• Traditional vs Decentralized P2P Downloading Choosing a BitTorrent client can be a difficult process due to the complex nature of the technology. While virtually all clients will cover the basic task of downloading files, there are many combinations of usability, features and philosophy to consider depending on intended use.
• Full list of the top Internet Software apps that are similar to uTorrent, including BitTorrent, Vuze, Bit Che, Torrent Opener, qBittorrent, Shareaza, Ares Galaxy, Torrent Swapper.
• The upstart BitTorrent client was super lightweight and trounced other popular BitTorrent clients. But that was long ago, before BitTorrent, Inc. Bought uTorrent and crammed it full of crapware and scammy advertisements.

• Best Paid Torrent Client
• Top Torrent Clients 2020
• Best Software Torrents

The world might be gravitating to online streaming, but peer-to-peer file sharing through torrents remains ever-popular. It's important to stay safe while torrenting by using a virtual private network (VPN), even when sharing something entirely legal, but which clients are the best for the job?

One of the best uTorrent alternatives of all, WebTorrent Desktop is a streaming torrent app. This similar software to Bittorrent client supports all operating systems. WebTorrent Desktop acts as mediator between Bittorrent and WebTorrent peers. Torrents are nothing but files of a few kilobytes without a torrent client installed on your computer. To get the actual files you want on your local storage, you will require some of the best torrent programs for a various number of supported operating systems. Best Torrent Sites Of 2019. Best Torrent Clients For Windows, Mac, Linux.

ProPrivacy has compared several BitTorrent clients out there to find the cream of the crop, so you don't have to! Keep reading to discover which one is best for you.

What are the best BitTorrent clients?

There are many BitTorrent clients out there to choose from and not all of them were built equal. Take a look at what ProPrivacy considers the best of the best to torrent with:

qBitTorrent

qBitTorrent is the best torrenting client out there, being both open source and full of features

PROS

• Open source
• Lightweight
• Efficient
• Can bind to VPN
• Fully featured

CONS

• Can't think of any

As a long-term Vuze fan, it took quite something for this lightweight open source BitTorrent client to replace Vuze on my desktop. One reason I stuck with Vuze for so long is the ability to bind the torrent client to my VPN interface.

Although not strictly necessary if your VPN software features a kill switch, I have always appreciated this extra layer of security. It prevents the client downloading torrents when the VPN is not active.

qBitTorrent not only supports this feature, it makes it much easier to implement. This was a big factor in me making the change, as was qBitTorrent’s lean-and-mean 100 MB or less install size (exact size depending on platform). There is no bloat with qBitTorrent!

Despite this, qBitTorrent features just about everything most torrenters will need. This includes BitTorrent protocol encryption, torrent prioritization, torrent querying, selective content download, torrent creation, remote access, and RSS subscription. You can search for torrents from within the client, and the built-in media player is handy.

qBitTorrent is 100% free and ad-free. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. For a more detailed look at this excellent software, including instructions on how to bind qBittorrent to your VPN interface, please check out 5 Best VPNs for qBittorrent.

Transmission

Transmission has overcome older problems to build a reputation for itself as a great torrent client

PROS

• Open source
• Lightweight
• Tons of features
• Pretty
• Available natively on many obscure OSs

CONS

• Not much (vulnerability should be fixed by the time most of you read this)

Transmission started life as a Mac and Linux-only BitTorrent client, where it built up a formidable reputation. Windows users can now also get in on the act. Although a very capable BitTorrent client, the main draw of Transmission is its beautiful user interface, complete with Growl notifications for Mac users.

But it’s not all about looking pretty. Transmission features webseed support, BitTorrent protocol encryption, watch directories, tracker editing, global and per-torrent speed limits, and more. It also supports optional add-ons that can expand its feature-set. These include RSS subscription tools and a Kodi plugin.

Transmission has recently hit the headlines thanks to a vulnerability that can be exploited by hackers. I discuss this a little later in the article, but a patch is available, and the issue is very easy to fix yourself, anyway. I have therefore decided to not let this problem affect Transmission’s ranking in this 5 Best guide.

