3 Best Free VPNs for Torrenting: Fast & Safe to Use in 2025

Many free VPNs either block torrenting, leak your data, or significantly slow your connection. Some even log your activity, show intrusive ads, or lack basic security features like encryption or a kill switch.

So, my team and I tested 40+ free torrenting VPNs to find the safest ones that allow P2P traffic. Most VPNs we tested didn't make the cut because they lacked torrent support, had weak security, or came with other severe limitations. My top options offer solid security, conceal your IP address, and won't log your activity. That said, even the best free VPNs have downsides, such as slower speeds, limited server options, or monthly data caps. If you’d like to avoid these restrictions while torrenting, your best option is to use a low-cost premium VPN.

Quick Comparison Table: Free Torrenting VPN Features

The table below compares the features of all my recommended free VPNs for torrenting. Here, you can view each VPN's average speed, number of servers, monthly data limit, and whether it features an automatic kill switch.

Furthermore, I've highlighted whether each VPN is headquartered outside the 5/9/14 Eyes jurisdiction. This is a vital factor to consider if you aim to protect yourself from possible governmental monitoring.

Note. Do not use the listed VPNs for downloading copyrighted content.

Most Affordable Premium VPN

Our Score: 9.3

While we only recommend safe providers on this page, free VPNs have limitations. Some can risk your privacy. They have to make a profit somehow, which may involve harvesting and selling your data to third-party advertisers, or worse. Even reputable free VPNs have restrictions, such as data caps, limited server networks, and slow speeds. An affordable premium VPN like Surfshark is a more reliable and secure option. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and prices start from $1.99/month for a long-term option. Plus, it works great for torrenting, streaming, and gaming, and offers unlimited data and simultaneous device connections.

Our Score: 9.3

Read more about Surfshark

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www.surfshark.com

Best Free VPNs for Torrenting — Full Analysis (Updated 2025)

1. hide.me — Customizable Security to Optimize Your Connection for Torrenting

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested September 2025

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try hide.me VPN >

www.hide.me

hide.me lets you customize security settings to optimize your torrenting speeds without compromising protection. You can choose your security protocol (WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, SoftEther), turn port forwarding on or off, and use split tunneling. I always use the latter to run my torrent traffic through the VPN while keeping other apps on my regular connection for better performance. During tests, running WireGuard with SOCKS5 proxy gave us faster connections while keeping our real IP hidden behind the VPN.

Fine-tune hide.me's kill switch to stop only your torrenting client from working should the VPN drop

Auto Connect adds an extra layer of protection by activating the VPN before you start torrenting. Once enabled, the app automatically launches and connects to a server whenever you start your device or open a torrent client. This reduces the risk of going online unprotected and helps keep your IP address hidden from the beginning of your session.

P2P is allowed on all hide.me's free servers in 8 locations, including Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, and 2 in the US. Plus, unlike most free VPNs, you get unlimited data.

The downside is that you have to take a couple of steps to torrent with hide.me. Support recommended that I set up its SOCKS5 connection with a torrent client with StealthGuard enabled. Luckily, hide.me's site provides easy-to-follow steps to torrenting, and support is very helpful. After completing this step, I had no issues using it for P2P traffic.

Note. It's illegal in most countries to use hide.me to download or share copyrighted files without proper permissions.

Useful Features

• 24/7 support. Unlike many VPNs that limit support for free users, hide.me offers 24/7 live chat assistance at no cost. If you run into issues while torrenting, help is always available — no matter where you are.
• Stealth Guard. This feature locks down specific apps (like your torrent client) and only allows them to access the internet when the VPN is active. It acts like a targeted kill switch for torrenting.
• Privacy-first VPN. hide.me is based in a privacy-friendly country (Malaysia) and has a strict no-logs policy. It doesn’t store your IP address, connection timestamps, or anything else that might put your privacy at risk.

2. Hotspot Shield — Speed-Optimized Hydra Protocol Provides Fast Downloads

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Router Smart TV More

Try Hotspot Shield >

www.hotspotshield.com

Despite being free, Hotspot Shield delivers fast speeds and stable connections thanks to its proprietary Hydra protocol. This gives you decent download times even if you’re far from its free server locations. We downloaded His Girl Friday (a copyright-free movie) in less than 5 minutes during tests. You also get access to 800+ free servers in 1 locations, which are pretty evenly spread out in the US, UK, and Singapore.

