Torrent app for Big Sur: 10 best options

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

Torrents allow you to enjoy the best of the internet. The only thing you need to download and share files from your Mac device is a torrent application download and active internet connection.

A torrent file in and of itself is nothing but a list of locations for peers on a P2P (peer-to-peer) serverless network with pieces of the files you want. The client app is what uses the trackers in the torrent to download the desired pieces of data and assemble them in a usable format.

Ever since Mac updated its operating system to macOS Catalina, followed by Big Sur, many of the torrent applications Mac owners used for their devices no longer work. Below, we’ve compiled a list of quality torrent clients for Mac that you can use with Big Sur.


Our Favorite Big Sur Compatible Torrent Apps:


  1. Folx
  2. FrostWire
  3. qBittorrent
  4. uTorrent App
  5. Vuze for Mac
  6. Transmission App
  7. BitLord
  8. BitTorrent Official Client App
  9. Xtorrent P2P App
  10. Deluge BitTorrent Client 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)
Folx takes the prize for best client app since, at the moment, it is the only torrent free app confirmed to be totally compatible with macOS Big Sur.

This Mac app torrent client offers a convenient way to download torrent files that includes tools that let set the priority, regulate download and upload speeds, and mark downloads for a peek inside the content. It also works with magnet links, a new and easier way to share torrent content.

Features with Folx PRO

Folx PRO takes the free version of the app and makes it even better by allowing you to search for the torrent files you want directly on the app. Other benefits to PRO are that it’s ad free, has a friendly, highly customizable interface, let’s you schedule downloads, and helps you discover local peers.

Even without PRO, Folx has a lot of advantages for a torrent app. There’s no limit on the number of torrents it can handle and it enables you to create and share torrent files.

The only fault we find with the Folx torrent free app is that many of its best features are only available on the paid-for version, and that it’s not as lightweight as some other apps that perform the same task.


2. FrostWire


FrostWire is an open-source torrent app free download for Mac with an intuitive, no-frills interface. The links and files supported on this app include a wide range, from private torrent links to PEX, magnet links, and more. A really neat thing about FrostWire is that it has a built-in media player, so you can enjoy all the videos and music you just downloaded without ever leaving the app.

On the upside, FrostWire seems to be compatible with macOS Big Sur, easy to download and simple to use. As well, it’s a highly customizable app that enables sharing of files and folders. Plus, you can generally get this app and all its associated features free of charge.

On the downside, it was noted in 2019 that during installation Frostwire will also try to install unwanted additional files like adware and malware. Also, the list of supported trackers for its built in search feature is relatively limited for a list of top torrent apps.



3. qBittorrent


qBittorent is a strong contender for best torrent app for Mac compatible with Big Sur because of one huge differentiator: no ads. That’s right, even the free version of this app is free of annoying advertisements. By eliminating these, qBittorrent frees up more space to download files rather than unnecessary additions. The result is really fast download speeds that save you time. Between quick downloads and no ads it’s easy to understand why qBittorrent is among the most popular.

In addition to the ad-free user experience and fast download speeds mentioned above, the qBittorent app has a number of advantages. It can perform built-in torrent search on many trackers at a time. The user interface is similar to uTorrent, which many people are familiar with operating. You won’t take up too much unnecessary memory because this app uses a lightweight installer.

This app does have its cons though. The biggest issue is that qBittorent does not handle large numbers of torrents well. Adding to that, Torrent downloads have been known to randomly freeze and this torrent downloader can sometimes consume too much RAM causing problems with your device.



4. uTorrent App


uTorrent is a lightweight client app that uses a small installer for torrent application download, which means it will take up a relatively small amount of memory on your computer. For its size, this app offers a lot. You’re able to search for torrents from the app and you can manage your downloads with scripting, automation, remote control, and other features. While the uTorrent app is not Big Sur compatible, uTorrent offers a web version compatible with Big Sur. Although it will work, it is neither as convenient or efficient as an app.

Here are the highlights to this torrent app free download. It is lightweight which means it won’t take up to much memory. You can schedule your downloads so you can get your content without actually having to be there to press the button. So much is included with the free version of this app that few people feel the need to buy the paid version.

However, uTorrent does have its shortcomings. The free version of the app has lots of annoying ads. There is no built-in search feature for torrents on the app. Most frustingly, the small installer ,mentioned earlier, will actually try to push other installations on your computer.



