Best Torrent Client for Mac In 2024 [Top List]

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Updated on: August 22, 2024
Time to read: 23 minutes

Downloading and managing torrent files can be easy if you have a powerful Mac torrent client. In this article, we will review the best torrent managers for Mac with their special features, pros, and cons.

Torrent is a unique service for exchanging torrent files between users of the Internet via a peer-to-peer protocol (P2P) at high speed, requiring a good torrent client. Unfortunately, Mac users faced difficulties in finding a working Mac torrent client with the release of the latest macOS versions, as several of them stopped working.

Luckily, there are many powerful torrent client Mac software that continues working and performing their tasks. Take a look at our list of top torrent clients, and hopefully, it will help you choose your best torrent client for Mac.

Content List:
Users situation:
What apps for downloading torrents are you using? On my Windows machine I used to use uTorrent. Then I bought a Macbook and I didn't need such software anymore. now I'd need such an app and am looking for suggestions.
— Reddit

Folx Torrent Client for Mac Is Your Top Choice

At the top of our list of the best Mac BitTorrent clients is Folx, and right now it’s the only torrent client that’s fully compatible with the latest macOS version. With Folx you can quickly and easily download torrent files, adjust download and upload speed, set priority, and tag downloads, making it easier to find downloaded content.

Using Folx as your BitTorrent for Mac client, you can download everything: from movies and TV shows to music and more. Folx supports direct download from trackers as well as magnet links, which makes downloading and sharing BitTorrent content easier.

If you're searching for the best torrenting experience, try Folx – a free torrent client for Mac computers

[Play videos downloaded from torrent sites with Elmedia Player – a free video player with multiple formats support.]

PRO Version Features

The PRO version of this top torrent client Mac lets you search for torrent content directly from the app, so there is no need to browse through multiple torrent websites. Just enter a search word in Folx, and it will go through the vast list of torrent trackers and display the relevant results. You can find a detailed comparison of free and PRO versions of Folx here.

Learn how to download torrent files on your Mac

Pros

  • Download scheduling
  • Built-in torrent search
  • Ad-free torrent for Mac client
  • An intuitive and neat UI
  • Highly customizable
  • Create and share torrents
  • Handles large numbers of torrent files
  • Local peer discovery

Cons

  • Built-in torrent search only in paid version
  • Not as lightweight as some other apps

Supported OS: Mac

Price: free, Upgrade is available for $19.95/1 Mac or $39.95/2 Macs

User rating: 4.2/5 on CNET

Conclusion: Folx is a powerful torrent client Mac that’s one of the best options available for Mac. It supports magnet links, offers download scheduling, and features multi-threading for faster downloads. The built-in search function lets you search for torrents right in the client, and there’s a choice of regular or PRO edition. The app is only compatible with Mac operating systems, and you’ll need to upgrade to PRO to take advantage of most features.

Alternatives to the Best Torrent Downloader for Mac

Top features Folx PRO qBittorrent uTorrent Desktop uTorrent Web WebTorrent Desktop Transmission BitTorrent Desktop BitTorrent Web Vuze Deluge BitLord FrostWire Free Download Manager
Prioritizing
Speed control
Deep tuning
Magnet links
Torrent search limited limited limited
Torrent files creation
Smart tagging
Apple Music integration
Regular downloads
Native interface
macOS 10.15+
Price $19.95 free $19.95/year free free free free free $47.88/year free free free free
Please Note! Working with torrents is easy; however, it has some nuances you should take into consideration. The most vividly common ones are torrent websites being blocked in your country and a termination letter from your Internet provider cutting you off the web. Being caught torrenting can happen to almost any user, and the consequences can be huge. That’s why, while torrenting, it is highly recommended to connect to a VPN.

qBittorrent

The fact that qBittorrent doesn’t have any ads makes it nearly the best torrent client for Mac. Nobody wants to use a downloading program that has endless adverts that keep popping up. By giving you the freedom to download movies, games, and TV shows without the unnecessary additions, this torrent download Mac app allows you to finish your downloads fast, saving you time and money.

No wonder most users consider it to be the top torrent app for Mac. What is more, it can easily be used on a wide range of platforms.

