Skip to main content
Tom's Guide Tom's Guide
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
Newsletters Newsletter
RSS
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
You May Like
  • Graphic displaying files downloading in privacy The best torrenting VPN in 2025
  • Windows 10 VPN being used on a Microsoft Surface laptop Best Windows VPN for PC in 2025
  • Proton VPN logo Proton VPN brings split tunneling to Linux and Mac – here's what you need to know
  • Phones
    • Phone Insights
      • Phone Best Picks
      • Phone Deals
      • Phone Face-Offs
      • Phone How-Tos
      • Phone News
      • Phone Reviews
    • Network Carriers
      • AT&T
      • T-Mobile
      • Verizon
    • Android Phones
      • Google Phones
      • Motorola Phones
      • OnePlus Phones
      • Samsung Phones
      • Nothing Phone
    • iPhone
    • Apps
    • TVs
      • TV Best Picks
      • TV Deals
      • TV Face-Offs
      • TV How-Tos
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • OLED TVs
      • QLED TVs
    • Audio Insights
      • Audio Best Picks
      • Audio Deals
      • Audio Face-Offs
      • Audio How-Tos
      • Audio News
      • Audio Reviews
    • Headphones
      • AirPods
      • Earbuds
      • Over-Ear Headphones
    • Speakers
      • Bluetooth Speakers
      • Soundbars
    • TV Brands
      • Hisense
      • LG
      • TCL
      • Roku
  • Entertainment
    • Streaming
      • Streaming Devices
      • Netflix
      • Prime Video
      • Disney+
      • HBO Max
      • Hulu
      • Apple TV+
      • Paramount Plus
      • Peacock
      • TV Subscription Coupons
    • Gaming
      • Nintendo
      • Playstation
      • Xbox
      • Handhelds
      • PC Gaming
      • Gaming Peripherals
      • Alienware
      • Corsair
      • Razer
      • Steam
    • Word Games
      • Wordle
      • Connections
      • Strands
  • Computing
    • Computing Insights
      • Computing Best Picks
      • Computing Deals
      • Computing Face-Offs
      • Computing How-Tos
      • Computing News
      • Computing Reviews
      • Computing Coupons
    • VPN
      • VPN Best Picks
      • VPN Deals
      • VPN Face-Offs
      • VPN How-Tos
      • VPN News
      • VPN Reviews
    • Hardware
      • CPUs
      • GPUs
      • Monitors
      • Printers
      • Routers
    • Software
      • Operating Systems
      • Windows
      • macOS
    • Security
      • Antivirus
      • Malware & Adware
    • VR & AR
      • Virtual Reality
      • Augmented Reality
      • Smart Glasses
      • Meta Quest
    • Laptops
      • Chromebooks
      • Gaming Laptops
      • MacBooks
    • Desktops
      • Apple Desktops
      • Gaming Desktops
      • Mini PCs
    • Tablets
      • iPads
      • Android Tablets
      • e-Readers
    • Computing Brands
      • Acer
      • Asus
      • Dell
      • HP
      • Lenovo
      • Intel
      • AMD
      • Nvidia
  • AI
    • AI Insights
      • AI Best Picks
      • AI Deals
      • AI Face-Offs
      • AI How-Tos
      • AI News
      • AI Reviews
    • AI Engines
      • ChatGPT
      • Copilot
      • Google Gemini
      • Apple Intelligence
      • Claude
      • DeepSeek
      • Perplexity
      • Grok
  • Wellness
    • Mattresses
      • Mattress Best Picks
      • Mattress Deals
      • Mattress Face-Offs
      • Mattress How-Tos
      • Mattress News
      • Mattress Reviews
      • Mattress Coupons
      • Mattress Care
      • Mattress Toppers
      • Pillows & Bedding
    • Fitness
      • Workouts
      • Smartwatches
