Torrent, named after BitTorrent, is a file sharing protocol which allows files to be fragmented and downloaded from multiple sources called peers. Although the word “torrent” has been long associated with illegal piracy and forbidden files, the torrent file itself is simply an instruction set of where to find those file fragments, so they can come together to form a whole. All the fragments are hosted by other computer users connected to the torrent network, such as yourself.

Best torrent clients for Mac

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It might sound complicated, but peer-to-peer is actually a very smart and efficient way to share files that don’t rely on single servers or private storage. Mac Torrents are no different to their PC or Linux counterparts. The only thing that isn’t the same is the choice of torrent clients themselves.

What is a Mac torrent Client?

Jun 10, 2020. Ubuntu packages. QBittorrent is now available in official Ubuntu repositories since v9.04 'Jaunty'. More up-to-date packages are published on our stable and unstable PPAs. The stable PPA supports Ubuntu 14.04 LTS (only the libtorrent-rasterbar package), 16.04 LTS, 17.04, 17.10 and 18.04 LTS. The unstable PPA supports Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, 17.04, 17.10 and 18.04 LTS.

Jul 23, 2020.

As torrents became popular, the stigma around their use was diminished. Users worldwide were surprised at how quickly they could download files without experiencing the paywall or slowdown of traditional file-sharing systems.

To start downloading files through torrent, you just need to download and install a torrent client (software). The torrent client will then follow the instructions given in the torrent file to complete your download. Think of it like a download manager, specifically built for torrent files.

Torrent Mac clients come in different shapes and sizes, but all ultimately do the same thing — download files (called leeching) or upload files (called seeding). The right torrent client for you depends on your needs. You can opt for small and simple, or look for something more complex boasting advanced features. Downloading and installing a torrent client isn’t illegal per se, but all users should be wary of some nuances.

Is a torrent downloader for Mac legal?

Although torrents have historically been seen as illegal file-sharing systems, they are not inherently illegal at all. Torrent clients have many legitimate uses, including the sharing of open-source software or publically available files. The advantage of using a torrent client in these situations is potentially faster download speeds, especially if you use the best torrent downloader available.

Assuming the files you’re downloading aren’t subject to copyright or distribution laws, there should be no cause for concern. Conversely, if you’re using the torrent client to download files that you’d normally have to pay for, you may be breaching legislation, depending on the jurisdiction you reside in.

What to look for in a torrent Mac client

When it comes to reviewing a torrent downloader for Mac, there are a few considerations to take into account. At a high level, a basic user who runs the torrent client to download files infrequently will be happy with the most basic, lightweight app, and they don’t necessarily need the best torrent software. Those who wish to contribute and share their own files, or spend a lot of time downloading and uploading, might want to enjoy some of the advanced features available. For example:

• Bandwidth limiters allow you to throttle your download or upload speed to ensure your internet connection remains available for other tasks, or to ensure you don’t use all of your internet data.
• Magnet URI functionality lets you begin your Mac torrent download from a link rather than physically downloading a torrent file first.
• Encryption helps to mask the torrent activity to throw off your ISP monitoring and enjoy full-speed downloads in the case of ISP throttling.
• Superseeding enables you to become an uploader much faster after a download, but carries a risk of failing the upload if there’s only one downloader on the other end.
• Pricing can either turn on some advanced features, extra security, and ensure no advertising, or offer you a basic torrent client for free.

As you can see, most of the features separating various torrent clients are generally of a more pro-level nature. For the majority of basic users, they are less important than the look and feel of the torrent app. So what’s the best torrent client for Mac? Let’s dive into the pros and cons of the most popular Mac torrent clients so you know where to pull the trigger.

BitTorrent and uTorrent

BitTorrent for Mac is one of the original torrent clients designed to implement the BitTorrent protocol. It comes with the advantage of many years of experience and updates under the hood.

Strangely, BitTorrent also owns and operates uTorrent, another leading client. At face value, they are essentially the exact same software, right down to the user interface.

The key difference between the two apps is that BitTorrent for Mac only releases stable, tested versions, whereas uTorrent releases alpha and beta versions for those who wish to test out the latest features before everyone else. The early releases can beg the question: Is uTorrent safe? When it comes to subscribing to alpha and beta builds, it’s a matter of buyer beware — best for advanced users.

