You'll need a free torrent client if you want to download files over the BitTorrent network. Once you've located a torrent file from a torrent website, you'll need some way to download it—and that's where a torrent client becomes necessary.
There are several different kinds of free torrent clients. Some torrent clients have more features than others and some even run from a website, meaning you don't need to install any software at all.
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Below is an updated list of the best free torrent programs and web services available online. Use any of these clients with your torrent files to download content over the BitTorrent network.
While these programs are free and legal to use, it doesn't mean the actual content you're downloading via the torrent is legally available in this way. You should be familiar with the copyright laws in your country before using a torrent client to download movies, music, software programs, etc.
If you're not sure about the legality of downloading movies or music via torrents, or you keep running into fake torrents, please know that there are plenty of places where you can download movies for free, legally. There are also legal methods to getting free music, like with free music streaming services, free online radio stations, and websites that offer free music downloads.
uTorrent
What We Like
Uses very little in the way of system resources.
Most commonly used client.
Simple interface.
What We Don't Like
Ad-supported.
Comes with bundled software.
Lacks search function.
uTorrent is one of the more popular free torrent clients. The installer size is tiny and only a fraction of system resources are used when the program is running.
You can subscribe to RSS feeds in uTorrent to automatically download new torrent items that are pushed through the feed.
uTorrent Remote is a feature that comes built-in that allows remote monitoring and administration of your uTorrent client. You can add, pause, and delete torrents from any browser or Android device.
This free torrent client can be installed on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, as well as Android devices.
FileStream.me
What We Like
Keeps IP addresses private.
Mobile versions available.
Secure file transfer.
Queued downloads.
What We Don't Like
No protection against viruses.
Access to features like dedicated servers, speed boosts, and conversions requires premium membership.
FileStream.me is another online torrent client that works by entering torrent links or uploading torrent files into your account and then having FileStream.me upload the files for you so you can then download them through your browser.
The free version of FileStream.me is ad supported, limits torrents to 200 MB for each file, gives you three days to download your torrents, can hold up to 200 GB of data, can fetch two torrents at once, and might restrain your download speed if you're downloading lots of files.
However, it does hide your IP address, let you resume downloads, allows streaming video and audio files, offers an Android client, and doesn't limit your monthly access.
Since FileStream.me runs from a browser, you can use it to download torrents on any OS that supports a modern web browser.
ZBIGZ
What We Like
No software required.
Easy signup, with no personal details collected.
Available in mobile version.
What We Don't Like
Severely limited compared to premium memberships.
Not ideal for private torrents.
ZBIGZ is similar to Filestream in that it downloads and seeds torrents for you and then lets you download the files as regular HTTP data. Because it works this way, it may be preferred if your ISP is restricting your access to torrent downloads.
Among other limitations, ZBIGZ allows your torrents to be no larger than 1 GB. Plus, your download speeds are topped off at a mere 150 KB/s.
The ZBIGZ online torrent client works for any operating system that can load the web page, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
BitLord
What We Like
Easy-to-use search function.
Can play downloads on Chromecast before download completes.
Helpful download organization features.
Channel subscriptions.
What We Don't Like
Website sometimes flagged as hosting harmful software.
Installer makes changes to computer configuration and adds software, unless user explicitly opts out.
You can password protect the BitLord program, stream video/audio before the download is complete, and search for torrents inside the program without leaving the client.
You can also add RSS feeds to BitLord to help keep track of new torrent releases.
BitLord is a free torrent downloader for Windows and macOS.
Vuze
What We Like
Simple, easy-to-use interface.
Premium version offers virus protection and preview capability.
Can extend functions through plugins.
Pause function with automatic resumption after specified time.
What We Don't Like
Ad-supported.
Installer adds browser toolbar unless you opt out.
Another free torrent program is Vuze (formerly Azureus). There are tons of awesome features in this program, such as media playback support and a built-in browser for searching for torrents.
Vuze lets you control its functions from a browser or desktop client.
A folder that connects directly to iTunes is included in Vuze so that you can drag downloaded media into it to include them in your iTunes library.
Vuze can automatically hibernate your PC, shut it down, or run a program when downloading or seeding is finished.
