Torrenting app for Mac: which makes it to the top?

Top choice
Folx 4.6 Rank based on 1889+ users, Reviews(796)

Downloading torrents on P2P (peer-to-peer) networks is one of the most exciting aspects of the internet, and conveniently for Mac users, there are many free Mac torrent downloaders available. These torrent downloaders or “clients” can differ greatly from one another. For example, some clients offer unique features, and some clients are apps whereas others are online services. When choosing the best Mac torrenting program for you, you will want to consider all of these variables. We’ve compiled a list of the 10 best torrent downloaders to help you decide.

One of the most important things to take into consideration is each torrent client’s compatibility with the latest update to Mac’s operating system: macOS Big Sur. Ever since the update, many of the most popular torrenting clients are no longer supported. At the moment, the Folx Mac torrenting app is the only one to be confirmed completely compatible with macOS Big Sur. We’ve included the Big Sur compatibility of each of our choices in their description.


Our recommendations for downloading torrents with torrenting app:


  1. Folx
  2. Tribler
  3. BitLord
  4. uTorrent
  5. Deluge
  6. qBittorrent for Mac
  7. BitTorrent
  8. Transmission
  9. Vuze
  10. Xtorrent P2P for Mac

1. Folx


Folx
Category: Downloaders
Requirements: macOS 10.12+, 17.89MB free space. Version 5.27.13991. (5 Oct, 2022). 4.6 Rank based on 1889+ users, Reviews(796)
We’re starting our list off with our choice for the best torrenting software for Mac. This is an easy to use app with an intuitive interface that lets you control download speeds, set priority for tasks, and tag downloads according to their type and content so that you can find them later.

With Folx you can be sure you’re always downloading the most reliable and high-quality files for torrenting on Mac. There’s also a PRO version of Folx available that’s ad-free and offers upgraded features like interface customization, download scheduling, and discovery of local peers. All of these qualities make Folx a very attractive client, but the reason that it’s our top choice is because it’s currently the only torrent app fully compatible with macOS Big Sur. The one downside we see is that you have to pay for all of the useful extra features on the PRO version.



2. Tribler

Tribler is another contender for the best torrenting program Mac users have at their disposal. This free, open source decentralized client describes itself as a social community that’s impossible to censor and hard to kill. As you can imagine, the designers of this client take anonymity and privacy seriously. One thing that sets Tribler apart from the other top torrenting apps on this list is that it has an adult content feature that can be switched on and off. It also allows you to preview your files as they download. Tribler seems to be compatible with macOS Catalina, meaning it might work on up-to-date Macs. The extreme privacy of this app can be a negative, because to download it you have to bypass security on your computer since the app can’t be scanned for malware. As well, it does not use trackers, so the files you download won't always be from the most reputable sources.




3. BitLord

BitLord is a client app with features that will appeal to everyone from new to experienced torrent users. We consider it a top music torrenting app because it has an integrated media player that allows you to enjoy your downloads without leaving the app. Other neat features it has are a built-in browser to help you search for torrents and a media player that will let you play content while it’s downloading. Though it is a quality app, BitLord can be a pain to install because it will request permission to make unnecessary changes to your Mac so that it can optimize its software. That’s good for the client and bad for other programs on your computer. You will also have to maneuver around security on your computer since it will not be able to search the download for malware. Another downside that keeps this from being the overall best torrenting app is that there is no update currently available making it compatible with macOS Big Sur.




4. uTorrent

uTorrent is notable for being a lightweight client, which means that it won’t take up too much of the RAM on your computer. But for its small size, this app brings a lot to the table including features that let you conveniently find and manage your downloads like built-in torrent search, scripting, and automation. It has also been around for a long time which means this Mac torrenting app is tried and true. It’s easy to use, plus it will let you search for torrents straight from the app and set priorities for downloads. The major drawback to uTorrent is that it’s not compatible with macOS Big Sur. Now, there is a web-based version of this client that is compatible with macOS Big Sur, but it is neither as convenient or as efficient as the app. All in all, uTorrent is a solid choice for Mac torrenting, if not ideal.




