5 Best Torrent Clients in 2024 (And How to Avoid the Risks!)

Torrenting has become a popular way of sharing files online. It has many advantages over traditional downloading methods, such as faster download speeds and the ability to download large files. However, torrenting also comes with its own set of risks, including the possibility of downloading malware or copyrighted material. To mitigate these risks, it is important to use a reliable and safe torrent client. In this article, we will discuss the best torrent clients available and how to use them safely. We will also recommend the best VPNs to use in combination with these clients to ensure your online security and privacy.

What is a Torrent Client?

A torrent client is a software program that allows users to download and share files using the BitTorrent protocol. When you download a file using a torrent client, you are downloading small pieces of the file from other users who already have it. As you download more and more pieces, the file is reconstructed on your computer. There are many different torrent clients available, both free and paid. The best ones offer features such as fast download speeds, easy-to-use interfaces, and the ability to prioritize downloads.

The Best Torrent Clients

1. qBittorrent: qBittorrent is a free and open-source torrent client that is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It has a simple and easy-to-use interface and offers features such as built-in search, RSS feed support, and the ability to prioritize downloads. One of the best things about qBittorrent is its ad-free interface. It also has a built-in media player, so you can preview files before you download them.

2. Deluge: Deluge is another free and open-source torrent client that is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It has a simple and customizable interface and offers features such as built-in search, RSS feed support, and the ability to prioritize downloads. One of the best things about Deluge is its plugin support. There are many different plugins available that can enhance the functionality of the client, such as the ability to schedule downloads or automatically extract files.

3. Transmission: Transmission is a free and open-source torrent client that is available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It has a simple and easy-to-use interface and offers features such as built-in search, RSS feed support, and the ability to prioritize downloads. One of the best things about Transmission is its low resource usage. It is very lightweight and does not use up a lot of system resources, making it perfect for older or slower computers.

4. uTorrent: uTorrent is a popular torrent client that is available for Windows and Mac. It has a simple and easy-to-use interface and offers features such as built-in search, RSS feed support, and the ability to prioritize downloads. One of the best things about uTorrent is its speed. It is one of the fastest torrent clients available and can handle large files with ease.

5. BitTorrent: BitTorrent is another popular torrent client that is available for Windows and Mac. It has a simple and easy-to-use interface and offers features such as built-in search, RSS feed support, and the ability to prioritize downloads. One of the best things about BitTorrent is its security features. It offers built-in encryption to protect your downloads and has a built-in virus scanner to ensure that your files are safe.

Using a VPN with Your Torrent Client

While torrenting can be a great way to share files, it also comes with its own set of risks. One of the biggest risks is the possibility of downloading copyrighted material, which could result in legal action. To mitigate these risks, it is important to use a VPN when torrenting. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity. Here are five leading VPNs that are great for use with torrent clients:

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is widely regarded as one of the best VPNs for torrent clients, and for good reason. It offers a range of features and capabilities that make it an excellent choice for torrenting. First and foremost, NordVPN has a vast network of servers spread across numerous countries, providing users with a wide selection of server locations to choose from. This allows for better connectivity and improved speeds while torrenting.

In terms of security, NordVPN offers robust encryption protocols, including the industry-standard AES-256 encryption, which ensures that your online activities remain private and protected. It also has a strict no-logs policy, meaning that it does not keep any logs of your internet activities, providing you with enhanced anonymity.

NordVPN also provides specialized servers optimized for P2P traffic, which are designed to offer better performance and faster download speeds for torrenting. These servers are labeled as "P2P" or "Torrenting" within the NordVPN app, making it easy to connect to them specifically for torrent-related activities.

Furthermore, NordVPN offers additional features like an automatic kill switch, which ensures that your internet connection is immediately severed if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly, preventing any potential data leaks. It also provides DNS leak protection and a built-in ad and malware blocker to further enhance your online security and browsing experience.

Overall, NordVPN's combination of advanced security features, extensive server network, optimized P2P servers, and commitment to user privacy make it an excellent choice for torrent clients looking for a reliable and secure VPN solution.

2. ExpressVPN 

ExpressVPN is a highly reputable VPN service that is widely regarded as an excellent choice for torrent clients. It offers a range of features and benefits that make it well-suited for secure and fast torrenting.

