Best VPNs For Popcorn Time 2021
Popcorn Time is one of the best apps out there for streaming films and TV shows, but it’s highly controversial.
As this multi-platform streaming app relies on the same BitTorrent technology that’s used for torrenting, it picked up a lot of attention for infringing copyright. Many of its most popular films are pirated versions of releases that haven’t made it out of the cinemas yet.
Some users have been unlucky enough to receive cease and desist letters, and even fines, from copyright holders for using the service. If you live in a country with stricter torrenting laws, the consequences could be even more serious.
Thankfully, there’s a way to stream whatever you want on Popcorn Time without any serious repercussions: using a VPN to mask your online activity. Here’s a list of the best providers to keep your connection safe, secure, and completely private while you’re using Popcorn Time.
Short on time? Here are the Top 5 VPN Picks Quick Rundown
- Fast, stable, and encrypted connections
- Multi-device security for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
- Proxy extensions for web browsers Chrome and Firefox
- Up to 6 simultaneously connected devices
Connection | Ping | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
---|---|---|---|
Starting speed US | 11 ms | 56.23 Mbps | 11.71 Mbps |
Quick connect US server | 10 ms | 49.83 Mbps | 10.75 Mbps |
Manual connect US server | 15 ms | 46.73 Mbps | 10.64 Mbps |
Quick connect UK server | 148 ms | 45.79 Mbps | 11.11 Mbps |
Manual connect UK server | 241 ms | 32.01 Mbps | 10.85 Mbps |
Quick connect FR server | 84 ms | 49.99 Mbps | 11.28 Mbps |
Quick connect JP server | 361 ms | 23.14 Mbps | 1.69 Mbps |
Quick connect AU server | 434 ms | 37.97 Mbps | 5.84 Mbps |
- United States
- Canada
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Mexico
- Costa Rica
- Chile
- South Africa
- India
- United Arab Emirates
- Israel
- Turkey
- Australia
- Singapore
- Japan
- Hong Kong
- New Zealand
- Taiwan
- Vietnam
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- South Korea
- Thailand
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Netherlands
- France
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Norway
- Poland
- Ireland
- Czech Republic
- Italy
- Spain
- Finland
- Serbia
- Austria
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Bulgaria
- Hungary
- Latvia
- Romania
- Portugal
- Luxembourg
- Ukraine
- Greece
- Estonia
- Iceland
- Albania
- Cyprus
- Croatia
- Moldova
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Georgia
- North Macedonia
While NordVPN didn’t quite manage to make our number one spot, it’s an excellent VPN with a long list of security features and server locations that provide phenomenal value.
- Excellent speeds - no slow down experience
- Zero latency – smooth gaming experience
- Ease of use - set up in a couple of minutes
- No-logs policy - Your data is 100% untraceable.
- Impressive security – military grade encryption
Connection | Ping | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
---|---|---|---|
Starting speed US | 8 ms | 58.56 Mbps | 12.25 Mbps |
Quick connect US server | 10 ms | 54.52 Mbps | 11.85 Mbps |
Manual connect US server | 12 ms | 53.22 Mbps | 11.12 Mbps |
Quick connect UK server | 140 ms | 42.85 Mbps | 6.69 Mbps |
Manual connect UK server | 133 ms | 37.64 Mbps | 9.21 Mbps |
Quick connect FR server | 82 ms | 40.41 Mbps | 11.09 Mbps |
Quick connect JP server | 180 ms | 38.42 Mbps | 6.01 Mbps |
Quick connect AU server | 291 ms | 35.11 Mbps | 6.09 Mbps |
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bhutan
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Jersey
- Kenya
- South Korea
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao
- North Macedonia
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Myanmar [Burma]
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Pakistan
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
The fastest VPN in the world is our #1 best-rated VPN for its outstanding security, consistent speed and reliability
- No limits: you can connect as many devices to your account as you want
- No logs: like many VPNs, Surfshark advertises a strict no-log policy
- Security audit: its privacy and security features have been verified by third-party analysts
Connection | Ping | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
---|---|---|---|
Quick connect UK server | 34 ms | 78 Mbps | 23 Mbps |
Quick connect US server | 23 ms | 56 Mbps | 34 Mbps |
- Albania
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Luxembourg
- Moldova
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Canada
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Mexico
- Paraguay
- United States
- Israel
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- United Arab Emirates
- Australia
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Malaysia
- New Zealand
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Vietnam
Surfshark is a great VPN that offers a wide range of unique features. It is easy to use, and has an impressive array of over 3,200 servers in 65 countries.
