NordVPN for Torrenting: Safe & Fast Torrents in 2024
Reading time: 19 min
Updated on February 13, 2024
NordVPN has over 5,100 P2P servers worldwide, making it a top choice for downloading torrents. But if you’ve not tried it yourself, it’s hard to know how good NordVPN’s specialized servers are for torrenting, and if it’s worth the price tag.
I tested NordVPN’s P2P network extensively to find out how it supports torrenters. Some of the areas I looked at include download speeds, security features, port forwarding functionalities, and more. I also checked its compatibility with many torrent clients and devices.
My conclusion is that NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for downloading torrents. Not only does it have thousands of optimized P2P servers for easy connections, it also includes a SOCKS5 proxy for manual torrent setup. If you find it’s not a good fit for you, you have 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, check out other recommended VPNs with similar or better torrent support.
Download torrents with NordVPN
Important! My team and I don’t condone any illegal activity, so make sure you only torrent files that are in the public domain. As an added precaution, always be aware of your local laws and regulations before using a VPN for P2P file sharing.
Why Is NordVPN Good for Torrenting?
NordVPN is a top choice for torrenting, with a range of features designed to protect and optimize your P2P downloads. Some of these include:
- P2P-optimized servers in over 50 countries — a total of 5,100+ servers in torrent-friendly countries provide tons of nearby servers.
- Compatible with multiple platforms and torrent clients — works with multiple torrent clients so that you can use any of your favorites.
- Threat Protection — stops malicious ads, trackers, and malware that can be found on some torrent sites.
- SOCKS5 proxy — hides your IP address, but it doesn’t encrypt your traffic (downloads are faster, but it’s less secure than using an optimized P2P VPN server).
- Fast download speeds — optimized servers support smooth and fast torrent downloads.
- High-quality security features — including military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and data leak protection to make sure your information is never exposed to hackers or peers.
- No-log policy — prevents personally identifiable data from being collected, stored, and shared with third parties for better privacy.
One drawback is that NordVPN doesn’t offer port forwarding. Other major players in the VPN industry do, like ExpressVPN or Private Internet Access.
Port forwarding allows incoming data from other users through specific ports to bypass firewalls and reach your device. This way, more peers can connect and share torrent packets with you to help download faster. If you’re an avid torrenter looking to join a private tracker, port forwarding will allow you to seed for other torrenters and have a good ratio.
However, opening your port can make you an easy target for cyberattacks, which is why NordVPN and many other VPNs don’t offer this functionality.
Easy Guide: How to Torrent with NordVPN in 5 Easy Steps
- Download NordVPN. Make sure you get the most up-to-date version of NordVPN to ensure you’re secure and private. If you’ve already installed it, make sure it’s updated.
![Screenshot of apps download page on NordVPN's website]()
- Make sure NordVPN is ready for torrenting. Turn on the kill switch, as it’s important to keep your data private in case your connection is interrupted — you can configure the kill switch to work with a specific app (like a torrent client) or simply cut access to the internet entirely.
![Screenshot of NordVPN's kill switch settings]()
- Connect to a specialized P2P server. Choose one that’s closest to your physical location for the fastest download speeds.
![Screenshot of NordVPN's P2P servers]()
- Open your torrent file. Visit your chosen torrent site and click the magnet link to start downloading to your torrent client.
![Screenshot of NordVPN's Magnet link]()
- Start downloading securely. The download will start automatically once opened in your torrent client, but stay connected to the P2P server until it’s complete. NordVPN is compatible with uTorrent, Deluge, qBittorent, and more.
![Screenshot of torrent downloading automatically in uTorrent]()
What Are the Best NordVPN Settings for Torrenting?
- Activate the kill switch. NordVPN’s kill switch isn’t automatically turned on and is necessary for safe torrenting.
- Change the tunneling protocol to NordLynx. This is the fastest and most secure option.
