When downloading torrents, you'll want to use a torrent client that doesn't hold you back. For example, you don't want limited download and upload speeds, an overly complex interface riddled with ads, or even worse - a malware-infected application. So, it's crucial to stick to a reputable torrent client, which we'll help you find throughout this guide.
More precisely, we'll give you a selection of the best free torrent clients, so you'll get to torrent using the full download/upload speed of your Web connection while connecting to as many seeders as possible. Of course, we'll list reputable torrent downloaders only, free of malware and overly aggressive ads. So, truly the best options only.
Keep reading to learn about the best torrent clients, how to use one safely, how to pick one based on your needs, and we'll answer some FAQs as well.
How to Safely Use a Torrent Downloader
You can use a torrent downloader safely by running a VPN while downloading P2P files. This requires installing both a VPN app and a torrent client on your device. Here’s what to do:
- Subscribe to a VPN suitable for torrenting (we recommend NordVPN).Â
- Download and install the VPN software on your device.
- Launch the VPN app and log in using your credentials.Â
- Choose a server in a country lenient towards downloading torrents (Switzerland, Spain).
- Once the VPN connection is established, visit your favorite torrent website.
- Download any P2P file and open it in your torrent client. That's it!
If you are using a macOS device and want to find the best Mac torrent client, make sure to use the provided link. You'll find plenty of options there specialized for macOS.
The Best Torrent Clients in 2023
To find the best torrent client, your search needs to be based on specific criteria. That said, you'll want to pay attention to platform compatibility, as not all torrent clients are cross-platform. Then, decide whether you want a simple (fully automated) or complex (highly customizable) torrent client, as that's their main point of differentiation.
If you're after a more complex option, think about the features you'll want. For example, a built-in P2P search functionality, support for magnet links, the ability to stream media (to watch a video file as you download it, also called sequential downloading), scheduled downloads, and more. Some torrent clients can even turn off your computer once it finishes its job.
Of course, there's also the question of price. We're talking about free torrent apps in this guide, but some might still reserve certain features behind a paywall. So, ensure the basics are met and that you won't see overly aggressive ads.
Based on the criteria explained above, these are the 10 best torrent clients in 2023.
1. uTorrent Classic/Web - Our #1-Ranked Free Torrent Client
The uTorrent client is one of the most popular software of its kind. The company behind it is well aware of the matter, which is why they also offer a premium version, which comes ad-free, with an anti-virus component, and allows you to convert files. However, the free-of-charge version should get the job done for the majority of users.
This is an incredibly small and lightweight application. You can download it in a matter of seconds and then proceed to install the software. During the installation, carefully go through each step and opt out of bundled software. 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, third-party plugins, and plenty more. So, it might look simple, but this is one ultra-powerful torrent client.
We'll also add that uTorrent supports both traditional P2P files and magnet links. It's also very fast to download data as it auto-adjusts bandwidth usage based on your network and Internet connection.
2. BitTorrent - Best Torrent Downloader for Beginners
BitTorrent is being advertised as the "original torrenting app." That's true because this is one of the oldest torrent clients still under active development. It covers pretty much every standard and advanced feature you can think of, making it suitable for beginners and advanced users.
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 its 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 free torrent downloader that supports the standard set of features. You can prioritize torrent files, download specific files within torrents, play media, as well as stream torrents. There are some advanced features as well, like IP filtering.
Also, BitTorrent is the first torrent program to tokenize the P2P protocol with BTT (BitTorrent Token). It offers a special client called BitTorrent Speed, which allows you to get fastest speeds as well as earn and spend BTT token rewards.
3. Transmission - Simple and Lightweight BitTorrent Client for macOS
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 torrent client for macOS. However, we have the perfect solution – Transmission.
This incredibly lightweight torrent client takes full advantage of macOS and Apple's M-branded chips. You can download it in under a few seconds 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. It will optimize the settings based on your Web 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.