      • Fitness Trackers
      • Smart Rings
      • Running
      • Apple Watch
      • Garmin
      • Oura
      • Adidas
      • Nike
    • Sleep
      • Sleep Tips
      • Sleep Tech
  • Home
    • Home Insights
      • Home Best Picks
      • Home Deals
      • Home Face-Offs
      • Home How-Tos
      • Home News
      • Home Reviews
    • Home Topics
      • Home Appliances
      • Home Office
      • Home Security
      • Smart Home
    • Outdoors
      • Gardening
      • Lawn Care
    • Home Brands
      • Ninja
      • Shark
      • Dyson
      • KitchenAid
      • Ring
      • Breville
    • By Type
      • Best Picks
      • Deals
      • Face-Offs
      • How-Tos
      • News
      • Reviews
      • Coupons
      • Newsletter
    • Popular Brands
      • Amazon
      • Apple
      • Samsung
      • Microsoft
      • Google
      • Sony
      • Meta
      • OpenAI
Forums
  • home
  • Phones
    • View Phones
      • Phone Best Picks
      • Phone Deals
      • Phone Face-Offs
      • Phone How-Tos
      • Phone News
      • Phone Reviews
    • Network Carriers
      • View Network Carriers
      • AT&T
      • T-Mobile
      • Verizon
    • Android Phones
      • View Android Phones
      • Google Phones
      • Motorola Phones
      • OnePlus Phones
      • Samsung Phones
      • Nothing Phone
    • iPhone
    • Apps
    • TVs
      • View TVs
      • TV Best Picks
      • TV Deals
      • TV Face-Offs
      • TV How-Tos
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • OLED TVs
      • QLED TVs
    • Audio Insights
      • View Audio Insights
      • Audio Best Picks
      • Audio Deals
      • Audio Face-Offs
      • Audio How-Tos
      • Audio News
      • Audio Reviews
    • Headphones
      • View Headphones
      • AirPods
      • Earbuds
      • Over-Ear Headphones
    • Speakers
      • View Speakers
      • Bluetooth Speakers
      • Soundbars
      • Hisense
      • LG
      • TCL
      • Roku
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Streaming Devices
      • Netflix
      • Prime Video
      • Disney+
      • HBO Max
      • Hulu
      • Apple TV+
      • Paramount Plus
      • Peacock
      • TV Subscription Coupons
    • Gaming
      • View Gaming
      • Nintendo
      • Playstation
      • Xbox
      • Handhelds
      • PC Gaming
      • Gaming Peripherals
      • Alienware
      • Corsair
      • Razer
      • Steam
      • Wordle
      • Connections
      • Strands
  • Computing
    • View Computing
      • Computing Best Picks
      • Computing Deals
      • Computing Face-Offs
      • Computing How-Tos
      • Computing News
      • Computing Reviews
      • Computing Coupons
    • VPN
      • View VPN
      • VPN Best Picks
      • VPN Deals
      • VPN Face-Offs
      • VPN How-Tos
      • VPN News
      • VPN Reviews
    • Hardware
      • View Hardware
      • CPUs
      • GPUs
      • Monitors
      • Printers
      • Routers
    • Software
      • View Software
      • Operating Systems
      • Windows
      • macOS
    • Security
      • View Security
      • Antivirus
      • Malware & Adware
    • VR & AR
      • View VR & AR
      • Virtual Reality
      • Augmented Reality
      • Smart Glasses
      • Meta Quest
    • Laptops
      • View Laptops
      • Chromebooks
      • Gaming Laptops
      • MacBooks
    • Desktops
      • View Desktops
      • Apple Desktops
      • Gaming Desktops
      • Mini PCs
    • Tablets
      • View Tablets
      • iPads
      • Android Tablets
      • e-Readers
      • Acer
