Ahmed Khaled
Updated on: May 2, 2025
Fact-checked by Eric Goldstein
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🥇 ExpressVPN
: Supports torrenting on servers in 105 countries. It offers top-tier security and privacy features, lightning-fast download speeds thanks to its Lightway protocol, and extras that improve torrenting, like split tunneling and Advanced Protection. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time subscribers.
Using just any VPN with uTorrent isn’t enough — the right one makes all the difference. The best VPNs for uTorrent don’t just hide your IP; they offer high-speed servers optimized for P2P, strong encryption to keep your downloads private, and features like kill switches and leak protection to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Many VPNs fall short. They’re either too slow, block torrenting altogether, or require complicated setup. Choosing a top-tier VPN ensures you can torrent securely, without sacrificing speed or convenience.
I tested dozens of VPNs and found the best ones for uTorrent. My top pick is ExpressVPN. It maintains fast speeds for quick downloads and offers excellent security. It even comes with extra features that make torrenting easier and safer. Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for uTorrent
Please note: The VPNs listed here follow strict no-log policies, which means they do not monitor, track, or save any records of your online activity. The team at SafetyDetectives and I do not endorse or promote illegal actions, including accessing pirated content. You are responsible for how you use a VPN and must ensure that your actions comply with all local laws and regulations.
Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for uTorrent
Approved by our experts
ExpressVPN is my top VPN for torrenting with uTorrent and the best overall on my list for 2025. It supports torrenting across its entire network of 105 countries, making it easy to find a nearby server with fast speeds for uTorrent. In my tests, I got blazing-fast speeds and stable connections without needing to switch servers, and I had insanely fast downloads whether I used a nearby server or a very distant one.
It also offers port forwarding through its native router app, which helps boost the number of available peers and improve download speeds. With it set up, every device connected to your router will be faster with uTorrent. I also appreciate that its native router app is easier than manual setups. I had it working in less than 7 minutes. The router also comes with a highly customizable split-tunneling tool, so you can decide which devices are connected to the VPN and even connect different devices to different countries.
The VPN also includes Advanced Protection, which adds an extra layer of safety when downloading torrents by blocking known malicious domains and trackers. It also eliminates ads and pop-ups on torrent sites and prevents access to shady P2P websites.
I also appreciate its split-tunneling feature on desktop and Android, which allowed me to route only uTorrent through the VPN while keeping the rest of my internet traffic on my local connection. This setup provided full privacy for torrenting without slowing down my games and other online activities.
The VPN offers very intuitive apps for all devices, and I particularly appreciated the 1-click shortcuts that allow me to access uTorrent directly from the VPN’s homepage.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for torrenting with uTorrent in 2025. It has fast, reliable servers that all support file sharing, built-in tools like split-tunneling and Advanced Protection, and extra features like port forwarding via its simple router app. It’s also really easy to use.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Highly Customizable VPN for uTorrent
Private Internet Access (PIA) allows P2P traffic on all its servers in 91 countries. It’s super fast, and it also comes with highly customizable settings and extra features for uTorrent.
It offers port forwarding on all of its apps except iOS. I appreciate how simple it is to enable this feature — it took me only 10 seconds to find the option in the Network tab of the Settings menu, check the box to Request Port Forwarding, and connect to a server.
The VPN also supports the SOCKS5 proxy, which changes your IP address like a VPN but doesn’t provide encryption. This allows for significantly faster download speeds. It’s especially useful for seeding and leeching large torrent files in uTorrent, since it hides your real IP from peers while keeping speeds high — ideal if you’re more focused on performance than privacy.
I really love how its split-tunneling feature is flexible and customizable. It allows you to choose which apps or IP addresses go through the VPN traffic (most VPNs only allow apps). This way, you can route the uTorrent app and your favorite P2P websites through the VPN while keeping your other activities on your normal network.
Moreover, its ad blocker, called MACE, is the best ad blocker on the market and helpful when torrenting with uTorrent. During my testing, it blocked suspicious domains before uTorrent could connect to them. And MACE doesn’t just remove ads — it also stops fake tracker pop-ups, blocks known malware-hosting sites, and prevents uTorrent from loading malicious magnet links that could expose your IP or infect your system.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a top choice for torrenting, offering customizable settings, P2P support in 91 countries, and excellent features like split-tunneling, port forwarding (except iOS), SOCKS5 proxy support, and a strong ad blocker (MACE).
