Is NordVPN Good for Torrenting?

For over a decade, NordVPN has been refining its service with fast P2P servers, advanced security features, and proprietary technology, such as their own Internet protocol. Many users now consider it the most torrent-friendly VPN on the market.

In this review, we’ve thoroughly tested every aspect of NordVPN’s performance and security features specifically for P2P file sharing. We’ll show you exactly how it performs, how to set it up correctly, and whether it’s worth your money.

Does NordVPN Allow Torrenting?

Unlike many VPN providers who quietly tolerate P2P traffic or hide their stance in the fine print, NordVPN openly supports torrenting. The company makes this clear by dedicating a specific section within their app for P2P file sharing.

The NordVPN app offers specially optimized servers for torrenting that provide better performance than standard servers. This deliberate focus on P2P functionality demonstrates their commitment to supporting users who download torrents.

Their terms of service don’t prohibit file sharing, though they do (like all legitimate VPNs) prohibit using their service for illegal activities. This balanced approach gives users confidence that their torrenting activities won’t suddenly result in account termination.

How to Set Up NordVPN for Torrenting: Step-by-Step Guide

Downloading torrents safely with NordVPN requires proper configuration. Follow these steps for maximum security and performance:

1. Get a NordVPN Subscription

First, you’ll need to sign up for NordVPN:

• Visit NordVPN’s deals page
• Select a subscription plan that is suitable for you (the 2-year plan offers the best value)
• Complete the checkout process
• Check your email for activation details

2. Install and Configure NordVPN for Optimal Torrent Protection

After installing the application, a couple of options should be turned on, to make sure the software is configured to download torrent files with maximum security.

Enable the Kill Switch:

• Open NordVPN settings
• Navigate to the “Kill Switch” section
• Enable either the “Internet Kill Switch” (blocks all internet if VPN disconnects) or “App Kill Switch” (blocks only your torrent client)

Select the Right Protocol:

• Go to “Connection” in settings
• In “VPN protocol” choose “NordLynx” for the best balance of speed and security
• Alternatively, use OpenVPN if you prefer proven reliability over maximum speed

3. Connect to a P2P-Optimized Server

NordVPN makes finding P2P servers straightforward:

• Open the NordVPN app
• Click on “Specialty Servers”
• Select “P2P”
• Choose a server location (preferably one geographically close to you)
• Click “Connect”

Pro tip: If you’re experiencing slow speeds, try a different P2P server. Sometimes switching servers can dramatically improve performance.

4. Verify Your Protection Before Torrenting

Before you start downloading:

• Visit ipleak.net to confirm your IP address is masked
• Also, check the DNS leak test on the same site

5. Start Torrenting Safely

Once connected to a P2P server with all security features enabled:

• Open your torrent client
• Begin downloading as normal
• Your connection is now encrypted, and your real IP address is hidden

NordVPN’s Server Network for P2P

A VPN’s server network is crucial for torrenting performance. The number, location, and quality of servers directly impact your download speeds and overall experience. Let’s examine how NordVPN’s infrastructure supports P2P activities.

Global Server Coverage

NordVPN maintains an extensive network of over 5,200 servers across 59 countries. This wide distribution helps users find fast connections regardless of their location. However, not all servers support BitTorrent traffic.

Dedicated P2P Servers

NordVPN has engineered specific servers optimized for torrenting. These specialized servers offer several advantages:

• Higher bandwidth allocation for handling large file transfers
• Load balancing technology that prevents server congestion
• Optimized routing to reduce latency during downloads
• Enhanced privacy measures for activities that require additional protection

Finding these servers is simple—just select the “P2P” category in the app. The software will automatically connect you to the fastest P2P server based on your location.

Server Distribution for Torrenting

P2P-optimized servers are available in most regions, with the highest concentration in:

• North America (US and Canada)
• Europe (UK, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland)
• Asia Pacific (Singapore, Japan, Australia)

The Middle East and Africa have fewer P2P servers, which may affect performance for users in these regions.

Check out our guide on NordVPN’s P2P servers for a more detailed discussion with tips for selecting the best ones.

NordVPN Torrenting Speed Tests

Speed is perhaps the most important factor when choosing a VPN for torrenting. We conducted comprehensive tests to measure exactly how NordVPN affects download performance in real-world scenarios.

Connection Speed With and Without NordVPN

To establish a fair benchmark, we tested our connection without a VPN. As you can see in the left screenshot, the download speed was 299.75 Mbps.

After connecting to a NordVPN P2P server in the Netherlands, the download came down to 282.58 Mbps, representing a 6% reduction from my original speed.

