Top 10 BEST Torrent Clients [Free Torrent Downloader 2021]
In this tutorial, we review and compare the top free Torrent Clients to help you select the best Torrent downloader as per your requirement:
Large files are difficult to download from the Internet, especially while capturing them from a host server directly. This results in a snail-paced download speed that is frustrating to sit through. The file is finally saved on your device after waiting for hours. This is where a Torrent Client comes into play.
It is hard to imagine a proper way of downloading giant files from the Internet without a Torrent Client. Great Torrent software has helped many people quickly download large-sized files and manage them in an efficient manner. Torrent expedites the downloading process by capturing only pieces of the files from different people online who already possess them. Ultimately, it combines all the pieces together to present you with one cohesive file.
There are several good torrent software available today for your downloading leisure, each distinguishing itself from the other with a list of unique features. So you are bound to be overwhelmed by the choices in front of you.
In this article, we have narrowed down your options to a few torrent download software. All the programs mentioned below are some of the best torrent clients in wide use today.
What You Will Learn:Torrent Client – Facts and StatsFrequently Asked QuestionsList of The Best Torrent ClientsComparison of Popular Torrent Downloaders#1) qBittorrent #2) BitTorrent#3) Vuze#4) Deluge#5)) uTorrent#7) Tixati#8) BiglyBt#9) Transmission#10) WebTorrent DesktopOther Best Torrent ClientsConclusionRecommended Reading
Torrent Client – Facts and Stats
Pro-Tips:
Best torrent Clients should possess a clean and comprehensive user interface. It should be impervious to clutter and not assault users with unnecessary adware.
The downloading process should be very simple. The torrent client should pick up a file to download with just a few clicks.
For faster speeds, it is imperative to download files that are not corrupt and have a good seed-to-leach ratio.
A torrent client must exhibit imperative information about your downloaded file while the process is taking place. This info includes data on download and upload speeds, the time elapsed, download time remaining, the number of seeds and peers, and share ratio among many other things.
A torrent client must allow you to customize your settings and download/upload preferences, thus allowing you to set a cap on both download and upload speeds.
Finally, the best torrent clients must be free or cost an affordable price and should be compatible with all platforms, irrespective of the device or operating system being used.
Fact Check: According to the market share report published by Torrent Freak, uTorrent occupies the first position by a long mile with a whopping 68. 6% market share. uTorrent is followed by BitTorrent in the second position with a 6. Libtorrent comes in at number three with a market share of 6. 3%.
Also Read =>> Learn how to open a Torrent File
Frequently Asked Questions
Q #1) What is a Torrent Client?
Answer: A torrent client is software that allows you to download large-sized files by using the peer-to-peer system. The software finds files for you to download, captures them quickly, and helps you manage them in one place.
Q #2) Are Torrent Clients legal?
Answer: It is a misconception that torrent programs are illegal, as they are often associated with piracy. However, they are perfectly legal to use when downloading a large file that isn’t protected by copyright law or affiliated with pirated content in any way.
Q #3) What is a p2p network?
Answer: The p2p network i. e. peer-to-peer network refers to a swarm of users sharing pieces of file data with each other online. The swarm consists of seeds and leeches.
Q #4) What are Seeds and Leeches?
Answer: Seed refers to a user that has already downloaded the torrent file and is now allowing other users to download from him/her. On the other hand, a leech refers to someone who only possesses a section of the file and needs to download from the seeder to get the full version. Together they determine the download speed of a file.
Q #5) Can torrent software infect your system with a virus?
Answer: Torrent software only acts as a mediator. As such, they do not possess any viruses in themselves. However, your device may get infected if the file you are downloading or any piece of it contains the virus.
Suggested Reading =>> Top Free Download Managers
=> Contact us to suggest your listing here.
List of The Best Torrent Clients
Here is the list of popular torrent software:
qBittorrent
BitTorrent
Vuze
Deluge
uTorrent
Tixati
BiglyBT
Transmission
WebTorrent Desktop
Comparison of Popular Torrent Downloaders
Let us review the above-listed best torrent program below.
#1) qBittorrent
Best for free Torrenting without ads and malware.
qBittorrent is an open-source torrent program that is not only free to use but also comes with no adware and malware. It is simple to use despite being filled to the brim with tons of advanced features and customized setting options.
The software works fine across all devices and operating systems with ease. It features a seamlessly integrated search engine that instantly gives you access to the torrent file you need. Moreover, you can simultaneously search for multiple files at once.
You can initiate a category-wise search or even partake in sequential downloading to save time. The tool also features a UI lock, which can be established to prevent unauthorized access to the software.
Features:
Polished UI
Open-source with no ads
UI lock to lock unauthorized users out
Intuitive search engine
RSS Feed support
Verdict: qBittorrent’s clean UI, advanced features, and the fantastic search engine will satisfy users who seek a hassle-free downloading experience. You can easily set preferences, schedule your download list, and essentially let the tool run on auto-pilot as it competently finds and helps you download the files you desire.
