Using uTorrent (or any torrenting site) without a VPN is risky. Not only does using uTorrent without a VPN make your torrenting habits easy to track by your ISP, but your IP address and physical location are also exposed to other uTorrent users.
Exposure also makes you vulnerable to third parties stealing your data, and you could fall victim to DoS attacks, or malware from other uTorrent users. There could also be legal consequences for downloading copyrighted material, even if this was done by accident.
But these threats can be easily neutralised thanks to a VPN. With a VPN you can torrent safely and easily with total privacy. Setting up a VPN isn’t complicated, and only takes a few minutes!
A good VPN will mask your IP address and encrypt your data, meaning your ISP and the authorities won’t have access to it. Plus, surfing the web and torrenting anonymously means you will be invisible to other uTorrent users who wish to attack you.
While it is possible to use a free VPN to keep you safe while using uTorrent, these VPNs are usually limited, and don’t always offer more ‘premium’ features like leak protection, no-logs, and P2P speciality servers.
However, if you do wish to use a free VPN, this article will help finding one a little easier! Below you will not only find some of the best premium VPNs for using uTorrent, but some of the best free ones too. We’ll also let you know what to look for in a VPN, why they are so important when using uTorrent, as well as answer some frequently asked questions.
Why do I need a VPN for uTorrent?
While we’ve already mentioned just how risky it is to use uTorrent without a VPN, we really can’t underestimate just how dangerous it can be to use uTorrent unprotected.
Sharing files via a P2P network not only exposes your device to malware, spyware, and DoS attacks, but downloading a copyrighted file - even unknowingly - could result in you facing legal action. Plus, as uTorrent shares your real IP address with other users, this makes it incredibly easy for law enforcement authorities to find you.
But you can protect your identity by connecting your device to a remote server through a high-quality VPN. A VPN will make it seem like you are online at that server’s location.
VPNs also encrypt internet traffic, making it difficult for your ISP to know what you’re doing online. Whether you’re browsing, streaming content, or using uTorrent, your device will always be protected when you’re online.
A Few More Reasons to Use a VPN for uTorrent Are:
- To bypass network firewalls and uTorrent blocks:
If you want to use uTorrent outside of home on another local network that has blocked uTorrent, a VPN will grant you access while hiding your online activity from your network administrator. Thanks to your web traffic being directed through a remote server, VPNs can bypass firewalls and unblock restricted content.
- To bypass ISP throttling:
Some ISPs will actually throttle the connection of torrent site users. But when your data is encrypted your ISP will be unaware that you’re using uTorrent. Not only does a VPN bypass ISP throttling and network congestion, but it can make your connection faster!
- To avoid legal action:
Since copyright laws are so complex, you may not know if the files you’re torrenting are copyrighted. Unfortunately, legal authorities are not exactly sympathetic to this. A reliable VPN will make sure your activity can’t be traced back to you, so you can put legal worries to the back of your mind.
- To keep your information private:
A safe, reliable VPN will hide your real location and protect your data from data-harvesting third parties, government agencies, and other uTorrent users, so you can rest assured that your data will remain with you.
However, free VPNs often have weaker security, and some may even collect and sell your data. Therefore, for higher-risk activities like torrenting, you should only trust a top-rated VPN with plenty of reviews from customers who can vouch that their data has been kept safe.
OUR TOP PICK
Windscribe is a free, secure VPN that gives you 10GB of free data per month - enough to watch around 10 hours of SD videos, but not enough to download a lot of large files. However, if you don’t provide your email address you only get 2GB of data, but you can top that up to 5 GB each month by tweeting about the VPN.
To shield your IP address and protect you if there is a security fault with your browser, Windscribe provides DNS, WebRTC and IPv6 leak protection.
Stealth mode also disguises your data as regular traffic thanks to Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) that lets you bypass censorship even in the most restrictive areas, and a strict no-logs policy makes sure your anonymity is extra protected.
Windscribe allows torrenting on most of its servers. But if you’re unsure whether a server will allow torrenting or not, a P2P icon with a slash through it will appear if a server is unsuitable for torrenting.
However, a combination of SOCKS5 and a VPN provides even more stability and higher speeds for torrenting. This is because SOCKS5 runs your torrenting activity through a third-party proxy server, adding an extra level of obfuscation and making your activity harder to trace back to you.
While you can enjoy this VPN for free, you can only access Netflix via Windscribe’s streaming-optimized servers that are only available with a paid subscription. However, it can still unblock torrenting sites like uTorrent, Deluge, qBittorrent, and Vuze.
Windscribe’s intuitive chatbot feature also answers basic questions about plans and features, and has an easy to follow and comprehensive FAQ section that answers technical questions like setting up the SOCKS5 proxy to use with uTorrent. But if you would like more information and would like to speak to a human, you can make use of Windscribe’s live chat.
Windscribe is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, Windows Phone, iOS, Chrome and Linux.
EDITORS CHOICE
Like Windscribe, hide.me offers 10Gb of monthly data on its free plan. It protects your data from hackers and identity thieves by using 256-bit encryption, and also uses IPv6 leak protection to prevent hackers and your ISP from seeing your real IP on IPv6-enabled sites.
