Using Surfshark for torrenting: How reliable is it?

Surfshark is a top choice for torrenting. It features a broad server network that allows P2P traffic, solid protection against IP leaks, high-speed connections, and a verified no-logs policy. These features ensure that Surfshark is both secure and efficient when torrenting.

In this article, we’ll cover all Surfshark features that make it an excellent option for torrenting. We’ll also include speed and leak tests, a guide to binding qBittorrent to Surfshark, and some VPN alternatives. Finally, we’ll answer some FAQs on the topic.

Is Surfshark good for torrenting? Features and overview

Surfshark is one of our highest-rated VPNs for torrenting. It has 3,200+ fast servers in 100+ countries, all supporting P2P traffic. The provider’s infrastructure and no-logs policy have undergone successful audits from Cure53 and Deloitte.

We’ve conducted our own tests and determined that Surfshark has no IPv6, DNS, or WebRTC leaks, which is crucial for torrenting. In addition, the VPN performed decently in our speed tests, offering fast connections on nearby and remote servers.

Surfshark has a built-in kill switch to shut off internet traffic in case of random disconnects or even manual if “strict” mode is enabled. Bypasser is available on Windows and Android, letting you route torrent traffic via split tunnel or exclude certain apps from the VPN tunnel.

The VPN offers secure protocols like AES-256 bit OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), and WireGuard. Unfortunately, the provider recently removed IKEv2/IPSec on Windows, but the protocol is still available through its mobile apps.

Otherwise, Surfshark offers unlimited concurrent connections. So, you can secure all your gadgets with a single subscription, whether you’re using Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, or another platform.

Check out our complete Surfshark review for full coverage of its features. Alternatively, you can watch our video review below.

Why use a VPN for torrenting?

The main reasons to use a VPN for torrenting are to mask your real IP from other peers and encrypt (or garble) your traffic. That way, no one monitoring your connection can see what you’re doing online, whether it’s your Internet provider or a network admin on college wi-fi.

Choosing Surfshark for torrenting will protect against copyright infringement scammers looking for an easy payday. Also, hiding your IP in the torrent swarm means you’ll avoid common cyber attacks such as port scanning and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.

Related: What is torrenting? Is it safe?

How to use Surfshark for torrenting

Follow this short guide to start torrenting safely with Surfshark:

1. Subscribe to Surfshark—you can try the service risk-free for 30 days due to their robust money-back guarantee.
2. Install Surfshark on your device(s).
3. Open the app, log in, and click to connect to a server of your choice. The closer to your location, the better. Note that all Surfshark servers are torrent-friendly.
4. Click the Settings button (cogwheel icon), then VPN settings.
5. Scroll down to Kill Switch and toggle it on. Then click the option just beneath it and select If VPN disconnects or is interrupted in any way (strict).
6. That’s all there is to it—you can start downloading securely.

Note: the strict kill switch option will shut off all internet traffic even if you disconnect the VPN manually. It’s a great safety net if you forget to turn off your torrenting client beforehand.

Surfshark for torrenting: Leak & speed tests

We performed full leak and speed tests to ensure Surfshark is fit for fast and secure torrenting. Here’s how it did in both areas:

IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests

We used Browserleaks to check whether Surfshark had any leaks. Unsurprisingly, the VPN kept our IP secure in every way.

Surfshark doesn’t leak your IP through WebRTC, so you can safely torrent with browser-based clients such as WebTorrent and uTorrent Web.

Speed tests

We used a 500 Mbps ethernet connection in Romania to test how fast Surfshark is for torrenting. Before anything else, we downloaded a 5.69 GiB file and recorded the average speed (~53.7 MiB/s) once the connection was stable.

We then used Surfshark’s recommended location (Romania) and a remote one (Brazil) to download the same file and measure the average stable speeds. Here’s how it turned out:

Close-by server (Romania): 24.8 MiB/s. Speed reduction: 53.82%

Distant server (Brazil): 24 MiB/s. Speed reduction: 55.31%

While it’s a tad slower than other providers we’ve tested, Surfshark torrenting speeds remain consistent, even if you connect to faraway servers.