Bittorrent Client Mac

Another key difference is that uTorrent is slightly smaller than BitTorrent, and therefore easier to launch and less taxing when running a Mac torrent download.

Generally speaking, uTorrent still might be the better option for basic users who download torrents infrequently, simply because of its simplicity and lightweight build. Just hope those betas are stable enough!

Pros:

• Small and lightweight
• Ability to schedule downloads
• Long history of reliable updates

Cons:

• Contains ads (!)
• Both clients are susceptible to some security issues

Vuze and Vuze Plus torrent for Mac

If BitTorrent and uTorrent are the small, lightweight clients that get the job done — Vuze is created for the more advanced user who wishes to enjoy extended functionality.

The key difference here is the ability to add plugins for new features. Vuze comes in two versions. The first is Vuze Leap and the second Vuze Plus, which is essentially the same except for professional virus protection and the ability to preview files as they are downloading. Vuze Plus is also a paid client with all ads removed.

Vuze in general is likely a more suitable candidate for tech-savvy users who wish to take full advantage of the expandable plugin functionality. When set up correctly, it can be a top candidate for the best torrent downloader for Mac.

Pros:

• Expandable functionality through plugins
• Simple interface that borrows from the best
• Vuze Plus features added security

Cons

• Contains banner ads unless in paid version
• Two versions can lead to confusion

Folx Pro – the best torrent client for Mac?

Folx Pro is a paid torrent client, which means there are no ads and it comes with some great security measures right out of the box. Folx covers all of the basic features you would want in a torrent client, including scheduling. You can even search for new torrent files to download from within the client, instead of having to browse the web.

Additionally, Mac users will appreciate the look, which takes after macOS and feels right at home. The interface is beautifully simple — refreshing after the added visual noise of competing Mac torrent clients.

Downloading with Folx Pro is thus even simpler than with other apps:

1. Use the top search bar to type in your keyword and hit Return
2. Wait for all results to show up
3. Choose the appropriate file and click Download on the right-hand side

Pros:

• No ads whatsoever
• Built-in security measures
• macOS-inspired design

Cons

• Paid version only

Maintain your security at all times

One of the most important considerations to keep in mind when downloading torrent files is the risk of viruses or malware. Because there’s no single owner or distributor of the file at hand, it’s very easy to upload malicious files and escape the liability or consequences of doing so. Often, hackers will hide malicious software or scripts in popular torrent files. In these cases, it’s best to try to download torrent files that are distributed from a trustworthy source. Additionally, the best torrent software should come bundled with some security measures.

In any case, it’s a good idea to always scan your Mac for viruses. Thankfully, there’s an easy to use app called CleanMyMac X which will not only scan your system and quarantine malicious files but also optimize your Mac and help you properly configure your privacy settin

To quickly check your computer after every torrent download with CleanMyMac X:

1. Open the app and navigate to Malware Removal tab under Protection in the sidebar
2. Click Scan and wait for the process to finish
3. Remove any malware found

Now that you know what Mac torrent clients are and some of the features to look for, you’re ready to get started with your unlimited file sharing. It’s recommended that you lean on the side of caution though, so a paid torrent client is your best bet.

Thankfully, you can try both Folx Pro torrent app and CleanMyMac X virus scanner for free during a seven-day trial with Setapp — a subscription service for Mac that grants you access to more than 150 indispensable apps to enrich your digital life. What are you planning to download now?

Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.

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Downloads

Public Key for PGP Signing

Starting from v3.3.4 all source tarballs and binaries are signed.

The key currently used is: 4096R/5B7CC9A2
Fingerprint: D8F3DA77AAC6741053599C136E4A2D025B7CC9A2
You can also download it from here

Previously the following key was used to sign the v3.3.4 source tarballs and v3.3.4 Windows installer only: 4096R/520EC6F6
Fingerprint: F4A5FD201B117B1C2AB590E2A1ACCAE4520EC6F6

Windows 7 / 8 / 10

Current stable version: qBittorrent v4.3.0.1

Download link: 32-bit & 64-bit installers / PGP signature (FossHub)
_{Mirror link: 32-bit installer / PGP signature (SourceForge)
Mirror link: 64-bit installer / PGP signature (SourceForge)}

Checksum	SHA2-256
32-bit installer	ae0c531cc8f868a7c11abd5e25c19a4f3e7562255ae0bbf79d72d6029e8bf3db
64-bit installer	bb28f60f33d0ed0acb4c7f665077f8531e40649d2d0cf3c3d1043627cf99c480
Library	Version
libtorrent-rasterbar	1.2.10+gitc2f001a63b
Qt	5.15.1
Boost	1.74.0

Torrent Downloader For Mac

High Sierra / Mojave / Catalina

Current stable version: qBittorrent v4.3.0
May work on older macOS versions. If not, recompile with older Qt version.

