10 Best Torrent Sites in 2024 (100% Safe + Working)

Kate Hawkins
Last Updated by Kate Hawkins on December 20, 2023 Fact-checked by Justyn Newman Fact-checked by Justyn Newman

If you’re looking for a legit and reputable torrent site, Google probably won’t be much help. In fact, it can actually be dangerous to search for torrent sites this way — you’re usually shown a hoard of shady proxies that bombard you with disturbing porn ads and malicious links.

To spare you the trouble of personally inspecting these websites, I undertook testing on more than 30 torrenting platforms. My goal was to compile a list of the most reliable choices that offer top-notch torrents.

Before you torrent, I strongly recommend getting a VPN to keep you safe from trackers, potential hackers, and fellow peers. A top service like ExpressVPN keeps your online activity secure, letting you easily access your favorite torrent sites. Plus, you can try torrenting with ExpressVPN risk-free.

Torrent securely with ExpressVPN

Important! Torrenting may be subject to legal repercussions based on where you live and local laws. My team and I do not endorse the illegal downloading of torrents, so check the laws in your area and ensure that the content you download is copyright-free.

Quick Guide: Best Torrent Sites That Still Work in 2024

  1. The Pirate Bay (TPB) — Vast selection of torrents in every category
  2. 1337x — Reliable, user-friendly, and packed with millions of torrents
  3. LimeTorrents — Multipurpose with a clean interface with limited ads
  4. TorrentDownloads — Great for Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux apps
  5. Torrentz2 — Ultra-fast torrent search engine ideal for music
  6. YTS — High-quality movie torrents with small file sizes
  7. FitGirl Repacks — Easy-to-navigate site for high-quality game torrents
  8. EZTV — Wide selection of popular TV shows
  9. TorLock — Zero fake torrents and easy to navigate
  10. TorrentGalaxy — Active community verifies genuine torrents

Jump down to check out the best VPNs for safely torrenting here!

How to Securely Torrent With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps

  1. Get a VPN. ExpressVPN has fast speeds for torrenting, military-grade encryption, and supports P2P file-sharing on every server.
  2. Connect to a server. Choosing a nearby server will provide the best speeds for fast downloads.
  3. Go to the torrent site and start downloading! Stay connected to the VPN server until your torrent is complete.

How to Choose the Best Torrent Site

  • Security — Shady torrent sites can contain infected ad banners and links that plant malware on your device. Also, your ISP can report you to authorities even if you’re not doing anything illegal online. To keep your data safe, protect your connection with a quality VPN service like ExpressVPN.
  • Reliability — Torrenting sites are common targets to get shut down by the government due to copyright laws. A site’s founding year shows if a torrent site is reliable enough to last without being closed by authorities. Trustworthy torrent sites often have proxy/mirror sites you can use if the main site gets blocked.
  • Download speed — This determines how fast you can get content on your device. I tested this by downloading the same file from all of the torrent websites while connected to a nearby ExpressVPN server.
  • Library size and variety — Show how easy it is to find the content you want. A quality torrent site should have lots of torrents for popular content, and each torrent should have a decent number of seeders (users who upload the file). Torrents with many seeders usually download much faster.
  • Popularity — Easy to determine from the site’s monthly traffic. The more people access the site, the more likely it is to have a vast content library with many active seeders.
  • Ad intrusion — You don’t want to be bothered by annoying pop-ups and potentially malicious banners. Most torrent sites will have some ads, so I suggest you use a VPN with a built-in malicious ad blocker, like CyberGhost.
  • Availability in your region — Some regions block more torrent sites than others. The more availability a site has in your region, the easier it is to get connected and start P2P file-sharing.

The Best Torrent Sites For Fast and Reliable Downloads

1. The Pirate Bay (TPB) — The Undisputed Torrent King

  • Founded: 2003
  • Number of torrents: 3,300,000+ torrents
  • Average download speed: 66Mbps
  • Support for instant downloads? Yes

The Pirate Bay (TPB) is the oldest and most well-established torrent site on the internet. Over its lifespan, it’s evaded numerous government shutdowns and blocks, but it’s still inaccessible in many countries due to copyright infringement laws. Please make sure you aren’t breaking any local laws and only download copyright-free files.

The site has a simple interface and is easy to navigate. Its filtering system lets you specify what file format and definition quality you’re looking for. When I wanted to find a torrent for the 1932 film A Farewell to Arms, I could filter out the results for lower-quality files. This saved me a lot of time as I didn’t need to check each torrent individually to determine if it was the definition quality I wanted.

While it’s impossible to be 100% sure of your safety when torrenting, I feel secure using TPB. The site indicates if torrents are from trusted users — verified uploaders who share good quality content without hidden infected files — so you can rest assured you won’t accidentally download malware or spam with your torrent. Most torrents also have several seeders, so you can start downloading your file immediately.

