and DNS addresses never become exposed.
- Audited no-logs policy — verifies that no traces of your online activities are retained.
To avoid unintentionally torrenting without CyberGhost active, you can use the Smart Rules feature. This ensures that CyberGhost automatically connects the moment you launch a torrenting client (or any other program). It’s great for ease of use and peace of mind, especially if you’re prone to forgetfulness!
My main issue with CyberGhost is the speed differential between local and distant servers. The drop in some cases was quite significant, so I’d suggest you connect to nearby servers whenever possible for the fastest speeds, especially for torrenting.
Starting at $2.03, CyberGhost offers a compelling blend of performance and affordability. If you’re on the fence, you can try CyberGhost risk-free thanks to the 45-day money-back guarantee. When I requested a refund via the live chat, it was approved within minutes, and I had the money back 6 days later.
CyberGhost unblocks: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Paramount+, Peacock, Discovery+, BBC iPlayer, Canal+, Globo, Crunchyroll, Yle, Foxtel, fuboTV, YouTube TV, Kodi, and more.
CyberGhost works on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Firefox, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.
2024 Update! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as $2.03 per month + get an extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 84%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
Avoid Free VPNs for Torrenting
The free VPNs offered by reputable companies are strictly utilized to funnel customers into the paid for versions, and they don’t have the server list or speeds you need for torrenting.
Other services make their money by selling user data to third parties, which compromises your privacy and contradicts the purpose of a VPN. You may also notice pop-ups and advertisements with free services, as they are purposely placed on the apps for marketing.
If you’re wondering if the TOR network can be utilized for torrenting, while it is secure, the manner in which it operates makes it slow, and difficult to download large amounts of information.
Final Thoughts
If you plan to torrent, you must use a high-quality VPN provider. Don’t put yourself at risk by exposing your private information to anyone who might care to see it (or use it with negative intentions!).
Invest in one of the best services before enjoying your favorite music, TV, or film.