Transmission is 100% free and open source. It is available for Windows, Mac OSX/macOS, Linux (many distros), FreeBSD, Gentoo, and more.

The Transmission Vulnerability

A security researcher discovered a flaw in Transmission that could allow hackers to execute malicious code on targets’ computers. In theory, this could allow them to completely take over the infected system.

The flaw took advantage of lax security in Transmission’s remote web access feature. Note that this is a proof of concept attack, and there has been no evidence of it being exploited in the wild. The current version of Transmission has already implemented a fix.

Alternatively, if you wanted to be sure, the flaw is easy enough to fix for yourself. If you don’t use the remote web access feature, simply turn it off! Go to Preferences -> Remote and uncheck 'Enable remote access.” If you do use the remote web access feature, then change the default password to something secure. Easy!

Note that the security researcher who discovered the flaw has hinted that other BitTorrents clients may also be vulnerable. It is probably a good idea to check similar settings in whatever client you are using.

Vuze

Vuze might not be as lightweight as others in this list, but its feature-packed approach will appeal to some

PROS

• Ridiculously fully featured
• Can bind downloads to VPN
• Lots of plugins available to increase functionality
• Built-in video player
• Great Android apps

CONS

• Somewhat bulky and resource-heavy
• Ads
• Tries to install crapware
• Only partially open source
• Interface could be prettier and more intuitive

Vuze is a granddaddy of BitTorrent clients. It is no longer open source, and it creaks somewhat under the weight of its myriad features. It is, in other words, the polar opposite of lightweight clients such as qBitTorrent.

But who said a shed load of features is necessarily a bad thing? Most torrenters will never use all the tools available, but there is really almost nothing Torrent-related that Vuze can’t do. This includes being able to bind Vuze to your VPN adapter, but also loads more funky stuff such as content discovery through automated subscriptions, having an integrated media player, remote management, and much more.

You can convert files to multiple formats using Vuze’s drag-and-drop interface and analyse your downloads using a wealth of statistics and visualizations. Vuze is a power user’s dream.

On the downside, Vuze is resource-heavy and rather ugly (especially when compared to Transmission!) Its clunky interface is also showing its age. This situation is not helped by the inclusion of ads in the free version, or by the fact that you need to be careful during installation if you do not want to also install a load of crapware.

Although Vuze is primarily free, a premium version is also available for $29.90 USD per year. A Vuze Plus subscription removes the ads and provides built-in anti-virus scanning, a DVD burner, and 'play now' support. It is, admittedly, pretty funky!

This also brings me to the point that, despite its open source roots, Vuze is now closed source proprietary software. It is worth noting that reports of Vuze’s demise appear to be very premature. Vuze 5.7.6.0 was released in October 2017 and is fully functional.

Unlike the desktop client, the excellent Android app is lightweight and ad-free. A pro version is now available via in-app purchase (about $4), but I have been unable to determine what features this adds (and am too skinflint to shell out the money necessary to find out!).

Vuze Remote is a handy app for Android that allows you remote control your desktop torrent downloads.

Vuze is available for Windows, Mac OSX/macOS, Linux, and Android.

Popcorn Time

Popcorn Time has taken a leaf from Netflix's streaming book to present a video-only torrenting service

PROS

• Instant streaming of high quality BitTorrent content!
• Open source
• Very smart interface
• Chromecast, Airplay and DLNA support
• Available on just about every platform

CONS

• Only for video content

All the other programs on this list are BitTorrent clients. You download a .torrent file or click on a magnet link, and the content downloads to your computer where it is stored locally.

Popcorn Time is different; It is an open source app that uses BitTorrent technology to stream high quality video content to all major platforms. This means that unlike with traditional BitTorrent clients, you can watch a film or show without waiting for the download to complete. You might be thinking 'is Popcorn time safe?' While it can be dangerous for your computer, using a VPN can keep your machine secure.

It is notable for having a very slick and intuitive interface, and for providing access to a huge library of up-to-date content.

