WebTorrent Desktop

A desktop torrent app that streams video and audio while the files are still downloading.

FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux
Official websitewebtorrent.ioDownload pagegithub.comSource codegithub.comDocumentationwebtorrent.io

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About WebTorrent Desktop

WebTorrent Desktop is built for streaming torrents. It fetches file pieces on demand, so video, music or audiobooks start playing right away, and seeking still works before the download has finished. Videos can also be sent to AirPlay, Chromecast and DLNA devices.

It connects both to regular BitTorrent peers, such as those running Transmission or uTorrent, and to WebTorrent peers in web browsers. The app is free, non-commercial and open source, and runs on Mac, Windows and Linux. The developers still label it as beta.

Strengths

  • Plays media before the download finishes, with working seeking
  • Connects to both BitTorrent and browser-based WebTorrent peers
  • Casts to AirPlay, Chromecast and DLNA devices

Limitations

  • Still labelled beta by its developers
  • Focused on streaming rather than managing many torrents at once

Details

Pricing
FreeFree, non-commercial, ad-free and open source.
License
Open source, license not stated
Developer
The WebTorrent contributors
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
How it runs
Downloadable app
Account
Not required
Best suited for
Playing torrented video, music or audiobooks straight away on a desktop
Last verified
Added
Provenance
Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.

Alternatives to WebTorrent Desktop

Compare all

Software that can replace WebTorrent Desktop for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.

  • PikaTorrent

    A cross-platform open-source torrent client for desktop and mobile that can stream media.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid

    PikaTorrent also streams media while downloading, and adds an Android version with the same app on desktop and mobile, though it is a younger project.

  • BitLord

    A free BitTorrent client for downloading torrents with built-in streaming of audio and video.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOS

    BitLord streams audio and video from torrents with a simple interface, but is closed source and available only on Windows and macOS.

  • FrostWire

    A BitTorrent client, video downloader and media player with search built into the app.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid

    FrostWire also previews and plays media while downloading, adding in-app torrent search, a media library and Android builds, but lacks casting and WebTorrent peers.

  • BitTorrent

    The official BitTorrent client, available as a desktop app and a streaming web version.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSAndroidWeb

    BitTorrent is closed source with a web app for streaming and a classic app for bulk downloads, covering Windows, Mac and Android but not Linux.

  • µTorrent

    A BitTorrent client offered as a small desktop app and as a browser-based player.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidWeb

    µTorrent has a web version that plays media while downloading plus a classic desktop client, but is closed source with some features behind a paid plan.

  • qBittorrent

    A full-featured BitTorrent client with no ads, built as an open source replacement for µTorrent.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    qBittorrent is a full-featured open source client with search and RSS filters for managing many torrents, but lacks built-in playback and casting.

  • Transmission

    A light BitTorrent client that behaves like a native app on each platform, with a headless daemon for servers.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand lineSelf-hosted

    Transmission is a light open source client with a headless daemon and web interface, but has no built-in media streaming or casting.

  • BitComet

    A long-running BitTorrent, HTTP and FTP download client with long-term seeding and disk caching.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid

    BitComet offers video preview while downloading along with HTTP and FTP support, but it is closed source and not focused on streaming playback.

WebTorrent Desktop as an alternative

Listings that name WebTorrent Desktop as an alternative.

  • Instant.io

    A browser-based WebTorrent tool for sharing and downloading files peer to peer.

    FreeOpen sourceWeb

    WebTorrent Desktop moves to a Windows, macOS or Linux app that connects to both BitTorrent and browser-based WebTorrent peers and streams media while downloading.

  • TorrServer

    A self-hosted server that streams media from torrents over HTTP without waiting for downloads.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hosted

    WebTorrent Desktop streams torrent media from a desktop app instead of a self-hosted server, with casting to AirPlay, Chromecast and DLNA, but it is still labelled beta.

Similar software

Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.

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