Difference Between BitTorrent and uTorrent

BitTorrent vs. uTorrent

Torrents have completely revolutionized the way that people share and download files. Instead of downloading the entire file from a certain point, the downloading computer is aware of a number of computers that have a copy of the file, or pieces of it, and downloads bits and pieces from different sources. This way, the load is shared, and the risk of the main source getting bogged down due to the number of requests is eliminated. BitTorrent and uTorrent are two clients that manage your torrent download. The most significant difference between the two, is their size. The installer for uTorrent is well under 1MB, while that of BitTorrent is almost 3MB. This is because the BitTorrent installer packs the optional software, like toolbars, together with the installer, while uTorrent simply downloads it if the user decides he needs it.

The development cycle of uTorrent is quite fast, and there are alpha and beta versions available so that you are always on the edge of the development. BitTorrent only releases stable versions, and foregoes the release of alpha or beta versions. uTorrent users have the benefit of receiving new features first, while BitTorrent versions are assured of encountering fewer problems, if any, as the software they are using has been rigorously tested. Since BitTorrent only releases stable versions, there is also a noticeable delay between the release of a uTorrent stable version and a BitTorrent stable version. This delay can be somewhere around a week. So if you are using uTorrent, but only updating to stable versions, you basically have a BitTorrent client that’s always a week early.

In terms of the performance of both clients, there are really no major differences, as both are almost identical to each other. Although uTorrent might get some features that will improve its performance by some margin, BitTorrent will also get the same features as soon as they become stable, thereby eliminating the gap. This is basically a cat and mouse chase, where BitTorrent always trails uTorrent by some small margin. BitTorrent users just have the extra buffer in case changes introduced to the unstable version of the software causes the software to crash, or fail in some way.

Summary:

1. The BitTorrent installer is significantly larger than the uTorrent installer.

2. uTorrent has alpha and beta versions, while BitTorrent does not.

3. Stable BitTorrent versions are released a bit later than those of uTorrent.