The Best VPNs for p2p & File-Sharing
The number of people using a VPN for p2p/filesharing continues to increase. In 2010, only around 15% of filesharers used VPN or proxy for anonymity and privacy purposes. In some countries that statistic has more than tripled, and continues to rise.
The reason? It's a simple, effective solution.
By using a VPN, your filesharing activity instantly becomes much more anonymous, private, and secure.
This technique works for most p2p file-sharing networks, including:
This article will help you choose the best VPN for p2p/file-sharing. We'll show you what's important (and what's not) and help you find the best deal on a non-logging VPN subscription. If you mostly use bittorrent for file-sharing, checkout our dedicated guide to the best torrent VPN services.
The reason? It's a simple, effective solution.
By using a VPN, your filesharing activity instantly becomes much more anonymous, private, and secure.
This technique works for most p2p file-sharing networks, including:
- Bittorrent
- eDonkey
- eMule
- File lockers
This article will help you choose the best VPN for p2p/file-sharing. We'll show you what's important (and what's not) and help you find the best deal on a non-logging VPN subscription. If you mostly use bittorrent for file-sharing, checkout our dedicated guide to the best torrent VPN services.
How p2p activity is monitored
Contrary to alot of articles out there blaming your Internet Provider, most p2p downloads are actually monitored based on your IP address. Your IP address is 4-part internet address that uniquely identifies your internet connection (though all devices on your home network will share the same IP address).
This IP address is visible to all websites you visit, and all peers you connect to in decentralized p2p technologies like Kazaa, eDonkey, and bittorrent.
Fortunately, by using a Virtual Private Network service, you will be able to hide your IP address on any file-sharing network. (Instead, peers and websites will only see the IP of the VPN server you're connected to. If you choose a non-logging VPN service (that doesn't record your actual IP address) there will be no way to trace your p2p activity back to your real address.
This IP address is visible to all websites you visit, and all peers you connect to in decentralized p2p technologies like Kazaa, eDonkey, and bittorrent.
Fortunately, by using a Virtual Private Network service, you will be able to hide your IP address on any file-sharing network. (Instead, peers and websites will only see the IP of the VPN server you're connected to. If you choose a non-logging VPN service (that doesn't record your actual IP address) there will be no way to trace your p2p activity back to your real address.
How a VPN Works
A VPN is a security tool that does two things:
Once you subscribe, you will receive a login/password and a download link for their VPN software. Once installed, all you have to do is login to the software, choose a server location from the list they provide, and click 'Connect'.
- It allows you to route your internet connection through any of the companies multiple VPN server locations (and p2p peers will see the VPNs IP address instead of your own)
- It completely encrypts your internet traffic, making it nearly impossible for your internet provider to read your p2p traffic or track your web-browsing history.
Once you subscribe, you will receive a login/password and a download link for their VPN software. Once installed, all you have to do is login to the software, choose a server location from the list they provide, and click 'Connect'.
How to choose a VPN for p2p
Not all VPNs are created equal. A select few go to much greater lengths to protect their customers' privacy. Also, not all VPNs allow p2p or torrents on their network. If you're specifically looking for a VPN for torrenting then check out our guide to Safe Torrenting, or our anonymous setup guides for uTorrent, Deluge, and qBittorrent.
There are 3 important factors to consider when choosing a VPN for p2p:
Once you've narrowed your search to VPNs that meet these 3 criteria, then you can start filtering by other factors like: price, software, and extra features.
One feature that most p2p users WILL benefit from however, is a Kill-Switch. This is a security feature built into some VPN software that will prevent your IP from leaking if the VPN disconnects. View our list of kill-switch enabled providers.
Let's take a closer look at the 3 criteria for choosing a p2p VPN:
There are 3 important factors to consider when choosing a VPN for p2p:
- Privacy/Logging policy (we want a VPN that keeps no logs whatsoever)
- Is p2p allowed? (some VPNs pretend to allow p2p but really don't. Others block it completely.
- How fast is the VPN? (Most users don't want a big drop in torrent speed)
Once you've narrowed your search to VPNs that meet these 3 criteria, then you can start filtering by other factors like: price, software, and extra features.
One feature that most p2p users WILL benefit from however, is a Kill-Switch. This is a security feature built into some VPN software that will prevent your IP from leaking if the VPN disconnects. View our list of kill-switch enabled providers.
Let's take a closer look at the 3 criteria for choosing a p2p VPN:
VPN Privacy and Logging Policy
This is the #1 most important criteria. Don't trust a VPN provider that 'allows p2p' but keeps logs for any longer than 24 hours. It's a huge privacy leak and could result in your true IP address being given out without your consent or knowledge.
We only want to choose non-logging VPNs who don't record your IP address or session data when you connect to a VPN server. Fortunately, almost all the VPNs featured on this site keep minimal logs (and most keep none at all). See our chart of VPN logging policies.
The benefit of a non-logging VPN is simple. Imagine a 3rd party wants to match the VPNs IP address to a specific users' account (because the VPNs IP was recorded sharing a file on a p2p network). If a VPN keeps session logs, they could easily see which user was assigned that specific IP address, and report that information back to the organization requesting your information.
