Guide · Open source

How to use WebTorrent Desktop: install and stream torrents

Updated 2026-10-29 · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

WebTorrent Desktop is a free, MIT-licensed streaming torrent app for Mac, Windows and Linux. You open a torrent and can start watching or listening while it is still downloading, without waiting for the full file. This guide covers installing it, opening a torrent, what the app does with your data, and when another tool may suit you better.

WebTorrent Desktopwebtorrent/webtorrent-desktop · ★ 10.1k · MIT Install options & downloads

Quick start

1Get the app. Download the latest version from https://webtorrent.io/desktop/, or use brew install --cask webtorrent on macOS.
2Install it. Run the installer for your operating system. The README lists no prerequisites.
3Open a torrent. Open the torrent you want to watch or listen to inside WebTorrent Desktop.
4Start playback. Play the file while it is still downloading. You do not need to wait for the full download.
5Check the status. Keep in mind the README calls the development version unstable and offers no support terms.

What WebTorrent Desktop does

WebTorrent Desktop is a desktop GUI app built with Electron and JavaScript. Its main feature is streaming: you open a torrent and can start watching or listening while the file is still downloading.

It is aimed at people who want a desktop app rather than a command-line tool.

Install WebTorrent Desktop on Mac, Windows or Linux

The recommended route is to download the latest version from the official website at https://webtorrent.io/desktop/. The project also provides installer files on its GitHub releases page.

On macOS you can use Homebrew Cask from the command line. The README lists no prerequisites for installing the app.

Recommended: download from https://webtorrent.io/desktop/
Advanced: download specific installer files from the GitHub releases page
macOS alternative: install with Homebrew Cask

$ brew install --cask webtorrent

Stream a torrent while it downloads

Once the app is installed, open the torrent you want to play in WebTorrent Desktop. The core idea is that playback can begin before the full download is complete, so you do not need to wait for the whole file.

The README describes the app's play button as a feature it measures for reliability, including whether playback succeeds, times out, or shows a missing codec error. If playback fails, a missing codec is one thing the project itself tracks as a failure case.

Privacy: what the app collects

WebTorrent Desktop collects some basic usage stats to help the developers improve the app, such as how often the play button succeeds, times out or shows a missing codec error.

According to the README, the app never sends personally identifying information and does not track which torrents you add.

Check the development status before relying on it

The README says the development version is unstable and gives no support terms. Its guidance is for end users, and it does not present the app as a fully documented, supported product.

If you need a supported product, or a command-line or server-based workflow, look at other tools.

Build or modify the app from source

If you want to inspect or change the code, the README describes cloning the Git repository and installing dependencies with npm. The project is MIT-licensed, so you can inspect or modify it.

The README also lists commands for running the app in development, watching for changes and packaging binaries. Use these only if you are comfortable with a development setup.

Clone the repository and install dependencies
Run the app in development
Run linters and integration tests
Package binaries for Mac, Linux or Windows

$ git clone https://github.com/webtorrent/webtorrent-desktop.git
$ cd webtorrent-desktop
$ npm install
$ npm start

What people use it for

Watching video from a torrent without waiting for the full file to download
Listening to audio content from a torrent while it downloads
Using a desktop GUI on Mac, Windows or Linux instead of a command-line tool
Inspecting or modifying the MIT-licensed source code

Frequently asked questions

Is WebTorrent Desktop free?

Yes. The project describes it as a free, open-source app, and the code is MIT-licensed. The README does not list any price.

How do I install WebTorrent Desktop on Mac?

Download it from https://webtorrent.io/desktop/, or install it from the command line with brew install --cask webtorrent. The README also points to GitHub releases for installer files.

Does WebTorrent Desktop work on Windows and Linux?

Yes. The project describes it as an app for Mac, Windows and Linux, and provides installers on its website and GitHub releases page.

Is WebTorrent Desktop safe to use?

The README says the app never sends personally identifying information and does not track which torrents you add. It also collects basic usage stats about playback. The README does not make any wider security claims, so judge the risks of torrenting content for yourself.

What are good alternatives to WebTorrent Desktop?

The source names Stremio, VLC media player and qBittorrent as comparable projects. Choose based on whether you need streaming playback, a general media player or a full torrent client.

Why won't my torrent video play?

The README notes that the app tracks playback failures, including timeouts and missing codec errors. A missing codec is one known failure case, but the source gives no detailed troubleshooting steps.

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Our verdict

WebTorrent Desktop suits people on Mac, Windows or Linux who want a free, MIT-licensed desktop app to stream torrent video without waiting for a full download. It is a poor choice if you need a fully supported product with documented support terms, or a command-line or server-based workflow.

Install options & downloads