Read the full Private Internet Access review
Editors’ Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Torrent-Optimized Servers and Smart Automation Rules for uTorrent
CyberGhost VPN offers a wide selection of torrent-optimized servers in 85+ countries. While this isn’t its full network (which is 100 countries), you’ll still easily find a nearby server for reliable download speeds no matter your location.
One standout feature is Smart Rules, a helpful automation tool. I set it up to automatically connect to a P2P server and launch the uTorrent app as soon as I opened the VPN.
There’s also a content blocker that helped protect me by blocking malicious domains and fake torrent sites while I was searching for downloads. While it didn’t catch every ad, it successfully kept me away from sketchy redirects and deceptive “download” buttons. That said, ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access were noticeably more effective in blocking all ads.
CyberGhost also supports split-tunneling on its Android app, though it only works at the app level. Its Exceptions tool (available on Windows) works similarly but only works for sites, so you’d have to be using uTorrent Web instead of the desktop application. Personally, I prefer the more flexible split-tunneling options offered by ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with port forwarding like Private Internet Access or ExpressVPN. It also doesn’t offer a SOCKS5 proxy server like Private Internet Access.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost is a solid choice for torrenting with 85+ countries supported, offering torrent-optimized servers, Smart Rules automation, and strong content blocking. However, it lacks port forwarding and a SOCKS5 proxy, and its split-tunneling is less flexible than other VPNs.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
Editors’ Note: CyberGhost and this site are in the same ownership group.
4. NordVPN — High-End Security Features With Advanced Threat Protection
NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro blocks shady websites and scans files before they download. This prevents any malware-ridden downloads from reaching your device. Plus, it works even when the VPN isn’t connected, which is fairly rare.
It also supports torrenting on servers in more than 110 countries (out of 118 total available). Though this means you’ll have to double-check that the server you want to use supports torrenting, this kind of coverage gives you plenty of options for nearby connections and fast speeds. That said, ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access both support P2P traffic on their entire network.
I like that it comes with an app-based kill switch that shuts down specific apps if the VPN connection fails. I love being able to set it to close only uTorrent if I lost my secure connection — it kept the rest of my apps online while making sure my torrenting activity never leaked.
NordVPN also has extras like SOCKS5 proxy servers. When I used the proxy with uTorrent, I noticed faster peer connections and slightly better download speeds compared to using the full VPN tunnel. You also get split-tunneling, both on a per-app and per-website basis, so it works no matter which uTorrent version you use. Unfortunately, it doesn’t support port forwarding like Private Internet Access and ExpressVPN.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN supports torrenting on servers in 110+ countries. It offers strong security features for torrenting, including an app-based kill switch, Threat Protection Pro, SOCKS5 proxy, and split-tunneling. However, it lacks port forwarding.
5. Surfshark — Beginner-Friendly With Automatic IP Rotation for uTorrent
Surfshark supports P2P traffic on servers in 49+ countries and is very beginner-friendly. I was able to install the app and connect to a server in less than 2 minutes. All of its features and settings come with clear, simple explanations, making it easy to use even if you’re new to VPNs.
It includes an IP Rotator that changes your IP address at regular intervals without dropping the connection. I tested it with uTorrent while seeding a large file, and the address changed mid-session without interrupting the transfer — it gave me extra privacy without any added work.
CleanWeb, Surfshark’s built-in ad blocker, effectively blocks ads, trackers, and malicious domains you might encounter while searching for torrents to download with uTorrent. I appreciated how it kept intrusive banners off my screen while browsing torrent sites and prevented redirects to sketchy links.
You can use its split tunneling to route specific apps, such as uTorrent, or even certain websites. However, it’s worth noting that Surfshark lacks some advanced P2P features like port forwarding and SOCKS5 proxy support, which are available with VPNs like Private Internet Access.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark supports P2P traffic on servers in 49+ countries. It’s a beginner-friendly VPN with useful features like automatic IP rotation, CleanWeb ad blocker, and split tunneling. However, it lacks advanced P2P options like port forwarding and SOCKS5 proxy.
Read the full Surfshark review
Quick Comparison Table
Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I tested the best VPNs using our proven testing methodology to find out which ones work best for torrenting through uTorrent. Over several weeks, I downloaded and shared files using uTorrent with different VPNs to see how they performed. I looked at speed, security, ease of use, and extra features that help with torrenting. Here are the things I focused on when choosing the best VPNs for uTorrent:
- I picked a VPN with reliable P2P support that works with uTorrent. I only recommend VPNs that officially support P2P traffic and have consistently performed well with uTorrent during multiple testing sessions. Each recommended VPN has a large number of dedicated P2P servers or optimized modes for torrenting, available in dozens or hundreds of countries.
