Millions of people used to use free peer-to-peer file sharing (P2P) networks and software client programs every day to swap music, video, and other files over the internet. While some P2P networks were shut down and other forms of file swapping took their place, some favorite P2P programs still exist in one form or another.
Easy to set up and use.
Scheduling lets you control when in use.
Android app is also available.
Includes ads.
Not a lot of useful additional tools found in other clients.
The original BitTorrent client first appeared on the scene in 2001. It quickly attracted a loyal following among those interested in sharing movies and television programs in the form of torrent files. It is one of the few free peer-to-peer (P2P) software applications from that era still in widespread use. Various other alternative clients used with the BitTorrent network such as Azureus, BitComet, and BitTornado also existed but are less popular than they once were. There is now an Android BitTorrent mobile app available.
Lots of features and plugins expand functionality.
Social connectivity.
Ability to opt out of bundled add-ons, such as the browser toolbar.
Bundled add-ons like extensions and browser toolbar (unless you opt out of these).
May be somewhat complex for new users.
Vuze makes the downloading of P2P content easier than many other BitTorrent clients out there. Vuze takes the time to explain features that those new to the world of torrents may be unfamiliar with. It's easy to use, intuitive, and feature-rich for a free client.
There is a paid version of Vuze, too, which offers additional features such as built-in antivirus protection, the ability to play content at the same time as downloading content, a DVD burner, and ads are eliminated in the paid version.
Open source software.
No ads.
Interface is uncomplicated and easy to use.
Fewer plugins and extensions than a few other clients.
Issues reported on Linux.
qBittorent is a good all-around client that offers a decent array of features and extras, but not so many that it becomes overwhelming. It's interface makes use easy, even for new users; qBittorent is a good choice if you're new to P2P downloading. While it is new-user-friendly, it doesn't lack for useful features more experienced users look for.
Crashing issues.
Fake files seem to be common.
Ares Galaxy was developed in 2002, first supporting the Gnutella network and later the separate Ares P2P network. Ares Galaxy was designed to offer decentralized music and other file-swapping support with built-in chat. A spinoff client for the Ares network called Warez was also developed.
The BearShare P2P file sharing program was a client for the Gnutella P2P network.
EDonkey/Overnet was a P2P file sharing network especially popular in Europe. The eDonkey P2P client connected to both the eDonkey and Overnet networks, which combined to support a large base of users and files. A separate Overnet client existed at one time some years ago, but it was merged into eDonkey, which ran on Windows, Linux, and Mac computers.
The Kazaa software family (including the Kazaa Lite series of applications) for the FastTrack P2P network was the most popular line of P2P file sharing programs for a time in the early 2000s.
The Limewire P2P file sharing program connected to Gnutella and ran on Windows, Linux, and Mac computers. Limewire was recognized for its simple user interface along with good search and download performance.
Morpheus P2P clients were capable of searching Gnutella2, FastTrack, eDonkey2K, and Overnet P2P networks.
WinMX ran only on the Windows family of operating systems, but this client and its associated WPNP network were hugely popular during the mid-2000s. WinMX was known for its relatively advanced (at the time) options to help power users better manage their downloads.
BitTorrent has an unsavory reputation, one that is both unfair and yet also well deserved. At its best, BitTorrent addresses the bottleneck created when too many people try to download the same files from a single source at once—be they bootlegged tv shows, hot music tracks, DRM-free books, or photos of cats. BitTorrent turns a file's popularity into a benefit, instead of a bottleneck, by having each of the downloaders distribute pieces of the file to every other downloader. Furthermore, it's decentralized, with no main server to choke under the burden of traffic. There's no disputing that torrenting is a clever idea. While it can be used for legitimate purposes, its decentralized nature also makes it perfect for illegally sharing copyrighted content online, too.
BitTorrent's dubious distinction as the pirate's tool of choice has led to indiscriminate crackdowns from ISPs on the use of BitTorrent. With a virtual private
When you surf the web, your internet traffic isn't necessarily secure. Someone could be lurking on the same network as you, monitoring your activities. That's especially true when you're using a public Wi-Fi network. Clever attackers can even create bogus Wi-Fi networks that impersonate legit ones, tricking you into connecting and exposing your personal information.
Your ISP also has remarkable insight into what you do online, and has even been given the green light to sell anonymized user metadata. Thanks, Congress! But with a VPN, they won't be able to see what you're up to. That will come in handy when we get back to talking about torrenting.
