Summary

Popcorn Time is a popular streaming program. It lets you watch free movies and TV series online. This site has gained a wide audience for its modern user interface (UI), a library of TV episodes, and lack of advertisements since its inception in 2014. Many customers appreciate it. It has a nice app unlike competitors such as 123Movies, Flixtor, or Primewire. However, many users are concerned about the app’s safety now for the following reasons:

1. Torrents provide the streams in Popcorn Time.
2. In most countries, utilizing torrents to download copyrighted information is considered unlawful.
3. Since the founders quit working in 2014, the app has survived through forks and clones. As a result, finding a trustworthy website to download the app is not easy.

We do not suggest users use the Popcorn Time app because of these issues. There are a few things you can follow to use it safely. Such as-

• To encrypt and hide your internet activities from prying eyes, use a trusted and secure VPN provider like NordVPN. 
• Install a program capable of detecting and removing malware from files downloaded from the internet, such as the Popcorn Time app.
• Get the Popcorn Time app from reputable sources like the Github repository and keep the Reddit forums for the most up-to-date information.

What is Popcorn Time? How does it work? 

Popcorn Time is free software that lets you view the most recent movies and TV episodes. Netflix is a good substitute for it. The cornerstone of an easy-to-use and clean interface on both platforms is ‘Tiles’ that organize content. Unlike Netflix, the source of all Popcorn Time’s movies is online torrents. It employs sequential downloading and taps into numerous torrents to provide you with a high-quality stream of the movie or TV series. Its collection generally features the most recent releases and biggest hits since it leverages torrents from web directories. 

Is it safe to stream Popcorn Time?

Popcorn Time raises two main problems when it comes to user security. The first concern is your legal safety and the second one is concerned with cybersecurity. We’ve discussed both the issues below:

Legal ramifications of using Popcorn Time:

Though consumers do not directly torrent content while using Popcorn Time, it is the same as downloading a torrent file from the Pirate Bay lawfully. Popcorn Time is unlawful because it violates the copyright. Copyright infringement happens when someone uses or shares another’s work without their permission or payment of royalties. In most jurisdictions, this is considered criminal behavior that may result in a heavy fine. While copyright infringement is generally prohibited, the severity of the penalty varies among the countries. Most of the time, law enforcement is more interested in prosecuting site owners and developers than in prosecuting end-users. Nonetheless, it’s critical to understand how your nation handles copyright infringement. We’ve produced the following list of countries and categorized them based on their attitudes against piracy and copyright infringement. 

Note: We do not encourage using steaming services or torrenting since they result in copyright infringement. While it is not illegal, it is immoral since it denies artists access to the results of their effort.

Cybersecurity concerns of Popcorn Time: 

Popcorn Time’s security problems derive from the fact that it is available as an app. It implies that you must obtain and install a file from the internet. When it comes to Popcorn Time, finding the proper file is tough. No one approved source constantly gives safe downloads. Popcorn Time’s creators quit working in 2014 owing to pressure from the Motion Picture Association of the United States. Since then, the Popcorn Time community has kept the service alive by forking and mirroring it on several open-source platforms. While the Popcorn Time app is still available and working, locating the actual site and file might be difficult.

Anybody with open-source code can construct a phony Popcorn Time program. We came across multiple sites claiming to provide this program, but these were malware-infected downloads. Because of the legal and cybersecurity dangers of using this, users must use the software with caution.

How to Use Popcorn Time Safely?

You’ll need to employ a few digital tools, as well as care and common sense, to protect yourself against legal and cybersecurity dangers. The using procedure is as follows:

Step 1: Use Popcorn Time safely with a VPN

The first and most critical step for any Popcorn Time user is to get a subscription to a reputable and secure Virtual Private Network (VPN). A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your internet traffic and sends it via a server in the country of your choice. Hackers, law-enforcing entities, and other criminal elements online cannot see your information if you use a VPN. A VPN hides your IP address from all sites. Your privacy and security will be at risk if you use Popcorn Time without a VPN. 

Best VPN services to use Popcorn Time safely

We have mentioned some best VPN services below to use this app safely:

1. NordVPN-Best VPN service for Popcorn Time

You can consider speed, security, and the availability of servers when picking a VPN to use with the Popcorn time. NordVPN checks all of these boxes by having a certified no-logs policy, allowing torrent downloads, and having a server network. It also has military-grade encryption, ensuring that it disguises the activities of the users effectively. Before committing to a long-term membership, you can try NordVPN for free with its 30-day money-back guarantee to see how it works with Popcorn Time. 

2. Surfshark: Best Popcorn Time VPN Alternative

Surfshark is a budget-friendly option to watch Popcorn Time with a month’s membership starting at just $2.49. It also received marks for security, speed, and use. The VPN service is compatible with many devices like your smartphone. Surfshark also provides a 30-day no-questions-asked money-back guarantee like NordVPN. 

3. Private Internet Access-One of the best VPN for using Popcorn Time 

Private Internet Access is also one of the best VPNs for Popcorn Time since it prioritizes privacy. Users who watch this should ensure that their internet behavior is untrackable by their VPN Service Provider or ISP. Because of its strict no-logs policy and a strong focus on privacy, Private Internet Access (PIA) is a fantastic VPN for this purpose. All of this is available at a very cheap cost. PIA also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee which you may utilize to stream this material before choosing a VPN provider. 

