I only shortlisted trackers that have exclusive content, moderation policies, and great download speeds. While private torrent trackers tend to be safer than public sites, I also used a VPN when testing them. Even the most secure torrenting sites can log your activities, contain malware, or be subject to impersonation by fake sites. My VPN encrypts my data to keep me safe from cyber threats. Besides, a VPN helps me avoid ISP throttling when torrenting. They can be equally useful for getting around geo-restrictions if some torrenting sites or trackers are unavailable where you are. ExpressVPN is my favorite option for torrenting. Its military-grade encryption and obfuscation let you torrent safely via private trackers with popular clients (like uTorrent and BitTorrent). Additionally, it offers fast servers, P2P support, and unlimited bandwidth, so you can download and seed files at top speeds. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free (thanks to a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee). Get ExpressVPN for Safe Torrenting
10 Best Private Torrent Trackers of 2023
My recommended private trackers cover entertainment, software, and educational material. I ensured these trackers provide excellent torrent availability, superb download speeds, and tight moderation that prevents security risks. They’re also available in almost every country. Don’t risk exposing yourself to cyber threats though — it’s highly recommended you access these sites in conjunction with a VPN to protect your personal data.
1. IPTorrents — The Best Overall Tracker for Apps and Media
IPTorrents is one of the oldest and largest general private trackers. You can find just about everything here — from non-copyrighted movies and music to free academic literature and software. The site has a growing community and nearly a million torrents (hence its nickname, The Private Pirate Bay). This is an invite-only tracker. You need to seek other members on Reddit, Internet Relay Chat (IRC) rooms, or specialized forums to join. Alternatively, you can donate money to get a membership or upgrade your current status. The suggested dono is currently $20, which gets you 10GB of upload credit, VIP status, and 2 invitations. Torrent quality and speeds are preserved by strict ratio rules. You must maintain a good download-to-upload ratio — your account freezes if you reach 0.2. To prevent this, everyone should regularly seed files and upload their own content. However, if your rating gets too low for some reason, you can pay for more upload credit. Find Movies With IPTorrents
2. SpeedApp — Popular Private Tracker in Privacy-Friendly Romania
For versatile content, you can go to SpeedApp (previously known as TorrentBits, ICE Torrent, and SceneFZ). Like IPTorrent, it has libraries of films, TV shows, games, and apps. This site is headquartered in Romania, a privacy-friendly country outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances (intelligence-sharing pacts). So, the administrators never share your torrenting activities with ISPs or ad networks. You can apply for an invite from the website. The submission form ensures every member has speedy internet, a good ratio on other trackers, and an understanding of the basics. To keep more torrents active, users must keep seeding for at least 48 hours over 30 days. You can buy on-site cosmetics (to enhance the look of your profile), and there’s also a bonus points and friend referral system. Download Content From SpeedApp
3. REDacted — Best Private Music Torrent Tracker
REDacted (formerly — PassTheHeadPhones) has over a million torrents for music lovers. This tracker features albums, live recordings, and songs — in lossless FLAC and compressed formats. You can also find plenty of music-related books and learning videos. The torrents usually maintain fantastic speeds too, thanks to a passionate community of over 27,000 users. To get an invitation, you need to pass an IIRC interview process with a series of technical questions. Maintaining the ratio requires honest work too, as there’s no bonus system or donations. However, reaching a good standing gives you access to specialized forums. There, you can ask for niche music and gain legitimate invites to other private torrent trackers. Use REDacted Now
4. AudioNews — Excellent Private Tracker for Audio Software
Music creators and producers can find numerous production software on AudioNews. This site is full of programs for all operating systems, sample libraries, and learning materials. It also contains several video courses on web development and content creation. Around 10 torrents are added per day and over 150,000 users contribute to the site, so most torrents are always available for high-speed downloads. Registration is open for new users on the first day of every month. You must sign up and seed smaller files for about 30 days to become eligible for an official invite. Improving your ratio can be a lot of work, as you must regularly seed new torrents. If your ratio drops below 0.8, your account will be limited. That said, the tracker lets you donate to get upload traffic, unlimited downloads, and invite other people. Try Out AudioNews
5. MyAnonaMouse — One of the Best Trackers for Audiobooks and Ebooks