Hotspot Shield offers WireGuard and IKEv2 protocols, which may give you even faster downloads

The free app includes built-in malware protection, which blocks access to sites known for hosting malware or phishing content. So, you're protected from downloading harmful files or landing on fake tracker pages when browsing torrent sites or searching for magnet links. The free app also protects your P2P data with the same level of encryption as the paid one (AES 256-bit). Plus, it also offers an automatic kill switch and leak protection.

The free plan limits you to only one device connection. However, the good news is that Hotspot Shield doesn’t require any sign-up info, so you can effectively use it on unlimited devices.

Note. It's illegal in most countries to use Hotspot Shield to download or share copyrighted files without proper permissions.

Useful Features

• Built-in speed monitor. The Hotspot Shield app shows real-time download and upload speeds. This helps you test server performance directly in the app, so you can switch servers if speeds drop during torrent downloads.
• Automatic protocol selection. The app automatically switches between protocols based on your network conditions. So, you stay connected to the most stable and fastest option, which is helpful when you're seeding torrents over long periods.
• One-click connect. You can launch and connect to a VPN server with a single click. This makes it fast and easy to turn on protection before starting your torrent session.

3. TunnelBear — A Fun, User-Friendly App Makes Secure Torrenting Easy

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome More

Try TunnelBear VPN >

www.tunnelbear.com

TunnelBear’s apps have a playful design that makes securing your P2P traffic straightforward and fun, even for beginners. In our tests, its simple layout and animated world map made it easy to pick a server. Just click a location, and a cartoon bear digs its way there with a friendly “roar!”

Security features are also easy to find and configure

With the free app, you get access to servers in all of TunnelBear's 47 countries, a rare feature among free VPN services that support P2P file sharing. This broad coverage means you’ll likely find at least one connection near you to get the best torrenting speeds. Our average download speeds reduced from 214Mbps to 147.19Mbps during tests.

Unlike hide.me and Hotspot Shield, TunnelBear only grants 2GB of data per month, but it’s adequate if you're not a heavy file sharer. As with most freemium plans, it’s a good way to test the VPN to see if you’d prefer to subscribe. However, TunnelBear allows you to connect as many devices as you like with the free plan so that you can secure your entire household.

Note. It's illegal in most countries to use TunnelBear to download or share copyrighted files without proper permissions.

Useful Features

• Vigilantbear. Even free users get TunnelBear’s kill switch, which blocks traffic if the VPN drops, preventing accidental IP exposure while torrenting. Your torrenting activity is also kept secure with AES 256-bit encryption and leak protection.

Our Methodology for Testing Free VPNs for Torrenting

We tested over 40 free VPNs to find the ones that truly support safe torrenting. Our first step was to check which providers allow P2P traffic on their free servers. We then ran real-world speed tests using clients like uTorrent and qBittorrent to see how each VPN handled large file downloads. We paid close attention to bandwidth limits, server congestion, throttling, and connection stability, since slow speeds or tiny data caps can make free VPNs unusable for torrenting.

We made sure to check for key security features that protect your privacy while torrenting. These included leak protection (DNS, IPv6, WebRTC), a working kill switch, split tunneling, and port forwarding where available. We paid close attention to any hidden trackers or unnecessary permissions that could pose privacy risks.

Expert Tip: The Hidden Risks of Using Free VPNs for Torrenting

Free VPNs can put your privacy at serious risk when torrenting. That's why we extensively tested each VPN on this list to verify its security features and privacy practices. While my recommended options have some limitations, they won't compromise your safety like many other free VPNs.

Here are the main risks to watch out for with free VPNs:

• Data collection and selling. Many free VPNs make money by collecting your torrenting activity, browsing history, and IP address to sell to third parties. Always check the privacy policy - if the VPN isn't transparent about how it handles your data, avoid it.
• Weak security features. Some free VPNs lack essential security features like kill switches and leak protection. During my tests, I found that VPNs like CrossVPN regularly leaked IP addresses during torrenting sessions, exposing users' real locations.
• Malware risks. Free VPNs often contain hidden malware or intrusive ads. For example, Betternet's Android app was found to have 14 different tracking libraries and malware detected by multiple antivirus programs.
• Suspicious business practices. Many free VPNs generate revenue through questionable means. UFO VPN, for example, was caught storing detailed user logs despite claiming a "no-logs" policy, while others bombard users with malicious ads.

Free VPNs to Avoid for Torrenting

During my assessments, I found that certain free VPNs are deficient in the security features needed for secure torrenting. These VPNs could expose you to viruses and may even monetize your data by distributing it to third parties.

