Deluge, the open-source, cross-platform BitTorrent client, has unveiled its latest iteration, version 2.2. This robust solution leverages the Twisted framework and is built on libtorrent, offering users a choice of several interfaces, including GTK, a web interface, and a console variant. The project’s source code, crafted in Python, is distributed under the GPL license. The previous version, Deluge 2.1, was released in June 2022, and builds are now available for Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Key Features and Enhancements
According to OpenNET, Deluge operates in a client-server mode, where the user interface runs as a separate process, while a dedicated daemon manages all BitTorrent operations. This architecture allows for enhanced flexibility, including the capability to run the daemon on a remote machine. Among the application’s notable features are:
- Support for DHT (Distributed Hash Table), UPnP, NAT-PMP, PEX (Peer Exchange), and LSD (Local Peer Discovery).
- Protocol encryption for secure transfers, proxy support, and compatibility with WebTorrent.
- Selective speed limiting for specific torrents and a sequential download mode.
The release of Deluge 2.2 introduces several significant updates:
- New support for creating torrents in the BitTorrent v2 format, allowing hash calculations for individual files rather than the entire distribution. The transition from SHA-1 to SHA2-256 enhances security, while the indexing has been upgraded to utilize a Merkle hash tree, improving the efficiency of encoding directory structures in torrents and optimizing the handling of numerous small files.
- The GTK-based interface now features a toggle between light and dark themes, along with a system tray indicator for improved usability.
- The web interface has been enhanced to support theme switching, providing users with a more customizable experience.
- Support for Python 3.6 has been removed, with Python 3.7 now designated as the minimum supported version.
In a related development, the torrent client qBittorrent has also made headlines with the release of version 5.1 on April 27, 2025. Developed using the Qt toolkit, qBittorrent serves as an open-source alternative to µTorrent, mirroring its interface and functionality. The project’s source code, written in C++ and JavaScript, is available on GitHub under the GPLv2+ license.
