Comparison of file-sharing applications
File sharing is a method of distributing electronically stored information such as computer programs and digital media. Below is a list of file sharing applications, most of them make use of peer-to-peer file sharing technologies.
This comparison contains next to file sharing applications also download managers that can be used as file sharing applications (using the torrent-protocol). For pure download managers see the Comparison of download managers.
Note: BitTorrent-only clients have another comparison page (linked in section "Others comparison pages").
Table
Name | Network[1] | Anonymous P2P | Link system compatibility | Price | Platform | License | Programming language | Free Spyware-Adware | Latest release version | Extra information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
aMule | eDonkey, Kad | No | eD2k, magnet | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows, Linux | GPL | C++ | Yes | 2016, 2.3.2 (September 16, 2016[2]) [±] | |
Ares Galaxy | Ares, BitTorrent | No | arlnk | Free | Windows | GPL | Object Pascal (Delphi) | Yes | 2017, 2.4.6 (August 22, 2017) [±][3] | |
BitComet | BitTorrent, eDonkey, Kad;[4] HTTP/FTP download | No | ed2k,[4] magnet | Free | Windows | Proprietary | C++ | Yes | 2015, 1.66 (April 13, 2020) [±][5] | Exploits SuperSeeding and thus is often banned by trackers and peers. Compatible with e2DK links through an eMule plugin which gives access to eDonkey and Kad networks and cross-network sharing abilities with BitTorrent network. |
Cabos | Gnutella | No | magnet | Free | macOS, Windows | GPL | Java, REALbasic | Yes | 2010, 0.8.2 (February 9, 2010) [±] | |
DC++ | Direct Connect | No | magnet | Free | Windows | GPL | C++ | Yes | 2017, 0.866 May 20, 2017 | Many modifications exist, for example: LinuxDC++, EiskaltDC++, FlylinkDC++, etc. |
eMule | eDonkey, Kad | No | ed2k | Free | Windows | GPL | C++ | Yes | 2010, 0.50a (April 7, 2010[6]) [±] | Supports protocol obfuscation |
Filetopia | Filetopia | No (except when using a bouncer) | No | Free | Windows | Proprietary | Java | No | 2018 | |
Flashget | BitTorrent, eDonkey; HTTP/FTP download | No | ? | ? | Windows | Proprietary | ? | ? | 2012 | |
Fopnu | Fopnu | No | fopnu | Free | Windows, Linux | Proprietary | C++ | Yes | 2020, 1.48 (June 9, 2020) | |
Free Download Manager | BitTorrent; HTTP/FTP download | No | metalink | Free | Windows | GPL | C++ | Yes | 2015, 5.1.38 (build 7312) (January 31, 2019) [±][7] | |
Freenet’s FProxy | Freenet | Yes | No | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | GPL | Java | Yes | 2018, 0.7.5 (Build 1485) (January 26, 2020) [±][8] | |
Frost | Freenet | Yes | No | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | GPL | Java | Yes | 2011 | |
FrostWire | BitTorrent | No | magnet | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | GPL | Java | Yes | 2015, 6.8.4 (build 292) (January 31, 2020) [±] | Fork of LimeWire, with no copyrighted-material blocker planned. |
GetRight | BitTorrent; HTTP/FTP download | No | ? | ? | Windows | ? | ? | ? | 2011 | |
giFT | OpenFT and, with plugins, Ares, Gnutella, FastTrack | No | No | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | GPL | C | Yes | 2004, 0.11.8.1 (2004-11-27) [±] | |
GnucDNA / Gnucleus | Gnutella, Gnutella2 | No | No | Free | Windows | GPL | C++ | Yes | 2005, 2.2.0.0 (June 17, 2005) [±] | |
GNUnet / gnunet-fs | GNUnet | Yes | ECRS | Free | GNU, FreeBSD, macOS, Windows | GNU AGPLv3 or later[9] (Free software) | C | Yes | 2019, 0.11.6 (July 24, 2019[10]) [±] | Latest preview release: 0.11.0pre66 / June 6, 2018[11] |
gtk-gnutella | Gnutella | No | magnet | Free | GNU, Windows, Linux | GPL | C | Yes | 2018, 1.1.15 (July 14, 2019) [±] | |
I2Phex | I2P (protocol Gnutella) | Yes | magnet | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | GPL | Java | Yes | 2011 | Need I2P to run. |
iMule | I2P (protocol Kad network) | Yes | ed2k, magnet | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | GPL | C++ | Yes | 2013, 2.3.3.3 (June 1, 2016) [±] | needs I2P to run |
Jumpshare | Jumpshare | No | No | Free or US$9.99/month | Windows, macOS | Proprietary | Various | Yes | 2015 | Real-time file sharing with built-in utilities for screenshots, screencasts, notes, and voice clips |
KCeasy | Ares, Gnutella, FastTrack, OpenFT | No | No | Free | Windows | GPL | C++, Object Pascal (Delphi) | Yes | 2008 | Uses integrated giFT file sharing daemon as back-end. |
KGet | BitTorrent; HTTP/FTP download | No | ? | Free | part of KDE on Windows | GPL | C++ | ? | 2012 | ? |
MLDonkey | BitTorrent, eDonkey, FastTrack, (Gnutella, Gnutella2), Kad; HTTP/FTP download | No | ed2k, magnet, sig2dat | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows, Linux | GPL | OCaml | Yes | 2014, 3.1.7 (July 6, 2020[12]) [±] | P2P application, telnet / web-interface / GUI interface, complete and complex remote usage. Sancho GUI makes automatic SSH tunnels. |
Nodezilla | Private | Yes | No | Free | GNU, Windows | core proprietary, GUI GPL | Java | Yes | 2010 | Most is proprietary, GUI is GPL. |
Perfect Dark | Perfect Dark | Yes | No | Free | Windows | Proprietary | C++ | Yes | 2015 | Boards. Auto update. |
Retroshare | Retroshare | Yes | Own format | Free | Windows, GNU, macOS | GPL | C++ | Yes | 2018 | Uses PGP for friend authentication. Decentralized F2F network type. |
