LimeWire Alternatives and Similar Software

When you hear about LimeWire, what you think of it depends immediately upon how long you've been using the Internet and for what purpose. Memories of access to a world of incredible music accessible easier than ever before, or memories of articles criticizing its spread of pirated content access.

Regardless, LimeWire has been discontinued since October of 2010. In its wake, there are many modern peer-to-peer file sharing alternatives, many of which are also open source. Also unlike LimeWire, some of these newer peer-to-peer file sharing apps are also available on your Android phone or tablet via the Google Play Store.

The list of alternatives was last updated: 7/11/2018 2:50:00 PM
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Alternatives to LimeWire for all platforms with any license

  • qBittorrent

    The qBittorrent project aims to provide a Free Software alternative to µTorrent. Additionally, qBittorrent runs and provides the same features on all major platforms (Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, OS/2, FreeBSD). qBittorrent is based on the Qt toolkit and libtorrent-rasterbar library.

    Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux BSD PortableApps.com ... Haiku

    Lightweight Integrated Search Ad-free Built-in RSS reader ... Disable Subfolder Download Queue Download Scheduling Drag n drop Extensible by Plugins/Extensions HTTP Web seeding Multiple languages Open Source apps Peer-To-Peer Portable RSS Downloader Torrent search Sequential downloading Speed charts Add a feature

    qBittorrent icon
    Realtime-Search
    RSS-Feeds
    Torrent creator

  • µTorrent

    µTorrent is a lightweight BitTorrent client that includes standard features such as bandwidth prioritization, scheduling, RSS auto-downloading and Mainline DHT. Additionally, µTorrent supports the Protocol Encryption joint specification and peer exchange. Only the server version is available for Linux officially. The desktop version can run on Linux using Wine.

    Freemium Mac Windows Linux Android PortableApps.com ... Wine

    Lightweight Peer-To-Peer Portable Add a feature

    µTorrent icon

  • Deluge

    Deluge is a full-featured BitTorrent client for Linux, Unix and Windows. It is written in python, uses libtorrent (rasterbar) at its core and GTK for the main user interface along with web and console interfaces for advanced client/server facility. Deluge features a rich plugin collection; in fact, most of Deluge's functionality is available in the form of plugins. Deluge was created with the intention of being lightweight and unobtrusive.

    Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux BSD libtorrent ... Python

    Ad-free Ad-free Built-in Torrent client Extensible by Plugins/Extensions ... Portable Add a feature

    Deluge icon

  • Tixati

    Tixati is a peer-to-peer file sharing program that uses the popular BitTorrent protocol. This protocol allows many peers to form a cooperative swarm and download very large files with great efficiency. Tixati is one of the most advanced and flexible BitTorrent clients available. And unlike many other clients, Tixati contains no spy-ware, no ads and no gimmicks.

    Free Personal Windows Linux

    Ad-free Auto-categorize Customizable Decentralized ... Group chat Media Streaming Peer-To-Peer Portable Remote Management Torrent search Sequential download Stream audio Sync iTunes Libraries Tag based Add a feature

    Tixati icon

  • BitTorrent

    BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer program developed by Bram Cohen and BitTorrent, Inc. used for uploading and downloading files via the BitTorrent protocol. BitTorrent was the first client written for the protocol. It is often nicknamed Mainline by developers denoting its official origins. Since version 6.0 the BitTorrent client has been a rebranded version of µTorrent. It's currently available for Microsoft Windows, Mac

    Freemium Mac Windows Android Android Tablet

    Built-in Antivirus Built-in Media converter Built-in player Gapless Playback ... Peer-To-Peer Remote desktop Add a feature

    BitTorrent icon

  • Vuze

    Vuze (formerly Azureus) is a free BitTorrent client used to transfer files via the BitTorrent protocol. Vuze is written in Java, and uses the Azureus Engine. In addition to bittorrenting, Vuze allows users to view, publish and share original DVD and HD quality video content. Content is presented through channels and categories containing TV shows, music videos, movies, video games and others.

    Freemium Mac Windows Linux Android BSD ... Chrome

    Built-in Antivirus Built-in player Built-in Video Converter Integrated Chat ... Integrated Search Add a feature

    Vuze icon

  • Soulseek

    Soulseek® is a unique ad-free, spyware free, and just plain free file sharing application. One of the things that makes Soulseek® unique is our community and community-related features. Based on peer-to-peer technology, virtual rooms allow you to meet people with the same interests, share information, and chat freely using real-time messages in public or private. Soulseek®, with its built-in people matching system, is a great way to make new friends and expand your mind!

    Free Mac Windows Linux

    Android Sync Peer-To-Peer Add a feature

    Soulseek icon

  • rTorrent

    rtorrent is a BitTorrent client for ncurses, using the libtorrent library. The client and library is written in C++ with emphasis on speed and efficiency, while delivering equivalent features to those found in GUI based clients in an ncurses client.

    Free Open Source Mac Linux BSD

    Command Line support Add a feature

    rTorrent icon

  • eMule

    eMule is a free peer-to-peer file sharing application for Microsoft Windows. Connects to the eDonkey network and the Kad network.