- Low cost: low monthly cost as well as a build-your-own plan for $1 per month per server location
- No logs: has a full transparency report, no-logs policy, and RAM-only servers
- High-level security: utilizes 256-bit encryption, WireGuard, OpenVPN and Ikev2 protocols, 4,096-bit RSA key, and SHA512 authentication
- Albania
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Antarctica
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Panama
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Vietnam
- Canada
- Japan
Windscribe has loads of features and is a VPN with significant security measures that some competitors lack.
- No limits - unlimited bandwidth available
- No logs - the official CyberGhost policy is to have zero usage logs, keeping your information totally safe
- Max protection - DNS and IP leak prevention features
Connection | Ping | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
---|---|---|---|
Quick connect UK server | 45 ms | 79 Mbps | 67 Mbps |
Quick connect US server | 34 ms | 67 Mbps | 55.99 Mbps |
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Greenland
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao
- North Macedonia
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
With a massive selection of over 6300 servers to choose from in over 110 locations, CyberGhost has one of the most impressive networks for a VPN.
Popcorn Time
Plex
Torrenting
Hulu
Netflix
Apple TV
Amazon Prime
BBC iPlayer
HBO Now
What is a VPN and Why Do You Need One for Popcorn Time
As Popcorn Time is essentially a torrenting program, you’ll need to make sure your online activities are hidden when you’re using it. While the software is perfectly legal, storing and streaming copyrighted material isn’t, which means you could end up receiving a hefty fine or having legal action taken against you for using Popcorn Time to stream torrent files.
You won’t have to worry about any of this if you’re using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), though. These tools can hide your online identity and activity by routing your connection through an encrypted tunnel and connecting you to a private server. This means your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can’t keep track of what you’re doing online, and no one will have any idea that you’re torrenting.
Speed and Security are Important – Will a VPN Slow Down Popcorn Time Speeds?
There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of a good movie and then, all of a sudden, the dreaded buffering sign appears. Using a VPN shouldn’t slow your internet connection down too much, as long as you’re using a provider that’s well-known for providing ultra-fast speeds and servers with reliable connections.
You may notice that your ping is slightly higher and your download speeds are a little slower while you’re connected to your VPN. This is perfectly normal, and the drop in speed should never be significant enough to affect your viewing experience. On average, you should expect to receive a drop of around 5% in your connectivity, but some users have found that their speeds have actually increased while using a VPN if they’re connected to servers that are closer to the torrenting activity.
Which VPN is Fastest With Popcorn Time?
Speed is everything when it comes to torrenting, and as Popcorn Time leverages the peer-to-peer BitTorrent protocol, you’ll want to make sure your VPN can provide reliable, ultra-fast speeds that let you stream whatever you want in the highest possible quality.
Our researchers carried out extensive tests on all of the main providers to check their compatibility with Popcorn Time and found that NordVPN delivers the fastest connection speeds – but only just! It wasn’t too ahead of ExpressVPN, and it was such a close call that you’ll barely be able to tell the difference between the two when you’re using them.
What to Consider When You’re Choosing a VPN for Popcorn Time?
It goes without saying that peer-to-peer (P2P) support and security features should be your main focus when you’re choosing a VPN for Popcorn Time, but other factors such as connection speeds and server coverage are just as important. Here’s what you should be looking for:
P2P Servers
P2P servers are compatible with P2P traffic, and as Popcorn Time runs off the BitTorrent protocol, this kind of support is essential if you want a quality viewing experience – especially if you’re downloading films and TV shows rather than just streaming them. You get kudos for knowing that by being active on these servers, you’re helping out other users by seeding files for them.