Robert | I2P (protocol BitTorrent) | Yes | magnet | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | GPL | Python | Yes | 2012 | needs I2P to run |
Share | Share | Yes | No | Free | Windows | Proprietary | Object Pascal (Delphi) | Yes | 2006 | Anonymous developer; tries to be Winny successor |
Shareaza | eDonkey, BitTorrent, Gnutella, Gnutella2, Direct Connect; HTTP/FTP download | No | ed2k, magnet, Piolet/MP2P, gnutella | Free | Windows | GPL | C++ | Yes | 2017, 2.7.10.2 (September 18, 2017[13]) [±] | Uses a powerful files library; maintained by volunteer group |
StealthNet | RShare | Yes | No | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | GPL | C# | Yes | 2011 | Evolution of the RShare client with many functions. |
Soulseek | Soulseek | No | No | Free, donations for privileges | Windows, Mac, Linux | Proprietary | ? | Yes | 2015, SoulseekQt build 2018.11.16 (November 16, 2018) [±] | Folder downloads, browse users with folder trees, no multi-source downloads |
Tribler | BitTorrent and its own | Yes | magnet | Free | Windows, GNU, macOS | GNU LGPL v2.1+[14] | Python, C++ | Yes | 2019, 7.4.4 (February 21, 2020) [±][15] | Unlike most other torrent clients, Tribler is decentralized (as well as anonymous) and does not rely on any trackers or any other indexing service to discover content.[16] Also features a built-in video streamer. |
Vuze (formerly Azureus) |
BitTorrent and I2P | No (except when using I2P) | magnet | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | GPL | Java | No | 2016, 5.7.6.0 (November 2, 2017) [±][17] | |
WinMX | WinMX Peer Network (independent, now user-operated), OpenNAP, chatrooms supported | No | No | Free | Windows | Proprietary | C++ | Yes | 2004 | Official development has ceased due to RIAA coercion. Versions 3.53, 3.54 beta 4 and older are available from 3rd parties. |
Winny | Winny | Yes | No | Free | Windows | Proprietary | C++ | Yes | 2003 | |
WireShare | Gnutella, BitTorrent | No | magnet | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | GPL | Java | Yes | 2016 | Forked from Limewire pro |
Name | Network | Anonymous P2P | Link system compatibility | Price | Platform | License | Programming language | Free Spyware-Adware | Last release year | Extra information |
- Note that several applications had adware or spyware tied in in the past and may have it again in the future. The same goes for forks of open source apps, e.g. eMule. This list attempts to display the current status only.
- No longer available from their websites: Acquisition, Audiogalaxy, Bearshare, Bitblinder, CuteMX, edonkey2000, Entropy, Grokster, iMesh, Kazaa, Kazaa Lite, Limewire, Manolito, Morpheus, Napster, Pando and Scour Exchange
- Opera web browser no longer includes P2P functionality.
gollark: You *do* realise Discord doesn't let you post HTML tags?
gollark: Have you considered learning TeX for writing maths on computers instead?
gollark: It apparently leads to higher lifetime earnings and lower unemployment even compensating for losing time in the workplace and smarter people going there in the first place.
gollark: Essay-heavy subjects = various bees.
gollark: Ah, so a different thing.
See also
Others comparisons
- Comparison of Advanced Direct Connect software
- Comparison of BitTorrent clients
- Comparison of eDonkey software
- Comparison of G2 software
- Comparison of gnutella software
- Comparison of download managers
- Comparison of file transfer protocols
Notes
-
- According to the article Forbes, Top File-Sharing Networks, on 22 June 2005
- BitTorrent 10 million in March, 2006 according to the Business Week article BitTorrent Goes Hollywood Archived 2009-04-07 at the Wayback Machine
- "Download", aMule team, sourceforge.net, 2011-11-12, retrieved 2016-06-16
- "Browse /aresgalaxy at SourceForge.net". AresGalaxy. 22 October 2017 – via SourceForge.
- Compatibility with eDonkey and Kad networks is done via a modded eMule plugin also developed by the Comet team
- "BitComet Changelog". www.bitcomet.com. 2019-11-04. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
- "The eMule Project at SourceForge.net". eMule.SourceForge.net. 2010-04-07. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
- "Free Download Manager 5.1 Forums". FreeDownloadManager.org. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- "Freenet Github Repository". github.com/freenet/fred.
- "license notice placed at the top in one of the source files of the project's repository, probably in each of its source files". Retrieved June 8, 2018.
GNUnet is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
- Schanzenbach, Martin (2019-07-24). "2019-07-24: GNUnet 0.11.6 released". gnunet.org. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
- "GNUnet download website". Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
- "MLDonkey at GitHub". GitHub. 2017-01-22. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
- "Shareaza download page on sourceforge Web site". SourceForge. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
- tribler/LICENSE.txt at devel · Tribler/tribler, GitHub, archived from the original on 2014-12-18, retrieved 2014-12-18
- "Releases".
- whatIsTribler/2 Archived 2013-07-28 at the Wayback Machine
- "Changelog". Vuze Community. Retrieved 2017-12-11.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.