We'll also note that Transmission is now available for Windows as well, with its Qt-based UI fully ready for Windows 11. It's not as feature-rich as on macOS, but it still remains one of the best torrent software if you need something extra-simple.
4. qBittorrent - Powerful and Easy-to-Use Free Torrent Downloader
qBitTorrent is one of the oldest torrent clients. 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 low-end specs.
We wouldn’t want you to think that qBittorrent is a barebones torrent client. That's because 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, support for RSS feeds, a media player, and encryption for your P2P connection.
You can also prioritize torrents as you download them and pick specific files to download within torrent files. The only thing missing here is that you won’t find any plugins as you do with similar applications. But again, plugins are mostly for experienced users.
Also, qBitTorrent is open-source, and its code is available publicly on GitHub. So, if you need a torrent client with an emphasis on privacy, pay attention to this one. And regarding privacy, you'll get to count on IP filtering, port forwarding, and using private torrents.
5. Deluge - Flexible and Feature-Rich Torrent Client
You will often hear people talking about Deluge as one of the best torrent clients 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 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.
Deluge also has a rich selection of add-ons. Using these, you can expand its functionality to auto-remove downloads, auto-rename files, stream video without downloading, assign custom labels to torrents, display various graphs and statistics, and more.
6. Vuze - Advanced Torrenting with a Built-In Media Player
Long-term torrenting fans have probably heard about Azureus in the past. This was a popular torrent client known for its nicely designed and very modern UI. Vuze is a direct descendant of Azureus that comes with greatly enhanced and improved features.
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, which will affect the application's settings. This might sound a bit intimidating, but every feature is thoroughly explained.
In terms of what you'll get from this torrent downloader - well, you'll get a lot. There's a built-in meta search for content discovery, remote control via Web or mobile app, the ability to stream files, support for magnet links, and access to plug-ins.
Everything listed above is available in the free version of Vuze. If you decide to get 'Vuze Plus,' you'll get rid of ads, stream media without downloading, and you'll get the ability to burn DVDs directly from within the torrent client, which is a unique feature of Vuze.
7. Halite BitTorrent Client - Minimalistic Torrent Software for Windows
Just because it has 'BitTorrent' in its name, don’t confuse it with other suggestions in this article. This is an incredibly lightweight application that supports Windows. If you want the best torrent downloader that's also really simple to use, you’re in for a treat.
Upon downloading the Halite BitTorrent Client from GitHub, you can unzip and open it (it's an EXE application). This kind of installation can be 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. Halite also supports file prioritization, and there's support for magnet links and torrents without trackers.
Among other features, there's support for protocol encryption, IP filtering, super-seeding, as well as port randomization and port forwarding. So, Halite is a simple torrent software on the outside, but comes with plenty of depth if you're willing to dive into its settings.
8. BitComet - Best Torrent App with Advanced Features
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. And, most importantly, it comes free of charge.
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, which is why this is now one of the most lightweight free torrent downloaders.
It's also worth noting that BitComet now supports both Windows and macOS - as it was previously available only on Microsoft's operating system. This may also signal that we can expect new features more often.
Let's not forget to mention that BitComet supports magnet URIs, file prioritization, bandwidth scheduling, automatic shutdown, support for UPnP, and it also allows you to preview files as you download them (AVI, RMVB, WMV, and other video files).
9. WebTorrent - Top Torrent Client for Mid-Downloading Media Streaming
We're sure many of you download plenty of movies via P2P. As you know, you normally need to wait to download the entire video file before you 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. That's because this torrent client is built upon WebRTC, which is how it builds decentralized connections between its users.
There's also a set of playback controls where you can increase or decrease the playback speed, control the volume, add subtitles, and more. Also, there are no ads, and everything is available free of charge. This makes WebTorrent one of the best torrent clients for watching videos.
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 - Best Torrent Software with Built-In Search Engine
BitLord 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 pay attention while installing this application. Based on your input, 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.
