10 Best Torrent Clients, Downloaders in 2024

Torrent downloaders are vital while downloading torrents. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to find a good torrent client, as many of them are not easy to use and are buggy, slow down your speeds, or are not secure. 

So, we decided to test the most popular torrent clients out there to see which ones provide the best experience. Keep reading to see what are the best torrent downloaders available right now. The apps on this list are all free, easy to use, and have useful features like magnet link support, search features, or a media player.

Best Torrent Clients in 2024

1. qBittorrent — open source and the best torrent client in 2024
2. Deluge — very customizable open-source P2P app
3. Vuze — user-friendly & has a good search feature
4. Transmission — very minimalist P2P client
5. BitComet — has intelligent disk caching
6. Tixati — helpful peer selection system
7. WebTorrent — good for streaming
8. BitTorrent Classic — useful scheduler feature
9. uTorrent — works on tons of platforms
10. BitLord — great torrent search feature

10 Best Free Torrent Clients – detailed list:

After testing dozens of torrent apps, we managed to find the best torrent clients out there. All of our top picks are free, have magnet link support, are easy to use, and don’t have any bugs or glitches. 

1. qBittorrent — Beginner-Friendly Open-Source P2P Client

Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, and OS/2.

In our opinion, qBittorrent is the best torrent software. It’s open-source, meaning anyone can inspect the code to make sure this torrent client is 100% safe to use. What’s more, qBittorrent is one of the only torrent clients that doesn’t come with any ads, so it’s really convenient to use. 

What’s more, this is one of the best free torrent clients for beginners, as its user interface is extremely intuitive. It’s also easy to navigate qBittorrent to find the settings you want to change. 

This torrent client also receives regular updates, so the app is never buggy. In addition to that, qBittorrent’s apps are very lightweight, so they don’t take up too much space or consume too many resources. If you’re looking for the most lightweight torrent client on the market, qBittorrent is your best bet.

Plus, you can also use search engine plugins to quickly look up torrents inside qBittorrent, which is a nice time-saving feature. That said, qBittorrent doesn’t support third-party plugins. 

If you’d like to read more about downloading torrents with qBittorrent, check out our in-depth guide.

2. Deluge — Very Customizable Open-Source Torrent Client

Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD. Also integrates with Chrome and Firefox.

Deluge is one of the oldest torrent clients. It is an open-source free torrent downloader, so it’s really safe to use. In addition to that, Deluge also doesn’t come with any ads, so there’s no risk of accidentally interacting with a malicious ad. Even better, no ads mean the app runs smoother — for example, whenever we added a torrent file, it started downloading instantly.

In all our tests, we had really good speeds with Deluge. Its app also doesn’t take up much space, which is really convenient. 

Deluge is also very customizable, as you can install tons of plugins. For example, there are browser plugins that allow you to integrate Deluge with Chrome and Firefox. Also, you can install plugins that allow this torrent client to interact with other apps. 

Deluge is really easy to use, but it might take some time to get used to how it works if you decide to install tons of plugins. 

3. Vuze — User-Friendly Torrent Downloader with Great Search Feature

Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.

Vuze’s torrent client comes with a really good search engine. In addition to displaying results from Google, it also allows you to do a metasearch for quick torrent downloading. In our tests, we were always able to quickly find the torrents we wanted to download by using Vuze’s search feature. Searching and downloading torrent files is hassle-free with this popular torrent downloader. Vuze also offers bandwidth limiting, IP filtering, remote control access, and all the other advanced features you’d expect from a robust torrent client.

Vuze’s desktop apps are pretty easy to navigate and use. However, its Android app isn’t that great — it was designed for older Android versions, so we experienced bugs when using it on a modern smartphone. 

This torrent program is also very customizable, as you can install tons of plugins. For instance, you can install plugins that reveal a peer’s country code or provide access to the Tor browser inside Vuze. 

Vuze has a free plan, which includes access to the search feature. If you upgrade to the paid version, you get access to the Play Now feature, which lets you stream torrents as they’re downloading. The paid version also gets rid of ads and allows you to burn DVDs. We think it’s worth getting the paid plan, as it’s super cheap.

Unfortunately, Vuze is not open-source and also comes with ads. We also don’t like how its installer comes bundled with unnecessary software, which you might accidentally install if you’re not careful.

If you’d like to know more about how safe Vuze is, check out our article on this topic.

4. Transmission — Very Minimalistic Torrent Software (Great for macOS Users)

Available on: Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Transmission is a very minimalist torrent downloader, so it’s a perfect pick if you are looking for a simple P2P app. Its user interface is extremely simple, so you won’t feel lost or overwhelmed when you first use it. If you’re a macOS user, you’ll particularly enjoy using Transmission, as its interface looks similar to the macOS operating system. 

