Popcorn Time, also known as the “free Netflix for pirated films” is much better than downloading a movie via torrent.
It comes with an integrated media player. Directly, you can view a movie. You don’t need to search torrent sites. Just look for the seeds-peers ratio or wait for the whole file to download. Popcorn Time will stream the movie or web show you search in seconds.
However, all this convenience comes with the risk of your IP address and geographic location being exposed. Popcorn Time is a P2P network that allows you to download files from third-party trackers. This is comparable to downloading from uTorrent and qBittorrent, where the connection may not be secure. Popcorn Time doesn’t offer free VPN protection, contrary to popular belief.
Popcorn Time is strongly recommended when used with a VPN. Let’s see why and which VPNs are the best.
These are the top VPNs for Popcorn Time:
- NordVPN is the best VPN for Popcorn Time
- PrivateVPN is fast and reliable for HD streaming
- Surfshark – great for unblocking streaming services
- ExpressVPN is a fast and reliable Popcorn Time VPN
- Private Internet Access is a great alternative.
What is Popcorn Time?
Popcorn Time, a torrent streaming tool, combines torrenting with a media player. It uses BitTorrent protocol to obtain movie files from torrent trackers. It can simultaneously play the file in its builtin video player. You can select films, TV shows and web shows from different categories. All of these are displayed in visual tiles with HD posters.
Popcorn Time is known as the Netflix of pirated movies due to its large collection, vivid layout, ease-of-streaming, and high number of titles. Popcorn Time will search for the title you are looking for, then download the torrent and allow you to stream it. It behaves just like other torrent clients, such as uTorrent, because it relies on BitTorrent protocol. It downloads movies and uploads them to the torrent swarm. Popcorn Time is therefore illegal, and this may be even more depending on where you live.
When BitTorrent is being used, we recommend that you use a reliable VPN. Without VPN, you could be at risk of copyright infringement by watching a movie on Popcorn Time. Copyright strikes of this nature can cause expensive and painful litigation.
Top 5 VPNs to Watch Popcorn Time
Popcorn Time’s best VPN is the one you already use and know. Here are our top five VPN choices for Popcorn Time.
NordVPN
NordVPN is the #1 VPN choice for Popcorn Time due to its special servers that are designed for P2P connections. This feature allows you to connect to the fastest available torrenting server, providing better connectivity and speed.
NordVPN boasts over 5,500 servers, and guarantees optimized speed for Popcorn Time viewing. NordVPN uses the NordLynx protocol, which protects you against copyright strikers. We have repeatedly tested NordVPN and found it to be the best VPN for Popcorn Time.
You can also use the kill switch to ensure you remain connected to Popcorn Time via its servers. NordVPN will shut down the Internet if it detects an issue with its secure connection. This makes Popcorn Time a foolproof tool that protects you from the moment you launch it. Other important NordVPN functions include no-logs policy, availability across OSes, and other critical functions.
Verdict : This product is highly recommended for its all-around protection, speed and great P2P connectivity, as well as a user-friendly interface.
- 5200+ Global Servers in 59+ Countries
- CyberSec malware protection and ad blocking
- Next-generation encryption using double VPN servers
- VPN traffic is obscured by obfuscation technology
- Strict no-logs policy
- Uses Netflix for streaming
- Lightning fast with P2P Support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN is a great choice for those looking for reliable VPN services on a budget. It also has all the security and unblocking features you need to stream online.
Over 200 server locations in 63 countries make it easy to unblock Popcorn Time, even if it is restricted in your country. This number of servers means you can rely on stable and fast networks. You’ll always find a server nearby, no matter where you are located.
Popcorn Time is technically illegal. Your VPN should also keep your private information secure. PrivateVPN is able to do this. It provides strong encryption and IPv6 leak prevention. It also features an uncompromising, zero-logs policy. It also includes a kill Switch to protect your network in the event of connection drops.