The app also supports the latest macOS versions. Please don’t hesitate to share your experience of using qBittorrent on new versions in the comment section below.

qBittorrent - one of the best torrent client for Mac

Pros

  • Built-in torrent search on many trackers at a time
  • User-friendly interface
  • No ads in this Mac torrent download client
  • Lightweight installer

Cons

  • Torrent downloads sometimes freeze
  • Consumes too much RAM at times
  • Doesn't handle large numbers of torrents very well

Supported OS: Mac, Windows, Linux

Price: free

User rating: 4.5/5 on CNET

Conclusion: qBittorrent’s familiar interface makes it one of the best torrent clients available for Mac. It’s easy to use, free, and open-source, yet it’s packed with features. It supports torrent files magnet links, has its own built-in search, and offers download prioritization. It’s generally pretty safe to use, but be aware that it can be prone to viruses and bugs, as it’s open-source software.

uTorrent

uTorrent is a lightweight app, and the installer is small in size. It can search for torrent files right from the app, and one can prioritize ongoing downloads. uTorrent can be a portable downloader if saved to a USB stick. It’s quite fast, so the downloads won’t influence your online presence.

uTorrent provides DHT support. DHT network is enabled in uTorrent settings by default, which means the client can work even if there is no tracker. The app allows you to manage your torrents by using scripting, automation, remote control, and other features. You get access to a wide collection of fresh new videos, movies, and music from any device, be it a PC, smartphone, or TV. If you think of the best torrent clients, uTorrent is surely on this list.

Torrent client for Mac with intuitive interface, and wealth of features - uTorrent

Pros

  • Scheduling options
  • Free version is available and enough for most
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • No built-in torrent search
  • Free app includes ads
  • Free installer will try to push other installations

UPD: The desktop app for Mac doesn’t support the latest Mac operating systems, so you should look for a uTorrent alternative Mac or switch to a web version. You can choose suitable uTorrent alternative from our list. Switch to the web version or choose a suitable uTorrent alternative from our list. Web version will have to be updated constantly in order to keep using it on macOS 10.15 and newer.

Supported OS: Mac, Windows, Linux

Price: free, Pro version costs $19.95

User rating: 4/5 on CNET

Conclusion: uTorrent download Mac app is one of the most popular torrent clients, with its intuitive interface and wealth of features. It offers speed and bandwidth caps, remote download management via its own Android app, and RSS Feeds. You can opt for the free version or upgrade to remove ads and add advanced security – or even a VPN. The use of a VPN is a proven way to protect your downloads. A VPN service encrypts all internet traffic so that no one can track what you are doing.

Your device will be protected while you are online, whether you use uTorrent or browse other websites. Unfortunately, this torrent client has been flagged by some antivirus software, which may be a result of its ads, so it’s uncertain how safe it is to use.

WebTorrent Desktop

WebTorrent is a new generation of Mac torrent client solutions as it allows not only downloading torrent files but also streaming files (movies, audiobooks, music) from your library via Chromecast, DLNA, and AirPlay with no need to wait for a full download of the file. The client is extremely easy to use, has a neat interface, and is excellently integrated into the macOS environment. Drag and drop the streamable torrent into the main window of WebTorrent, and the rest will be done by the app.

WebTorrent Desktop is a new solution to download torrents

Pros

  • User-friendly interface
  • Free of charge
  • Support for subtitles
  • Support for magnet links

Cons

  • Lack of regular updates

Supported OS: Mac, Windows, Linux

Price: free

User rating: 4.8/5 on AlternativeTo

Conclusion: WebTorrent Desktop has an extremely straightforward interface. Having the minimum settings, it won’t be difficult for even a newbie to understand how it works. Comfortable video viewing and audio file listening of torrent distributions are possible due to the set of all necessary functions featured in this torrent client Mac solution.

Transmission

Transmission is fast and light on RAM as it uses fewer resources, supports magnet links, and can find local systems connected to your system. Transmission is the best BitTorrent client for Mac if you’re looking for ease of use – Ubuntu even chose it as its default torrent client.

With Transmission, you can enjoy a range of features, including a web interface, peer exchange, encryption, support, and DHT, as well as integration with your OS.

Transmission seems to work fine on the latest macOS, even though there are user reports that it’s glitchy at times. If you’ve already upgraded to the latest version, please share your experience of using Transmission in the comments below.

 

Free torrent client for Mac Transmission, but has no in-built search

Pros

  • Minimalistic and straightforward UI
  • Free app
  • No ads
  • Lightweight and easy on RAM
  • Can be used as a seedbox

Cons

  • Minimalistic UI going way too minimal in some aspects
  • Can't preload magnet metadata
  • No built-in torrent search
  • No embedded tracker support
  • Lacks tracker exchange

Supported OS: Mac – versions available for Windows and Linux too

Price: free

User rating: 4.3/5 on CNET

Conclusion: Transmission is one of the best free, open-source torrent clients for Mac. It’s ideal for more advanced users, with features like Daemon support and command-line tools. Unfortunately, Transmission has no built-in search, proxy server support isn’t offered, and there’s no support available if you have any issues. If these features are important for you, you should search for Transmission alternative for Mac.