You’ll find there are a few unobtrusive banner ads but no malicious pop-ups or shady links, but these will disappear if you use a trusted ad blocker or a VPN with a built-in ad block like CyberGhost.

Visit The Pirate Bay

2. 1337x — Massive Collection of Quality Torrents

  • Founded: 2007
  • Number of torrents: 2,400,000+ torrents
  • Average download speed: 69Mbps
  • Support for instant downloads? No

As one of the most popular torrent sites in the world and one of the oldest still in operation, 1337x is a reliable option with plenty of high-quality torrents in every category. New content is uploaded daily by a loyal group of users. You can find everything from old movies to the latest TV shows, music, and games. Just be sure to check the files you download aren’t protected under copyright.

1337x’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to find the torrent you want. It has information listed for each download, including the number of times it’s been downloaded, the number of seeders and leechers, and when moderators last checked the torrent. When I wanted to find a torrent for Meet John Doe, I quickly found one with a large number of seeders. This made it clear that the torrent was most likely reliable.

I was pleased to find the number of ads on 1337x is minimal, mainly as the creators take donations through Bitcoin for site upkeep rather than relying on ad revenue. This shows me that 1337x takes user privacy seriously.

Visit 1337x

3. LimeTorrents — Millions of Torrents in Every Category

  • Founded: 2009
  • Number of torrents: 9,800,000+ torrents
  • Average download speed: 39Mbps
  • Support for instant downloads? Yes

With nearly 10 million files available to download, LimeTorrents is one of the biggest torrent sites on the internet. It has tons of movies, TV shows, music, games, and more. Each search I performed yielded plenty of results, so you should have no trouble finding the content you want.

The site focuses on more recent files, so you can usually find new and popular releases with lots of seeders. However, keep in mind that new releases are generally protected under copyright and illegal to download.

LimeTorrents has a separate section for verified torrents where you can find links that have been vetted by the site administrators. I recommend sticking with verified torrents, as there are plenty of fakes on the site. You can also check the torrent “Health” in the search results to see how many people are actively seeding the torrent — the more active seeds, the faster you can download the files. When I wanted to find a torrent for Manos: The Hands of Fate, it only took me a couple of clicks to sort through and find reliable options.

Visit LimeTorrents

4. TorrentDownloads — For Content You Can’t Find Elsewhere

  • Founded: 2007
  • Number of torrents: 16,000,000+ torrents
  • Average download speed: 56Mbps
  • Support for instant downloads? No

With one of the most extensive databases on the internet, TorrentDownloads is the site to visit if you’re looking for an obscure torrent that you can’t find anywhere else. It’s also a good multipurpose site with a wide selection of TV shows, movies, games, apps, and more.

The website’s interface is simple and easy to use. An advanced search option lets you filter results by category and status. Each torrent has information about seeders and torrent health, helping you choose safe links. You can also check each torrent’s comments and ratings to ensure you’re not downloading a fake file. It never took me longer than 30 seconds to find the torrent link I wanted.

As TorrentDownloads is a popular site with millions of torrents, it has frequently been targeted by the authorities in an attempt to shut it down. Fortunately, the site remains up, but it’s blocked in many regions. Be sure you only download copyright-free files so as not to alert any authorities.

Visit TorrentDownloads

5. Torrentz2 — Ultra-Fast Torrent Search Engine Good for Music

  • Founded: 2016
  • Number of torrents: Over 61,000,000 torrents indexed
  • Average download speed: 87Mbps (download speed from EZTV)
  • Support for instant downloads? No

Torrentz2 is a basic search engine that scans every peer-to-peer sharing site in its database using your search terms and lists the sites that have related files. Then you can download the torrent directly from the site that hosts the file or through a magnet link (a link your torrent client uses to find seeders with the file you need). This makes it a great backup option if your regular torrent site doesn’t have the content you want.

One downside I found is that Torrentz2’s search function wasn’t as good as other sites I tested. However, if you’re willing to spend a bit of time searching through results, you’ll definitely be able to find a lot of torrent options for the content you want. Just be sure to filter by “Verified” to only view verified torrents to ensure you’re downloading safe content.

Visit Torrentz2

6. YTS (YIFY Movies) — Download High-Quality Movies

  • Founded: 2011
  • Number of torrents: 30,000+ torrents
  • Average download speed: 30Mbps
  • Support for instant downloads? Yes

YTS is famous for its library of high-definition movies that you can download at fast speeds. Its files have small sizes but don’t compromise on quality, so it’s a great choice if you have limited bandwidth. It also hosts tons of older, obscure (copyright-free!) movies in 1080p with subtitles available. Be aware a lot of the newer movies are copyright-protected, so be sure you only download legal ones.

The popular and well-known site ranks low on this list because its content is quite limited. The site only hosts movies, so you’ll have to visit a different site if you’re looking for TV shows, music, or games.

It’s also important to note that YTS has been involved in several lawsuits and has willingly handed over user data in the past, so I don’t recommend using it unless you connect to a reputable service like ExpressVPN first.

