Comparison of file-sharing applications
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. For pure download managers see the Comparison of download managers.
Note: BitTorrent-only clients have another comparison page.
Table
| Name | Network | Anonymous P2P | Link system compatibility | Price | Platform | License | Programming language | Free Spyware-Adware | Latest release version | Extra information |
| aMule | eDonkey, Kad | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows, Linux | C++ | 2016, | |||||
| Ares Galaxy | Ares, BitTorrent | Free | Windows | Object Pascal | 2017, | |||||
| BitComet | BitTorrent, eDonkey, Kad; HTTP/FTP download | Free | Windows | C++ | 2015, | 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 | Free | macOS, Windows | Java, REALbasic | 2010, | |||||
| DC++ | Direct Connect | Free | Windows | C++ | 2017, 0.866 | Many modifications exist, for example: , EiskaltDC++, FlylinkDC++, etc. | ||||
| eMule | eDonkey, Kad | Free | Windows | C++ | 2010, | Supports protocol obfuscation | ||||
| Filetopia | Filetopia | Free | Windows | Java | 2018 | |||||
| Flashget | BitTorrent, eDonkey; HTTP/FTP download | Windows | 2012 | |||||||
| Fopnu | Fopnu | Free | Windows, Linux | C++ | 2020, 1.48 | |||||
| Free Download Manager | BitTorrent; HTTP/FTP download | Free | Windows | C++ | 2015, | |||||
| Freenet’s FProxy | Freenet | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | Java | 2018, | |||||
| Frost | Freenet | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | Java | 2011 | |||||
| FrostWire | BitTorrent | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | Java | 2015, | Fork of LimeWire, with no copyrighted-material blocker planned. | ||||
| GetRight | BitTorrent; HTTP/FTP download | Windows | 2011 | |||||||
| giFT | OpenFT and, with plugins, Ares, Gnutella, FastTrack | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | C | 2004, | |||||
| GnucDNA / Gnucleus | Gnutella, Gnutella2 | Free | Windows | C++ | 2005, | |||||
| GNUnet / gnunet-fs | GNUnet | Free | GNU, FreeBSD, macOS, Windows | C | 2019, | Latest preview release: 0.11.0pre66 / | ||||
| gtk-gnutella | Gnutella | Free | GNU, Windows, Linux | C | 2018, | |||||
| I2Phex | I2P | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | Java | 2011 | Need I2P to run. | ||||
| iMule | I2P | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | C++ | 2013, | needs I2P to run | ||||
| Jumpshare | Jumpshare | Free or US$9.99/month | Windows, macOS | Proprietary | Various | 2015 | Real-time file sharing with built-in utilities for screenshots, screencasts, notes, and voice clips | |||
| KCeasy | Ares, Gnutella, FastTrack, OpenFT | Free | Windows | C++, Object Pascal | 2008 | Uses integrated giFT file sharing daemon as back-end. | ||||
| KGet | BitTorrent; HTTP/FTP download | Free | part of KDE on Windows | C++ | 2012 | |||||
| MLDonkey | BitTorrent, eDonkey, FastTrack,, Kad; HTTP/FTP download | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows, Linux | OCaml | 2014, | P2P application, telnet / web-interface / GUI interface, complete and complex remote usage. Sancho GUI makes automatic SSH tunnels. | ||||
| Nodezilla | Private | Free | GNU, Windows | Java | 2010 | Most is proprietary, GUI is GPL. | ||||
| Perfect Dark | Perfect Dark | Free | Windows | C++ | 2015 | Boards. Auto update. | ||||
| Retroshare | Retroshare | Free | Windows, GNU, macOS | C++ | 2018 | Uses PGP for friend authentication. Decentralized F2F network type. | ||||
| Robert | I2P | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | Python | 2012 | needs I2P to run | ||||
| Share | Share | Free | Windows | Object Pascal | 2006 | Anonymous developer; tries to be Winny successor | ||||
| Shareaza | eDonkey, BitTorrent, Gnutella, Gnutella2, Direct Connect; HTTP/FTP download | Free | Windows | C++ | 2017, | Uses a powerful files library; maintained by volunteer group | ||||
| StealthNet | RShare | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | C# | 2011 | Evolution of the RShare client with many functions. | ||||
| Soulseek | Soulseek | Free, donations for privileges | Windows, Mac, Linux | ? | 2015, | Folder downloads, browse users with folder trees, no multi-source downloads | ||||
| Tribler | BitTorrent and its own | Free | Windows, GNU, macOS | Python, C++ | 2019, | Unlike most other torrent clients, Tribler is decentralized and does not rely on any trackers or any other indexing service to discover content. Also features a built-in video streamer. | ||||
| Vuze | BitTorrent and I2P | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | Java | 2016, | |||||
| WinMX | WinMX Peer Network, OpenNAP, chatrooms supported | Free | Windows | C++ | 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 | Free | Windows | C++ | 2003 | |||||
| WireShare | Gnutella, BitTorrent | Free | GNU, macOS, Windows | Java | 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.
Others comparisons