We recently published an article on the best cloud torrent service providers for readers who enjoy operating from the cloud so check it out if you haven’t.
Today, we’ve curated a new list of the best BitTorrent client apps for the desktop and while they have unique features, they are reliable and available for free.
1. Vuze
Vuze is a powerful BitTorrent client with which you can download torrent files as well as view, publish, and share original DVDs and HD videos.
Vuze’s features include metasearch, a torrent download subscription, a web remote, a built-in video converter, a video player, etc. You can also extend its functionality using an extensive number of plugins and even subscribe to its payment plan to access cooler features.
To install Vuze (formerly known as Azureus) BitTorrent client on Linux, you need to have Java (Java Runtime Environment) installed on the system. If you don’t have Java installed, you’ll need to install it as shown.
$ sudo apt install default-jre [On Debian, Ubuntu and Mint] $ sudo yum install java-11-openjdk [On RHEL/CentOS/Fedora and Rocky/AlmaLinux]
Next, you can download the latest Vuze installer from the official website and install it as shown.
$ wget https://cf1.vuze.com/files/VuzeInstaller.tar.bz2 $ tar -xvf VuzeInstaller.tar.bz2 $ cd vuze/ $ ./vuze
If you’d like to create a desktop shortcut for Vuze, you can do so by creating a .desktop file in your ~/.local/share/applications/ directory with the actual path to your Vuze installation directory.
[Desktop Entry] Name=Vuze Exec=/home/ubuntumint/vuze Icon=/home/ubuntumint/vuze/vuze.png Terminal=false Type=Application Categories=Network;FileTransfer;
Make sure to replace /home/ubuntumint/vuze with the actual path to your Vuze installation directory and adjust the Icon path accordingly.
2. Web Torrent
WebTorrent is a free, cross-platform, open-source P2P torrent client available to run in web browsers and on desktops.
It is written completely in JavaScript and you can use it to stream content from Internet archives, music from creative commons, and audiobooks from Librivox.
Unlike more common clients on this list, Web Torrent Desktop fetches content on demand and makes it available for instant playback without any extra charge.
To install WebTorrent Desktop using a .deb package on Ubuntu, visit the official WebTorrent Desktop website, and download the appropriate .deb package for your system (usually 64-bit).
$ wget https://github.com/webtorrent/webtorrent-desktop/releases/download/v0.24.0/webtorrent-desktop_0.24.0_amd64.deb $ sudo dpkg -i webtorrent-desktop_0.24.0_amd64.deb $ sudo apt install -f $ sudo dpkg -i webtorrent-desktop_0.24.0_amd64.deb $ webtorrent-desktop
Replace webtorrent-desktop_0.24.0_amd64.deb with the actual name of the downloaded .deb package.
3. qBittorrent
qBittorrent is a free, multi-platform Qt-based torrent client that aims to be the ideal open-source µTorrent alternative.
Among its many features are a polished µTorrent-like UI, category-specific search, support for many BitTorrent extensions, a built-in torrent creation tool, IP filtering, sequential downloading, etc.
To install qBittorrent on Ubuntu and its derivatives, run the following commands.
------ On Ubuntu and Linux Mint ------ $ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:qbittorrent-team/qbittorrent-stable $ sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install qbittorrent $ sudo apt install qbittorrent [On Debian] $ sudo pacman -S qbittorrent [On Arch Linux] $ sudo dnf install qbittorrent [On Fedora] $ sudo zypper install qbittorrent [On OpenSUSE]
4. Deluge
Deluge is a free, lightweight, cross-platform, and open-source torrent with several features including encryption, local peer discovery, bandwidth control, and a simple User Interface.
The deluge may look too simple at first launch but it can handle a lot more tasks than the above-listed features thanks to its support for plugins which extends its features to include a scheduler, web interface, auto RSS downloader, email notifier, etc.
To install Deluge on Ubuntu and its derivatives, run the following commands.
------ On Ubuntu and Linux Mint ------ $ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deluge-team/stable $ sudo apt-get update $ sudo apt-get install deluge $ sudo apt install deluge [On Debian] $ sudo pacman -S deluge [On Arch Linux] $ sudo dnf install deluge [On Fedora] $ sudo zypper install deluge [On OpenSUSE]
5. Transmission
Transmission is a free, lightweight, cross-platform BitTorrent client that makes it easy for users to download torrents quickly and easily.
The open-source BitTorrent client’s features include a simple, clutter-free UI, local peer discovery, full encryption support, tracker editing, etc. Transmission is among the most popular torrent clients known for its simplicity and reliability because it gets the job done.