      • Asus
      • Dell
      • HP
      • Lenovo
      • Intel
      • AMD
      • Nvidia
  • AI
    • View AI
      • AI Best Picks
      • AI Deals
      • AI Face-Offs
      • AI How-Tos
      • AI News
      • AI Reviews
      • ChatGPT
      • Copilot
      • Google Gemini
      • Apple Intelligence
      • Claude
      • DeepSeek
      • Perplexity
      • Grok
  • Wellness
    • View Wellness
    • Mattresses
      • View Mattresses
      • Mattress Best Picks
      • Mattress Deals
      • Mattress Face-Offs
      • Mattress How-Tos
      • Mattress News
      • Mattress Reviews
      • Mattress Coupons
      • Mattress Care
      • Mattress Toppers
      • Pillows & Bedding
    • Fitness
      • View Fitness
      • Workouts
      • Smartwatches
      • Fitness Trackers
      • Smart Rings
      • Running
      • Apple Watch
      • Garmin
      • Oura
      • Adidas
      • Nike
    • Sleep
      • View Sleep
      • Sleep Tips
      • Sleep Tech
  • Home
    • View Home
      • Home Best Picks
      • Home Deals
      • Home Face-Offs
      • Home How-Tos
      • Home News
      • Home Reviews
      • Home Appliances
      • Home Office
      • Home Security
      • Smart Home
    • Outdoors
      • View Outdoors
      • Gardening
      • Lawn Care
      • Ninja
      • Shark
      • Dyson
      • KitchenAid
      • Ring
      • Breville
      • Best Picks
      • Deals
      • Face-Offs
      • How-Tos
      • News
      • Reviews
      • Coupons
      • Newsletter
      • Amazon
      • Apple
      • Samsung
      • Microsoft
      • Google
      • Sony
      • Meta
      • OpenAI
Forums
Trending
  • Home office upgrades
  • Ultimate NFL Gadgets
  • Pixel 10 Pro Fold review
  • iPhone 17 Review
  • Best laptops
  • Best Mattress
  • Best TVs
Don't miss these
Collection of VPN apps on iPhone screen
VPNs We asked 4 VPN experts which VPNs they use – and the results surprised us
Scissors cutting a coaxial cable in front of a television
Streaming Sick of cable? This is what I use to cut the cord
Jonah Wren Phillips as Oliver in "Bring Her Back"
Streaming 7 best new movies to stream this weekend on Netflix, Paramount Plus, HBO Max, and more (Oct. 4-5)
A number of different mini PCs on a desk with the Framework Desktop front and center
Mini PCs I downsized to a mini PC years ago and I’ve never been happier — these are my top picks
Hands typing on a laptop computer with a lock icon
Antivirus The best antivirus software 2025: Tested and reviewed
Best US VPN running on a number of devices
VPNs The best US VPN in 2025
Windows 10 VPN being used on a Microsoft Surface laptop
VPNs Best Windows VPN for PC in 2025
NordVPN displayed on a laptop
VPNs NordVPN review
NordVPN on a Mac and iPhone
VPNs The best Mac VPN in 2025
Various devices including a laptop, TV and tablet displaying the interfaces some of the best VPNs, including Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN. A PS5 controller, Apple TV 4K and a router are also visible.
VPNs The best VPN in 2025: our top 5 picks
Free iPhone VPN
VPNs Best free iPhone VPN app in 2025
BBC iPlayer VPN to indicate that this is the guide for the best BBC iPlayer VPNs
VPNs The best BBC iPlayer VPN
iOS-style app icon displaying the best iOS VPN for iPhone
VPNs Best iPhone VPN for iOS in 2025
Graphic saying Usenet
Software The best Usenet providers in 2025
PrivadoVPN, Proton VPN and Windscribe on a range of devices, on a white background with blue backlighting
VPNs The best free VPN in 2025
  1. Computing
  2. Internet

