While uTorrent and BitTorrent are both popular torrent clients, you certainly don’t need to use both of them. So, if you are putting these two torrent clients to the test, which one comes out on top? And, more importantly, what pushes one into first place and the next into second? Is one faster? More user-friendly?
While I’d love to give you a clear-cut answer to these questions, the truth is that the answer is pretty subtle, because BitTorrent and uTorrent are remarkably similar.
Keep on reading to find out the distinctions between these two torrent clients and the best way to torrent safely and securely — using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Why You Need a VPN for Using BitTorrent or uTorrent
While downloading torrents isn’t inherently illegal, it is illegal in certain countries, and it is always illegal when you are downloading copyrighted material. If you are caught inadvertently downloading illegal content or torrenting in a country where this practice is banned, you could easily find yourself in trouble with the authorities or your ISP.
When you are using a VPN, you can ensure that you are protected from the authorities, your ISP, or any other dangers on the web that arise when you are doing any P2P sharing. Using a VPN, your activity and IP address are concealed so that your identity and location are kept safe and hidden from any prying eyes, hackers, or law enforcement.*
On top of this, a VPN can improve your download speed, which is always an asset when accessing any kind of media on a torrent site.
Because not all VPNs are created equal, we have done the legwork for you and have come up with the top VPN services that will give you the most secure torrenting experience, no matter which client you choose in the uTorrent vs. BitTorrent war.
While there are tons of cheap VPNs for safe torrenting, our top choice is ExpressVPN for its record-breaking download speed and broad server network.
Note: VPN Brains does not condone any illegal activity online.
BitTorrent vs. uTorrent: Similarities
If you’re wondering the differences between uTorrent and BitTorrent (other than the slight difference in name), you’re not alone! These clients are so similar that they are often used interchangeably. The reason for their likeness is that they are both owned by the same parent company, BitTorrent, Inc. As part of this BitTorrent, Inc. group, they have some features that are pretty uniform — like the fact that they both offer unlimited downloads; offer both paid and free options; have similar user-interfaces, and more.
User interface for uTorrent
User interface for BitTorrent
The BitTorrent client came first, created in 2001; and uTorrent was launched later and bought by BitTorrent, Inc in 2006. While uTorrent’s first 5 versions had an open-source code, version 6 does not. Even though BitTorrent came first, they are both run using the same code and by the same company.
Keep reading to find out some of the differences between these 2 BitTorrent protocol clients.
Differences between BitTorrent & uTorrent
Now, while uTorrent and BitTorrent are quite similar, they certainly also have some differences.
Platform Compatibility: While BitTorrent and uTorrent are both compatible with the major platforms — Mac, Windows, and Android — you can also use uTorrent with Linux.
Updated Features: One difference between uTorrent and BitTorrent is that uTorrent is always being updated. While BitTorrent only allows the release of stable versions, uTorrent releases its alpha and beta raw products, so while you will get a rougher version with uTorrent, you will also get a new feature or two and the latest innovations.
Crypto-Miners: uTorrent has had a few incidents where they have lost some of their users’ trust by dropping crypto-mining malware onto computers during installation of their newest version, which can deplete a user’s central processing unit. In order to ensure that this doesn’t happen, some users have installed less-secure older versions of the torrent client.
Weight: In terms of client size, uTorrent is a better option if you are worried about wearing out your operating systems. While BitTorrent is about 3MB, uTorrent is under 1MB, making it a much lighter option.
Which One Is Faster?
In the war of BitTorrent vs. uTorrent, which comes out on top as the fastest?
uTorrent vs. BitTorrent for PC:
If you are looking for the fastest software for your desktop, the speed will depend on things like your internet connection speed and the number of seeders for each torrent file.
There’s no magic torrent client that will make your speed lightning-fast, but it is a very clear fact that using VPN software while torrenting with uTorrent or BitTorrent will significantly help you maximize your download speeds when using a desktop or a hand-held device.
uTorrent vs. BitTorrent for iOS:
The uTorrent vs. BitTorrent dilemma is not really pertinent when it comes to devices that run on the iOS platform, because iOS does not actually support any torrent clients. Getting around this restriction would require you to jailbreak your iPhone. If you can manage this, you’ll be able to then access apps and programs that aren’t available in the App Store.
uTorrent vs BitTorrent for Android:
When deciding between uTorrent and BitTorrent for your Android, both versions will give you good speed and are even rated the same in the Play Store. Since they are both given 4.5 stars, you can safely assume that you will get a good quality experience with either version you choose. If you take a closer look, the only real difference is that uTorrent takes the lead in the number of Google Play Store reviews — many times over — making it the more widely-used version.
How to Improve Your Torrenting Speeds with a VPN
The very best way to improve your torrenting speed — whether on your desktop or mobile device — is to use one of the reputable VPNs.
You see, whenever you are torrenting, you use a large amount of bandwidth. When your ISP detects that you are using a lot of bandwidth, it often throttles your downloading speed. One very important VPN feature is that it encrypts your information and internet traffic, so no one — including your ISP — can detect that you are on a torrent site, and your ISP will not be prompted to slow your speed.
On top of the noticeable speed difference when using a VPN for torrents, there is also a difference in your overall browser security. VPNs can protect your device from hackers or cyber-scammers and can also help users access content and sites that would otherwise be blocked in your region. If you are in a region that has restricted access, all you have to do is connect to a server in a permitted country, and you can easily circumvent any geo-restrictions.
These 3 VPN providers will all give users faster speeds, the opportunity to torrent safely, and will allow them to access content from all over the world:
| No | Provider | Review | Price/Month | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | ExpressVPN Review | $6.67 | Visit Site |
| 2 |  | NordVPN Review | $3.71 | Visit Site |
| 3 |  | Surfshark Review | $2.49 | Visit Site |
FAQs
When ordinary users access torrent files without protection on the web, they often don’t realize that their own internet service providers could hand over this incriminating data and their activity logs to government agencies that are always looking to nab criminals online.
Using reputable VPN clients whenever you are online — especially when using torrenting clients — ensures that no one — including your ISP — can see the fact that you are on torrent sites. Reliable VPNs have vetted privacy features — like no-logging policies — and ensure that your IP address and data are not leaked while on the internet.
When you are using VPN software applications, the safest thing to do is to combine them with either BitTorrent or uTorrent. This way, you can be sure that your information, files, and IP are hidden every time you are downloading torrents.
Using VPN software along with BitTorrent or uTorrent will not only keep you safe, but will actually improve your downloading speeds.
Conclusion
So, while this article might have seemed like a face-off (uTorrent vs. BitTorrent), either torrent client is really a great option whenever you are downloading torrents online.
If you are one of those competitive souls who insist on there being a winner, it comes down to your priorities. BitTorrent gets a few extra points for reliability and security, while uTorrent gets a higher score when it comes to versatility and platform compatibility.
Just remember: if you are using your torrent clients with a reputable VPN service, your files, posts, data, and IP will all be safe and protected from prying eyes, leaks on the web, and even from the authorities.
The top 3 VPNs that we listed above all offer professionally-run 24/7 live-chat customer service and 30-day money-back guarantees, so you have no reason to wait.