BitTorrent

BitTorrent’s official client for Mac is a great option and offers some nice features. It is light on the system, absolutely free, and downloads at normal speeds. One can stream torrent files directly from the app. This torrent client is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Android. The app is available in multiple languages.

BitTorrent is one of the oldest and most popular torrent clients

Pros

  • Allows scheduling downloads
  • Easy to configure and use
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Irritating add-on apps during installation
  • Full of ads

UPD: BitTorrent for Mac is discontinued in macOS 10.15. The developers offer a web version of the application, and you are free to use it or choose a replacement with the help of this article. Not certain if this is a lasting issue, but we’ll still leave it on our list of the best torrent clients for Mac in case the latest macOS versions support will be added.

Supported OS: Mac, Windows

Price: free

User rating: 3.7/5 on CNET

Conclusion: BitTorrent is one of the oldest and most popular torrent clients. There are two versions: Classic for Windows and Web for Mac and Windows. You can choose from Basic (free, closed-source), Pro (adds support and extra security features), and Pro + VPN, which gives you a free VPN. With a VPN, you can stay anonymous online and protect your personal data.

BitTorrent Classic lets you schedule downloads and assign download priority levels and has a clean, intuitive interface. However, there have been some security concerns reported, with the app flagging up a warning with several antivirus apps.

Vuze

Vuze is a feature-packed bit torrent for Mac program that includes a built-in torrent search and Web Remote to manage torrent downloads from a remote location.

Vuze’s HD video player can play downloaded media, including formats such as AVI, XVID, Quicktime, etc., add subtitles in many languages, and playback media from a device connected to your Mac. With the subscription feature, you can automatically find torrents similar to those you have subscribed to.

Vuze’s developers haven’t officially declared compatibility with the latest macOS version yet, but users report the app works fine on it, albeit with some issues with certain functionality and installation. Please share your working experience on the latest macOS with Vuze in the comments below.

Vuze is a good torrent client for Mac with built-in search

Pros

  • Built-in torrent search
  • Support for I2P through a plugin
  • Highly customizable
  • Works well with large numbers of torrents
  • Built-in video player
  • Fast and friendly

Cons

  • Lots of irritating apps during installation
  • Ads in free version
  • No native local peer discovery
  • No tracker exchange
  • Built-in torrent search is not always intuitive

Supported OS: Mac, Windows, Linux, Android

Price: $9.99 per month

User rating: 3.2/5 on MacUpdate

Conclusion: Vuze for Mac has been around since 2017, making it one of the longest-established torrent clients. Whilst it’s free to use, closed-source software, you can upgrade to Plus if you’d like to remove the (sometimes annoying) ads.

Vuze is a feature-rich app that includes its own HD video player, built-in search, RSS Feed support, and even an Android app that lets you remote control downloads. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be slow and laggy, and because it is closed-source software, the jury’s out as to how secure and safe it is to use. In such cases, it is recommended to consider Vuze alternative.

Deluge

Deluge iis a free, open-source cross-platform torrent client that is also compatible with Windows and Linux. It’s built on GTK+, so its interface looks a lot like Ubuntu Gnome. Deluge is pretty complex and heavyweight, so its usability is not the best. But it supports a variety of plugins, which can be interesting for advanced users.

Deluge combines the traits of a usual desktop app and a client-server. It also has 3 main user interfaces: for desktop, for a browser, and command line.

Deluge appears to be working fine on the latest macOS; however, there are some technical restrictions concerning the access rights for the app at the moment. Comments under the article are open for you to share your opinion on Deluge and other torrent clients in the latest Mac version.

Free, open-source cross-platform torrent client for Mac - Deluge

Pros

  • Free of charge
  • Ad-free
  • Remote torrent control
  • Lightweight
  • Command-line interface and a daemon for advanced users

Cons

  • No sequential download, needs a plugin
  • No web seeding
  • No recent updates of the app
  • No built-in torrent search
  • No tracker exchange
  • No broadcatching

Supported OS: Mac, Windows, Linux

Price: free

User rating: 3.3/5 on AlternativeTo

Conclusion: Deluge is another popular open-source torrent client that’s designed for Mac and highly likely compatible with the latest macOS. It isn’t the best-looking app, with an outdated interface, but it is free to use and ad-free. It offers a wide range of plugins, including browser plugins, and features like proxy support and BitTorrent protocol encryption to protect your privacy.