• Hola VPN. This is not a VPN but a P2P network — it doesn’t have its own servers. You share your IP address and bandwidth with other free users. This means that any random stranger can use your IP address, and if they do something illegal, you could get into trouble for that.
• TurboVPN. This VPN was found to have malware embedded in the app and is riddled with intrusive ads.
• Betternet. It’s hard to trust this VPN since previously, its Android app was found riddled with trackers and malware.
• Psiphon. It records sensitive data such as some ISP and geographical info. Plus, it has weak security and can leak your data.

FAQs on Free VPNs for Torrenting

Are free VPNs safe for torrenting?

Yes and no — it totally depends on the VPN provider you choose. All the free VPNs on this list are safe for torrenting. They will keep your torrenting activity private from everyone, including ISPs and other peers on the P2P network. Plus, they all have a strict no-logs policy, so your data is kept private.

That said, many other free VPNs collect and sell your data to third parties in order to make a profit. Some also have weak security and may leak identifying information since they don’t have the resources to properly protect your connection. Therefore, it’s important to choose a VPN that can truly keep you safe.

It's worth noting that freemium VPNs may be a safer choice than strictly free VPNs. That’s because they have the resources and revenue of the premium version to ensure their free app is safe and secure. VPNs that only offer free service often have to make money from other sources, such as by selling your data or bombarding you with ads — both of which put your privacy and security at risk.

Is using a VPN for torrenting legal?

Using a VPN for torrenting is legal in most countries, but with important caveats. A VPN encrypts your connection and hides your IP address — both legal activities. However, using a VPN to download copyrighted content without permission remains illegal regardless of whether your traffic is encrypted.

Additionally, some countries like China and Russia heavily restrict or ban VPN usage entirely. I recommend checking your local laws before using any VPN service. The vpnMentor team does not support using VPNs for illegal activities.

Are free VPNs fast enough for torrenting?

Some of them are, but most free VPNs have speed caps and data limits. The VPNs shortlisted here all had speeds fast enough for torrenting. However, the strictly forever-free options all offer limited monthly data, which you’ll quickly exceed while torrenting.

What's the best free VPN for torrenting on Windows and Android?

All the VPNs listed above are compatible with Windows and Android. That allows you to file share on your PC and Android devices without any problems.

That said, it’s important to choose a free VPN that will keep your torrenting activity safe on Android. Many free Android VPNs leak your data and do not protect your privacy at all. Some have been known to sell user data for profit.

Can I use Tor or other alternatives to torrent instead of a free VPN?

It may be possible, but it brings complications. With Tor, your ISP won’t see your file-sharing, but it will see your use of Tor. This can raise suspicions because Tor can be used to access the dark web. It’s also incredibly slow, even for regular web browsing, so it’s only suitable for downloading the smallest of files. A free VPN with many servers is a better alternative for fast downloads and uploads.

Proxies like SOCKS5 are slightly faster than VPNs, primarily because they don’t encrypt your data. However, ISPs, hackers, and government agencies all have the potential to monitor your file sharing, so it’s only advisable if security and privacy aren’t a concern.

Can I improve torrenting performance with a free VPN?

In some cases, yes. Some ISPs throttle high-bandwidth activities, such as torrenting, leading to restrictive speeds. However, as all the free VPNs on this list hide your online activity, your ISP won’t be able to detect your torrenting, meaning they won’t know to throttle you.

Is port forwarding necessary for torrenting with a VPN?

No, port forwarding isn’t required for torrenting with a VPN, but it can help improve performance in some cases. Most torrent clients can connect and download files just fine without it. However, enabling port forwarding can allow more peers to connect to your device, which may improve seeding and increase download speeds, especially if you're behind a strict NAT firewall. That said, we could only find that hide.me's free plan currently supports port forwarding.

How can I check if my free VPN is leaking my IP address?

You can check for IP leaks by using an online leak testing tool while your VPN is connected. Visit a free IP leak checker website like vpnMentor's, and compare the IP address shown with your real one. If it shows your actual IP, your VPN is leaking data, which can expose your torrenting activity. To stay protected, use a VPN with built-in leak protection and a working kill switch. Free VPNs often lack these features, so it’s essential to test them before torrenting.

Get the Best Free VPN for Torrenting

After testing several free VPNs, I've found a few that offer good torrenting speeds without compromising your privacy. But still, you have to be aware that you'll always be laden with strict limitations when using a free torrenting VPN — and any service that claims otherwise is likely a scam.

hide.me's free plan proved the best for fast P2P file sharing while keeping your online identity and activities private. It's highly customizable, doesn't cap your data, and you can get access to 8 locations. The downsides are that you can only connect one device and that there are some steps to follow before you can start torrenting.