Price: Free
Website: qBittorrent
#2) BitTorrent
Best for easy Torrent downloading with a plethora of setting options.
One of the oldest torrent clients on this list, BitTorrent, has gone through several changes to become one of the most powerful torrent software in existence today. The software comes with a plethora of features that cater to both amateur and advanced users of the tool. It comes with an intuitive search box that can initiate a search for your desired files on the basis of categories.
You can tweak its setting to schedule downloads, limit bandwidth usage, put a cap on download and upload speeds, and manage paired devices. The software comes in a free version that includes ads.
One can get rid of these ads with the alternate Pro version of the tool. The Pro version comes with its own set of advanced features, which includes the ability to stream torrents as the download is in progress and getting access to the built-in media player.
Schedule downloads
Search based on categories (music, movies, software)
Set cap on download/upload speeds
Limit bandwidth usage
Verdict: BitTorrent is still relevant despite being one of the oldest tools on this list. This torrent client has managed to garner a loyal user base by facilitating them with advanced features and a sleek, yet simple UI. Users will find advertisements in the software. If they bother you, then one will benefit by paying a small fee to subscribe to its pro version instead.
Price: Free, $4. 95- Ad-Free, Secure Torrenting- $19. 95
Website: BitTorrent
#3) Vuze
Best for an easy-to-use torrent client for Windows.
Vuze is a torrent client that is designed to prioritize simplicity, which is exemplified by its basic UI. Searching and downloading torrent files is hassle-free with Vuze. There are advertisements, but they are minimal and do not hinder one’s user experience.
You can get rid of those advertisements anyway by switching to its paid version – Vuze Plus. Vuze is one of the earliest BitTorrent clients, thus you will notice some similarities between its UI and other popular torrent clients that have existed over the years.
Vuze offers features like a crucial integrated search option, magnetic link support, and the ability to remotely control the software via a mobile app. Its Premium version goes a step further and allows users to preview files in its in-built media player while they are being downloaded.
Simple and clean UI
Remotely control tool via mobile app
Magnetic link support
Integrated search option
Verdict: Vuze is simple to use and comes with a free version that uses minimal ads. It is also populated with all the necessary features one expects from some of the best torrent software. Users willing to pay a small amount for its Premium version can also enjoy it’s in-built media player to preview their files while they are being downloaded.
Price: Free, $3. 99/month
Website: Vuze
#4) Deluge
Best for an open-source Torrent client.
Deluge may come off as a little unusual for a torrent client, as it barely has a UI. However, it compensates for that with software that is lightweight and extremely simple to use. The open-source tool is designed to download torrents quickly, and it performs this task with spectacular efficiency.
The software supports multiple first and third-party plug-ins, which can be used for a more personalized user experience. Furthermore, Deluge features a robust encryption mechanism, the ability to discover peers locally and set global and per-torrent bandwidth limits.
Lightweight and simple to use
Local peer discovery
Set Global and Per-Torrent bandwidth limits
Supports first and third-party plug-in support
Verdict: Deluge works mainly because of its exceptional simplicity and will satisfy users who prefer a torrent client that focuses on easy torrent downloading. It is an effective cross-platform tool but works exceptionally well as a torrent program for Windows.
Website: Deluge
#5)
Best for cloud-based BitTorrent client.
caters to those users who do not want to install additional software on their device. This is software powered by Cloud and runs its operations solely on it. As such, it can download files from its cloud UI.
The downloaded files are stored automatically on the cloud and can be accessed from any device, any time. also provides robust security to all the files it stores online. You can create custom folders to store your files without worries.
Clean cloud-based UI
Easy management of Torrent files
Stores files securely
Find and add torrent files with ease
Verdict: can be used if you are concerned with downloaded files occupying unnecessary space in your computer or mobile device. It presents users with a complete cloud-based UI, wherein you can download files, manage, and store them securely for easy access from anywhere at any time.
Price: Free, $5/month – Basic, $10/month – Standard, $15/month – Big
Website:
#6) uTorrent
Best for quick torrent download and management.
uTorrent is undoubtedly BitTorrent’s premiere torrent client. Introduced by Bittorrent in 2005, it has been the most widely used program ever since. It shares almost all of its features, including its UI design with BitTorrent.
So if you’ve used BitTorrent, then you basically have a gist of how uTorrent works. It comes with an in-built search engine that easily finds torrents for you to download. The software can be tweaked to set a cap on download and upload limits, set limits on bandwidth usage, and schedule multiple torrents for download all at once.
It comes with adware that is minimal. However, one can get rid of this by upgrading to uTorrent’s paid version.
Detailed and simple to use UI
Download scheduler
Set bandwidth limits
In-built search engine
Verdict: uTorrent zooms past its competitors with a massive market share. Its success can be attributed to its simplistic design, free-to-use torrent downloading and tons of advanced features that enhance the user experience.