15 Best Desktop Bittorrent Clients for P2P Sharing

Round Ups
By John Corpuz published 22 February 2019

Take command of your torrents and download media faster with these great desktop BitTorrent clients.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Take Command of Your Torrents

Take Command of Your Torrents

The BitTorrent protocol is a peer-to-peer sharing system that allows users all over the world to download and share data by essentially farming out file distribution and hosting to users instead of relying on a host or content mirrors. BitTorrent can make it easier to download everything from books, data and documents to software and other media, but it's only as easy as the program you use. The right client software can make downloading a painless experience, while a poorly built one can be a hassle and security risk. Here are 15 BitTorrent clients for your consideration. (Image Credit: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock)

Note: Using P2P and file-sharing technologies like BitTorrent to distribute copyrighted material without authorization is illegal in the United States and many other countries. We do not condone or encourage illegal duplication or distribution of copyrighted material.

  • Stay safer when you torrent with the best torrenting VPN
Page 1 of 16
Page 1 of 16
qBittorrent

qBittorrent

qBittorrent is a lightweight, feature packed and open source bittorrent client that has become a popular alternative to more famous torrent apps such as µTorrent. qBittorrent features a clean, ad-free interface, numerous settings that you can tweak to configure torrenting performance and settings, and a crapware-free installation. It's also in constant development, with new features being worked in and bugs quashed. The combination of powerful features, ease of use, and a worry free install make for a great package.

Page 2 of 16
Page 2 of 16
Vuze

Vuze

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Vuze is an all-in-one torrent downloading and media management program that eschews leanness for power features. Vuze includes torrent searching, torrent subscriptions so you can stay on top of the latest releases, as well as built-in HD playback and media transcoding for a variety of consoles and devices. The tradeoff is that Vuze is a bit more of a resource hog then lighter torrent apps. Vuze has also added new features to the client, including support for the new WebTorrent protocol.

Page 3 of 16
Page 3 of 16
WebTorrent Desktop Beta

WebTorrent Desktop Beta

WebTorrent's web-based torrenting technology allows web pages to function like torrent clients, effectively crowdsourcing the distribution of assets like videos and images. The open source, ad-free WebTorrent Desktop app, currently in beta, is a torrent client that functions as a bridge between BitTorrent and WebTorrent peers, while also providing a slick, media-centric UI, with torrents presented in image-rich swaths which you can play in a built-in media player, even while a torrented file is still being downloaded, with seeking effectively reprioritizing which pieces are being downloaded. WebTorrent's desktop version also supports video streaming to AirPlay, Chromecast, and DLNA.

Page 4 of 16
Page 4 of 16
FileStream.me

FileStream.me

Rather than serve as your standard bittorrent client, FileStream.me does things differently. Users upload a torrent file or magnet link, and then FileStream will download the contents and then host them on their servers, allowing registered users to then directly download content through their browser, allowing them to bypass bandwidth limitations that some ISPs may apply to torrented content. Free users are limited to 1/3TB of hosted files for 3 days each file, with a maximum filesize of 1GB, while a variety of premium tiers remove these restrictions.

Page 5 of 16
Page 5 of 16
Bitport.io

Bitport.io

Bitport.io is another service that takes the web-based approach to torrenting. You sign up for a cloud storage account and send torrent files or magnet links to Bitport, which then downloads the given torrent to your account's cloud storage. You're then able to download or stream the file at your leisure. The free tier of Bitport.io offers 1GB of storage, one download slot, and a limit of one torrent per day, while premium tiers upgrade the amount of storage available, download slots, torrents per day, and add features like antivirus scanning and Google Drive sync.

Page 6 of 16
Page 6 of 16
Transmission-qt

Transmission-qt

Transmission is the most popular BT client for the Mac and is also available on Linux. It's an open-source project with freely distributable code. The Mac version makes heavy use of technologies specific to the Mac, like the GTK+ UI widgets and Mac Daemon services, which are used to handle complex background tasks. There is no official Windows version, but there has been a Windows port of the program. While well-regarded, serious security incidents, including ransomware being piggybacked into the installer in 2016 and a remote access vulnerability in 2018, have damaged the program's reputation.