5. Deluge

Deluge is another very lightweight torrent client that, like uTorrent, has been around for a long time, but has done a better job of staying current. It could be considered the best torrenting app for Mac users with serious P2P (peer-to-peer) sharing experience because of the wide variety of plug-ins it supports and the many advanced features it offers. That is not to say it would be difficult for those new to the world of torrents to use, but it really shines for the experienced user. One aspect of this Mac torrenting app that will benefit new and experienced users alike is the fact that it is reported to be compatible with macOS Big Sur. No app can be perfect though, and it’s annoying that Deluge will not allow you to “force start” downloads that you have queued up.




6. qBittorrent for Mac

qBittorrent is another client among the top torrenting apps that serious torrent users should consider. It is a lightweight and free app that is highly likely compatible with macOS Big Sur. One of the features that will appeal to experienced users is its built-in torrent search that can perform searches on multiple trackers at the same time. qBittorent is also in the running for the fastest torrenting app which will be a plus for anybody who wants to use torrents. The quick speeds are partially due to the fact that the app is ad free, which is a nice added bonus. However, the same things that make this client great for experienced users may not make it the best for everyone. Beginners have remarked that the interface can be difficult to navigate, and that it does not feel like it was designed with their user experience in mind. As well, since qBittorent is open-source software, it’s not uncommon for bugs to disrupt torrenting on Mac devices.




7. BitTorrent

This torrenting software for Mac is considered by many to be the standard for P2P (peer-to-peer) sharing because it is the official client for one of the biggest names on the internet: BitTorrent. It should come as no surprise then that it is a very reliable torrent client that many people have grown accustomed to using. One reason that both newcomers and experienced torrent users alike can enjoy this client is that it has a highly customizable interface that makes user experience a priority. BitTorrent is available in two forms: An app that unfortunately is not compatible with macOS Big Sur, and an online version called BitTorrent Web. While it’s nice that this Big Sur compatible online version exists, it is not as convenient as a Mac torrenting app because it lives in your browser rather than on your hard drive. Another issue we have with the free version of BitTorrent is that it bombards you with ads for the ad-free PRO version that you have to pay for.




8. Transmission

Transmission may be the simplest and fastest torrenting app. This client answers the question, “What would a minimalist torrent downloader look like?” It offers a streamlined user interface, an ad-free experience, reliable performance, and very quick download speeds. Transmission is also seems to be compatible with macOS Big Sur. Advantages such as these might be why Ubuntu chose Transmission as its default torrent client; a clear testament to the quality of this Mac torrenting app. But minimalism is not for everyone, and it can be very difficult for some users to customize the stripped down user interface to suit their particular set of needs. With Transmission, you kind of have to just use what they give you, but, luckily, what they give you is a very high quality and very fast torrent client.




9. Vuze

Vuze is a great video and music torrenting app because it actually has a built-in HD media player that delivers smooth playback of AVI, XVID, Quicktime, and other formats. It also has a very customizable user interface that offers useful features like built-in torrent search and remote management of your torrent downloads. Vuze can also be configured to work with your VPN (Virtual Private Network) giving you virtually untraceable anonymity. Combine all of these integrated features with Vuze’s highly probable Big Sur compatibility and you get arguably the best torrenting client Mac users can find for a truly seamless user experience. The biggest problem with Vuze is that sometimes it wants to get too integrated into your system and actually disrupts your experience. On the app, you are hit with a barrage of pop-ups trying to get you to install toolbars and other unnecessary additions. As well, the user interface can get rendered unpleasant by frequent ads encouraging you to install the PRO version that you have to pay for.




10. Xtorrent P2P for Mac

Xtorrent P2P for Mac rounds out our list of the top torrenting apps. What sets this client apart and really raises it to the top tier is its interface. While other clients can boast of having minimalist or highly customizable interfaces, Xtorrent P2P has an interface that can only be described as beautiful. Its layout is well organized and designed with the user’s experience in mind. It’s an impressive piece of torrenting software for Mac devices, but beauty comes with a price. Xtorrent P2P is available as both a free and paid for PRO version. The free version has limits placed on your download speed, so if you are at all serious about torrenting, or just someone who appreciates convenience, you will want to go with the PRO version that has full-speed downloading plus a suite of other useful features. Speaking of convenience, it’s inconvenient that this Mac torrenting app is not compatible with macOS Big Sur. Also, be aware that the paid for version has no free trial period.




