10 Best Free Torrent Clients in 2024 (Fast and 100% Safe!)
With so many different torrent clients available, it’s hard to tell which one is a safe and reliable option. Plus, you need a VPN no matter which torrent client you use because there’s always a privacy risk. So, you might get exposed to cyber criminals if you aren’t careful.
To ensure your safety when downloading torrents, I’ve come across ten trustworthy, free torrent clients that you can utilize. Additionally, I’ve selected three excellent VPN options that offer high-speed performance during torrenting while also ensuring your complete anonymity.
The VPNs I’ve picked out mask your identity, encrypt your activity, and provide fast torrenting speeds. They’re all great, but I suggest that you get ExpressVPN for torrenting as it’s the best option. It’s even backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, you can fully test it and ask for a refund if you’re unsatisfied with its performance. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Safely Torrent With ExpressVPN
Short on Time? Here Are the 10 Free Best Torrent Clients in 2024
- qBittorrent — Lightweight, reliable, and highly intuitive with many useful features but doesn’t support plugins.
- BitTorrent — Feature-filled torrent client but comes with in-app ads.
- Vuze — Has a helpful built-in search engine but slows down system performance a bit.
- Deluge — Useful and lightweight torrent client but isn’t the most user-friendly option.
- BitLord — Long-standing torrent client with many useful features but has in-app ads.
- uTorrent — Wide range of customization options, but it comes with bundled software and ads.
- Tixati — Ad-free open-source torrent client but isn’t available on macOS.
- BiglyBt — Completely free of ads and unwanted third-party programs, but the interface feels outdated.
- Transmission — Easy to use ad-free open-source torrent client but doesn’t have many customization options.
- WebTorrent Desktop — Lightweight, open source, and completely ad-free, but it doesn’t work on iOS or Android.
Best Free and Safe Torrent Clients in 2024
1. qBittorrent
Works on | Windows, macOS, and Linux |
Price | Free |
Pros | Ad-free and open source |
Cons | Doesn’t support plugins like some other options |
qBittorrent is an ad-free and open-source torrent client. It isn’t the most complex or feature-rich option, but it effectively gets the job done and doesn’t significantly impact your system’s performance.
The interface is easy to navigate, and I like qBittorrent’s helpful search engine, which makes it easy to find any files I’m looking for quickly. Plus, qBittorrent offers various useful features like IP filtering, bandwidth scheduling, RSS feed support, media playback, torrent creation, and more.
Unlike some other torrent clients here, though, qBittorrent doesn’t support third-party plugins, so you can’t fully customize it to your liking. Also, it’s worthwhile to use ExpressVPN with qBittorrent to make sure that you stay anonymous and ensure others can’t track you from your torrenting activity.
Overall, qBittorrent is a reliable open-source torrent client. Also, it’s completely free and doesn’t come bundled with other unnecessary apps, so it’s a solid choice.
2. BitTorrent
Works on | Windows, macOS, and Android |
Price | Free, $4.95 (Ad-free), $19.95 (Pro), and $69.95 (Pro + VPN) |
Pros | Simple and intuitive interface |
Cons | Has ads |
BitTorrent not only runs uTorrent, but it also has its own torrent client. It’s similar to uTorrent in many ways, like the interface and pricing for the Pro offerings, but it has its share of unique features and is a reliable option nonetheless.
You’ll find many features in BitTorrent, like bandwidth limits, download/upload speed limits, a search function, IP filtering, and more. Its IP filtering is a useful feature that lets you control exactly which IP traffic runs through your network, thus providing some additional safety. Of course, it’s better for security if you get a reliable VPN instead, but this is still a helpful feature.
BitTorrent’s interface is simple and easy to navigate, but it has ads that clutter the space sometimes. However, it offers multiple paid offerings to get rid of the ads — such as the Ad-free, Pro, and Pro + VPN plan which includes a subscription to the P2P-friendly VPN CyberGhost.
3. Vuze
Works on | Windows |
Price | Free and $2.49/month (Vuze Plus) |
Pros | Feature-rich with lots of customization options |
Cons | Comes bundled with other apps and uses too many system resources sometimes |
Vuze is the torrent client I’d advise getting if you want the most feature-packed and customizable option. It’s not the easiest to master, but advanced users can take advantage of its wide variety of features in many ways.