Ultra-fast Download Speeds with Unlimited Bandwidth
All of the providers we’ve featured on this list offer the fastest possible speeds and unlimited bandwidth. Torrenting uses a massive amount of data, so if you’re using a VPN that limits your bandwidth or speeds, it’s not going to be a great match with Popcorn Time.
The Strongest Security Features
Popcorn Time may be legal, but torrenting illegal content isn’t, so you better be sure your VPN is keeping your online activity completely anonymous when you’re using it. Look out for features such as 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IP leak protection, double VPN protection, a kill switch, and most importantly, a strict no-logging policy. If copyright holders do ever manage to get hold of an IP address and approach your provider in an attempt to identify you, a no-logging policy ensures they don’t hold any information that could be used to reveal who you are.
Lots of Servers to Unblock Popcorn Time
The streaming service has been blocked in some countries, so you might even need to enlist the help of a VPN to unblock it and download it in the first place. In addition to unblocking Popcorn Time, if your VPN has a large network of servers, you can use it to unblock region-locked content libraries with the most popular streaming platforms such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
The 10 Best VPNs : Full Overview
1. NordVPN
Not only does it offer some of the fastest speeds around, but NordVPN is also packed full of security features so your ISP and copyright holders will never be able to tell you’re streaming or torrenting films through Popcorn Time. An auto-connect feature lets you know which servers are overloaded to match you with the ones that offer the best connection speeds. But, best of all, this provider has hundreds of specialized P2P servers so you can enjoy one of the safest and most secure VPN experiences while you’re streaming.
As it’s based in Panama, NordVPN doesn’t fall under the five-eyes, nine-eyes, and 14-eyes jurisdictions. You’ll never have to worry about your IP address being leaked either thanks to DNS leak protection. Plus, if you ever find yourself disconnected from your VPN, its killswitch will cut out your internet connection completely to keep you safe. For those of you that want to dig deeper into its security features, you’ll love the customization that’s on offer in the security setup.
Key Features
P2P Support | Yes |
---|---|
Available On | Compatible routers, browsers, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebook, Kindle Fire. |
Data logging | Strict no-logging policy (fully verified) |
Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
Number of servers | Over 5000 |
Top download speed reached | 91Mbps |
VPN locations | Over 80 in 60 countries |
Maximum devices supported | Up to 6 |
Plans | one month, one year, two year, and three-year plans. |
24/7 live chat | Yes |
A quality provider with some of the best security features out there.
Speed
Connection | Ping | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
---|---|---|---|
Starting speed US | 11 ms | 56.23 Mbps | 11.71 Mbps |
Quick connect US server | 10 ms | 49.83 Mbps | 10.75 Mbps |
Manual connect US server | 15 ms | 46.73 Mbps | 10.64 Mbps |
Quick connect UK server | 148 ms | 45.79 Mbps | 11.11 Mbps |
Manual connect UK server | 241 ms | 32.01 Mbps | 10.85 Mbps |
Quick connect FR server | 84 ms | 49.99 Mbps | 11.28 Mbps |
Quick connect JP server | 361 ms | 23.14 Mbps | 1.69 Mbps |
Quick connect AU server | 434 ms | 37.97 Mbps | 5.84 Mbps |
Not Recommended for... There’s a significant price difference between the one-month and one-year subscription plans, so you’ll have to get committed if you’re wanting to save money with this provider.
Bottom Line
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs out there – a solid all-rounder that not only offers some of the fastest speeds going but also provides unbeatable security features that are guaranteed to keep your online activities fully hidden. As it’s also capable of unblocking BBC iPlayer, Netflix and Sky, it doubles up as a great provider for general streaming too.
2. ExpressVPN
Widely regarded as one of the most user-friendly experiences thanks to its excellent app support for pretty much every device out there, ExpressVPN is one of the easiest VPNs to set up and even easier to use. While it doesn’t offer dedicated P2P servers, it’s up there with Nord for general P2P support, making it a perfect choice for Popcorn Time users. Its super-fast connections have unlimited bandwidth and security features such as DNS leak protection, a kill switch and shared IP addresses will keep you completely anonymous online while you’re connected.
