- Do you need a VPN to torrent?
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The best torrent sites in 2026
- 1. Internet Archive: legal library of music, movies, and other torrents
- 2. Public Domain Torrents: a huge library of legal movies
- 3. Jamendo: best torrent site for music and free legal downloads
- 4. Project Gutenberg: free eBook torrent site
- 5. Academic Torrents: massive research and academic papers database
- 6. Etree: a free platform for sharing live concert recordings and audio
- How I select secure torrent sites
- Factors to consider when selecting best torrent sites
- How to torrent safely with a VPN
- How to safely torrent in 2026: 4 ways
- Torrent sites to avoid
- Is torrenting legal?
- Conclusion: the best torrent sites 2026
- The best torrent sites legal options: Frequently Asked Questions
Finding the best legal torrent sites can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. It’s no secret that many torrenting platforms host copyrighted or unsafe files, and even legal ones can expose you to ads or malware. That’s why I tested dozens of reputable legal torrent sites to find the most secure, reliable, and active options still available in 2026.
Here’s a list of my top 6 legal torrent sites:
Best torrent sites alternatives
- Internet Archive: Best torrenting site overall for movies, music, books, and more
- Public Domain Torrents: Top movie torrenting site with classic free films
- Jamendo: Best torrent site for music with legal songs from various artists
- Project Gutenberg: Ebook torrent site with over 75000 free titles
- Academic Torrents: Best torrent site for academic papers and datasets
- Etree: A free platform for live concert recordings and audio torrents
When torrenting even on legal sites, I highly recommend using a VPN, as they can often be blocked due to geographical restrictions. On top of that, a VPN prevents ISP-imposed speed throttling since your provider can’t see that you’re torrenting. Plus, a VPN adds extra protection against malware and cyberattacks, which can sometimes be hidden in torrent files. A premium VPN provider like NordVPN hides your IP and location, ensuring you can download torrent files privately and bypass any restrictions.
Keep reading for more information about these torrenting sites.
Do you need a VPN to torrent?
You need a VPN to torrent safely and to protect your online privacy. It encrypts your online traffic, hides your real IP address, and prevents your ISP from throttling your bandwidth or seeing that you’re torrenting. Overall, a VPN adds an extra layer of security, ensuring that your downloads remain private, without unexpected speed drops or unwanted monitoring.
A VPN also shields you from malware, data leaks, and other cyber threats that can often be hidden in torrent files. Plus, by changing your IP address, a VPN helps you bypass geo-restrictions if certain legal torrent sites are blocked in your area.
NordVPN is my top VPN for torrenting. It offers specialized P2P servers for an optimized torrenting experience, protects you from potential threats, and encrypts your traffic to keep your data secure. To torrent securely, simply connect to one of NordVPN’s P2P servers or use its SOCKS5 proxy with your torrent client. This will ensure that your traffic goes through an encrypted VPN tunnel, keeping your downloads private and secure, even if the connection drops. It also hardly impacts your speeds!
Check out our full NordVPN review to learn more about the VPN provider.
The best torrent sites in 2026
I collected a list of the best torrent sites alternatives that contain only legal content. Feel free to search for movies, books, audio, and other files without risking legal consequences.
Note:
Torrenting itself is not illegal, but there are many legal torrent alternatives. I recommend checking your local laws and steering clear of any illegal activities to avoid possible fines and other consequences.
1. Internet Archive: legal library of music, movies, and other torrents
Features:
- One of the largest legal torrent libraries
- Free texts, movies, software, websites, and more
Internet Archive is one of the biggest non-profit digital libraries and a great torrent site alternative, founded in 1996 with the mission of providing universal access to all knowledge. It offers a diverse collection, containing various texts, movies, audio, and more.
While the interface may remind you of old internet times, it is easy to navigate. In addition, the platform does not require an account, so you can access most content freely. However, a sheer volume of content can sometimes make navigation overwhelming for new users.