For more features, you can get Vuze Plus. It comes with DVD burning capabilities, a built-in antivirus tool, and removes ads.
The Vuze torrent client can be installed for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
FrostWire
What We Like
Lightweight.
No ads.
Works on a broad variety of platforms.
Easy file sharing.
What We Don't Like
Unnecessary programs bundled in installation file.
FrostWire can search for torrent files on several websites at once, with available filters to narrow down results by file size and seed count.
There are also tons of Internet radio stations included with FrostWire with the ability to add custom streams.
In addition to using it on Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu OS, a FrostWire app is available for other devices, too, like Android. If on the web, you can chat with other FrostWire users through their community chat room.
Deluge
What We Like
Compatible with variety of platforms.
Easy to use.
Highly customizable and expandable.
Optional encryption.
What We Don't Like
Sparse interface.
No in-app search function.
Infrequent updates.
Deluge is a pretty simple, free torrent client. You can adjust the max upload slots and speeds, as well as download speeds and encryption.
There are plenty of plugins you can grab for expanding Deluge's settings. There are plugins for an email notifier, scheduler, web interface, stats, auto RSS downloader, and many others.
Deluge is available for many Linux distributions along with macOS and Windows.
BitComet
What We Like
Highly configurable.
Familiar-looking, easy-to-use interface.
Chat function.
BitComet is a free torrent program with remote access and virus scanning.
There are advanced options like scheduled bandwidth limits, long-term seeding, and CometID VIP Acceleration.
BitComet can be configured to auto shut down, reboot, hibernate, or sleep when all downloads are complete, which is a useful function.
You can install BitComet on Windows computers only.
qBittorrent
What We Like
Broad compatibility.
User-friendly.
No ads.
Encryption option.
What We Don't Like
Not as extendable as some other programs.
qBittorent has a clean interface with a password protection option, built-in RSS reader and web browser, web interface for remote control, and many detailed advanced options like anonymous mode and defining a particular network interface for transmissions.
Even with the advanced features, qBittorrent is easy to use and isn't confusing in the slightest.
You'll need a free torrent client if you want to download files over the BitTorrent network. Once you've located a torrent file from a torrent website, you'll need some way to download it—and that's where a torrent client becomes necessary.
There are several different kinds of free torrent clients. Some torrent clients have more features than others and some even run from a website, meaning you don't need to install any software at all.
Below is an updated list of the best free torrent programs and web services available online. Use any of these clients with your torrent files to download content over the BitTorrent network.
While these programs are free and legal to use, it doesn't mean the actual content you're downloading via the torrent is legally available in this way. You should be familiar with the copyright laws in your country before using a torrent client to download movies, music, software programs, etc.
If you're not sure about the legality of downloading movies or music via torrents, or you keep running into fake torrents, please know that there are plenty of places where you can download movies for free, legally. There are also legal methods to getting free music, like with free music streaming services, free online radio stations, and websites that offer free music downloads.
uTorrent
What We Like
Uses very little in the way of system resources.
Most commonly used client.
Simple interface.
What We Don't Like
Ad-supported.
Comes with bundled software.
Lacks search function.
uTorrent is one of the more popular free torrent clients. The installer size is tiny and only a fraction of system resources are used when the program is running.
You can subscribe to RSS feeds in uTorrent to automatically download new torrent items that are pushed through the feed.
uTorrent Remote is a feature that comes built-in that allows remote monitoring and administration of your uTorrent client. You can add, pause, and delete torrents from any browser or Android device.
This free torrent client can be installed on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, as well as Android devices.
FileStream.me
What We Like
Keeps IP addresses private.
Mobile versions available.
Secure file transfer.
Queued downloads.
What We Don't Like
No protection against viruses.
Access to features like dedicated servers, speed boosts, and conversions requires premium membership.
FileStream.me is another online torrent client that works by entering torrent links or uploading torrent files into your account and then having FileStream.me upload the files for you so you can then download them through your browser.
The free version of FileStream.me is ad supported, limits torrents to 200 MB for each file, gives you three days to download your torrents, can hold up to 200 GB of data, can fetch two torrents at once, and might restrain your download speed if you're downloading lots of files.
