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.
Sep 13, 2019 Since the uTorrent folks have decided to create an abominable travesty of a torrent client, if you are upgrading to Catalina (and are not going to use the new web app) which client do you plan to use? Looks like it'll be qBittorrent. I had thought I was going all-in with Transmission.
Torrent client for OS Catalina Beta. 12 points 9 months ago. Transmission, aka the best client ever. Original Poster 3 points 9 months ago. Worked beautifully!! 1 point 9 months ago. Either transmission or qbitorrent ia my goto apps for torrent. Best Torrent Downloader For Windows & MAC. Utorrent is one of the best torrent clients in all torrent downloader for Windows. It is also available for Mac, Linux, and Android. It is lightweight software with easy to use interface. Utorrent also has a free version and a pro version. Pro version is available for only $19.95 yearly.
Best torrent clients for Mac
Get a huge set of downloaders for your Mac. Best utilities in one pack, give it a go!
- These are 64-bit apps that work perfectly on Catalina. They are effective for downloading and uploading torrents, so you won’t even notice you switched to a new torrent client. The Best uTorrent Alternatives for macOS Catalina. Using a standalone app for torrents is convenient from many aspects.
- Since the uTorrent folks have decided to create an abominable travesty of a torrent client, if you are upgrading to Catalina (and are not going to use the new web app) which client do you plan to use? Looks like it'll be qBittorrent. I had thought I was going all-in with Transmission.
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?
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.
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:
- Use the top search bar to type in your keyword and hit Return
- Wait for all results to show up
- 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:
- Open the app and navigate to Malware Removal tab under Protection in the sidebar
- Click Scan and wait for the process to finish
- 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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µTorrent is an efficient and feature rich BitTorrent client for Windows sporting a very small footprint. It was designed to use as little cpu, memory and space as possible while offering all the functionality expected from advanced clients.
With BitTorrent, you can download files faster and contribute by sharing files and bandwidth.
Features:
- Multiple simultaneous downloads
- Configurable bandwidth scheduler
- Global and per-torrent speed limiting
- Quick-resumes interrupted transfers
- RSS Downloader
- Trackerless support (Mainline DHT)
Best Torrent Client For Catalina Os
Overview:
uTP is an alternative communication method for BitTorrent traffic that allows the client to automatically regulate its bandwidth usage to avoid adversely impacting your internet connection. This will allow you or other users on the network to download their torrents but still allow others on the network to function with little difference. This does not require any additional setup.
In addition, uTP in this version has added its own form of STUN, a method of getting incoming connections without direct connectivity to the Internet. This allows µTorrent to punch holes through routers and firewalls to increase connectivity and improve speeds. It is even possible to connect two firewalled peers through uTP's NAT traversal feature.
UDP trackers are a different protocol for tracker communication that uses significantly less processing power on the tracker end. It's important for us to support this because trackers have limited resources, so this should allow them to support many more users with their current hardware and not crash under the load.
The transfer cap settings were added in response to various users who have ISP-mandated caps on how much data they can download/upload in a month. Now you can track your usage in MB (with a handy graph to visualize it) and even configure µTorrent to stop torrenting once the limits are exceeded. Currently, you can configure the time interval, the data cap and whether it should stop based on only download, upload, or both combined.
What's New:
- Fix RSS refresh and startup problems
- Fixed reversion to standard after Plus expires
Software similar to uTorrent for Mac 3
Qbittorrent
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- 7 votesProtocol for distributing files. It identifies content by url and is designed to integrate seamlessly with the web.
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