Overall, Internet Archive (archive.org)is the best alternative to traditional torrent sites, as all the content is free and legal, but using a VPN is still a smart idea. A VPN hides your IP address, keeping your location and identity private since Internet Archive logs IPs for usage and rate-limiting. It also helps bypass any regional restrictions, giving you full access to the library.
2. Public Domain Torrents: a huge library of legal movies
Features:
- Large library of movies
- Free content
Public Domain Torrents is the best movie torrenting site with a huge selection of classic movies that are no longer protected by copyright. This means that the content is free for anyone to use, share, adapt, and distribute without legal restrictions.
While the interface is outdated, the content can be easily found by using categories, the search option, and the list of recently downloaded movies. You can find classic films and B-movies, archived historical footage, older books and literary works, older music recordings, and vintage operating systems or apps.
While the Public Domain Torrents site is legal, using a VPN helps hide your IP address and keeps your streaming and downloads private. Plus, if you accidentally stumble upon infected files, a VPN will keep you protected from cyberattacks.
3. Jamendo: best torrent site for music and free legal downloads
Features:
- Royalty-free music for commercial use
Jamendo is an established music torrent site with a focus on independent artists and royalty-free music licensing. It connects music creators with listeners and commercial users under permissive Creative Commons licenses.
For personal listening, Jamendo Music offers a vast, free library of independent artists’ tracks, perfect for discovering new sounds. For content creators, the platform offers royalty-free audio, making it easy and affordable to legally acquire high-quality tracks. The platform is modern with a clean interface, making browsing and downloading seamless.
Using a VPN with Jamendo is not required, as the site is safe and accessible from most locations. However, a VPN can still be useful for extra privacy or when accessing the platform on restricted networks, ensuring your connection remains secure and your activity private.
4. Project Gutenberg: free eBook torrent site
Features:
- Over 75000 free eBooks
Project Gutenberg is a long-standing ebook torrent search engine and online library of free eBooks, primarily focusing on works that are in the public domain in the US. It was founded in 1971 and holds the distinction of being the oldest digital library, providing free access to everyone.
The website offers a vast collection of digitized classic novels, poetry, historical documents, and more. Works are available in multiple formats, like EPUB. The interface is simple and intuitive, perfect for students, teachers, researchers, and anyone else looking to explore the literature world.
While Project Gutenberg is legal, a VPN would add a layer of safety by hiding your real IP address and keeping third parties from tracking your connection. Plus, if the torrent site is restricted or monitored in your region, a premium VPN ensures private access.
5. Academic Torrents: massive research and academic papers database
Features:
- Great for students and researchers
- Huge database
Academic Torrents is a specialized platform that employs the BitTorrent protocol specifically for sharing massive datasets and academic papers. It is built by researchers for researchers, because who else if not they know how expensive scientific journals can be.
By distributing content peer-to-peer, the platform addresses the challenges in science, ensuring faster downloads and robust data preservation. It is a legitimate, non-profit site, providing enormous value to researchers, data scientists, and students.
While Academic Torrents itself has not been associated with security incidents, the nature of torrenting and the potential risks involved underscore the importance of using a reliable VPN. It keeps your IP hidden, secures your connection when torrenting large files, and ensures your access to the site stays private and restriction-free.
6. Etree: a free platform for sharing live concert recordings and audio
Features:
- Extensive selection of music
Etree, short for electronic tree, is a deeply influential music community dedicated to trading recordings of live concerts. It was created in 1998 with a goal to share high-quality audio.
The platform utilizes BitTorrent to distribute thousands of fan-recorded shows. It’s a great source for audiophiles and dedicated fans looking to explore the history of music, while at the same time ensuring that unique live performances are preserved and accessible to all.
Etree has faced some security concerns in the past, including vulnerabilities like XSS that could expose users to risks. That’s why I recommend using a VPN like NordVPN when accessing the site to protect your connection and personal data. While Etree is generally trusted for sharing live music recordings, a VPN adds an extra layer of safety and privacy.