MyAnonaMouse has over 600,000 torrents including non-copyrighted digital and audiobooks, comics, and magazines. Unlike many private torrent trackers, this one has a friendly user base and responsive staff. The moderators are very strict when it comes to swearing or any other offensive language. You can go through an interview with the administrators in the IRC room. Getting access to the tracker isn’t hard if you’re a good fit for the generous community. Maintaining a ratio is easy, too. You can even use a seedbox — an always-online remote server for uploading torrents — after notifying the staff. Plus, you regularly get bonus points that you can use to get free upload credit or customize your on-site profile. Torrent With AnonaMouse
6. Bibliotik — The Best Private Tracker for E-Learning
Bibliotik features an extensive library of educational material (including freely available content) maintained by an active community of over 6,000 users. Finding information is easy; there are nearly half a million ebooks, periodicals, and scientific articles that can be explored with easy search filters. Additionally, much of the content is available in multiple languages and data formats (like high-quality EPUB). The staff has very strict conduct rules and takes a while to respond to interview requests. Once you join, you have to regularly seed to maintain an adequate ratio. Besides, you automatically get banned after more than 90 days of inactivity. Active engagement lets you access new perks, create custom content collections, and get free invites. Get Publications With Bibliotik
7. BroadcasThe.Net — Best Tracker for TV Shows and Series
BroadcasThe.Net (BTN) is an easy-to-use Gazelle-based tracker for all your television needs. This site has nearly 200,000 torrents ranging from quality series to weekly talk shows, and around 35,000 active users. Most torrents also provide useful information about the shows and starred actors, as well as user surveys and ratings. What’s more, you can find many older (non-copyrighted) shows and international series, including soap operas from a range of countries. The tracker is ratioless, meaning there’s no threshold for downloading or seeding files. However, getting a better ratio and uploading files opens access to exclusive forums, custom titles, and extra invites. The one downside is that you can only get invited by another member or via direct recruitment. Watch TV Shows From BroadcasThe.Net
8. PassThePopcorn — The Best Tracker for Movies in Blu-Ray Quality
HD film releases and obscure cinema gems are on PassThePopcorn — with plenty of non-copyrighted finds. This easy-to-use tracker has more than 35,000 active users and currently features more than 50,000 titles, 80,000 subtitles, 3.5 million total snatches, and a seeder/leecher ratio of 85.49. Plus, the monthly activity rate is over 90%, so downloads are very fast. The tracker also features a class system based on your activity. Being higher up in the system gives you access to exclusive forums, profile customization options, and free invites. Getting invited requires patience though, as PTP rarely accepts new members. The staff is extra scrupulous about invite trading, meaning you get a permanent ban if exposed. Inactive users are also rapidly removed (the bonus of this being that spots are freed up). However, maintaining a good ratio isn’t too hard if you seed popular files from time to time. Download Movies From PassThePopcorn
9. AnimeBytes — The Best Private Anime Tracker
AnimeBytes offers vast libraries of anime, manga, visual novels, and related content, with roughly 16,000 users and more than 141,000 torrents. You can find your favorite titles and series with translations, subtitles, and fandubs. The tracker is very strict about the content — anime that originates outside Japan is prohibited. Because of the high demand, this private tracker is tough to access. The administration rarely opens applications, so you must search for users with invites. On the bright side, it’s easy to build a good seed ratio to access restricted forums and customize your profile. In addition, the community is quite friendly and regularly participates in forum games and live streams. Find Anime on AnimeBytes
10. GazelleGames — The Best Private Video Game Tracker
Whether you enjoy AAA games or old-school classics, GazelleGames (GGN) has over 65,000 games for every platform. The larger community of over 15,000 members ensures high speeds and working executables free of malicious trackers. There’s even a whole section dedicated to making emulators for modern operating systems. You can join only via other active members or direct recruitment, but account sharing or invites trading is punishable by a lifetime ban. This private tracker is also ratio-based and there are strict content quality rules for uploads, requests, and tagging too — inactivity will lead to deletion. Your contributions reward you with achievement points that you can use to acquire customization options for your profile or access forums for the elite. Get Game Torrents on GazelleGames
Tips on Choosing the Best Private Torrent Trackers
I spent weeks getting access to and researching each tracker on my list. Here are the parameters I used to determine the best ones.
