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Softonic Rating:
Good:7/10
License:
Free
Added:
August 15, 2007
Updated:
March 4, 2008
Publisher:
Website
File size:
372 KB
Downloads:
22,341
Cyril Roger

“Share downloads with other users of the BitTorrent network”

by Cyril Roger

The torrent phenomenon is one of the most hyped about in the world of technology among Peer to Peer (P2P) users. It consists of sharing large files, like movies, software, or games anonymously and quickly with other peers. The file you want to download is cut up into small segments shared by users, creating what is called a swarm, and does not go through a central server, significantly reducing the bulk of file transfers, The Bittorrent client is actually the first P2P application to use this technology and became immensely popular when it was released. Torrents are considered by online users as a great way to download recently released movies or tv shows.

Thanks to a straightforward, uncluttered interface Bittorrent appears as a friendly torrent client that beginners will feel comfortable with. We particularly appreciated the integrated search box to look for files on the bittorrent website. Once you’ve found the torrent you want, download it to your PC, open it up inside Bittorrent and let the client do its job. The speed at which you download will depend on the number of seeds, that is people who have the complete file and are sharing it. The more seeds there are the quicker files will download.

You can set multiple torrent downloads and the downloading speed is fairly quick. It’s easy to configure the client and we suggest choosing the right port and setting upload and download rate limits to avoid hogging your bandwidth. It’s also good to set your downloads by priority to monitor more precisely how your torrents are doing.

Compared to the exhaustive Azureus, Bittorrent is very simplistic. It doesn’t provide half as many statistics and doesn’t let you customize the interface. Integrating a search box is a great idea, but it limits searches to the bittorrent website, not considered the most thorough source by torrent aficionados.

If you’re a newbie to the torrent world, Bittorrent is a good bet. It’s safe, stable and sharp. Associated with the huge database of legal torrents that is the bittorrent website, it makes for a very rich P2P experience. Advanced users will probably frown upon its lack of options but others should give it a try.

Languages:

English

Recent changes in BitTorrent:

  • Lightweight client
  • Local peer discovery
  • Configurable bandwidth scheduler
  • Global and per-torrent speed limiting
  • RSS Downloader
  • Always Spyware-Free
  • Includes BitTorrent DNA (Delivery Network Accelerator)

OS requirements for BitTorrent:

  • OS: Win95/98/98SE/Me/2000/NT/XP
Pros
  • Does not contain spyware
  • Built-in search box
  • Easy configuration
  • Works with official bittorrent website
Cons
  • Non-customizable interface
  • Limited download statistics
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47 of 65 users liked it (72%)

From the publisher of BitTorrent

BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer protocol designed to transfer files. Users connect directly to send and receive portions of a file, while a central tracker coordinates the action of all peers and manages different connections without knowledge of the contents of the files being distributed.

With BitTorrent, users upload at the same time they download, so network bandwidth is managed as efficiently as possible. BitTorrent is designed to work better than other file-transfer protocols as the number of people interested in a certain file increases.

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Softonic Rating:Good
9/10

User Rating

159 ratings
Usability
  • Currently 8/10.
Stability
  • Currently 8/10.
Installation
  • Currently 9/10.
Functionality
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Appearance
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