One of the main reasons ExpressVPN is favored by torrent users is its extensive network of servers. With servers located in over 90 countries, users have a wide selection of server locations to choose from. This helps to improve connectivity and ensures that users can find servers with optimal performance for their torrenting needs.

ExpressVPN also places a strong emphasis on privacy and security. It uses AES-256 encryption, which is the industry standard for secure data transmission. This encryption ensures that your torrenting activities are protected from prying eyes. Additionally, ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not retain any logs of your online activities. This commitment to privacy ensures that your torrenting activities remain anonymous.

Furthermore, ExpressVPN offers unlimited bandwidth and high-speed connections, which are crucial for fast and efficient torrenting. With its fast servers, you can enjoy smooth and uninterrupted torrent downloads without experiencing any significant slowdowns.

ExpressVPN also provides additional features that enhance the torrenting experience, such as a kill switch, which ensures that your internet connection is immediately severed if the VPN connection drops, preventing any potential IP leaks. It also offers DNS leak protection and supports split tunneling, allowing you to route only torrent traffic through the VPN while keeping other internet activities unaffected.

Overall, ExpressVPN's combination of a large server network, strong privacy and security measures, unlimited bandwidth, and high-speed connections make it an excellent choice for torrent clients who prioritize both performance and anonymity.

3. Surfshark

Surfshark is a VPN service that has gained popularity among torrent clients for its reliable performance and robust features that enhance the torrenting experience.

One of the standout features of Surfshark is its unlimited simultaneous connections. With a single Surfshark subscription, you can protect and secure an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. This is particularly beneficial for torrent clients who may have multiple devices involved in their torrenting activities, such as a computer, smartphone, or even a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device. With Surfshark, you can secure all your devices without any limitations.

Surfshark also offers a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not keep any logs of your online activities. This ensures your privacy and anonymity while torrenting, as there is no record of your torrenting activities stored. Additionally, Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is a privacy-friendly jurisdiction with no mandatory data retention laws.

In terms of security, Surfshark uses AES-256 encryption, the industry-standard encryption protocol, to protect your torrenting data. It also provides features like a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and MultiHop, which routes your internet traffic through multiple servers for an extra layer of privacy.

When it comes to performance, Surfshark offers fast and reliable connections. It has a network of servers in over 65 countries, allowing you to choose from various server locations to optimize your torrenting speeds. Surfshark also employs a feature called "Camouflage Mode," which hides your VPN usage from your internet service provider (ISP), further enhancing your privacy and preventing potential throttling of your torrent speeds.

Surfshark's affordability is another factor that makes it appealing for torrent clients. It provides competitive pricing options, including long-term subscription plans that offer excellent value for money.

In summary, Surfshark's unlimited simultaneous connections, no-logs policy, strong encryption, additional security features, wide server network, and competitive pricing make it a solid choice for torrent clients looking for a VPN that offers both privacy and performance.

4. CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost VPN is a popular choice among torrent clients due to its strong focus on privacy, extensive server network, and user-friendly interface.

One of the standout features of CyberGhost VPN is its dedication to privacy. It operates under a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not keep any records of your online activities. This is crucial for torrent clients who want to ensure their torrenting activities remain private and anonymous. Additionally, CyberGhost VPN is based in Romania, which is known for its privacy-friendly laws and is not part of any surveillance alliances.

CyberGhost VPN boasts an extensive network of servers, with over 7,000 servers in 91 countries. This wide server coverage allows you to easily connect to servers optimized for torrenting, ensuring fast and reliable speeds for your torrent downloads. Furthermore, CyberGhost VPN offers specialized servers specifically designed for torrenting, providing enhanced performance and security.

In terms of security, CyberGhost VPN utilizes AES-256 encryption, the industry-standard encryption protocol, to protect your torrenting data. It also offers features like an automatic kill switch, which cuts off internet access if the VPN connection drops, preventing any accidental exposure of your IP address. Additionally, CyberGhost VPN includes DNS and IP leak protection to ensure that your real IP address and DNS requests are not exposed while torrenting.

