10 Fastest BitTorrent Clients in 2024 — Safe & Working

Most BitTorrent clients claim to have the best speeds but fail to deliver fast downloads. Aside from being slow, many are difficult to use or lack essential features. Luckily, there are fast torrent downloaders that you can customize for even smoother torrenting.

After my team and I tested 50+ torrent clients, we found the fastest free torrent downloaders that are secure and easy to use. Each was chosen based on fast download speeds, lightweight design, and efficient bandwidth management. They also have intuitive interfaces, offer quick setup and support features like magnet links and torrent queuing.

Be advised. Torrenting is legal in most countries but becomes unlawful if you download copyrighted content. My team and I are against illegal file-sharing, so make sure the files you download are copyright-free and adhere to your government’s rules regarding torrenting.

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The Fastest BitTorrent Clients in 2024

1. qBittorrent — Fastest BitTorrent With Intuitive Interface to Quickly Find Your Favorite Torrents

qBittorrent completes downloads faster than any other BitTorrent client. In our tests, it outperformed uTorrent (and all other torrenting clients) on nearly every test. It maintained consistent speeds throughout the downloads, so qBittorrent beat uTorrent for the number one spot. However, there were two times that our torrents stalled at 99%, and I wish it was available for mobile. Still, for fast download speeds, qBittorrent was the clear winner.

Besides no ads, the installer didn't ask me to install any addware

In addition, it uses very few computer resources and has a straightforward interface with quick selection options. I liked the program’s simplicity and how it lets you navigate through the settings under a few menus. So, finding your way around it and initiating downloads is a breeze.

The program is completely free to use without any distracting ads. It’s currently developed by volunteers and survives solely on donations. It offers most features you can expect from most Bittorrent clients, such as torrent queuing, prioritization, port forwarding, and IP filtering.

qBittorrent also supports RSS feed and allows you to open magnet links. It even has an encryption setting to obfuscate your torrenting traffic so you can use it even on restrictive networks, like school and work. Still, it’s not nearly as secure as a VPN.

Note. Avoid downloading pirated content with qBittorrent.

Visit qBitTorrent

2. uTorrent — Lightweight BitTorrent Client for Fast and Efficient Downloads

Also known as μTorrent or micro torrent, uTorrent delivered the second shortest download time in our tests — we downloaded a 1.2Gbps file in just 2 minutes and 12 seconds. The app is also extremely lightweight (less than 1.8MB in size), using hardly any unnecessary resources. Currently, it’s managed by the BitTorrent project and is considered the most useful client outside China.

You can download large movies, songs, or games directly to your mobile device

I like that you can manage torrents remotely using its Android app and it supports simultaneous downloads. Downloading multiple torrents at once didn’t lead to a noticeable speed drop, either. Thanks to the neatly designed interface, you can schedule torrents, set speed caps, adjust bandwidth usage, and more in just a few clicks.

One downside is that the free version is ad-supported, so I’d recommend using an ad-blocker for a cleaner experience. Plus, the installer comes bundled with other software. There are ad-free Pro versions, which means more of your bandwidth will be focused on your downloads.

There are 2 versions for your computer — uTorrent Classic (the desktop client) and uTorrent Web. The former is built to handle bulk downloads, while the latter lets you download torrents and watch movies in your browser at the same time. You’ll have to use the web version if you have macOS with Catalina 10.15 or later, as there’s no desktop application.

Note. Avoid downloading pirated content with uTorrent.

Visit uTorrent

3. FrostWire — A Huge Library of Links and Files to Torrent Without Interruptions

FrostWire (a fork of LimeWire) offers a built-in search engine with a huge library of files and links. Aside from magnet links, it also offers private torrent links, which often have faster downloads, better content quality, and a strong community behind them. This makes it easy to get good speeds.

I didn't encounter any annoying ads or popups

It has a Turbo-Charged feature to automatically optimize your connection by connecting to more peers. FrostWire displays when this is active so that you know whether you’re downloading at the best speed.

While its app is lightweight, it will ask you to install some unnecessary apps during installation. However, this isn’t a big issue, as there are options to uncheck the applications you don’t want. I also found its interface user-friendly. All the options are nicely positioned, so you can start right away.

Note. Avoid downloading pirated content with FrostWire.