What’s more, Transmission is open-source, so it’s really safe to use. It’s also completely free and doesn’t have any ads. What’s more, its apps are extremely lightweight, so they won’t be a drain on your system resources. 

It’s also possible to use Transmission inside your browser via its web interface. However, it requires a manual setup, which is slightly inconvenient — it would have been better if it were possible to do that via a browser extension. 

Also, if you were looking for customization options, Transmission isn’t a good pick because it doesn’t support any plugins. 

5. BitComet — Torrent Client with Intelligent Disk Caching

Available on: Windows, macOS, and Android. 

BitComet’s main standout feature is its intelligent disk caching. That means the torrent client caches data in the memory, so it doesn’t need to use your hard drive very often. Due to that, you get faster speeds. Plus, torrent software is less likely to damage your hard drive with huge amounts of read-and-write data. 

We also like how BitComet allows you to preview a video file you are downloading. This is helpful because you can quickly check if the downloaded files are damaged or working as they should. If they’re damaged, you don’t waste additional time waiting for them to download.

What’s more, this torrent software has a feature called Long-Term Seeding. It’s supposed to locate more seeders for your torrents so that your downloads can finish even if the original seeder has left. 

Also, BitComet’s desktop and Android apps are really user-friendly, so even people new to torrents will have an easy time getting used to how they work. BitComet is also a completely free torrent client that doesn’t spam you with ads.

The only thing we don’t like is that its installer comes with unwanted software, which is an inconvenience.

6. Tixati — Lightweight Torrent Downloader with Peer Selection System

Available on: Windows and Linux.

Tixati is simple and minimalist torrent software that doesn’t take up much space on your device. Due to its lightweight nature and because it doesn’t come with any bloatware, it doesn’t slow down your device either. Plus, we always had good download speeds when using this torrent client’s settings. It supports all the crucial primary functions of a modern torrent client, such as magnet links, connection encryption, and event scheduling.

We especially like that there’s a feature that provides access to a peer selection system. For example, you could choose to use the local peer discovery when you download torrents so that you get the fastest speeds. We found it very easy to do that, as this torrent downloader is really user-friendly.

Unfortunately, Tixati is not yet available on macOS.

7. WebTorrent — Good Torrent Client for Streaming

Available on: Windows, macOS, and Linux.

WebTorrent is an open source software that is really good for streaming. It allows you to stream content as you download torrents. When we downloaded a public domain movie, we were able to instantly start watching it. In addition to that, we were also able to adjust the volume and the media playback speed, and even add subtitles.

We really like the design of WebTorrent’s apps, as they look very modern. What’s more, they’re also simple to navigate and use, so this torrent downloader is great for beginners who just want to download movies and TV shows. 

The only drawback is that WebTorrent doesn’t provide a lot of customization options for P2P connections. So, it might not be a good fit for advanced users of torrent sites.

8. BitTorrent Classic — Has a Helpful Scheduler Feature

Available on: Windows and macOS (macOS Mojave and below).

BitTorrent Classic comes with a scheduler feature, which lets you choose when the P2P app downloads or seeds torrents. This is useful if you’re away from home for a few days or weeks, and you want to leave BitTorrent running to download or upload specific torrents. 

BitTorrent Classic’s app is lightweight and has a very simple and intuitive interface. It only took us about 8–10 seconds to manually add a torrent and start downloading it. 

When we used BitTorrent Classic to download public domain movies, we usually had really fast speeds. Also, we like that we never experienced any bugs while using this P2P client. 

While BitTorrent is free to use, its free plan comes with ads, which is inconvenient. Also, its installer comes with a bundled software packed with unnecessary programs. Its paid plans are pretty affordable, and the most expensive plan even comes with 1 year of CyberGhost VPN. 

9. uTorrent — Good Cross-Platform Compatible Torrent Client

Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and compatible browsers (Opera, Firefox, and Chrome).

uTorrent is a decent pick if you need a cross-platform torrent client. In addition to desktop apps, it also has a pretty good Android app. Also, any uTorrent client can download uTorrent Web, which runs as a web client in popular browsers.

uTorrent also provides pretty fast downloads and has a really intuitive interface. Due to that, it’s very simple to find the settings you want to change. 

While uTorrent’s apps are pretty lightweight, they come with too many ads. Because of that, you might experience annoying slowdowns if you have an older device. Also, uTorrent’s installers come with lots of bloatware. 

Fortunately, you can fix those problems by getting an older uTorrent version — uTorrent 2.2.1. Most people prefer that version because it’s ad-free and lightweight. 

If you want to read more about how safe uTorrent is, please read our full guide.

10. BitLord — Torrent Client with a Great Built-in Search Engine

Available on: Windows, macOS, and Android. 

