Ah, the mysterious world of private torrent sites. They’re filled with untold goodies, but they’re hard to sign up for. And how do you even know which sites are worth getting an invite for?
By using our list of the best private torrent trackers, that’s how. There’s something here for everyone, whether you’re looking for movies, music, anime, or audiobooks.
Using a VPN on Private Trackers
While private torrent sites are more safe than public torrent sites, especially when it comes to the risk of viruses, you should still use a VPN, or virtual private network, to download.
It’ll hide your IP address, encrypt your traffic, and provide other security features that keep you safe when torrenting. Our favorite VPN for this purpose is PIA VPN. It’s not only reliable, it’s cheap too.
However, a word of warning: some private trackers on this list, including BroadcastThe.Net, Gazelle Games Network, AnimeBytes, and Bibliotik do not allow you to browse the site with a commercial VPN. Violating this rule is a quick and easy way to get banned.
But you can – and should – still use your VPN for your actual torrent traffic, both downloading and uploading. Basically, if you decide to join one of those sites, you want to find the files you want without the VPN enabled, then close the site and enable the VPN when you start downloading.
Fortunately, most private torrent sites don’t have these kinds of restrictions on VPNs, and you can both browse and download/seed without problems.
Best All-Around Private Torrent Trackers
These sites have a wide variety of content, from movies to music to anime, much like popular public torrent sites. That makes them a great choice for your first private tracker, but they won’t have as much in each specific category as the more specialized sites covered later in our list.
FileList
Based in Romania, FileList has been online for over 15 years. But don’t worry, it’s still perfectly usable if you don’t know a word of Romanian, as the site is also available in English.
In fact, it’s considered one of the best general trackers available, with a huge catalog and an easy ratio system. Membership can be obtained from unofficial invite threads.
AlphaRatio
AlphaRatio has built a reputation as one of the better general private trackers on the net since it popped up in 2014.
Invites are not particularly hard to obtain, it’s got a solid selection of files, and seeding requirements are fairly low.
TorrentLeech
With open registration a few times per year, TorrentLeech is one of the most foolproof of these general trackers to get a membership in. But that doesn’t mean they’re not quality.
They definitely hold their own with the best private torrent sites.
IPTorrents
If you can’t be bothered searching for an invite – and don’t mind shelling out a little cash – then you might want to give IPTorrents (or IPT) a look, since they’re the only one of these general trackers that provides automatic membership with a $20 donation.
The donation also comes with 2 invites, in case you want to split the cost with your friends. But if you don’t want to pay, it’s still possible to get a free invite with a little patience.
Best Private Torrent Sites for Movies and TV
Movies and TV shows are the most in demand type of content on torrent sites. But you’re unlikely to find the ultra HD, day 0 rips you’re looking for on public trackers. That’s where these sites come in.
Movies
Cinephiles, get in here. These are the top dogs of private movie trackers.
PassThePopcorn
PassThePopcorn is arguably the best private movie tracker, whether you’re after the best quality uploads or obscure indie films that you can’t find anywhere else. But, well, good luck getting an invite!
HDBits
HDBits is one of the most sought after trackers around. And there are two reasons for that: its selection of movies can’t be beat, but like PTP, it’s also quite difficult to get into. You’ll need to build a solid rep on other sites before you can make it inside.
Television (TV Series)
If you can't find the series you want to watch in the quality you prefer on one of these private TV trackers, it may not exist.
BroadcastThe.Net
Want access to the biggest selection of TV series? Then BroadcastThe.Net (or BTN) may be the private torrent site for you. Unfortunately, like some of the other entries on our list, its notoriously difficult to get access to. You’ll need to make friends and prove your worth on other trackers first.
BeyondHD
BeyondHD doesn’t have quite the reputation that BTN has, but it’s improved a lot over the years. And the good news is, it’s a bit easier to get an invite to.
Best Private Torrent Trackers for Music
If you’re an audiophile looking for the highest quality music rips – or you just want access to the biggest and best selections of music on the web – then these sites are for you.
REDacted
REDacted – or RED, for short – is the most sought after private music tracker. Because not only does it have a huge selection of high-quality rips, they have a large (private) invite forum that make it possible to use your RED reputation to register on other torrent sites on this list.
You can even join RED by interview. That being said, many torrenters are not a fan of their interview process, which involves long periods of idling in IRC for your chance to be interviewed.
It may be easier to get an invite, unless you have a lot of time on your hands.
Orpheus
Orpheus is generally considered second fiddle to RED in terms of selection and prestige, but it’s got a few things going for it, including a slightly easier registration process and less intensive seeding requirements.
Best Private Torrent Sites for Anime
If you can’t find what you’re looking for on public anime torrent sites, like Nyaa, or on private TV trackers, like BeyondHD, then these sites will help you complete your collection.
AnimeBytes
As we hinted at before, you can find most anime using a combination of public trackers and private TV trackers.
However, if you’re interested in an older or less popular series, manga, etc., and it doesn’t have seeders (or exist) on Nyaa, then AnimeBytes is excellent. Their seeding requirements help keep uploads “alive” for a lot longer.
BakaBT
BakaBT is widely considered to be inferior to AnimeBytes… but it’s a lot easier to get a membership for. So, it may be worth checking out as a supplement to public trackers, while you’re waiting on the opportunity to join AB.
Best Private Torrent Trackers for Video Games
It’s not necessary to use a private tracker for video games, since most titles can be found on public sites, but this next site is still quite good.
Gazelle Games Network
Gazelle Games Network (or GGn) is the private tracker for video games, with a huge selection and plenty of seeders, but you’ll need an invite to join since open registration periods are rare.
Best Private Torrent Sites for Books and Audiobooks
Are you a book worm? An audiobook lover? An autodidact? Than one (or both) of these trackers may be for you. Their audiobook selection in particular is much better than what you’ll find on public torrent sites.
MyAnonaMouse
MyAnonaMouse is known as one of the best private trackers for ebooks and audiobooks. But it also has some other advantages, which include its friendly community and rather straightforward sign up process.
They accept invite applications and interviews two times per week. And establishing a good reputation at MAM can make it possible to get recruited to other sites.
Bibliotik
There are many people who consider Bibliotik (or BiB) better than MAM, especially for certain kinds of content. But there’s a catch… it’s a lot harder to get and maintain a membership.
Not only do they require an invite, they have higher seeding requirements and harsher moderation. That being said, if you’re a serious e-learning enthusiast and can’t find what you’re looking for elsewhere, Bibliotik is worth checking out.