Visit YTS

7. FitGirl Repacks — Top Choice for High-Quality Game Downloads

  • Founded: 2016
  • Number of torrents: 3,700+
  • Average download speed: 68Mbps
  • Support for instant downloads? Yes

FitGirl Repacks is a popular torrent site exclusively for high-quality game downloads. Each game is “repacked” or compressed to reduce its overall file size by up to 90%, making it much faster to download. Once complete, you just unzip or “unpack” the file to play.

With an active community, there are troubleshooting tips and reassurance that all files are malware-free — just make sure you only download from the official FitGirl site.

The site is easy to navigate, with search options, a browseable archive, and 1-click magnet downloads. You don’t have to sign up for an account, but you can make a donation to support the site if you wish.

As with all torrent sites, you must be cautious when downloading files. Not all FitGirl Repacks torrents are copyright-free, so make sure you’re only accessing public domain files to avoid illegal downloads.

Visit FitGirl Repacks

8. EZTV — Wide Selection of Popular TV Shows

  • Founded: 2015
  • Number of torrents: 155,000+ torrents
  • Average download speed: 110Mbps
  • Support for instant downloads? Yes

EZTV is widely known as the top torrent site for TV shows, with an enormous selection, a clean and ad-free interface, and a range of resolution options. You can also follow popular shows with EZTV’s “countdown list,” a live countdown for shows due to air soon. I advise you against downloading copyrighted content on EZTV or any other torrent site — the activity is illegal in most jurisdictions and can get you in serious legal trouble.

Fortunately, EZTV has plenty of older TV shows in the public domain, so you have many options to choose from. My only issue with EZTV is that you can’t download a full series in one file — you have to torrent each episode individually.

Visit EZTV

9. TorLock — Verified Genuine Torrents Only (No Fake Files)

  • Founded: 2010
  • Number of torrents: 10,000,000+ torrents
  • Average download speed: 73Mbps
  • Support for instant downloads? Yes

TorLock is a solid option for first-time torrent users, as you can guarantee all files are genuine. If users come across a fake torrent, they can report it to the site and be paid $1 for the discovery — a great incentive for users to keep the site fake-free. TorLock is well-established, still using a .com domain name, and has a good variety of books, anime, and music.

The site itself is easy to navigate, with clear categories for different files, so you can easily find what you’re looking for. The homepage has the most popular torrents in each category — there are usually recent torrents and as such, likely to be under copyright and illegal to download.

The specifications for each file, including size, seeders, and upload date, are listed next to the title — making it simple to find a recent torrent and a fast download.

Visit TorLock

10. TorrentGalaxy — Active Community With Verified Torrents

  • Founded: 2018
  • Number of torrents: 5,100,000+ torrents
  • Average download speed: 58Mbps
  • Support for instant downloads? Yes

TorrentGalaxy has a very active community that verifies torrents and communicates with each other, making it a reliable site to torrent from. It features movies, TV shows, books, software, and more, with an easy-to-navigate interface with minimal ad interference (just a single banner ad during my visits). That said, the site does host some copyrighted material, so you should refrain from downloading these.

One unique feature of TorrentGalaxy is the ability to stream files online rather than download them, which is ideal for users who don’t have a lot of bandwidth. However, this can put you at risk of malicious ads that can pop up when you start streaming. To mitigate this, I recommend using a VPN with a built-in malware blocker like PIA before you start streaming.

Another fun feature is listening to live music, playing arcade games, and chatting with other TorrentGalaxy users. It creates an atmosphere the community wants to preserve, making it even more likely that you’ll only find secure torrent files to download.

Visit TorrentGalaxy

Torrenting Risks and Essential Safety Tips

Torrenting websites have minimal built-in security, so it’s essential you are aware of the following:

  • Malware: Hackers exploit torrent sites with fake files that, once downloaded, attack the users’ devices with malware. Be wary of unverified torrents, pop-up ads, or links that unexpectedly take you to different pages. You can also connect to a VPN with built-in protection against malicious files like CyberGhost.
  • Copyrighted content: Downloading and sharing copyrighted material is illegal in many countries and can result in a criminal conviction with a fine or jail time.
  • Private torrenting sites: Often safer as members have to be invited and vetted before uploading or downloading content. However, that doesn’t mean these sites are free from copyright enforcers or malware.
  • IP address leaks: If your IP address is exposed when torrenting, you could experience data leaks (including your location and personal information) that lead to harassment, identity theft, and even “swatting” — fake-calling an emergency dispatcher to trigger a SWAT team response on an innocent individual.

Ultimately, the easiest way to defend your devices and data when torrenting is with a top-tier service like ExpressVPN. However, there are also some important tips and signs to watch out for before downloading any P2P content.

How to Stay Safe and Spot Fake Torrenting

Use the DuckDuckGo search engine to access torrenting sites. It’s far more private than Google and less likely to hide URLs due to DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) requests.

