Popcorn Time is an immensely popular app that allows users to stream movies and TV shows for free. The app has survived through forks and clones since the founders stopped working on it in 2014.
Is Popcorn Time safe? There are risks involved with using Popcorn Time. But there are also ways to use Popcorn Time safely. Some steps that you can take to ensure your safety include:
- Install antivirus software to detect and remove malware in the files you download using Popcorn Time.
- Download the Popcorn Time app from reliable sources, such as its GitHub repository, and check Reddit forums for the latest information.
- Use a secure VPN to encrypt your internet traffic and hide it from prying eyes. We’ve tested different VPNs with Popcorn Time, and we recommend NordVPN. It’s fast, secure, and very reliable.
NordVPN
Continue reading to learn more about Popcorn Time and how to access it safely.
Popcorn Time is a popular app that allows users to watch movies and TV shows for free. Launched in 2014, Popcorn Time is known for its vast catalog of TV shows and movies and zero ads. Many users prefer it over competitors like 123 Movies, Flixtor, or PrimeWire.
But is Popcorn Time safe to use in 2024? There are several risks associated with using Popcorn Time. To protect yourself, we recommend using a good VPN (virtual private network) when streaming Popcorn Time. NordVPN is our top choice. It protects you from malware and hackers and allows you to browse Popcorn Time anonymously.
Is Popcorn Time Safe?
Popcorn Time is a free BitTorrent torrent client that works on multiple platforms. While it’s free, using Popcorn Time can be risky as it may expose you to malware and other threats.
On the surface, Popcorn Time appears similar to Netflix with its easy-to-use and clean interface. However, unlike Netflix, all the movies listed on Popcorn Time are derived from torrents available on the internet.
Yep, that’s right, Popcorn Time uses sequential downloading and taps into multiple torrents to provide you with a high-quality stream of the movie or TV series you want to watch.
Since it uses torrents from online directories, its library usually has the latest releases and biggest hits. The app has other great features for users. But, since it’s a torrenting site, Popcorn Time can expose you to dangers such as malware, spyware, hackers, phishing, DDoS attacks, and more.
Moreover, downloading copyright-protected content via the P2P network may also go against copyright laws and the policies of your internet service provider.
How to Stream Popcorn Time Safely
Thankfully, there are ways to protect yourself from the threats linked to Popcorn Time. We recommend using a VPN and antivirus software and downloading the Popcorn Time app from an official source.
Let’s look at each of these steps below:
Step 1: Use a VPN to watch Popcorn Time safely
Using a reliable and safe virtual private network (VPN) is the first and most important step you must take to watch Popcorn Time safely.
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and reroutes it through a server located in a country of your choosing. A VPN also hides what you’re doing online and masks your IP address from the prying eyes of hackers, law enforcement, and other nefarious parties.
When choosing a VPN service, prioritize speed, safety, and an extensive server network.
We’ve tested different VPNs, and NordVPN is the best VPN for Popcorn Time. It’s super fast, has a strict no-logs policy, supports torrenting, and has an extensive network of servers. It also uses military-grade encryption, which ensures that your activity on Popcorn Time remains hidden.
NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test how it works with Popcorn Time risk-free.
Step 2: Ensure you have a good antivirus installed
To use Popcorn Time, you need to download it from the web and install it. There’s always a risk that you’ll get a corrupt installation file and install malware on your device. Threat actors are known to disguise malware — like keyloggers, worms, trojans, spyware, and even ransomware — as other files. These malicious installation files are usually found on unverified mirrors of sites like Popcorn Time.
This is why it’s important to have good antivirus software on your device. Antivirus programs scan files before they’re installed and will protect your device from malware. Some antivirus programs also provide firewall functionality to block dangerous sites and protect you online.
Norton is our highest-rated antivirus software and provides an unmatched suite of functions. It’s easy to use and works on various devices, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
Check out our list of the best antivirus software for more options.
Step 3: Download the Popcorn Time app from a reliable source
This is probably the most challenging step of the three, as the site where the app is hosted keeps changing. The link that worked for you the last time may have gone offline, been taken down, or been taken over by a fake clone. Hence, there’s always a risk when trying to download Popcorn Time.
The GitHub repository of the Popcorn Software group is the most reliable place to download the Popcorn Time app. You’ll find the Popcorn Time APK (Android Package Kit) and other versions of the software on there.
You can also check out Reddit forums dedicated to Popcorn Time for updates and comments from other users. Malicious accounts may sometimes post links to sites that host malicious files on these forums, so it’s important to be cautious and always check the upvotes and downvotes for each post.
Alternatives to Popcorn Time
Below, we highlight a few free and paid alternatives to Popcorn Time. The paid platforms we highlight are generally safe. But the free ones, like Popcorn Time, pose some risks to users.
Best paid Popcorn Time alternatives
Are you worried about the safety implications of using Popcorn Time? Do you want a secure and legal way to stream movies and shows? Your best bet is to purchase a subscription with one of the premium streaming services listed below.
1. Netflix
Netflix is the largest streaming platform in the world. It has a rich and diverse collection of content, including blockbusters and Netflix Originals.
Using a VPN to watch Netflix allows you to access content available in different countries, which further expands the selection of shows and movies available to you. NordVPN is an excellent VPN for Netflix as it doesn’t affect your streaming speed and can unblock the Netflix libraries of different countries.
