Peer-to-peer torrent networks have revolutionized how we share, download, and upload files over the internet. You no longer have to deal with the queuing and bandwidth bottlenecks of accessing shared files directly from a single server.
Unfortunately, torrents have gotten somewhat of a bad rap due to being popular tools for illegal practices like piracy.
However, torrent networks are a legal technology with plenty of legitimate uses. And, by using the best and most trustworthy torrenting clients, you can enjoy using it in a safe and user-friendly way.
To help you out, we’ve put together this list of some of the best torrenting clients around right now.
Are Torrents Legal?
The short answer is yes, Torrent software is legal in most countries. However, the legality of using Torrents primarily comes down to what you use it for.
Torrents have gotten a bad reputation due to often being used to distribute and download pirated content. This is an illegal use of Torrents in most countries because it infringes on copyright and licensing regulations.
However, there are also plenty of legitimate uses for Torrents. For example, many open source projects are distributed via peer-to-peer torrent networks. It can also be used to share content or files within a team, company, or group of people.
The Top 5 Torrent Clients
Here are the five best torrent clients you can download and use now in 2022.
uTorrent
If you know anything about torrenting software, you’ve probably come across the name uTorrent before. According to TorrentFreak, it’s the most popular Torrenting software by far, with 68.6% of the market share. And, it’s owned by the parent company BitTorrent.
Two of the main reasons for its popularity are incredibly lightweight and easy to use. It also has some handy features for scheduling torrents, setting bandwidth limits, and searching for torrents to download.
However, like free software, uTorrent is supported by ads, and you can see them all over the software. You also need to be careful when installing the client as it often tries to bundle additional software. What’s more, there have been one or two security concerns during recent years.
Pros
- Easy to use interface
- Completely free
- User-friendly tools
- Lightweight and optimized
Cons
- Features irremovable ads
- Bundles software during install
qBittorrent
qBittorrent is often regarded as the best free torrenting client. It shares many similarities to uTorrent regarding the features and user experience. However, it doesn’t contain ads or tries to bundle in other software during installation.
Like uTorrent, qBittorrent boasts some handy capabilities, like download prioritization, bandwidth scheduler, sequential downloading, etc. You can even play files using the integrated media player or use the client to create your torrents. Thanks to the search tool, finding specific torrents to download is also easy.
As a bonus, qBittorrent is available on nearly all platforms (Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, etc.) and in over 70 languages. With a balance between features and ease of use, it’s a torrent for everyone.
Pros
- Powerful built-in tools
- No ads
- Doesn’t bundle software
- Easy to use
Cons
- Limited customizations and extensions
BitTorrent
BitTorrent is one of the first torrent clients and a pioneer in this technology. As it also owns uTorrent, the two are nearly identical regarding what they are capable of. However, BitTorrent has a slightly more polished and modern UI.
BitTorrent is available in a free version with ads. However, you can remove them by paying just $4.95 per month. Or, you can pay $19.95/month for the secure download package. The client is available on macOS, Windows, and Android.
Like uTorrent, BitTorrent is small and light on resources. It also has handy search, scheduling, and bandwidth management tools.
Pros
- Category-based search
- Ad-free paid version available
- Polished, modern interface
Cons
- The free version contains ads and bundled software
Vuze
Vuze started as Azureus and claimed to be an end-to-end software for all your torrent needs. The free version has an impressive list of features, including media playback, metasearch, access to the plugin library, mobile app remote control, etc. However, the free plan does display ads.
If you upgrade to the Plus version (from $3.99/month), you get rid of ads and unlock DVD burning and play-as-you-download. Those aren’t super essential features for most users, so the free version should be fine for most. It’s also available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Other unique features are IP filtering and integrated virus protection (Plus only). The only downsides are the ads and bundled software on a free plan, but the ads are less intrusive than other free torrent clients.
Pros
- Customizable and extendable thanks to plugins
- Remotely control torrents via mobile app
- Clean, iTunes-like interface
Cons
- The free version contains ads and bundled software
- Bundled antivirus software
Deluge
Deluge might not be as well-known as the others on this list, but you shouldn’t overlook it. Deluge is a free, open-source, and cross-platform BitTorrent client, adhering to the freedesktop standard. Not only does it have the essential features built-in, but it also supports a wide range of in-house and third-party plugins.
Torrent connections via Deluge are fully encrypted to help protect your privacy and security. The interface is also familiar for those who’ve used a torrent client before. The only con is that the interface and built-in features are not as comprehensive, so you’re more dependent on the available plugins.
However, that’s also one of Deluge’s major strengths. If you want a lean and simple torrent client, just use it as-is. You can always add more features, such as IP blocklists, using the WebUI, and notifications as you wish.
Pros
- Completely free and open source
- Highly customizable and extensible
- Almost entirely cross-platform
Cons
- Interface not as polished
- Somewhat reliant on plugins for features
Conclusion
As you can see, torrent clients have evolved beyond just enabling you to download/upload files. They can help find useful content, manage bandwidth efficiently, and even act as media players.
Any of these torrent clients are excellent choices. However, you should think about what you want and need in a torrent client. Do you hate seeing ads or removing bundled software from your computer? Do you want more features or a more straightforward interface? The information above should help you make the right choice.
