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.
Best torrent clients for Mac
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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.
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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.
Safe Torrent App For Mac
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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uTorrent is the most popular torrent client in the world by a large margin, but is uTorrent safe? This guide will teach you how to use uTorrent as safely as possible, and how to get the most from your uTorrent experience.
You’ll learn:
- What safety issues does uTorrent have?
- The safest versions of uTorrent to use (and which ones contain malware)
- How to block ads in uTorrent
- How to protect your identity when downloading torrents with uTorrent
We recommend you also read:
- How to use uTorrent anonymously (Learn to hide your uTorrent IP address and encrypt your torrents)
- uTorrent proxy setup instructions (use a SOCKS proxy for more anonymous downloads)
QUESTIONS ABOUT UTORRENT’S SAFETY
uTorrent made news across the internet in 2015 when it was reported that they were bundling bitcoin mining software that would auto-install along with uTorrent and secretly use host machines to mine for bitcoins without the users’ knowledge.
It turns out that this issue wasn’t widespread, and uTorrent removed the malware from future releases, but it did raise questions about how far the company is willing to go in order to generate revenue. Currently, the bulk of their revenue comes from low-cost advertising and the small percentage of users who choose to upgrade to utorrent pro for $19.95/year.
In 2014, google’s chrome browser also flagged uTorrent software as malware though it came up clean on virus scanners. This issue was temporary as well and likely had nothing to do with the actual risk of installing the software.
Adware and ransomeware bundled with other torrent clients, has demonstrated the risk of installing torrent software, even from reputable sources. In March 2016, an update of Transmission torrent client (distributed from the company’s own servers) was infected with ransomeware which would hold users’ systems hostage by encrypting the harddisk and demanding a ransom payment in bitcoins.
SO IS IT SAFE TO USE UTORRENT?
The short answer is yes, but it’s complicated.
Currently, uTorrent’s software is considered safe and free of dangerous malware. The primary risk of using uTorrent comes not from the software itself, but the risk of downloading dangerous or infected torrents from unknown sources. No torrent client can protect you if you choose to download unsafe files which may contain rootkits, malware, or trojans. Read our safe torrent guide for our top prevention/safety tips.
It’s also a good idea to always your identity when downloading torrents, and to encrypt your traffic so you can’t be blocked or throttled by your internet provider. We wrote our‘ultimate guide to anonymous utorrent’ to show you exactly how to hide your identity while torrenting.
Safest versions of uTorrent
There is great debate over the best version of uTorrent released over the years. Some versions are more stable then others (and have less privacy leaking features). Over time, uTorrent has become much more bloated (with extra features) and less lightweight then it was in the early days.
Among hardcore veterans, uTorrent version 2.2.1 is still the favorite (and considered the last version not bundled with adware). You can still find download links to this old utorrent version (though always software from unknown sources before installing. This reddit thread has several links to download this OG version.
You can also find previous versions of uTorrent on oldversion.com
USING UTORRENT ANONYMOUSLY
We always recommend taking steps to hide and anonymize your torrent downloads. By using a VPN (best option) and/or a proxy service, you can make your torrent downloads virtually impossible to monitor or trace.
Here are some step-by-step guides to help you use utorrent safely:
- How to use uTorrent Anonymously (VPN + Proxy setup instructions)
You will also likely find this youtube video helpful. It includes step by step instructions showing you how to use a VPN or Proxy with uTorrent, and how to check your torrent IP address to verify your setup is working and your IP is hidden.
Safe Torrent For Mac Download
HOW TO REMOVE ADS FROM UTORRENT
Advertisements in uTorrent can be rather annoying. Fortunately, you can choose to disable them by tweaking a few advanced settings in the uTorrent preferences menu.
Ubergizmo has the complete guide on how to disable ads in uTorrent.
Best of all, this isn’t some hack method. It’s actually a built in option buried deep in the uTorrent’s menu. It works great, and you can have an ad-free uTorrent experience in just a few minutes.
FINAL THOUGHTS
uTorrent is still the torrent client of choice for over 100 million users worldwide. The software itself remains relatively safe, though if you want a true ad-free and adware-less torrent experience, you should consider trying one of the open-source torrent clients like Deluge or Qbittorrent, both of which are extremely functional and popular.
The biggest risk with uTorrent (and with any torrent software) is what you download, and where you download it from. The safest practice is to never download installable files or software such as .EXE or .BAT files, which could contain dangerous software, keyloggers, spyware, etc. You should also have a high-quality antivirus, and use it frequently. Read our Safe Torrent Guide for a full list of good safety practices.
Be well, torrent safely and always use strong protection.
Ryan McCarthy
Ryan is the editor and head reviewer. He's been a tech geek and digital privacy enthusiast since the Y2k freakout in '99. When not writing BitTorrent tutorials, he can usually be found sipping a lager or playing pickup football (the real kind).
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