The best torrent client for Mac

Torrenting is super popular for grabbing and sharing all kinds of stuff online, but it's not just about clicking and downloading. You need a good torrent client, basically an app, to help you download these files through a peer-to-peer network. With the right one, snagging what you want can be smooth sailing and totally secure.

Recently, we've reviewed the most popular and safe torrent websites. In this article, we'll take a look at the best torrent downloaders. Ready?

How to choose the best torrent downloader for Mac?

Before we start reviewing Mac torrent downloaders, let's first understand how to choose a good one. 

Here are several key features to consider:

• User interface. Finding a torrent downloader for Mac is easy, but finding one that's user-friendly and doesn't look ugly? That's a bit tougher. Torrents are often seen as something for tech whizzes, so they're not always the easiest to use. But you don't have to put up with complicated software. Also, make sure the app is designed for macOS for better performance and integration.
• Features. When picking a torrent downloader for your Mac, you're not just looking for the basics. You'll want some cool extra features, too. Things like setting up downloads for later, searching for torrents right in the app, and managing lots of torrents at once make a big difference.
• Security. Torrents can be a tricky playground, with some sneaky folks hiding malware in what looks like legit downloads. That's a major headache you don't need, especially without some solid security backup. Always go for torrent downloaders that throw in a layer of malware protection to shield your Mac. And remember, keeping that protection fresh with updates is essential to staying safe.

Tip: When downloading torrents, watch out for viruses or malware. It's easy for bad stuff to get hidden in these files since anyone can upload them. Stick to downloads from places you trust and use torrent software that checks for safety.

Always scan your Mac for viruses, too. CleanMyMac X is a great app for this. It scans for malware, cleans your Mac, and helps with privacy settings.

To use CleanMyMac X after downloading torrents:

1. Open the app and click Malware Removal in the left sidebar.
2. Hit Scan and wait.
3. Remove any bad stuff it finds.

Top 6 Mac torrent clients

Here's a roundup of top torrent downloaders for Mac, designed to efficiently pull files using the torrent P2P protocol. First – a quick overview, then – a detailed analysis.

Torrent client	How it looks?	Is it secure?	Its superpower
uTorrent	Minimalistic	Depends on external measures	Download scheduling
Folx Pro	macOS-inspired	Yes. Has built-in security measures	No ads, search, download scheduling
Transmission	Minimalistic, sleek	Unknown. It’s open-source	Automation features
qBittorrent	Classic BitTorrent look	More or less. Can bind to VPN	Search on many torrent sites
Deluge	Straightforward	Needs extra security steps	File prioritization
FrostWire	Simple, minimalistic	Needs extra security steps	Downloads from YouTube

1. uTorrent (web and desktop versions): A speedy option for torrenting 

If you're into torrenting, chances are you've come across uTorrent. Known for its minimal footprint, uTorrent runs smoothly on Macs, Windows PCs, and Linux. It's crafted by Rainberry, the brains behind the BitTorrent protocol and its desktop client, and also tailored for Mac users.

Note that for those on macOS Catalina 10.15 or newer, the desktop version of uTorrent might not be an option, but there's a workaround: uTorrent Web for Mac. It's not just compact; it's speedy, ensuring your other online activities remain unaffected. From directly within your browser, search, prioritize, and manage your downloads effortlessly, thanks to handy features like remote control, automation, and scripting. While the desktop client has its limitations on newer macOS versions, uTorrent Web emerges as a stellar choice for Mac torrenting, especially for those on newer macOS versions.

Pros:

• Lightweight nature
• A free version packed with essential features like in-app torrent searches and download scheduling.

Cons: 

• The absence of a 64-bit desktop version for Mac, limiting users to the web version, uTorrent Web, which, while free, may nudge you towards additional software installations.

2. Folx Pro: The best torrent downloader with ad-free downloads and enhanced security

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.

Downloading with Folx Pro is thus even simpler than with other apps:

1. Use the top search bar to type in your keyword and hit Return.
2. Wait for all results to show up.
3. Choose the appropriate file and click Download on the right-hand side.

Pros:

• No ads whatsoever
• Built-in security measures
• macOS-inspired design
• Search from the client

Cons:

• macOS version only

3. Transmission: Your go-to for reliable Mac torrent downloading

Transmission is one of the best torrent clients for Mac on our list. Its user-friendly interface is a breeze for beginners, and it's incredibly light on your system's resources. Even on older Mac models, Transmission runs smoothly without hogging RAM.

