Is Popcorn Time Safe Today? 5 Tips to Protect your Privacy

I Googled “Popcorn Time” opened the first site I saw and downloaded its Windows app. My first impression was that something had changed since the last time I used Popcorn Time. I couldn’t do anything without ads for Free VPNs covering the pages, and it was difficult at times to find the button to close the ads. The movies were slow to load and I had constant buffering

After a bit of research, I realized that I had fallen for a fake website, created by using the Popcorn Time open-source coding to look exactly like the original app. However, after a little more digging I found that its “Free VPN” was not safe, and there was some malware on the app.

I quickly uninstalled it and found the official version of Popcorn Time on Github. I downloaded and installed the correct version for my computer, and the ads were gone and the movies loaded quickly and streamed without any buffering,

The Popcorn Time GitHub repository

Even though I was was safe from the free VPN and malware, I still needed to hide my IP address, as torrenting is frowned upon in my country.

I tested over 30 VPNs, including some reputable “freemium options” to find out which ones work best with Popcorn Time.  To keep the list short, I have a list of three VPNs for Popcorn Time, each of them have great speeds, a no-logging policy, and free trials. Overall, CyberGhost is the best VPN for Popcorn Time. It has dedicated servers for streaming, maintains my high-speed connection, and is easy to use. Another benefit is that has a 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it for yourself risk-free.

Popcorn Time uses torrent technology, which can expose your personal data, identity, and IP addresses to hackers, law enforcers, or other unauthorized users online. A trusted VPN hides your web activity from these nefarious elements online.

A handful of security features like industry-grade encryption, a Kill Switch, and no-logs policy keeps your personal data private while using Popcorn Time. In addition, it masks your real address by encrypting your internet traffic.

With that, not even your ISP can trace your identity, your activity, or your connection. Keep in mind that unofficial Popcorn Time versions created using open-source codes are full of malware, so take basic precautions before you download the app. You can easily identify these versions as they’re full of ads, for both Free VPNs and random ads hidden in buttons.

Although Popcorn Time provides its services for free, it’s obvious that downloading and streaming movies is illegal as it counts as copyright infringement in most jurisdictions.

Watching Popcorn Time with a VPN gives you peace of mind.

I tried to use the VPN that comes with the app, but I noticed a lot of buffering or lagging, reduction in video quality, and connection slowdowns. I usually don’t trust free services; you’re better off using a premium VPN – CyberGhost, IPVanish, and SurfShark all passed my tests, both in terms of security and speed.

With servers that are optimized for torrenting, CyberGhost is my top choice for safely streaming TV and movies on Popcorn Time. The VPN service provider uses superior security and privacy tools to instill trust among internet users.

You can find an uncrowded server from 5,500+ servers in 90+ countries. Such a huge server network gives you a better chance to connect to fast servers, which provides fast speeds for streaming Popcorn Time.

The advantage of using servers optimized for streaming is that it can handle data-heavy tasks, without sacrificing speed. Once you find a server you like, you can save and label it as a favorite for quick access.

I tested long-distant servers in the US, UK, and Germany, and they gave me an average speed of 30Mps. I was able to watch 4K videos without encountering throttling. Every CyberGhost’s server offered unlimited bandwidth as well.

Watching Deadpool on Popcorn Time with CyberGhost

More extra touches like military-grade data encryption, IP/DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill switch safeguard you rbrowsing activity from cyberattacks. The VPN will keep your device free from malware, and no hacker will interrupt your activity on Popcorn Time.

CyberGhost claims to have a no-logs policy, and this has been proven in my recent tests. It’s “logless,” meaning it doesn’t track, monitor, or keep logs of its users.

On top of this, the company is based in Romania – a non-member of the 5/9/14 alliance. So, it can’t share your data with any law enforcer, government agencies, or other third parties. You can access content on Popcorn Time anonymously. The VPN is secure for doing anything.

You may wish to jump ship to other streaming sites like Netflix – CyberGhost unblocks it together with Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, HBO GO, Spotify, and more. And equally important, you can connect 7 devices at the same time.

Beginners who want to be using VPN on their Windows desktop or smartphones would like nothing less than an easy-to-follow interface; that’s where CyberGhost shines. Its simple interface packs amazing features and functionality.

All the settings are intuitive. With just one click, you can get straight to downloading movies on Popcorn Time. Streaming via macOS, Linux and Chromecast are also supported.

CyberGhost provides its users with a 45-day money-back guarantee. You can try its short-term plan though it is a bit costly. Any plan longer than 6 months gets you a bonus.

After testing for 2 weeks, I reached out to the agents for a refund via Chatbot. Thumbs up to its representatives who operate around the clock to ensure everything is in order. CyberGhost’s active developers are supportive and engage you in case of any problem.

IPVanish is a solid VPN with unlimited speeds and data, which allows users to torrent and stream on Popcorn Time without limits. Speaking of no limits, IPVanish has no limit on the number of connected devices.

With over 1,900 servers and 40,000 IP addresses, you can avoid overcrowded servers and get straight to watching your movies. IPVanish recently updated its servers to a faster 25Gbps model.

I just picked my local servers with OpenVPN to determine how fast IPVanish can be. For the most part, the speed results didn’t disappoint. A download speed of 43 Mbps isn’t bad for torrenting. You’re going to get good speeds that match all that is needed to stream Popcorn Time.

