10 Best Free and Open Source Graphical BitTorrent Clients

BitTorrent, also referred to as simply torrent, is an internet transfer protocol for peer-to-peer file sharing (P2P). It lets users download files from the internet. Unlike HTTP and FTTP, BitTorrent is a distributed transfer protocol.

To send or receive files, users use a BitTorrent client on their Internet-connected computer, which are available for a variety of computing platforms and operating systems. The protocol finds users with files other users want and then downloads pieces of the files from those users simultaneously. Transmission rates are therefore faster than with http and ftp, which both download files sequentially from only one source.

BitTorrent is a legitimate file transfer protocol, and using it — known as torrenting — is legal as long as the content can be downloaded or uploaded legally. Accessing classic movies, B movies, indie music, books, and software in the public domain or available through Creative Commons licenses are examples of legitimate cases for using BitTorrent.

Here’s our verdict captured in a legendary LinuxLinks-style ratings chart. Only free and open source software is eligible for inclusion.

Click the links below to learn more about each tool.

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Explore our comprehensive directory of recommended free and open source software. Our carefully curated collection spans every major software category. This directory is part of our ongoing series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. It features hundreds of detailed reviews, along with open source alternatives to proprietary solutions from major corporations such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. You’ll also find interesting projects to try, hardware coverage, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Know a useful open source Linux program that we haven’t covered yet? Let us know by completing this form.