5. Vuze for Mac


Vuze is a torrent app for Mac reported to be compatible with macOS Big Sur. It’s unique because it actually allows you to play the videos you have downloaded on the app and on devices connected to your Mac. A nice touch is that it can find torrents similar to the ones you’ve subscribed to, just like a streaming service. It also makes actually downloading the torrents easy by letting you manage downloads remotely.

Vuze has a lot of neat features for Mac applications torrents. It has built-in torrent search. You can go anonymous by using I2P through a plugin. It’s highly customizable and has a friendly user experience. It can handle large numbers of torrents quickly. Plus, it has that unique video player we mentioned earlier that is HD and delivers smooth playback of AVI, XVID, Quicktime and other formats.

This app has many not so great features too. It makes you use numerous irritating apps during the installation process. The free version has ads. It does not provide native local peer discovery or tracker exchange. Finally, the built-in search feature isn’t easy to figure out.



6. Transmission App


Another lightweight torrent application Mac owners can try to use with macOS Big Sur is Transmission. Along with being lightweight, this app is a great torrent opener because it is fast, able to support magnet links, and capable of locating local systems connected to your system. Its quality is attested to by the fact that Ubuntu chose it to be their default torrent download app. With this Transmission you have web interface, peer exchange, encryption, support, DHT, tracker editing, and more.

There’s a lot to be said for Transmission. It can be used as a seedbox, giving you top-level anonymity. It’s lightweight and takes up relatively little of your RAM. The user interface is attractive, minimalist and offers an experience without ads. Not bad for a free Mac applications torrent.

For some though, Transmission takes minimalism too far. A common critique is that its user interface feels underwhelming and unfinished. It is also missing features that are common to many other torrent download apps such as built-in torrent search, tracker support, and tracker exchange. This client may be fast, lightweight, and sleek, but that comes at the expense of convenience.



7. BitLord


BitLord is the torrent app for laptop that gives you the most seamless streaming experience. This is because it comes with an integrated media player that lets you enjoy a wide variety of file types without any back and forth. A lot of people also believe BitLord is the best option for beginners just starting out with torrents because it simplifies things and lets you find the torrents you are looking for easily. Unfortunately the last update of this easy streaming app came before Mac’s operating system update, so it does not support macOS Big Sur.

This app comes with several features that make it a great option for new torrent users. Its user interface is extremely comprehensive and makes even complex tasks relatively easy to perform. It has a built-in torrent search that makes it simple to pull up the torrents you’re looking for. Its integrated media player gives you the cool ability to watch videos even before they are completely downloaded. A new user won’t have all their RAM taken up either, because this is a lightweight torrents free app.

The only drawback to this very complete torrent apps download is that it doesn’t permit much in the way of customization.



8. BitTorrent Official Client App


You know this downloader app is trustworthy because it is the official torrent download app of one of the most well-known names in P2P (peer-to-peer) sharing: BitTorrent. This free client is a solid product that goes easy on your system and offers standard download speeds. You can also use it to stream the content that you just downloaded using torrents from BitTorrent for an integrated experience. Like uTorrent, this app is not compatible with macOS Big Sur, but there is a web version compatible with Big Sur. Again, it will work, but not as well as a Big Sur compatible app.

The BitTorrent Official client app offers the perks you would expect from a major software company. It is lightweight and easy enough for anyone to figure out how to configure and use. Your torrenting sessions will be made more convenient by download scheduling.

Drawbacks to this app are what you might expect from such a readily accessible free torrent app free download. The installation process is riddled with add-ons that waste your time and attention. You will have to get used to having lots of advertisements on your screen while using this app.



9. Xtorrent P2P App


Xtorrent P2P is a highly regarded torrent app that would make a great choice for somebody willing to invest. It is designed to be lightweight and stable, so you can depend on it to work reliably and not take up too much RAM on your computer. However, if you like quick downloads, you’ll want to have your wallet handy because typical torrent download speeds that you’ve come to expect are only available with the paid version of the app. Unfortunately, this torrent app Mac devices used to work with has not been updated in a while and there are no reports of it being compatible with macOS Big Sur.

The Xtorrent P2P app has several features that make it a great option for a client. It has built-in torrent search and also gives you the ability to choose the particular folders where you want to keep specific types of files. This torrent download app also lets you use Torrentcast.