VPNs work by routing your web traffic through an encrypted tunnel between your computer and a server operated by the VPN company. Anyone snooping on your activities, even if they are the ones running the network, won't be able to see what you're up to. Even the ISPs will be blind. Advertisers and others on the web will have a harder time tracking your movements because your true IP address is hidden behind that of the VPN server and your traffic is mixed in with everyone else on that server.
Using a VPN goes a long way to
We often receive emails asking about the interplay between VPNs and BitTorrent. Some of them have included admissions of
If you are going to use BitTorrent for whatever reason, good luck to you. If you are going to use a VPN, more power to you. But be sure that you take the time to read the VPN's terms of service before you start. And be aware of the local laws and possible penalties before you start, whatever your willingness to obey them. 'I didn't know the law,' or 'I don't agree with the law,' won't hold up as defenses in a court, so make sure you can live with any potential punishments should you choose to do something legally dubious.
The short answer is that, yes, a VPN can shield your online activities from your ISP. And that's a good thing, not only if you have legally iffy torrenting habits, but also because it protects your privacy in general. An online survey of 1,000 conducted by PCMag found that 25 percent of respondents named ISPs as the biggest threat to their online privacy. That's entirely correct.
As we said, however: no security tool is bulletproof. On paper, a VPN should prevent your ISP from seeing your traffic as it flows across the web. It should also make it much, much harder for someone on the outside to identify particular traffic as yours.
That said, there are always exceptions. Time and time again, user error and efforts by law enforcement have undermined the protection offered by services like Tor or VPNs. Timing attacks, for example, can correlate packet traffic at a VPN server with activity on your own network.
In some cases, the problem may be the VPN itself. If the VPN company keeps copious logs about user activity (specifically, the identity of the user, which server they connected to, when) that information could potentially be obtained by law enforcement.
Most VPN services are completely fine with you using BitTorrent or P2P services while using their products. All of our top-rated VPN services do not prohibit file sharing.
Even the services that do allow torrenting often have restrictions. Some, for example, may require that you only use BitTorrent when connected to specific VPN servers. NordVPN labels the servers where torrenting is acceptable. TorGuard VPN, on the other hand, does not make any distinction about user traffic, so you can torrent to your heart's content. Note that pretty much every VPN service that allows torrenting also explicitly forbids breaking copyright law, or otherwise abusing the service.
Some VPNs have tools that are particularly useful for torrenting. NordVPN is one of several companies that offer static IP addresses for purchase, which can desirable in some circumstances. TorGuard VPN has built its entire reputation around protecting
See How We Test VPNs
When you use a VPN, your web traffic is usually traveling through more fiber and more machines. The practical upshot is that your connection speeds are affected by all that extra distance. For large torrents, this can mean a longer wait before you get the completed file.
A quick note about VPN testing: networks are
In my latest round of testing, I compared speed test results with and without a VPN running. I used the Ookla speed test tool, and present the results below. Note that these are in order of score, with the top score in each category marked with italicized red text.
Right now, we consider HideIPVPN the fastest VPN among those we've tested. That said, speed shouldn't been the primary consideration when purchasing a VPN—even if you're planning on using your VPN exclusively for Torrenting.
The extra stops and processes for your data and the distance introduced by VPNs can make a normal browsing experience somewhat
If you plan on using a VPN while torrenting, consider the ramifications of the Kill Switch. This feature, found in most VPN services, prevents apps from sending data via the internet when the VPN is disconnected. The idea is that it prevents any information from being transmitted in the clear. The avid BitTorrent downloader needs to decide if they want total and complete protection, or would rather not have their download interrupted.
While VPN services have servers all over the world, each company's headquarters do have to be based somewhere on the planet. And that somewhere might have data retention laws that require the VPN company to either collect and maintain user data for a set period of time.
Understanding what kind of information a VPN service collects, and how long it is maintained, can be hard to figure out. To get the answer, you may have to wade through unending FAQ pages and opaque terms of service written in arcane legalese. If the VPN company you're considering can't clearly explain what information it gathers and how long it will be kept, it's probably not a great service.
When we review VPNs, we make a point to ask service representatives about what efforts they take to secure customers' privacy. You can read through our full reviews to see their answers. So far, the majority of services have shown that they take protecting user privacy very seriously.
Note that national and international law as it relates to data storage and whether that data can be turned over to law enforcement is complicated and constantly changing. A good service today might choose or be compelled to alter its policies tomorrow, so pay attention to any updates to the terms of service.