How I select secure torrent sites
I only picked torrent sites that meet my strict criteria for this list. Some of the things I took into consideration are:
- History of data collection (35%). I investigated each website’s history of data collection and privacy practices. I didn’t include any websites that have been implicated in mishandling user data.
- Security measures (30%). I examined the specific security measures each torrent website employs to protect its users. This includes HTTPS protocols, SSL certificates, and regular security audits.
- Reputation (20%). I assessed the overall standing of each torrent website within the online community. This involved examining user reviews, ratings on reputable forums, and endorsements from established tech websites.
- Clear contact information (15%). I looked for clear and accessible contact information on each torrent website. This includes email addresses, contact forms, or social media links that allow users to report issues or inquire about the website.
Factors to consider when selecting best torrent sites
When choosing a torrent site, there are several factors to consider if you want to enjoy fast download speeds, minimal ad intrusion, and a generally smooth experience.
Here are some things to look for when choosing a torrent site.
- Legality: Make sure that the torrent site you are visiting is legal. Most popular torrent sites contain copyrighted content, which can lead to legal consequences.
- Download speed: This will help you gauge how long it will take for files to download to your device. Your average download depends largely on the torrent site’s seeder/leecher ratio.
- Monthly traffic: If many people are trooping to a particular website, it’s a sign that it’s popular and likely offering useful content.
- Library size and torrent type: The more extensive a torrent site’s library, the higher the chances of finding your favorite content. Look for sites with a wide range of torrent files, from movies to games. In some cases, specialized torrent sites offer better niche content than large torrent sites.
- Comments and ratings: Read the comments and ratings from other users who have downloaded the same torrent. This can provide valuable information about the quality and safety of the file. Pay extra attention to comments about computer worms, malware, or other issues.
- Ad-intrusion: If you have to go through multiple ads to download one file, that torrent site might not be worthwhile. Besides the inconvenience, such ads might contain malware and viruses.
How to torrent safely with a VPN
- Get a reliable VPN, such as NordVPN. While legal torrents are safe to use, a trustworthy VPN can secure your online presence, improve internet speed, and remove annoying ads.
- Install and launch the VPN app on your device, then log in to your account.
- Connect to a secure or P2P-optimized server where torrenting sites aren’t restricted. This will hide your real IP address and encrypt your connection.
- Open a legal torrent site, like Internet Archive, Public Domain Torrents, or Jamendo.
- Use the Search option or browse to find the content you want to download.
- Open a desired file and select a download option.
- That’s it! Enjoy your legal content!
When your file has been downloaded, go to the place it was saved on your device to view it.
How to safely torrent in 2026: 4 ways
It’s important to take safety precautions when downloading torrents. Otherwise, you may unwittingly expose your identity and leave your device vulnerable to malware, viruses, and phishing attacks.
Here are the steps you should take while downloading torrents:
- Use a VPN. A VPN will route your connection through a secure server. This keeps you anonymous and allows you to access blocked torrent sites. Choose a VPN with dedicated P2P servers, like NordVPN. This type of server guarantees fast speeds for peer-to-peer file sharing.
- Install an ad blocker. Ads on torrenting sites sometimes take the form of a fake download button. Using an ad blocker disables ads altogether. You’ll never be confused about what to click or worry about accidentally downloading malware. Take a look at our best ad blockers.
- Set up an antivirus on your devices: If you accidentally download a torrent file with malware, an antivirus scanner will ensure you can’t run it and prevent your devices from getting infected. Norton 360 is particularly effective at blocking threats in torrent files, thanks to its robust firewall.
- Beware of fake download links: To make money from your clicks, torrent sites will display a more prominent button that won’t download the torrent file but rather a different, unrelated software. Scrutinize torrent sites and ensure what you’re clicking is the actual download link.
NordVPN is my no. 1 torrenting VPN. It uses 256-bit AES encryption to secure your private data and online traffic. It also has a built-in ad-blocker and provides real-time malware protection.
Torrent sites to avoid
I recommend avoiding illegal torrent sites altogether. Not only is downloading content from them illegal and can lead to serious consequences, but most torrent sites are also infected with malware. Plus, a few potentially dangerous torrenting sites still get a lot of traffic, and you’ll find some articles online recommending them.