- Connect to the closest P2P server to your physical location. A nearby server will ensure you get the fastest speeds.
Slow NordVPN Torrenting Speeds? Try These Steps
- Choose a different server. If the VPN server you’re using is overloaded with users, its performance can be sluggish. Some VPNs show the load percentage on the server list in the app. Pick one with the lowest load or choose a dedicated P2P server as this can improve your speeds.
- Change protocols. Some protocols are faster than others for torrenting and, on some occasions, your OS might conflict with the VPN’s tunneling settings. NordVPN recommends its proprietary NordLynx protocol for the best speeds.
- Try NordVPN’s SOCKS5 proxy connection. A proxy server hides your IP address and helps download torrents faster since it doesn’t encrypt your traffic.
- Check your internet connection speed. Run a speed test using an online tool to see if your base internet speeds are lower than expected. If so, you can improve it by using an ethernet cable instead of WiFi.
- Disconnect inactive devices. NordVPN lets you connect up to 10 devices simultaneously. If you aren’t using some devices, disconnect them to increase bandwidth and speeds. Similarly, close any applications you’re not using.
- Switch to a faster VPN. If nothing works, get a VPN that has better speeds. I recommend ExpressVPN as it’s the fastest VPN I’ve tested and allows unrestricted torrenting on all its servers.
Alternative Method: How to Use NordVPN’s SOCKS5 Proxy to Torrent
SOCKS5 is a proxy that changes your virtual location and hides your IP address by routing data between a client and server through a proxy server. By hiding your data, a SOCKS5 proxy can improve your privacy and IP protection while boosting torrent speeds — unlike a VPN, it’s not encrypted, making it a faster, but less secure choice.
Some VPNs (including NordVPN) provide SOCKS5 proxy servers that you can link your device to, but it’s not a feature within the VPN app and requires manual setup. It has 9 servers in total, located around Europe and the US. I’ve provided their addresses below, and you can also find them on NordVPN’s support pages.
It’s important to note that while SOCKS5 is faster, it’s not as stable or secure as a VPN connection. It won’t encrypt your traffic, so there’s the potential for data leaks, and as they need to be manually configured it’s not as simple to set up (unlike a VPN, which is run from an app and very easy to use).
The setup options can vary among torrent clients, but should be similar enough that my guide using uTorrent should suffice. Visit the NordVPN website for specific instructions on how to set this up with other torrent clients.
How to Torrent With NordVPN’s SOCKS proxy With uTorrent
- Open uTorrent, click “Options” and “Preferences.” You can also press “CTRL + P” to launch “Preferences.”
- Select the “Connection” option. Under “Proxy Server,” choose “SOCKS5” from the dropdown menu.
![Screenshot of proxy options on uTorrent client]()
- Enter your chosen NordVPN proxy address in the “Proxy” field. Here are the options to choose from:
- amsterdam.nl.socks.nordhold.net
- atlanta.us.socks.nordhold.net
- dallas.us.socks.nordhold.net
- los-angeles.us.socks.nordhold.net
- nl.socks.nordhold.net
- se.socks.nordhold.net
- stockholm.se.socks.nordhold.net
- us.socks.nordhold.net
- new-york.us.socks.nordhold.net
- Type “1080” in the “Port” field.
- Ensure the following checkboxes are selected:
- Authentication
- Use proxy for hostname lookups
- Use proxy for peer-to-peer connections
- Disable all local DNS lookups
- Disable features that leak identifying information
- Disable connections unsupported by the proxy
![Screenshot of proxy server section on uTorrent client]()
- Enter your NordVPN authentication details in the “Username” and “Password” boxes. To find these, you’ll need to sign in to your NordVPN account dashboard in your browser — scroll down to “Manual setup” and follow the instructions to get your service credentials.
![Screenshot of manual setup on NordVPN account dashboard]()
- Click “Apply” and “OK” to save the changes you’ve made. You’re now ready to start downloading torrents through NordVPN’s SOCKS5 proxy.