For the enthusiasts, Transmission comes loaded with extra add-ons and plugins, enhancing your downloading experience. 

A standout feature is its organization prowess, automatically sorting torrents into categories and choosing download locations accordingly. Plus, with frequent updates from its developers, Transmission keeps getting better – faster and more secure for all your torrent needs on Mac.

Pros:

• Minimalistic, sleek interface
• Completely free with no ads
• Lightweight, minimal RAM usage
• Offers automation features

Cons:

• The user interface can be a little too minimalistic for some people
• It's open-source and can come with bugs

Tip: When you use torrents, everyone can see your IP address, which could get you into legal trouble. Many torrent downloaders don't hide your IP on its own. So, it's really important to always use a VPN or proxy with torrents to stay safe. Using a VPN hides your actions, including torrent downloads, from your ISP, preventing any throttling and keeping your torrenting invisible.

The VPN we recommend is ClearVPN. It combines a beautiful and straightforward interface with top-notch protection. The app lets you choose a country to connect to, find the fastest or most secure servers, or access geo-restricted content. In short, it's the only VPN your Mac will ever need.

4. qBittorrent: A safe Mac torrent client 

qBittorrent truly captures the essence of torrenting culture. As a volunteer-driven, open-source project, it impressively delivers more superior features than many commercially supported clients. The app sports a "classic" BitTorrent look, making it super easy for anyone who's used popular torrent clients like uTorrent to get comfortable with it right away.

Within qBittorrent, you have the convenience of searching for torrents right from the client, thanks to search engine plugins. There are plugins for more than 30 public torrent sites, covering favorites like 1337x and Demonoid.

A standout feature of qBittorrent is its ability to connect directly to your VPN interface. This ensures that all downloading or uploading happens exclusively over your VPN, safeguarding your activities. So, if your VPN disconnects or hasn't been activated, you remain protected.

Pros:

• No ads
• Can bind to the VPN interface

Cons:

• It's open-source and can come with bugs

5. Deluge: A top-tier open-source torrent client for Mac

Deluge stands out as an exceptional open-source torrent client available for Mac users. It's remarkable for its robust features, matching up well against many premium torrent clients without costing a dime.

Deluge supports magnet links, offers detailed control over download and upload speeds, and includes advanced functionalities like file prioritization. Its interface is notably straightforward, making navigation and use a breeze.

However, its main limitation is the absence of an in-app search function. Those who prefer to conduct torrent searches directly within their client might find Deluge less suitable and may want to explore alternatives that include search capabilities.

Pros:

• Extremely lightweight
• Completely free with zero ads
• Features a user-friendly web interface

Cons:

• Lacks a built-in search feature
• Some minor user interface quirks

6. FrostWire: Torrent client for super fast searches

FrostWire quickly finds what you're looking for by scanning through torrents from various BitTorrent search engines, remembering every file it checks. This makes searches super-fast. It supports a wide range of links and files. These include private torrent links, PEX, magnet links, and more.

Besides, FrostWire can download content directly from YouTube and Soundcloud, includes a built-in media library and player, and offers an Android app for easy file transfers over Wi-Fi between Macs and phones.

However, note that some users reported that FrostWire may prompt additional software installations. So be cautious. 

Pros:

• Wide range of supported links and files
• Built-in search

Cons:

• Attempts to install unwanted additional software
• A smaller list of supported torrent sites for built-in search.

Wrapping up

As we conclude our discussion on the best Mac torrent downloaders, it's clear that while there are several capable clients available, including uTorrent, Transmission, qBittorrent, Deluge, and FrostWire, Folx Pro emerges as our top recommendation.

The reason for this preference lies in Folx Pro's ad-free environment, advanced security features, and a design that mirrors the aesthetics of macOS, offering a seamless integration with the system. On top of that, Folx Pro significantly simplifies the torrenting process with its in-client search functionality, eliminating the user's need to navigate the web for torrents.

Although the other torrent clients we've mentioned above have their own advantages and unique features, Folx Pro's blend of functionality, security and ease of use, coupled with the availability of a free 7-day trial on Setapp, positions it as the standout choice for Mac users. 

Explore Folx along with other essential Mac apps like CleanMyMac X and ClearVPN (+ over 240 other Mac, iOS, and web apps for almost any task) on Setapp to take your torrenting experience to new heights of convenience and security.