Large content library — Only join private trackers that offer plenty of diverse, high-quality, and regularly updated content. Strict moderation policy — The best private trackers enforce strict file quality rules and naming conventions to ensure you’re getting the best content. Vast community — A high number of members means regular monthly activity, new torrents, and stable download speeds. Moderate usage requirements — Make sure your tracker offers clear ways to join alongside achievable download and upload ratio requirements. No ads or trackers — Torrent trackers shouldn’t have intrusive ads and administrators must monitor files for malware.
Why You Need a VPN for Private Torrent Trackers
Your privacy is at risk on any torrenting site. Even the best private trackers can’t guarantee safety from malware and trojans. Plus, if a tracker’s user database gets leaked, your IP address and web activities can be exposed. This means your ISP can learn about the files you downloaded and uploaded. However, a VPN reduces these risks. Connecting to a VPN reroutes your traffic via a secure tunnel. This encrypts your activity against hackers and prevents anyone from seeing what you do online. The best VPNs also have a strict no-logs policy, which means they can’t record your online activity or share your personal information with third parties. In other words, a VPN lets you safely download and share files on private trackers. When you connect to a VPN server, your real IP address is masked by one of the VPN’s IP addresses too. This means VPNs can also help you unblock geo-restricted torrent sites or trackers. All you have to do is connect to a server in a location where the site you want to access isn’t blocked. For example, you can access IPTorrent from the UK or use BroadcasThe.Net while in Egypt. Since a VPN connection prevents your ISP from seeing what you do online, it can also help you avoid speed throttling associated with torrenting. Many internet providers limit torrenting speeds to discourage high bandwidth usage or potential piracy. However, a reliable VPN ciphers your traffic, preventing your ISP from throttling your connection when you torrent. Try Torrenting Safely with ExpressVPN Today
3 Best VPNs for Safe & Fast Torrenting on Private Trackers (Updated in 2023)
1. ExpressVPN — Built-in Obfuscation Feature to Use Private Trackers Safely
ExpressVPN’s built-in obfuscation masks VPN traffic so you don’t get a private tracker ban. All of the VPN’s servers offer obfuscation automatically — I safely torrented on sites that frown on VPN use, like GazelleGames. The obfuscated technology also protects you from ISP throttling and bypasses strict firewalls. Network Lock (a kill switch) prevents accidental data exposure. Enabled by default, this feature terminates your internet connection if your VPN connectivity breaks. It never happened to me, but it stops your real location or identity from being exposed due to power outages, unstable ISPs, or server switching. More importantly, I didn’t detect any IP/DNS/WebRTC leaks while testing ExpressVPN with the uTorrent client. This VPN uses military-grade encryption (AES 256-bit) to hide your activities from torrent sites, ISPs, and hackers. Plus, the Perfect Forward Secrecy ensures your sessions are encrypted with a new cryptography key for every new session. So, hackers can’t read all your data even if they manage to steal one key. Your traffic and metadata are never collected, stored, or shared — thanks to the independently audited no-logs policy. Plus, the TrustedServer Technology (RAM-only servers) erases your online history with every server reboot. The provider is also headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, away from the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances pact. This VPN supports P2P traffic across its network, so you can torrent on any server. I didn’t encounter any disconnects or slowdowns either, because the provider doesn’t limit your bandwidth. That means you can download any file you want or seed 24/7 to maintain a good ratio on private trackers. I use the Lightway protocol to download and upload files at maximum speeds without compromising data. My base speed dropped less than 12% — from 95Mbps to 84Mbps — when testing Lightway. This means downloading 1GB takes less than 2 minutes on actively seeded torrents. Besides, you only need 25Mbps even for the most bandwidth-intensive tasks, like 4K streaming and online gaming. The huge network of 3,000 servers helps you avoid geo-restrictions for popular private trackers. You can access websites that are geoblocked in your country (like IPTorrents in the UK) or locations filtered by the site. Additionally, I use the split tunneling feature to choose which apps route through the VPN. For example, I set the VPN to launch for the BitTorrent client, while other apps use my regular IP address. This helps me avoid triggering location alerts on my banking app. All the desktop and mobile apps are beginner-friendly and allow up to 5 device