To install Transmission on Ubuntu and its derivatives, run the following commands.
$ sudo apt install transmission [On Ubuntu & Mint] $ sudo apt install transmission [On Debian] $ sudo pacman -S transmission [On Arch Linux] $ sudo dnf install transmission [On Fedora] $ sudo zypper install transmission [On OpenSUSE]
6. Tixati
Tixati is a 100% free, lightweight torrent client for GNU/Linux and Windows. Its features include an intuitive User interface, RSS, IP filtering, event scheduling, and support for DHT, PEX, and magnet links.
Tixati also features analytic tools which analyze your connection bandwidth and other statistical information and displays the results in likable charts.
To install the Tixati package, visit the official Tixati website and download the Linux version of .tar.gz archive Tixati file.
$ wget https://download2.tixati.com/download/tixati-3.19-1.x86_64.manualinstall.tar.gz $ tar -xvf tixati-3.19-1.x86_64.manualinstall.tar.gz $ cd tixati-3.19-1.x86_64.manualinstall/ $ ./tixati
If you’d like to create a desktop shortcut for Tixati, you can do so by creating a .desktop file in your ~/.local/share/applications/ directory with the actual path to your Tixati installation directory.
[Desktop Entry] Name=Vuze Exec=/home/ubuntumint/tixati Icon=/home/ubuntumint/tixati/tixati.png Terminal=false Type=Application Categories=Network;FileTransfer;
Make sure to replace /home/ubuntumint/tixati with the actual path to your Tixati installation directory and adjust the Icon path accordingly.
7. FrostWire
FrostWire is a free, multi-platform, open-source BitTorrent client and cloud downloader for speedy torrenting. Its features include a neat UI, a built-in media player, an in-app search, a media preview, and a media library.
FrostWire offers some features other torrent clients require premium subscriptions for e.g. playing media content while torrents are downloading. However, it’s not top of my list because it is cluttered with ads.
To install FrostWire using a binary package on Linux, visit the official FrostWire website and download the appropriate .deb or .rpm package for your system (usually 64-bit).
$ sudo dpkg -i frostwire*.deb [On Debian, Ubuntu and Mint] $ sudo yum install frostwire*.rpm [On RHEL/CentOS/Fedora and Rocky/AlmaLinux]
8. KTorrent
KTorrent is a BitTorrent client integrated into the KDE Plasma desktop environment, offering an array of features including plugin support and remote control capabilities.
KTorrent enables you to effortlessly download files through the BitTorrent protocol. This capability empowers you to manage numerous torrents simultaneously, all while embracing its array of extended features that transform it into a comprehensive and fully-featured BitTorrent client.
To install KTorrent on a Linux system, you can use the default package manager as shown.
$ sudo apt install ktorrent [On Debian, Ubuntu and Mint] $ sudo yum install ktorrent [On RHEL/CentOS/Fedora and Rocky/AlmaLinux] $ sudo emerge -a sys-apps/ktorrent [On Gentoo Linux] $ sudo apk add ktorrent [On Alpine Linux] $ sudo pacman -S ktorrent [On Arch Linux] $ sudo zypper install ktorrent [On OpenSUSE]
If your distribution supports Flatpak, you can also install KTorrent from there.
$ flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo $ flatpak install flathub org.kde.ktorrent
These are the best reliable Linux BitTorrent client apps of 2024. What has been your experience with any of them so far?
If you are looking for a powerful and feature-rich BitTorrent client, qBittorrent or Deluge are good options. If you are looking for a lightweight and easy-to-use BitTorrent client, Transmission is a good choice. And if you want a web-based BitTorrent client, WebTorrent is a good option.
And do you have any suggestions that can make our list 10? Let us know in the comments section below.
Another great torrent client for linux is ktorrent. If you don’t run kde, installing it will drag in a ton of libraries, but who has space issues these days?
Well qbittorent was good but i am in search for alternatives and all have bugs here and there. I might give try torrential as it exists on aur (i use artix btw). If its not that good i will keep qbittorent with minor problems. Still the best option between deluge and transmission.
qbittorrent is infamous for leaking your ip even though you’re using vpn so beware
i had no idea… any suggestions for a reliable and easy as qbitorrent for linux ?
unfortunately the transmition has a lot problems here and there…
what shall i install ?
VUZE does not support Linux per their website and download links!!!!
Transmission is better than nothing.
But its not my first choice.
So many problems.
Like filename too long errors all the time.
At least Deluge doesn’t have that bug.
For long years, Transmission is the only one I care about. It should stand as no. 1. on this list for its simplicity, usability.