We should note that such results may be affected by the quality of your connection, server congestion, which protocol you use, how many seeders there are, and many other factors. Nonetheless, they provide a fairly good measure of the VPN’s performance.

You can always take advantage of Surfshark’s 30-day money-back policy if you’ve set your sights on a faster option.

Related: How to make torrent speeds faster when using a VPN

What are the best Surfshark settings for safe torrenting?

Here’s how to tweak Surfshark to optimize your torrenting speeds while securing your torrenting activity:

1. Connect to a server in the Recommended for you section to choose the fastest option automatically.
2. Toggle on Surfshark’s Kill Switch and use the Strict option. This is to avoid leaking torrent traffic if you forget to turn off your client before disconnecting the VPN.
3. Turn off Surfshark’s NoBorders mode if you don’t live in a censorship-heavy region (e.g. China, Russia), or aren’t on a restricted network (e.g. campus wi-fi).
4. Stick with the WireGuard protocol for the best possible speeds.

Is Surfshark trustworthy?

Surfshark is a leak-proof VPN equipped with cutting-edge encryption. Moreover, it has undergone successful audits by companies like Cure53 and Deloitte, ensuring the reliability of its services. While Surfshark doesn’t log your traffic, it does retain some connection details, including:

• User ID
• Your IP address
• Connection time stamps

While this is unlikely to reveal anything about your torrenting activity, we’d prefer zero logging. Fortunately, Surfshark’s policy states this information is “automatically deleted within 15 minutes after termination of your session.”

Otherwise, some users may be deterred due to Surfshark’s headquarters in the Netherlands, a member of the 14 Eyes surveillance alliance. Once again, this isn’t a big deal for torrenting, but it’s worth considering for those who prioritize privacy above all else.

Surfshark alternatives for torrenting

Looking to test more options or didn’t find the feature(s) you were looking for? Here are some great VPN alternatives for all your torrenting needs:

1. NordVPN: Our top pick for torrenting. Provides 5,300+ P2P-optimized servers in 110+ countries, has top-of-the-line speeds, and maintains a strict no-logs policy. SOCKS5 proxy feature available.
2. IPVanish: Highly affordable VPN for torrenting. Full torrenting support across its 2,400+ server network (in 90+ locations). An exceptionally fast VPN with audited no-logs claims and a useful SOCKS5 proxy option.
3. ExpressVPN: Lightning-fast torrenting VPN with servers in 105+ countries, excellent security, and TrustedServer architecture for complete privacy. Doesn’t log user activity and comes with built-in obfuscation to bypass VPN filters.
4. CyberGhost VPN: Capable no-logs VPN that’s great for torrenting, streaming, gaming, and everything in between. Comes with a massive network in 100+ countries, offers decent speeds, and has an always-on kill switch.
5. PrivateVPN: Beginner-friendly option for torrenting, with a port forwarding feature included at no additional cost. Provides fast speeds, a strict no-logs policy, and good support for streaming.
6. PureVPN: Among the fastest VPNs on the market, especially for torrenting. The VPN comes with affordable subscriptions, a 31-day money-back policy, and port forwarding for a small fee.
7. Proton VPN: Feature-packed torrenting VPN for privacy-conscious users. Has a robust no-logs policy, fast connections (aided by its VPN Accelerator), and built-in port forwarding.

How to setup qBittorrent with Surfshark

Binding qBittorrent to Surfshark will keep you from exposing your torrenting activity to your ISP or your real IP to copyright trolls. Here’s how to do so:

1. Turn on Surfshark and connect to your preferred location.
2. Click Settings > VPN settings and toggle on the Kill Switch.
3. Launch qBittorrent and go to Tools > Options.
4. Select Advanced in the left menu.
5. Click the Network interface drop-down menu and choose Surfshark.
6. Click OK to finish setting up Surfshark for torrenting.

Using OpenVPN instead of WireGuard? Then the interface may have a placeholder name (e.g. “Local Area Connection” or “Ethernet”). Head over to your network connections to find out the specific one you should use.

Using Surfshark for torrenting FAQs

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