This minimal speed loss is impressive compared to industry standards, where 30-50% reductions are common with many VPNs.

These results place NordVPN among the fastest VPNs for torrenting, particularly when using the NordLynx protocol.

Security Features for Safe Torrenting

NordVPN offers several security tools specifically beneficial for P2P users:

Kill Switch Options

The kill switch is one of the most important features if you are going to use a VPN to download torrents. We don’t recommend VPN providers that do not have this tool. Fortunately, NordVPN provides two kill switch variations:

1. Internet Kill Switch: Blocks all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects
2. Strict Mode: Prevents internet access unless you’re connected to a VPN server
3. App Kill Switch: Closes specified applications (like your torrent client) if the VPN connection drops

For torrenting, we recommend using either the Internet Kill Switch or configuring the App Kill Switch specifically for your torrent client. If you want to know more about this tool, you can read our dedicated post about the NordVPN kill switch.

DNS Leak Protection

When you connect to a NordVPN server, you will automatically be using their own private DNS servers. This ensures your DNS queries never reach your ISP. At the same time, no third-party DNS providers can log your requests.

This is turned on by default, and the only way to turn it off is by using a custom DNS. You can find this option in the Connection settings. However, I don’t recommend messing with such an option. NordVPN’s DNS servers offer complete protection against DNS-based tracking. It doesn’t allow anyone, including your ISP, to see which torrent sites you visit.

Encryption and Protocols

When downloading torrents with NordVPN, you can choose between:

• NordLynx: Their proprietary protocol is based on WireGuard, offering the best speed while maintaining security. It uses a double NAT system to address WireGuard’s IP assignment limitations.
• OpenVPN (UDP and TCP): A battle-tested protocol with AES-256 encryption that provides excellent security but slightly lower speeds.

Both protocols use perfect forward secrecy, meaning encryption keys change regularly to prevent retroactive decryption of your traffic.

Recently, in 2025, they launched another proprietary protocol, NordWhisper. This protocol is designed to bypass VPN blocks by disguising VPN traffic as regular web browsing, but it is not recommended for torrenting. That’s because its speed is generally lower than NordLynx or OpenVPN due to the extra masking process. We won’t go into detail about NordWhisper in this review, as it’s not intended for high-bandwidth activities like torrenting.

SOCKS5 Proxy Integration

NordVPN includes SOCKS5 proxy access with every subscription, providing:

• An additional security layer for your torrent client
• The ability to route only your torrenting traffic through the proxy
• Faster speeds than full VPN encryption (though with less protection)

We’ve prepared detailed instructions for setting up SOCKS5 with popular torrent clients in our NordVPN SOCKS5 setup guide.

Split Tunneling

This feature lets you route only specific applications through the VPN. When torrenting, this tool can be useful if you want to use your normal IP address for other activities. For example, you can direct your torrent client through NordVPN and keep other apps on your regular connection for maximum speed.

Comprehensive Security Testing

We conducted extensive testing over several weeks to verify NordVPN’s security claims for torrenting.

IP Address Leak Tests

We connected to a NordVPN server in the Netherlands and checked if our real IP remained hidden:

Results: No IP leaks detected in any of our tests. The only IP address visible was NordVPN’s server IP.

DNS Leak Testing

DNS leaks can reveal your browsing activity even when using a VPN:

Results: All DNS requests were properly routed through NordVPN’s private DNS servers, with no leaks to our ISP’s DNS servers.

WebRTC Leak Prevention

WebRTC can sometimes expose your real IP address through browser APIs:

Results: No WebRTC leaks detected when using NordVPN.

Torrent IP Detection Test

We used specialized torrent tracking services to check if our real IP was visible in the torrent swarm:

Results: Only NordVPN’s IP address was visible to other peers in the torrent swarm.

These comprehensive tests confirm that NordVPN provides reliable protection for torrenting activities when properly configured.

Pricing and Value for P2P Users

NordVPN has recently updated its subscription plans to incorporate new features. Here’s how the pricing breaks down for torrent users:

Best Value for Torrenting

For P2P users, the Basic Plan provides everything needed for secure torrenting:

• Full access to all P2P-optimized servers
• All security features (kill switch, encryption, etc.)
• SOCKS5 proxy access
• Six simultaneous connections

The Plus and Complete plans add features unrelated to torrenting performance, making the Standard plan the most cost-effective choice for P2P users.

Money-Back Guarantee

NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with no questions asked. This allows you to fully test their service for torrenting without financial risk.