I outlined a few of them below.
1. Kickass Torrents
While a version of this website is still available online, the original site has been taken down. Unfortunately, the current version is impossible to work with. It requires you to install an obscure, unsafe browser extension.
I do not recommend installing it under any circumstances as it may pose serious privacy and security risks. It’s better to use one of the many trusted Kickass Torrents alternatives.
2. ExtraTorrents
ExtraTorrents was shut down in 2017. It was one of the most visited torrent sites, only rivaled by The Pirate Bay.
Despite its popularity, ExtraTorrents faced numerous legal challenges over the years, leading to its eventual shutdown. ExtraTorrent alternatives started popping up after that, but they proved to be malicious and unofficial.
Read our ExtraTorrent alternatives guide for legitimate torrent sites you can trust.
3. RARBG
RARBG was one of the largest torrent directories, famous for its active community of seeders and high-quality torrents. Before its closure, the site was banned in several countries, including Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
While several proxies have popped up since the site closed its doors, I can’t guarantee that any of them are safe. Luckily, the sites in the list above are excellent RARBG alternatives!
Is torrenting legal?
The practice of torrenting is legal, since it’s just data sharing between people. However, you need to be aware of torrents that contain copyrighted content. Some scammers mislabel their torrents to trick you into illegally downloading copyrighted movies, shows, games, or music.
Remember that downloading and sharing copyrighted material without the approval of its creator is illegal, and in some countries, torrenting may lead to legal repercussions such as download fines.
Different countries have different approaches to torrenting. Here’s an overview to give you an idea of what to expect.
| Stance on Torrenting | Countries |
| Torrenting is completely banned | Russia, China, Italy, Malaysia, the US, Australia, Portugal, South Africa, and Latvia |
| Downloading copyrighted content can result in a fine | The UK, Germany, France, Japan, Finland, and the UAE |
| Torrenting is monitored, and some sites are banned | Canada, Greece, Netherlands, Romania, Israel, Mexico, Czech Republic, Uruguay, India, Columbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Argentina, Brazil, Philippines, Egypt, Iran, Denmark, and Singapore |
| Downloading copyrighted content is allowed for personal use | Spain and Switzerland |
I recommend checking your local laws and steering clear of illegal activities when using torrent sites. Stay safe on the web by taking the proper security measures; use a VPN and use only legal torrent sites.
Disclaimer:
Torrenting is legal, but downloading copyrighted material is considered illegal in many countries and may land you in legal trouble. VPNOverview does not condone piracy, and I advise you to always check your local laws and regulations before torrenting copyrighted content.
Conclusion: the best torrent sites 2026
Torrenting doesn’t have to be risky if you know where to look and use the right tools. For example, the top safest legal torrent sites, like Internet Archive, Public Domain Torrents, and Jamendo, offer huge libraries of free, legal downloads. Just remember that downloading copyrighted material without permission can lead to serious legal issues.
To stay protected while torrenting, you need to use a reliable and highly secure VPN, like NordVPN. It offers strong encryption and comes with robust privacy features, including built-in ad-blocking capabilities, to keep your activities private and your torrenting experience secure.
The best torrent sites legal options: Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a question about torrenting and the best torrent websites? Read our FAQ!
Internet Archive is the best legal torrent website of 2026. It contains a variety of content, suiting everyone’s needs. The interface is simple and intuitive.
Yes, there are several torrent sites for easy movie downloading, like Public Domain Torrents and Internet Archive. These platforms host thousands of classic films in the public domain and require no signups. They’re safe when used with a VPN for torrenting – like NordVPN – to keep your data private, without severe speed drops.
There are some shady torrent websites that might show you a lot of (questionable) intrusive ads or even spread malware on your system. But, there are also good and safe torrent sites, such as the Internet Archive.