Perhaps you'll decide that all this effort isn't worth it just to secure your BitTorrent downloads. But even so, you should keep in mind that a VPN is still the best way to keep your internet traffic private and secure. Whether you decide to spring for a premium
Editors' Note: IPVanish is owned by j2 Global, the parent company of PCMag's publisher, Ziff Davis.
Pros: More than 5,200 servers in diverse locations worldwide. Unique, specialized servers. Six simultaneous connections. P2P allowed. Browser apps. Blocks ads, other web threats. Strong customer privacy stance.
Cons: Expensive. Cannot purchase additional simultaneous connections.
Bottom Line: NordVPN wraps a slick client around a strong collection of features for securing your online activities and an enormous network of servers. Earning a rare 5-star rating, it's our top pick for VPNs.
Read ReviewPros: Affordable. Excellent app interface. Far above average number of available servers. Ad blocking. Supports P2P file sharing and BitTorrent. Multiplatform support. Strong stance on customer privacy.
Cons: No free version. No specialized servers.
Bottom Line: Private Internet Access offers a robust VPN service at an unbeatable price, and with an excellent new app interface. In terms of value, it cannot be beat.
Read ReviewPros: Affordable. Excellent privacy policies. Annual independent audits. Friendly, approachable design. Browser extensions, including stand-alone ad blocker. Good speed test results. Bears.
Cons: Lack of geographic diversity in server locations.
Bottom Line: If you're tired of edgy security products, let the strong-but-cute bears of TunnelBear VPN defend your web traffic. Easy to use and easily affordable, it's an Editors' Choice winner.
Read ReviewPros: Offers seven licenses with a subscription. Good server distribution. Strong privacy policy. Excellent and unique features.
Cons: Expensive.
Bottom Line: CyberGhost offers an excellent VPN product with strong, unique features not found elsewhere, along with a generous number of simultaneous connections. It's expensive, however.
Read ReviewPros: 10 simultaneous connections. Good geographic diversity of servers. Allows BitTorrenting. Automatic IP address cycling.
Cons: Unwelcoming interface. Limited global server presence.
Bottom Line: VPN service IPVanish secures your web traffic from prying eyes. It packs powerful features veteran VPN users will appreciate, and presents a good value overall, although its interface may intimidate the less experienced.
Read ReviewPros: Affordable. Numerous servers spread across the globe. Lets you easily add simultaneous connections. Many add-ons. Good speed test scores.
Cons: Clunky client. No free subscription.
Bottom Line: TorGuard VPN is the best bet for BitTorrent seeders and leechers looking to secure their web traffic. It's packed with features sure to appeal to security wonks, though its client is clunky.
Read ReviewPros: Large, diversely distributed fleet of servers. Strong privacy policy. Supports OpenVPN protocol across all platforms. Allows P2P and BitTorrent. Simple interface. Greatly improved performance.
Cons: Expensive. Few simultaneous connections allowed.
Bottom Line: ExpressVPN is a comprehensive VPN service with an impressive server fleet and excellent features. But, compared with the competition, it allows for fewer simultaneous connections, and it's more expensive.
Read ReviewPros: Best speed test scores. Simple interface. Allows P2P, BitTorrent activity on specific servers. Supports legacy and niche protocols.
Cons: Tiny number of servers in just 11 countries. Offers fewer licenses than the competition. Confusing pricing structure.
Bottom Line: HideIPVPN is the fastest VPN yet in our testing, but it has a tiny number of servers and offers fewer licenses than the competition.
Read ReviewPros: Excellent free version. Flexible, low-cost plans. Focus on physical security. Excellent privacy policies. Slick, accessible client. Multi-hop VPN to secure locations and Tor connections. P2P friendly. ProtonMail bundle available.
Cons: Few servers and locations. Difficult to find fastest servers. Full access to servers and features only at highest pay level.
Bottom Line: ProtonVPN doesn't have as many servers as much of the competition, but its focus on exacting security at an affordable price tag makes it a compelling choice. Plus, its free version is the best we've tested so far.
Read ReviewPros: Simple design. Excellent privacy policy. Good speed test scores. BitTorrent friendly. Supports anonymous payments. Advanced features.
Cons: Comparably few servers. No specialized servers. Unintuitive design. Some protocols limited to higher tiers.
Bottom Line: VPN service Hide.me is affordable, has an excellent privacy policy, and offers solid technology. Its client app can be a pain to use, however, and some VPN protocols are limited to higher tiers.
Read Review