Device Compatibility for Torrent Users

The ability to protect all your devices is essential for comprehensive torrenting security. NordVPN offers broad platform support to ensure you’re covered regardless of which device you use for downloading.

Supported Platforms

NordVPN works on virtually all platforms where you might want to download torrents:

• Desktop: Windows, macOS, Linux
• Mobile: Android, iOS
• Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge extensions
• Other devices: Android TV, Fire TV

Simultaneous Connections

Each NordVPN subscription allows six simultaneous connections, meaning you can run torrents on your desktop, protect your mobile browsing, secure other household devices, and share the same account with family members.

For users who need more connections, installing NordVPN on a router counts as just one device while protecting everything connected to your network.

The Company Behind NordVPN

When selecting a VPN for torrenting, the company’s trustworthiness is just as important as the technical features. The legal jurisdiction, privacy policies, and business practices all affect how well your activities are protected.

Jurisdiction and Privacy

NordVPN operates under the parent company Nord Security, based in Panama. This location offers significant advantages for torrent users:

• Panama has no mandatory data retention laws
• The country is outside the 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance
• No legal requirement to monitor or report user activities
• Strong privacy protections in the Panamanian constitution

No-Logs Policy

NordVPN maintains a strict no-logs policy, meaning they don’t track websites you visit, files you download, connection timestamps, bandwidth usage, and IP addresses.

From their privacy policy: “We do not store connection timestamps, session information, used bandwidth, traffic data, IP addresses, or other data.”

Independent Audits

NordVPN has undergone multiple independent audits to verify their privacy claims:

• PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) conducted a thorough examination of their systems and found no evidence of logging
• VerSprite performed penetration testing to identify potential security vulnerabilities
• Cure53 audited their browser extensions for security issues

These regular third-party audits provide credibility to NordVPN’s privacy promises, which is crucial for users who download torrents.

Pros and Cons of Using NordVPN for Torrenting

After thorough testing and analysis, we’ve identified the key strengths and limitations of using NordVPN specifically for P2P file sharing. This balanced assessment will help you decide if it meets your particular needs.

What We Like

Areas for Improvement

Comparison with Other VPNs

How does NordVPN stack up against other popular VPNs for torrenting?

While each service has strengths, NordVPN offers the best overall package for most torrent users, with an excellent balance of speed, security, and ease of use.

Frequently Asked Questions About Torrenting with NordVPN

Is torrenting with NordVPN legal?

Yes, using NordVPN for torrenting is legal in most countries. However, downloading copyrighted material without permission remains illegal regardless of whether you use a VPN.

Will NordVPN slow down my torrent downloads?

All VPNs cause some speed reduction due to encryption overhead. However, our tests show NordVPN reduces speeds by only about 6% when using NordLynx, which is minimal compared to most competitors.

Can my ISP see that I’m torrenting when using NordVPN?

No. When connected to NordVPN, your ISP can only see encrypted traffic going to NordVPN servers. They cannot identify what type of traffic it is or what you’re downloading.

Which NordVPN server is best for torrenting?

Generally, P2P servers closest to your physical location will provide the best speeds. The Netherlands, Switzerland, and Canada servers consistently performed well in our tests.

Does NordVPN keep logs of my torrenting activity?

No. NordVPN maintains a strict no-logs policy that has been verified by independent auditors. They do not track or store information about your downloads, connections, or browsing history.

Can I use NordVPN with any torrent client?

Yes. NordVPN works with all major torrent clients, including qBittorrent, uTorrent, BitTorrent, Deluge, Transmission, and Vuze.

Conclusion: Is NordVPN Worth It for Torrenting?

After extensive testing and analysis, NordVPN stands out as one of the best VPN services for downloading torrents. Its combination of dedicated P2P servers, excellent speeds, and comprehensive security features creates an ideal environment for safe file sharing.

The company’s Panama jurisdiction and independently verified no-logs policy provide the privacy foundation that torrent users need. Meanwhile, practical features like the customizable kill switch and SOCKS5 proxy offer flexibility for different security needs.

While no VPN is perfect, NordVPN addresses the core requirements for torrenting better than most competitors. The minor drawbacks, like occasional connection delays and limited servers in certain regions, are outweighed by its strengths.

For anyone serious about protecting their privacy while torrenting, NordVPN offers an excellent balance of performance, security, and value. We recommend taking advantage of their 30-day money-back guarantee to test the service with your typical download patterns.

Our verdict: NordVPN earns our top recommendation for torrenting in 2025, particularly for users who prioritize both speed and security.