If you’re happy using open-source software, great! However, be aware that there isn’t any support available, and this type of software may be prone to bugs and viruses.

BitLord

One of the reasons BitLord is considered to be the best torrent client for Mac is because it includes an integrated media player that supports a wide range of file types.

BitLord is great for those just getting started and features an easy-to-use search function to find torrents to download, and there’s no unwanted software bundled with the download.

We’re currently testing BitLord’s compatibility with the latest macOS. It’s been a while since the app’s last update, but multiple user reports on the web suggest the app supports the latest Mac OS. The developer’s website states that the software supports Mac OS X El Capitan and above, which supposedly means that the latest macOS is supported.

Torrent client Mac - BitLord

Pros

  • Watch a video even before a download is complete
  • Comprehensive interface
  • Built-in torrent search
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Not very customizable

Supported OS: Mac, Windows

Price: free

User rating: 3.3/5 on CNET

Conclusion: It’s easy to see why BitLord is so popular: an easy-to-use interface, integrated media player, and the ability to start streaming and watching files before they’ve finished downloading ensure it’s one of the best free torrent clients for Mac. The embedded browser makes searching for torrent files simple, but it’s not open-source software, which means there may be security risks, and there aren’t many options for configuration.

FrostWire

Looking for the best torrent client for Mac? FrostWire is a free, open-source BitTorrent for Mac client with an intuitive interface. It supports a wide range of links and files, including private torrent links, PEX, magnet links, and more.

FrostWire’s built-in media player lets you watch files or share them, and there’s an built-in torrent search, with an IPv6 and RSS reader for additional control over bandwidth for each torrent file.

In 2019, FrostWire was bundling adware and malware with installation files, like browser hijacker WebDiscover. While installing users should carefully uncheck all forced add-ons. The developer’s website states the software supports Mac OS X El Capitan and above, which supposedly means that the latest macOS is supported.

(UPD: FrostWire is compatible with the latest macOS starting with version 6.8.3.)

BitTorrent client for Mac - FrostWire

Pros

  • Easy-to-download and use
  • Customizable
  • Easy sharing of files and folders
  • Generally free of charge

Cons

  • Tries to install unwanted additional software
  • Smaller list of supported torrent websites for built-in search

Supported OS: Mac, Windows, Linux, Android

Price: free

User rating: 2.6/5 on MacUpdate

Conclusion: FrostWire is a solid choice if you’re looking for a free torrent client for Mac. Its simple interface, built-in media player, and support for a wide range of file types – including magnet links ensure it’s a popular choice. There’s a built-in search feature, although it has a smaller number of trackers than some other clients.

The downside is that there have been some security concerns surrounding FrostWire, with users reporting adware and viruses being installed during the client installation process.

Free Download Manager

Free Download Manager closes our torrent client Mac apps list. It is a straightforward yet powerful download manager that has been around since 2004. The app was developed to reduce the time to download files, folders, and archives from the Internet. The work of this Mac torrent client is built on the principles of the BitTorrent protocols. Its ability to split the file into parts and download them in parallel makes it a very powerful competitor to similar software.

The application provides the ability to download an unlimited number of files at the same time, supports reloading, and downloading is performed in several streams, which significantly increases its speed.

To sum up, Free Download Manager is a free, open-source download accelerator and organizer. It’s 100% free to use forever and offers features like BitTorrent support and cross-platform support. There’s also support available through email tickets.

Free Download Manager as a torrent client for Mac

Pros

  • 100% free and open source
  • Available for most platforms
  • 100% safe
  • Streamlined UI
  • BitTorrent support
  • Download acceleration
  • Supports 30 languages
  • Adjust traffic usage
  • Email ticket support
  • User forum

Cons

  • Support only via email ticket, so response may be slow
  • Downloading speeds can be slow and downloads sometimes stick at 99%
  • Unclear how to report bugs/problems

Supported OS: Windows, Mac, Android, Linux

Price: free

User rating: 3.2/5 on Trustpilot

Conclusion: Free Download Manager is the ideal torrent application for Mac for those looking to organize and speed up their downloads, who don’t want to pay for software. Considering it’s free, it offers a wealth of features, including cross-platform support and BitTorrent support, and if you get stuck, you can get support via email ticket.

