Is Surfshark Good for Torrenting in 2025? Answered

Torrenting can be a risky activity if you’re not careful about protecting your privacy and security. You could get into trouble for accidentally violating local copyright laws or unknowingly downloading files with malicious software embedded inside.

That’s why I always recommend using a reliable VPN, like Surfshark, for safe torrenting. When you torrent with Surfshark, its P2P-optimized servers, solid privacy policies, strong security features, and user-friendly apps keep you safe. Best of all, it’s budget-friendly and easy to use, even for beginners.

Key takeaways

1. Using a high-quality VPN is essential for safe torrenting.
2. Surfshark has all the security and privacy features needed for secure torrenting.
3. Surfshark comes with P2P-optimized servers for efficient downloads on all major torrent sites.
4. Other VPNs that support safe torrenting include ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

Is Surfshark good for torrenting?

Yes. Surfshark is one of my favorite torrenting VPNs. Surfshark’s VPN services don’t just offer strong torrenting support, but it is priced well and allows for unlimited simultaneous connections, making it a great choice for any budget-conscious consumer.

P2P supports

Not only does Surfshark have a large network of 3,200+ servers in 100 countries around the world, but it also has a large selection of P2P optimized servers specifically designed for efficient and secure file sharing on torrenting platforms.

The P2P servers are spread throughout North America, Europe, and the Far East so you can always find nearby VPN server locations. That’s important because the closer the server is to your physical location, the better your speed will be.

I tried out Surfshak with a variety of torrent websites, including uTorrent, BitTorrent, Vuze, Deluge, and Transmission, and was able to download torrents smoothly and easily.

Speeds 

The process of encrypting data and connecting to a remote VPN server takes time. Every VPN will slow your Internet traffic to some extent, but a high-quality VPN will keep that to a minimum so you can still enjoy good torrenting speeds.

While Surfshark isn’t the fastest VPN on the market, it is s still fast enough for efficient torrenting. Plus, it comes with unlimited bandwidth, so you can use up as much data as you want without worrying about Surshark throttling your connection.

For the best torrenting speeds, stick with the specialty torrenting servers and nearby servers. The further your data has to travel, the higher your torrenting speeds will be.

During speed tests, I maintained 79% of my baseline download speed on a local VPN server and 83% of my upload speed on local connections.

On long-distance connections, the speed dropped a bit more, as expected, though it still maintained 75% of its download speed and 80% of its upload speed on my speed tests.

Be aware that some torrent clients will slow down your downloads if you aren’t seeding enough, so if you’re torrenting speeds are low, you may want to try a different torrent site.

Privacy and security

When you use Surfshark for torrenting, all of your VPN traffic is protected by military-grade AES-256-bit encryption, which is so secure that no one can decipher what you are doing online, not even your Internet service provider.

The IPv4/DNS/WebRTC leak protection is designed to keep your internet traffic and real IP address completely secure and safe from unintended leaks. I verified that there were no data leaks at WhatIsMyIP.com, DNSLeakTest.com, and BrowserLeaks.com.

Surfshark protects your privacy with a no-logs policy that has been independently audited by Cure53 and Deloitte, both highly reputable institutions. It also uses RAM-only servers, so all your data, including your IP address, is wiped clean every time you re-start.

The automatic Kill Switch will cut your Internet connection if your VPN disconnects unexpectedly, which could expose your real IP address and online activities to your Internet provider. The Kill Switch is only available for macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android devices. If you’re a Linux user, you may want to explore other VPNs.

The CleanWeb feature includes an ad-blocker, a tracker-blocker, and malware protection for an extra layer of security. Additional tools like obfuscation, dark web monitoring, and double VPN servers can all be used to fortify your VPN connection.

You’ve got a selection of secure VPN protocols to choose from, including IKEv2, OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), and Wireguard. I recommend using the OpenVPN protocol, as it has the right balance of speed and security needed for torrenting.