ExpressVPN has one of the strictest no-logging policies out there, and consistent five-star reviews from its users prove that you can trust this provider to safely handle your personal information. As its servers are RAM-based, any information that could be used to identify you is literally deleted every time they reset. A massive selection of over 3000 servers means you’ll be able to easily unblock Popcorn Time from any location in the world, in addition to the most popular streaming apps such as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.
Key Features
P2P Support | No dedicated servers but they are optimized to support P2P |
---|---|
Available On | Compatible routers, browsers, Linux, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and video game consoles. |
Data logging | Strict no-logging policy (fully verified) |
Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
Number of servers | Over 3000 |
Top download speed reached | 88Mbps |
VPN locations | 160 locations in 94 countries |
Maximum devices supported | Up to 5 |
Plans | one month, six months and 12 months |
24/7 live chat | Yes |
Ultra-fast P2P servers make this a natural fit for Popcorn Time.
Speed
Connection | Ping | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
---|---|---|---|
Starting speed US | 8 ms | 58.56 Mbps | 12.25 Mbps |
Quick connect US server | 10 ms | 54.52 Mbps | 11.85 Mbps |
Manual connect US server | 12 ms | 53.22 Mbps | 11.12 Mbps |
Quick connect UK server | 140 ms | 42.85 Mbps | 6.69 Mbps |
Manual connect UK server | 133 ms | 37.64 Mbps | 9.21 Mbps |
Quick connect FR server | 82 ms | 40.41 Mbps | 11.09 Mbps |
Quick connect JP server | 180 ms | 38.42 Mbps | 6.01 Mbps |
Quick connect AU server | 291 ms | 35.11 Mbps | 6.09 Mbps |
Not Recommended for... You get what you pay for. ExpressVPN isn’t cheap, so you may want to look elsewhere if you think the price doesn’t justify the amount of time you spend using Popcorn Time.
Bottom Line
With ultra-fast download speeds and quality security features, ExpressVPN is an ideal choice for Popcorn Time. Its user-friendly apps for a wide variety of devices mean that whether you’re streaming, downloading or torrenting films and TV shows from your desktop, iPhone or Android device, you’ll never have any compatibility issues. The only downside to this provider is it’s four-times the price of some of its competitors, but in our opinion, you’ll struggle to find another VPN that offers the same level of service.
3. Surfshark VPN
Surfshark is one of the cheapest VPNs out there, with subscription plans starting from less than two dollars per month. This makes it cheaper than the vast majority of its competitors and despite this, there’s absolutely no compromise when it comes to security features, speed, and performance. With military-grade encryption, IPv6, and DNS leak protection, Surfshark is the perfect choice for Popcorn Time, and it doesn’t log any information that could be used by copyright holders to identify you.
There are apps for Windows, Android, Linux, iOS, and Mac devices, as well as compatible browsers, which means it works on all modern devices. 1700 servers in over 63 countries mean you’ll be able to unblock Popcorn Time from almost any location in the world, but best of all, Surfshark lets you connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. Couple that with the unlimited bandwidth on offer and even if you’ve got a house full of people streaming from all of their devices, you’re all getting the VPN protection you need.
Key Features
P2P Support | Special servers for secure P2P traffic |
---|---|
Available On | Mac, Windows, Android, Linux, iOS, Chromebook, compatible browsers (Chrome, Firefox), AppleTV, and more. |
Data logging | Strict no-logging policy, independently audited. |
Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
Number of servers | 1700 |
Top download speed reached | 95 Mbps |
VPN locations | Over 63 countries |
Maximum devices supported | Unlimited simultaneous connections |
Plans | one month, one year and two year plans available |
24/7 live chat | Yes |
This VPN offers the best value for money with excellent unblocking capabilities.
Speed
Connection | Ping | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
---|---|---|---|
Quick connect UK server | 34 ms | 78 Mbps | 23 Mbps |
Quick connect US server | 23 ms | 56 Mbps | 34 Mbps |
Not Recommended for... Surfshark has a smaller network than most of its competitors, which means if you’re manually connecting to servers, you might spend a while finding the servers that offer the fastest connection speeds.