We would not consider this in our top torrent apps list unless you only want to download and open torrents because it does not give you the ability to create your own files for sharing. As well, some people think the interface is over-designed and cluttered.



10. Deluge BitTorrent Client for Mac


Deluge is an open-source cross-platform torrents free app client reported to be compatible with macOS Big Sur that is the top torrents app for advanced users. It is a complex and heavy app that has issues with usability, but it supports a variety of plugins that can open new opportunities, if you know what you’re doing. Deluge is unique because it has the traits of both a usual desktop app and a torrent server. There are three interfaces for you to use: desktop, browser, and command line.

This torrent client offers my advantages that an advanced torrent user would want. There is command line interface and a daemon. It is lightweight and offers remote torrent control. You can also download it for free without ads.

This is one of the apps torrent users with less experience may find needlessly difficult to operate because it does not offer certain features that cater to them. If you want sequential downloads you will need to use a plugin. It will not seed or permit tracker exchange. Also, there is no built-in torrent search or way to facilitate broadcatching. These negatives don’t seem to be changing anytime soon because there are no recent updates to this app.



Choosing the Right Torrent Client


The internet has numerous options for torrent application for Mac. Many of them, like those mentioned above, are very good; but there are bad ones out there too. There are a few key factors you can use to tell the good from the bad: It is crucial the app you download does not contain any harmful malware or adware. If you have a Mac, you want a torrent download app that is compatible with macOS Big Sur. Your torrent client should also be able to support the use of magnet links. Scheduling of downloads, torrent search, and speed control should also come with any quality app. Finally, you must consider your user experience, so look for an app that integrates with your browser and has an intuitive, easy-to-use interface.

We appreciate you turning to us for advice on the best torrent app for Mac. If you think we overlooked an app that should be included on our list, just mention it in the comments at the bottom of this page.


Updates to Torrenting with macOS 10.15


Two major changes have just happened in the world of torrent apps. 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, thus bringing to an end 11 years of consistency and stability. Even though everything is moving up to the clouds lately, we still think uTorrent should have created a 64-bit version of their app for those who might need it.

The Takeaway

Choosing the right torrent app 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 for your torrent applications Mac needs. Yes, it is a paid app, however that provides an element of security (think no ads or malware) and guaranteed regular updates as well as tech support. It has all sought-after features for any type and level of BitTorrent protocol user.

FAQ


What does torrent app mean?

A torrent download app, also known as a “client” is an essential tool for enjoying P2P (peer-to-peer) severless sharing. This is because when you download a torrent it doesn’t contain any of the files or data you want, instead it serves as a directory that facilitates the efficient lookup of information. Then the client uses the trackers named in the torrent file to hunt down the internet locations of peers sharing pieces of the desired files, or it uses distributed hash tables to achieve a similar result. Then the client connects to those peers to request pieces and participate in the swarm. When your client has all the necessary pieces, it assembles them into a usable form.


How do I open a torrent file on a Mac?

Opening a torrent file on a Mac is a relatively easy process when using a Mac torrent app. Before opening a torrent you will have first searched for the torrent file and downloaded it from a website offering torrent directory services. Then, drop the recently downloaded torrent file into the app. Once you’re there, simply click “File” followed by “Open.” As the torrent app for Mac is opened you will probably be asked what location on your disk you want to use for storage of the downloaded file. Choose what works best for you and enjoy your content.


What are the advantages of torrents?

Using torrents allows you to take part in serverless P2P (peer-to-peer) sharing. This means you can have free access to music, videos, apps, images, and games with a torrent app for laptop. You will also be able to share your files with others. Torrents are a great tool with many benefits. Files are easy to find and download. Since the process is decentralized, your downloading is not reliant on servers which often go down or become clogged with traffic. Even if you are suddenly disconnected from the internet, you will be able to resume downloads from where you left off. Torrents used with a top torrents app can even help you download files faster than traditional methods.


Which is the best torrent app?

Folx is our number one choice. We choose this client app because of its numerous features that let you prioritize files, personally control download and upload speeds, and tag downloads for a quick search through the contents. These make using torrents to download and share files with peers personalized and convenient. There is also a PRO version of the app with extra features that further improve your experience. The best thing about Folx though is that it is the only client completely compatible with macOS Catalina.

Folx
Requirements: macOS 10.12+ , 17.89MB size
Version 5.27.13991 (5 Oct, 2022) Release notes
Category: Utilities
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