Tips for Choosing the Best Torrent Client

When choosing the best torrent app for Mac, there are a few things you’ll want to think about:

  • No adware or malware: Look out for free, open-source software, as sadly, torrent software for Mac can often be bundled with adware or viruses. Always take time to read reviews to ensure the safety and security of the software you’re downloading.
  • Support for magnet URLs: With magnet links, you don’t need to download a separate file before your torrent starts downloading, speeding up the process. When it comes to how to use magnet links with popular browsers, you need to know that some browsers need to be configured to recognize magnet links.
  • Download scheduling: Imagine being able to schedule downloads for when nobody is using your internet connection. This not only speeds up your downloads but also prevents them from interrupting anybody else’s experience online.
  • Built-in search function: Choose torrent software for Mac with built-in search, and it’ll be easy to do Mac torrent search and find what you’re looking for using keywords or tags.
  • Web-browser integration: The best torrent app offers web-browser integration, allowing you to search for and manage torrent files from within your favorite browser.
  • User-friendly interface: A simple, clean interface makes torrent clients easy to use.
  • Speed control: Being able to control the download or upload speeds of individual torrent files makes it easy to prioritize your downloads.

Changes in Torrenting with macOS 10.15+

Two major changes have just happened in the world of technology. The first one was the end of 32-bit architecture. The second change is the shift from locally installed apps to browsers and the cloud-based services. The latter is already becoming the major trend in the technology industry, a good example being the BitTorrent’s decision to deliver a web version in preference to the 64-bit version of uTorrent and BitTorrent.

This means that Mac users will no longer need to install uTorrent apps on their devices; instead, they will need to search for uTorrent alternative for Big Sur or other latest Mac operating systems, thus bringing to an end 12 years of consistency and stability. Fortunately, there is a long uTorrent alternative list, including Folx, Transmission, WebTorrent, and others.

Even though everything is moving up to the clouds lately, we still think uTorrent should have created a 64-bit version of their torrent client for those who might want to install a torrent program for Mac on their devices.

Best torrent client for Mac - Folx

What Is Torrenting: How It Works

When downloading something from the Internet, you get used to downloading files from one server by clicking the “Download” button. With torrents, things are quite different. The file is not downloaded from any single server but is retrieved in parts from many users (so we do not depend on the load and availability of a single server).

However, you still need a server: a server called a tracker is used to track individual elements of the file on the Internet. You also need a torrent client Mac solution – a special program for downloading and assembling the elements of the file together. Those who have the whole file and distribute it are called siders. Those who download but don’t have the whole file yet are leechers, and together they are called peers.

As soon as one user starts downloading, the uploading is automatically activated, which allows other users to download those segments of the file, which have already been downloaded by the others. Because of this, it sometimes happens that the file is on the list but no download takes place because there are no users to distribute it. It often happens that you cannot download a file during the day, but at night it is downloaded because users who have the file are connected.

Choosing the right torrent for Mac client is important, and we hope this article provides you with enough information to make a well-considered decision. We do recommend having a closer look at Folx as your torrent program for Mac. The app is versatile, as it can be used both as a downloader and torrent client. It allows creating and uploading a torrent file from Mac to share with other peer-to-peer connection users.

Yes, it is a paid app; however, it provides an element of security (think no ads or malicious software) and guaranteed regular updates as well as tech support. It has all the sought-after features for any type and level of BitTorrent protocol user.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve listed some of the best Mac BitTorrent clients in this article, such as Folx, Vuze, BitLord, and more.

To keep your data private and your online activity safe, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a must while downloading torrents. Finding the best torrenting VPN will not only protect your privacy, it will also ensure fast and reliable download speeds. We do not condone online piracy, but we support online privacy and security.

There are many alternatives to uTorrent out there, but we’d recommend Folx. This app offers a wealth of features that help you find the content you’re looking for. And unlike uTorrent, you don’t have to depend on an online tool – the app has everything you need.

Unfortunately, users can no longer download the desktop client for uTorrent, as it’s not 64-bit compatible. However, you can use uTorrent’s Web, the online version of the client.

Even though most torrents are considered illegal and have a bad reputation, there are quite many that are not illegal and you have full right o download and use them on daily basis. Here we talk about open-source software and materials that can be found on the public domains. As you see, it all depends on the type of data you want to download. If the copyright owner allows the data to be shared in such a manner you have the right to download it. However, if you are downloading data that requires payment for its distribution – that is illegal.

It is difficult to pick one and say that it is the best BitTorrent client for Mac. However, we recommend taking a closer look at Folx, as it is fully integrated into macOS, has a clean design, and offers a great variety of features for torrent downloading. In addition, it is a download manager for Mac.