If you want a simple, fast BitTorrent client with no ads, qBitTorrent may offer the right solution. It’s a completely free, open-source program that delivers a clean torrenting experience.
While it provides a simple and clean way of downloading files, it may not appeal to everyone. To determine if qBitTorrent meets your needs, you should check its features, advantages, and disadvantages.
qBitTorrent Features
qBitTorrent is based on the Qt toolkit and runs on all major platforms. As an open-source program developed by volunteers, it is completely free to use, without any paid versions. However, if you like the software, you can always donate to the developers.
The main features of this torrent client include:
- Simple, lightweight user interface
- No advertisements
- RSS feed support
- Built-in search engine
- Supports search engine plugins
- Remote torrent management
- Bandwidth scheduler
- Torrent creation tool
The GUI looks almost identical to uTorrent. While the style is slightly different, both options include a sidebar with a quick menu. Another similarity is the simplified layout that makes it easier to check the progress of your torrenting activity.
The similarities between the two programs are not a coincidence. The developers of qBitTorrent set out to make an open-source alternative to uTorrent. As you may have guessed it, this happened after uTorrent started including advertisements.
qBitTorrent does not have advertisements; open-source programs do not need ads. Volunteers design, test, and fix this software in their spare time.
The software also includes quite a few useful features, including the ability to add an RSS feed. With RSS feed support, you can automatically download torrents added to the feed.
User Experience
One of the top benefits of using qBitTorrent is the simplified user experience. As an open-source torrent client, it does not include any pesky advertisements.
You simply receive a clean, streamlined user interface. The layout resembles uTorrent. A sidebar on the left contains a quick menu while the top bar includes a search bar.
The Built-in Search Engine
This software also features a built-in search engine. However, to increase the functionality of the search feature, you need to find and install plugins.
Most of them are search engine plugins and you can download and install them for free. You currently have over three dozen user-created search engine plugins. They allow you to use the built-in search engine to search for files on popular torrenting sites. In other words, the search plugins allow you to look for torrents within qBitTorrent, without visiting pirate sites, which ISPs frequently track.
This offers extra security, as you avoid the need to visit torrent sites with a bad reputation. Your ISP may even throttle your bandwidth if you decide to visit this type of site.
Capping the Bandwidth
As with most BitTorrent programs, qBitTorrent allows you to cap the download and upload speeds of your torrents. You may want to cap the speeds to avoid using all your available bandwidth. That way, you will be able to do other things with a decent speed, such as browsing the Internet.
While you can cap the speeds globally, you also have the option to schedule the bandwidth caps. For example, you can limit the download speeds during the day and allow unlimited downloading at night.
Remote Torrent Management
If you plan to download large files, you may occasionally want to reprioritize your download list or adjust the bandwidth caps. With qBitTorrent, you can perform these tasks remotely through any browser.
You just need to enable the web user interface in the options menu. You can also select a port or use the default 8080. After enabling this option, you can access the GUI through your browser.
This is useful when running the torrent software on a desktop computer. With the remote management, you can check in from other devices.
Is qBitTorrent Safe to Use?
Yes, qBitTorrent is a safe program. If you download it from a trusted source, you should not need to worry about accidentally downloading malicious software.
I recommend properly configuring qBitTorrent properly to make sure there are no leaks.
You also do not need to worry about accidentally installing other software when installing qBitTorrent. The installer file does not try to trick you into installing additional programs.
As we always recommend, use a VPN to download torrents anonymously. Without good VPN software, anyone can see what you are downloading. Here are a few providers we trust:
qBitTorrent is Lightweight and Simple
With qBitTorrent, you get a lightweight program without advertisements. The software has limited features and customization settings to ensure that the program has a minimal footprint. However, you still get the basic features that you need from a BitTorrent client.
One of the best features is the available plugins. You can choose from dozens of search engine plugins that you can easily add to the software. Thanks to these plugins, you don’t even have to leave the software to search for torrent files.
Overall, qBitTorrent has one of the simplest interfaces. Even if you have never used a BitTorrent program before, you should have no problem figuring out how to add torrent files or magnet links. If you enjoy the lightweight and simple design of uTorrent but dislike the advertisements, try using qBitTorrent.