Price: Free, $19. 95/year
Website: uTorrent
#7) Tixati
Best for ultra-fast p2p torrent downloading.
Tixati is a free and easy-to-use BitTorrent client that packs no ads or malware while serving its purpose. It features a super-efficient peer selection system that ensures you phenomenal speed when downloading a torrent file. The tool is compatible with Windows and Linux OS only.
It features DHT, PEX, and magnet link support for enhanced user experience. Users can also benefit from RSS feed support, IP filtering, and event scheduling. Moreover, the tool also allows users to set bandwidth limits and set caps on both upload and download speed.
Basic UI
No spyware or adware
Complete Bandwidth Management
DHT, PEX, and Magnet Link support
Verdict: Tixati works best as a simple, free-to-use tool that can be installed easily on your Linux and Windows device for superfast torrent downloading. It manages to help users find files with a good seeds-to-leech ratio in order to facilitate ultra-fast downloading of quality files.
Website: Tixati
#8) BiglyBt
Best for open source BitTorrent client.
BiglyBt is yet another free torrent client that uses no ads despite being absolutely free to use. It is populated with all the features one needs to have a satisfying downloading experience. You get acquainted with a ton of customer preferences and setting options to personalize your experience with the tool.
The software also facilitates seamless integration with many first and third-party plug-in supports. Apart from this, you can schedule your downloads, set bandwidth limits, filter your search results and get important info on your downloaded file in an instant.
Open source and free to use
No ads
Tons of third-party plug-in support
A plethora of custom setting options
Verdict: BiglyBt will satisfy users who seek a torrent client that is ad-free despite being free of cost. It comes with all the same features present in the best BitTorrent clients. Plus, the fact that you also get to use third-party plug-ins makes this software worth a try.
Website: BiglyBt
#9) Transmission
Best for BitTorrent client with the cross-platform back end.
This is a Torrent client that comes with a variety of user interfaces along with a cross-platform back-end. Transmission is open-source software that doesn’t employ any form of ads to offer its free services. It is a smart tool that can set you up and running with advanced configurations by setting its defaults to the option – ‘Just Work’.
It allows you to block bad peers and keep a list of them for future references. As far as features go, Transmission facilitates encryption, magnet link support, peer exchange, setting global and per-torrent speed limit DHT, webseed support, and much more.
Easy OS integration
Set global and per-torrent speed limit
Verdict: Transmission should satisfy users who seek an ad-free torrent client that is also free to use. It is simple, integrates seamlessly with any operating system, and possesses tons of useful features to make sure users have a satisfying experience.
Website: Transmission
#10) WebTorrent Desktop
Best for streaming torrents.
WebTorrent Desktop is a different beast altogether. Instead of downloading torrents, it focuses more on streaming them. Currently, in its Beta mode, WebTorrent hinges on the premise of capturing torrents, whether it is music, movies, or an e-book, and playing it right away without the need to download.
It connects seamlessly with peers from other torrent clients such as uTorrent, Transmission, and more. The software has a long way to go before it realizes its full potential, but it does look promising. It integrates seamlessly with Windows, Mac, and Ubuntu operating systems.
Stream Torrents without downloads
Free to use
Seamless integration with Multiple OS
Peer exchange
Verdict: The idea of directly streaming a torrent before downloading it isn’t a novel one. WebTorrent just intends to make the process more mainstream. The software is in its beta mode, so we won’t be recommending it. However, it will be interesting to keep an eye out for this one, as it may turn out to be the next big thing.
Price: Free
Website: WebTorrent Desktop
Other Best Torrent Clients
#11) BitLord
Best for free and easy application and media downloader.
BitLord is a free-to-use torrent downloader that facilitates the download of large music, movies, and applications. You get all the features popularized by BitTorrent with the comfort of a basic UI. The in-built search engine makes finding torrents very convenient. The software can now be downloaded in both desktop and mobile versions.
Website: BitLord
#12) BitComet
Best for previewing downloaded files.
BitComet is a cross-platform torrent client that is exceptionally powerful despite being free to use. It features intelligent disk caching and long-term seeding capabilities that make for a satisfying user experience. The software also facilitates the previewing of a file while it is being downloaded. You also get Magnet links, HTTP support, and DHT Network support.
Website: BitComet
#13) FrostWire
Best for cross-sharing file sharing app.
FrostWire works as a file-sharing software before being a torrent download. It is free to use and employs a simple search engine within its interface to find files to download. It is a competent cross-platform software that works smoothly on multiple computers and mobile operating systems.
Website: FrostWire
#14) ZbigZ
Best for secure Torrent download.
ZbigZ positions itself as a secure downloader that facilitates the easy download of files across multiple devices. This is a completely cloud-based software. You simply need to feed it with a magnet link and it will start downloading the torrent. It is protected with HTTPS protocol, thus helping you stay anonymous while downloading a file.
Price: Free, $5. 99 for five days, $ 9. 9 for 1 month, $ 25. 9 for 3 months
Website: ZbigZ
#15) Halite BitTorrent Client
Best for super seeding.