CyberGhost VPN also provides a user-friendly interface, making it easy to connect to servers and configure settings. It offers dedicated apps for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more. The apps are designed to be intuitive and beginner-friendly, allowing even novice users to navigate and utilize the VPN easily.

Furthermore, CyberGhost VPN offers competitive pricing plans, including long-term subscriptions that provide excellent value for money. It also provides a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try out the service risk-free and determine if it meets your torrenting needs.

Overall, CyberGhost VPN's commitment to privacy, extensive server network, strong security features, user-friendly interface, and affordable pricing make it a solid choice for torrent clients seeking a VPN solution for their torrenting activities.

5. Private Internet Access

PIA (Private Internet Access) is a VPN service that has gained a reputation for its robust security features and commitment to user privacy, making it a reliable option for torrent clients.

When it comes to privacy, PIA operates under a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not track or store any user activity data. This is crucial for torrent clients who want to keep their online activities private and anonymous. PIA is also based in the United States, which may raise concerns for some users due to surveillance alliances. However, PIA has proven its commitment to user privacy through various legal cases where it successfully demonstrated its inability to provide user data to authorities.

PIA offers a wide network of servers, with over 35,000 servers in 77 countries. This extensive server coverage ensures that you can find fast and reliable connections for your torrenting needs. PIA also allows you to connect to its servers through dedicated P2P (peer-to-peer) optimized locations, providing enhanced speeds and performance for torrent downloads.

In terms of security, PIA employs strong encryption standards, including AES-256 encryption, to protect your torrenting data from prying eyes. It also offers features like an automatic kill switch, which blocks internet access if the VPN connection drops, preventing any accidental exposure of your IP address. PIA supports various VPN protocols, including OpenVPN and WireGuard, allowing you to choose the most suitable protocol for your needs.

PIA provides user-friendly applications for different platforms, making it easy to connect to servers and customize settings. The apps are intuitive and offer features like split tunneling, allowing you to choose which traffic goes through the VPN and which goes through your regular internet connection.

When it comes to pricing, PIA offers competitive subscription plans with affordable pricing. It also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you the opportunity to test the service and ensure it meets your torrenting requirements.

Overall, PIA's strong focus on privacy, extensive server network, robust security features, user-friendly applications, and competitive pricing make it a reliable choice for torrent clients in search of a VPN solution for their torrenting activities.

FAQ

1. How does using a VPN benefit torrent clients?

Using a VPN for torrent clients offers several benefits. Firstly, it encrypts your internet traffic, making it difficult for anyone, including your ISP, to monitor or track your activities. This enhances your privacy and helps to prevent throttling or bandwidth limitations imposed by your ISP. Additionally, a VPN masks your IP address, replacing it with the IP address of the VPN server you connect to. This makes it harder for others to identify your real location and trace your online activities back to you.

2. Can I use any VPN for torrenting?

While many VPNs claim to support torrenting, not all VPNs are suitable for torrent clients. It is important to choose a VPN that specifically allows and supports P2P (peer-to-peer) file sharing. Additionally, look for VPNs that have a strict no-logs policy, robust encryption protocols, and fast and reliable server networks. These features ensure that your torrenting activities remain private and secure while maintaining good download speeds. It is also advisable to check if the VPN provider has any bandwidth limitations or restrictions on torrenting activities.

3. Do I need to configure my torrent client when using a VPN?

In most cases, you don't need to make any special configurations to your torrent client when using a VPN. Once you've connected to the VPN server, all your internet traffic, including your torrenting activities, will be automatically routed through the VPN tunnel. However, it's always a good idea to ensure that your torrent client is properly configured to prioritize encrypted connections and use the correct ports.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using a reliable and safe torrent client is important to ensure that you can download and share files securely. qBittorrent, Deluge, Transmission, uTorrent, and BitTorrent are all great options that offer features such as fast download speeds, easy-to-use interfaces, and the ability to prioritize downloads. However, it is also important to use a VPN when torrenting to protect your online privacy and security. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost VPN, and Private Internet Access are all leading VPNs that offer strong privacy features and are great for use with torrent clients. By using a combination of a reliable torrent client and a reputable VPN, you can enjoy the benefits of torrenting while also protecting yourself from the risks that come with it.