Watch out for fake torrent sites. Multiple windows, demands for registration, and strange-looking URLs are indicators of malicious sites. Copycats often spring up to replace legitimate sites when they shut down and can expose you to malware. Make sure you use a reputable torrent client like uTorrent.

Check each torrent’s safety before downloading. Check the history of an uploader to see if they upload quality torrents. I only download verified torrents — unverified torrents can plant malware on your device. Read comments on torrent pages to avoid dangerous downloads. Also, look for a higher seeder-to-leecher ratio, and be aware that your antivirus software could trigger a false positive, even if the files are harmless.

Use quality security software to check RAR, TAR, and ZIP files for malware, and pay attention to EXE files — these are red flags for malicious processes. Avoid outdated WMA and WMV-format files.

Download a secure VPN like ExpressVPN and a reputable anti-malware scanner to keep your personal information and device safe when torrenting. You can also get a quality ad-blocker before you visit torrent sites.

Dangerous Torrent Sites to Avoid

Remember: even unintentional downloads of copyrighted materials can get you in legal trouble, even when you use a reliable torrent site like the ones listed above. You should avoid unreliable torrenting sites because they are more likely to expose your online activities and infect your device with malware. Here are a few torrenting sites you should avoid at all costs:

  • IPTorrents requires users to register for a paid membership. There are plenty of free alternatives and no guarantee of added privacy or security, so it’s not worth the fee.
  • KickAssTorrents was a reputable site, but the original version has been closed for a while. The site’s founder Artem Vaulin violated his bail conditions for copyright infringement and is on the run from US authorities. The mirror site looks similar but doesn’t offer the same service. You must also install a browser extension — a huge red flag for online privacy, as shady extensions log your activity and sell your data.
  • PassThePopcorn requires a login and password before you can access the library. There’s no way to register properly, and several Reddit users report getting invitations to the site. If you come across an invitation on any online message board, I recommend you ignore it.
  • SUMOTorrent asks you to download its client before you can see the library. If that’s not shady enough, the site’s pages are full of grammatical errors that should scare off even the most daring torrenters.
  • Torrent9 is loaded with ads and shady links that have been known to redirect users to sites containing malware, adware, and other viruses. While the site is popular for French torrents, it’s not worth the risk to your security to visit it.

Torrenting Safely With a VPN

The only way to torrent safely is with a top-tier VPN service. A VPN reroutes your internet connection through a different IP address, making your online activity anonymous. If you get a VPN with malware protection or ad block features, you’ll also stop hackers from infecting your device with malware.

Many people mistakenly believe that torrenting through The Onion Router (Tor) offers sufficient security without needing a VPN. However, this assumption is incorrect. The Tor browser clarifies on its blog that it isn’t designed to effectively manage the demands of BitTorrent programs or stop the leaks associated with them.

I tested over 30 VPNs, and ExpressVPN is one of my top picks as it gets you high torrenting speeds and lets you download files anonymously. If you want to test it yourself, you can try ExpressVPN for torrenting on your device. If you’re not completely satisfied with the service, you don’t have to risk your money as you’re protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The Best VPNs for Fast and Anonymous Torrenting — Tested 2024

1. ExpressVPN — Fast Speeds and Military-Grade Encryption To Torrent Quickly and Securely

Key Features:

  • 3,000+ servers in 105+ countries that all support P2P torrenting
  • AES 256-bit encryption and automatic kill switch keep you safe from prying eyes
  • TrustedServer technology ensures no data or logs are kept on hard disks
  • Split-tunneling lets you choose which applications use the VPN
  • Unlimited bandwidth and no throttling so you can torrent as much as you want
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

ExpressVPN is the top service for torrenting, with blazing-fast speeds for quick downloads. Together with my team, we tested over 30 ExpressVPN servers across the globe and never experienced a speed reduction of more than 20%. Every tested connection was fast enough for smooth torrenting, even when using servers more than 15,000km away.

Screenshot of ExpressVPN connected to servers in France, Germany, the US, and Australia, with speed test results from Ookla.

ExpressVPN’s connections are fast no matter which server location you connect to

All of ExpressVPN’s 3,000+ servers support P2P downloads. With servers in 105+ countries, you’re guaranteed to find one near you for the fastest torrenting speeds. Plus, there’s no bandwidth limit, so you can torrent as much as you want with ExpressVPN and have zero issues. It won’t ever throttle your speed, so you’ll get consistently fast downloads.

ExpressVPN also has unbeatable security features to keep you safe while torrenting:

  • AES-256-bit encryption on every server
  • An automatic kill switch to secure your data if the VPN is interrupted
  • Data leak protection
  • TrustedServer technology ensures user data or logs are never stored, even accidentally — this was proven when Turkish authorities seized an ExpressVPN server and found no data.
  • Independently audited zero-log policy

While it’s not openly advertised on its website, ExpressVPN supports port forwarding on a compatible router (but not on its downloadable apps). It only takes a couple of minutes to set up and configure, as ExpressVPN has an easy-to-use router app. Port forwarding helps to increase your torrent speeds, making your downloads with ExpressVPN even faster.