Split-tunneling also gives you greater control of your data, letting you decide what apps route through the VPN and which ones use your local IP address.
On hide.me’s free plan you can torrent via their Netherlands server without your speed being throttled like most free VPNs will. Hide.me also bypasses geoblocking and censorship restrictions, giving you easy access to YouTube, Netflix and Hulu.
However, hide.me’s free plan isn’t great if you want to download large files, as you will most likely run out of data quickly - maybe even in the middle of a download, which is a pain everyone wants to avoid!
You can install hide.me on 10 devices, which is rather generous but if you have more devices that you would like to protect then this may not be suitable.
As well as split-tunneling and IP leak protection, hide.me also supports SOCKS5 web proxy and has an automatic kill switch, so if the connection to the VPN drops, hide.me will automatically disconnect you from the internet so you’re always protected.
You can use hide.me with Windows, ChromeOS, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and Blackberry.
BEST VALUE
With PrivateVPN’s 7-day free trial, you’ll receive unlimited data and bandwidth. To create a free trial account, you just need to provide your email address and create a password!
PrivateVPN supports port forwarding that reroutes incoming connections to bypass the NAT firewall. NAT firewalls are a nuisance when torrenting, as they block you from uploading seed files. Not only will you be able to bypass this firewall with PrivateVPN, but it makes torrenting quicker.
You also have access to 100 servers in 63 countries with PrivateVPN, so if another server gets blocked by a torrenting site you will have plenty more to choose from.
Secure connections are established while torrenting with PrivateVPN via OpenVPN, L2TP, IKEv2/IPSec, and PPTP protocols that also protect your anonymity. Its 256-bit AES encryption also protects sensitive data as it travels through the internet. PrivateVPN also has a no-logs policy.
PrivateVPN also comes with a customizable kill switch called Connection Guard. This kill switch lets you choose which programs shut down when the VPN connection drops. This lets you disconnect your torrenting or streaming service while still giving you access to your local IP.
However, some popular streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer may be inaccessible.
You can also use one account on up to 6 devices at the same time, so one plan can cover all your devices.
PrivateVPN supports all P2P activity, and does so at great speeds. Downloading files may take longer at peak times though, and it is unable to bypass Chinese firewalls.
Customer support is provided by PrivateVPN’s developers, who provide a useful ‘Getting Started’ section, which comes in handy if this is your first VPN.
PrivateVPN is compatible with Windows, macOS, Chrome, Firefox, macOS, Android, and Windows 10 Phones. It also works with uTorrent, BitTorrent, Vuze, Youtube, and Hulu.
RUNNER UP
Speedify VPN has 53 servers in 35 countries and you have access to them all with Speedify’s free plan. However, you only get 2GB of free data per month, which limits you to what you can share or download.
Speedify provides DNS leak protection, a no-logs policy, and AES-128 encryption so nobody can trace your digital footsteps. While AES-128 protection isn’t as strong as 256-bit encryption, it’s still secure enough to keep sensitive information safe from third parties.
With Speedify, you can also have access to the most popular streaming services such as Netflix, and Speedify also has dedicated P2P servers. To use uTorrent or Vuze, you will need to choose a torrent-friendly server option on Speedify’s Speed Selection screen.
Speedify does offer channel bonding that combines WiFi, mobile, and Ethernet to give you the best connection, but this takes up twice as much data as normal torrenting.
Considering that you only get 2GB of free data per month with Speedify on their free plan, channel bonding isn’t recommended, especially if you are on a mobile plan with a lower data limit anyway.
Speedify has a well-organized and intuitive support section that provides FAQs for mobile and desktop versions of the VPN. Speedify works with uTorrent, Netflix US, Hulu, YouTube, BBC iPlayer, and Vuze, and is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
RUNNER UP
Now we move onto the premium VPNs, and ExpressVPN is the fastest premium VPN on the market. It operates 3,000 servers across 94 countries, giving you secure and unrestricted internet access all around the world. Their state-of-the-art security features make sure you’re always anonymous online.
Express VPN can unblock Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Showtime, Sling TV, and DAZN and all of their servers support P2P activity.
ExpressVPN is compatible with Windows, macOS, Chrome, Firefox, Linux, Android, and Android TV. It also offers an app for use with certain routers.
Their impressive amount of servers, state-of-the-art security features, and user-friendly apps have helped to make ExpressVPN one of the most highly rated VPNs out there. Plus, their 30-day money-back guarantee means using Express VPN is entirely risk-free.
RUNNER UP
Launched in 2010, Private Internet Access, or PIA, is a US based software company that provides a virtual private network of the same name. Since they launched, PIA has become one of the most popular VPNs on the market.
With 30,000 servers in 70 different countries, PIA is known for its strict no-logs policy and dedication to ensuring total privacy for their users. They use military-grade encryption technology to protect your online information, and they use a trusted OpenVPN protocol to encrypt your data.
PIA’s security features include a kill switch, DNS leak and IP leak protection that you can customize via the app. They also use Mace, a feature that blocks domains used by third-party advertisers.
