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I tried the BitTorrent torrent client – read why it’s ideal torrenting client for PCs and smartphones
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BitTorrentis the synonymous torrent client of the BitTorrent protocol. This protocol is the world’s largest peer-to-peer file sharing system used by millions. Sharing files over it is known as “torrenting.”
The synonymous torrent client is also the first in its class. It’s the most widely used torrenting app and offers many advanced features. I tested it extensively to help you decide whether it’s a suitable torrenting tool. Read on to learn about its features, pricing, user-friendliness, and other essential criteria.
BitTorrent: Versions
BitTorrent is available on the two most popular desktop operating systems: Windows and macOS. I was also pleased to discover it has an Android app, enabling me to download torrents on my smartphone. It’s incompatible with iOS, like all torrenting apps I’ve tested. Apple doesn’t allow torrenting apps to appear in its App Store.
This app isn’t available for Linux, which I consider a drawback. Though I don’t use a Linux PC, it’s the most popular desktop operating system after macOS and Windows. It would be good if BitTorrent were directly compatible with Linux, but that isn’t the case. Linux users can choose alternatives like qBittorrent and Transmission.
BitTorrent: Pricing
BitTorrent has four variants: Web, Classic, Android, and Remote. Web is available on macOS and Windows, enabling users to stream torrents while downloading.
Classic is the original desktop torrenting app and is only compatible with Windows. It doesn’t support any macOS version later than macOS Catalina 10.15., an outdated version that debuted in 2019.
The Web and Classic variants have the same pricing structure. The free version lets you download torrents conveniently, but you can pay for premium features.
Ad-Free. For $4.95 annually, you can remove all ads from your BitTorrent interface.
Pro. For $19.95 annually, this package is ad-free and includes integrated virus scanning for all downloaded torrents.
Pro + VPN. For $69.95 per year, you can get the enhanced security features of the Pro version plus a CyberGhost VPN subscription. A VPN encrypts your traffic and prevents third-parties from spying on your torrenting activities.
The Android app has a free version that includes ads. For a one-time payment of $3.99, you can remove ads and access battery-saving features.
The Remote BitTorrent app is free to use.
BitTorrent: Features
BitTorrent has advanced features that make downloading torrents easy. It is more sophisticated than most torrenting clients I’ve tested.
Like most torrenting clients, BitTorrent lets you add a torrent file and download the corresponding content. A torrent file contains metadata of the music, movie, software package, or any other content you want to download. When I add a torrent file, BitTorrent reads the metadata and immediately downloads the content.
The BitTorrent Web version let me stream files even while downloading them, a feature many torrenting clients lack.
Torrenting is a peer-to-peer file sharing system that relies on distributed computers connected to a single network. When you download a torrent file on BitTorrent, you automatically become a seeder uploading the same file for other users. This system is what makes files readily available on BitTorrent.
Because of simultaneous downloads and uploads, torrenting clients often cause excessive bandwidth consumption. Fortunately, BitTorrent mitigated this issue by enabling me to set maximum download and upload speeds.
BitTorrent Classic is a sophisticated version that enables bulk downloads. I used it to download many files simultaneously and prioritized bandwidth for specific files over others. This prioritization allowed me to download those files faster than others.
Suppose you want to download dozens of episodes of your favorite movies. BitTorrent Classic is your best choice. You can prioritize specific files, schedule downloads ahead of time, and subscribe to RSS feeds to download new content automatically. The drawback is that BitTorrent Classic is only available on Windows PCs.
I tested the Android app, and it worked similarly to the desktop apps. I used it to download torrents seamlessly on my smartphone. I also tested BitTorrent Remote, which let me control torrenting activities on my PC from a smartphone. With a smartphone, I could pause, start, or stop torrent downloads on my PC.
BitTorrent: Interface and in-use
BitTorrent has a simple interface that I enjoyed using. The Web version runs on my web browser, making it convenient to combine downloads with other torrenting activities. The Classic version runs as a standalone app, which is less convenient but suitable for bulk downloads.
With features neatly placed on the left and the main dashboard on the right, navigating BitTorrent was as simple as it gets. The Web app has a modern, sleek interface that anyone can quickly understand.
The Classic version has a more dated interface but is easy to familiarize with. The Android app has a similar interface to the web app scaled down for a smartphone. BitTorrent scores excellently in the user-friendliness criterion.
BitTorrent: Security
BitTorrent has advanced security features to protect users while torrenting. I liked the integrated virus scanning feature, which checked torrents for malware before downloading them on my PC. Malicious actors often abuse torrents to spread malware on unsuspecting computers, so this feature was critical to keeping me safe online.
I also liked that the Pro + VPN feature is bundled with the advanced CyberGhost VPN. This VPN routes your traffic through a remote server and prevents third-parties, especially internet service providers (ISPs), from spying on your torrenting activities.
If you already have a VPN installed, you can use it to protect yourself online without paying $69.95 annually for the Pro + VPN version.
BitTorrent: Final verdict
BitTorrent is one of the best torrenting clients, with excellent download speeds, enhanced security, and a user-friendly interface. My main complaint is that some key features are locked behind a paywall, but overall, BitTorrent is a stellar client I’ll recommend to everyone.