I also like ExpressVPN’s split tunneling feature, as it lets me configure which apps or websites are encrypted and which aren’t. I configured ExpressVPN with uTorrent to ensure my torrent activity is always encrypted so that I could avoid torrenting unprotected.

ExpressVPN is slightly more expensive than other options, but I think it’s worth the price for top-tier security and privacy, as well as blazing-fast download speeds on every server. Its plans start at $6.67/month for a 1-year + 3 months subscription.

I suggest you try torrenting with ExpressVPN for yourself and see if it’s right for you. You can try the service risk-free as ExpressVPN is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested the refund guarantee to see if it was genuine and was surprised by how easy it was. I spoke to an agent using the 24/7 live chat, and my refund was processed in 2 minutes with no questions asked. I had the money back in my account in just 5 days.

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, macOS, 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 Boost Download Speeds

Key Features:

  • 11,730+ servers in 100+ countries — dedicated P2P servers in over 70 locations
  • AES 256-bit encryption stops hackers or ISPs from intercepting your connection
  • Strict no-logs policy makes sure information about your online activity isn’t stored
  • Malware block feature keeps your torrenting safe
  • Unlimited bandwidth and no throttling lets you torrent everything you want
  • 45-day money-back guarantee

CyberGhost’s optimized P2P servers give you uninterrupted downloads and fast speeds. I tested these servers by torrenting a TV show I found in the public domain, and the 3GB download took just 6 minutes. Best of all, CyberGhost has optimized servers in more than 70 locations worldwide so you can find a nearby connection, keeping speeds fast.

To protect your data and online activity when torrenting, CyberGhost has the following features:

  • Military-grade encryption on all server connections
  • Automatic kill switch on every app
  • RAM-based servers that cannot log or store user data
  • Independently audited zero-log policy
  • Data leak protection

I ran multiple tests on CyberGhost’s optimized servers, including data leak tests, and was thrilled with the results — I didn’t experience a single leak when connected, ensuring my torrenting activity was anonymous and secure.

Screenshot of IP leak test showing no data leaks with CyberGhost connected to an optimized P2P server in the UK.

CyberGhost keeps your data and torrent activity private and anonymous

As an additional security measure, CyberGhost has a malware-based ad-block feature. While this won’t stop ads you see on YouTube videos or harmless banners on torrent sites, CyberGhost will block any ads that contain malicious code. As torrent sites are notorious for displaying shady ads and intrusive pop-ups, this makes me feel much more secure when browsing for downloads. This is also a bonus for your privacy, as third parties can no longer track you for targeted ads.

I also like CyberGhost’s App Rules feature, which automatically connects to a VPN server when you open a specified app. I configured App Rules with my torrent client, so CyberGhost would connect to the nearest P2P server whenever I started a download. App Rules ensures you always torrent securely, even if you forget to connect to the VPN first. You can also use this for securely streaming on Netflix, online banking and shopping apps, and even online gaming.

The downside to CyberGhost is that its speeds reduce significantly over long-distance connections. While CyberGhost has a large number of global servers, if you don’t have an optimized torrenting server nearby, you may experience slower downloads.

On the plus side, CyberGhost is an affordable torrenting VPN, with plans starting at $2.19/month for a 2-year + 2 months subscription. You can torrent with CyberGhost risk-free as the service has a 45-day money-back guarantee. The refund process is easy — I arranged my refund over the 24/7 live chat in 5 minutes and had my money back within a week.

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 $2.19 per month + get an extra 2 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 83%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.

3. Private Internet Access — Huge Server Network With P2P-Friendly Connections

Key Features:

  • Huge network of 35,000+ servers in 91+ countries
  • AES 256-bit encryption protects you while torrenting
  • Independently audited privacy policy ensures no logs are kept
  • MACE adware blocker stops dangerous torrents from accessing your devices
  • No data limits to torrent, stream, and browse online as much as you want
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Private Internet Access (PIA) has over 35,000 servers in its global network — all of which are P2P-friendly. This means you can connect to a nearby server for torrenting no matter where you are, keeping speeds fast. Plus, having so many server options meant I didn’t experience any user congestion when I connected. It was easy to pick a server and get PIA’s protection in less than 10 seconds.

PIA has impressive speeds for torrenting. I was surprised by my speeds on average, with download speeds around 64Mbps on a nearby server. I could download a 5GB torrent in just 11 minutes. I noticed that my speeds were a little slower when connecting over long distances — I recommend using the WireGuard protocol to ensure the fastest speeds.