Bottom Line
A strong focus on security with servers that’ve been optimized to support P2P traffic makes Surfshark an excellent VPN choice for anyone that’s using Popcorn Time. As all of its features are available at a price that’s less than a cup of coffee, you’ll struggle to find another provider that offers better value than this digital shark.
4. Windscribe VPN
If you’re accessing Popcorn Time through your desktop or browser, Windscribe is a quality and cost-effective VPN with some impressive security features that’ll hide your internet traffic. It uses AES-256 encryption alongside a WebRTC Slayer and a bespoke Split Personality feature to reduce the chance of basic fingerprinting and to prevent any DNS leaks. Its Split Tunneling support means you can also choose which devices do and don’t go through your VPN connection.
There’s a free version of Windscribe available, but we’d recommend upgrading to the Premium plan to make sure you’re completely protected when you’re torrenting. As you’ll be using this tool on desktop, it’s useful to know that your Windscribe subscription also includes R.O.B.E.R.T., which blocks ads, trackers, and malware from compromising your viewing experience.
Key Features
Dedicated streaming servers | Yes but only in the United States |
---|---|
Available On: | Desktop and browser only |
Data logging | Strict no-logging policy |
Money-back guarantee | 31 days |
Number of servers | Over 179 |
Top download speed reached | 80 Mbps |
VPN locations | 110 server across 63 countries |
Maximum devices supported | Unlimited |
Plans | free service, monthly plan, annual plans and build-your-own plans |
24/7 live chat | Yes |
A desktop and browser VPN with impressive security features.
Speed
Not Recommended for... Look elsewhere if you need to unblock Popcorn Time outside of the US. With a small network of servers, this provider isn’t the best at unblocking websites.
Bottom Line
If you’re running Popcorn Time directly through your desktop or browser, Windscribe is a cost-effective way of improving your online security. While there are plenty of security features to help anonymize your internet traffic, this provider’s relatively vague no-logging policy doesn’t fill us with the same confidence as ExpressVPN or NordVPN. If your torrenting habits are so extreme you’re confident that they’d land you in trouble if anyone found out about them, it may be best to look elsewhere.
5. CyberGhost VPN
You’ll struggle to find another provider that has the same network reach as CyberGhost. With over 6300 servers covering 110 locations in 89 countries, it’s the largest out there, and capable of bashing most geoblocks to bits. If you live in a country where you struggle to connect to Popcorn Time, this provider is the perfect choice. Speeds are just as impressive as its network reach – fast enough to download large files in just a couple of minutes or stream the latest blockbusters in HD.
All of the CyberGhost apps, from its Windows and Mac clients to iOS and Android, include an anonymous torrenting mode that couldn’t be any better suited for Popcorn Time. There are plenty of security features here to keep you safe too, including DNS leak protection, military-grade encryption, an impressive selection of protocols, and much more.
Key Features
P2P Support | Yes on certain optimized servers |
---|---|
Available On | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, compatible routers, browsers, and more. |
Data logging | Strict no-logging policy |
Money-back guarantee | 45 days |
Number of servers | Over 6300 |
Top download speed reached | 82 Mbps |
VPN locations | 110 locations in 89 countries |
Maximum devices supported | Up to seven |
Plans | one month, one year, two year and three-year plans |
24/7 live chat | Yes |
Unbeatable server coverage with quality apps for Android and iOS for mobile streaming.
Speed
Connection | Ping | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
---|---|---|---|
Quick connect UK server | 45 ms | 79 Mbps | 67 Mbps |
Quick connect US server | 34 ms | 67 Mbps | 55.99 Mbps |
Not Recommended for... If you were hoping to unblock Popcorn Time in China, we’re sorry to let you know that CyberGhost isn’t sneaky enough to slip past China’s great firewall.
Bottom Line
With easy to use apps and instant connections to P2P servers that offer the fastest speeds, there’s a lot to love about CyberGhost. Not only is it a fantastic tool to use with Popcorn Time, but its unblocking potential also makes it a fantastic VPN choice for any streaming platform – as long as you don’t live in China!