connections from a single account. One click on the Smart Location button connects me to my fastest nearby server. The official website is full of detailed tutorials on advanced features too. Plus, you can reach the support staff 24/7 via email and online chat for any questions or quick troubleshooting. The lowest-priced plan starts at $6.67/month, which is a little expensive. Thankfully, ExpressVPN offers frequent and generous discounts. Signing up for a 12-month plan gave me 3 extra free months and a 49% off. For extra privacy, you can pay for your subscription in Bitcoin using a throwaway email. I tested ExpressVPN’s 30-day refund policy myself. Turns out, getting your money back is easy if you’re not 100% satisfied. I spoke with the support team for a few minutes via live chat to apply for a refund. In just 2 days, my money was back in my PayPal account. Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free Today
2. CyberGhost — Torrenting-Optimized Servers to Download from Private Torrent Trackers at Top Speeds
CyberGhost’s P2P-optimized servers let you reliably torrent from private trackers. On desktop devices, you can select the best location for faster torrenting. I tested CyberGhost’s speeds using qBitTorrent and downloaded a 1.43GB file in 2 minutes thanks to speeds of 78Mbps. Like ExpressVPN, this provider supports unlimited torrenting as it doesn’t cap your bandwidth. Thanks to a vast network that spans 90 countries, you can avoid filtering and geoblocks on popular private tracker sites. The WireGuard protocol safeguards your activities while maintaining a stable connection. This tunneling protocol is known for its fast speeds and reliable protection. You can also switch to OpenVPN to maximize your privacy. Additionally, this VPN ciphers your connection with high-level encryption (AES 256-bit). I didn’t detect any IPv6/DNS leaks and the automatic kill switch gave me extra protection for torrenting. I use the automatic WiFi protection to torrent safely on public networks. It launches the VPN on any unknown network, helping to protect your data on unsecured hotspots. Seeing how often public network administrators restrict speeds for torrenting traffic, this feature also helps me avoid speed throttling on public WiFi. Your confidential information is safe from prying eyes because of the strict no-logs policy and RAM-only servers. The headquarters are in Romania — outside the Eyes Alliances and the EU’s harsh data exchange laws. Additionally, you can upgrade your plan to use highly secure NoSpy servers managed exclusively by internal employees (though this costs extra). Monthly subscriptions are quite pricey and offer a limited 14-day refund period. However, you can sign up for only $2.11/month if you opt for a long-term plan. I got the 3-year subscription to save the most money overall. It’s also possible to torrent with CyberGhost for free using the extended 45-day money-back guarantee that comes with longer plans. The refund can be easily processed via email. Try CyberGhost Today
3. Private Internet Access — Focus on Speeds or Privacy with Customizable Encryption
PIA lets you configure your encryption level and security protocol for your torrenting needs. I go with the faster (but still secure) AES 128-bit and WireGuard protocol to download files quickly. But if you need more privacy, you can stick to AES 256-bit and OpenVPN. There’s an obfuscation feature too — the Shadowsocks protocol that forwards your connection via an extra server. This lets you mask your encryption traffic to avoid private tracker bans. Like CyberGhost, this VPN offers an automatic kill switch that prevents accidental exposure of your IP address and activity. My IP/DNS/WebRTC tests showed no leaks on PIA’s servers. At the same time, the zero-logs policy keeps your personally identifiable data from being handed over to authorities or ad networks. Plus, the MACE feature helped me block ads on IPTorrents. My speeds averaged 66Mbps — great for fast torrenting on private trackers. Additionally, the VPN has unlimited bandwidth and P2P-friendly support for torrenting. Unlike ExpressVPN, this VPN doesn’t enable P2P traffic on US-based servers. However, you can torrent on plenty of other servers (like the European ones). For example, my work WiFi blocks P2P traffic, but connecting to a Spain-based server lets me torrent without problems. The apps have a pre-configured profile for torrenting for better ease of use. It took me only a few clicks to start torrenting safely. If you need assistance with any of the settings, you can read the official guides or seek help via the 24/7 live chat. All plans are super-affordable, but PIA’s best-priced subscription is available for $2.03/month. For the most wallet-friendly option, I chose the 2-year plan. Getting a refund is straightforward with the 30-day money-back period. I canceled in the “Client Control Panel” on the website’s dashboard — my bank account was fully reimbursed within 5 days. Try PIA Today
What are private torrent trackers?
