Comparison of file-sharing applications

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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

| Parts of this software (those related to section) need to be updated. Please update this software to reflect recent events or newly available information. (August 2024)

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Name  | Network[1] | Anonymous P2P | Link system compatibility  | Price  | Platform | License | Programming language | No Malware | Latest release year  | Extra information

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aMule | eDonkey, Kad | No  | eD2k, magnet  | Free  | GNU, macOS, Windows, Linux | GPL  | C++ | Yes  | 2016, 2.3.3 (February 7, 2021; 5 years ago (2021-02-07)[2]) [±] |
BitComet | BitTorrent, eDonkey, Kad;[3] HTTP/FTP download  | No  | ed2k,[3] magnet  | Free  | Windows  | Proprietary | C++  | Yes  | 2015, 1.94 (September 11, 2022; 3 years ago (2022-09-11)) [±][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; 9 years ago (2017-05-20) | 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; 16 years ago (2010-04-07)[5]) [±] | 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 years ago (2021-02-09)) [±][6] |
Freenet’s FProxy  | Freenet | Yes  | No  | Free  | GNU, macOS, Windows  | GPL  | Java  | Yes  | 2020, 0.7.5 (Build 1497) (February 28, 2023; 3 years ago (2023-02-28)[7]) [±] |
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; 4 years ago (2022-04-26)) [±] | Fork of LimeWire, with no copyrighted-material blocker planned.
Fopnu | Fopnu  | No  | No  | Free  | GNU Linux, Windows  | Proprietary  | C++  | No  | 2023  | Fully decentralized network[8]
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; 21 years ago (2005-06-17)) [±] |
GNUnet / gnunet-fs  | GNUnet | Yes  | ECRS | Free  | GNU, FreeBSD, macOS, Windows  | GNU AGPLv3 or later[9] (Free software)  | C  | Yes  | 2019, 0.19.4 (April 1, 2023; 3 years ago (2023-04-01)[10]) [±] | Latest preview release: 0.11.0pre66 / June 6, 2018; 8 years ago (2018-06-06)[11]
gtk-gnutella | Gnutella | No  | magnet  | Free  | GNU, Windows, Linux  | GPL  | C  | Yes  | 2018, 1.2.2 (February 25, 2022; 4 years ago (2022-02-25)) [±] |
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 (2016-06-01)) [±] | 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, 3.1.7 (July 6, 2020; 6 years ago (2020-07-06)[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  | 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; 8 years ago (2017-09-18)[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 | C++, QT  | Yes  | 2015, SoulseekQt build 2021.02.06 (February 6, 2021; 5 years ago (2021-02-06)) [±] | 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+[14] | Python, C++  | Yes  | 2019, 7.12.1 (September 20, 2022; 3 years ago (2022-09-20)) [±][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; 8 years ago (2017-11-02)) [±][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 | 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.

## See also

* File sharing in Canada
* List of file-sharing programs for Linux and BSD
* List of P2P protocols
* Open music model
* Timeline of file sharing

### Other 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

1. ↑
* According to the article Forbes, Top File-Sharing Networks, on 22 June 2005
* eDonkey had 4,856,554 users
* FastTrack had 2,548,774 users
* Gnutella had 1,530,299 users
* BitTorrent 10 million in March, 2006 according to the Business Week article BitTorrent Goes Hollywood
2. ↑ "Download", Software:aMule team (sourceforge.net), 2021-02-07, http://wiki.amule.org/wiki/Changelog_latest, retrieved 2021-02-07
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Compatibility with eDonkey and Kad networks is done via a modded eMule plugin also developed by the Comet team
4. ↑ "BitComet Changelog". www.bitcomet.com. 2022-09-11. https://www.bitcomet.com/en/changelog.
5. ↑ "The eMule Project at SourceForge.net". eMule.SourceForge.net. 2010-04-07. http://sourceforge.net/projects/emule/files/.
6. ↑ "Free Download Manager 6 Forums". https://www.freedownloadmanager.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17900.
7. ↑ "Releases · freenet/fred". https://github.com/freenet/fred/releases.
8. ↑ https://fopnu.com/ [bare URL]
9. ↑ "license notice placed at the top in one of the source files of the project's repository, probably in each of its source files". https://gnunet.org/git/gnunet.git/tree/src/core/core.h?id=4e2504a967ba09643c6dd7e3b9ce400e30adcb3d. 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."
10. ↑ Schanzenbach, Martin (2023-04-01). "GNUnet 0.19.4". gnunet.org. https://www.gnunet.org/en/news/2023-04-0.19.4.html.
11. ↑ "GNUnet download website". https://gnunet.org/downloads.
12. ↑ "MLDonkey at GitHub". Software:GitHub. 2017-01-22. https://github.com/ygrek/mldonkey/releases.
13. ↑ "Shareaza download page on sourceforge Web site". Software:SourceForge. http://shareaza.sourceforge.net/?id=download.
14. ↑ tribler/LICENSE.txt at devel · Tribler/tribler, GitHub, archived from the original on 2014-12-18, https://web.archive.org/web/20141218130945/https://github.com/Tribler/tribler/blob/devel/Tribler/LICENSE.txt, retrieved 2014-12-18
15. ↑ "Releases". https://github.com/Tribler/tribler/releases.
16. ↑ whatIsTribler/2
17. ↑ "Changelog". Vuze Community. http://wiki.vuze.com/w/ChangeLog.

* v
* t
* e

Peer-to-peer file sharing

Networks,
protocols|

| List|

* List of P2P protocols

|

Decentralized|

* Ares
* BitTorrent
* FastTrack
* OpenFT
* Gnutella
* Gnutella2
* Overnet
* WinMX

Server-based|

* Direct Connect
* eDonkey2000
* Kad
* OpenNap

Anonymous|

* Freenet
* GNUnet
* MUTE
* Oneswarm
* Perfect Dark
* RetroShare
* Share
* StealthNet
* WASTE
* Winny

Single client|

* DAT
* Filetopia
* Fopnu
* Soribada
* Soulseek

Comparisons
of clients|

* Advanced Direct Connect
* BitTorrent
* Direct Connect
* eDonkey
* Gnutella
* Gnutella2

Hyperlinks|

* eD2k
* Magnet
* Metalink

Uses|

* Backup
* Broadcatching
* Segmented file transfer
* Disk sharing
* game & video sharing
* Image sharing
* Music sharing
* Peercasting
* Sharing software
* Web hosting (Freesite, IPFS, WebTorrent, ZeroNet)
* Legal aspects

Concepts|

| Privacy|

* Anonymous P2P
* Darknet
* Darkweb
* Friend-to-friend
* I2P
* Open Music Model
* Private P2P
* Seedbox
* Tor
* Virtual private network

|

Internal
technologies|

* Distributed data store
* DHT
* Merkle tree
* Mix networks
* NAT traversal
* PEX
* Protocol Encryption
* SHA-1
* Super-seeding
* Tracker
* UDP hole punching
* µTP

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