Visit FrostWire

4. BitTorrent — A Built-in Speed Booster To Expedite Torrent Downloads

Since BitTorrent acquired uTorrent, both clients are virtually the same, including the web versions. For example, you can attach your crypto wallet and pay for extra download speeds (or earn for seeding), and the desktop app (BitTorrent Classic) also has built-in encryption. Its downloads were fast, but it did take a bit of time to ramp up to full speed.

The web app also doesn't have bundled software or ads like the desktop version

Drag-and-drop functionality and smart search make it easy to find torrents. The app also supports magnet links and remote management via a mobile or web browser and lets you schedule downloads. It supports private, invitation-only trackers, allowing higher-quality and faster downloads. Plus, you can comment on and review torrents in the app, making it easier for others to gauge their quality.

Like uTorrent, the app is filled with ads and bundled with extra software — but you can decline it. You can also upgrade to remove ads or buy the Pro+VPN package that includes 1-year of CyberGhost. However, it works out cheaper if you purchase the VPN separately, and you can use it on more devices simultaneously.

Note. Avoid downloading pirated content with BitTorrent.

Visit BitTorrent

5. Deluge — Excellent Choice for Advanced Users Because It's Customizable via Plug-Ins

Deluge has been around for a long time and can be customized via plug-ins, some that can improve your speeds. I personalized my experience by enabling the high-performance-seed preset using the ltconfig plug-in without any problem. It also lets you adjust speed according to network conditions, move torrent files to specific directories, and add alphabetical downloading.

Just check the plugins you want to install and click the "Install" button

Even though it comes with a range of features, it doesn’t take much RAM and system space, so it runs smoothly even on older PCs. During testing, we installed it on several old laptops, including my Lenovo T410, initiated multiple downloads, and didn’t experience any problems. However, I’m a bit concerned that the most recent update was over two years ago, but at least it still seems to be running fine.

Its many plug-ins can be confusing if you haven’t used the client before. However, they’re handy in helping you build your own custom version of Deluge. Besides, I found its user interface clean and informative — it nicely displays the key features on the main menus. Despite never using it before, I could easily find add, remove, pause, and resume.

Note. Avoid downloading pirated content with Deluge.

Visit Deluge

The Fastest VPN We Tested

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Editor's Choice for Speed

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Stream shows and movies without buffering

Lightway protocol boosts connection speeds

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6. WebTorrent — Lightweight Torrent Client With Browser Integration

WebTorrent is a free and open-source client designed for streaming torrents directly in your browser. It’s compatible with desktop operating systems and offers a unique experience that supports instant media playback without waiting for the entire file to download. In our tests, the stream loaded almost instantly and didn’t slow down the download speed.

You can also skip ahead, and it will load that part after a short delay

It’s lightweight and minimalistic, making it easy to install and run. It works seamlessly with web-based peers, allowing it to connect to both WebRTC-based torrents and traditional BitTorrent peers.

However, it lacks advanced features like built-in search engines, IP filtering, or extensive customization. Its main strength is media streaming, making it a good choice if you mainly want to watch or listen to torrents as they download.

Note. Avoid downloading pirated content with WebTorrent.

Visit WebTorrent

7. Vuze — Built-in Search Engine Makes It a Breeze To Find the Content You Need

Formerly known as Azureus, Vuze stands out because of the built-in search engines that make it easy to find the content you need. While testing this application, this feature helped us find the files we needed without visiting any torrent sites.

Vuze automatically tries to find the best network settings to speed up downloads

Its intuitive interface makes it easy to personalize the downloader by adding extra plug-ins. There’s even a playback feature that you can use to stream the content in your Vuze library. Other features include IP filtering, remote pairing, plug-ins, and speed limits.

Upgrading to Vuze Plus unlocks additional features like the ability to watch files while downloading, unlimited DVD burning, and built-in antivirus protection. You can also adjust the client’s complexity, so if you're new to Vuze, I recommend setting it to Beginner. My only gripe is that the free version has ads, and the installer includes bundled apps. So, be sure to uncheck any programs you don’t need during setup.

Note. Avoid downloading pirated content with Vuze.