Halite BitTorrent Client is yet another open-source tool that is more powerful than one expects. It is populated with a number of advanced features like super seeding, protocol encryption support, IP filtering, Disk cache support, and much more. You can easily manage your downloads and even queue them to initiate the download of multiple files all at the same time.
Website: Halite BitTorrent Client
Conclusion
Torrents have gained a lot of notoriety because of their unfair association with piracy. In fact, they are incredibly useful platforms to download large files from the Internet in a very short span of time. All of the above-mentioned tools equip users with the tools needed to download video, audio, and software files from the Internet, irrespective of their size.
As for our recommendation, if you are looking for software that truly embodies the nature of a free torrent client, then look no further than the veteran BitTorrent. If you don’t want to install software on your device, then the cloud-based will fit you best.
Research Process:
We spent 12 hours researching and writing this article so you can have summarized and insightful information on which Best Torrent Client will best suit you.
Total Torrent Clients Researched – 32
Total Torrent Clients Shortlisted – 15
=> Contact us to suggest your listing here.
10 Best Free Torrent Clients in 2021 (with Pros & Cons)
No matter which platform you use, your computer’s operating system won’t recognize torrent files by default. That’s why you need a reliable torrent client that connects you to other P2P users and lets you download torrent files via the Internet. However, what’s the best free torrent client today? Which torrent client gives you the fastest download speed while giving you plenty of customization options as well? Don’t worry, we have the answer to these questions – and we’re about to provide you with plenty of best torrent client recommendations. Before we get started, we’d like to take this opportunity to tell you a few important things. First, you already know that P2P is blocked in certain countries, and many ISPs throttle your Web connection when they detect you using a torrent client. So, before you go ahead and download from The Pirate Bay, make sure to take all precautionary measures. Differently said, make sure that you’re using your new torrent client in the best way possible. That’s why we also recommend our article on the 15 best torrent websites right now. We know that you can’t wait to get started, so let’s jump to what you truly want to know. TechNadu does not condone illegal file-sharing or copyright infringement. Even though P2P file-sharing technology is legal, many of the files exchanged via P2P are indeed copyrighted. Uploading these copyrighted files can put you at risk of a civil lawsuit. While these lawsuits are often class-action cases, some have been targeted at individual users in an attempt to make an example of them. DisclaimerWorried About Getting Caught Torrenting? You Need a VPN – And Here’s Why! The world of torrenting is full of obstacles. You’ll often find torrent websites to be blocked in your country, and receiving a cease-and-desist letter from your ISP is always a threat. Getting caught torrenting can also force your ISP to cut off your connection to the Web. That’s why, due to the following reasons, we strongly recommend you connect to a VPN in order to be safe while torrenting. A VPN will prevent your Internet provider from tracking your online activity. This means that you won’t have to worry about receiving a cease-and-desist letter or any similar legal consequences of downloading torrents. A VPN will unblock any website, including torrent repositories. This is especially important in countries where torrent sites are taken down regularly. Using a VPN, you can connect to a server in a different country and unblock what was previously inaccessible. A VPN will unleash the full power of your Web connection. It’s no secret that ISPs apply selective throttling based on what kind of online activity they detect. Since VPNs hide your Web traffic, you’ll get to make your Web connection faster and more reliable. A VPN is an all-in-one solution! There’s no need to spend hours trying to configure torrent clients or trying to build a solution to protect your torrenting. A VPN is the best and the most effective way to protect your torrenting. Finally, don’t make a mistake thinking that all VPNs are the same. Based on our years-long experience of reviewing VPNs, the best VPN right now is ExpressVPN. This especially goes for fans of torrenting, who’ll find that ExpressVPN meets practically ALL their needs. Right now, subscribing to ExpressVPN lets you save 49% OFF its regular price. On top of that, you get 3 EXTRA MONTHS! That means that now’s the best time to act and protect your torrenting activities. We won’t only tell you about truly the best free torrent clients. Of course, we’ll give you a series of recommendations – but we’ll also teach you the basics of using P2P clients, how to choose the best one, and what to keep in mind. The Best Torrent Clients in 2021 Finally, we’re ready to present the 10 best free torrent clients in 2021. Go ahead and check them out below. uTorrent Classic / Web – The Most Popular P2P Client! BitTorrent – Best Pick for First-Timers Transmission – Highly Polished macOS Client qBittorrent – Simple & Hugely Powerful Option Deluge – Incredibly Small & Light Vuze – Great for Keeping Your Files Organized Halite BitTorrent Client – Plug & Play Torrent Client BitComet – Great for High-End P2P Fans WebTorrent – Built for Media Streaming BitLord – Provides Access to P2P File Repositories 1. uTorrent Classic / Web – The Most Popular P2P Client! Note If you’re a Windows user, you can still rely on uTorrent Classic. However, users of the latest macOS version need to download uTorrent Web, as the Classic version doesn’t support macOS Catalina. Everything said below applies to all available versions of this torrent client. The uTorrent client is one of the most popular software of this kind. The company behind it is well aware of the matter, which is why it is offering the ‘Pro’ version as well. However, the free-of-charge version should do the job for the