Popcorn Time is generally safe to download, as long as it’s downloaded from the official website. It will be even safer to use a VPN when streaming movies. There are several mirror versions, called forks, that could contain viruses and malware. These Popcorn Time apps are best avoided, no matter how appealing their “extra features”.
How do you find the official site? Which VPN is best for Popcorn Time use? Are these activities legal in the US? Let’s find the answer.
Is Popcorn Time Legal?
Popcorn Time’s legality remains a matter of debate. While downloading and installing the app is safe, it could be illegal to watch copyrighted films on it. It all depends on the local laws that govern copyright infringement and piracy, as well as how strict the enforcers are.
Let’s say you’re in the United States and watching a blockbuster Hollywood movie on Popcorn Time. In essence, you are downloading and pirating copyrighted material. Popcorn Time works just like torrenting without having to search for torrents that have a high seed-peer rate. It is illegal and you could be charged with copyright infringement.
Popcorn Time, also known as the free Netflix for pirated movie, uses P2P connections to stream and download movies. You might be aware that torrent files allow you to upload small parts of the file back. You are a participant in this whole process.
You should also note that getting convicted and being caught is the worst case scenario. Popcorn Time’s history of scandal shows that if the MPAA comes back to bite it will first hit the app’s owners. In 2014, this was true.
This is where virtual private networks (VPNs) come in handy. Popcorn Time is connected to the VPN by hiding your IP address and encryption your internet communications. This makes it difficult for law enforcement agencies to track your activities and not only does it make you anonymous. It doesn’t matter if the BluRay version or saved file of the Bond movie is viewed.
Note Popcorn Time has a feature that will delete your cache and downloads film files after you close the app. Although this may provide a false sense, you could still be arrested for piracy. Your IP address may still be visible on public torrent trackers if you don’t have a VPN.
Is Popcorn Time Safe?
Popcorn Time’s official website was at www.popcorntime.app as of the writing of this article. Popcorn Software is the official name of Popcorn Software. It can also be downloaded for free from its official GitHub page. Stop visiting websites that ask you to pay for the download. Popcorn Software is a free service.
These mirror, rogue versions look exactly like the original Popcorn Software. Warning – Sometimes, it may not be possible to access the official site due to geographic restrictions. We recommend downloading the software via GitHub instead of searching for it online. Click the link above.
Warning Popcorn Software is available only for Windows, macOS Android, Android TV and Linux. It doesn’t support Roku TV or Amazon Firestick.
Alternative Fork
If you’re unable to download from official platforms, we recommend this fork. This Windows version was tested for malware and security flaws. This should only be used as an emergency.
Two Safety Considerations About Popcorn Software
Two things are important when discussing safety around Popcorn Time. You choose the software you use, and what content you stream. You are safe as long as the software is downloaded and installed from the official website. This is the easy part.
When you stream popular movies via the app, trouble starts. Your IP address is added to the public tracker (peerlist) of any torrent that you use to download the movie. You could be subpoenaed (court summons) if the movie producer or anyone else is monitoring the tracker. We recommend using a VPN of high quality to avoid this.
This brings us to our next question.
Why do you need a VPN to use Popcorn Time safely?
To make Popcorn Time anonymous, you will need a VPN. You and your computer are protected while streaming movies. It replaces your IP address by an arbitrary server IP. It uses an encrypted tunnel for traffic transfer via another server (which is usually located in another nation). Optionally, you can change your location during streaming to divert interceptors’ attention. These include hackers and law enforcers as well as trade associations such MPAA and DMCA and production houses.
You can change your location to India, Sweden, or Canada if you’re streaming Popcorn Time from Canada. This will protect you against possible court summonses and infringement strike emails.
You can stream with no restrictions if you have a VPN installed. It is well worth the investment in a high-quality VPN.
Top VPNs for Popcorn Time
We now know what the dangers of torrenting without a VPN. Let’s look at the top five VPNs for torrenting.
NordVPN
NordVPN is the best choice for Popcorn Time. These servers are specially designed for torrenting (P2P), and have negligible speed throttle. You can still enjoy your internet speed, even with a strong tracker connection. No buffering, no lagging. NordLynx provides greater protection against hackers and copyright agents, who may find it difficult to intercept torrenting communications.
The kill switch function in NordVPN ensures that you remain connected to its P2P servers. It automatically shuts down your internet connection if it detects an issue with your connection. This feature is essential for Popcorn Time and is absent in many of the popular VPN services.