Download link: DMG / PGP signature (FossHub)
_{Mirror link: DMG / PGP signature (SourceForge)}

Checksum	SHA2-256
DMG	61f70ff9cff748a3f6c02a88d4680fcaceff5d5d1d4e0e2e89380c7f60d8f227
Library	Version
libtorrent-rasterbar	1.2.10+git3d48e7d056
Qt	5.15.1
Boost	1.73.0

Source Tarball

Current version: qBittorrent v4.3.0.1

Download link: TAR.GZ / PGP signature (SourceForge)
Download link: TAR.XZ / PGP signature (SourceForge)

Compile instructions over here.

Checksum	SHA2-256
TAR.GZ	fd9a2fbaa1491149a95cd79366e6728fb3fabafb768e51d1748730f2023cafe4
TAR.XZ	30a4bf23e92accf93bb840c96518358a4da836427713f0cc13db4a3f9a612220
Dependency	Recommended version
libtorrent-rasterbar	1.2 branch latest release
Qt	Latest stable release
Boost	Latest stable release
OpenSSL	1.1 branch latest release
zlib	Latest stable release
Python (optional, runtime only)	Versions later than 3.3.0

Mac Torrent Client Reddit

Other Binary Packages

Select operating system:

Ubuntu packages

qBittorrent is now available in official Ubuntu repositories since v9.04 'Jaunty'.

More up-to-date packages are published on our stable and unstable PPAs.
The stable PPA supports Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (only the libtorrent-rasterbar package), 18.04 LTS, 18.10, 19.10 and 20.04 LTS.
The unstable PPA supports Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, 18.04 LTS, 19.04, 19.10 and 20.04 LTS.

Quick instructions

To use these PPAs please use the following command and make sure your version is supported:

Then install qBittorrent by doing this:

Debian packages

qBittorrent and libtorrent-rasterbar are now officially included in Debian. Packages are maintained by Cristian Greco. See this page for more information.

Mandriva Linux packages

qBittorrent is currently officially included in Mandriva Cooker. You can find more information here.

Mageia packages

qBittorrent is currently packaged in the Mageia official repositories. It is packaged by Ahmad Samir. To install it, make sure the online repositories are configured correctly then install it either:

• As root from terminal: 'urpmi qbittorrent' OR
• Using rpmdrake (aka 'Install & remove software')

OpenSuse packages

qBittorrent has been in the OpenSuse official repository since v11.3.
One-click install here.

Fedora packages

qBittorrent is officially packaged on Fedora. RPM packages are maintained by Leigh Scott.

See this page for more information.

Slackware scripts

qBittorrent is available for Slackware through slackbuilds.org. The slackbuild script is maintained by David Woodfall. See this page for more information.

Eric Hameleers is also maintaining binary packages for slackware. Those are available there.

Alt Linux packages

qBittorrent is officially packaged on Alt Linux. These packages are maintained by Alexey Morsov. Packages are available here. To install, simply type the following commands:

blackPanther OS packages

qBittorrent is officially shipped on blackPanther OS CD as the default Bittorrent client. RPM packages are available here.

These packages are maintained by Charles Barcza.

FreeBSD packages

qBittorrent is officially packaged for FreeBSD.
More information about the port can he found here.
To install qBittorrent, you should issue the following commands:

Haiku port

qBittorrent is available in HaikuDepot.

You can download it from here.

Pardus packages

Best Mac Torrent Clients 2019

qBittorrent is officially available on Pardus via the contrib repository. These packages are maintained by H. İbrahim Güngör. Packages are available here.
To install, simply type the following command:

Mac Torrent Clients

qBittorrent is available on eComStation (OS/2) via this download page.

This package is maintained by Silvan Scherrer.

Torrent Client For Mac Reddit

Old Release Archive