Bitmagnet

Self-Hosted

Self-hosted BitTorrent indexer for archiving and preserving digital content

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Overview

Bitmagnet is an open-source, self-hosted BitTorrent indexer built to support archiving and digital preservation workflows. It crawls the BitTorrent network (via DHT, trackers, and Peer Exchange) to index torrent metadata, organizes content with tags/categories, and offers full-text search for easy retrieval of preserved assets. Deployable via Docker for simplified setup, it lets archivists retain control over their data while maintaining accessible records of distributed digital content.

Key Features

  • Crawls BitTorrent network (DHT, trackers, PEX) to index torrent metadata for preservation
  • Full-text search and advanced filtering to locate archived digital assets
  • Docker-based deployment for simplified self-hosting and maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Bitmagnet hard to install?

Bitmagnet uses Docker for deployment, making installation straightforward for users familiar with containerization. The official docs provide step-by-step Docker Compose instructions, including configs for crawling and storage integration.

? Is Bitmagnet a good alternative to proprietary indexers for archiving?

Yes—unlike proprietary tools like The Pirate Bay, Bitmagnet is self-hosted, so you control your data. It’s customizable for preservation workflows and avoids third-party data collection, ideal for long-term digital asset retention.

? Is Bitmagnet completely free?

Bitmagnet is open-source under the MIT License, so it’s 100% free to use, modify, and self-host for any purpose, including archiving and digital preservation.

Top Alternatives

The Pirate Bay (public proprietary indexer; lacks self-hosted control) Search Google
Torrentz2 (proprietary meta-indexer; no self-hosting for preservation) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source
Category Archiving and Digital Preservation (DP)
Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

  • ⊕ Privacy-focused self-hosting retains full control over archived metadata
  • ⊕ Open-source code allows customization for specific preservation needs
  • ⊕ Comprehensive metadata indexing supports long-term content accessibility

Cons

  • ⊖ Requires a dedicated server/VPS for continuous crawling and indexing
  • ⊖ Technical setup may need familiarity with Docker and network configurations
  • ⊖ Relies on BitTorrent network activity to index new content for preservation

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