I really appreciate Vuze’s high level of customization. It offers a wide range of adjustable settings, including download/upload speeds, bandwidth limits, and other options. Additionally, Vuze comes equipped with various features like IP filtering, magnet link support, and even a built-in search engine, making it an all-inclusive solution for our needs.
I wish to emphasize that Vuze isn’t designed as a lightweight torrent client. It has a substantial appetite for system resources, potentially causing performance lags. The free version of Vuze is accompanied by advertisements, but you do have the option to opt for the Vuze Plus plan, which guarantees an ad-free interface. Additionally, the Vuze Plus plan offers extra functionalities such as the ability to stream media during downloads. All in all, Vuze may not stand out as the most lightweight or user-friendly choice in this context; however, it certainly shines if you’re seeking a torrent client packed with features.
4. Deluge
Works on | Windows, macOS, and Linux |
Price | Free |
Pros | Lightweight and supports third-party plugins |
Cons | Isn’t the most beginner-friendly torrent client |
I consider Deluge a great torrent client for anyone who wants a simple, clean, and powerful torrent client. Not only is Deluge free and open source, but it also comes with a variety of useful features that you can use to customize your experience.
Deluge fully supports plugins, meaning you can customize and improve its functionality in many ways. Plus, you can set bandwidth limits, download/ upload speed limits, and more. You can also schedule downloads, set up IP blocking, and view detailed torrent stats. Of course, it’s important to highlight that all the features and plugins make Deluge a bit harder to learn if you’re unfamiliar with torrent clients.
What I like most about Deluge is that it’s free, doesn’t come bundled with other software, and doesn’t have any ads. So, while it may take time to master, it’s one of the best options on this list.
5. BitLord
Works on | Windows, macOS, and Android |
Price | Free |
Pros | User-friendly interface and built-in search engine |
Cons | Has in-app ads |
While BitLord isn’t the sleekest torrent client, it offers a fairly clean and easy-to-use interface that anyone can easily figure out. Plus, it has its share of useful features and customization options, so it stands out in a variety of ways and is worth checking out.
Among BitLord’s variety of features is a useful search engine that’ll help you quickly find anything you need. I also like that it automatically makes playlists of any media you download and keeps everything neatly ordered. Of course, it also lets you set bandwidth and speed limitations according to your preferences. BitLord even lets you stream while you download, which is something that Vuze only offers in its paid Plus plan.
BitLord is completely free to download and use. It isn’t open source and has its share of ads, but the ads are pretty minimal and don’t clutter the screen too much.
6. uTorrent
Works on | Windows, macOS, and Android |
Price | Free, $4.95 (Ad-free), and $19.95 (Pro), and $69.95 (Pro + VPN) |
Pros | Intuitive interface and doesn’t take up too many system resources |
Cons | Comes with various bundled apps and has in-app ads |
uTorrent is one of the oldest names in the torrenting space and is maintained by BitTorrent. This is a superb torrent client that’s proven its reliability over the years. Also, it’s easy to use, offers a great set of features, and is very lightweight.
I want to highlight that uTorrent comes bundled with various other software, but you can simply opt out of installing it during the setup. As far as its features are concerned, uTorrent lets you schedule downloads, set bandwidth and speed limitations, find torrents via the search function, and more.
uTorrent fully supports plugins, so you can enhance its capabilities even further if you’re an advanced user. Plus, it lets you stream torrents as they’re being downloaded. uTorrent has ads, but I learned that you can block in-app ads with PIA’s MACE ad blocker and enjoy a clutter-free experience. Overall, though, this is a solid torrent client that’s proven its reliability over the years.
7. Tixati
Works on | Windows and Linux |
Price | Free |
Pros | Completely ad-free, open source, and provides detailed data while torrenting |
Cons | Isn’t as feature-rich as some other offerings |
Tixati is a simple, effective, and highly reliable open-source torrent client. It may not be the most feature-packed offering on this list, but it provides everything you’d expect from a well-rounded torrent client.
When it comes to features, Tixati offers magnet link support, scheduling, intuitive drag-and-drop options, and even supports connection encryption. One of Tixati’s standout aspects is how much data it shows you while you’re torrenting. It provides full breakdowns of your torrent downloads that are far more detailed than what any other client shows. Alongside everything else, Tixati barely uses system resources, so you won’t notice any slowdowns while using it.
Tixati is completely free and doesn’t have any ads, either. So, overall, it’s a solid choice if you want an effective and well-rounded torrent client that checks every single box.
