Top free torrent clients

In addition, there are no ads or bundled software, which is always a nice thing to see. 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.

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. Therefore, we do not recommend it to those who have entry-level laptops. This is an incredibly lightweight application that supports Windows. This kind of installation can be somewhat confusing because GitHub is involved.

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. 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.

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.

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. 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.

Sadly, no mobile versions are available right now. 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.

When it comes to its capabilities, you can count on the standard set of features. 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. 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. 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.

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. In general, torrent clients already come optimized for the majority of users.

However, one con is that the software is not updated regularly. That can cause issues for some users. It works on the latest Windows versions fine, though. FrostWire is a torrent software that permits you to download files from cloud sources and BitTorrent Network. It has an inbuilt media library to access and play the content while still downloading.

The software is compatible with all major operating systems such as Windows, Android, Linux, and macOS. ZbigZ is another cloud-based torrent client that helps you download torrent files without installing it on your device. This anonymous torrent cloud client does not require any registration. But creating an account enables you to access additional features. Besides, the free version is not only restricted but also ad-supported , which can be very annoying.

KTorrent is a lightweight and straightforward P2P client that allows you to download torrent files through the BitTorrent protocol. The interface is neat, making it relatively easy to navigate the platform. Although it is not the most efficient client to download large files, you can run multiple torrents simultaneously. Additionally, there is an option to preview specific torrent files, either audio or video.

Downloading torrents on your PC is an effortless process. Here is a quick step-by-step guide on how to do it:. From the above steps, connecting to a VPN and downloading a tracker are optional steps. VPN is for optimum security and a tracker will let you have access to latest torrent files within the client. We highly recommend using a VPN as a must , while you can opt not to use trackers if you like.

For example, you can simply turn to your favorite torrent download site and download whatever you want using the client you installed. Downloading a file from the internet is easy; you click the download button, and the file comes onto your device automatically. However, this differs from torrenting that involves sharing files through a decentralized peer-to-peer P2P network. Basically, a torrent client is an application that enables you to download torrent files through the BitTorrent protocol.

The legality of torrent software will depend on how you use them. For instance, you can use torrent sites to download files that are not copyright protected. However, it is illegal to download copyrighted content , and you can get into trouble, especially in countries with strict laws. Content creators give their blood and sweat, so there should not be any piracy — this website is against ALL such acts!

Nonetheless, many reasons have made certain movies and TV shows available to the public. For example, lack of registering with the library of congress, releasing without copyright notices, and failing to renew copyright licensing.

In those cases, you can freely download or share the content. Regardless of the torrent client, the only way to torrent anonymously is with a VPN. While downloading torrents, your IP address remains visible to other peers in the swarm, which might include some threat actors too.

The VPN works by creating an encrypted tunnel to reroute your traffic. As a result, no one can track or monitor your online activities. In fact, even if you accidentally download copyrighted material, nobody will know. Besides anonymity, another benefit of using a VPN while torrenting is evading internet throttling. Precisely, if you notice your connection speeds drop when torrenting, your internet service provider ISP might be throttling your bandwidth.

This is a common strategy many ISPs use if they find you engaging in data-intensive activities like torrenting. Furthermore, it enables you to unblock all the torrent sites out there, such as ThePirateBay alternatives and KAT proxy websites. Some VPNs have ad blockers and malware protection to shield you from intrusive ads and suspicious downloads. Some critical factors to consider when choosing a VPN for torrenting are P2P support , zero logs policy , and impressive unblocking capability.

Moreover, it should have incredible speeds and back its plans with at least a day money-back guarantee. Of course, finding such a VPN that satisfies all the parameters can be tedious. So, based on extensive tests and research from our team, below you go with the top 3 torrenting VPNs to use today. It is a great service known for its impressive security and massive server network. One of the crucial factors to consider when choosing a torrenting VPN is speed. ExpressVPN offers fast connections as well as unlimited bandwidth and data.

Therefore, you can torrent whichever content you want without buffering or reaching data limits. ExpressVPN is a little bit pricier than its rivals but provides value for the money. For example, it supports torrenting on its entire network of more than servers in over 94 countries.

This gives you plenty of options in case one of your torrenting connections is blocked. There is also a Smart Location feature that connects you to the best server automatically. In terms of security and privacy, ExpressVPN employs the best measure to safeguard your safety and anonymity. First, the provider is based in the British Virgin Islands , a privacy haven far away from the Eyes Alliance.