Visit Vuze

8. BitComet — Hasten Torrents Downloads With Long-Term Seeding Technology

BitComet’s Long-Term seeding optimizes downloads by connecting to peers who have 100% of the torrent. During our tests, the downloader finished downloading the same 1.2GB file in 2 minutes and 17 seconds. There’s even an intelligent disk caching feature that expedites downloads by reducing the need to read and write on your hard drive.

You can also lower these numbers to prevent BitComet using too many resources

Like BitTorrent, BitComet is bundled with unnecessary programs. It was also one of the few torrents flagged as potential malware by my antivirus. However, the client allows you to uncheck or decline their installation, which is what I did. Still, I recommend you use it with a reliable all-in-one solution that can protect you against malware.

BitComet supports magnet links and lets you preview your files while they are downloading. Also, it’s an HTTP client, which means it allows file sharing via the HTTP protocol and supports DHT Network. DHT boosts your torrenting speeds by managing trackers load when using public trackers.

Note. Avoid downloading pirated content with BitComet.

Visit BitComet

9. Tixati — Ad-Free to Torrent Without Any Interruptions

Tixati is completely free to use and does not push any ads to users, as it relies solely on donations. In our tests, we enjoyed downloading torrents without any distractions. However, the interface was a bit outdated and unfamiliar compared to the other torrenting programs.

On the home screen, click “Channel” and then “Chat” to engage with other torrent users

It also offers a chat room that you can use to engage or share links with other users. To start a conversation with anyone in the channel, type in a message at the bottom of the chat window and hit enter. Plus, it features convenient functionalities such as magnet links support, IP filtering, and event (download) scheduling.

Tixati is quick and easy to install because it’s a lightweight program. Some users consider it to be considerably faster than other BitTorrent clients, but it was somewhat slow in our tests. It took 3 minutes and 3 seconds to download a 1.2GB movie file.

Note. Avoid downloading pirated content with Tixati.

Visit Tixati

10. Transmission — Torrent on More Devices, Including on Embedded Systems Like Routers

Unlike other BitTorrent clients, Transmission supports embedded systems like Raspberry Pi, home theater PCs, and NAS. This lets you use it on as many devices as you want. For example, I quickly installed it on my Windows laptop and downloaded multiple torrents. However, it took the longest time in our tests — more than 5 minutes to download a 1.2GB file.

It took me less than 5 minutes to install and start downloading on Windows

I was a bit annoyed that you need to manually adjust some settings, like a download directory and starting a session, before you can download. Most other clients do this for you. Download speeds were also somewhat erratic, with delays while initializing. But, it still had one of the shortest overall download times.

The application has a simple interface with no ads. Plus, its code is open-source, so you can check that it doesn’t pose any danger to your device and privacy. Another benefit is that it uses very little system memory — less than all other BitTorrent clients we tested. Transmission is also donation-supported — you can contribute by clicking donate on its website.

Note. Avoid downloading pirated content with Transmission.

Visit Transmission

Fastest BitTorrent Clients: Quick Comparison Table

Below, you can quickly reference the difference in BitTorrent client speeds. For fairness, I downloaded the same torrent with each client, a 1.2GB version of the copyright-free movie Metropolis (1927). Note that I considered a variety of factors that impact performance and usability, so I didn’t rank clients purely based on sheer download speeds.

Warning: The Risks of Using a BitTorrent Client

Some BitTorrent clients can expose you to cyber threats. However, at the time of writing, all my recommended BitTorrent clients were safe to use. However, be sure to check for the presence of anything suspicious before installation and stay vigilant for the main dangers associated with using torrent clients, including:

• Malware and spyware. Malicious software can be disguised as legitimate downloads, posing serious risks to your device and personal data. Often, you’ll only discover these threats when it's too late.
• Embedded malware in torrent apps. Even trustworthy torrent clients may unintentionally include harmful software. Always check for any suspicious signs before installing any new client.
• Legal Issues with copyrighted content. Downloading or distributing copyrighted material is illegal in most countries, even if done unintentionally. This can result in legal consequences.
• IP Address exposure. Torrent clients don't hide your IP address, making your activity visible to third parties, such as ISPs or hackers, who can monitor or exploit it. Your ISP might intentionally throttle your speed when torrenting.