majority of users. First and foremost, this is an incredibly small application. You can download it in a matter of seconds and then proceed to install the software. During the installation, make sure to go through each step and opt-out of bundled software carefully. Once you are done, you will be greeted by a fairly simple interface suitable even for complete beginners. When you’re ready to dive deeper, you will see why uTorrent is one of the best torrent clients. It comes with file prioritization, scheduled downloads, streaming, media player, third-party plugins, and plenty more. 2. BitTorrent – Best Pick for First-Timers Note Windows users can still download BitTorrent Classic. However, users of macOS Catalina will need to download BitTorrent Web – a new version of the popular torrent client that still brings all of its familiar features. BitTorrent is being advertised as the ‘original torrent client. ’ That is true because BitTorrent has been around for quite some now. In addition, you can use its website to find lots of completely legal files, including music and videos. Aside from somewhat annoying ads and bundled software, there aren’t any real drawbacks to this torrent client. No matter how experienced you are, you are free to customize the UI according to your needs (it can be as simple or as complex as you need it to be). In essence, this is a drag-and-drop application that supports the standard set of features. You can prioritize torrent files, download specific files within torrents, play media, and stream torrents. There are some advanced features as well, like IP filtering. 3. Transmission – Highly Polished macOS Client During the last couple of years, Apple has done a great job of improving its desktop operating system and making it more polished than ever before. Regular security-related updates are great for users – but bad for torrent clients. This is what makes it somewhat hard to find a reliable client for Apple’s desktop OS. However, we have the perfect solution – and that would be Transmission. This is an incredibly lightweight application that takes full advantage of macOS. You can download it under one minute and then drag-and-drop its icon to install it. From there on, it’s all drag-and-drop-based. Find a torrent file, add it to Transmission, and the application will do the rest on its own. It will optimize the settings based on your Internet connection and download the needed torrent files. The application runs quietly in the background and takes very little resources, meaning that even entry-level MacBook Air models can run Transmission without a single problem. And finally, make sure to check other torrent clients for macOS. 4. qBittorrent – Simple & Hugely Powerful Option This is one of the oldest torrent clients that still works without any issues. It doesn’t come with a highly polished or modern interface, but it easily gets the job done. So, we’d like to recommend qBittorrent to first-time torrent users and those who have computers with light specs. We wouldn’t want you to think that qBittorrent is a barebones application. It comes with surprisingly powerful built-in tools that make the whole process of downloading torrents a bit easier. There’s an integrated torrent search engine, media player, and encryption for your P2P connection. You can also prioritize torrents as you download them, as well as pick specific files to download within torrent files. The only thing that’s missing here is that you won’t find any plugins as you do with other similar applications. But again, plugins are mostly for experienced users. 5. Deluge – Incredibly Small & Light You will often hear people talking about Deluge as the perfect tool for complete beginners. However, we disagree with this statement. Even though newbies will be able to use it out of the box, it takes some time to discover what Deluge is all about. On the plus side, this torrent client is very light when it comes to its size and performance. You can use it on a decade-old computer, and it will run just fine. Simply drag-and-drop a torrent file onto its UI, and it will begin to download. Once you get to know this software, you will see that it integrates with Chrome and Firefox and comes with helpful third-party addons. These can shut down your computer once the file is downloaded, unzip files, move them to a specific location, and more. In addition, there are no ads or bundled software, which is always a nice thing to see. 6. Vuze – Great for Keeping Your Files Organized Long-term torrenting fans have probably heard about Azureus a while back. This was a popular torrent client known for its nicely designed UI. Vuze is a direct descendant of Azureus that comes with greatly enhanced and improved features. Just like with uTorrent, we recommend not rushing with the installation since you’ll end up with bundled software. In addition, you will be asked to set up the software according to your needs. This might sound intimidating, but every feature is thoroughly explained. Besides, this torrent client can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Naturally, it means that it takes advantage of your system’s resources in a big way. Therefore, we do not recommend it to those who have entry-level laptops. 7. Halite BitTorrent Client – Plug & Play Torrent Client Just because it has ‘BitTorrent’ in its name, don’t confuse it with other suggestions found in this article. This is an incredibly lightweight application that supports Windows. In case you want something really simple, you’re in for a treat. Upon downloading Halite BitTorrent Client from GitHub, you can unzip and open it (it’s an EXE application). This kind of installation can be somewhat confusing because GitHub is involved. However, we are sure you won’t have a hard time making this application run on your system. Upon opening it, you will see an incredibly simple interface. Add a torrent file, and Halite will start downloading it. You can perform basic operations like stopping and resuming the download process and reviewing important download information. If you need a simple torrent client, this one is for you. 8. BitComet – Great for High-End P2P Fans BitComet is an older client that still receives occasional updates. Even though this is a simple application at its core, it brings support for all modern standards of creating and downloading torrents. It is worth noting that BitComet has a unique feature called Intelligent Disk Caching. A few years ago, even the best torrent clients were quite demanding. This was due to large amounts of read-and-write data. BitComet was the first application to solve this issue. Even though this isn’t a highly important feature these days, it’s worth noting that you’ll be using a highly optimized torrent client. Other than that, you can rely on BitComet for all your torrenting needs. It’s also worth noting that BitComet now supports both Windows and macOS – as it was previously available on Microsoft’s operating system only. Maybe this is also a signal that we can expect new features more often. 