Although primarily a streaming platform, content can also be downloaded locally (and some content is always cached). Various versions (forks) of Popcorn Time are available, but I strongly advise only using one of the forks recommended in Best VPN for Popcorn Time guide.

Specific features vary a little depending on which fork you use, but steaming to your big-screen TV via Chromecast, Airplay and DLNA is pretty standard.

Best Paid Torrent Client

Popcorn Time is free, and respectable versions are free from ads and other crapware. It available for Windows, Mac OSX/macOS, Linux, and Android. PopcornTime.to even has an iOS VPN App that can be installed without jailbreaking your device.

Deluge

Deluge has no ads, compared to some of the more popular torrent clients out there

PROS

• Open source
• Lightweight
• Lots of features
• Expandable via plugins (incl. RSS)

CONS

• Less fully featured than some other clients

Like qBitTorrent, Deluge is a fairly conventional but lightweight and open source BitTorrent client. Its feature list is not huge, but should be more than enough to satisfy most users. Features include remote web management and support for magnet links.

Functionality can be further extended with a range of both in-house and third-party plugins. Highlights include plugins for RSS support, Growl notifications, streaming while downloading, and more.

Deluge is completely FOSS, with no ads or crapware. It is available for Windows, OSX, Linux (various distros), and FreeBSD.

Check out our 5 best Deluge VPNs page for a list of the best services to use with this BitTorrent client.

Why not uTorrent or BitTorrent?

uTorrent and its almost-identical sibling, the official BitTorrent client, remain the most popular BitTorrent clients in the world. It is, therefore, reasonable to ask why I have not included it in this best 5 BitTorrent list. Please note the different between BitTorrent as a protocol and the BitTorrent client to avoid confusion.

Both uTorrent and BitTorrent are closed source and supported by ads. These ads can be turned off if you delve deep enough into the software’s settings, but this is still very irritating. It is my personal view that this means uTorrent has all the disadvantages of Vuze, but not as many useful features.

So if you want a slightly clunky closed-source ad-supported BitTorrent client, but one that compensates for this by offering a wealth of features, then use Vuze. Other opinions are available.

What is BitTorrent?

BitTorrent is a popular peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing protocol. Instead of being stored on a centralized server from which you download, torrented files are shared among many other BitTorrent users. Popular files can easily be shared among hundreds of users in this way.

When you 'download” (which is something of a misnomer when it comes to torrenting) a file using the BitTorrent protocol, what you are actually doing is sharing small pieces of it with everyone else who is downloading that same file.

A file is 'downloaded” once you have all the pieces needed to reassemble that file. It is considered good form to 'seed” (continue sharing) the file for a while after it has been downloaded, in order to help others reach 100% completion.

Why use a Client?

Although still very popular, BitTorrent use has declined somewhat in recent years. This is in part thanks to the wealth of legal streaming options available from providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, hulu, and many more. The popularity of illegal options, such as Kodi and streaming websites, is also a factor. For top tips and the best VPN for Streaming, take a look at the guides below:

The more traditional method of downloading using a BitTorrent client, however, continues to offer some major advantages:

• BitTorrent content is downloaded locally, so it is available forever and can be easily physically transferred between devices.
• Literally, any kind of digital content can be download – not just video content. This includes software, images, eBook, games, and… you name it!
• But when it does come to video content, the quality is often considerably higher than streamed content. This is because there is no need to keep file sizes down to avoid buffering issues, since content is played locally.
• BitTorrent is a very efficient and resource-light way to share and promote your own content with others.

Many Linux distros find torrent links are the best way to distribute their software without having to host it on costly servers.

Use a VPN when torrenting

BitTorrent content is shared among multiple home computers. This is not good for privacy because sharing files with a bunch of other random 'downloaders” on the internet is hardly private.

Using the right software (which includes many popular BitTorrent clients), it is very easy to see the unique Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of every other person also sharing ('downloading”) the same file.

As demonstrated in Vuze above, I can see the IP addresses of every other person who is downloading the same files as me.