If, however, the VPN provider doesn't keep any logs or session data - > there is no way to match a VPN IP address to a specific person or account. That's the real advantage of a non-logging VPN.
True zero-log VPN providers include:
We only want to choose non-logging VPNs who don't record your IP address or session data when you connect to a VPN server. Fortunately, almost all the VPNs featured on this site keep minimal logs (and most keep none at all). See our chart of VPN logging policies.
The benefit of a non-logging VPN is simple. Imagine a 3rd party wants to match the VPNs IP address to a specific users' account (because the VPNs IP was recorded sharing a file on a p2p network). If a VPN keeps session logs, they could easily see which user was assigned that specific IP address, and report that information back to the organization requesting your information.
If, however, the VPN provider doesn't keep any logs or session data - > there is no way to match a VPN IP address to a specific person or account. That's the real advantage of a non-logging VPN.
True zero-log VPN providers include:
- Private Internet Access
- Torguard
- Proxy.sh
- Hide.me (Paid or free VPN options. Free version has limited bandwidth and blocks some p2p protocols).
Is p2p allowed?
Some VPNs say they allow p2p (because they want more subscribers) but then will ban/cancel accounts that actual download torrents or other files on p2p networks. Not surprisingly, most of these 'two-faced' VPNs also keep logs, usually for 30 plus days.
Even better, we built a complete list ranking 21 VPN providers in terms of p2p friendliness (from best to worst).
Here are a few more excellent VPN choices that don't fall into the zero-logs category:
Even better, we built a complete list ranking 21 VPN providers in terms of p2p friendliness (from best to worst).
Here are a few more excellent VPN choices that don't fall into the zero-logs category:
- VPN.ac - logs kept for only 1 day to prevent abuse. P2P friendly. Great software.
- ExpressVPN - A premium (pricey) VPN company with fast speeds. Their logs don't include your IP address.
VPN Speed
We all want the fastest connection speed possible. Using a VPN will drop your connection speed slightly (because the encryption takes up extra bandwidth) but as long as you choose a fast VPN service, you shouldn't take more than a 10-20% speed loss on nearby servers. Most of the VPNs featured on this site perform well on speed tests, but there are a couple that really stand out:
Fast VPN Options (from lowest to highest priced)
Fast VPN Options (from lowest to highest priced)
- Private Internet Access - ($3.33/month with a 1 year subscription)
- Torguard - ($4.99/month for 1 year)
- IPVanish ($6.49/month for 1 year)
- ExpressVPN (around $8.50-$13/month)
Your VPN speed will depend greatly on how fast your internet service is, but all of these VPNs are capable of speeds over 50mbps. Here are some screenshots...
Private Internet Access
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IPVanish
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Torguard
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Our Recommended Picks...
We always recommend doing your own research, but here are our top recommended VPNs for file-sharing. We also provide detailed analysis of exactly why we ranked each VPN so highly (you shouldn't trust any website that just recommends VPNs without explanation).
Keep in mind, these companies aren't the only valid choices, but they're a great place to start. They've also been around for a while, and have a proven track record for reliability, privacy, and integrity. Many of the newer VPN services don't have anywhere near this level of credibility.
Keep in mind, these companies aren't the only valid choices, but they're a great place to start. They've also been around for a while, and have a proven track record for reliability, privacy, and integrity. Many of the newer VPN services don't have anywhere near this level of credibility.
#1 - Private Internet Access
Our #1 Pick!
www.privateinternetaccess.com
Features No Logs. Period. 256-bit encryption 1-click VPN software Mobile VPN for iOS/Android Extremely p2p friendly priced from $3.33/month Read our review of PIA |
PIA is legendary in the file-sharing community. They were one of the first VPN companies to adopt a true 'no-logs' policy, and they continue to honor it.
The even made headlines recently, by demonstrating the validity of their logging-policy in an FBI investigation. Private Internet Access is very affordable (downright cheap actually). Their service costs only $6.95 on a month-to-month plan or $3.33/month when you by a 1 year subscription. That's 11 cents per day. I think you can afford it. PIA is by for the most popular VPN among this sites visitors, due to their unique combination of privacy, security, features, p2p-friendliness, and price. If you're not sure which VPN to pick, PIA is a great place to start. It's going to meet the needs of most users, and their 7-day 100% refund policy means you can try their service risk-free before committing to a long-term contract. |
#2 - VPN.AC
https://www.vpn.ac
Features 1 day logs no activity logging private DNS servers 256-bit encryption Excellent software Mobile app for iOS/Android |
VPN.ac is a Romania-based VPN provider. They have excellent software, great prices, and are quite p2p-friendly.
Some users may prefer VPNac over PIA because Romania is not a 'five eyes' alliance spying country (where as the USA, where PIA is based, is). Personally I don't think national security agencies are concerned with your file-sharing activities, but there's nothing wrong with being cautious. VPNac's pricing is $4.80/month (with a 1 year subscription) and they often have extra deals running with coupon codes advertised right on their website. My favorite VPN.ac feature is their option to use Elliptic Curve encryption, which may provide better speeds than RSA (standard) encryption. |