Quick answer: TorGuard is a power-user VPN with unusual depth of configuration and a useful range of dedicated IP add-ons. The complication is its name: after a 2022 settlement with film studios, TorGuard blocks BitTorrent traffic on its US servers, so it is no longer the unrestricted torrenting service its branding implies.
TorGuard at a glance
| Overall score | 7.3/10 |
|---|---|
| Price | From about $4.99/mo (annual plan) |
| Servers | 3,000+ |
| Countries | 50 |
| Average speed loss | 11-15% |
| Simultaneous connections | 8-12 depending on plan |
| Logging policy | No-logs claimed; US jurisdiction |
| Jurisdiction | United States |
| Money-back guarantee | 7 days |
| Best for | Dedicated IPs and power-user configuration |
| Last tested | 2026-10-05 |
Key takeaways
- BitTorrent is blocked on US servers following a 2022 legal settlement
- P2P remains permitted on many non-US locations
- Dedicated and residential IP addresses available as paid add-ons
- Only a 7-day refund window, far shorter than the 30-day standard
- US jurisdiction, inside Five Eyes
Pros and cons
Pros
- Extensive protocol and cipher configuration options
- Dedicated IP and residential IP addresses available
- Port forwarding supported on most locations
- Large network of 3,000+ servers
- Stealth protocols for restrictive networks
- Strong Linux and router support
Cons
- Blocks BitTorrent traffic on US servers following a 2022 settlement
- US jurisdiction inside Five Eyes
- Only a 7-day money-back guarantee
- Many useful features cost extra
- Interface is cluttered and dated
Speed and performance
WireGuard speeds ran at 85-89% of baseline on nearby servers, with more variability than the top tier on long-distance routes. TorGuard offers unusually granular control over protocol, cipher and port, which lets technical users tune the connection – lowering encryption strength improves throughput at a security cost, and the app makes that trade explicit rather than hiding it. Default settings are sensible for most people.
Privacy and security
TorGuard advertises a no-logs policy and operates from the United States, inside the Five Eyes arrangement. There is no mandatory VPN retention law in the US, and no case has emerged of TorGuard producing user activity data. However, the 2022 settlement with a group of film studios – in which the company agreed to block BitTorrent traffic on US servers and to take steps against infringement – is an example of legal pressure producing an operational change, and that is relevant context when assessing how a provider behaves under pressure. The company publishes less audit evidence than the leading providers.
Streaming
Streaming results were mixed on standard servers, with Netflix working inconsistently and BBC iPlayer usually failing. TorGuard's answer is its dedicated IP add-on: a static address used only by you, which streaming platforms are far less likely to have blacklisted. That works well but costs extra on top of the subscription, which makes the effective price higher than the headline figure.
Torrenting and P2P
This requires care. Following the 2022 settlement, TorGuard blocks BitTorrent traffic on its US servers. P2P remains permitted on many non-US locations, and port forwarding is supported, so torrenting is still possible – but a service named TorGuard restricting torrents in its largest market is a meaningful caveat that the marketing does not foreground. If torrenting is your primary use, Private Internet Access, AirVPN or Proton VPN are cleaner choices.
Apps and usability
Apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and routers, with browser extensions as well. The interface is dense and dated, exposing cipher selection, protocol, port, scripting hooks and stealth options on the main screens. Technical users will appreciate the control; everyone else will find it intimidating. Linux and router support are genuinely strong.
Server network
Over 3,000 servers across roughly 50 countries, with a good spread across North America, Europe and Asia. Dedicated IPs are available in a number of countries, and residential IP addresses – which appear to come from home connections rather than data centres – are offered as a premium add-on aimed at users who need to avoid data-centre detection.
Pricing and value
At around $4.99 a month on an annual plan, TorGuard sits at premium pricing without premium polish, and several of its most useful features are paid extras. The 7-day refund window is well below the 30-day industry standard and makes proper testing difficult. Value depends heavily on whether you specifically need dedicated IPs or stealth protocols.
Customer support
24/7 live chat and a ticket system, with technically competent agents and detailed documentation aimed at advanced configurations. Response times were good in testing. The documentation is better than the app interface at explaining what the options do.
What the 2022 settlement changed
In 2022 TorGuard settled litigation brought by a group of film production companies. As part of the resolution, the company agreed to block BitTorrent traffic on servers located in the United States and to implement measures aimed at reducing infringement. TorGuard did not admit liability, and the settlement did not involve handing over user data. The practical effect for subscribers is simple but significant: US servers no longer carry P2P traffic, and anyone choosing TorGuard for torrenting needs to use non-US locations.
