WebTorrent
WebTorrent is a free streaming torrent client for browsers and desktop computers.
What WebTorrent is
WebTorrent is a free streaming torrent client for browsers and desktop computers. It can begin playing audio or video before the file finishes downloading, and seeking requests the needed pieces as playback progresses. The browser client handles video, audio, images, PDFs, HTML and other content, subject to browser support. Written in JavaScript, it uses WebRTC for peer-to-peer transport in browsers. Developers get the same API in Node.js and the web, can install it with npm, and can use it with Browserify or Webpack. WebTorrent Desktop connects to both WebTorrent and BitTorrent peers, including Transmission, uTorrent and instant.io. The project is open-source, non-profit software under the MIT License, and offers support through Discord, GitHub discussions and issue reporting. Browser downloads have an important limitation: torrents must be seeded by a WebRTC-capable client. WebTorrent does not include live streaming out of the box, though a solution can be built on top of it.
Good
- Audio and video can play before downloads finish.
- Seeking fetches required pieces on demand.
- Desktop connects to BitTorrent and WebTorrent peers.
- Free, open-source software under the MIT License.
- Developer API works in Node.js and the web.
Watch out
- Browser downloads require a WebRTC-capable seed.
- Live streaming is not included out of the box.
- Browser playback depends on browser support.
Who it suits
WebTorrent suits people who want to play torrent video or audio while downloading, as well as developers building peer-assisted delivery or app delivery. Browser users need a torrent seeded by a WebRTC-capable client.
Verdict
WebTorrent combines streaming playback with a developer API and desktop peer compatibility, at no cost. Its browser-client seed requirement and lack of built-in live streaming are worth considering first.
Plans and prices
From WebTorrent's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| WebTorrent | Free | Free software · open source · non-commercial |
| WebTorrent Desktop | Free | Free · non-commercial · ad-free · beta |
The facts
Each one read from WebTorrent's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Desktop compatibility
- WebTorrent Desktop connects to BitTorrent and WebTorrent peers, including Transmission, uTorrent, and instant.io.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Developer API
- WebTorrent provides the same API in Node.js and the web, and can be installed with npm.checked 4 Oct 2026
- File support
- The browser client supports video, audio, images, PDFs, HTML, and other content, with streaming subject to browser support.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- WebTorrent works with Browserify and Webpack, and the FAQ lists Vuze and webtorrent-hybrid among WebRTC-capable clients.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Limit
- Browser clients can only download torrents seeded by a WebRTC-capable client.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The FAQ says WebTorrent is non-profit, open source, and free software under the MIT License.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The FAQ says clients can download from a torrent file or magnet link without trusting servers or peers.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- WebTorrent is a streaming torrent client for web browsers and desktop.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security note
- The FAQ says WebRTC data channels do not reveal a user's true public IP address to a website when a VPN is enabled.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Streaming
- Video and audio playback can start before a file finishes downloading, and seeking fetches needed pieces on demand.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Streaming limit
- WebTorrent does not provide live streaming out of the box, though a live-streaming solution can be built on top of it.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project offers support through Discord, GitHub discussions, and issue reporting.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Technology
- WebTorrent is written in JavaScript and uses WebRTC for peer-to-peer transport in browsers.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Use cases
- The FAQ describes peer-assisted delivery, CDNs, and app delivery as WebTorrent use cases.checked 4 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2013checked 28 Sep 2026
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