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ExpressVPN Torrenting Guide in 2025: Hide Your Torrent Client & Internet Traffic With a VPN Connection

Many internet service providers monitor torrenting in an attempt to catch users downloading copyrighted content. This can lead to warning emails, speed throttling and, in some cases, a DMCA takedown. Using ExpressVPN prevents all these outcomes and more. Our explanation details how to use the VPN when torrenting.

Arthur SabayiSamuel ChapmanJasna Mishevska

Written by Arthur Sabayi (Writer)

Reviewed by Samuel Chapman (Writer, Editor)

Facts checked by Jasna Mishevska (Lead Fact-Checking Editor)

Last Updated:

All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.

ExpressVPN Torrenting Guide
Key Takeaways: How to Torrent With ExpressVPN
  1. Install a torrent client like qBittorrent.
  2. Sign up for ExpressVPN via its webpage.
  3. Launch ExpressVPN and engage the kill switch.
  4. Pick a nearby server.
  5. Verify your IP address, just in case.
  6. Torrent to your heart’s delight.

Facts & Expert Analysis:

  • Excellent Torrenting VPN: ExpressVPN offers fast speeds without bandwidth limitations, allowing you to download and upload huge files with no lag.
  • Guaranteed Privacy: The VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, home to some of the best privacy laws in the world.
  • Hide Your Connection: ExpressVPN passes your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel, making it harder for anyone to see that you’re torrenting.

To torrent safely, you must check several boxes before starting. You need to make sure you have the speed to transfer large files over a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, but more importantly, you need to be well secured and hidden from prying eyes. We have prepared this quick ExpressVPN torrenting guide to help you nail downloads without any worries.

Though torrenting itself isn’t illegal, downloading copyrighted material amounts to a criminal offense that’s prosecutable by law in many countries, especially within the European Union. We don’t condone breaking the law, but we do recommend always using a VPN when torrenting to hide your activity from your internet service provider (ISP).

ISPs are known to throttle speeds as a punishment for torrenting, even when the downloaded files are perfectly legal. ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs you can use to protect yourself while torrenting. If you’re looking for more options though, read our best VPN for torrenting list for more information.

This article will show you how to torrent with ExpressVPN and then explain why you should never torrent without a VPN. So, before you open The Pirate Bay or any other of the best torrent sites, read this entire article to understand how to protect your internet connection. To learn more about the VPN itself, click over to our ExpressVPN review.

  • 11/30/2023

    Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s expansion of server presence from 94 to 105 countries.

  • 02/23/2024 Facts checked

    Guide rewritten with more precise explanations and step-by-step instructions.

  • 10/01/2024

    We enhanced the setup instructions and updated the formatting for readability.

How To Torrent With ExpressVPN

Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting a torrent client, connecting to ExpressVPN and downloading your desired files. If you need more information on the torrenting process itself, visit our how to download torrents guide.

  1. Download an Antivirus

    An antivirus scans all the files you download to check for malware and other risks. Though a VPN does hide your traffic, it can’t do much for you once you’ve downloaded a harmful file onto your device. Windows has a default protection called Windows Defender, and macOS uses XProtect. Our best free antivirus software article has some more recommendations.

    windows defender
  2. Install a Torrent Client

    There are many types of torrent clients. qBittorrent is among the best; you can read our qBittorrent review for more information.

    qbittorrent
  3. Sign Up for ExpressVPN

    The next thing you must do before you even open a torrent site is sign up for and download ExpressVPN onto your preferred device. Open the main ExpressVPN website, locate the “get ExpressVPN” button and choose the price plan that fits your budget. The longer the plans, the better the deal. Any option you choose comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

    get expressvpn
  4. Launch ExpressVPN and Engage the Kill Switch

    Activating the kill switch prevents your IP address from leaking if the VPN connection drops. You can find the kill switch in the app settings by clicking on the hamburger menu in the top-left corner. This will open a new window with an option labeled “network lock” at the bottom. Make sure that both checkboxes are ticked.

    expressvpn kill switch
  5. Choose a Server

    To connect to an ExpressVPN server, you can use the “smart location,” which automatically picks a VPN server that gives you optimal performance in terms of speed. If you know what server you want to use, simply type the relevant country’s name into the search function and select it by clicking or tapping on it. Next press the large button in the center and wait for ExpressVPN to connect.

    expressvpn servers
  6. Run a Leak Test and Start Downloading

    You can make sure that ExpressVPN is protecting you via a simple DNS leak test, which you can carry out on IPLeak.net. When you open the site, the IP address displayed should not be the same as your actual IP address. Once you’ve verified that, open your preferred torrent site and start downloading, or learn how to automatically download torrents.

    verification

Why ExpressVPN Is Great for Torrenting

Let’s be clear: Torrenting without a VPN is a nightmare. The biggest danger is downloading compromised files. Since torrent sites aren’t moderated, they provide the perfect playground for hackers who intend to infect systems with viruses and malware. It’s important to use a VPN service whenever you want to download or share files on a P2P network.

Final Thoughts

We can’t stress enough how risky it is to torrent without a VPN. ExpressVPN is among the most reliable torrenting VPNs you’ll ever encounter. It offers more than 3,000 servers in 106 countries, has fast speeds and secures torrenting traffic from anyone wanting to peep at what you’re doing. All of these reasons explain why it’s among the best VPNs for BitTorrent.

So, before you start torrenting, get ExpressVPN. You don’t have to take our word for it, trying ExpressVPN yourself is completely risk-free, thanks to the 30-day refund period. If you’d prefer not to use ExpressVPN for any reason, Private Internet Access is a good alternative VPN provider for downloading torrents — see our Private Internet Access review for details.

Have you used a torrenting VPN before? If you’ve used another provider, how was the experience compared to ExpressVPN? Share your opinion in the comments section below, and thank you as always for reading our blog. 

FAQ: ExpressVPN Torrenting

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