Their app is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android and they also have browser extensions for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera.
RUNNER UP
NordVPN’s torrent support is one of its strongest points, and the VPN has plenty of impressive features to keep you safe and anonymous online. NordVPN is also noted for its high speeds.
They have an expansive network of servers, and a no-strings-attached 30-day-money-back guarantee, which only makes NordVPN more appealing.
NordVPN is an impressive VPN no matter what your needs, achieving everything you could possibly want from a VPN to a high standard. There are some VPNs that excel in certain departments, but if you want a VPN that does everything well then look no further than the NordVPN!
NordVPN also has one of the better mobile apps compared to some VPN providers, and its browser app is also fairly user-friendly. NordVPN also provides great customer support, and detailed tutorials for setting up the VPN.
RUNNER UP
The premium version of AtlasVPN unblocks major streaming sites, and delivers consistently high speeds. They also provide reliable security, with military-grade AES-256 bit encryption, but they do use an older IKEv2 protocol.
With over 700 servers, AtlasVPN has a large server network. However, the free version only lets you use 3 servers. While they do have a fairly straightforward no-logs policy they do collect a minimal amount of data, but this is outlined clearly in their privacy policy.
While AtlasVPN doesn’t state categorically that P2P is allowed, it is achievable and the connections and speeds are reliable enough for downloads.
AtlasVPN is also a good choice for gamers, as its speeds and ping are ideal for gaming unless connected to a very distant server.
With the premium version of AtlasVPN you are subject to a 30-day-money-back policy, making AtlasVPN a risk-free option.
RUNNER UP
CyberGhost is all about protecting uTorrent users, as their VPN has a specially designed profile for anonymous torrenting. Their fast speeds and unlimited data are perfect for unlimited torrenting, while their incredible security features protect your device.
With CyberGhost you can unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Comedy Central, ESPN, Eurosport, and more, thanks to their dedicated streaming profile with servers optimized for the above services.
CyberGhost is available for Windows, macOS, Chrome, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire Stick, and Android TV. They also have an amazingly generous 45-day-money-back guarantee, and offer a 7 day free trial for mobile users.
RUNNER UP
VyprVPN is dedicated to making sure your connection is secure and your location undetectable. It was even independently audited to test its security protocols, and passed with flying colors. It’s fast and secure service includes P2P compatibility and incredible security features like a NAT firewall and military-grade encryption.
VyprVPN unblocks Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer and all of its servers support P2P activity. VyprVPN is also extremely user-friendly and easy to operate, with apps available for most devices. You can also make use of a 30-day-money-back guarantee with VyprVPN, so you can try it out risk-free.
VyprVPN is available on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV, Anonabox, Blackphone, and QNAP.
What to Look for in a VPN for uTorrent
All of the VPNs we’ve recommended for use with uTorrent have their features that set them apart, but what are the main things to look out for when choosing a VPN for uTorrent?
- P2P compatibility and support:
This is crucial, as not all VPNs will allow file sharing on their networks which makes using uTorrent impossible.
- Top-of-the-line security features:
The best VPNs for use with uTorrent should have military-grade encryption, a no-logs policy, leak protection, and an automatic kill switch.
These VPNs should also have servers around the world, high-speed connections and unlimited bandwidth, and apps available across all devices.
Best VPN for UTorrent - FAQ's
Are Free VPNs any good?
While the free VPNs we’ve recommended are private and secure, and offer features that let uTorrent users share files safely, they’re certainly not up to premium VPN standards. The free VPNs we’ve listed here offer advanced privacy features, but other free VPNs don’t and many are not worth the risk.
Some free VPNs don’t have the features needed for using uTorrent, such as a clear privacy and no-logs policy, or DNS and IPv6/IPv4 leak protection. They also usually don’t have obfuscated servers that let you hide in restricted areas or specialist P2P servers that are made for torrenting.
Free VPNs may also limit access to servers, and the few servers that are available may overload and cause a reduction in speed. The data limitations of some free servers can also have an impact on P2P sharing by reducing the number, size, and quality of the files you can download.
Speed and bandwidth limitations not only slow down upload and download times, but can also lead to lost connections too. None of these things are ideal for torrenting.
So while a highly-rated free VPN is still suitable for torrenting, we would recommend a premium provider for the best experience.
Are VPNs and torrents illegal?
Because anyone can upload to uTorrent, BitTorrent, or Vuze, not every download is secure or legal.
VPNs are useful when accidentally downloading an illegal file. Advanced obfuscation features like stealth modes and DNS/IPv6 make it so authorities can’t trace downloads back to you. Using uTorrent without a VPN exposes your real IP address to other users, but using a VPN masks your local IP and location which protects you from DDoS attacks and doxxing.
What are the risks of using a free VPN?
While the free VPNs we’ve listed here have advanced privacy and security options, a lot of free VPNs do not and could leave you vulnerable to spyware, data logging, and other gaps in security that put your device at risk.
It’s important to check a free VPN’s privacy policy and practices to ensure your browsing history isn’t sold unknowingly to third-party providers. Little to no security also leaves you vulnerable to identity thieves who can steal your sensitive information.
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