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Open source BitTorrent client that is both lightweight and available across multiple platforms

Open source BitTorrent client that is both lightweight and available across multiple platforms

Vote: (167 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Transmission

Version: 4.0.5

Works under: Mac

Also available for Android

Vote:

Program license

(167 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Transmission

4.0.5

Works under:

Also available for

Mac

Android

Pros

  • It's a free, open source BitTorrent client
  • Popular on MacOS computers
  • Lightweight and easy on the eye
  • Doesn't consume loads of memory or CPU power
  • Highly configurable
  • Features encryption settings and speed limiting

Cons

  • Reports of Malware

Although the software's label doesn't communicate as much, Transmission is actually a torrent client that's favored by many Mac users. By installing the 5.2MB installation file, keen media sharing buffs gain immediate access to a small but powerful P2P (Peer-to-Peer) computer package that's considered to be a best-in-class torrenting platform. Free to download, open-source Transmission users can lay claim to a whole assortment of ever-handy file downloading and sharing features, as spread out on an easy to interpret user interface.

There are literally dozens of torrent clients on the internet, but only a handful of them have achieved celebrity status. On Mac systems, that number can be cut in half. Here's why Transmission for Mac is a front runner among all other P2P clients. For one thing, the program can be set up with a few mouse clicks. After this brief configuration period has passed, a straightforward user interface ensures an intuitive workflow, if file downloading can really be considered work. It's fun to transfer and share media files, after all. As long as the media, the big movie or small music files aren't protected by copyright law, Mac owners really should take the opportunity to enjoy the process. Ideally, there shouldn't even be any slowdown to spoil the experience. Transmission is an open-source, user-contributed program, so it's often updated. Moreover, there are no annoying pop-ups or trial period limitations to hamper the software's file-sharing capabilities.

Arguably viewed as the best torrent platform currently in use on Mac systems, Transmission isn't hard to master, but that doesn't mean the software has been stripped of extra features. Torrents can be prioritized so that they download faster than low priority files. There's an option to queue downloads, to set the upload and download speeds for individual media files, to automatically pause seeding after a set sharing ratio has been met, and much more. Free of system bloat, the lightweight BitTorrenting client has much to offer, yet there's very little to install. Easy on the eye, the tiny program doesn't use much system memory, nor does it bog down a computer by greedily eating up CPU cycles. There are, however, reports of malware being attached to some versions of Transmission. To offset such issues, a Mac user should run the software through a virus scan as soon as its download completes. Please, don't install the torrent client until it clears that scan.

Back to the hidden features list, Transmission for Mac still has a few tricks in reserve. There are bandwidth controls and smart "Bit" grabbing settings to configure. If a hard-to-grab file piece only puts in an appearance once in a blue moon, the software can be configured to grab those rare file segments first. Automatic directory monitoring, easy port forward settings, global or individual file speed limiting, even a choice of user interfaces, the Transmission team really hasn't missed a trick. That's one of the advantages of open-source coding. Beyond a lack of third-party ads and payware limitations, the software is constantly being improved by expert coders. If one user spots a code flaw or unrealized feature, a report is logged and the feature appears in an incremental upgrade.

Pros

  • It's a free, open source BitTorrent client
  • Popular on MacOS computers
  • Lightweight and easy on the eye
  • Doesn't consume loads of memory or CPU power
  • Highly configurable
  • Features encryption settings and speed limiting

Cons

  • Reports of Malware