6 Best Torrent Clients For BitTorrent Downloads

BitTorrent is an Internet protocol that was developed by Bram Cohen in 2001. It is optimized for downloading large files from multiple sources (users) at the same time. In BitTorrent lingo, these users are called “peers.” By choosing a so-called torrent client (program) that efficiently knows how to leverage the protocol while maintaining your personal privacy, you will be able to download movies, music, and software rapidly and safely.

1. uTorrent - By far the most popular torrent client currently. uTorrent became famous in part because the program is so amazingly small at less than 1mb at installation, and uses so little of your computer’s memory and processor. It supports prioritization, DHT (tracker-less) connections, encryption (privacy), RSS feed downloads (automatic), and remote-control download via web-based GUI and/or their Facebook application.

2. Vuze - Formerly known as Azureus, this torrent client was king before uTorrent came along, at least among nerds. Because its built on a Java platform, Vuze can run on pretty much any operating system. It actually supports all the features listed above that uTorrent supports, but it uses much more memory and processor while running. It continues to be optimized however, so be sure to check out Vuze also. For the record, both uTorrent and Vuze both also have an internal tracker and support super-seeding which make them the best choices for seeding. FrostWire is a newer client that is now based on Azureus technology as well, but it is a bulkier p2p client that is built to also support the Gnutella network.

3. BitTorrent - Originally coded by Bram Cohen himself, the BitTorrent client used to be a bit minimal. However in recent years, especially after BitTorrent Inc. bought out the uTorrent client from programmer Ludvig Strigeus, this client just keeps getting better. In fact, in recent versions, the cornerstone of its code is claimed to based on uTorrent. It now supports DHT, RSS feed downloads, encryption, and the works. However, it is a bit disturbing that a company that actively cooperates with the RIAA and MPAA is now in control of two of the top torrent clients. In both of these clients, be sure to disable “send statistical data back to BitTorrent Inc.”

4. BitSpirit - This client has been quietly becoming awesome. BitSpirit now supports all major features including DHT, encryption, download previews, magnet links, scheduled tasks, and more. It doesn’t seem to support RSS feeds yet, however, if this application continues in development it is sure to rise up this list in future years.

5. Halite - This no-frills torrent client is not very well known, but its extremely simple interface and sufficient user preferences don’t get any easier than this. Not only is it a tiny, efficient program, but it also supports encryption, while other somewhat popular small clients like XBT don’t. Halite and XBT also don’t support RSS feed downloading, but for the basics, Halite is pretty darn reliable for not being regularly updated.

6. BitComet - This client used to be one of the most popular, but after some backlash from private trackers for ignoring “private torrent” flags it started to lose its fanbase (although it now obeys the flags). Additionally, BitComet has began “spamming” up its client in recent years with ads and other annoying features, but at least it supports DHT, encryption, and most other modern features. BitLord is based on BitComet, and has an internal search engine mostly suited to adult content, for certain fans out there.

ABC and BitTornado are two additional clients that used to be somewhat popular. However neither of them support encryption yet, which disqualified them from this list. They are far behind the times it seems, yet still seem to hold onto some market share somehow.

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