Is torrenting legal?

Yes, torrenting is entirely legal, while the content you share might not be. Torrenting is just a protocol that allows you to share things peer-to-peer. Since laws differ around the world, it's difficult to say what is legal and what isn't, although sharing copyrighted material without the express permission of the owner almost always errs on the side of illegal.

It's pretty easy to catch those that torrent illegally shared content, because the nature of torrenting means your IP address is on show to anyone else sharing the file. All the copyright holder, or a third party representing them, would need to do is notify your internet service provider (ISP) to take legal action against you.

This is why it is important to use a VPN to protect yourself online.

Why should I use a VPN when torrenting?

A VPN will protect you while downloading because:

• A VPN will hide your IP address from other downloaders. As mentioned in the previous section, torrenting puts your IP address on display for others that are sharing the file. Connecting to a VPN server masks your IP address to protect your privacy.
• A VPN encrypts all internet traffic between your computer and the VPN server. This means that your ISP cannot see what you've been getting up to online. Of course, deep packet inspection will reveal that you have been downloading, but they will be none the wiser as to what.

VPNs with robust logging policies will have nothing to hand over to the authorities, no matter what pressure they may come under. A VPN will also unblock websites if they are censored for any reason.

So as long as P2P is permitted, a VPN is very effective at protecting your privacy while downloading.

For a more in-depth look at how VPNs work, please check out VPNs for Beginners – What You Need to Know. For a more in-depth guide to using a VPN while torrenting, check out Best VPN for Torrenting guide.

BitTorrent protocol encryption

Some BitTorrent clients support BitTorrent protocol encryption. These include Transmission, qBitTorrent, and Vuze. It is a feature designed to hide the fact that you are torrenting from your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

VPNs also do this, as well as hiding your real IP address from other torrent users and anyone else watching on the internet. Furthermore:

Analysis of the BitTorrent protocol encryption has shown that statistical measurements of packet sizes and packet directions of the first 100 packets in a TCP session can be used to identify the obfuscated protocol with over 96% accuracy.

This means that even the most basic Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) techniques can determine that you are using BitTorrent. Now, it is true that DPI can also easily detect VPN use (unless obfuscated), but while there are many legitimate reasons to use a VPN, there is only one reason to use BitTorrent protocol encryption…

Using BitTorrent protocol encryption is therefore probably better than using nothing at all, but using a VPN provides much better protection while downloading.

How do I use a BitTorrent client?

One reason for the popularity of online streaming services (including via the use of Kodi boxes) is the perception that torrenting is a geeky pastime that requires technical know-how. In reality, however, torrenting is very easy:

1. Download and install a BitTorrent client from the list above.
2. (Optional but strongly recommended) Ensure you have a VPN running. This will bypass censorship of torrent sites, hide your IP from others you fileshare with, and hide your downloads from your ISP. Check out our VPN for Torrents guide for a list of recommended services.
3. Visit a BitTorrent website. These websites host links to torrent files. You can browse for content that interests you, or search for something specific. Many websites include user-reviews of torrents, which can help you pick good torrents.
4. When you have found the content you want, simply click on the torrent link or magnet link. The torrent will open in your BitTorrent client and begin downloading.
5. When the download is 100% completed, enjoy! Some BitTorrent clients have media-players built-in, but VLC will play pretty much any media file you can throw at it.

Seeding

BitTorrent is a decentralized file-sharing platform. In order for it to work, users share files with other users. This happens while you download a file, but it is considered good form to leave your BitTorrent client open after you have finished downloading a file in order to benefit other users.

This is called seeding, and it is considered good netiquette to seed to a ratio of at least 1:1 (i.e. upload the same amount of data you downloaded). Most BitTorrent clients will display the seed ratio of downloaded files.

Other Stuff

You don’t need to know much more about torrenting than the information provided above. If you ever wish to explore the subject further, however, this glossary is a good introduction to the jargon used.

Movie torrents, in particular, have a great deal of jargon associated with them. To make informed decisions about the content you plan to download, it is useful to familiarize yourself with it.