BitLord is a great pick for anyone who doesn’t like spending time on torrent trackers trying to find the torrents they need. That’s because this P2P app comes with a built-in torrent search function, which is really good. We tested it multiple times, and it was always able to find torrent download files with multiple seeders for us — even for lesser-known movies and TV shows.

BitLord also allows you to play content as you download torrent files. What’s more, it can provide you with subtitles in your language for most movies and TV shows. 

BitLord is completely free to use and it’s not chock-full of ads. That said, we found it a little annoying that its installer came bundled with unwanted software.

Best Torrent Clients for Different Devices

Most popular torrent clients work on all platforms. However, some P2P apps offer better features and a better experience on specific devices. Here’s a quick list of the best torrent websites for each platform:

Best Torrent App for iOS, 

Unfortunately, you can’t download torrent files with a P2P app on iOS devices, as they don’t support them. The only way to install a torrent app on an iOS device is to jailbreak it and use an unofficial app store. However, we don’t recommend doing that, as it could damage your phone and you might accidentally install a malicious app.

An alternative to this is to use a torrent web client instead of a P2P app. Some examples include Seedr, Bitport, and TorrentSafe. In our tests, TorrentSafe provided us with the best experience due to its fast downloads.

Best Torrent App for Android 

There are many Android torrent clients out there, but we liked BitLord’s Android app the most. The design is really sleek and user-friendly, and it really looks like it was designed with mobile users in mind. You also get access to a really good torrent search feature.

The Android app can also play video and audio files as you download them. What’s more, BitLord even provides access to a built-in media player, which is very convenient. Plus, there’s support for subtitles.

We also like that BitLord’s Android app comes with a WiFi-only feature that’s enabled by default. That prevents you from downloading torrents using metered internet connections, like mobile data.

BitLord’s Android app is free to use and doesn’t spam you with ads.

Best Torrent Client for macOS 

Based on our tests, Transmission is one of the best torrent clients for Mac users. Its design is very minimalistic, so it’s perfect for beginners. What’s more, the Transmission macOS app has an interface that resembles the macOS operating system. 

In addition to that, this is a completely free torrent client that doesn’t come with bloatware or ads. It’s also open-source, and you can even use it inside your browser if you perform a manual setup.

Best Torrent Client for Windows 

We think qBittorrent is the best torrent client for Windows. Its app is very simple to navigate, so even people who have never downloaded torrents before will have an easy time getting used to this P2P client. 

Plus, qBittorrent is safe to use, as it’s open-source. What’s more, it’s completely free to use, doesn’t come with any ads, and doesn’t have bloatware in its installers. It’s also great that the app receives regular updates, so you don’t need to worry about bugs or random crashes.

Best Torrent Client for Linux

Deluge is the best torrent downloader for Linux according to our research. It’s included in the software center on Ubuntu and Ubuntu-based distros. On other distros, you can quickly install it with a simple command via the Terminal. 

Deluge is open-source, completely free, and doesn’t come with ads and bloatware. This P2P app is also very customizable, as it supports tons of plugins. So, it’s a great pick for advanced torrent users. 

Is It Illegal to Use Torrent Clients?

Torrenting apps (and torrenting itself) is perfectly legal in most countries. It only becomes illegal when you use a torrent client to download copyrighted content. For example, if you use uTorrent to download a popular artist’s songs or the latest blockbuster. 

To be safe, you should only use a torrent client to download copyright-free content, such as public-domain music and movies. We also strongly recommend using a VPN together with the torrent client, as it will hide your P2P traffic.

That said, keep in mind that each country’s laws are different. Certain restrictive countries might criminalize torrenting.  Always check the local laws of the country you’re in to make sure it’s safe to use a torrent client.

How to Use Torrent Clients Safely 

Here’s how to stay safe while using torrent clients:

• Download torrent clients from official sources — don’t download torrent clients from third parties. If you do, you might infect your device with malicious apps. For example, you should only download the qBittorrent and uTorrent apps from the official sites, not from third-party sites.
• Use a VPN — VPNs encrypt your traffic, hiding your P2P downloads from your ISP. VPNs also hide your IP address in the torrent swarm, so copyright trolls and lawyers can’t collect it. 
• Use an antivirus — these programs are designed to protect your device from malware infections. An antivirus is a good line of defense against malicious torrents. 
• Avoid shady torrents — avoid small files that claim to be the latest blockbuster or a AAA video game. Also, check the file extensions, as an .exe or .jpg file won’t contain a BluRay movie. 

What VPNs Should I Use with Torrenting Clients? 

There are tons of great P2P VPNs out there — we actually recommend you check our list of the best VPNs for torrenting. However, if you’re in a hurry, here are our top 3 picks:

Best VPNs For Torrent Clients in 2024

1. NordVPN — best torrenting VPN overall.
2. Surfshark — great for torrenting on multiple devices.
3. Atlas VPN — decent free plan for torrenting

1. NordVPN 

NordVPN allows P2P traffic on 5,000+ servers in 45+ countries and provides blazing-fast download speeds. It also has easy-to-use apps for all platforms. 