When it comes to its capabilities, you can count on the standard set of features found in most other torrent clients (file prioritization, scheduled downloads, etc.). However, what’s interesting about this application is its 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. As you can see, BitLord is an all-in-one torrent app but comes with a group of features aimed at media streaming.
How to Choose the Best Torrent Software
To choose the best torrent software, you need to pay attention to its platform compatibility, ease of use, and you need to prioritize the features you want to see. Here's more information:
- Platform Compatibility: In case you are using Windows, macOS, or Linux, you shouldn’t have a hard time finding a torrent client. Also, it's good to know that torrent clients are inter-compatible, which means that you can download torrent files regardless of the client you use. There are also Android P2P clients - but sadly, there aren't any for iOS.
- Ease of Use: The good news is that you don’t have to be an IT expert to download torrents. However, some torrent clients tend to have an overly complex UI. This is good if you want to dive deep into various types of settings. Otherwise, a simple application will do the job.
- Support for Magnet Links: Practically all of today's torrent clients support traditional P2P files and magnet links. In general, always go with magnet links as they typically have the most up-to-date information on where their source files are found, leading to faster downloads. Traditional P2P files are also good if they have a lot of seeders.
- Advanced Features: If you're a more advanced user, pick a free torrent downloader that allows you to search P2P files without leaving the app. Also, you can take advantage of scheduled downloads, meaning your torrent client will download data based on your own rules, like when your connection isn't used by too many individuals and devices.
- Streaming vs. Downloading: If you download a lot of movies and TV shows, know that some torrent clients allow you to stream data while downloading it at the same time. That way, you don't have to wait until the entire file is on your computer.
- 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've only listed the software that doesn’t serve as typical adware.
- Reputation: In general, always stick to relatively known torrent clients, like those found above. More importantly, download them from their official websites. Since they're so popular, malicious actors often use malware-infected installation files of torrent clients to implement data-stealing code on your device.
What Are Torrent Clients?
Torrent clients are applications using which you can download torrents. This type of software is capable of downloading and uploading files at the same time, which is how they let you become part of a P2P swarm.
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.
When downloading torrents, you never download data from a single place, like a server. You download data from dozens, if not hundreds, of other computers by taking small bits at a time. Your torrent client is the application that can handle that many connections, downloading and uploading data simultaneously.
As you can imagine, torrent clients aren't a novelty. They've been here for quite some time, and many of them have developed advanced features. So, even if you're looking for a completely free-of-charge torrent client, you can do more than download P2P files.
For example, you can search for data across the Web, stream movies and music without leaving the torrent client, create and distribute torrents, and more.
Is It Safe to Use a Torrent Client?
Yes, torrent clients are safe to use - but there's something important to keep in mind. Make sure to download torrent clients ONLY from their official sites. 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.
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.
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 check our torrent encryption guide to learn how to stay anonymous while torrenting.
Do P2P Clients Come Already Optimized?
In general, the best torrent clients already come optimized. Unless your ISP imposes severe restrictions on P2P traffic, any torrent client you pick should do the job.
So, yes - you'll be able to download files without having to dive into your torrent client's settings. All you have to open is open any torrent file, and your torrent client will launch. You'll see a dialog box asking you where to save the files. 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 uTorrent faster. We also wrote about eliminating ads in uTorrent - without having to pay for a premium plan.
Final Thoughts
All our recommended torrent clients come equipped with unique features and capabilities. Some are known for their simplicity and ease of use, while others offer advanced functionality for experienced users.Â
We recommend uTorrent as the best free torrent client since it’s user-friendly and supports high-speed downloading. This lightweight and malware-free application comes with file prioritization, built-in streaming, and a media player, among many other features.
Lastly, to bypass geo-restrictions and prevent legal repercussions, it’s highly recommended to protect your identity with a VPN while torrenting.
That’s it for our guide to the best free torrent clients. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us in the comments section.