One thing to watch out for on public torrent sites is sponsored links. These are often prominently displayed and are deliberately designed to confuse. They typically point to either commercial direct download sites or Usenet services. Look for a link that specifically says 'Torrent” or 'Magnet Link.”

Find the best torrent sites

Findinf the best torrent sites can be quite difficult these days due to the blocks ISPs imposes on these websites. However, check out our best torrent sites article for a list of our favorite in 2021.

Conclusion

If anything, the torrenting crowd is over-served by great BitTorrent clients! Indeed, this top five list hardly even scrapes the surface of the many that are available. The fact that most of them are free and open source software (FOSS) warms the cockles of my heart!

With such a wealth of options available, I’m sure many of you will have a favorite that is not listed here. If so, do please write in to tell me and other readers why you think it is so great!

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Are you looking for some of the Best uTorrent Alternatives from where you can download torrent files to watch your favourite movie?

Well, you are the right place. This article by TechUntech team will give you a list of best utorrent alternatives in 2020.

uTorrent earlier was an open-source platform that allowed easy access to download movies and TV shows. uTorrent was taken over by BitTorrents, which locked most of the visuals. So, in order to watch your favorite visuals you will have to take its premium version. Else you can simply look for various alternatives to uTorrent.

Not all similar to uTorrent are the perfect ones, because there are clients that do not wait to put up malwares which could easily harm your device. Thus, the uTorrent alternatives that are listed below are absolutely free to access and analytically observed.

But,

Is torrenting legal or safe? Unless you download and watch movies sanctioned on any platform, it is safe and legal. However, not always you will be able to judge the legality of the content that you are watching. There might be chances that you get caught downloading illicitly.

So, if you want to enjoy stress-free,safe, and seamless video streaming experience, you must check out these best utorrent alternatives 2020 below.

List Of Best uTorrent Alternatives 2020

1. Transmission:

Transmission is an open-source cross platform, volunteer-based project. The user is free from toolbars, pop-up ads, flash ads, and other to enjoy seamless streaming. Its source code is available for everyone. Also, this BitTorrent client does not track its users data.

Transmission consists of a simple design with powerful functionality. With just a few clicks you can easily configure transmission’s advanced features like watch directories, bad peer blocklists, and web interface.

Many home device manufacturers ship transmission because it can get easily integrated with any kind of device. As a better version of uTorrents, transmission doesn’t need enough space in your PC due to its low memory footprint.

Few of its powerful features are encryption, web interface, peer exchange, magnet links, DHT, uTP, UPnP and NAT-PMP port forwarding, webseed support, tracker editing, global & per-torrent speed limits, and many more.

2. Vuze:

This Bittorrent client end-to-end software application provides users with all the torrent needs. Alike transmission, Vuze Bittorrent program maintains a lightweight footprint to consume minimum space of your CPU.

This utorrent alternative is easy to download and can automatically optimise torrent download speed. It supports all kinds of operating systems – from Windows to Mac to linux. Vuze has a free as well as paid version that gives you extensive features.

Vuze’s features are – accessibility to torrent bundles, integrated with meta search for content discovery, easy customization of library, remotely control through web as well as mobile, swarm discoveries, burn DVDs, built-in antivirus protection, and many more.

3. Deluge:

Another lightweight, cross platform free to access software, Deluge is an accurate alternative for uTorrent. This Bittorrent client is licensed under GNU GPLv3+ and adheres freedesktop standards enabling it to support all kinds of operating systems.

With a rich collection of plugins, you can extend the Deluge’s functionality. Its client server can easily standalone as a desktop application and even as a client server. Deluge contains some of the common features such as –

Top Torrent Clients 2020

Protocol encryption, Peer exchange (PEX), Local Peer Discovery, DHT, UPnP, NAT-PMP, Proxy support, Web seeds, global and per-torrent speed limits including libtorrent library.

4. Bitport.io:

Bitport allows you to download fast torrents to a secured online cloud. This utorrent alternative supports all platforms from Apple Tv to Chromecast to FTP to Android and apple devices.

