Tribler
Tribler is a free, open-source peer-to-peer BitTorrent client for searching, downloading, and sharing files on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What Tribler is
Tribler is a free, open-source peer-to-peer BitTorrent client for searching, downloading, and sharing files on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its content search is decentralized, so it does not rely on a central server or website. The client remains compatible with most BitTorrent clients while adding magnet links, selective downloads, video-on-demand, channels, sub-second search, DHT support, and anonymous downloading and seeding. Tribler uses a dedicated Tor-like onion-routing network for torrent downloads instead of the normal Tor network. The project cautions that its anonymity is immature and does not protect users against government agencies. Hidden seeding is experimental, and NAT traversal limits can significantly reduce speeds. Tribler runs in a browser by default and provides a REST API for manual use. Installers cover Windows, macOS 12 or later, and Ubuntu Linux, including ARM64 Linux. It is a Delft University of Technology research project created in April 2005, with mostly LGPL and partly MIT code.
Good
- Free plan with open-source code
- Decentralized search without a central server
- Magnet links and selective downloads
- Browser interface and REST API
- Windows, macOS, and Linux installers
Watch out
- Anonymity does not protect against government agencies
- Hidden seeding is experimental
- NAT traversal can significantly reduce speeds
- Users cannot block peers or addresses
Who it suits
Tribler suits people seeking a free BitTorrent client with decentralized search, magnet links, browser access, and Linux, macOS, or Windows support. It may also suit users who want experimental onion-routed downloading, provided they understand the stated anonymity limits.
Verdict
Tribler combines standard BitTorrent compatibility with decentralized search, browser access, and extra torrent features. Its anonymity and hidden-seeding functions are explicitly limited, so those caveats should guide your choice.
Plans and prices
From Tribler's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Tribler | Free | Open-source, non-profit torrent client · Windows, macOS, Ubuntu Linux |
The facts
Each one read from Tribler's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- BitTorrent compatibility
- Tribler adds features to BitTorrent while remaining compatible with most BitTorrent clients.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Decentralized search
- Tribler includes content search that does not rely on a central server or website.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Features
- Its listed features include magnet links, video-on-demand, channels, sub-second search, and anonymous downloading and seeding.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Hidden seeding
- The anonymity page describes hidden seeding as experimental and says NAT traversal limitations can significantly reduce speeds.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Onion routing
- Tribler uses a dedicated Tor-like onion-routing network for torrent downloads rather than the normal Tor network.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Tribler is an open-source research project; the FAQ says its code is mostly LGPL and partly MIT licensed.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- The download page provides installers for Windows, macOS 12 or later, and Ubuntu Linux, including an ARM64 Linux package.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Tribler is a peer-to-peer BitTorrent client for searching, downloading, and sharing files.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Security caveat
- Tribler says its anonymity is not mature and does not protect users against government agencies.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The support page links to a getting-started guide and FAQ, and the FAQ directs issue reports to GitHub.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Usage limit
- The FAQ says users cannot block peers or addresses within Tribler.checked 8 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Browser interface and API
- The FAQ says Tribler runs in a browser by default and offers a REST API for manual use.checked 8 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2004checked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker
- Tribler describes itself as a research project of Delft University of Technology, created in April 2005.checked 8 Oct 2026
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