How To Safely Use BitTorrent Clients Without Sacrificing Speed

The best thing you can do is to download files from reputable sources with healthy seeder-to-leecher ratios. Adjust your torrent client settings to allocate bandwidth efficiently, enable IP filtering, and optimize port forwarding for faster performance.

Even the best BitTorrent clients have minimal security features, however. Your best option to torrent safely without compromising speed is to use a VPN, which encrypts your connection and hides your true IP address. I also recommend investing in antivirus software and assessing every site's and torrent's trustworthiness before you download.

Military-Grade Security Features

DEAL: Save 82% + 30-day money-back guarantee

Editor's Choice for Security

Our Score: 10.0

High-level encryption keeps you safe online

Verified to not collect or share data

Visit ExpressVPN

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Tips on Choosing the Fastest BitTorrent Clients

When choosing a BitTorrent client for speed, focus on features that optimize download performance and minimize resource consumption. Here are the key testing criteria we used that will will help you find the fastest client:

• High download speeds. Look for clients that offer fast download speeds and efficient data management. Most clients show the speed at which files download in real time.
• Low CPU usage. Choose a client with minimal CPU and RAM consumption, which ensures your system runs smoothly while torrenting.
• Supports magnet links. Select a client that supports magnet links, as they offer a faster and simpler way to initiate downloads without needing a separate .torrent file.
• Bandwidth and tracker management. Opt for downloaders with customizable bandwidth allocation and tracker management, so you can optimize speeds.
• Torrent queuing and sequential downloading. These features enable you to efficiently download multiple torrents simultaneously by choosing which files get prioritized.
• Built-in streaming. Pick a client that supports media playback during the download process. This allows you to seamlessly watch content without having to wait for the entire file to download first.
• Easy to use. Get a torrenting client with intuitive apps so that you can get started right away without any tech headaches.

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

FAQs on the Fastest BitTorrent Clients

Do I need to optimize my BitTorrent client?

Optimizing your BitTorrent client can improve your download and upload speeds and provide a better overall experience. Many of the BitTorrent clients listed allow you to adjust the bandwidth for downloading and uploading files. But, if your ISP is throttling you, a premium VPN might boost your torrenting speed by obfuscating (concealing) your traffic.

Other ways to optimize your BitTorrent client and increase torrenting speeds include:

• Upgrading your internet connection if it's slow.
• Limiting your active number of torrents.
• Adjusting bandwidth settings.

Is it safe and legal to use a BitTorrent client?

Yes, BitTorrent clients are legal and safe to use in most countries. However, BitTorrent clients can still expose your IP address and data to other users. This may leave you vulnerable to hackers, privacy breaches, ISP-imposed bandwidth restrictions, or even legal issues if copyrighted content is downloaded by mistake. Also remember that downloading pirated content is unlawful.

Are there BitTorrent clients for Mac, Android, or iOS?

Yes, several BitTorrent clients are compatible with Mac, Android, and even iOS (though iOS options are limited). qBittorrent, for example, works on Mac, Windows, and Linux, and uTorrent has dedicated apps for Android and macOS. BitLord also supports Android and Mac, both of which support streaming during download.

However, non-Windows apps often lack some of the advanced features — like plugin support or IP binding, especially on mobile clients. What’s more, you typically need to jailbreak an iOS device to install and run torrent clients in the first place.

What is the safest BitTorrent client?

Clients like uTorrent and Deluge enhance your torrenting by offering protocol encryption. However, their protection isn’t robust enough to shield you from online threats that threaten to expose your identity. Fortunately, using your downloader simultaneously with a VPN can keep your torrenting activity private. Look for a VPN with AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy to stay safe while downloading files.

Can a BitTorrent client infect my device with a virus?

Yes, if you inadvertently download a file infected with malware onto your gadget, you may be at risk. Dangers associated with torrenting can mask themselves as regular downloads or ads, and you might remain oblivious to the infection until the damage is done. Remember to always check the reputation of the sites and torrent links you use, and to use security tools like a VPN and antivirus.

Conclusion

While torrenting speeds depend on various factors, choosing the fastest client, like qBittorent and uTorrent, can expedite your downloads. The ones on this list are fast and are known for being safe, so you won’t experience significant slowdowns or frequent interruptions while torrenting. And, with convenient features like concurrent streaming and torrent queueing, you can set them up to start enjoying content as soon as possible.