9. WebTorrent – Built for Media Streaming We’re sure that many of you are downloading plenty of movies via P2P. As you know, you need to wait to download the entire file before you can play it on your device. However, WebTorrent is here to provide a solution to this problem. Once you add a magnet or torrent file to this application, it will start to download it automatically. However, you’ll be able to stream the file instead of waiting for it to be fully downloaded. There’s also a whole set of playback controls, where you can increase or decrease the playback speed, control the volume, add subtitles, and more. And finally, we must mention that WebTorrent brings a beautifully designed interface on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Sadly, no mobile versions are available right now. 10. BitLord – Provides Access to P2P File Repositories We will end our list of the best torrent clients with BitLord. This is an older software that still manages to bring competitive features. Both beginners and experienced torrent users can use it since BitLord is a highly adaptive option. We recommend you to pay attention while installing this application. Based on your needs, BitLord will first download the required files and then proceed with the installation. If you’re not careful, you might end up with unwanted software. However, we understand this is BitLord’s effort to make some money, so you can easily uninstall different components at a later time. When it comes to its capabilities, you can count on the standard set of features. However, what’s interesting about this application are advanced tools. First, there’s a built-in search tool for audio, video, and other kinds of torrents. Then, you can stream videos to your computer or play them via Chromecast. Finally, you can even download subtitles and make sure everything is prepared before you watch a movie or TV show. How to Pick the Best Torrent Client for Your Needs? After everything said so far, you must be wondering how to pick the best torrent client for your needs? What should you keep in mind while checking a list of P2P clients? Well, let’s give you some pointers. Platform Compatibility: In case you are using Windows, macOS, or Linux, you shouldn’t have a hard time finding a torrent client. However, it’s quite easy for Mac user to find and choose the best free torrent clients since we have this guide for you. Also, it’s good to know that torrent clients are inter-compatible, which means that you can download torrent files regardless of a client you use. There are also Android P2P clients – but sadly, you’ll have a hard time if you’re an iOS user. Size & Performance: The most popular torrent clients are incredibly lightweight. You can download and install them in an instant. In addition, they tend to be light on your system’s resources. This is especially important since it can take hours to download a large torrent file. Ease of Use: The good news is that you don’t have to be an IT expert to download torrents. However, some of these clients tend to have an overly complex UI. This is good if you really want to dive deep into various types of settings. Otherwise, a very simple application will do the job. Price/Adware: Last but not least, there’s the price. The majority of P2P clients are free of charge. However, some of these serve ads, which is their way of generating revenue. Don’t worry – we’ll only list the software that doesn’t serve as typical adware. What Are Torrent (P2P) Clients? What’s the Role of This Type of Software? You’re reading this article because you want to download torrent files. Well, know that you can’t download torrent files unless you have an application that allows you to do so. This is where torrent clients come into play, providing a way for your torrent files to work. In our Ultimate Guide to Torrenting, you can learn about the BitTorrent protocol (make sure to check how torrents work, for additional information). This is where you’ll discover that we’re talking about decentralized systems in this case, where each computer has a part of the file you’re downloading. It means that you need to connect to other users downloading the same P2P file – and this is what torrent clients are designed to do. As you can imagine, torrent clients aren’t a novelty. They’ve been here quite some time, and many of them have developed advanced features. Today, even if you’re looking for a completely free-of-charge torrent client, you can do more than just download P2P files. You can search for data across the Web, stream movies and music without leaving the torrent client, create and distribute personal torrents, and plenty more. Is It Safe to Use a Torrent Client? Should You Be Aware of Any Threats? Talking about torrenting and torrent clients usually involves talking about malware as well. That’s because one of the fastest ways to spread malware is by distributing it via a P2P network. This is why antivirus vendors often flag torrent clients as dangerous. We have to say that we completely understand this decision, as there are numerous instances in the past of BitTorrent clients infecting whole networks of computers. So, this brings us to the important question of whether torrent clients are safe to use? Our answer is – yes, but there’s something important to keep in mind. Make sure to download torrent clients ONLY from their official websites. If you fail to do so, you can easily