If your speeds are slower than mine, PIA offers customizable connection settings that can boost your speed. You can reduce your encryption level from AES-256-bit to AES-128-bit. AES encryption has never been broken, so you can rest assured that your data is totally secure when torrenting — the lower encryption level simply improves speeds for slow networks.

Screenshot of PIA's Windows app highlighting its OpenVPN encryption settings.

You can boost your torrenting speeds with PIA’s customizable encryption

Alongside top-tier encryption, PIA offers the following security and privacy features:

  • Automatic kill switch
  • MACE ad and malware blocker — this blocks all ads, not just items containing malicious code
  • Independent audit confirms PIA’s zero-log policy is accurate

I was pleased to find PIA offers port forwarding, which can also improve download speeds and help other users connect to you, ensuring the torrent doesn’t fail. This can easily be set up in the app settings — just toggle on “Request Port Forwarding” and your connection will be assigned a specific port.

However, PIA doesn’t allow port forwarding on its US servers. I contacted PIA’s customer service to ask why but wasn’t given a meaningful answer — only that port forwarding is blocked on US servers. You’ll still be able to torrent on the US servers but can’t activate port forwarding.

PIA is a low-price option, with plans starting at $2.19/month for a 2-year + 2 months subscription. If you’d like to try torrenting with PIA for yourself, you can do so risk-free with its money-back guarantee. I got a full refund by contacting the 24/7 live chat and making a request. I had my money returned in a week.

PIA unblocks: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Showtime, Discovery+, Canal+, Crunchyroll, Yle, Vudu, UKTV, 9Now, CBC, YouTube TV, and more.

PIA works on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, routers, and more.

2024 Update! You can subscribe to PIA for as low as $2.19 per month + get an extra 2 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 82%)! This is a limited offer, so grab it now before it's gone! See more information on this offer here!

4. IPVanish — Free SOCKS5 Proxy Improves Download Speeds

Key Features:

  • Over 2,400 servers in 57+ locations
  • AES-256-bit encryption and kill switch protect your data
  • Strict no-logs policy won’t store user data while connected
  • Free SOCKS5 proxy for faster anonymous downloads
  • Unlimited torrenting with no data caps
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

IPVanish has a free SOCKS5 proxy for torrenting fans. Using the proxy, I found my speeds were faster, with an average download speed of 70Mbps. This was fast enough to complete a 5GB torrent in just over 10 minutes. The proxy doesn’t offer the high-level encryption of a VPN connection, but it will effectively mask your IP address for anonymous downloads. I found IPVanish’s SOCKS5 proxy is compatible with popular torrent clients like uTorrent, Vuze, Deluge, and more.

The SOCKS5 proxy can be a little tricky to set up manually, so I was pleased to find IPVanish supports P2P connections on all of its 2,400+ servers. The regular servers were slightly slower for downloading, with average speeds of 62Mbps on a nearby connection.

Fortunately, IPVanish makes it easy to choose a fast server with its detailed interface. Each individual server has the ping (or latency) and user load listed — by picking a server with low ping and load, you’ll get the fastest connection for torrenting. I found this made it easy to find a reliably fast server, especially as I could choose a specific connection and not just a country or city.

Screenshot of IPVanish's Windows app showing the ping and server load details on its server menu.

Choose an IPVanish server with low ping and load for faster download speeds

To keep your torrent traffic anonymous and secure, IPVanish has the following features:

  • IPv4, IPv6, and DNS leak protection
  • Automatic kill switch
  • Antivirus and malware protection (VIPRE antivirus) with yearly subscriptions
  • Audited zero-log privacy policy

Unfortunately, IPVanish doesn’t support port forwarding on its apps or through router configuration. This is due to IPVanish’s NAT firewall, which doesn’t allow any incoming connections for user security. If you want to download a torrent with only a handful of seeders, it could be difficult for other users to connect to your torrent client.

If you’d like to torrent with IPVanish, you can subscribe to the service for as little as $2.75/month. You can try IPVanish risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Best of all, it’s super easy to get a refund — on your browser, head to the Subscriptions tab in your account and click “Cancel Now.” I had my money back within an hour.

IPVanish unblocks: Netflix, Showtime, HBO Max, Discovery+, Paramount+, ITV Hub, ESPN, Vudu, and more.

IPVanish works on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Xbox, Firefox, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, Google Chromecast, Android TVs, routers, and more.

5. PrivateVPN — Secure Network Supports Torrenting on Every Server

Key Features:

  • Small but robust network of 200 servers in 63+ locations
  • AES-256-bit encryption and automatic kill switch
  • Zero-log policy keeps torrent activity anonymous
  • Port forwarding and SOCKS5 proxy available
  • Torrent as much as you want with unlimited data and bandwidth
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

PrivateVPN’s small but robust network is a solid choice for secure torrenting, with the following features designed to keep your P2P activity anonymous:

  • Military-grade security on all servers
  • Kill switch
  • Data leak protection
  • Audited zero-logs policy

I was pleased to find PrivateVPN supports port forwarding on all connections, too. When you connect to a server, you’re automatically assigned a port. To get the best torrenting experience, you simply have to configure your torrent client with the specific port. I found this process easy and ensured my client was available and accessible to other seeders.