With IPVanish for CyberGhost, you won’t miss out on a new season of TV shows and blockbuster movies. The VPN secures your identity from other Popcorn Time users. Its no-logs policy states, “we don’t log or track user data.” So, no one can monitor what you’re doing on Popcorn Time.

Watching Lion King on Popcorn Time with IPVanish

Even if government agencies were to demand that IPVanish turn over the online activity for a certain user, it doesn’t store any data that is worth handing over. The use of AES 256-bit encryption further strengthens your privacy online by masking your IP addresses while SHA-512 hash functions protect your account credentials – including logins and passwords.

A kill switch halts your internet connection should the VPN fail while using Popcorn Time. Let’s put it this way – no hacker can interrupt what you’re doing. Another security feature that favors the privacy-conscious is IPv6/DNS leak protection.

For an avid torrenter, IPVanish is equipped with a free SOCKS5 proxy to help you conceal your IP address even without encryption. The interface is easy to use for those without tech skills.

I love its “Quick Connect feature” that connects you with nearby servers in no time. Just select your country and click “connect” to get paired with the fastest servers.

IPVanish is a budget-friendly VPN. You can choose a 1-month plan before committing to a long-term plan. Unfortunately, it only accepts PayPal and credit cards. Other methods of payment, such as cryptocurrency (Bitcoin), are out of bounds.

The longer the plan, the cheaper it is. Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test it completely risk-free. Its customer support consists of 24/7 live chat, email support, and Chatbot.

When seeking a VPN for streaming Popcorn Time, focus on solid protection, fast speed, and a diverse server network. By choosing Surfshark, you’ll get to enjoy all of these features basically with nothing much to do.

Surfshark is the best cheap VPN for streaming with intuitive apps on just about every device. It’s half the price of some of its rivals yet delivers comparable performance in certain areas.

A wide server coverage allows you to access the Popcorn Time app from anywhere while keeping your torrenting activity safe. Here we’re talking of over 3200 servers in 65 countries throughout the world.

Looking for TV shows on Popcorn Time with Surfshark connected

Surfshark proves its worth with an AES 256-bit encryption that keeps you anonymous as you download and stream the latest episode of your movie.

The VPN has a large collection of private tools. During my tests, I connected a few servers and found no leaks. It has built-in leak protection that conceals your IP address from third parties.

You’ll be impressed by Surfshark’s OpenVPN protocol in its Windows, Android, and Linux. It’s an open-source root that doesn’t offer room for potential vulnerabilities.

Another security feature is ‘Camouflage Mode’. These are obfuscated servers designed to disguise your VPN traffic to circumvent content filtering without being detected.

Reliability was another highlight in my test, with the no-logs policy helping to keep your data private. Nobody can cross-check your IP, not even your ISP.

It guarantees reliable speeds followed by unlimited data and bandwidth. I tested my local servers and got an average speed of 50 Mbps. Faraway servers hit over 60 Mbps – way more than what I needed to stream 4KHD films in Popcorn Time without lagging.

Users are able to binge on other popular streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max, among others. It’s among the few VPNs that bypass censorship in China. But that doesn’t give you a pass to engage in illegal acts.

In addition to excellent customer support, you’re entitled to a 30-day money-back guarantee. It all goes down with you – if you’re not happy, you can request a refund.

You don’t just go for a VPN for the sake of streaming Popcorn Time. Remember, you can still access movies in this app without a VPN. I chose these VPNs based on these criteria.

• Superior security and privacy features

You do not want a VPN that leaks your identity to your ISP, hackers, or other third parties. Some of the requirements include; strong encryption, a kill switch, a no-logs policy, and IP/DNS leak protection.

These features safeguard your personal information from cyberattacks while you stream Popcorn Time. All our recommendations are tested and proven.

• Torrenting or P2P support

Popcorn Time uses peer-to-peer (P2P) technology. For a VPN to work with this app, it must offer P2P-optimized servers, dedicated servers, or RAM-disk servers. All the VPNs on the list have P2P servers.

• Fast speeds

Stable and consistent speeds define a good VPN for streaming. Fast servers reduce not only loading times. Buffering could freak you out when watching Popcorn as well. To stream 4HD movies, you need at least 25 Mbps. All the listed VPNs meet the threshold.

• Compatibility with major Operating systems

A reliable VPN should be compatible with whichever Operating System you use to stream Popcorn Time. The most common ones include Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, and Linux.

It should allow you to connect multiple devices simultaneously under a single account. This gives your family and friends a chance to watch movies with you.

• Reliable customer support

A VPN service with an active team of developers stands out. 24/7 live chat support, email support, and user guides are a must-have.

If you have a VPN, it means you need to download, install and configure it to use Popcorn Time safely. This process can turn off many users, especially starters – that’s where support comes in handy.

• Refund Policy

VPN companies offer different subscription plans to their customers. However, you wouldn’t want to settle for reasonable prices only, but you want a provider who guarantees a refund just in case things don’t work out.

All of the VPNs above offer at least a 30-day money-back guarantee. I’ve tested the policies multiple times and never had an issue getting my complete refund.

There are many benefits associated with using this app to watch movies, but it can be risky since you’re torrenting movies or TV shows with Copywrite protection in some countries. These actionable tips can maximize your security even further.