6. IPVanish
IPVanish has a fantastic selection of user-friendly apps for a wide variety of Windows, Mac, iOS, and Linux devices. With specialist support for Android, this provider is a great choice if you’re using Popcorn Time on your cell phone. As P2P activity is supported on all of its servers, there’s an extra wall of security to keep you safe, which is even stronger when you add built-in DNS leak protection, 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch and one of the strictest no-logging policies our researchers have come across.
In addition to 1500 servers covering over 150 locations, IPVanish’s XOR obfuscated servers guarantee complete anonymity as they’ve been built to support the privacy needs of torrenters. In fact, IPVanish is one of the favorites among regular torrenters, making it a perfect choice for Popcorn Time.
Key Features
P2P Support | P2P file sharing is supported on all servers |
---|---|
Available On | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, and compatible routers |
Data logging | Strict no-logging policy |
Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
Number of servers | Over 1500 |
Top download speed reached | 80 Mbps |
VPN locations | Over 150 in 75 countries |
Maximum devices supported | Up to ten simultaneous connections |
Plans | One month, three month and one year plans available. |
24/7 live chat | Yes |
Strong encryption and privacy features at unbeatable prices
Speed
Connection | Ping | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
---|---|---|---|
Starting speed US | 0.9 ms | 55.95 Mbps | 12.25 Mbps |
Quick connect US server | 11 ms | 52.10 Mbps | 10.99 Mbps |
Manual connect US server | 13 ms | 44.96 Mbps | 10.81 Mbps |
Quick connect UK server | 127 ms | 44.92 Mbps | 9.86 Mbps |
Manual connect UK server | 148 ms | 46.22 Mbps | 10.95 Mbps |
Quick connect FR server | 58 ms | 46.22 Mbps | 10.95 Mbps |
Quick connect JP server | 429 ms | 31.29 Mbps | Mbps |
Quick connect AU server | 358 ms | 29.10 Mbps | 7.24 Mbps |
Not Recommended for... Similar to Cyberghost, IPVanish isn’t strong enough to unblock Popcorn Time in China.
Bottom Line
IPVanish has a solid reputation amongst BitTorrent users that praise its robust security features and ultra-fast download speeds. Its software is easy-to-use on any platform and device and you can even test it for free thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re looking for a cost-effective tool to hide evidence of your online activity, IPVanish definitely lives up to its name.
7. Hotspot Shield
With over 3200 servers in 80+ countries, Hotspot Shield is a fantastic tool to unblock websites, including Popcorn Time. Our researchers were able to use this VPN to unblock Popcorn in most areas of central Europe where it’s blocked, and once they were connected, speeds were fast enough to let them download movies in just a couple of minutes. Speeds are consistent enough to support HD streaming and its unlimited bandwidth makes it an excellent choice for Popcorn Time.
If you’re downloading movie torrents, the last thing you want is copyright holders taking legal action against you. Thankfully, Hotspot Shield has some of the tightest security features out there, including military-grade encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill switch, and a split-tunneling feature that lets you choose which devices you do and don’t want to route through your VPN. With a strict no-logging policy, you can trust this provider to take care of your personal information.
Key Features
P2P Support | All servers are P2P friendly |
---|---|
Available On: | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and a browser extension for Chrome. |
Data logging | Strict no-logging policy |
Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
Number of servers | Over 3200 |
Top download speed reached | 84 Mbps |
VPN locations | Over 80 countries |
Maximum devices supported | Up to five simultaneous connections |
Plans | Free plan or a monthly plan |
24/7 live chat | Yes |
Great user interface and wide range of devices.
Speed
Connection | Ping | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
---|---|---|---|
Starting speed US | 11 ms | 59.25 Mbps | 12.13 Mbps |
Quick connect US server | 13 ms | 55.67 Mbps | 11.43 Mbps |
Manual connect US server | 15 ms | 52.11 Mbps | 9.14 Mbps |
Quick connect UK server | 116 ms | 45.13 Mbps | 7.65 Mbps |
Manual connect UK server | 135 ms | 42.23 Mbps | 7.05 Mbps |
Quick connect FR server | 100 ms | 44.27 Mbps | 8.63 Mbps |
Quick connect JP server | 242 ms | 37.93 Mbps | 6.23 Mbps |
Quick connect AU server | 285 ms | 32.41 Mbps | 6.01 Mbps |
Not Recommended for... As Linux support was only recently added, we did encounter some compatibility issues with older Linux platforms, but hopefully, this will be addressed soon.