Page 7 of 16
Page 7 of 16
Deluge

Deluge

Deluge is another lightweight, open-source client that focuses only on torrent throughput. Deluge achieved a little fame because it managed to avoid the bandwidth throttling Comcast was doing to BT clients. uTorrent and a few others would eventually copy some of Deluge's tricks. The interface is focused on performance and monitoring, so if things get slowed down, you can tweak the app settings to potentially speed things up.

Page 8 of 16
Page 8 of 16
 µTorrent

µTorrent

µTorrent, or uTorrent, is an extremely popular bittorrent client that's easy to set up and get running quickly, while also offering a fair amount of configuration and performance options. It's a solid bittorrent client, but it's also taken a hit to its once sterling reputation. The introduction of banner ads, crapware bundled in the installation and a particularly notorious episode where bitcoin mining software was bundled with the installation (now removed) have tarnished the client's once stellar reputation. That's not to say that it doesn't do the job well, what with its wealth of features and highly configurable downloading controls. A premium subscription removes ads and includes features like HD streaming, virus scanning, and more.

Page 9 of 16
Page 9 of 16
BitTorrent

BitTorrent

The BitTorrent company pioneered the P2P sharing protocol that bears its name, and the free official BitTorrent client incorporates any new features worked into the protocol. If its interface and feature set seem reminiscent of µtorrent, that's because they're near near-identical twins, BitTorrent having purchased µTorrent and used it as the basis of its official client. The free client is feature-packed, and a premium subscription version removes ads, supports streaming playback of files being torrented and offers additional features such as virus scanning and file format conversion.

Page 10 of 16
Page 10 of 16
Tribler

Tribler

Tribler is a torrent client that takes anonymity as its watchword, attempting to add a layer of security to the fast but otherwise public BitTorrent cloud by routing traffic (both seeding and downloading) through a series of proxies, much like the Tor network. (Note also the attendant slowdown in speed.) Tribler's developerss are the first to admit that the anonymity their system provides isn't mature yet, but they are continually revising the system. In addition to the privacy features, Tribler includes torrent search and a media player that supports streaming of files being downloaded in the torrents.

Page 11 of 16
Page 11 of 16
Halite BitTorrent Client

Halite BitTorrent Client

Halite BitTorrent Client is another lightweight and open source app that's gotten our attention for its compact, utilitarian features. It might not pack every single advanced feature out there, but it does have a serviceable package of tools, ranging from selective downloads, priority queues, magnet links and trackerless torrent support, port forwarding & randomization, 64-bit support and interface translations to a variety of languages.

Page 12 of 16
Page 12 of 16
Tixati

Tixati

Tixati is super lightweight and easy on resources. It focuses on one of the newer tricks in torrents: trackerless torrent swarming. It has anti-throttling features and variety of priority adjustments to help tweak performance. Despite its lightness, Tixati has advanced bandwidth management features. All of this combined with an ad-free interface and worry-free installation makes it a popular torrent client.

Page 13 of 16
Page 13 of 16
BitLord

BitLord

BitLord provides users with a simple torrent client that strives to cover most of what you need in a single application. BitLord covers your basics, from bandwidth management to selective file downloads and scheduling (with a nice, color-coded chart to quickly show which days and times you've scheduled for unlimited or throttled bandwidth). In addition, BitLord includies a torrent search engine, a built-in video player, subtitle downloading and the ability to stream or cast your media to an Apple TV or Chromecast.

Page 14 of 16
Page 14 of 16
BitComet

BitComet

BitComet's interface is a bit on the archaic side, but it's been a stable, reliable torrent client for a while now. Interface clutter aside, BitComet does just about anything you'd need on the torrent management side, with support for magnet links, peer-to-peer torrent file sharing, bandwidth management settings and more. Users looking for a more fire-and-forget torrent client might want to look for something lighter, but BitComet's reliability and features have left it a favorite among its devoted users.