2. Disney Plus
Disney Plus is one of Netflix’s closest competitors. It’s quite popular thanks to its collection of diverse content. You can watch movies and TV shows from Pixar, Marvel, and even National Geographic on Disney Plus.
Unfortunately, Disney Plus is not available worldwide. But you can still stream movies and TV shows on Disney Plus with NordVPN.
Read our guide to accessing Disney Plus from anywhere for step-by-step instructions on how to unblock this platform if it’s not available in your country.
3. Hulu
Hulu is an American streaming service with thousands of movies and TV shows in its library. It has an extensive range of drama, comedy, documentaries, and even content for kids.
Hulu is currently only available in the U.S. and Japan. However, you can access Hulu from anywhere with a VPN.
Consult our comprehensive guide to unblocking Hulu to learn how to access it with a VPN.
Best free Popcorn Time alternatives
The Popcorn Time alternatives below provide access to free movies and TV shows. Like Popcorn Time, they use legally questionable sources to provide live streams. Using these sites may amount to copyright infringement. Therefore, we recommend using a VPN when accessing them.
1. Kodi
Kodi is an open-source media player. It’s a great alternative to Popcorn Time as it lets users stream content from ESPN, YouTube, and other sources using add-ons. While several legal add-ons do exist, the most popular ones tend to be illegal. That’s why you must use a VPN to encrypt your online activity when using Kodi.
2. FlixTor
FlixTor is a website that provides very similar functionality to Popcorn Time. It has an extensive library featuring the latest TV shows and movies.
The mirror sites FlixTor is hosted on keep changing. Some of the mirrors that show up in search results may expose you to malware. So, it’s important to have a reliable antivirus installed on your device before accessing FlixTor.
FlixTor may be geo-blocked in some countries. However, you can use a VPN to change your IP address and access it.
Is Popcorn Time Legal?
While Popcorn Time users don’t directly download torrent files, in the eyes of the law, it is no different from downloading a torrent file from The Pirate Bay. Simply put, Popcorn Time is illegal, and using it counts as copyright infringement.
In simple terms, copyright infringement occurs when someone uses or shares another person’s copyrighted work without permission or paying royalties. This is illegal in most jurisdictions and may result in a hefty fine.
While copyright infringement is mostly illegal, prosecution for such crimes varies from nation to nation. In most cases, law enforcement is more concerned with going after the site owners and developers than end-users.
Nevertheless, it’s important to be aware of how your country deals with copyright infringement. We’ve compiled a list of nations and grouped them according to their stance on piracy and copyright infringement.
| STANCE ON PIRACY | COUNTRIES |
|---|---|
| Pirating is legal or allowed (for personal use) | Poland, Spain, Switzerland |
| Pirating is illegal | Australia, China, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, United States |
| Pirating is illegal, but individuals are not actively prosecuted | Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Greece, India, Israel, Iran, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Uruguay |
Note:
We do not recommend using streaming services that violate copyright laws, even if you’re in a country that’s lenient towards piracy. While it may not be illegal, it is certainly unethical as it deprives creators of the fruits of their labor.
Cybersecurity Risks of Using Popcorn Time
The biggest cybersecurity concern with Popcorn Time is that you have to download and install an app to access it. And, since there is no single certified website that provides safe downloads, finding the right Popcorn Time app can be complicated.
The founders of Popcorn Time gave up on the project in 2014 due to pressure from the United States Motion Picture Association. Since then, the Popcorn Time community has kept the service alive through various open-source mirrors and forks.
While the Popcorn Time app is still available and functional, finding the correct app to download can be confusing because anyone can create a fake Popcorn Time app using open-source code.
We came across several sites that claim to provide the Popcorn Time app — but these were malicious files.
It is vital to have good antivirus software such as Norton installed on your device before downloading Popcorn Time. We recommend you download Popcorn Time from the GitHub repository of the Popcorn Software group and not from any other source.
Final Thoughts: Is Popcorn Time Safe?
Popcorn Time’s simple, ad-free interface (and the fact that it’s free) makes it an enticing option for streaming the latest movies and TV shows. But, using Popcorn Time comes with some risks.
For this reason, we do not recommend Popcorn Time. If you must use i, use a good antivirus and a reliable VPN such as NordVPN to protect your device from malware and hackers.
Check out the articles below to learn about streaming on other platforms:
- The Best Free Anime Streaming Services
- Top Best Streaming Services
- Best VPNs for Streaming: Unblock Movies and Shows for Free
Do you have a question about using Popcorn Time safely? Check out the FAQ section below for answers to some of the most pressing questions regarding Popcorn Time! If you can’t find what you’re looking for, leave your query as a comment, and we’ll get back to you with an answer.
We do not recommend using Popcorn Time without a VPN. This is because Popcorn Time uses torrents to get movie and TV streams.
Most torrents contain copyrighted content without the necessary licenses. Accessing these files can constitute copyright infringement, which is illegal and may land you in trouble. A good VPN protects you by anonymizing your identity.
There is a risk of getting a virus on your device if you download the incorrect Popcorn Time app installation file. Since there is no certified website for Popcorn Time, finding the right file can prove to be a challenge for most users. We recommend getting Popcorn Time from the GitHub repository of the Popcorn Software group.
If you’re concerned about your safety while using Popcorn Time, then consider switching to one of the following alternatives:
- Netflix
- Disney Plus
- Hulu
The most reliable place to download the Popcorn Time app is the GitHub repository for the Popcorn Software group. You can also check out the Popcorn Time Reddit forums to see which sites other users download the app from.
