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
NameNetworkAccording 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 Anonymous P2P Link system compatibility Price Platform License Programming language No Malware Latest release year Extra information aMule eDonkey, Kad Free GNU, macOS, Windows, Linux C++ 2016, BitComet BitTorrent, eDonkey, Kad;Compatibility with eDonkey and Kad networks is done via a modded eMule plugin also developed by the Comet team 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. DC++ Direct Connect Free Windows C++ 2017, 0.866 Many modifications exist, for example: LinuxDC++, EiskaltDC++, FlylinkDC++, etc. eMule eDonkey, Kad Free Windows C++ 2010, Supports protocol obfuscation Filetopia Filetopia (except when using a bouncer) Free Windows Java 2018 Flashget BitTorrent, eDonkey; HTTP/FTP download Windows 2012 Free Download Manager BitTorrent; HTTP/FTP download Free Windows C++ 2015, Freenet’s FProxy Freenet Free GNU, macOS, Windows Java 2020, 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. Fopnu Fopnu Free GNU Linux, Windows C++ 2023 Fully decentralized network 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 (protocol Gnutella) Free GNU, macOS, Windows Java 2011 Need I2P to run. iMule I2P (protocol Kad network) Free GNU, macOS, Windows C++ 2013, needs I2P to run Jumpshare Jumpshare Free or US$9.99/month Windows, macOS 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 (Delphi) 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, (Gnutella, Gnutella2), 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++ 2023 Uses PGP for friend authentication. Decentralized F2F network type. Robert I2P (protocol BitTorrent) Free GNU, macOS, Windows Python 2012 needs I2P to run Share Share Free Windows Object Pascal (Delphi) 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 C++, QT 2015, Folder downloads, browse users with folder trees, no multi-source downloads Tribler BitTorrent and Tribler Free Windows, GNU, macOS Python, C++ 2019, 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.whatIsTribler/2 Also features a built-in video streamer. Vuze (formerly Azureus) BitTorrent and I2P (except when using I2P) Free GNU, macOS, Windows Java 2016, WinMX WinMX Peer Network (independent, now user-operated), 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 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 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
Other comparisons
Notes