BitComet 2.19 for Windows

BitComet 2.19 is a free BitTorrent client for Windows that also downloads over HTTP and FTP. You can download BitComet from the official site to manage torrents, magnet links and ordinary file downloads in one program, with previews of videos while they are still downloading.

Who BitComet is for

BitComet has been around since 6 August 2003 and has a loyal user base, especially in Asia. It suits people who want one program for all kinds of downloads: torrent files and magnet links, but also direct links from websites, which it can speed up with multiple connections. Users who download large files and want to watch them early benefit from its preview function, which fetches the start of a video first so that a player can open it. The long-term seeding feature helps finish rare torrents by keeping connections to other BitComet users even after a task is stopped. Home users with several PCs appreciate the remote download option, and those on slow or unstable connections like its disk cache, which reduces wear and load on the hard drive. BitComet is less suited to people who want a minimal, ad-free open-source client: the interface is busy, and the free version shows advertising, which is why Wikidata classifies it as adware. Windows, macOS, Linux and Android versions exist.

How to install

1. Download BitComet from bitcomet.com.
2. Run the installer and read every screen; decline partner software if offered.
3. Allow BitComet in Windows Firewall on private networks.
4. Set the download folder and bandwidth limits in the options.
5. Open a torrent file, paste a magnet link or add an HTTP link.

Release changes are listed in the changelog.

Requirements

BitComet runs on Windows on x86 and x86-64 processors. The installer is about 37.46 MB according to catalogue data. Enough disk space for the downloaded files is the main practical requirement.

Is it safe and legal?

Download the program only from the official site. The client is legal, but sharing copyrighted content without permission is not in many countries, and torrent clients upload what they download. Scan files before opening them. BitComet has faced criticism in the past for protocol behaviour and advertising, so review privacy options after installation.

Price

BitComet is free with ads. Some regions and versions offer optional VIP features for a fee.

Pros and cons

• Pro: torrent, HTTP and FTP in one program.
• Pro: video preview during download.
• Pro: long-term seeding and disk cache.
• Con: advertising in the free version.
• Con: crowded interface.
• Con: past criticism over protocol behaviour.

Alternatives

Other torrent clients on our site include qBittorrent, which is open source and free of ads, Deluge and BitTorrent. BitLord focuses on streaming, and Free Download Manager also handles torrents alongside regular downloads.