NordVPN Torrent Not Working? Here’s What to Do
You can try a few easy fixes if NordVPN is not working with torrents.
- Perform VPN diagnostics. Use NordVPN’s in-app self-diagnostics system. To do this, go to “Settings” and select “General.” Click on “Run diagnostics” and run all the available tests to see what the problem might be.
- Try a new torrent or magnet link. The current torrent might have few seeders or the magnet link is broken. Trying a new torrent for the same file can fix this issue.
- Add a firewall exception. Sometimes, your device’s security configuration may trigger the firewall to automatically block torrent clients. Adding NordVPN and your torrent client to your firewall’s “Allow” list could solve the issue.
- Contact your VPN vendor. If it’s still not working, contact NordVPN’s customer support and ask for a solution.
- Get a VPN that works. If that doesn’t help either, you can use an alternative VPN proven to work with your torrenting software, like ExpressVPN.
The Best Alternative VPNs for Safe Torrenting — Tested in 2024
1. ExpressVPN — Fully Supports Torrenting on All Servers With Fast Download Speeds
Key Features:
- 3,000+ P2P file-sharing optimized servers in 105 locations
- AES-256-bit encryption, kill switch, leak protection, and audited zero-logs policy
- 24/7 customer service through live chat, email, FAQs, and online knowledge base
- Connect up to 8 devices simultaneously
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Unlike NordVPN, ExpressVPN’s entire network of 3,000+ servers is optimized for torrenting. During tests, I didn’t have to worry about choosing a specific P2P server — ExpressVPN’s Smart Location feature connected me to the best server so I could start torrenting immediately.
Most VPNs have a strict privacy policy, but ExpressVPN has proved its zero-logs claim during independent audits and real-world scenarios. When one of ExpressVPN’s Turkish servers was seized during a criminal investigation, the authorities didn’t recover any user data. ExpressVPN also secures your torrenting with the following features:
- AES-256-bit encryption — protects your information with the most difficult cipher to break.
- Data leak protection — makes sure the encryption works without fail so that your data isn’t accidentally leaked to torrenting peers.
- Obfuscated servers — hide the fact that you’re using a VPN from networks that block VPN traffic.
- Kill switch — disables the internet to keep data private if the VPN gets disconnected.
After multiple speed tests, I found that ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN on the market. Even its servers 9,000+ miles away were faster for torrenting than NordVPN. Using its Lightway protocol with a local server, I could download a 2GB file in less than 6 minutes, stream Netflix in UHD, and play online games without lags.
I was pleased to find ExpressVPN is compatible with multiple torrent clients, like uTorrent, Vuze, and BitTorrent. Better still, it requires no configuration to start torrenting on your device, whether you’re using a Windows PC, Mac, Android or iOS smartphone, or tablet.
Signing up for ExpressVPN’s long-term subscription is the most affordable option. The 2-year + 6 months free plan comes with a 82% discount, costing just $4.99 a month. It’s a little more expensive than other VPNs, but ExpressVPN’s fast and secure servers for torrenting compared to other VPNs make it worth the extra cost.
If you’d like to try torrenting with ExpressVPN, all its plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you find the service isn’t right for you, you can easily get a full refund. I tested the policy myself and it took less than 2 minutes to arrange my refund using the 24/7 live chat. I had my money back in just 5 days.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
ExpressVPN works on: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Kindle Fire, Nook HD, gaming consoles, routers, and more.
ExpressVPN works with: The Pirate Bay, RARBG, 1337x, LimeTorrents, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, HBO Max, Showtime, Peacock TV, ESPN, DAZN, and more.
Get ExpressVPN's Black Friday Deal! You can subscribe to ExpressVPN for as low as $4.99 per month + get extra 6 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.
2. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers Support Smooth Torrenting in Multiple Countries
Key Features:
- 11,670+ servers in 100 locations with plenty dedicated for P2P downloads
- Military-grade encryption, kill switch, leak protection, and zero-logs policy
- 24/7 live chat, FAQs, email, and online knowledge base
- Protects 7 devices at once
- 45-day money-back guarantee on all long-term plans
CyberGhost’s optimized P2P servers are ideal for fast and secure torrenting. The CyberGhost team regularly tests these servers to ensure they work flawlessly, so you won’t struggle in making a selection. I always picked one with fewer users near me on my MacBook, as these gave me the fastest speeds.
My testing revealed CyberGhost’s optimized servers are considerably faster than its standard servers. Torrenting speeds were 35% slower than my normal speeds on average, which meant I could download a 2GB file in around 10 minutes. CyberGhost uses the WireGuard protocol by default, which I’ve found is a secure and fast option.
Using public WiFi to download torrent files can save data, but it’s notoriously insecure — spies and hackers often monitor these networks to steal information. Fortunately, you can set up CyberGhost to automatically start encryption when you use a public hotspot for file-sharing. Other CyberGhost security features include:
- Military-grade encryption — hides your torrenting activities from anyone watching — your ISP, torrent peers, or potential hackers.
- Kill switch — prevents your data from being leaked should your device lose the VPN connection.
- RAM-based servers — deletes your data and online activity automatically with every reboot so it can’t be retrieved.
The main downside to CyberGhost is that its distant servers can struggle to maintain fast speeds. If you don’t have a dedicated torrenting server nearby, you could wait a long time for your torrents to complete. Fortunately, CyberGhost has torrent-optimized servers in 80+ countries, including Venezuela, Peru, Kenya, Iran, and more.
You can try CyberGhost with your torrent client using its 45-day money-back guarantee. It’s only for long-term plans, so I suggest you sign up for 2-year + 4 months at just $2.03 per month. If you change your mind, you can cancel using the 24/7 live chat. It took just 5 minutes for me, and I had my money back in under a week.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
CyberGhost works on: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, smart TVs, gaming consoles, routers, and more.
CyberGhost works with: The Pirate Bay, RARBG, 1337x, LimeTorrents, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, HBO Max, Showtime, Peacock TV, ESPN, and more.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Torrent Faster With Port Forwarding Capabilities on Most Servers
Key Features:
- Huge network of 35,000+ servers in 91 countries
- AES-256-bit encryption, kill switch, port forwarding, SOCKS5 proxy, and zero-logs policy
- 24/7 live chat and email, FAQs, and setup guides
- Enjoy unlimited simultaneous device connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
PIA has global servers that support port forwarding to improve torrenting speeds. Port forwarding lets you share files directly and connect to more seeders to download data packets faster. You can connect to any PIA server to use port forwarding, except those in the US.
If you’d rather not use port forwarding, PIA’s local connections were also fast — I downloaded a 2GB file in just over 10 minutes. Alternatively, PIA has a SOCKS5 proxy. If you have slow internet, using SOCKS5 can boost your speeds for faster downloads. However, it won’t encrypt or hide your activity from others.
Furthermore, PIA has an enormous server network that supports torrenting, making it easy to P2P file-share from anywhere. With over 35,000 servers worldwide, you can always find a nearby connection for top speeds. None of the 12 servers I tested in my region were overcrowded or sluggish.
PIA has several security features to help you torrent safely, besides military-grade encryption and data leak protection:
- Customizable encryption with the OpenVPN protocol — use the default 128-bit encryption to improve speeds when torrenting and 256-bit for other activities that require top security.
- MACE — removed annoying ads from some torrent clients like Deluge and uTorrent.
- Automatic kill switch — cuts internet access if the VPN connection is interrupted, maintaining data security.
The only downside is that PIA is based in the US, a main member of a global internet surveillance pact. However, I wasn’t worried since PIA has a no-log policy that has been audited by an independent third-party firm.