- Server locations in more than 60 countries
- Zero data logging policy
- 2048-bit encryption using AES-256
- Unlimited bandwidth and high speeds
- Supports anonymous torrenting/P2P friendly
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Allows port forwarding
Surfshark
Surfshark offers torrenting speeds that are fast and has a lot of servers. It conducts independent audits of its VPN infrastructure to identify security breaches and ensure safety. This is an unusual practice in the VPN industry and should be appreciated. Do you know of any other VPN that conducts audits to ensure customer safety and security?
If you opt for a long-term plan, Surfshark will be more affordable than NordVPN. You won’t have to spend a lot of money on it, with its multi-hop and kill switch. We have one complaint: PIA VPN lacks port forwarding. (See below).
Surfshark has some positives, however. It offers flexible subscription plans. It offers a monthly plan, which you can use to try the product and then switch to another provider if it doesn’t work out. Surfshark is a great VPN for Popcorn Time that’s also very affordable.
Verdict – Surfshark Popcorn Time is the best choice if you’re looking for a low-cost VPN that has a lot power.
- More than 3200 global servers in 60+ Countries
- CleanWeb Ad-blocking feature
- OpenVPN offers strong encryption and security
- Whitelister, Multihop VPN and Kill Switch
- No-logs policy
- Uses Netflix for streaming
- Amazing speeds
- 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a crowd favourite because it offers unlimited bandwidth and has a zero-logs policy. Although it is more expensive than Surfshark, it still has a wide server network that makes it worth it. You can choose from a variety of locations to optimize your P2P connection.
ExpressVPN’s unique feature is that it suggests nearby torrenting servers. This is the USP. It is better to let the VPN provider pick the server, as you won’t be able to determine what torrent or tracker Popcorn Time uses to download the movie files. This will ensure a fast connection and minimal speed suppression.
ExpressVPN’s only problem is the inability to use a kill switch on certain operating systems. For some users, this can be a major problem.
Verdict – If you plan on watching a lot of movies online, such as Popcorn Time or other streaming sites, then get ExpressVPN.
- 160+ Locations and 3000+ Servers
- Strict No-Log policy
- Unlimited streaming (Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer)
- Strong military-grade AES256-bit key encryption
- Split tunneling, Kill Switch and RAM-disk Servers
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Support for Windows, MacOS and Linux
- Reliable connections and fast speeds
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access (PIA) is next on our list. This VPN application puts torrenting first. It is distinguished by its port forwarding and torrent friendliness. PIA offers servers that are optimized for P2P uploads and downloads. This creates a perfect environment for Popcorn Time.
PIA’s ability to bypass restricted P2P platforms and private trackers is what makes it so appealing. PIA is the best torrenting VPN if you want to use Popcorn Time as well as manually download. The robust security infrastructure and extensive server network of PIA will ensure your connection stays private.
Verdict PIA is the best VPN for Popcorn Time if you want to trade privacy for speed.
- WireGuard supports all platforms
- WG currently is in beta testing phase
- No Request or Traffic logs
- You can use it with up to 10 devices simultaneously
- Unlimited Bandwidth at good speeds
- 3200+ Servers in 29 countries
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Do I need a VPN to watch Popcorn Time?
The short answer to your question is yes. Popcorn Time is made anonymous by a VPN.
Popcorn Time is not recommended without VPN due to the obvious danger of your IP address and location being exposed. This tool downloads and streams pirated movies via different torrent sites. This is a crime in many countries. Popcorn Time VPNs are becoming more popular due to increased scrutiny from US authorities and other countries.
Popcorn Time’s legality remains a matter of debate. Popcorn Time’s users are therefore at risk of copyright strikes by their ISPs or law enforcement agencies. It has been controversial since its launch in 2014. You don’t want your name in the mud. You could be charged with piracy through agencies like the MPAA and DMCA.