Step-2: Ensure installation of a strong antivirus program

As previously stated, you have to download the software and install it using Popcorn Time. There is always the possibility that you’ll download the incorrect installation file and wind up with malware on your device. Malicious components such as keyloggers, worms, trojans, spyware, and even ransomware abound on the internet. We frequently see these on untrusted mirrors of popular websites such as Popcorn Time. For this, having effective antivirus software installed on your device is essential. Antivirus software scans files before you install them. It ensures that dangerous components aren’t allowed to infect your machine. Antivirus software also includes firewall capabilities to block hazardous websites and secure your online activities. Kaspersky is our top-rated antivirus software with an unrivaled set of features. It is simple to use and compatible with different platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. 

Step-3: Get the Popcorn Time app from a dependable source

The hosting of the program files changes often. So, this is arguably the most difficult of the three steps. The URL you used previously may have gone offline, been taken down, or been hijacked by a clone. As a result, downloading Popcorn Time is always fraught with danger. So, we did the legwork for you and located a handful of trustworthy websites where you can get this app. 

• The GitHub repository of the Popcorn Software-The newest builds for all devices are typically available here. 
• The hosting of the builds is a Popcorn Time mirror URL- Popcorn-ru.tk/build is the current site in use. It can change at any time without any notice. 

If neither of those options work, you may visit the Popcorn Time Reddit boards for updates and comments from other users. It constantly verifies the upvotes and downvotes for each post since malicious users may occasionally publish links to sites that contain malware files on these forums.

Some Popcorn Time Alternatives 

We have included several alternatives in this area. Both official and unauthorized choices are available. The official ones provide paid services, and these have no legal or security problems. The unauthorized ones, such as Popcorn Time, are typically free, but they offer the same hazards to consumers. 

Official Alternatives to Popcorn Time 

Let’s imagine that you connect to the security implications of using Popcorn Time and wish to watch movies and programs safely and legally. Then your choice should be purchasing a membership to one of the legal and official streaming applications listed below: 

1) Netflix: 

Netflix is the most popular streaming service with over 200 million customers worldwide. Its massive user base contains an extensive and diversified content library. It also includes several blockbusters and Netflix Originals. 

When you use a VPN to watch Netflix, you can gain access to material from multiple countries that enhance the number of series and movies you can view. 

NordVPN provides good protection to Netflix because it doesn’t slow down your viewing speed and allows access from various countries. 

When it comes to streaming movies and TV shows, Disney Plus is one of the main competitors of Netflix. 

2) Hulu:

Hulu, established in the United States, is a video-on-demand service. It offers a wide range of drama, comedy, documentaries, and programs for the kids. It is compatible with various systems, such as Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and smart TVs. Hulu contains a unique library. Its collection is exclusively available to consumers in the United States or Japan. 

3) Disney Plus:

Another closest competitor of Netflix is Disney Plus in the case of streaming services. It is famous for its widely diversified collection of content from Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and National Geographic. 

Best popular unofficial alternatives to Popcorn Time 

These options provide free movie and television streaming. However, they rely on illicit sources such as torrents to deliver live broadcasts to viewers. Copyright infringement might get you in legal trouble if you use these sites. As a result, whenever you browse these alternatives, make sure to connect with a VPN. We are describing these unofficial alternatives below:

a) Kodi:

Kodi is a widely used open-source media player. It is free to use. It is a terrific alternative to Popcorn Time since it allows users to install add-ons to stream video from ESPN, YouTube, and other sources. Among some legal add-ons, the most popular ones are usually unlawful. So, you must use a VPN to protect your internet activity while using Kodi. 

b) FlixTor:

FlixTor is a website similar to Popcorn Time in terms of functionality. It includes a great collection of the most recent and best TV series and movies. The hosting mirror or domain of FlixTor is constantly updating. Some of the mirrors that appear in searches frequently lead to malware. As a result, having a good antivirus on your device is essential before using it. Some countries have banned FlixTor. You can avoid these geo-blocks by using a VPN to change your IP address in case of using FixTor from a restricted country. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is using Popcorn Time safe without VPN support?

We do not suggest you use it without a VPN. It uses torrents as a source of movies and TV streams. And most of the torrent sites infringe copyright and don’t own licenses. So you should connect your device to a good VPN to protect yourself by masking your identity.

• Can a virus attack my device through Popcorn Time? 

A virus may enter your device in the case of downloading a wrong installation file. 

• What are legal substitutes for Popcorn Time? 

If you are concerned about your online safety while enjoying Popcorn Time, try switching to one of the legal options listed below: 

i) Netflix, 

ii) Hulu, 

iii) Disney Plus. 

• From where should I download the Popcorn Time app? 

For many reasons, it changes hosting. The Github repository is the most dependable place to get the app. You may also look via the Popcorn Time Reddit forums to discover where other people get the software. 

Conclusion

The user interface of Popcorn Time is simple and free of ads. So, it makes it an appealing alternative for watching the newest movies and TV episodes. Using this program is hazardous also like most other things. It may come with a set of hazards both legal and related to cybersecurity. As a result, we do not advise our viewers to use the platform to watch their favorite shows. If you have to use Popcorn Time, do it exclusively over a VPN server along with good antivirus support. We do not suggest using it without a VPN. It is because it obtains movie and television streaming via torrents. The majority of torrent sites include copyrighted content that lacks the required licensing. Copyright infringement is unlawful and may result in legal action if you use these materials. A reliable VPN may help you stay safe by masking your identity. 

Stay with us for more updates. Contact us for any queries.