Bottom Line
Pick up this VPN and you’ve got yourself a sturdy shield that will keep you safe online. Your internet traffic will be encrypted and completely anonymous while you’re using Hotspot Shield, so you don’t have to worry about anyone finding out about the torrential downpour of torrents you’ve got streaming into your computer!
8. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access, also known as PIA, is a super-fast and reliable Popcorn Time VPN that works smoothly on most Windows, Mac and iOS devices. Its strict no-logging policy coupled with ultra-fast speeds ensures you’ll always be able to stream Popcorn Time knowing that your online identity is fully hidden. Multiple VPN gateways, a wide variety of protocols and the ability to block ads, trackers and malware have made this VPN a favorite with heavy torrent users.
If you fancy trying it PIA for yourself, it’s got a 30-day money-back guarantee. That’s plenty of time to get under the skin of this VPN and find out if it’s the right provider for you. With servers in over 68 regions and the ability to connect up to ten devices simultaneously, we’re sure it will be.
Key Features
P2P Support | P2P activity is fully supported on all over |
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Available On: | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and compatible routers |
Data logging | Strict no-logging policy |
Money-back guarantee | 31 days |
Number of servers | Over 2600 |
Top download speed reached | 70 Mbps |
VPN locations | 68 regions in 47 countries |
Maximum devices supported | Up to ten simultaneous connections |
Plans | one month, six month and one-year plans |
24/7 live chat | Yes |
Great user interface and wide range of devices.
Speed
Not Recommended for... While PIA is a great VPN choice for Popcorn Time, if you’re planning on using it to unblock other streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, you may have some issues depending on your server locations.
Bottom Line
With ultra-fast speeds and an impressive selection of security features available for just over four dollars per month, PIA has a lot to offer Popcorn Time users. At the time of writing, it’s throwing an additional two months on top of its annual subscriptions, and with a 31-day money-back guarantee, you’ve got literally nothing to lose by giving it a try yourself.
9. VyprVPN
VyprVPN recently updated its privacy policy to demonstrate that it treats all traffic on its servers equally, which means the provider won’t throttle your bandwidth for the mass data-usage that can occur as a result of torrenting. This is great news because VyprVPN has some of the fastest speeds around. Our international VPN researchers were able to enjoy ultra-fast streaming and download from Popcorn Time from locations in the UK and even Japan.
When it comes to security features, this provider is just as impressive, offering military-grade encryption alongside a kill switch and DNS leak protection to keep you safe online. That’s without mentioning its strict no-logging policy too, which clearly outlines that any personal information VyprVPN holds will never be shared with third parties under any circumstances.
Key Features
P2P Support | Fully supports file sharing |
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Available On | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, compatible routers, browsers, and TVs. |
Data logging | Strict no-logging policy |
Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
Number of servers | Over 700 |
Top download speed reached | 72 Mbps |
VPN locations | Over 70 |
Maximum devices supported | Up to five simultaneous connections |
Plans | one month, 12-month and two-year plans |
24/7 live chat | Yes |
Tap into the largest server network out there for unlimited HD streaming
Speed
Connection | Ping | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
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Starting speed US | 9 ms | 55.13 Mbps | 12.21 Mbps |
Quick connect US server | 10 ms | 53.43 Mbps | 11.42 Mbps |
Manual connect US server | 13 ms | 45.82 Mbps | 10.79 Mbps |
Quick connect UK server | 128 ms | 46.99 Mbps | 10.28 Mbps |
Manual connect UK server | 150 ms | 40.99 Mbps | 10.21 Mbps |
Quick connect FR server | 58 ms | 48.29 Mbps | 11.21 Mbps |
Quick connect JP server | 419 ms | 36.29 Mbps | 8.98 Mbps |
Quick connect AU server | 350 ms | 29.42 Mbps | 7.65 Mbps |
Not Recommended for... If you’re after complete anonymity, you might be disappointed to learn that you can’t pay for your VyprVPN subscription in Bitcoin, which means you’ll need to hand over your banking information.
