Top 10 YTS Alternatives: Best Torrent Sites in 2025
If you’ve been around the torrent world for a while, you’ve definitely heard of YTS (or YIFY, as it was initially called). For years, it was the go-to place for downloading movies—small file sizes, solid quality, and a simple, consistent format. However, as with most popular torrent sites, YTS faced legal issues, shutdowns, and numerous lawsuits.
Even today, millions of people still type “YTS” into Google every month, searching for their favorite movie downloads. However, the truth is that relying on just one site is risky. It may be blocked in your country, go offline, or lack the variety you’re looking for.
That’s why it’s always good to know about YTS alternatives—torrent sites that can fill the gap when YTS isn’t available, or when you want something different. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 torrent sites in 2025 that work as great YTS replacements, explain their strengths and weaknesses, and help you figure out which one’s right for you.
(Quick reminder: torrenting laws vary depending on your country. Always use a VPN and be careful with what you download.)
1. The Pirate Bay (TPB)
If there’s a “king of torrents,” it’s definitely The Pirate Bay. Founded in 2003, TPB has withstood raids, arrests, lawsuits, and numerous domain changes that we can no longer count. Despite everything, it’s still standing in 2025—and still one of the most-visited torrent sites worldwide.
Why it’s a great YTS alternative
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Massive library: From movies and TV shows to games, music, and software. If YTS is missing something, TPB almost certainly has it.
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Community trust: Torrents often come with comments and uploader badges (like the famous “skull” icons) that help you avoid bad files.
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Longevity: TPB has proven it can survive just about anything, which makes it more reliable than many new sites.
Downsides
The biggest issue with TPB is accessibility. It’s blocked in dozens of countries, so you’ll often need a proxy or VPN. Domain changes also make it confusing—if you type in “thepiratebay.org,” you might end up at a clone instead of the real thing.
2. 1337x
If TPB is the wild west, 1337x is like a cozy little town—it feels clean, organized, and easy to use. This site has exploded in popularity over the last few years, partly because it’s less chaotic than TPB.
Why it’s a great YTS alternative
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Friendly interface: Simple design, easy navigation, and fewer spammy ads than most torrent sites.
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Popular for movies & shows: If you mainly used YTS for films, 1337x will feel familiar.
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Strong community: Torrents often have ratings, making it easier to find safe and working downloads.
Downsides
1337x doesn’t always have as many seeders as TPB, especially for newly released content. That means slower downloads sometimes. Still, for casual torrenting, it’s a very reliable YTS backup.
3. TorrentGalaxy
A bit of a newcomer compared to TPB or 1337x, TorrentGalaxy has quickly carved out a space for itself. It’s one of the few sites that regularly gets mentioned alongside the big names in torrenting.
Why it’s a great YTS alternative
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High-quality video: Known for fast uploads of new movies and shows in 1080p or even 4K.
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Active uploaders: You’ll often find fresh releases here faster than on other sites.
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Modern vibe: The site feels like it belongs in the 2020s, unlike some older trackers with clunky designs.
Downsides
TorrentGalaxy sometimes suffers from downtime and domain switches, which can be frustrating. But when it’s up, it’s one of the best options for movie fans.
4. NYAA.si
For anime lovers, there’s really only one choice: NYAA. This site has become the central hub for anime torrents, and its community is one of the most dedicated in the torrenting world.
Why it’s a great YTS alternative
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Anime focus: If YTS was all about movies, NYAA is all about anime.
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Huge community: Fansubbing groups and anime enthusiasts keep it well-stocked with new releases.
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Reliable quality: Since the community is so passionate, the torrents here are usually well-seeded and safe.
Downsides
If you’re not into anime, NYAA won’t do much for you. It doesn’t focus on mainstream movies or TV shows.
5. LimeTorrents
One of the older torrent sites still around, LimeTorrents is like a safety net—it may not be your first choice, but it’s great when other sites are down.
Why it’s a great YTS alternative
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Backup option: If you can’t find a movie on YTS, TPB, or 1337x, LimeTorrents often has it.
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Big library: Movies, TV, games, software—you’ll find a bit of everything.
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Decent for older content: It’s especially good for finding films that aren’t brand-new.