Whichever torrent site you use, it’s important to take a few safety measures (such as using a VPN) to keep your data safe and your identity anonymous. You can check out our full review of NordVPN, VPNOverview’s No. 1 VPN for torrenting.
The safest site to get torrents is Internet Archive. It’s a legal, ad-free platform that hosts movies, books, music, and various software – all free of malware and copyright risks. Plus, for extra privacy, you can use a secure torrenting VPN like NordVPN while downloading.
Torrenting itself is legal. After all, it’s just data sharing between two devices. However, torrenting copyrighted material can land you in trouble. This is illegal in a lot of countries, punishable under many jurisdictions, and something I discourage.
Dear Mr. Janssen, I learned alot from this page....as a novice torrenter....and senior citizen there is ALOT to learn....I found your article informative and a definate help to my torrenting mission.....:-) thanks again for your good work.
Dear Jennifer,
We really appreciate your kind words and are happy that our article was helpful to you.
I would like to (also) point out that NORD VPN is advertised quite a bit on this page, so I've been considering it. But after talking with NORD, and asking specifically about the very popular free "BitTorrent" for actually running P2P torrents, below is a quote from their response. (Note they just said "torrent", but I'm sure they mean BitTorrent since that's what I asked about.) So has anyone found that their installation of Nord prevented torrents from working?: .....
Nord's reply to my question:
"Regarding, torrent usage it may not work with NordVPN proxies, or proxies in general, simply because Trackers, not seeders themselves, will block any connection when the torrent client reports that it is using proxies. We cannot circumvent this block, as it is impossible to hide the fact that a torrent client is using proxies."
Hi Randy,
Thanks for your comment! As for our own experience with NordVPN (we test it monthly and many of us use it on a daily basis), we've never had this issue as far as I'm aware. From Nord's reply, it sounds like trackers blocking proxies is a possibility, but not a very common occurrence.
Maybe some of our other readers would like to pitch in with their own experiences, too.
Don't mean to take the talk away from NordVPN, but I use ProtonVPN and they specifically call out you are welcome to use P2P services with it enabled. Been a paying customer for 1 1/2 years (they are free versions of the VPN also) and never had an issue and the speed is always great. You get a few other extras like drive space and calendar, but the VPN and Password Manager is what I use it for.
Hello! We are definitely Proton VPN fans ourselves as well! For this particular purpose, we recommend NordVPN because it's slightly more budget-friendly than Proton. But Proton VPN definitely does a good job at protecting P2P traffic, too!
IPTorrents does not require a donation, it requires an invite.
Both actually work! You can get in through an invite from an active member, or get a VIP account through a donation. We clarified this section of the article to highlight this a bit more. Thank you for your comment!
Hi,
Please, how can I subscribe for an account in bibliotik.me?
Thank you
Hi! Bibliotik only opens its platform to new members on occasion. If you'd like to get an account, unfortunately you'll have to wait for them to open up their invites again.
I couldn't download the torrent at 1337x it kept on opening a pop up, even with ad blocker. I went somewhere else.
Annoying that it kept coming up with popups. Luckily there are plenty of sites on the list for you to try out instead. If you'd like, you can also try downloading a different adblocker. Ours (uBlock Origin) didn't come up with any popups.
Why do these sites "attack" your computer when clicking their links. RARBG is notorious for it. Can't they sell regular ads like everyone else?
RARBG is my favorite torrent site. It has always worked perfectly and ad-free for me, because I use Epic Privacy Browser. I access all torrent sites from Epic. If you use a VPN, it won't matter whether you have Epic's proxy on or off.
In communities on Reddit, people say TBP is not safe. Nor do they recommend uTorrent and BitTorrent.
tbh I use TPB but only download from trusted sources (the one with the pink or green marks next to their name) and I use qBitTorrent as it's free and open source.
When I attempt to download off Torrent downloads. It shows the content to be 2.48GB. However once loaded into uTorrent it shows as ~250kb and says it a "downloader.exe". How safe is that???
That is not safe at all you are downloading a virus please don't go on that site
Gracias por el artículo, me resultó muy útil