- I selected a VPN with strong security and privacy protections. Each of the VPNs I recommend has essential VPN features, including 256-bit AES encryption, leak protection, a no-logs policy, and kill switches to prevent accidental IP exposure while torrenting. I conducted multiple leak tests for each VPN and didn’t experience any IPv6, DNS, or WebRTC leaks.
- I tested for fast P2P download speeds. I’ve measured torrent speeds using multiple seed-heavy torrents to make sure performance holds up under load. The VPNs I evaluated consistently delivered impressive results with minimal slowdowns. Among them, ExpressVPN stood out as the fastest, thanks to its Lightway protocol.
- I included VPNs with user-friendly apps and also extra features. You need a VPN that makes torrenting with uTorrent simple, even if it’s your first time, while still offering powerful tools like split tunneling and port forwarding. I only recommend VPNs that work smoothly across platforms and don’t require technical setup. I also look for built-in ad and malware blockers, which reduce the risk of malicious ads and popups that are common on torrent indexing sites.
- I chose a VPN that delivers good value. I focused on the VPNs with plenty of P2P-friendly features, along with affordable pricing and a money-back guarantee to try them risk-free.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- VPN Unlimited. VPN Unlimited includes a torrenting-optimized server list, but it restricts torrenting to very few servers. I tested it multiple times and its speeds and reliability too inconsistent for regular uTorrent use.
- Astrill VPN. Astrill is one of the few VPNs that works well in restrictive regions and supports port forwarding. However, it’s expensive and limits torrenting to specific servers, which made it feel too restricted when I used uTorrent.
- Hola VPN. Hola is free and easy to install, but it works as a peer-to-peer proxy network instead of using dedicated servers — I don’t recommend it at all for uTorrent. It routes your traffic through other users’ IPs, which raises serious privacy and legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to use a VPN with uTorrent?
Yes, it’s legal to use a VPN with uTorrent in most countries. VPNs are privacy tools, and using one to protect your identity while torrenting is generally allowed. However, what you download matters — downloading copyrighted content without permission may be illegal, even if you’re using a VPN. Always use uTorrent and VPNs responsibly and within the laws of your country.
What’s the best VPN for uTorrent?
ExpressVPN is the most reliable VPN I have used with uTorrent. It supports P2P file sharing on all servers and provides fast download speeds using its Lightway protocol. Additionally, it includes strong security and privacy features, such as full leak protection and a kill switch to prevent any data leaks.
How can I tell if my ISP is throttling my torrent speeds?
I usually detect throttling by running speed tests before and after connecting to a VPN. If speeds improve significantly with the VPN while torrenting, throttling is likely. I also compare streaming and regular browsing speeds versus torrenting speeds — any major drop points to throttling. VPNs like ExpressVPN encrypt your traffic, which hides torrent activity from your ISP and stops them from selectively slowing your connection.
How can I bind uTorrent to my VPN to prevent IP leaks?
To ensure your torrent traffic only goes through your VPN (for privacy and leak protection), you can bind your torrent client to the VPN’s IP address. This works best with VPNs that offer static or dedicated IPs, so you don’t have to update the IP every time:
- Choose a VPN with strong torrenting support, like ExpressVPN.
- Connect to your VPN server (with a static IP).
- Copy the VPN-assigned IP address.
- In uTorrent, go to Options > Preferences > Advanced.
- Search for net.bind_ip.
- Paste the VPN IP into the Value field and click Apply.
- Now your torrent client will only work when connected to that VPN IP.
Is it safe to use a free VPN with uTorrent?
No, I don’t recommend using free VPNs with any torrent client, including uTorrent. Free VPNs introduce more risk than protection when torrenting. I’ve tested several and found limitations like bandwidth caps, a lack of P2P support, weak encryption, and data logging. Some even leaked my IP mid-download. A better approach is to use a premium VPN from my list that explicitly supports torrenting. It gives you stronger security, faster speeds, and full control over your uTorrent traffic without putting your data or device at risk.
What’s the difference between using a VPN and a SOCKS5 proxy with uTorrent?
A SOCKS5 proxy only routes traffic from specific applications like uTorrent, while a VPN encrypts all traffic on your device. From my experience, SOCKS5 is faster but less secure because it doesn’t encrypt data and only protects traffic within the app itself. In contrast, a VPN hides your IP address and secures all connections, not just those from uTorrent. In my list, you can find that Private Internet Access and NordVPN provide SOCKS5 proxy services within their apps.
