Our verdict: Deluge suits people who want a torrent client they can extend with plugins or run on a home server. Out of the box it is plain, and Windows releases appear less often than on Linux.
About Deluge
Deluge is a BitTorrent client built on libtorrent. It is split into a background daemon and interfaces: a desktop window, a web UI and a console. By default they run together like a normal app, but you can also run the daemon on a server and connect to it from your PC.
Many features come as plugins, such as a scheduler, automatic adding of torrents from a folder, labels and notifications. Deluge supports magnet links, encryption, DHT and per-torrent speed limits.
What it does well
- Plugins. Add a scheduler, labels, watched folders and more.
- Thin-client mode. Run the daemon on a server and control it from the desktop app.
- Web interface. Manage torrents from a browser on any device.
- Magnet links and encryption. Supports DHT, peer exchange and protocol encryption.
- Bandwidth control. Global and per-torrent upload and download limits.
Who it is for
Good fit
Users who download torrents on a home server or NAS and want to control them from another PC.
Look elsewhere
People who want built-in torrent search or a modern-looking interface out of the box.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No ads
- Plugin system
- Daemon, web UI and desktop client
- Light on resources
Cons
- Windows builds are released less often
- Plain interface and no built-in search
How to install Deluge
The download page offers two Windows installers: the standard one and one built with libtorrent 2.0. Pick the standard 64-bit build unless you need libtorrent 2.0. Enable plugins in Preferences → Plugins.
Questions about Deluge
Is Deluge free?
Yes. Deluge is open source under the GNU GPL v3 and has no ads.
Can Deluge run on a server?
Yes. The deluged daemon can run on a server or NAS, and you connect to it from the desktop client or web UI.
Which Deluge installer should I choose?
The standard 64-bit installer. The libtorrent 2.0 build is an alternative for users who specifically need that library version.
