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rTorrent

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What rTorrent is

rTorrent is a free, open-source BitTorrent client built around a high-performance ncurses command-line interface. Users can add torrents from URLs or file paths, start and stop downloads, and remove stopped downloads. The interface shows status, transfer rates, uploaded data, estimated completion time, peers, trackers, and chunk availability. Upload and download throttles apply globally rather than separately to each torrent. Peer controls include snubbing, kicking, and banning. DHT supports trackerless torrents and can back up regular trackers. Encryption policies are deny, allow, prefer, and require, with allow as the documented default. Versions 0.9.7 and later include daemon mode, disabling the interface for XMLRPC control; scripting can extend configuration. rTorrent runs on Linux and macOS, with packages or installation guidance for Linux distributions and Homebrew on macOS. Source compilation and Docker deployment are documented, with libcurl, matching-version libtorrent, and ncurses required. The project uses the GNU GPL-2.0 license.

Who it suits

rTorrent suits users comfortable with terminal-based torrent management, daemon operation, or XMLRPC control. It supports Linux, macOS, magnet links, selective downloads, DHT, and VPN binding.

What it does well

  • Command-line ncurses interface
  • Daemon and XMLRPC control
  • DHT and trackerless torrent support
  • Global upload and download throttles
  • GNU GPL-2.0 license

What to know first

  • Throttles apply globally, not per torrent
  • XMLRPC methods can execute system commands
  • Requires several build dependencies
  • Terminal-focused interface

Verdict

rTorrent provides detailed torrent controls in a terminal client, with daemon, scripting, and remote-management options. Its global throttling and XMLRPC security requirements deserve attention before deployment.

Facts from rTorrent's own pages

Bandwidth controls
The client offers upload and download throttles, which the user guide says apply globally rather than per torrent. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Build dependencies
The README lists libcurl, a matching-version libtorrent, and ncurses as dependencies. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Daemon mode
The wiki says versions 0.9.7 and later have a built in daemon mode that disables the user interface and can be controlled via XMLRPC. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Dependencies
The repository README lists libcurl, a matching-version libtorrent, and ncurses as dependencies. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
DHT
DHT can act as a backup tracker when regular trackers are unavailable or insufficient and enables trackerless torrents. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Distribution
The wiki lists packages for Linux distributions including Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Gentoo, Arch Linux, and NixOS, and also mentions FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, and macOS via Homebrew. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Installation
The project provides source releases and documents compiling the client or deploying it with Docker. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
License
The repository README identifies the project license as GNU GPL. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Linux packages
The project wiki lists packages or install instructions for Linux distributions including Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Gentoo, Arch Linux, and others. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
macOS availability
The project wiki lists installation through Homebrew with the command brew install rtorrent. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Maintainer
The project site says rTorrent is maintained by rakshasa, and the repository AUTHORS file names Jari Sundell. · rtorrent.net, 11 Oct 2026
Monitoring
The interface displays torrent status, transfer rates, uploaded data, estimated completion time, peers, trackers, and chunk availability. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Peer controls
The peer list supports snubbing, kicking, and banning peers. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Product
rTorrent is a ncurses-based command-line BitTorrent client described as designed for high performance. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Project maintenance
The official site says the project is maintained by rakshasa and invites donations to support development. · rtorrent.net, 10 Oct 2026
Protocol encryption
Encryption policies include deny, allow, prefer, and require, with allow as the documented default. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Remote control
Version 0.9.7 and later includes a daemon mode that disables the user interface and is controlled via XMLRPC. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Support
The official site directs users to the project wiki to learn how to use rTorrent. · rtorrent.net, 10 Oct 2026
Terminal companions
The wiki describes rTorrent as ideal for use with tmux, screen, or dtach. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Torrent management
Users can add torrents from a URL or file path, start or stop downloads, and remove stopped downloads. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Transfer controls
The client provides global upload and download throttles; its user guide says throttling is applied globally rather than per torrent. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
XMLRPC security
The project warns that XMLRPC methods can execute system commands and recommends protecting API access, including using a local Unix socket with a reverse proxy and authentication. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026

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