Though it’s one of the best monthly VPNs, it’s cheaper in the long run to subscribe to PIA’s 2-year + 2 months plan — you’ll only be paying $2.19 a month. PIA also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Getting a refund was easy over the 24/7 live chat, and I had my money back in under a week.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
PIA works on: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, smart TVs, gaming consoles, routers, and more.
PIA works with: The Pirate Bay, RARBG, 1337x, LimeTorrents, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, HBO Max, Showtime, Peacock TV, ESPN, and more.
FAQs: Torrenting With NordVPN
Is NordVPN safe for torrenting?
Yes, NordVPN is a safe option for torrenting. It has thousands of dedicated P2P file-sharing servers worldwide that provide AES-256-bit encryption, kill switch functionality, and data leak protection. NordVPN is also compatible with popular torrent clients, so it’s easy to download torrents quickly and securely.
Can I port forward with NordVPN?
No, you can’t, which means you won’t be able to seed torrents with NordVPN. However, PIA supports port forwarding on all its servers (except the US), while ExpressVPN lets you use the feature if you install the VPN to your router. Port forwarding allows data packets to be sent directly to your device and helps you connect to more peers to complete your downloads faster.
Port forwarding does come with some security risks, which is why most of the best VPNs in 2024 don’t include this feature.
How do I set up NordVPN with uTorrent or BitTorrent?
You can connect to a P2P server, click your torrent link, and start downloading instantly. Alternatively, set up NordVPN with your torrent client and adjust the configurations manually to get the best torrenting experience.
Which devices can I torrent on with NordVPN?
You can download torrents with NordVPN on any supported device that also supports torrent clients, like uTorrent or BitTorrent. NordVPN has apps available for a range of devices, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. Configuring the best settings may take a few minutes, but otherwise, you can start P2P file-sharing quickly and easily.
How can I check that NordVPN is working before I torrent?
You can use an online IP address lookup tool to check if NordVPN is working before downloading torrents. If the location on the map matches the server you selected, it’s working. Otherwise, try changing servers or consult the VPN’s support team if the problem persists.
Does NordVPN have obfuscated servers?
Yes, NordVPN has obfuscated servers, but it’s better to use NordVPN’s P2P network for torrenting. You can select the “Obfuscated Servers” menu option, and you’ll be auto-connected to the nearest option. However, the extra layers of security can cause slow speeds and aren’t necessary for safe P2P file-sharing.
Can I use a free VPN for torrenting?
Free VPNs won’t give you the security, speeds, or data necessary for torrenting, and many don’t support torrenting. You’ll only be able to torrent safely and securely with a premium VPN, like NordVPN or the alternative services recommended above.
Even the top free VPNs have limitations that make them unsuitable for P2P file-sharing, including:
- Bandwidth restrictions — with a limited monthly data allowance, you’re likely to hit the cap before you can complete your torrents.
- Slow speeds — even if you have unlimited data, free VPNs often restrict download speeds to encourage you to upgrade.
- Server limits — a small number of free servers means you’ll experience user congestion and connection issues that can make torrenting impossible.
Instead of choosing a restrictive free option, I suggest trying a premium VPN with a money-back guarantee. CyberGhost has a lengthy 45-day money-back guarantee you can use to test the service — almost like a free trial.
NordVPN Is Safe For Torrenting
NordVPN is a solid choice for torrenting with military-grade encryption and data leak protection on all its servers. You can connect to any of NordVPN’s 5,000+ P2P servers to download torrents safely. Besides allowing you to download privately, it has Threat Protection to make sure you’re free from malware and annoying ads when using unverified torrent sites.
If you’re looking for a service that has high-level security and privacy, I recommend you get NordVPN for torrenting. It’s one of the fastest VPNs on the market, and you can use it right after installing it to your device — no complex configurations or changing NordVPN settings required.
Summary — Best VPNs for Safe Torrenting
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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