Although the official KickassTorrents site was shut down by U.S. authorities several years ago, several new alternative sites that closely resemble the original KAT website have emerged online.
The sites highlighted in this article are replicas of the original platform. While they may not be the authentic KickassTorrents, they function in a manner very similar to it.
These replica sites are often referred to as proxy or mirror sites and receive periodic updates. Because these platforms enable users to download copyrighted content, they frequently face shutdowns due to DMCA complaints from software and film companies.
KickassTorrents Proxy and Mirror
- https://kickasstorrents.to/
- https://katcr.co/
- https://kickass2.to/
- https://kat.ph/
- https://newkatcr.co/
- https://kickass.ws/
- https://kickass3.to/
- https://kickasstorrents.fun/
You might find that certain torrent sites on the list are unavailable due to restrictions imposed by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). To reach these sites, using a VPN is essential. In certain regions, accessing specific torrent websites could be against the law, so employing a VPN is crucial to maintain your privacy from your ISP.
The proxy and mirror websites are overseen by various administrators, which can lead to slight variations in their operation, even though their appearance remains identical.
Should I use KickassTorrents?
Should you want to explore different platforms for downloading torrents, there are numerous alternatives available. Among these is The Pirate Bay, recognized as the top torrent site globally.
That said, adapting to a new torrent site can be challenging. Ultimately, the decision to utilize the new KickassTorrents sites is yours to make.
When will the original KickassTorrents website be back?
It seems unlikely that the original website will return in the near future, as it has been several years since US authorities shut it down.
Given that the domain was seized from its original owner, there’s a possibility that the KAT site could reemerge under a different domain name. It’s possible that it has already done so without our knowledge.
About KickassTorrents
KickassTorrents, commonly referred to as KAT, was a torrent site that facilitated the free downloading of copyrighted software and films. This feature drew in more than a million users daily. However, the sharing of pirated materials ultimately led to its shutdown by the U.S. government.
Although KickassTorrents claimed to adhere to the DMCA by removing reported copyrighted content, the site’s management failed to follow through on these promises, resulting in its closure.
Owner
Established in 2008 by Artem Vaulin, the website swiftly rose to prominence as a leading torrent site. As of October 2017, KickassTorrents ranks as the 69th most visited site globally, holding an Alexa rank of 1,572.
Servers Seized
In July 2016, the US government confiscated the servers of the website and disabled its domain name following a two-year investigation initiated by a criminal complaint against Vaulin filed by the US Department of Justice.
After the shutdown, various mirror sites emerged, and the official forum for KAT was brought back to life. The site is now operated by a group of volunteers and has faced bans in several countries, including Ireland, Italy, Denmark, Portugal, and Malaysia.
Despite these restrictions, the site continues to attract millions of daily users. This is largely because many have migrated to alternative torrent sites or begun using VPNs to conceal their IP addresses.
While KickassTorrents isn’t the sole torrent site available, it remains among the most popular due to its early introduction of magnet links and its extensive library of movies and TV series.
Torrent websites like KickassTorrents
Following its closure in 2016, numerous other torrent sites gained traction like The Pirate Bay and ExtraTorrent. However, these platforms face their own set of challenges, as they have also been subject to government crackdowns on several occasions.
Overall, operating torrent websites is becoming increasingly challenging due to the growing number of lawsuits and investigations. This trend is expected to persist, meaning users must exercise greater caution when downloading copyrighted materials.
Nonetheless, torrent sites remain a popular method for file sharing and downloading. They provide a vast array of content and are typically user-friendly. With the right precautions to safeguard your privacy, torrent websites can serve as an excellent resource for accessing content that may not be available in your region.
Are there any similar websites to KickAss?
Although not everyone may appreciate the KickAss sites we’ve listed previously, there are several other file-sharing platforms that are currently among the top choices for downloading torrents.
Best alternatives to KickassTorrents
The options listed below as substitutes for KickassTorrents are quite easy to use. With a large number of users participating in peer-to-peer sharing, downloading torrents is expected to be very quick.