Bottom Line
VyprVPN is an extremely versatile VPN. It’s packed full of security features that’ll let you get around the unsuspecting eyes of copyright holders, and its ultra-fast speeds and over 70 server locations make it a great choice for unblocking popular streaming apps such as BBC iPlayer, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
10. StrongVPN
StrongVPN might not be strong enough to fully unblock the likes of Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer, but it’s ultra-fast speeds and the ability to connect up to 12 devices simultaneously mean it’s a popular choice amongst Popcorn Time users. The provider has a strict no-logging policy to ensure any information you’ve provided will never be used to reveal your identity, and security features such as military-grade encryption and DNS leak protection will ensure that copyright holders are never able to take action against you for torrenting their content.
Key Features
P2P Support | Yes |
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Available On: | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, FireTV, Kodi, and Fire Stick. |
Data logging | Strict no-logging policy |
Money-back guarantee | 30 days |
Number of servers | Over 950 |
Top download speed reached | 74 Mbps |
VPN locations | 30+ countries |
Maximum devices supported | Up to 12 simultaneous connections |
Plans | one month and 12-month plan |
24/7 live chat | No |
Its optimized server for BBC iPlayer won’t let you down
Speed
Not Recommended for... Our researchers encountered some performance issues when they were using StrongVPN on mobile devices.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a cheap and easy-to-use VPN to couple up with Popcorn Time, StrongVPN will sit comfortably beside it without being too intrusive. Speeds are fast enough to support HD streaming while letting you download 90-minute films in less than ten minutes. While it may not offer the same security features as ExpressVPN or NordVPN, there’s still plenty here to keep your internet traffic hidden.
Additional Insights and FAQs
Is Popcorn Time Legal?
While Popcorn Time is perfectly legal to use, its association with BitTorrent and torrenting in general has led to several countries banning it. Even in the countries where it’s legal to use Popcorn Time, you should be aware that torrenting copyrighted material is illegal.
How to Use a VPN With Popcorn Time
To use a VPN with Popcorn Time, you’ll just need to make sure whatever device you’re using to access it is routed through your VPN’s connection. The easiest way to do this is by installing a VPN on your router, but most providers have easy-to-use apps for most devices.
Popular VPNs That Don’t Work With Popcorn Time
There aren’t any VPNs that don’t work with Popcorn Time, although there are some that may be unable to unblock it in certain countries. While all VPNs can technically be used with Popcorn Time, they aren’t working ‘properly’ if they don’t offer the necessary security features to keep your internet traffic completely anonymous.
Can People Detect My VPN While I’m Using Popcorn Time?
As it’s an alternative to the most popular streaming platforms like Netflix, there’s no real way for anyone to tell if you’re using a VPN while you’re connected to Popcorn Time – especially as the purpose of the tool is to hide your online activity.
Does Popcorn Time Block VPNs?
At the time of writing, there aren’t any VPNs that aren’t supported by Popcorn Time.
Can You Trust Your VPN?
Torrenting can get you into a lot of trouble, so if you’re a heavy Popcorn Time user, it’s important to know you can fully trust your provider.
To check if your VPN is trustworthy or not, you should check to see if it operates with a no-logging policy. A no-logging policy is your provider’s promise to you that it doesn’t log any information that could be used to reveal your identity, such as user sessions and IP addresses.
You should also read your provider’s privacy policy to check if it’s up-to-scratch. The more upfront your VPN is about how it handles your personal information, the better. If it seems a little on the short side and doesn’t contain much detail in its privacy policy, that could be cause for alarm.
Can You Use Free VPNs for Popcorn Time?
We’d strongly advise against using free VPNs with Popcorn Time, as they don’t offer the same level of security and privacy as paid-for subscriptions.
Summary
We cannot stress this enough: if you’re using Popcorn Time, don’t use it without the protection of a VPN hiding your internet traffic. While Popcorn Time is a perfectly legal piece of software, there are lots of repercussions to torrenting, and users have been hit with hefty fines in the past by copyright holders. Connecting your devices to a VPN while you’re streaming and torrenting is the safest and most effective way of keeping your internet activity completely out of sight.