end up with an infected installation file. Make sure to learn how to spot fake torrents as well. Also, let’s not forget about your privacy. By participating in a P2P network, your IP address becomes exposed, and this means practically anyone can track your online whereabouts. More skilled individuals can also keep track of what you download and where you come from (by pinpointing your exact location). This is why we want you to learn about how to encrypt your torrent data, as well as how to stay anonymous while torrenting. You will also learn about VPN applications, including what are the best VPNs for torrenting. Do P2P Clients Come Already Optimized? Do You Need to Tweak Their Settings? In general, torrent clients already come optimized for the majority of users. Unless your ISP is imposing severe restrictions on P2P traffic, any torrent client you pick should do the job. As soon as you open a P2P file, it will start branching out to other users looking for corresponding pieces of the file that you’re trying to download. So, yes – you’ll be able to download files without having to dive into your torrent client’s settings. However, doing so will go a long way. If you know how to tweak the right settings, you’ll get to initialize new downloads faster, connect to more peers, and enjoy a more streamlined experience overall. To help you with this, we’ve focused on exploring the most popular torrent clients right now. First, you can learn how to use uTorrent, and then check how to configure uTorrent. This will lead you to our guide on making this client faster. We also wrote about eliminating ads in uTorrent – without having to pay for a premium plan. FAQ To help you narrow down your list of options, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about finding the best torrent clients. So, take a look below. What’s the Best Torrent Client in 2021, Overall? The most popular client right now is uTorrent – and we strongly believe this one to the best P2P client for the majority of users. You can use it free of charge, it comes in several different editions, and allows you to fine-tune your experience of downloading P2P files. What’s the Fastest Torrent Client in 2021? There are many elements that influence the speed of torrent clients (in terms of how fast you can download P2P files). In our experience, the fastest torrent client right now is uTorrent, as it works amazingly well even without tinkering with its settings. You can also go for BitTorrent and Transmission if you use macOS. Are There Torrent Clients for Android? What’s the Best One? Yes, there are plenty of torrent clients for Android. We recommend checking out BitTorrent and uTorrent. You can also check out FrostWire and LibreTorrent – all of which are capable P2P clients that allow you to easily and speedily download files. Are There Torrent Clients for iOS? Which One Should You Pick? Apple doesn’t allow torrent clients on its iOS App Store. It means that you can’t download and run a P2P client on iOS natively. However, there are Web-based solutions that you can use, such as uTorrent for Web, for example. What’s the Best Free Torrent Client? If you want a torrent client that comes 100% free of charge (without any locked features), you should pay attention to qBitTorrent (for Windows, macOS, and Linux) and Transmission (for macOS). Both of these come fully unlocked, and they don’t have any in-app purchases or hidden costs. There you have it, folks! We really hope that you’ve found useful information in this article. After all, we gave our best to bring only the best torrent clients in 2021. In case you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to let us know.
The best free torrent clients of 2021: faster, safer downloads
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The best free torrent clients are perfect for downloading exceptionally large files – such as a video or a large piece of software – quickly and managing them such large files, downloading directly from a host server will likely lead to a slow experience, particularly if other people are trying to grab the same file. But with a free torrent client, you can download pieces of the files you want from different people who already have them, leading to faster download times. It will do all the hard work for you as well, piecing together those files like a of the best free torrent clients will have their own strengths, with varying features to help manage these large files. With this in mind, we’ve collated all the biggest names and put them to the test to see which of the best torrent clients on the market would best suit your needs. Whether you need something that just gets the job done, or something more advanced that can be extended through the use of add-ons, you’ll definitely find something here. Our ranking for the best free torrent clients considers everything from user experience and adverts, through to how well it can integrate with other applications so regardless where your preferences lay, we have you covered with our in-depth reviews. A YouTube downloader for PC will let you save your YouTube playlists on your PC. Are torrents legal? Torrents have a bad reputation due to piracy, but they aren’t illegal in themselves and have lots of legitimate uses, including downloading open source software and material that’s in the public all depends on the content you’re downloading. Provided the copyright holder has given permission for the file to be shared this way it’s fine, but using torrents to download content you’d otherwise have to pay for is not best free torrent clients at a glanceqBittorrentVuzeDelugeuTorrentBitTorrentWe strongly advise you get a great VPN for torrenting
The only way to keep yourself safe and anonymous when torrenting is to use a VPN. A VPN encrypts all your internet activity and passes it through a secure tunnel so that no one can see what you’re reading or downloading – not even your ISP or the VPN service itself. One click and you’re protected. This also allows you to unblock sites like The Pirate Bay, or access foreign versions of Netflix. The best VPN service according to our tests is ExpressVPN which effectively costs just $6. 67 per month and has a risk-free 30-day money back guarantee.