Bitport.io is absolutely safe to port information, files from libraries to your operating system. With the help of an internet connection and cloud storage you can have access to your data anytime and anywhere.

Bitport do not ask for a browser to set up to run, using the same old browser you can easily download files with the blink of an eye. The files downloaded are checked by antivirus, NOD32.

You can register to a premium account that is protected with SSL certificate and to buy it you can use your bitcoins too.

5. Tixati:

Unlike many other pirated Bittorrent clients, Tixati boasts to offer a platform without any spyware or adware. You can easily install or uninstall the junk-free uTorrent alternative without adding any non-essential files, folder to your operating system.

Be it Windows 7,8 or 10, or Linux platform, Tixati supports all versions of these platforms. A new portable release has been made- Tixati v2.68 which is dynamic and powerful. This version can easily run on USB flash-drives or other media.

Tixati is an independent platform that does not require Java or .Net frameworks. Thus, contains configuration platform-neutral files in an executable folder which gets stored in an executable binary files.

Best Software Torrents

6. BitLord:

A versatile alternative to uTorrent where you can easily find audios, video, texts and games to play while downloading. BitLord collects torrents from all around the world to give you accurate results.

Access and create an easy playlist of your favorite audios and videos downloaded in this Bittorrent client. Reviews section allow you to check the users thoughts over the platform and also lets you share your thoughts too.

Bitlord is absolutely free to use based upon lots of open-source projects and depend upon LibTorrent open source library.

7. qBittorrent:

An open-source software with polished user interface, qBittorrent consists of a well-integrated and an extensible search engine to search your fav audios or videos. This extensive uTorrent similar software supports all platforms – Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, OS/2 and available in more than 70 languages.

qBittorrent allows ad-free streaming and sequential downloading. The software supports RSS feed, offers advanced download filter, remote control through web UI, bandwidth scheduler, and IP filtering.

qBittorrent supports many Bittorrent extensions like – DHT, PEX, LSD, private torrents, encrypted connections, Magnet links, IPv6 complaint, UPnPNAT-PMP port forwarding, torrent creation tool, and many more.

8. FrostWire:

Proclaimed as an easy and fast cloud downloader Bittorrent client that works same on all platforms – like Ubuntu, Windows, Mac, RPM, Android, and Java compatible operating system.

FrostWire allows you to access browse, download only the media that you want. Create your own playlists and listen to them even in your car using its built-in gesture-based audio player.

FrostWire app lets you search within your small screen with the help of creative common and free download files from different torrent search engines and cloud sources.

9. FileStream.me:

FileStream.me is a secure download manager and your private cloud storage. This brilliant alternative of utorrent lets you store audio, video and magnets within a blink of an eye. The software streams from more than 900 sites for accurate results so that you can stream or download your favorite visuals on local devices.

The best thing about this alternative is that it only needs your browser to run. The platform boasts to offer a speed of 1000GBPS in order to download any file/folder in a blink of an eye.

FileStream.me uses its own servers and internet thus, do not need to get connected to their services download files or any kind.

10. WebTorrent Desktop:

One of the best uTorrent alternatives of all, WebTorrent Desktop is a streaming torrent app. This similar software to Bittorrent client supports all operating systems.

WebTorrent Desktop acts as mediator between Bittorrent and WebTorrent peers. Whether it’s video from the Internet archive, music from creative commons, or audiobooks from librivox, you get it all with split seconds.

WebTorrent Desktop is an 100% open source, where its code is available on Github. You get ad free, lightweight, beautiful user experience from this software.

It’s fully featured and is based on the most comprehensive torrent package in Node.js so that you can fully enjoy instant audio and video streaming.

To Conclude:

Tell us which one do you think has outnumbered others to become the best uTorrent Alternative of 2020. Most of them are free to integrate and easy to download. They have their own servers for easy download of files into cloud storage.

However, most of them are compatible with all kinds of operating systems so that you can play your fav tracks or video anywhere anytime on any device.