There are a couple of areas that could be improved, including its jurisdiction in the Netherlands, which is part of the 14-eyes alliance. It also does not support port forwarding and lacks a SOCKS5 protocol, neither of which is essential for torrenting but can improve the speed and efficiency of all your torrenting activity.

Is Surfshark trustworthy?

Yes. Surshark’s VPN services provide all the security and privacy protection you need for safe torrenting, from its military-grade encryption and robust leak protection to its zero-log policy and automatic Kill Switch.

Surfshark doesn’t just say it has a no-logs policy; it backs up its claim with independent audits from companies like Cure53 and Deloitte.

One major downside for the privacy-conscious user is that Surfshark will log your user ID, IP address, and connection time stamps. However, all that information is automatically deleted after 15 minutes, and either way, it doesn’t log any of your torrenting activity or DNS requests, so all of your torrenting activities are secured. Plus, Surfshark uses RAM-only servers that automatically delete all of your data every time you re-start your connection.

While it’s not much of an issue for safe torrenting, especially with its no-logs policy, it’s worth noting that Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which is a part of the 14-Eyes-Alliance. This alliance permits government surveillance and information sharing between the participating nations if it is in the interest of national security.

How to configure Surfshark for torrenting

It’s important to set up your VPN connection properly to make sure you’re fully protected while you torrent. Here’s the ideal way to configure Surfshark for torrenting:

1. Purchase a Surfshark subscription and install the app on your device.
2. Sign in to your Surfshark account.
3. Go to the VPN settings and enable the Kill Switch.
4. Search for a P2P-optimized Surfshark server in the locations tab.
5. Select a nearby server for the best speeds and connect.
6. Go to settings and select the OpenVPN protocol.
7. Download your preferred torrenting client.
8. You can now download torrents safely, make sure to turn off your torrenting client before you disconnect from your VPN.

How to safely torrent with Surfshark 

Ready to start torrenting? Before you get started, make sure you follow the steps listed below.

1. Select your preferred Surfshark plan and purchase a subscription.
2. Download the Surfshark app onto your device.
3. Open the app and enable the Kill Switch.
   • If you are using a Windows device, go to Connectivity Settings to activate the Kill Switch.
   • If you are using a macOS device, go to the Preferences menu to turn the feature on.
4. Select the OpenVPN protocol for the best speed.
5. Connect to a nearby P2P server (Search for P2P in the server locations menu)
6. Check for leaks at a site like IPLeak.net or WhatIsMyIP.com.
7. Open your torrent client. Surshark is compatible with qBittorrent, BitTorrent, Transmission, Vuze, and uTorrent.
8. Complete your download.
9. Sign out of your torrent client before you disconnect from your VPN.

How to set up qBittorrent with Surfshark 

Surfshark works seamlessly with qBittornet, just follow the instructions below.

1. Start torrenting safely.
2. Open the Surfshark app.
3. Connect to a nearby P2P server.
4. Go to VPN settings and enable the Kill Switch.
5. Open qBittorent and select Tools>Options>Advanced.
6. Click on Network Interface and select Surfshark in the dropdown menu.
7. Select OK.

Other great VPNs for torrenting

While using Surfshark for torrenting is a safe, reliable, and affordable option, it’s not the only good torrenting VPN on the market. If you want to look into other torrenting VPNs to see if there is one that better fits your needs, ExpressVPN and NordVPN are both excellent options. Keep reading to learn more!

1. ExpressVPN

My favorite torrenting VPN is ExpressVPN. Its top-notch security features, lightning-fast speeds, and user-friendly apps make it an excellent choice for safe and easy torrenting. Plus, it’s got features that Surfshark is missing, like port forwarding and a location outside the 14-eyes alliance.

Features: ExpressVPN comes loaded with advanced tools that make torrenting even more secure and efficient. I love its ad blocker, tracker blocker, port forwarding, and password manager designed for extra safety. The split tunneling feature lets me customize my VPN services so I can route my torrent traffic through the secure VPN tunnel while leaving my other apps with my local Internet service provider. It also comes with over 3,000 VPN servers spread across 105 countries, all of which support P2P file sharing, so it’s easy to find a fast, stable connection close to home.