8. BiglyBT
Works on | Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android |
Price | Free |
Pros | Open source, ad-free, and fully supports plugins |
Cons | Interface looks somewhat outdated |
BiglyBT hasn’t been around as long as the other torrent clients on this list, but it’s a solid choice. Among its major highlights is the VPN detection feature, which helps you easily use a top-quality VPN with BiglyBT to mask your torrenting activity.
You’ll be quite pleased with BiglyBT when it comes to features. You can easily search for torrents, subscribe to RSS feeds, leave ratings and comments, and even participate in anonymous chats. Plus, its settings menu lets you set bandwidth and speed limitations.
BiglyBT also comes with full support for plugins that you can use to enhance its functionality or further customize it to your liking.
Overall, while it might not have the cleanest interface, BiglyBT is a solid torrent client that’ll meet most people’s needs.
9. Transmission
Works on | Windows, macOS, and Linux |
Price | Free |
Pros | Open source and offers an easy-to-use interface |
Cons | Lack of customization options |
Transmission is a torrent client that focuses on simplicity and ease of use. It’s a great way to get started if you haven’t downloaded torrents before and want an intuitive and reliable torrent client that’ll always get the job done.
What I like about Transmission is how easy it is to navigate, even for complete newcomers. The interface is clean and neatly presented, and the settings are all easy to navigate through and configure as well. Also, Transmission lets you adjust all the usual settings like bandwidth limits, peer limits, speed limits, and more. There are also different add-ons that you can get for added functionality, but these aren’t officially supported, and I found that they aren’t that useful.
Something you’ll be quite pleased with when using Transmission is that it’s completely ad-free. Plus, it’s open source which gives me a lot of additional confidence in it. Of course, it doesn’t offer some of the advanced features you’d get in clients like Vuze, but it’ll rarely let you down.
10. WebTorrent Desktop
Works on | Windows, macOS, and Linux |
Price | Free |
Pros | Lightweight, intuitive, and open source |
Cons | Focuses too much on streaming media and isn’t as feature-rich |
WebTorrent Desktop is among the more unique torrent clients on this list. What makes this client stand out is the fact that it’s mainly designed for streaming media, which it’s great at. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer many other features that you’d find in a well-rounded torrent client.
One of WebTorrent Desktop’s most useful features is that it lets you stream your torrents directly as they download. I also like that it suggests various torrents that you can download and stream as soon as you open the app. Some of its other features include drag-and-drop functionality, peer discovery, and full support for magnet links. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer many other controls. Its settings are very limited, there aren’t as many customization options, and it simply isn’t as powerful as some clients like Vuze.
WebTorrent Desktop is open source and has no in-app ads, which I like a lot. Plus, since it isn’t as feature-rich, it’s very lightweight, and you’ll never experience slowdowns. While this client might not meet everyone’s needs, WebTorrent Desktop is a solid choice for anyone who wants a streaming-focused torrent client.
Tips for Choosing the Best Torrent Client
Not all torrent clients are created equal, so it’s important to pick one with all the necessary features and perfectly fits your needs. The following are the key factors I looked at when picking the best torrent clients:
- Ease of use — The best torrent clients come with intuitive designs that make them easy to use, even if you haven’t downloaded torrents before.
- Customization options — I always prefer torrent clients with customization options because this lets you fine-tune them to your preferences.
- Device compatibility — Any high-end torrent client is available on various devices, from Windows to Android.
- Impact on system performance — I only look for torrent clients that don’t significantly slow down my system’s performance.
- Variety of features — I prioritize torrent clients with useful features like scheduling downloads, support for magnet links, IP blocklisting, and more.
Why You Need a VPN When Using a Torrent Client
A VPN masks your identifying information and keeps you safe while downloading torrents. Downloading torrents is a privacy risk because you can expose identifying information like your IP address to cyber criminals online. If your information is leaked, malicious third parties might track your location or target you with attacks.
VPNs also help you get around throttling for the fastest possible download speeds. Some ISPs can throttle torrent download speeds, but a VPN circumvents this by hiding the fact that you’re downloading torrents.
So, while it’s important to get a safe and reliable torrent client, it’s also crucial to get a top VPN like ExpressVPN to safeguard yourself.