Screenshot of PrivateVPN's Windows app showing the randomly assigned port number that can be configured with a torrent client for better downloads.

PrivateVPN supports port forwarding on all connections for easy torrenting

The Application Guard is a useful feature for secure torrenting. You can configure your torrent client with PrivateVPN’s Application Guard to terminate the program if the VPN connection is interrupted. This ensures you won’t accidentally expose your true location or personal data, as PrivateVPN will cut internet access and close your torrent client.

In terms of speed, PrivateVPN is reliably fast on local connections. My download speeds were over 70Mbps on my nearby servers, meaning I could download a 10GB TV series in around 20 minutes.

However, PrivateVPN’s small network means there is a significant slowdown over long distances. My speeds dropped dramatically when connecting to servers more than 5,000km away, so it took much longer for my torrents to complete. This could negatively impact your torrenting if you’re far from a PrivateVPN server — there is a noticeable lack of servers in areas like Africa, for example.

On the plus side, PrivateVPN is one of the most affordable monthly VPNs available, with plans starting at just $2.00/month for a 3-year subscription. If you’re near servers in its network, I recommend you try PrivateVPN with your torrent client. If you’re not fully satisfied, you can get a full refund within 30 days by sending a request to email customer support — I had my money back in a week.

PrivateVPN unblocks: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Paramount+, Peacock, Discovery+, BBC iPlayer, Hotstar, ITV Hub, RTE, fuboTV, YouTube TV, and more.

PrivateVPN works on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Blackberry, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Firefox, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Xiaomi Mi Box, Google Chromecast, Android TVs, routers, and more.

Low-Quality VPNs You Shouldn’t Use for Torrenting

Using a VPN is the only way to torrent safely, but not all VPNs are created equal. Low-grade VPNs are notorious for leaking IP addresses and DNS requests, which can reveal your identity and location. Even worse, subpar VPNs can log your information and share it with a malicious third party.

Here’s a list of VPN services you should never use for torrenting:

  • Betternet VPN. This VPN has been found to contain malware that puts your data at risk. Plus, Betternet VPN logs user data and tracks your activity when online, so you can’t avoid targeted ads.
  • Cross VPN. Cross VPN was flagged by 11 different antiviruses as containing malware — in particular, Trojan viruses. These create a backdoor for hackers to access your device, threatening your overall security.
  • VPNBook. This VPN logs your IP address and connection timestamps, so you’ll see location-targeted ads when you’re connected. When you want to stay anonymous while torrenting, you should avoid any VPN that logs connection data.

Comparison Table: 2024’s Best VPNs for Torrenting

SOCKS5 Proxy Audited Zero-Log Policy RAM or Hard Drive Servers Ad/Malware Blocker Based Outside of Eyes Alliance Countries Supports Port Forwarding
ExpressVPN RAM
CyberGhost RAM
PIA RAM
IPVanish Hard Drive
PrivateVPN Hard Drive

What to Look for in a VPN for Torrenting

When you’re choosing the best VPN in 2024 for torrenting, always check if the service comes with these features:

  • P2P support: Choose a server that supports torrenting with optimized, dedicated P2P file-sharing servers. A service like ExpressVPN supports torrenting on all servers, making finding a secure and reliable connection even easier.
  • Proven no-logs policy: It’s crucial to avoid using a VPN service that assists your internet service provider (ISP) by keeping records of your online activities. While numerous VPNs claim to have a no-logs policy, only a select few reputable providers have a documented history of not logging or revealing users’ activities.
  • Military-grade encryption: I assure you that a robust encryption protocol like AES-256 is impervious to decryption. By employing this powerful encryption, you can have peace of mind, knowing that your online data will remain concealed from intrusive third parties and malicious hackers.
  • DNS leak protection: When a VPN service leaks DNS requests, your online identity is at risk of being exposed. Look for quality providers that don’t allow DNS leaks.
  • Kill switch: If your VPN connection is interrupted, your connection and IP address get exposed to your ISP. A reliable VPN comes with a kill switch function that unplugs you from the internet if the VPN connection is severed.
  • Variety of protocols: A dependable VPN should provide a variety of secure connection protocols, such as OpenVPN, WireGuard, or a custom protocol like ExpressVPN’s Lightway. These protocols are carefully crafted to ensure strong security measures without sacrificing speed, enabling you to engage in safe and fast torrenting activities.

FAQs About Torrenting

What are the best torrent sites for movies, shows, games, music, eBooks, applications, and more?