Note: A no-logs policy must be followed when you shop for a VPN. The VPN shouldn’t betray you.
- 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
Sweden-based PrivateVPN, which is being marketed as the “most trusted VPN in the world”, is still a new brand. It still packs a punch thanks to its unblocking skills, strict no-logs policy and user-friendly apps. PrivateVPN, for example, labels its servers to help you choose the best one. You need the best VPN server to unlock Netflix UK. PrivateVPN can help.
Our only problem is the small size of its server network. There are only 150 servers available in 62 countries. This is not as many as ExpressVPN or NordVPN. PrivateVPN is an excellent choice if you enjoy user-friendly software, and expect a lot streaming site unblocking.
- 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
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Popcorn Time. It has a diverse server network, unlimited bandwidth, and a no-logs policy. ExpressVPN’s “nearby server” feature, which automatically assigns an IP address to us based on what we prefer, is a great feature. This clever feature is very useful when you have trouble connecting to Popcorn Time trackers.
ExpressVPN doesn’t have a kill switch that works on all operating systems. ExpressVPN is for you if you’re like us and only watch a few movies at a time. ExpressVPN will not have a kill switch, so it doesn’t really matter.
- 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
Surfshark
Surfshark has the same features as ExpressVPN but with a more affordable price. Surfshark VPN is affordable and can be purchased even if your budget is tight. It is one of very few VPN providers that regularly audits its VPN infrastructure to increase user security. This is an uncommon feature in the world of online privacy.
Surfshark offers high-speed connections and multi-hopping, just like NordVPN. It does not support port forwarding which can prove to be a problem for torrenters who use it daily. Surfshark, which is among the top three VPNs we reviewed here, is a positive.
Note If you’ve considered using the built-in VPN with Popcorn Time (VPN.ht), we recommend that you purchase Surfshark instead. It is reliable, less expensive, and offers excellent customer support.
- More than 3200+ global servers located 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
Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is last on our list. It’s a torrent-friendly VPN that offers all the necessary functions for safe Popcorn Time usage. It boasts a large server network, high-speed uploads and port forwarding. The user interface is also very nice. If you are looking for a more robust VPN infrastructure than Surfshark’s, PIA is for you.
- Block trackers and ads
- You can use it with up to 10 devices simultaneously
- Unlimited Bandwidth
- 3200+ Servers in 29 countries
- No Request or Traffic logs
- 7-day money-back guarantee
Tips to Stay Secure While Streaming Popcorn Software
Prevention is always better that cure. It is better to protect yourself and limit your Popcorn Time activities, than to get a virus on your device. These are some tips for new users:
- Popcorn Software can only be downloaded from the official website (links provided above).
- Popcorn Time does not permit you to download any additional codecs or apps.
- Before you load the Popcorn Software, make sure to turn on the VPN
- Do not use the VPN that is already installed
- Anti-virus and antimalware software are recommended
- Advanced users can set up a sandbox for Popcorn Time
If you’re like us, you can download the official site and install it. Then, stream using a VPN. All done!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs
These are some frequently asked questions regarding safety at Popcorn Time.
What can I do if Popcorn Time is used?
You can stream using a VPN. Popcorn Time is illegal in many countries. It also involves piracy. You could be arrested if you are caught streaming copyrighted material. VPNs hide your IP address to make sure you don’t get caught.
Why doesn’t Popcorn Time work with my VPN?
It works with all VPNs. You can try another server from another area or contact customer service.
Popcorn Time is safe to download and install?
Popcorn Time is safe to use. To protect yourself against copyright strikes, install a VPN.
Does Popcorn Time work in 2021?
Popcorn Time was briefly shut down in 2014, but its official page on GitHub is still active.
Is it infected?
The official version is free from viruses and malware.
Is it allowed in my country/state?
It is unlikely. Popcorn Time is legal if your country allows the free exchange of copyrighted material. This is not true in most countries, such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
Is Popcorn Time possible without a VPN?
It is possible, but not recommended. Popcorn Time can be used without a VPN. This will make your IP address available to the world. This could be used to prosecute you for copyright violation, which can result in jail or fines. Although it is rare, it is possible.
Can Popcorn Time hack me?
Popcorn Time allows you to become a victim of hacking. Hackers often target random users and intercept them via BitTorrent or codec download requests. To prevent a hack, use a VPN.
