qBitTorrent Review 2024 [Features, Security, Pricing & More]

qBittorrent stands out as a premier choice among torrent clients, largely due to its open-source nature, user-friendly interface, and a plethora of advanced features—all at no cost. This review delves into the attributes that contribute to its popularity, while also addressing a few minor shortcomings.

Key Takeaways: Torrent Safely With qBittorrent

• qBittorrent is widely regarded as the top torrent client, surpassing competitors like uTorrent.
• Notable features include torrent streaming (sequential downloading), remote management capabilities, detailed BitTorrent connection settings, and VPN binding options.
• The application is compatible with all major desktop platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its open-source framework allows for numerous extensions, such as search engine plugins and custom themes.

For those unfamiliar with torrenting terminology, we recommend consulting our guides on the subject before proceeding. Additionally, it is advisable to utilize a VPN while torrenting, a feature that qBittorrent supports robustly. For reliable VPN options, NordVPN and Surfshark are highly recommended.

We will evaluate qBittorrent based on several criteria: features, ease of use, security, privacy, performance, pricing, and support. Let’s explore its strengths and weaknesses.

qBittorrent Review: Strengths & Weaknesses

Pros:

• Completely free and open-source
• Impressive performance
• Minimal system footprint
• Supports torrent streaming
• Excellent privacy and security features
• Extensive plugins and customizable themes

Cons:

• Interface appears somewhat outdated
• Advanced features may be challenging to navigate
• Lacks I2P support

Ease of Use

90% – Excellent

The primary function of any torrent client is to facilitate quick and easy downloads. While advanced features like IP filtering and remote control enhance the experience, they become irrelevant if the core torrenting process is cumbersome.

Platform Compatibility

qBittorrent provides official clients for Windows 7 and later, macOS Catalina and newer, and Linux Ubuntu. It also works on other Linux distributions, with binaries available for unsupported systems. A web interface allows remote management of torrents, although it requires a desktop installation to function.

Desktop Torrent Client

The desktop client mirrors the layout of many other BitTorrent applications. Users can manage downloads through a central area, sortable by various criteria such as name, date added, and status. A left-hand menu offers filtering options, while the top section contains controls for adding torrents and accessing settings.

Plugins & Extensions

Being open-source, qBittorrent supports numerous third-party extensions, particularly search engine plugins that enable direct torrent searches within the client, eliminating the need to visit external sites.

Custom Themes

The flexibility of qBittorrent extends to custom themes, allowing users to personalize the interface. A variety of themes, from simple dark modes to complete redesigns, are available online.

qBittorrent on Mobile Devices

Currently, there are no official qBittorrent apps for iOS or Android. However, several third-party applications exist, albeit with varying levels of reliability depending on the device and Android version.

Ports, Web User Interface & Remote Torrent Management

While direct downloads to mobile devices are not possible, users can manage their desktop client remotely via the web interface. This feature allows for adding and removing torrents and controlling downloads from any browser-capable device.

Security & Privacy

100% – Excellent

In terms of security, qBittorrent offers several features to safeguard user privacy. While it includes an encryption option, its effectiveness in hiding your IP from other users is limited. The client supports the second version of the BitTorrent protocol, enhancing security through stronger cryptographic measures.

Connection Settings

A standout feature is the ability to bind qBittorrent to a VPN connection, ensuring that the client operates only when the VPN is active. This setting prevents accidental exposure while torrenting.

Performance

90% – Excellent

Performance is crucial when selecting a BitTorrent client. qBittorrent boasts a small installation size and minimal impact on system resources. The installer is under 30MB, and the installed application occupies approximately 143MB of disk space.

Download Speed

Download speeds vary based on the number of peers and seeders. In tests with various torrents, qBittorrent demonstrated impressive performance, consistently outperforming competitors like uTorrent.

Features

90% – Excellent

qBittorrent is rich in features, supporting all advanced BitTorrent protocol functionalities. DHT, peer exchange, and local peer discovery are enabled by default, enhancing connectivity and performance.

Automation

The client allows for automatic downloading and organization of torrents, including RSS feed support for seamless content acquisition.

Limits & Advanced Download Filters

Users can set bandwidth limits and connection caps to ensure that torrenting does not monopolize internet resources.

Torrent Streaming

qBittorrent offers a unique sequential downloading feature, enabling users to stream video files while they download, although this may slow overall download speeds.

Pricing & Support

100% – Excellent

qBittorrent is entirely free, with no ads or premium features. While dedicated support is absent, an active community forum and wiki provide ample resources for troubleshooting and learning.

FAQ

• Is qBittorrent Safe To Use? Yes, it is safe, but using a VPN is recommended when downloading copyrighted material.
• Is qBittorrent Better Than uTorrent? qBittorrent is a free, open-source alternative that lacks ads, unlike uTorrent.
• Is qBittorrent a Spyware? No, it is not spyware.
• Is qBittorrent Safer Than BitTorrent? Both clients are equally safe; using a VPN is essential for privacy.