Is NordVPN Good for Torrenting in 2023?

Published

author: Jeremy Roderick

Fact-checked by Ruben Olav

UPDATED: July 27, 2023

In this article, I’ll draw from my own experience with torrenting and NordVPN to show you how to harness the power of this top-tier VPN service for a secure and seamless torrenting experience. For a detailed analysis of NordVPN’s features, you can also check out my in-depth NordVPN review. Now, let’s dive in to answer the most important question – is NordVPN good for torrenting?

Why is NordVPN good for torrenting?

Before we dive in, let’s review why I’ve found I’ve found NordVPN to be one of the best in terms of security, privacy, and performance. Here’s why:

  • Security Features: NordVPN excels in security, offering strong encryption protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec. Its kill switch functionality is also invaluable, as it automatically disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection drops, keeping your torrenting activities hidden.
  • Privacy Policy and No-logs Commitment: NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t store any information about your online activities. This commitment to user privacy is a must for torrenting, as you don’t want your VPN provider tracking your downloads.
  • High-speed Servers Optimized for P2P: NordVPN has dedicated P2P servers, ensuring fast download and upload speeds. With thousands of servers worldwide, you can easily bypass geo-restrictions and access torrents from various sources.

NordVPN P2P Servers

NordVPN P2P servers are usually the fastest specialty servers. However, connecting to a random P2P server does not necessarily mean that you will have the fastest speeds. To find the fastest NordVPN P2P servers, you can follow some simple tips, such as selecting servers that are geographically closer to you and have a lower server load. NordVPN has over 5,600 servers in 60 countries while 4972 of them are optimized for P2P.

NordVPN P2P server list

List of NordVPN P2P servers

Here’s a list of all NordVPN P2P servers worldwide:

Americas
  • United States (15 cities)
  • Canada (3 cities)
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany (2 cities)
  • Netherlands
  • France (2 cities)
  • Sweden
  • Belgium
  • Denmark
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Ireland
  • Czech Republic
  • Italy
  • Greece
  • Estonia
  • Croatia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • North Macedonia
  • Lithuania
Asia Pacific
  • Australia (5 cities)
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Hong Kong
  • Taiwan
Africa and Middle East
  • South Africa
  • Israel
  • Türkiye

How to get the best speed when torrenting on NordVPN

Having a good connection speed is crucial for torrenting. If you want to get the best speed when torrenting with NordVPN, follow these steps:

  1. Connect to NordVPN’s P2P servers, which are designed for torrenting and better at handling large data transfers.
  2. Choose servers that are geographically closer to your location and have a lower server load.
  3. Use SOCKS5 proxy connections for faster downloads.
  4. Configure NordVPN for secure torrent downloads by enabling the kill switch and selecting a safe protocol.

What Port to use for NordVPN torrenting

The recommended port for torrenting with NordVPN is 1080. To check if the recommended port for NordVPN torrenting is open, users can go to ipleak.net and click “Activate” under the “Torrent address detection” section. Then, click on a link titled “this Magnet link.” A new window will pop up. Choose “BitTorrent” and press “OK.” BitTorrent will open automatically, and under Torrent Address detection, users should see the IP address of their chosen proxy server. If no address is shown, the port may not be open.

How to Use NordVPN for Torrenting?

Setting up NordVPN for torrenting is a breeze. Follow these steps to get started:

  1. Set up a NordVPN account: Visit the NordVPN website and sign up for a subscription plan that suits your needs. You can check my step-by-step guide on How to subscribe to NordVPN.
  2. Install the NordVPN app: Download and install the app on your device. NordVPN supports a wide range of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
  3. Connect to a P2P-optimized server: Open the NordVPN app and select a P2P server from the list. You can filter servers by type or simply search for “P2P” in the server list.
  4. Configure your torrent client for maximum privacy: Open your torrent client and ensure that it’s set to use the VPN connection. This usually involves selecting a specific network interface or proxy settings.
  5. Verify your connection and IP address: To confirm that you’re securely connected to NordVPN, visit a website like ipleak.net to check your IP address and ensure no DNS leaks are occurring.

Common problems

NordVPN disconnects when torrenting

NordVPN disconnecting while torrenting seems to be a common issue, according to some Reddit threads. Some users report that they can switch to a different server to regain connectivity, but the issue may persist. It is recommended to contact NordVPN’s official support team or visit the Help Center for assistance. Additionally, users can try enabling the Kill Switch feature, which can be found in the NordVPN app settings menu, to prevent any data leaks in case of a disconnection.

NordVPN is slow when torrenting

NordVPN being slow while torrenting is another issue reported by some users on Reddit. To enhance the torrenting speed with NordVPN, users can attempt connecting to a P2P server, altering their DNS to 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1, or 9.9.9.9, and experimenting with various protocols such as NordLynx, OpenVPN UDP, or OpenVPN TCP. Some users also recommend switching to TCP only under Connection Options in the NordVPN app settings. Furthermore, users can benefit from NordVPN’s dedicated P2P servers, which provide a kill switch, AES 256-bit encryption, and DNS leak protection, and are compatible with all popular torrent clients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, NordVPN is an excellent choice for torrenting. It will suit users who value security, privacy, and performance. With NordVPN, users can enjoy a secure and seamless torrenting experience without compromising their privacy. There are only minor drawbacks and if you are on the hunt for a good VPN for torrenting, I highly recommend giving NordVPN a try. Happy torrenting!

FAQs

Is NordVPN safe for Torrenting?

Yes, NordVPN is safe for torrenting. NordVPN has dedicated P2P file-sharing servers that provide AES-256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection, making it a very secure option for torrenting.

How to use NordVPN for BitTorrent?

To use NordVPN for BitTorrent, you will need to follow a few simple steps. First, you need to get a NordVPN subscription and install the VPN software on your device. After logging in, you should configure the VPN to download torrents safely by turning on the kill switch and choosing a safe protocol. Next, you should connect to a P2P server that allows torrenting downloads, which can be found in the “P2P” tab of the NordVPN app. Finally, open you BitTorrent client and start downloading torrents, protected behind a NordVPN server with an encrypted connection.

Is NordVPN better than ExpressVPN for Torrenting?

Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are top-notch VPN services for torrenting, yet there are certain distinctions between them. NordVPN permits torrenting on a greater number of servers, boasting over 4,500 P2P servers across 45+ countries, whereas ExpressVPN allows torrenting on 3,000+ servers spanning 90+ countries. Nonetheless, ExpressVPN supports P2P traffic on servers in a larger number of countries, making it more convenient to torrent on nearby servers for quicker speeds. In terms of performance, both VPNs provide respectable download speeds and unlimited bandwidth for downloading.

What NordVPN servers are best for torrenting?

NordVPN has specially configured P2P servers that are optimized for torrenting and better equipped to handle large transfers of data. Users can connect to any NordVPN server to torrent, but using the P2P servers will likely result in higher speeds for faster downloading of the file.

How to setup NordVPN for torrenting?

Setting up NordVPN for torrenting is simple. To begin, visit the NordVPN website and sign up for a suitable subscription plan, then download and install the app on your preferred device. Next, open the app and connect to a P2P-optimized server. Configure your torrent client for optimal privacy by ensuring it uses the VPN connection. Finally, verify your connection and IP address by checking a website like ipleak.net to confirm no DNS leaks are happening, and that you’re securely connected to NordVPN.

About the author

Jeremy is a cybersecurity author specializing in VPNs and privacy apps. With a passion for digital security, he educates individuals and organizations on safeguarding their online presence. Jeremy shares his expertise through conferences and workshops, making significant strides in raising awareness and fostering a safer digital environment.

Leave a Comment