How to Use Torrents Safely With ExpressVPN (And Is It Any Good?)
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ExpressVPN is one of the The best VPNs we tested when it comes to torrenting.
It does not throttle download speeds and you can torrent using any server in the network.
The VPN is also very fast and has an impressive array of security features, including OpenVPN and AES-256 encryption, built-in IP leak protection, and a reliable kill switch.
The main problem we found when testing ExpressVPN for torrenting was that Port forwarding is not allowed on computer (or mobile) applications. This is only possible via the VPN router app.
Therefore, downloading (or “seeding”) files is extremely slow unless the VPN is running at the router level.
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ExpressVPN is fully compatible with BitTorrent clients
Here’s an in-depth look at torrenting with ExpressVPN:
Does ExpressVPN allow torrenting?
ExpressVPN Allows unrestricted torrenting and P2P file sharing across all of its servers. You can connect to any server and download torrents without restrictions.
The company’s website publicly endorses P2P activity, but they recently removed a page that gave users clear instructions on how to use a VPN with uTorrent.
We haven’t seen any indication that the company is moving away from torrent support, but we’ll update this page accordingly if anything changes.
ExpressVPN doesn’t offer any of them Servers optimized for P2P activities, Like a number of competitors. But ExpressVPN is finished 3000 servers in a 94 countriesServer congestion was not a problem for us.
Expert advice: Connect to the VPN server closest to your location to enjoy the fastest download speeds.
Are there data limitations or bandwidth limitations?
ExpressVPN does not impose a monthly data cap and does not restrict bandwidth in any way. In our tests, we enjoyed unlimited torrenting with no speed limits.
Many VPN services, especially the free ones, limit the amount of data you can use each month. This makes it unsuitable for torrenting activities because P2P traffic tends to demand a lot of data usage.
Other VPNs will reduce the speeds of their users, especially if they are engaged in bandwidth-intensive activity such as P2P file sharing. For the best torrenting experience, you need a VPN that offers unlimited bandwidth like ExpressVPN.
Be aware, however, that your ISP may start asking questions if you’re downloading hundreds of gigabytes per month.
How strong is ExpressVPN’s encryption?
ExpressVPN uses the leading VPN protocol OpenVPN, and very safe AES-256 encryption to protect your data. The US Department of Defense protects sensitive information with the same encryption technology, so you know you’re in good hands. With 1077 possible combinations, it is simply not possible to break this level of security.
Most torrent clients, such as BitTorrent and µTorrent, use their own encryption to protect user privacy and prevent throttling and blocking from ISPs. However, this does not encrypt the actual files included in the torrent you’re downloading, which means that a third party may be able to see what you’re downloading.
This is why ExpressVPN’s ultra-secure encryption is so great for torrenting. It will keep your activity completely hidden from spectators so that you can torrent anonymously.
Learn more about VPN encryption in a beginner’s introduction to how VPNs work
What additional security features does ExpressVPN offer?
In addition to securely encrypting your data and masking your IP address, ExpressVPN offers an impressive array of additional security and privacy features.
Here is a selection of ExpressVPN’s most useful features for torrenting:
- kill switch: ExpressVPN uses a kill switch, known as a “network lock,” which automatically blocks all internet traffic if the VPN connection is lost. This is an essential tool for torrenting activities as it prevents your IP address from being leaked if there is a problem with the VPN. Unfortunately, Network Lock is not available on iOS.
- VPN Split Tunnel: This feature allows you to control which traffic you route through the VPN server and which you don’t. This is great for protecting your privacy when torrenting while still opening access to local network devices.
- Leakage protection: If your VPN is leaking IP or DNS information, it is useless for torrenting activities. ExpressVPN protects your privacy by hiding your DNS queries even in situations where you might be leaking. This prevents snoopers from seeing the websites you visit.
You can control your security options from ExpressVPN’s advanced settings menu
One of the downsides to using ExpressVPN for torrenting is that it offers very limited services Shipping Port. We discuss this in more detail below.
Is ExpressVPN fast enough for torrenting?
You need high connection speeds to download torrents effectively and ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPN services we tested.
All VPNs reduce speed to some degree, because the data is encrypted and has a longer round trip to complete, and is routed through a remote server.
However, with the right VPN service, the speed loss is mostly unnoticeable.
We found ExpressVPN to have an average speed reduction rate of only 11% When connecting to a local server.
In other words, if your standard internet connection speed is 100Mbps, you can expect a speed of 89Mbps when using torrenting.
This makes ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market. As you can see from our speed test tool, it is always one of the best performing VPN for torrenting on local connections from the same country.
ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries and regions, so you should always be able to find a nearby server that offers fast torrenting speeds.
Does ExpressVPN support port forwarding?
The only major problem we found was that ExpressVPN does not support port forwarding on its main applications. This means that downloading or “publishing” torrent files is very slow.
ExpressVPN It only allows port forwarding on its router app. Unless you already have an ExpressVPN router, this is a complex and potentially expensive solution.
For a quality P2P VPN with forwarding capability, read our PrivateVPN review.
How privacy friendly is ExpressVPN?
The main reason for torrenting with a VPN is to protect your privacy and anonymity from third parties like ISPs and copyright trolls.
However, some VPN services track and record your activity themselves, which negates the reason for using them in the first place.
ExpressVPN makes it clear what information it does and does not log
Fortunately, ExpressVPN has an extension Strict no-logs policy. It does not keep any logs of the websites you visit or torrents you download. It also keeps your DNS queries secure with leak protection.
The only information ExpressVPN records is:
- The history of your connection to the VPN
- The location of the server you are connecting to
- The total amount of data transferred in the session
None of this information is personally identifiable. It was collected only to provide technical support and troubleshoot any network issues.
ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently verified by two separate third-party audits.
In 2018 and 2019, both PwC and Cure53 tested the VPN service and confirmed that its logging claims are trustworthy.
ExpressVPN is also headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, which is known worldwide for being privacy haven. It is far from international monitoring operations like the Five Eyes Alliance for Information Sharing and the country does not enforce any data retention laws. This means that ExpressVPN is not legally obligated to maintain an archive of its users’ information.
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