This is where the argument that you are just watching the movie and not sharing it doesn’t hold. BitTorrent is a peering protocol. This means you can download and upload simultaneously. Downloading the latest Money Heist episode may violate a copyright policy. It also applies to Popcorn Time.
Even if your country has lax copyright laws and effective privacy laws, we recommend a VPN. It’s not always about getting around a court subpoena. Cyber-attacks like malware and ransomware can also be prevented. You will get the protection you need by choosing the right VPN that has the right combination of features and functions. A free VPN is not recommended.
Does Popcorn Time have a built-in VPN?
No. Popcorn comes with a VPN option, but it’s both expensive and not reliable.
A company called Kebrum offered VPN protection for Popcorn Time users in 2014. It was eventually discontinued after the MPAA and US authorities had problems with it. VPN.ht sponsors the current Popcorn Time version. Popcorn Time users can also get the paid-for VPN from the same VPN provider.
You’ve probably used freemium software. This is especially true when you are concerned about your privacy.
Reddit users also complain about VPN.ht. They have never been able reset their passwords or log in to VPN.ht.
Popcorn Time Is Safe Without VPN?
It is not. Its connection is not secured. Popcorn Time is not secure if you don’t have a VPN. Although you may think you can prevent a virus attack, there’s no guarantee you won’t get one. Popcorn Time is no different. It depends on BitTorrent swarms for streaming and downloading content.
A VPN is a firewall that protects your computer from BitTorrent trackers (Popcorn Time’s server). You can also stream movies and shows anonymously through a VPN.
Warning!
Popcorn Time’s biggest flaw is its constant VPN warnings. It welcomes you to the tool at startup, while streaming a movie or managing your bookmarks.
You can disable the Popcorn Time VPN warning by following these simple steps
- Open Popcorn Time
- Go to Settings (gear icon).
- Uncheck the box under Downloads that says “Alert me before I download if my VPN has been turned off”.
The latest stable version, released in 2020, does not allow you to remove any warnings. You can either revert to an earlier version or use an alternative. To avoid being swindled by fakes or scams, we recommend that you only use the original Popcorn Time at popcorn.tw
Note Some Popcorn Time forks have reported that forced disabling the Safe Watch VPN version has caused streaming problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
These are the answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about VPNs and Popcorn Time.
Popcorn Time is safe?
Yes. Popcorn Time is a torrent client that includes an integrated media player. Popcorn Time is more secure than downloading movies and shows manually from torrent sites. Popcorn Time is best protected with a VPN.
Popcorn Time is free!
Yes. Popcorn Time is an open-source, free tool.
What can I do if Popcorn Time is used?
You could be in serious trouble if you stream copyrighted content using Popcorn Time with no VPN. You may receive a letter from your ISP or surveillance agency if you download and stream copyrighted content via the tool. This scenario will depend on the copyright laws in your country.
What’s the fastest VPN for Popcorn Time,
NordVPN and Surfshark are the fastest VPNs available for Popcorn Time.
Which VPN is best for Popcorn Time across OSes such as Android and Windows?
NordVPN is recommended as it supports Windows, Android and Linux (Apple),
How do you set up VPN with Popcorn Time.
Install a VPN on your device. Activate the software and choose a server. Before you open Popcorn Time, set up additional features like kill switch. Browse for the title you want and start streaming.
Is Popcorn Time allowed in my country?
It all depends on the jurisdiction of your country and its copyright laws. In the United States, it is illegal to watch a Hollywood movie that has been copied on Popcorn Time. This is also not an explicitly prohibited act in Sweden. If you are not sure, consult a lawyer.
Popcorn Time will not be satisfied with a free VPN.
No. No. Popcorn Time should only be performed by trusted VPNs such as IPVanish, PIA and Surfshark.
Popcorn Time has been warned by my ISP. What should I do?
Your ISP may have been notified by a law enforcement agency or DMCA about your Popcorn Time use. To avoid any further complaints, you can either discontinue using the tool or use a reliable VPN like NordVPN or Surfshark.