Private trackers are member-only torrenting sites with a vast selection of content and strict activity rules. They often require you to maintain a good seed rating — a ratio between downloads and uploads — to keep using the tracker. Although they have tougher security than public trackers, you still need a VPN with robust encryption to torrent privately. Lots of private tracker sites also offer additional benefits. For example, bonus upload credit when you fulfill content requests from other users and access to exclusive membership forums.
Why should I use private torrent trackers vs public torrent trackers?
Public torrents are open to anyone, while private trackers are restricted to selected members. This means private trackers are usually safer (although a VPN is always recommended for secure torrenting). Private platforms have strict content moderation that reduces your risk of downloading malware. Plus, they have fewer DMCA spies and copyright trolls who could falsely notify your ISP about your activities (even if downloading permitted files). The best private torrent trackers also have more extensive libraries and content moderation, ensuring high-quality standards for media. You can easily discover Blu-ray quality films, lossless music, or enterprise-tier software. Private trackers enforce a minimum seed-to-leech ratio, resulting in more active torrents and higher download speeds. They usually have a bonus system and rankings, encouraging users to upload faster and more frequently.
How to join the best private torrenting trackers?
Most private trackers are invite-only — you must ask members on official IRC channels for an interview. It’s much easier to trade invites online, but some trackers prohibit this. So, it’s best to protect your identity with a secure VPN to avoid a tracker ban. The subreddits (r/Invites and r/trackers) are good for finding invitations, or you can use image boards and websites like InviteHawk, OpenTrackers, or TorrentInvites. Some trackers also host open registration days or accept a donation or proof of a good upload ratio in exchange for membership.
Why can’t I download from a private tracker?
You might not have the correct upload-to-download ratio (you usually need higher than 1.0). Or, the tracker may have detected your VPN use, meaning you need a service with obfuscation instead. Here are some tips for improving your ratio:
Don’t delete a file after downloading — keep seeding for as long as you can. Get popular and trending files to increase your odds of seeding them. Upload your own content, so other members can download from you. Donate to get upload GBs if your ratio gets too low. If the tracker allows it, use a Seedbox to constantly seed files (even when your computer is turned off).
Are private trackers safe and legal to use?
Torrenting on private trackers is much safer than on public sites because the staff vets members and moderates content. Still, torrent trackers aren’t immune to hackers or malware so you need a VPN to protect your data when torrenting. File downloading and P2P sharing is legal in most places too, as long you don’t torrent copyrighted or illegal material. You can check out this regularly updated map of global torrenting laws to keep up with the rules where you are.
Which torrent trackers should I avoid?
Avoid free public trackers without moderation if you don’t want to compromise your safety. It’s preferable to torrent on private trackers with a trustworthy VPN to avoid online dangers like viruses, trojans, and adware. Private torrent trackers also often have strict rules that prevent them from collecting your web data. Here are some public trackers sites that have proved to be unreliable:
TorrentFunk — Tracks your activities and is full of intrusive ads, while having a pretty limited library. TorrentBay — Doesn’t have a reliable curation, meaning it can contain malicious software in files. YourBittorrent — An outright dangerous site with countless pop-ups and malicious software.
Start Torrenting Safely on Private Trackers With a VPN
Figuring out the best private torrent trackers can be hard since it’s often difficult to get an invite. That’s why my list contains the safest and most reliable private trackers, as well as optimal ways to join them. That said, even private torrent trackers can fall prey to hackers and malware. So, you should always use a VPN to torrent safely. VPNs encrypt your traffic, preventing snoops from monitoring what you torrent. I prefer ExpressVPN for private torrenting, thanks to its military-grade security features. It also has fast P2P-supported servers and uncapped bandwidth to let you download and upload as much as you like.
To summarize, here are the best VPNs for torrenting with private trackers…
The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.
VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 49% off.
Visit ExpressVPN