Speed: The torrent speeds I got with ExpressVPN were incredible. During my speed tests, it retained 96% of my original download speed on local servers, which made torrenting files quick and efficient. Long-distance connections were almost as fast, retaining 94% of my baseline speed.

Privacy and Security: Built with security in mind, ExpressVPN comes with AES 256-bit military-grade encryption, RAM-only servers, IP & DNS leak protection, and several secure VPN protocols. The automatic Kill Switch protects you from leaks if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly. On top of that, its no-logs policy has been independently audited, and it’s based in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands.

Performance: ExpressVPN isn’t just for torrenting. This VPN supports flawless browsing, streaming, gaming, and more, making it a great all-around VPN service.

Streaming: One of my favorite perks of ExpressVPN is its ability to bypass geo-restrictions so I can access movie and TV content libraries from all over the world on my favorite streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and more.

Compatibility: ExpressVPN’s apps are highly intuitive and work seamlessly on Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and macOS. Plus, you get up to 8 simultaneous connections under a single account.

Pricing: The 12-month plan is $6.67/month and includes 3 extra free months. Subscribers have access to 24/7 live chat support, and the 30-day money-back guarantee means you can try it out risk-free. Overall, it’s a bit pricier than some competitors, but I think the premium features, quality, and service still make it a good value.

2. NordVPN

For a great combination of speed, security, and value, NordVPN is a top choice for torrenting. It’s packed with features that allow you to tailor your VPN to your needs, including some you don’t get with Surfshark, like a SOCKS5 proxy and a jurisdiction in the privacy-friendly location of Panama.

Features: NordVPN offers an impressive range of extras, like ad blocking, tracker blocking, malware protection, a dark web monitor, and dedicated IP options. With its massive network of 7,100+ VPN servers in 118 countries, including P2P-optimized servers, finding a fast and stable way to connect is never an issue. Best of all, if you don’t pre-select a P2P server you’ll get automatically re-routed to one when you try torrenting files.

Speed: NordVPN delivers excellent speeds for P2P file sharing. During my speed tests, I maintained 97% of my baseline download speed on local servers, allowing me to torrent downloads in no time.

Privacy and Security: NordVPN keeps my data secure with AES 256-bit encryption, RAM-only servers, IP & DNS leak protection, and an automatic Kill Switch. They maintain no user logs, which have been independently audited and verified. I also have a choice of secure tunneling protocols. Plus, NordVPN is based in the privacy-friendly country of Panama, outside the 14-Eyes alliance.

Performance: The fast and stable connections don’t only ensure smooth torrenting, this VPN provider is a top choice for browsing, streaming, and online gaming without interruptions.

Streaming: NordVPN unlocks geo-restricted libraries worldwide on popular platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more, offering plenty of entertainment options without the risks associated with torrenting files from strangers online.

Compatibility: There are intuitive apps for all major platforms and devices, including laptops, desktops, mobile devices, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and more! You can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously or put it on your router and cover your entire network at once.

Pricing: At $3.39/month plus 4 months free for the 2-year plan, NordVPN is an excellent value. Subscriptions come with a 30-day trial and 24/7 live chat support.

FAQ

Can you use Surfshark with qBittorrent?

Yes. You can use Surfshark for torrenting on qBittorent as well as other torrent clients like BitTorrent, Transmission, Vuze, and uTorrent.

Is Surfshark safe for torrenting?

Yes. Surfshark comes with all the features necessary for safe and anonymous torrenting, including military-grade encryption, protection from DNS and IP leaks, secure protocols for tunneling, RAM-only servers, and an independently audited no-logs policy.

Is Surfshark good for torrenting?

Yes. Surfshark is a safe, easy, and efficient VPN for torrenting.

Conclusion

Surfshark is an affordable option for anyone looking to enjoy secure torrenting. With P2P optimized server locations all over the world, easy-to-use apps, and strong security and privacy protection, torrent users can count on Surfshark for an efficient and safe way to torrent downloads.