Dedicated and residential IPs explained
A dedicated IP is an address assigned to you alone rather than shared with other subscribers. Because streaming platforms and banks blacklist shared VPN addresses, a dedicated IP is far less likely to be blocked – useful for accessing a bank that rejects VPN traffic, or for a streaming service that keeps erroring. A residential IP goes further, presenting an address that appears to belong to a home connection rather than a data centre, which is harder still to detect. Both are paid add-ons, and both reduce your anonymity, since an address used only by you is traceable to you in a way a shared one is not.
Protocols and stealth options
TorGuard supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 and a range of stealth options including Shadowsocks, Stunnel and obfuscated OpenVPN, which is a broader set than most consumer providers offer. Cipher selection is exposed directly in the app, so you can trade encryption strength against throughput deliberately. For users on networks that block standard VPN protocols – corporate, campus or national filtering – that flexibility is the strongest argument for choosing TorGuard, and it is better documented than the interface suggests.
Who should buy TorGuard
Technical users who need dedicated or residential IPs, stealth protocols, or fine-grained cipher control.
Who should avoid TorGuard
Torrenters wanting unrestricted P2P, beginners, and anyone who needs a proper refund window to test a service.
Alternatives to TorGuard
- Private Internet Access (unrestricted P2P, cheaper)
- AirVPN (better port forwarding, cheaper)
- NordVPN (faster, dedicated IP available)
How we tested
Tested across 10 locations on Windows and Linux, verified P2P behaviour on US and non-US servers, tested port forwarding in qBittorrent, and checked streaming with and without a dedicated IP.
Verdict
TorGuard is a capable, highly configurable service that suits technical users who want dedicated IPs or stealth protocols. The US torrenting restriction and the short refund window are real drawbacks, and at around $4.99 a month it is not cheap. For torrenting specifically, Private Internet Access and AirVPN now make more sense.
Frequently asked questions
Is TorGuard worth it in 2026?
TorGuard is a power-user VPN with unusual depth of configuration and a useful range of dedicated IP add-ons. The complication is its name: after a 2022 settlement with film studios, TorGuard blocks BitTorrent traffic on its US servers, so it is no longer the unrestricted torrenting service its branding implies.
Does TorGuard keep logs?
TorGuard advertises a no-logs policy. Its stated position is: No-logs claimed; US jurisdiction, operating under United States jurisdiction. TorGuard advertises a no-logs policy and operates from the United States, inside the Five Eyes arrangement. There is no mandatory VPN retention law in the US, and no case has emerged of TorGuard producing user activity data. However, the 2022 settlement with a group of film studios – in which the company agreed to block BitTorrent traffic on US servers and to take steps against infringement – is an example of legal pressure producing an operational change, and that is relevant context when assessing how a provider behaves under pressure. The company publishes less audit evidence than the leading providers.
Does TorGuard work with Netflix and other streaming services?
Streaming results were mixed on standard servers, with Netflix working inconsistently and BBC iPlayer usually failing. TorGuard's answer is its dedicated IP add-on: a static address used only by you, which streaming platforms are far less likely to have blacklisted. That works well but costs extra on top of the subscription, which makes the effective price higher than the headline figure.
Is TorGuard good for torrenting?
This requires care. Following the 2022 settlement, TorGuard blocks BitTorrent traffic on its US servers. P2P remains permitted on many non-US locations, and port forwarding is supported, so torrenting is still possible – but a service named TorGuard restricting torrents in its largest market is a meaningful caveat that the marketing does not foreground. If torrenting is your primary use, Private Internet Access, AirVPN or Proton VPN are cleaner choices.
How much does TorGuard cost, and can I get a refund?
Pricing: From about $4.99/mo (annual plan). Refund policy: 7 days. At around $4.99 a month on an annual plan, TorGuard sits at premium pricing without premium polish, and several of its most useful features are paid extras. The 7-day refund window is well below the 30-day industry standard and makes proper testing difficult. Value depends heavily on whether you specifically need dedicated IPs or stealth protocols.
Does TorGuard still allow torrenting?
On non-US servers, yes, with port forwarding supported. On US servers, no – TorGuard agreed to block BitTorrent traffic there as part of a 2022 settlement with film studios. Given the name, this surprises many users, so check which locations permit P2P before subscribing if torrenting is your main purpose.