This provider also uses high-end security to protect your P2P data. For example, its Threat Protection feature gets rid of annoying ads, which might be malicious. It also blocks shady torrent sites. Plus, it scans the torrents you download (without compromising your privacy) for signs of malware, and gets rid of malicious files. 

NordVPN also provides full leak protection, a twice-audited no-logs policy, and RAM-only servers. It has paid plans, which are very affordable, and a 30-day refund policy. 

2. Surfshark 

Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning you can use it to torrent on as many devices as you want. It also supports torrenting on 3,200+ servers in 95+ countries and has very intuitive apps for all devices. 

This VPN comes with great security features, including an ad blocker that protects you from malicious sites. Also, its Nexus feature regularly changes your IP address to provide more privacy in the torrent swarm. Plus, for a small additional price, you can get access to a built-in antivirus too.

Surfshark has affordable paid plans and comes with a 30-day refund policy.

3. Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN is one of the only VPNs that provide a free plan that supports torrenting. It limits you to 2 locations (the US and the Netherlands) and 5 GB of data, so you can’t download files like 4K movies and TV shows. That said, 5 GB is enough if you only need to download small files — especially on your phone.

We also had really fast speeds with the free plan, as we were able to download a 2 GB file in just 8 minutes. What’s more, the free plan provides access to strong security and user-friendly apps. 

Upgrading to the paid plans, which are super cheap, provide access to unlimited data, 700+ servers in 30+ countries, and even more features. For example, you get Tracker Blocker, which can protect you from malicious P2P sites and get rid of annoying ads. 

Best Torrent Clients FAQs

This is where we answered the most common questions people have about torrenting and using the best torrent clients.

Is It Possible to Go to Jail for Torrenting? 

It depends on the context, but it’s usually unlikely that someone would end up in prison simply for torrenting a file. If you download public domain files, that’s completely legal. In the case of torrenting copyrighted content, most lawsuits are usually civil suits. That means you’ll usually only have to pay a fine.

That said, the situation changes if you live in a restrictive country that makes all torrenting illegal. You might face serious legal repercussions for using torrent clients, and that includes jail time.

Is It Possible to Get Caught While Torrenting While Using a VPN?

Yes, if you use a VPN that doesn’t provide good security. For example, if it lacks a kill switch, which disables web access when the VPN disconnects to prevent data leaks. Or if it lacks leak protection. 

Similarly, if the VPN doesn’t have a no-logs policy, it will know that your IP address is associated with torrent clients and sites. If it hands that data to the authorities or lawyers, your torrenting activities won’t be hidden anymore. 

That’s why it’s important to only use very secure VPNs while torrenting. In addition to P2P support, they should have a kill switch, a no-logs policy, leak protection, and other security features. Check out our list of the best VPNs for torrenting to find the right one for you.

Is BitTorrent Illegal in the United States? 

The BitTorrent itself isn’t illegal in the US, nor is the BitTorrent app. However, using the BitTorrent protocol or app to download copyrighted content is against the law. If you’re caught, you might face pretty big fines. 

What’s more, if you’re caught using the BitTorrent protocol to monetize copyrighted content, you might even face jail time.

What Happens If Your ISP Catches You Torrenting? 

If your ISP catches your torrenting and they’re against it, they might throttle your P2P traffic or send you a warning. If they repeatedly catch you torrenting or have a strong anti-P2P stance, they might even terminate your internet access.

To avoid that, you should always use a VPN while using torrent clients. The VPN encrypts your traffic, so your ISP can’t see your P2P connections. In addition, the VPN hides your IP address, so nobody in the torrent swarm can use it to track your real location. 

Are There Different Versions of the BitTorrent Client?

Yes, there are actually 3 different versions of the BitTorrent client. There’s BitTorrent Classic, BitTorrent Web, and BitTorrent Android. 

Here’s how each BitTorrent client differs:

• BitTorrent Classic — a torrent client for Windows and macOS (macOS Mojave and below) that’s been around for years. Its design is similar to what it was years ago, and the app is pretty easy to use. 
• BitTorrent Web — a new torrent client version for Windows and macOS. It allows you to stream torrents as you download them. BitTorrent Web also relies on the BitTorrent (BTT) cryptocurrency token, which you can use to increase download speeds. You can also earn BTT tokens for seeding.
• BitTorrent Android — a torrent client app for Android devices that has an easy-to-use interface. You can configure the app to only download torrents when you’re connected to a WiFi network so that you don’t accidentally waste mobile data. It also has a built-in media player that can play back downloaded audio and video files.