- TorLock
- The Pirate Bay
- iDope
- 1337x
- Yify Torrent / YTS
- ExtraTorrent
- LimeTorrents
- Zooqle
FAQs
Q1. What is KickassTorrents (KAT)?
KickassTorrents, popularly called KAT, was one of the biggest torrent websites in the world. It was launched in 2008 and quickly grew to become even more visited than The Pirate Bay at its peak. The site let users find and download torrent files and magnet links for movies, TV shows, games, software, and music — all through peer-to-peer sharing. The original domain was seized by US authorities in 2016, but the KAT community survived through proxy and mirror sites that continue to work today.
Q2. Is the original KickassTorrents website coming back?
The original KAT site is unlikely to return. US authorities seized its domain in 2016 and arrested its founder, Artem Vaulin. The original domain has never been restored. However, former community members relaunched the platform under new addresses. Sites like kickasstorrents.to and newkatcr.co carry the same look and content as the original, and are regularly maintained by volunteers.
Q3. What are the working KickassTorrents proxy and mirror sites in 2026?
Because KAT domains change often due to takedowns and ISP blocks, it helps to keep a few backup options. Some of the currently working KickassTorrents mirror and proxy sites include kickasstorrents.to, newkatcr.co, kickass.ws, and kickass2.to. If one does not load in your region, simply try another from the list. Pairing these with a VPN usually fixes access problems caused by ISP-level blocking.
Q4. What is the difference between a KAT proxy site and a mirror site?
A mirror site is a full copy of KickassTorrents hosted on a separate server. It contains the same content and works independently. A proxy site acts differently — it sits between you and the server, passing your request through and returning the result. Both options help users bypass regional blocks, but mirror sites tend to be more stable and faster because they do not depend on routing through a middleman.
Q5. Why is KickassTorrents blocked by my ISP?
Most ISPs block KAT and similar torrent sites because of legal orders from copyright holders and government authorities. Film studios, game developers, and software companies file complaints, and courts in many countries — including the UK, Australia, India, and several EU nations — require ISPs to block these domains. The block is applied at the network level, which is why a VPN or proxy is needed to get around it.
Q6. Do I need a VPN to use KickassTorrents proxy sites?
Not always, but strongly recommended. Some KAT mirror sites open without a VPN depending on your country and ISP. However, using a VPN protects your real IP address from being logged while you browse and download. It also helps when a proxy site is blocked in your region but accessible elsewhere. Free VPNs work in a pinch, but paid ones like NordVPN offer faster speeds and no data logging.
Q7. Are KickassTorrents proxy sites safe?
The proxy and mirror sites themselves are generally safe to visit, but what you download from them is a different story. Always check the comments and ratings on a torrent before downloading. Stick to files with a high number of seeders and verified uploaders. Running an antivirus in the background while you use any torrent site is a simple habit that saves a lot of trouble. Avoid clicking on random pop-up ads on these sites as well.
Q8. What are the best alternatives to KickassTorrents in 2026?
If the KAT proxy sites are not loading for you, several other torrent platforms serve the same purpose. The Pirate Bay remains the most visited torrent site in the world and has its own active proxy network — you can find a full updated list of working mirrors on our <a href=”https://www.ultraupdates.com/2025/02/piratebay-proxy-list/”>PirateBay Proxy List 2026</a> page. Other solid alternatives include 1337x, TorLock, iDope, LimeTorrents, and YTS for movies specifically.
Q9. How do I use a magnet link from KickassTorrents?
When you find a torrent on a KAT mirror site, you will see a magnet link button next to the download option. Clicking it will open your installed torrent client — like uTorrent, qBittorrent, or Transmission — and the download will begin automatically. If the magnet link does not open, right-click it, copy the link, then paste it into the “Add Torrent” or “Open URL” field in your torrent client manually.
Q10. How do I stay safe while downloading torrents from KAT sites?
A few basic habits go a long way. First, install a trusted antivirus and keep it updated. Second, only download from uploaders who have a history of positive comments and verified badges. Third, use a VPN to keep your IP address private from your ISP. Fourth, avoid downloading executable files (.exe, .bat) unless you are sure of the source, as these are the most common carriers of malware on torrent sites.