What to look for when choosing a torrenting app for Mac

The internet has numerous options for Mac torrenting clients that will allow you to download torrents. Many of them, like those mentioned above, are great tools; but there are far more torrent clients out there not worth your time, money, or trust. There are a few key factors you can use to judge the good from the bad: It is crucial the app you download does not contain any harmful malware or adware. So be sure to get it from a reputable source. If you have an up-to-date Mac, you want torrenting software for Mac that is compatible with macOS Big Sur. Your torrent client should also be able to support the use of magnet links. Download scheduling, built-in torrent search, and download speed management should also come with any quality client app. If the one you’re considering doesn’t have them, take a moment to see what else is out there. Finally, you must consider your user experience, so look for an app that integrates with your system and has an easy-to-use interface that suits your specific needs.


The Takeaway

Thank you for looking at our advice on choosing the best way to download torrents on a Mac. We hope our insights will help you decide which is the best torrenting app for you. The update of Mac’s operating system to macOS Catalina, followed by Big Sur, created a seismic shift in the world of torrenting because now many of the most popular clients no longer work on the most widely used computers in the world. In place of the hegemons, an array of torrent downloading options have sprung up. We think it’s important to help people pick from the wide variety of client apps and make the choice that best suits their needs. We strongly recommend using Folx for your Mac torrenting because it is currently the highest quality torrent client on the market to be confirmed fully compatible with macOS Big Sur. If you think we overlooked an app that should be included on our list, just leave a comment.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do I need a torrenting app for Mac?

You need a torrenting app because a torrent download application or “client” is what actually makes torrents usable. They retrieve all of the information cataloged in the torrent from other peers in your P2P (peer-to-peer) sharing network and then assemble the data into the content like videos, music, and software that you want to enjoy. You specifically need torrenting software for Mac devices because different clients support different kinds of operating systems. If you have a Mac with the latest operating system, macOS Big Sur, you’re going to want a client that is compatible with that to help you enjoy serverless sharing.

2. What is the difference between torrenting app and torrenting site?

The difference between using a torrenting app and a torrenting site is like the difference between actually owning something and using a public service. When you want to use a Mac torrenting app you have to actually download that onto your hard drive. When you use a torrenting site, you’re just visiting a web page that renders client services for you and downloading from that. For this reason you can find a lot more ad-free client apps. Torrent download apps are superior to torrenting sites because they are more convenient to use and better integrated into your computer since they actually live on the hard drive.

3. Is torrenting legal on Mac?

Torrenting is legal, but engaging in online piracy is not. P2P (peer-to-peer) sharing networks are known for trading in copyrighted content because the decentralized nature of the network gets around the use of a server making it much more difficult for authorities to track who is sharing or downloading what. That’s why torrenting sites are frequently shut down for failure to adhere to copyright law. If you want to download using torrents, be sure to download torrents from reputable sources and check everything you download to make sure there isn’t anything in there you wouldn’t want found on your computer.

4. What is the best torrenting app for Mac?

In our opinion, Folx is the best app for torrenting on Mac devices. It is a well built, reliable client with a friendly user interface that will let you manage downloads, prioritize tasks, and tag downloads for a preview into their contents. All of these desirable features are available on the free version. The PRO version that you can pay for lets you do even more like customize your interface, schedule downloads, and discover local peers. The best thing about Folx is that it’s currently the only torrent client app confirmed to be fully compatible with macOS Big Sur.

Folx
Requirements: macOS 10.12+ , 17.89MB size
Version 5.27.13991 (5 Oct, 2022) Release notes
Category: Utilities
Recent posts
Olga Weis 08 May at 15:28
Anna Brooks 04 Jan at 11:37