Popcorn Time’s official app is malware-free and legal to use — it’s just a BitTorrent client with an integrated media player.
However, it still can pose a risk to your privacy and security because it’s a peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing platform, which downloads content from other users. Many of the movies and TV shows you can get through the app are also pirated, so if you aren’t careful, you could get in trouble for copyright infringement.
I always recommend using a VPN to protect yourself while streaming on Popcorn Time. My favorite is ExpressVPN because it always accesses Popcorn Time and is the fastest on the market. In this article, I also highlight the best practices for safely using the Popcorn Time site and the app.
Disclaimer: Popcorn Time may be illegal in some places. You are solely responsible for ensuring that you comply with local laws and regulations regarding streaming and downloading content. We at SafetyDetectives don’t condone or encourage any form of illegal activity.
Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Is Popcorn Time Safe & Legal?
The Popcorn Time software itself isn’t illegal, and it’s not malware-laden. Popcorn Time uses P2P technology to let users stream movies and TV shows. In other words, when watching content on the app or site, you’re downloading parts of a file from another user while simultaneously sharing the parts that you’ve already downloaded with others.
One of the main risks that comes with sharing files in this way is that it exposes your IP address (which is like a digital address) to your peers. This allows them, or any malicious actor, to track your streaming activities back to you. Additionally, threat actors can target your IP address with cyberattacks. Also, since Popcorn Time pulls its content from unofficial sources, there’s always the risk of downloading malware that can harm your device or compromise your personal data.
Another potential issue with Popcorn Time is the fact that it streams content from various third-party sources, and these sources frequently lack proper licensing agreements with content creators or distributors. This means that much of the content available on Popcorn Time is pirated, which is illegal in many regions and may result in fines or even jail time in countries with especially stringent copyright regulations.
Note that there are some clones of Popcorn Time out there that may contain harmful code and some malicious sites that lure in unsuspecting users by naming themselves after the app. These websites may bundle the software with malware such as browser exploits, spyware, or adware, compromising your computer’s security.
How to Use Popcorn Time Safely in 2024
You can take steps to ensure your privacy and security when using Popcorn Time. Here are some tips for using the app more safely:
1. Get a VPN
A good VPN prevents your ISP from seeing that you’re using Popcorn Time and what you’re streaming on the site or app by encrypting your internet connection. It also stops your P2P peers from learning your real IP address (it hides your IP address behind the IP address of the VPN server you’re connected to), which prevents potential tracking and cyberattacks.
The best VPN for Popcorn Time is ExpressVPN — it allows torrenting on all of its servers in 105 countries, supports port forwarding (so you can connect to more peers for faster download speeds), and comes with a kill switch and full leak protection to prevent accidental IP leaks when you’re streaming on Popcorn Time.
2. Install a Good Quality Antivirus
Having a good antivirus software installed on your device protects you against malicious mp4 files that you might accidentally download from Popcorn Time. Many antiviruses also come with web protections that can help filter out malicious websites pretending to be the official Popcorn Time.
Norton is our #1 antivirus in 2024, with 100% malware detection rates in our tests against all kinds of malware, including viruses, trojans, keyloggers, rootkits, spyware, and worms.
3. Download Popcorn Time From a Reputable Source
Only download Popcorn Time from the official site (https://popcorn-time.site/), as unofficial websites and versions of the app may contain malware. If you’re unsure whether a Popcorn Time site or app is legit, you can ask at the official subreddit r/PopCornTimeApp.
4. Keep Your Video Player Updated
Whether you use Windows Media Player, VLC, or some other video player, make sure you’re on the latest version of the app. App updates sometimes contain important security patches to address vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers.
5. Don’t Follow Random Links From a Video
If you play a video file, and it tells you that you need to download another video player or Codec pack, don’t visit the link provided. It’s difficult to embed malware in a .mp4 file, so some threat actors attempt to infect users by tricking them into visiting a malicious website or downloading and running a file type that’s easier to hide malware in, such as an .exe file.
Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
3 Best Paid Popcorn Time Alternatives in 2024
1. Netflix
Netflix offers a vast library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, plus a ton of original content that you won’t find on any other platform. It’s available in almost every country in the world, and I like how it updates its collection very frequently, so there’s always something new to watch.
It has apps for smart TVs, gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox), streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick), and mobile platforms (iOS, Android), so you can easily watch from anywhere. It comes with great features, too — like Profiles that lets multiple users have personalized recommendations and watch histories under 1 account. You can also download content for offline viewing directly from the app!
2. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video allows you to stream, rent, or purchase a wide variety of popular movies and TV shows, including lots of recent releases, as well as exclusive Amazon Originals. Access to Prime Video content is automatically included with an Amazon Prime subscription, which offers benefits like free shipping on Amazon purchases.
3. Disney+
Disney+ is a particularly great choice for those seeking family-friendly entertainment or chasing nostalgia through classic films from the Disney universe. But it’s also home to hot new releases in some of the most popular modern franchises, including the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars.
3 Best Free Popcorn Time Alternatives in 2024
1. Kodi
Kodi is an open-source media player that allows users to stream content from various online sources. It’s ideal for tech-savvy users who enjoy customizing their streaming experience with add-ons.
But there are some things to keep an eye on. Although there are plenty of legal add-ons on Kodi, including add-ons for popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu, many popular third-party add-ons host pirated content, and streaming copyrighted content may put you at legal risk.
Another issue is unofficial add-ons and repositories on Kodi may contain malware or simply be outdated in a way that compromises your device’s security. Additionally, some third-party add-ons collect and share user data, like your IP address or personal information, without your consent. To protect yourself, I recommend using a good VPN and an antivirus.
2. Stremio
Stremio is a media center app that organizes video content from different sources, including torrents and streaming services. It can provide access to a wide range of movies, TV shows, and live TV. It also has a very user-friendly interface.
However, like Kodi, Stremio’s reliance on third-party add-ons means that you need to be aware of the legality of the content you’re streaming and to be on the lookout for malicious add-ons and add-ons with invasive data collection practices.
3. CloudStream
CloudStream is an app for Android that allows you to download and stream videos from third-party sources, like YouTube and Twitch. The app itself is safe (it’s open source so anyone can inspect its code), and it’s legal to use.
But be careful when adding third-party extensions, because many of them contain copyrighted content. CloudStream extensions share similar issues to Kodi and Stremio add-ons: some may contain malicious code or compromise your privacy.
Why You Need a VPN for Popcorn Time
Using a VPN like ExpressVPN with Popcorn Time is the best way to maintain your privacy. A VPN prevents your Popcorn Time peers from tracing your streaming and torrenting activities back to you by hiding your real IP address behind an IP address owned by your VPN provider. This also works for other third parties, such as your Internet Service Provider (ISP), ensuring your total anonymity.
Another thing that VPNs do to ensure your privacy is encrypt your internet traffic, which makes your data unreadable to others, so nobody, not even your ISP, will be able to see you’re using the Popcorn Time app and site and what you’re watching there. This also stops ISP speed throttling, which is a common issue when using Popcorn Time because streaming and torrenting uses a lot of data — and with a VPN, your ISP won’t be able to tell what you’re doing.
Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Best VPNs for Popcorn Time in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for Popcorn Time:
- 1. 🥇ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Popcorn Time, with the fastest speeds in the industry.
- 2. 🥈Private Internet Access — Good VPN for Popcorn Time with excellent P2P support.
- 3. 🥉CyberGhost VPN — Easy-to-use VPN for Popcorn Time (good for beginners).
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use Popcorn Time without a VPN?
I don’t recommend using Popcorn Time without a VPN. Popcorn Time is a P2P streaming platform, which means that without a VPN all of your peers can see your IP address and potentially target you with cyberattacks. Your ISP will also be able to see what you’re streaming and throttle your speeds.
Is Popcorn Time virus-free?
Yes, the official Popcorn Time app is free of malware and doesn’t contain any ads. However, there are some clones of the app and streaming sites that use the name Popcorn TIme — these apps and sites may be unsafe. I strongly recommend that you only use the official version of Popcorn Time and download the app from a reputable source, such as the project’s GitHub page.
Will I get into legal trouble for using Popcorn Time?
It depends on what you’re using the app for and where you live. Popcorn Time itself is completely legal, as it’s just a BitTorrent client with an integrated media player. It doesn’t host any content itself. However, many of the third-party sites that you can download and stream content from through Popcorn Time host copyrighted content. So we advise you to check the legality of any movie or TV show you wish to stream and to adhere to all relevant laws and regulations in your country.
Does Popcorn Time still work?
Yes, Popcorn Time is still being maintained and continues to work in 2024. However, it now has many competitors, such as Kodi, Stremio, and CloudStream that some users consider to be better free alternatives to Popcorn TIme for streaming and downloading media content.