Downsides
Ads and popups can get annoying. Also, brand-new releases sometimes take a little longer to appear compared to faster-moving sites like TorrentGalaxy.
6. TorrentDownloads
As the name suggests, TorrentDownloads is all about sheer variety. If you’ve exhausted your usual torrent sources and still can’t find what you want, this site often delivers.
Why it’s a great YTS alternative
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Huge index: One of the largest libraries among torrent sites.
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Good for obscure files: Great if you’re after something hard to find.
Downsides
The site has a lot of ads, and not everything is verified. That means you need to double-check before downloading.
7. Torrentz2
Remember Torrentz, the beloved meta-search engine? When it shut down, Torrentz2 stepped in as a replacement. It doesn’t host torrents itself—instead, it searches multiple torrent sites and gives you results.
Why it’s a great YTS alternative
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Search power: Great for finding music or rare files that aren’t on YTS.
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Minimalist design: Simple, search-focused interface.
Downsides
Because it doesn’t host anything itself, some of the links you find might be dead. Still, as a search tool, it’s incredibly handy.
8. RuTracker
If you want to go international, RuTracker is one of the biggest torrent trackers in the world. Based in Russia, it’s been around since the early 2000s and has a mind-blowing library.
Why it’s a great YTS alternative
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Massive content: Movies, books, music, games—especially strong for older and niche stuff.
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Community verification: Many torrents are well-seeded and reliable.
Downsides
It’s mostly in Russian, which can be a barrier if you don’t know the language. It’s also blocked in several countries.
9. YggTorrent
This one’s especially popular in French-speaking countries. YggTorrent is a community-based tracker where registration is required, but that helps maintain quality.
Why it’s a great YTS alternative
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Great European content: Movies, shows, and music from European sources.
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Community-driven: The registration system encourages accountability.
Downsides
Frequent domain changes make it hard to track the real site. Fake mirrors are a risk.
10. EZTV
Finally, if TV shows are your thing, EZTV is the site you’ll want. It’s been around forever and focuses almost entirely on TV content.
Why it’s a great YTS alternative
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TV-first focus: Quick uploads of new episodes, often within hours of airing.
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Consistent formatting: Just like YTS had for movies, EZTV has for TV.
Downsides
Don’t expect movies or other content here—it’s strictly for TV.
Comparison
Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
YTS may have set the standard, but torrenting didn’t stop when it went offline. In 2025, there are plenty of solid alternatives that keep the spirit alive.
Whether you stick with The Pirate Bay, explore 1337x for a cleaner experience, or dive into NYAA for anime, the world of torrents is still thriving. Just remember:
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Always double-check torrents before downloading.
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Use a VPN to protect your privacy.
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Beware of fake mirrors and phishing clones.
At the end of the day, YTS was never about the site—it was about giving people easy access to movies. And that idea lives on across dozens of torrent sites worldwide.
How to Stay Safe When Using Torrent Sites
Torrenting can be risky if you don’t take precautions. Here are some key tips to keep yourself safe while exploring YTS alternatives:
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Use a VPN
A Virtual Private Network hides your IP address and encrypts your traffic. This helps protect your identity and keeps your ISP from monitoring your downloads. -
Stick to Trusted Sites
Only use the well-known torrent sites listed above. Fake or cloned sites often spread malware and phishing links. -
Check Comments & Ratings
Always read what other users say before downloading. If a torrent has no comments or seems suspiciously new, be cautious. -
Watch for Verified Uploaders
Sites like TPB and 1337x highlight trusted uploaders. Stick to their releases whenever possible. -
Use Antivirus Protection
Even trusted torrents can sometimes hide malware. Keep your antivirus updated and scan files before opening them. -
Avoid Clicking Ads
Many torrent sites rely on aggressive advertising. Don’t click suspicious banners or popups—they often lead to unsafe sites. -
Use a Torrent Client with Security Features
Apps like qBittorrent have built-in IP filtering and blocklists that can add an extra layer of protection.
Bottom line: Torrenting itself isn’t inherently unsafe—it’show you do it. With the right tools and a little caution, you can enjoy torrenting without putting yourself at risk.