Page 15 of 16
Page 15 of 16
Torch

Torch

Chrome and Firefox both feature plugins for handling torrents, but Torch browser is a feature-packed Chromium-based browser that does so natively. In addition to torrenting features, Torch has numerous media features built-in, with a media grabber and player. And, of course, if you're not torrenting files or ripping media, it's also a perfectly serviceable Web browser.

Page 16 of 16
Page 16 of 16
John Corpuz
John Corpuz
John Corpuz flip-flopped between computer science and creative writing courses in school. As a contributor to Tom's Guide he's found a happy middle ground writing about apps, mobile gaming and other geekery.
Read more
Graphic displaying files downloading in privacy
The best torrenting VPN in 2025
 
 
Windows 10 VPN being used on a Microsoft Surface laptop
Best Windows VPN for PC in 2025
 
 
Proton VPN logo
Proton VPN brings split tunneling to Linux and Mac – here's what you need to know
 
 
Graphic saying Usenet
The best Usenet providers in 2025
 
 
Mobile device displaying a VPN free trial
Best VPN free trial in 2025
 
 
Windscribe VPN app open on an iPhone. The phone is laying down on a white, flat surface
Windscribe's new UI update makes switching protocols simple – here's what's new
 
 
Latest in Internet
NordVPN Black Friday 2025 discount graphic. The image shows a hand holding a mobile phone displaying the NordVPN logo, in front of a large 74% graphic. white text at the top and bottom says Black Friday discount and + 3 months extra.
NordVPN has dropped its Black Friday 2025 deal early – and it's unlikely to get any cheaper this year
 
 
NordVPN on mobile
NordVPN open-sources its Linux app's GUI and simplifies installation
 
 
Person holding an Amazon Fire Stick with a TV in the background
Amazon's new Fire Stick can stream in 4K for $40, but good luck using it with a VPN – here's why
 
 
Flags of the US and California flying against a clear blue sky
California has introduced its own age verification bill – is this the safest way to verify your age?
 
 
A smartphone with the Gmail logo on it resting on top of a computer keyboard.
Gemini will now schedule your meetings in Gmail — all you have to do is show up
 
 
A toll road scam text on a smartphone
Taxpayers targeted in new Inflation Refund text scam — what you need to know and how to stay safe
 
 
Latest in Round Ups
a composite image of the de'longhi la specialista opera, breville bambino plus, breville oracle dual boiler espresso machines
Espresso machines can be tricky to master — here's my 3 favorite beginner-friendly machines for all home baristas
 
 
a composite image of three espresso machines: smeg emc02 mini pro, breville sage bambino plus, casabrews 3700 essential
I'm an ex-barista — here's my top 3 espresso machines for every budget
 
 
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3
I review noise-cancelling headphones for a living — here's my top picks for every budget
 
 
Garmin Forerunner 970
I review running watches and these are my top 3 suggestions for most people
 
 
B&W PX7 S3, Dali IO-8, JLab JBuds Lux
Forget AirPods Max — here's the 5 headphones I recommend for every budget
 
 
The author and partner on a mountain summit in bali at sunrise, with mountain shadows in the background and a blue morning sky
5 tech travel hacks I learned after 2 months backpacking in Asia — don't make the same mistakes as me
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Sony Inzone E9 in-ear monitors for PS5
    1
    I just tested Sony’s first-ever gaming in-ear monitors and they impress in nearly every way
  2. 2
    I tested this 360° glass air fryer — it looks like a Ninja Crispi, acts like a Ninja Crispi… but isn’t a Ninja Crispi
  3. 3
    Copilot is getting a major upgrade: Here's the biggest new features coming to Windows 11
  4. 4
    I’ve tested loads of keyboards and the Epomaker Luma84 is a great low-profile deck — here’s why
  5. 5
    I’ve been testing the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 headphones — and these are the only on-ear cans I'd ever buy

Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Advertise with us
  • About us
  • Archives
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...