View Deal(Image credit: The qBittorrent Project; Shutterstock)1. qBittorrentA balance of speed and simplicity: the best free torrent clientOperating system: Windows, macOS, LinuxNo advertisementsHandy extra toolsNo bundled softwareFewer extensions than someSome torrent clients offer every function imaginable. Others keep things as simple as possible. qBittorrent sits right in the middle, aiming to “meet the needs of most users while using as little CPU and memory as possible” boasts an integrated torrent search engine, media player, encryption, prioritisation of torrents and the files within those torrents, IP filtering and torrent creation, and it’s the closest open source, junk-free equivalent to you’re looking for a cross-platform torrent client that covers the essentials without getting overly complicated, qBittorrent is our full qBittorrent review(Image credit: Azureus Software Inc; Shutterstock)2. VuzeA feature-packed torrent client if you don’t mind the adsOperating system: WindowsClear, well designed interfaceExpandable via pluginsContains adsBundled antivirus trialVuze (formerly Azureus) claims to be the most powerful BitTorrent client on Earth. We’re not sure how it ranks on other planets, but it’s certainly a serious contender for that are two flavours: the stripped-back Vuze Leap, and the fully fledged Vuze Plus. Both offer torrent download, media playback and support for magnet file links, but Vuze Plus adds integrated virus protection and the ability to preview media of Vuze’s key selling points is its interface, which slices through jargon and makes even the more advanced features accessible to new also offers bandwidth limiting, IP filtering, and all the other features you’d expect from a robust torrent client. Definitely one of the first options to our full Vuze review(Image credit: Deluge; Shutterstock)3. DelugeA customizable client that can be as lean or powerful as you wantOperating system: Windows, macOS, LinuxCross platformExpandable via pluginsBrowser integrationInterface is a little sparseDeluge has been around forever, and it can be as simple or as powerful as you want it to be, making it one of the most versatile free torrent clients out there. That’s because it’s extendable via plug-ins, which effectively enable you to build your own personalised version of something that resembles uTorrent without the unwanted software? No problem. Want to add alphabetical downloading, move downloaded files to specific directories according to the file type, adjust speed according to network conditions, create pretty graphs, schedule everything, integrate with Chrome or Firefox, or batch-rename downloads? That’s not a problem our full Deluge review(Image credit: BitTorrent; Shutterstock)4. uTorrentAn incredibly lightweight client maintained by BitTorrent itselfOperating system: Windows, macOS, AndroidDownload schedulingVery smallRuns on the webContains adsAdditional bundled softwareuTorrent, also known as µTorrent, has been around since 2005 and it’s the most widely used free torrent client outside China. It’s attracted some criticism over the years, however: it’s ad-supported and many users argue that the most recent versions are a little too heavy on the advertising and bundled software front. Make sure you read each step of the installer carefully and uncheck any software you don’t want to aside, uTorrent is useful, effective and doesn’t gobble up too much of your system’s resources: the entire app mainly runs in your web browser. Although it isn’t the official BitTorrent app, it’s been maintained by BitTorrent for the last ‘s worth noting that uTorrent has a record of security problems, the most recent of which had the potential to let hackers control key functions of the client and spy on users’ downloads. BitTorrent has since released a patch for the our full uTorrent review(Image credit: BitTorrent; Shutterstock)5. BitTorrentBitTorrent’s own client, with web-based seeding and commentsOperating system: Windows, macOS, AndroidSimple to configureDownload schedulingVery smallContains adsYou might be wondering why BitTorrent has its own torrent client when it also maintains uTorrent – especially when the BitTorrent app is a rebranded version of uTorrent. Are you still following us? However, while the apps are functionally identical there are a few key differences: BitTorrent offers web-based seeding, commenting and reviewing, and you may find that the BitTorrent client is welcomed by private trackers that don’t like ‘s very simple to use as well, and could be a good choice if you’re new to torrenting and want a client that will give you an easy our full BitTorrent reviewJust want videos? See our guide to the best free YouTube downloadersWindows 11 is hereStay anonymous online with the best torrenting VPN
Daryl had been freelancing for 3 years before joining TechRadar, now reporting on everything software-related. In his spare time, he’s written a book, ‘The Making of Tomb Raider’, alongside podcasting and usually found playing games old and new on his PC and iPad. If you have a story about a newly-updated app or one that’s about to launch, drop him a line.
Frequently Asked Questions about top bittorrent client
What is the fastest BitTorrent client?
5 Fastest BitTorrent Clients for Torrenting Reliably in 2021uTorrent.qBittorrent.BitTorrent.Tixati.Transmission.Why You Should Always Use a VPN for Torrenting.The Best VPN for Torrenting.Summary and Further Reading.Sep 21, 2021
Is BitTorrent still good?
Is BitTorrent safe to use? The short answer is that the BitTorrent program itself is relatively safe, but like any software that connects to the Internet, it is susceptible to attacks. However, do not confuse the safety of peer-to-peer programs like BitTorrent with the files that are shared through those programs.Jul 20, 2017
Is qBittorrent better than BitTorrent?
qBittorrent vs BitTorrent: the best torrent client is… When looking at the overall qualities of both clients, BitTorrent appears as the far better value. BitTorrent’s free service has a nearly identical interface to qBittorrent, if not a bit more intuitive and aesthetically pleasing.Dec 23, 2020