I’m based in Canada and looking for a VPN that can handle my needs, which include streaming, general browsing, and occasionally torrenting. I’ve heard that having a VPN with Canadian servers is important for speed and access to local content, but I’m not sure what else to prioritize.
For those who torrent, does the VPN you use make a noticeable difference in terms of security and speed? Also, if I travel outside Canada, will I still be able to access Canadian websites and services reliably?
I’d love to hear what’s worked for others without naming specific services, just general advice on what to look for.
I’m in the same boat so a few pointers for torrenting, you will need a VPN with:
believable no logs policy
port forwarding
Over here like in the wiki I think ProtonVPN and Air VPN are the only two recommended. I am leaning towards proton given their valentines sale, but it has a few shortcomings:
For macOS port forwarding has not yet been implemented (it’s expected this year I think) in the client, instead there’s a very clunky work around to get that to work.
The forwarded port changes every time there’s a disconnection/reconnection. This wouldn’t be a big issue if you’re there since you can just copy paste the new port into your BitTorrent client but if you leave it running that wouldn’t work if the connection drops.
It looks like multihop doesn’t support torrenting. Multihop is where your traffic goes through two VPN servers to really obfuscate things, Proton calls it Secure Core.
It’s not all bad, there are compelling positives too:
Valentine’s Day sale so it’s basically CAD$5 per month.
Will be faster than Air VPN
The no logs policy has been tested in court at least once.
I am also looking at others like Windscribe, which is Canadian from Toronto, and Azire, though they don’t appear to be recommended often here. At the end of the day I might just go for Proton because of the lowest cost.
Canadian here who has been living abroad in a country where VPN isn’t necessary. Now returning and looking for A VPN myself. To access local content you need the site to think that you are local, so a Canadian server makes sense for that - and you can access those servers regardless of where you physically are.
In terms of speed, a server close to you can help, but servers close to a lot of the content is likely to be more effective. There are a lot of data centres in and around Virginia for example, so a server near there may give you better speeds.
If torrenting is going to be a meaningful part of your use cases (and this is a torrent related sub), especially for non mainstream content like current TV shows and movies, then port forwarding also becomes important. That rules out a lot of VPNs, but Proton and AirVPN are commonly recommended.
I’d love to hear what’s worked for others without naming specific services,
Well, too bad, I’m going to name it.
I’ve been happy with AirVPN. I only use it for torrents though. Of course it improves torrent security, that’s it’s job. It is a bit slower than downloading without a VPN but all are. It pretty much has to be as it is adding a connection in between. I don’t even notice as all my torrenting is done in the background.
Always bind your torrent client to the VPN Interface so if (when) the VPN disconnects your torrent traffic stops. Not binding is the most common source of IP leaks.
I see no reason it wouldn’t work well for making it look like you’re in Canada when you’re not.
Windscribe has been great for me, great with torrenting, but port forward is a bit tedious (you have to set it up every 6 days). Everything else is great!
Nord VPN has been rock solid for me. Canadian servers keep things zippy, and I’ve never had issues streaming or torrenting. Plus, their obfuscated servers help when traveling abroad. Definitely worth a shot if privacy and speed are priorities.
ProtonVPN isn’t cheaper. It costs $60 CAD for the first year, then renews at $100 CAD the following years, in fact it’s one of the most expensive VPN’s for torrenting.
AirVPN costs 99 euros for 3 years, and during sales, it can be as cheap as 70 ish euros per 3 years (I think).
Also, AirVPN has static ports, not dynamic ports, which is much more convenient. Plus, port forwarding is easy to use with their configs. No additional setup is required, unlike Proton’s configs. Regarding speeds, AirVPN’s speeds were no different from ProtonVPN’s.
AirVPN costs 99 euros for 3 years, and during sales, it can be as cheap as 70 ish euros per 3 years (I think).
How often is the sale?
Plus, port forwarding is easy to use with their configs. No additional setup is required, unlike Proton’s configs.
What is the difference between the two in how it’s done? For windows proton looks like you just go to advanced settings and turn it on then you can copy the dynamic port it gives you and put it into your BitTorrent client. Other than the static ports part, what is easier about the Air VPN?
Regarding speeds, AirVPN’s speeds were no different from ProtonVPN’s.
Was that in your experience or has it been surveyed somewhere?
Also, how would you compare Air VPN and Windscribe?
The official macOS client cannot do it out of the box but the feature is being built and is expected to launch in spring. In the meantime there are some Terminal commands to make port forwarding work on Mac. It’s clunky and you have to keep the Terminal window open but it works.
Even once port forwarding gets implemented, everytime the connection disconnects the forwarded port changes and you have to copy paste it into your torrent client.
So yeah now I’m convinced Air VPN especially the 3 year package when on sale is the clear winner.
