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For lawful BitTorrent use, the best VPN depends on whether you value broad P2P server access, measured speed, or port forwarding. In Gizmodo’s 2026 comparison, NordVPN and ExpressVPN had the lowest reported average speed loss, while Proton VPN and Private Internet Access (PIA) were the two listed services with port forwarding. Those results are one outlet’s measurements, not a promise about your connection. The five options below are compared on the same reported test data; choose based on the features that matter to your setup.
How to choose a VPN for BitTorrent
BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer (P2P) protocol: participating computers share pieces of a file with one another. The protocol is not inherently illegal; legality depends on the material and whether you have permission to share it.
A VPN routes traffic through a VPN server. If your torrent client’s traffic actually uses the tunnel, other peers may see the VPN server’s public address instead of yours. A VPN does not grant copyright permission, guarantee anonymity, or protect traffic that bypasses the tunnel.
- Check P2P rules: Some providers designate specific P2P servers; others permit P2P across their networks. Confirm the current policy and server choice before transferring.
- Decide whether you need port forwarding: It can help with incoming peer connections, which may matter for less well-seeded swarms, but it is not essential for every user or torrent. Availability can also be restricted by location.
- Treat speed figures as test results, not guarantees: Your location, protocol, ISP, server load, and the health of the swarm affect actual transfer speed.
- Check privacy evidence and subscription terms separately: The performance comparison below does not establish equivalent independent privacy verification or current pricing for all five providers.
How the five VPNs compare
Gizmodo’s 2026 comparison reported average speed loss and qBittorrent download speeds from its nearest-server test. It also listed each provider’s P2P server policy and port-forwarding availability. These are that outlet’s findings, not controlled predictions for every user or network.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
| VPN | Average speed loss | qBittorrent download on nearest server | P2P server policy | Port forwarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 7.8% | 17.1 MiB/s | All servers | No |
| Proton VPN | 10.2% | 16.8 MiB/s | P2P-labeled servers | Yes |
| ExpressVPN | 7.8% | 17.1 MiB/s | All servers | No |
| Private Internet Access (PIA) | 12.7% | 16.5 MiB/s | All servers | Yes, except on US servers |
| Windscribe | Not included in Gizmodo’s five-provider test; PCWorld named it its free pick | Not included in Gizmodo’s five-provider test | Not established by the cited comparison | Not established by the cited comparison |
Gizmodo’s measured download figures are close together, and small differences in this one test do not establish which service will be fastest on a different ISP, device, server, or swarm. The table does not rank privacy verification, subscription value, or ease of setup.
Which VPN is the best fit for BitTorrent?
NordVPN: strongest match if you prioritize the reported speed results
Gizmodo recorded a 7.8% average speed loss and 17.1 MiB/s in its nearest-server qBittorrent test, and listed P2P support on all servers. Those figures tied with ExpressVPN in the comparison. NordVPN does not offer port forwarding in that table, so it is a less direct fit if that feature is a requirement.
PCWorld named NordVPN its overall pick in its September 9, 2026 guide. That is PCWorld’s editorial judgment, not a universal ranking. Its guide also noted higher monthly or renewal prices as a drawback; check the applicable checkout terms for your country and subscription term before buying.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #2
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
Proton VPN: a practical choice if you want port forwarding and clear setup guidance
Gizmodo reported 10.2% average speed loss and 16.8 MiB/s in its nearest-server test. It identified Proton VPN as requiring P2P-labeled servers and listed port forwarding as available. Its official support guide explains how to select a P2P server and bind supported clients such as qBittorrent or Vuze to the VPN network interface.
Proton VPN says its P2P servers use connections of up to 10 Gbps and that it does not log browsing metadata, IP addresses, or session length. These are vendor statements, not a guarantee that a service can never associate an account or payment with a customer. The provider’s support documentation covers Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux; it says P2P servers are also available in its iOS and iPadOS apps, but torrent-client apps are not currently allowed in Apple’s iOS App Store.
ExpressVPN: a broad-server option with competitive results in one test
Gizmodo listed P2P support on all servers and measured 7.8% average speed loss and 17.1 MiB/s in its nearest-server qBittorrent test. ExpressVPN does not offer port forwarding in that comparison. PCWorld named it runner-up in its September 2026 guide and noted expensive pricing as a drawback; current costs depend on country, term, and renewal conditions.
Rank #3
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
PIA: consider it if port forwarding is important
Gizmodo listed P2P support on all servers, with port forwarding available except on US servers. Its test recorded 12.7% average speed loss and 16.5 MiB/s. TechRadar describes PIA as P2P-friendly across its servers and says its no-logs policy has been demonstrated in court twice. That characterization is not a substitute for reviewing the underlying court reporting or the provider’s current policy.
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PCWorld named PIA its customization pick, while noting a clunkier app and relatively pedestrian speeds. Those are the publication’s assessments; consider whether port forwarding is worth the interface and speed trade-offs for your own use.
Windscribe: PCWorld’s free-pick alternative
PCWorld named Windscribe its free pick in its September 2026 guide. The Gizmodo comparison did not include it, so the speed, P2P-server, and port-forwarding figures used for the other services cannot be applied to Windscribe here. Verify its current P2P rules and plan terms directly before relying on it for a transfer.
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
How to reduce the chance of exposing your real IP
A kill switch can help stop traffic if a VPN connection drops, but it does not correct a torrent client routed through the wrong network interface. Proton VPN’s official support guidance specifically warns that selecting the regular internet interface rather than the VPN interface can expose the real IP even when a kill switch is enabled. The precise controls vary by client, operating system, and VPN.
- Connect to the VPN before starting the torrent client. If the provider requires designated P2P servers, choose one of those locations in its app.
- Enable the VPN app’s kill switch, if available. Check the provider’s current instructions for its behavior and limits on your device.
- Bind the torrent client to the VPN interface when supported. In the client’s network or advanced settings, choose the interface belonging to the VPN connection, not the ordinary internet connection. Proton’s guide gives provider-specific steps for supported clients; follow the current instructions for your software and platform.
- Verify the routing before transferring sensitive material. Use the VPN provider’s current leak-check guidance or a reputable torrent IP-check method, and confirm that the displayed address is not your ordinary public IP. Recheck after reconnecting or changing networks.
- Stop transfers if the tunnel or binding fails. Reconnect, confirm the client still uses the VPN interface, and verify again before resuming.
What speed and privacy claims can—and cannot—tell you
In Gizmodo’s test, a Linux Mint ISO transfer through qBittorrent averaged 17.1 MiB/s on NordVPN’s nearest server versus 17.2 MiB/s without a VPN. That is a result for that test, not a general expectation. Torrent swarm health and the route between your ISP and the VPN can matter as much as the VPN service itself.
PCWorld’s September 2026 rankings reflect its own comparison method: NordVPN overall, ExpressVPN runner-up, Windscribe as its free pick, Mullvad for privacy, and PIA for customization. Other publications use different criteria, so those labels should not be read as a consensus or as interchangeable evidence of privacy.
Best Value
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
NordVPN’s August 10, 2026 article reports that Artifact Security tested NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Mullvad, Proton VPN, and another provider, and says NordVPN scored 91 and was the only Platinum-rated service. Because the account is published by NordVPN, treat the score as NordVPN’s report of that test rather than an independently checked comparison here.
Check price and renewal terms before subscribing
VPN offers can vary by country, currency, term length, taxes, and renewal rate. Review the provider’s checkout page for the price that applies to you, how much renewal costs, the refund conditions, and the number of devices covered. A review-page offer is not necessarily the price you will pay at renewal.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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