Comparison of file-sharing applications
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
File sharing is a method of distributing electronically stored information such as computer programs and digital media. This article contains a list and comparison of file sharing applications; most of them make use of peer-to-peer file sharing technologies.
This comparison also contains download managers that can be used as file sharing applications. For solely download managers, see the comparison of download managers; for BitTorrent-only clients, see the comparison of BitTorrent clients.
Table
| Name | Network[1] | Anonymous P2P | Link system compatibility | Price | Platform | License | Programming language | No Malware | Latest release year | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aMule | eDonkey, Kad | No | eD2k, magnet | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows, Linux | GPL | C++ | Yes | 2016, 2.3.3 (February 7, 2021[2]) [±] | |
| BitComet | BitTorrent, eDonkey, Kad;[3] HTTP/FTP download | No | ed2k,[3] magnet | Free | Windows | Proprietary | C++ | Yes | 2015, 1.94 (September 11, 2022) [±][4] | 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. |
| 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, | 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 | |
| Free Download Manager | BitTorrent; HTTP/FTP download | No | metalink | Free | Windows | Proprietary | C++ | Yes | 2015, 6.13.4.3616 (February 9, 2021) [±][5] | |
| Freenet’s FProxy | Freenet | Yes | No | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | GPL | Java | Yes | 2020, 0.7.5 (Build 1506) (February 16, 2026[6]) [±] | |
| Frost | Freenet | Yes | No | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | GPL | Java | Yes | 2011 | |
| FrostWire | BitTorrent | No | magnet | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | GPL | Java | Yes | 2015, 6.9.8 (build 312) (April 26, 2022) [±] | Fork of LimeWire, with no copyrighted-material blocker planned. |
| Fopnu | Fopnu | No | No | Free | GNU Linux, Windows | Proprietary | C++ | No | 2023 | Fully decentralized network[7] |
| 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[8] (Free software) | C | Yes | 2019, 0.27 (March 19, 2026[9]) [±] | Latest preview release: 0.11.0pre66 / June 6, 2018[10] |
| gtk-gnutella | Gnutella | No | magnet | Free | GNU, Windows, Linux | GPL | C | Yes | 2018, 1.3.1 (March 9, 2026) [±] | |
| 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++ | Yes | 2012 | ? |
| MLDonkey | BitTorrent, eDonkey, FastTrack, (Gnutella, Gnutella2), Kad; HTTP/FTP download | No | ed2k, magnet, sig2dat | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows, Linux | GPL | OCaml | Yes | 2014, 3.2.1 (August 20, 2024[11]) [±] | 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 | 2023 | 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[12]) [±] | 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 | C++, QT | Yes | 2015, SoulseekQt build 2024.02.01 (February 1, 2024) [±] | Folder downloads, browse users with folder trees, no multi-source downloads |
| Tribler | BitTorrent and Tribler | Yes | magnet | Free | Windows, GNU, macOS | GNU LGPL v2.1+[13] | Python, C++ | Yes | 2019, 7.12.1 (September 20, 2022) [±][14] | 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.[15] 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) [±][16] | |
| 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 | No Malware | Latest release year | Extra information |
- Note that several applications have had adware or spyware tied in during 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[when?] status only.
- No longer available from their websites: Acquisition, Audiogalaxy, Bearshare, Bitblinder, CuteMX, edonkey2000, Grokster, iMesh, Kazaa, Kazaa Lite, LimeWire, Manolito, Morpheus, Napster, Pando and Scour Exchange.
- Opera web browser no longer includes P2P functionality.