Second, it follows a strict zero-logs policy to ensure your data and torrenting activities remain private. Besides, the military-grade AES bit encryption and perfect forward secrecy prevent anyone from intercepting your traffic. It is a security-focused service with an expansive server network. Also, the VPN client is smart enough to redirect you to the right servers based on your intended activity. For instance, if you forget to use the specialized P2P servers, the VPN will redirect your connections automatically.

As a result, you can share and download huge torrent files without sacrificing your security. It goes an extra step by undergoing external audits by PricewaterhouseCooper PWC to verify the logging claims. The provider is headquartered in a privacy-friendly country Panama and publishes warrant canary frequently.

It uses AES bit encryption to protect internet connections. Since AES encryption is almost impossible to crack, hackers can never access your data. Additionally, the CyberSec feature will block annoying ads and malware when torrenting. Surfshak is a great option if you want to anonymize your torrenting activities and data without breaking a bank. This budget-friendly torrenting VPN packs a comprehensive list of features that are rare to find on other providers.

So, you will have to go through several trials to find suitable servers for P2P sharing. Nonetheless, it worked flawlessly during our testing when connected to random servers. In addition, the privacy policy affirms its stance against keeping any personal or location-identifying logs. These claims have been independently audited by Cure53 , a reputable cybersecurity research firm.

What this means is that the act of peer-to-peer file sharing through torrenting is perfectly legal but where you can get in potential trouble is when the file you download is unsanctioned copyright material. Copyright is a type of intellectual property that gives the owner of the material the sole right to make copies of the work for a set period of time.

Figuring out what content is illegal to download because of copyright laws can be difficult. Below are our picks for the top 10 free torrent clients.

While some are best for new users, others have advanced features more experienced people may want to explore. There are also some that are only available on Windows or macOS which could be an issue if you use a Linux-based operating system. The interface is simple to navigate and use, with more advanced settings available if you need them. A potential limitation of qBittorrent is that the advanced features take some getting used to in order to have them set up properly.

The downsides of this torrent client are that they bundle bloatware into the download and the free version has ads built into the software.

Some of the most useful features of this client include built-in search functionality, magnet link support, and encrypted connections. With millions of downloads across Android and desktops, uTorrent is the most popular torrent client on this list. This torrent client has a number of useful features included in its free plans such as speed cap scheduling, bandwidth limiting, and remote client management.

Some of the biggest limitations of uTorrent include bundled software during the initial download, invasive advertising on the application, and being resource-heavy despite the company calling the program lightweight. Available on both Windows and macOS, BitLord is an easy-to-use torrent client that includes search functionality and intuitive ways to organize downloads.

The software also offers you the option to browse torrents by both category and top torrents organized by year, month, week, and day. The biggest drawback to the free version of this client is that it is ad-supported. You can use an Android app to manage your downloads and uploads, as well as set schedules and pause torrents.

Vuze also tries to sneak an antivirus program into the installation process, similar to what some other torrent clients do with the bloatware they bundle into their installations. Deluge is an open-source torrent client that offers you a lightweight option for your downloads and uploads. Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, Deluge includes features like download scheduling, as well as a plugin-system for customization.

The plugins are useful for setting up things like notifications, extractors, IP blocklists, and more. The downside to this plugin system is when you run into compatibility issues based on version numbers and Deluge updates. Tixati is one of the most feature-heavy torrent clients on this list. This client will also tell you your bandwidth usage and provides you with an event logger so you can keep track of what the client and torrents are doing.

You can also use the Device Support plug-in to convert the videos you download to a format that works for your mobile device. The only thing you need to be aware of when using BiglyBT is that it uses more resources than other clients on this list. This open-source software is packed with useful features while also being one of the most lightweight options on this list. The interface is simple to use while still providing you with advanced settings if you need them.

Some of the features of Transmission include support for encryption, remote management, download scheduling, and faster than average download speeds. Bitport is a unique torrent client because it uses cloud storage for your downloads, storing your completed files in the cloud instead of on your computer.

The advantage of this is that you can save space on your hard drive by storing your downloads on the cloud instead. Also, if your computer crashes you can still access your files in your cloud account. For more information about the best torrent sites, check out our article here.

Some of the best torrent clients when it comes to safety are BitPort and Tixati. Both of these options can detect malware automatically, protecting your device from unwanted software or harmful files.