I’ve researched and tested more than 30 platforms to find the best torrent sites in 2024. While most sites have a wide variety of content, here are the top sites for the following content categories:

  • Movies and shows — If you’re looking for movies and shows, you should be able to easily find your title in LimeTorrents’ vast, indexed library of over 9.8 million torrents.
  • Games — TorrentDownloads has over 16 million torrents with a wide assortment of the latest game files.
  • Music — Torrentz2 is your best option for finding music files.
  • eBooks — The Pirate Bay is the top choice for books and the best overall site for any torrent genre.
  • Applications — 1337x have the widest selection of safe torrent downloads for Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux apps.

What happens legally if others see what I torrent?

In most regions, you can legally torrent as long as you download open-source software and content in the public domain. However, you can face criminal and civil penalties if you torrent and share copyrighted material, including most new-release films, songs, books, games, and apps, or if you torrent in a country where P2P downloads are prohibited.

My team and I don’t condone illegal torrenting, but knowing how to torrent safely is important. Make sure the torrents you download are copyright-free and use a VPN to keep your personal data and identity safe from third-party hackers and web trackers on torrent sites.

Why are some torrent sites blocked?

Torrent sites are usually blocked due to the sites hosting copyrighted content or dangerous malware. Governments may order ISPs to block access to dangerous torrent sites, and search engines like Google hide links to torrent sites or demote them from the first few result pages. Some extensions, like Chrome’s AdBlock, filter torrent site results from your searches.

In more severe cases, you’ll see a warning from a law enforcement agency that the site you’re looking for has been shut down. This happened when KickAssTorrents was taken down by the US government.

Do free VPNs work with torrents?

Some free VPNs may work with torrents, but I don’t recommend using them. Simply put, only a premium VPN can give you the torrenting experience you want, with unlimited data, fast download speeds, and secure P2P file-sharing servers. There are too many shady-free VPNs that won’t keep your online activity and data protected when torrenting, and these services sometimes contain malware that will infect your devices.

Even the best free VPNs on the market aren’t ideal for torrenting. Many restrict P2P file-sharing servers to premium users, as torrenting takes up a lot of bandwidth. Plus, free VPNs often have a data cap that won’t let you download as much content as you want and only a handful of server connections. If you can connect to your favorite torrent site, you will likely experience slow download speeds due to server congestion.

Instead of risking your data or having a poor torrenting experience, I recommend you use a premium VPN with a long money-back guarantee. CyberGhost has a generous 45-day guarantee, so you can torrent as much as you want without risk. If you change your mind or are done file-sharing, you can easily get a full refund.

Screenshot of a user successfully requesting a refund from CyberGhost over live chat with the 30-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost’s 24/7 live chat makes it easy to get a refund

When I tested the process, I found it quick and simple. An agent arranged my refund using the 24/7 live chat, and I had my money back within a week.

What’s the fastest torrent site in 2024?

I tested and ranked the best torrent sites in 2024, and EZTV produced the top average download speeds during my tests, with TorrentDownloads and Torrentz2 not far behind. However, these speeds will vary based on your ISP, internet plan, location, device performance, and VPN provider.

Choose files with a high number of seeders to get the best speeds from any site. With a larger number of sharing users, you’ll be able to complete your file downloads more quickly. Also, make sure you connect to a nearby P2P-optimized VPN server — this reduces the distance your data travels for faster torrenting.

How can I torrent faster?

The best way to torrent faster is by using a top-tier VPN with P2P-optimized servers. Top-speed VPN providers set up thousands of servers in hundreds of locations to prevent overcrowding and give you lightning-fast download speeds.

A VPN can also help if your bandwidth is restricted or “throttled” when you’re torrenting. File-sharing activity is data-intensive, so some networks purposely slow torrenting to keep bandwidth free for other users. However, a quality VPN will mask your online activity, so no one can see what you’re doing — hiding your torrenting from the network so you won’t experience bandwidth throttling.

Also, make sure you connect to a local torrenting server with your VPN. Maintaining a shorter physical distance between your device and the server can speed up your data transfer, reducing the time it takes to complete torrents.

Don’t Risk Your Security — Torrent Safely With a Premium VPN

Torrenting can be risky, but it’s one of the easiest and fastest ways to share files on the internet. To protect your data and anonymity when file sharing, your best option is to use a reliable VPN.

Of all the VPNs I tested, ExpressVPN is the top choice for torrenting with the best sites in 2024. ExpressVPN provides military-grade security, blazing-fast speeds, and P2P optimization on every connection. I recommend you try torrenting with ExpressVPN risk-free — if you’re not fully satisfied, you have up to 30 days to claim a refund.


Summary — These Are the Best VPNs for Torrent Sites in 2024

Top Ranked Top Choice
ExpressVPN
$6.67 / month Save 49%
CyberGhost VPN
$2.19 / month Save 83%
Private Internet Access
$2.19 / month Save 82%
IPVanish VPN
$2.75 / month Save 79%
PrivateVPN
$2.00 / month Save 83%

We rank vendors based on rigorous testing and research, but also take into account your feedback and our commercial agreements with providers. This page contains affiliate links.

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