However, it does hide your IP address, let you resume downloads, allows streaming video and audio files, offers an Android client, and doesn't limit your monthly access.
Since FileStream.me runs from a browser, you can use it to download torrents on any OS that supports a modern web browser.
ZBIGZ
What We Like
No software required.
Easy signup, with no personal details collected.
Available in mobile version.
What We Don't Like
Severely limited compared to premium memberships.
Not ideal for private torrents.
ZBIGZ is similar to Filestream in that it downloads and seeds torrents for you and then lets you download the files as regular HTTP data. Because it works this way, it may be preferred if your ISP is restricting your access to torrent downloads.
Among other limitations, ZBIGZ allows your torrents to be no larger than 1 GB. Plus, your download speeds are topped off at a mere 150 KB/s.
The ZBIGZ online torrent client works for any operating system that can load the web page, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
BitLord
What We Like
Easy-to-use search function.
Can play downloads on Chromecast before download completes.
Helpful download organization features.
Channel subscriptions.
What We Don't Like
Website sometimes flagged as hosting harmful software.
Installer makes changes to computer configuration and adds software, unless user explicitly opts out.
You can password protect the BitLord program, stream video/audio before the download is complete, and search for torrents inside the program without leaving the client.
You can also add RSS feeds to BitLord to help keep track of new torrent releases.
BitLord is a free torrent downloader for Windows and macOS.
Vuze
What We Like
Simple, easy-to-use interface.
Premium version offers virus protection and preview capability.
Can extend functions through plugins.
Pause function with automatic resumption after specified time.
What We Don't Like
Ad-supported.
Installer adds browser toolbar unless you opt out.
Another free torrent program is Vuze (formerly Azureus). There are tons of awesome features in this program, such as media playback support and a built-in browser for searching for torrents.
Vuze lets you control its functions from a browser or desktop client.
A folder that connects directly to iTunes is included in Vuze so that you can drag downloaded media into it to include them in your iTunes library.
Best Free Streaming Software For Mac
Vuze can automatically hibernate your PC, shut it down, or run a program when downloading or seeding is finished.
For more features, you can get Vuze Plus. It comes with DVD burning capabilities, a built-in antivirus tool, and removes ads.
The Vuze torrent client can be installed for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
FrostWire
What We Like
Lightweight.
No ads.
Works on a broad variety of platforms.
Easy file sharing.
What We Don't Like
Unnecessary programs bundled in installation file.
FrostWire can search for torrent files on several websites at once, with available filters to narrow down results by file size and seed count.
There are also tons of Internet radio stations included with FrostWire with the ability to add custom streams.
In addition to using it on Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu OS, a FrostWire app is available for other devices, too, like Android. If on the web, you can chat with other FrostWire users through their community chat room.
Deluge
What We Like
Compatible with variety of platforms.
Easy to use.
Highly customizable and expandable.
Optional encryption.
What We Don't Like
Sparse interface.
No in-app search function.
Infrequent updates.
free download. software For Mac
Deluge is a pretty simple, free torrent client. You can adjust the max upload slots and speeds, as well as download speeds and encryption.
There are plenty of plugins you can grab for expanding Deluge's settings. There are plugins for an email notifier, scheduler, web interface, stats, auto RSS downloader, and many others.
Deluge is available for many Linux distributions along with macOS and Windows.
BitComet
What We Like
Highly configurable.
Familiar-looking, easy-to-use interface.
Chat function.
BitComet is a free torrent program with remote access and virus scanning.
There are advanced options like scheduled bandwidth limits, long-term seeding, and CometID VIP Acceleration.
BitComet can be configured to auto shut down, reboot, hibernate, or sleep when all downloads are complete, which is a useful function.
You can install BitComet on Windows computers only.
qBittorrent
What We Like
Broad compatibility.
User-friendly.
No ads.
Encryption option.
Best Free Programs For Mac
What We Don't Like
Not as extendable as some other programs.
qBittorent has a clean interface with a password protection option, built-in RSS reader and web browser, web interface for remote control, and many detailed advanced options like anonymous mode and defining a particular network interface for transmissions.
Even with the advanced features, qBittorrent is easy to use and isn't confusing in the slightest.