The Best VPNs for Torrenting in 2024
1. ExpressVPN — Airtight Encryption and Lightning-Fast Speeds for Secure and Quick Torrenting
Key Features:
- Industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption safeguards your online activity
- Offers a large network of 3,000 servers, each of which supports torrenting and delivers fast download speeds
- No bandwidth caps meaning you can download as many torrents as you want to
- Strict no-logs policy, so none of your activity is stored on its servers
- 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN’s lightning-fast speeds and airtight security make it one of the best VPNs for torrenting. All of its 3,000 servers support P2P, meaning you can easily use ExpressVPN to download torrents while staying safe. Plus, since its servers are available in 105 countries, you should have no trouble finding one close to you that’ll provide great download speeds.
During tests, ExpressVPN’s download speeds remained consistently impressive. I downloaded Captain Kidd from the public domain, and my speeds remained close to that of my base connection with just a 10-15% decrease. Although, keep in mind that your speeds may vary depending on how many seeders a torrent has.
You’ll find that this is one of the best VPNs when it comes to security. ExpressVPN offers a variety of features to keep you safe and secure while torrenting, such as the following:
- AES 256-bit encryption — Impenetrable industry-standard encryption that’ll safeguard you online.
- No-logs policy — Makes sure that none of your online activity is ever stored.
- DNS leak protection — Ensures that any identifying information about you isn’t leaked online.
- Kill switch — Disconnects you from the internet to keep you anonymous if the VPN connection drops.
ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology guarantees that your browsing activity or logs are never stored. These RAM-based servers lose all their logs and data after every reboot, meaning there’s nothing left for third parties to learn about your torrenting activity.
Other useful ExpressVPN features include split tunneling, which lets you decide which apps should run their traffic through the VPN’s network. Split tunneling is great for when you want to download torrents safely but want to surf the web without a VPN to access local websites like banking portals.
ExpressVPN offers multiple plans like its monthly, 6-month, and yearly offerings. You can subscribe to it for as low as $4.99/month, and I advise getting the 2-year + 4 months free plan as it delivers the best value. Also, you can try ExpressVPN completely risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you’ll have a long time to test it. If you’re unsatisfied with its performance at any time, you can easily get a refund. I tested the guarantee myself and asked for a refund via live chat, which was approved within minutes. I received the refund in my account within the same week.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
ExpressVPN works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Nvidia Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TVs, smart TVs, routers, and more.
ExpressVPN also works with: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Peacock, Discovery+, Showtime, BBC iPlayer, BritBox, Starz, Crunchyroll, fuboTV, Sling TV, DirecTV, YouTube TV, Kodi, and more.
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2. CyberGhost — Comes With P2P-Optimized Servers for Fast Torrent Downloads
Key Features:
- Keeps you safe online with military-grade AES 256-bit encryption
- Provides several P2P-optimized servers that deliver superfast download speeds
- Has a strict no-logs policy, meaning none of your activity is stored or monitored
- Provides a useful ad-blocking feature to improve your torrenting experience
- 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost’s P2P-optimized servers make it one of the best VPNs for torrenting. It has a vast network of over 11,670 servers, with P2P-optimized servers in over 70 different locations. The variety of locations means you can easily find a P2P-focused server that’s close by and get fast download speeds.
I tested CyberGhost’s P2P-optimized servers and was impressed with the download speeds. When downloading Captain Kidd, I got similar but slightly reduced speeds compared to my connection with ExpressVPN.
Privacy is always a risk while downloading torrents, but CyberGhost offers a variety of security and privacy-focused features to keep you safe. These include the following:
- AES 256-bit encryption — Safeguards your online activity from prying eyes.
- DNS leak protection — Protects you by ensuring that any identifying information like your IP address isn’t leaked.
- Kill switch — Kills the internet connection to keep you anonymous if the VPN connection drops.
- No-logs policy — Independently audited no-logs policy that guarantees none of your information is logged while using CyberGhost.
One of CyberGhost’s most useful features for torrenting is the built-in adblock tool. Many free torrent clients have in-app ads, but CyberGhost successfully blocks these ads and reduces clutter from the interface. You can simply toggle it on from the settings menu, and it’ll take care of the rest for you. Alongside this, you also get split tunneling, which is useful if you only want your torrenting traffic to go through the VPN.
I also found CyberGhost to be quite affordable. It currently offers monthly, 6-month, and 3-year plans, each of which is priced well. Your best bet is to get the 2-year + 4 months plan — at just $2.03/month, it’s the best value for your money.
CyberGhost has a 45-day money-back guarantee, the longest of any VPN on this list. So, you can try CyberGhost completely risk-free for over a month and request a refund if you aren’t satisfied with its performance. My experience getting a refund was quite easy — I asked for one over live chat, and it was approved immediately. Afterward, I got my money back during the same week.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
CyberGhost works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Firefox, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.
CyberGhost also works with: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Peacock, Discovery+, BBC iPlayer, Canal+, Globo, Crunchyroll, Yle, Foxtel, fuboTV, YouTube TV, Kodi, and more.
Get Black Friday Deal and Cyber Monday Deal from CyberGhost! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as $2.03 per month + get an extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 84%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Delivers Smoother and Safer Torrenting With Its Built-in MACE Ad and Tracker Blocker
Key Features:
- Offers top-tier AES 256-bit encryption so you can be safe while torrenting
- Built-in MACE ad and tracker blocker provides extra privacy while also removing ads
- Has a vast network of 35,000+ servers, all of which support P2P traffic for torrenting
- A strict no-logs policy ensures none of your browsing activity is stored
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Private Internet Access (PIA) has a vast network of 35,000+ servers in 91 countries and each server fully supports P2P traffic. Plus, it offers an ad and tracker blocker and is the only VPN here with in-app port forwarding, so it’s a solid choice if you’re looking to keep your seeding ratio up.
I tested PIA’s servers for torrenting and was impressed with their fast speeds I experienced similar speeds to that of CyberGhost. Again, these speeds will fluctuate depending on seeders and the quality of the torrent site you’re using.
There’s a built-in ad and tracker blocker in PIA called MACE, which I found quite useful. uTorrent displays multiple ads, but none of them showed up when I had MACE enabled. Plus, it blocks ads on websites as well, so it’ll improve both your torrenting and browsing experience.
PIA is also solid as far as security and privacy are concerned thanks to its useful array of features such as:
- AES 256-bit encryption — Military-grade encryption that secures your activity.
- Kill switch — Protects your anonymity by disconnecting you from the internet if the VPN connection fails.
- No-logs policy — Never store any of your browsing or torrenting data.
- DNS leak protection — Prevents identifying information like your IP address from leaking online.
Private Internet Access is the only VPN on this list with in-app port forwarding. Enhancing torrent download speeds is made simple through a single toggle in PIA, allowing you to enable port forwarding. Although it’s worth noting that certain servers may not offer this feature, they become accessible when you activate port forwarding. Alongside this, you’ll also get other useful features like split tunneling.
If you want an affordable monthly VPN, you’ll like PIA a lot as it offers well-priced monthly, 6-month, and 2-year plans. I advise getting the 2-year + 4 months plan, as it provides the best value with a 83% discount.
There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can try Private Internet Access completely risk-free. I tested this guarantee by asking for a refund over live chat, which was processed in seconds. Afterward, I received the money in my account in 4 days.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
PIA works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, routers, and more.
PIA also works with: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Showtime, Discovery+, Canal+, Crunchyroll, Yle, Vudu, UKTV, 9Now, CBC, YouTube TV, and more.
Get PIA's Black Friday Deal! You can subscribe to PIA for as low as 2.03$ per month + get an extra 4 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 83%)! This is a limited offer, so grab it now before it's gone! See more information on this offer here!
FAQs on Torrent Clients and Torrenting
Is using a torrent client legal?
Yes, using a torrent client to download torrents is legal as long as you download files in the public domain. However, it’s important to note that sharing pirated or copyrighted content is illegal in most locations.
Every country has its own laws, so I recommend checking your local torrenting laws before downloading any files. My team and I don’t condone illegal activity, so you should only download files in the public domain.
Are torrent clients safe to use?
What is the best torrent client for a Mac?
Which torrent client is the fastest?
Can I get a virus from a torrent client?
Is there a torrent client for iOS or Android?
Are there any torrent clients with built-in VPNs?
Can I use a free VPN for torrenting?
Start Torrenting With a VPN and a Free Torrent Client Today!
In conclusion, it’s clear that even the most secure and reliable torrent clients have risks you can’t overlook. While I’ve found multiple safe free torrent clients you can use, it’s important to use a reliable VPN with them to stay safe.
A top VPN lets you fully encrypt your activity and remain completely anonymous while torrenting. All of the VPNs on this list effectively keep you safe and anonymous, but I advise that you get ExpressVPN for torrenting because of its top-of-the-line speeds, security, and privacy-focused features. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it as much as you want. If you’re unhappy with its performance, you can claim a refund via live chat in minutes.
Summary Table: The Best VPNs for Torrenting in 2024
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: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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