    • Discontinued The official website is no longer updated, but the forum is still active. Last official version, 0.50b Beta1, was released in March 2015 by SomeSupport. As of August 2017, an unofficial release is still developed by fox88/irwir and can be downloaded from GitHub.

    Free Open Source Windows

    Support for eD2K/eDonkey protocol Integrated Search Peer-To-Peer Add a feature

    eMule icon

  • Miro

    Miro (formerly Democracy Player) is a free and open source internet TV application, media library, and video player. Through Miro, you can subscribe to any RSS feed, podcast, or video blog and explore hundreds of free channels with the built-in Channel Guide. It is fully BitTorrent capable, and also allows you to subscribe to video-sharing site such as Youtube. The program furthermore makes it easy to browse your collection, make playlists and stay organized.

    Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux BSD

    Android Sync Built-in Media converter Built-in Torrent client Create PlayList ... Fullscreen support Music Library Music store Add a feature

    Miro icon

  • Tribler

    Tribler is an application that enables its users to find, enjoy and share content. With content we mean video, audio, pictures, and much more. Tribler has three goals in helping you, the user: find, consume and share content. We aim to show just how easy file-sharing can be. We now added anti-spam measures using channels. Search box with suggestions Anti-spam features Video-on-demand support Fully distributed

    • Warning Host's IP can be used as exit nodes: it means that if some other user downloads something illegal, you could be prosecuted because your IP appears! Even on Tribler official website, a Disclaimer states: "Do not put yourself in danger. Our anonymity is not yet mature. Tribler does not protect you against spooks and government agencies."

    Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux

    Decentralized Distributed Integrated File Sharing Integrated Search ... Peer-To-Peer Add a feature

    Tribler icon

  • FrostWire

    FrostWire is a free, open source P2P BitTorrent file sharing application & cloud file downloader in one. It's a fork of LimeWire . Unlike other BitTorrent clients, FrostWire allows users to query both BitTorrent Search engines & Cloud sources from within the application (YouTube, SoundCloud and Archive.

    Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux Android Android Tablet ... Kindle Fire

    Built-in player Integrated Search iTunes integration Media Streaming ... Music Library Peer-To-Peer Torrent search Large File Transfer Download from Soundcloud Add a feature

    FrostWire icon

  • Halite

    Halite (named after the mineral) is a C++ BitTorrent client based on the excellent libtorrent library from Rasterbar Software. The program also relies heavily on the Boost libraries.

    • Discontinued Last version was released on 19/12/2015, as of 2017 app is still stable and working.

    Free Open Source Windows libtorrent

    No features added Add a feature

    Halite icon

  • aMule

    aMule is an opensource alternative to eMule : aMule is a free peer-to-peer file sharing application that works with the EDonkey network and the Kad Network, offering similar features to eMule and adding others such as GeoIP (country flags). It was forked from the xMule source code on August 18, 2003, which itself is a fork of the lMule project, which was the first attempt to bring the eMule client to Linux.

    • Discontinued The program seems to be no longer updated. Last version, 2.3.2, released in September 2016, can be still downloaded from the official website.

    Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux BSD

    Support for eD2K/eDonkey protocol Peer-To-Peer Add a feature

    aMule icon

  • Shareaza

    Shareaza is the most luxurious and sophisticated file sharing system you'll find. It can harness the power of up to four separate peer-to-peer networks, including EDonkey2000, Gnutella, BitTorrent and Shareaza's native network, Gnutella2. Not only that, but Shareaza is completely FREE and won't show any annoying ads or pop-ups. It won't install any unwanted third party programs that can wreak havoc with your computer. No spyware, no registration, no "paid version".

    Free Open Source Windows

    Support for Multiple protocols BitTorrent support Built-in player Support for eD2K/eDonkey protocol ... Extensible by Plugins/Extensions Integrated Chat Peer-To-Peer Add a feature

    Shareaza icon

  • KTorrent

    KTorrent is a bittorrent application for KDE Plasma which allows you to download files using the BitTorrent protocol. It enables you to run multiple torrents at the same time and comes with extended features to make it a full-featured client for BitTorrent. KTorrent offers advanced configuration options, plenty of features and a wealth of useful plugins, like the Search plugin which will allow you to search for torrents directly from within KTorrent.

    Free Open Source Linux BSD

    No features added Add a feature

    KTorrent icon

  • BitComet

    BitComet is a BitTorrent/HTTP/FTP download management software, which is powerful, and easy-to-use. It contains many advanced features that can accelerate your downloading up to 5 - 10 times faster, or even more.

    • Warning Multiple folks on Reddit report adware, sandbox'd myself and got multiple viruses and adware in installation, even attempting to label as "not-a-virus;" -- has very malicious bundles. Would recommend tagging as such due to the installer's crap.
    • Bundleware The installer prompts you to change your default search provider and install a media player. After installation it opens a webpage with an ad for another software install.

    Free Personal Windows

    Download Accelerators Support for FTP Live Preview Mirror search ... Multiple languages Peer-To-Peer Add a feature

    BitComet icon

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  • Ares

    Ares is a free open source file sharing program that enables users to share any digital file including images, audio, video, software, documents, etc. You may now easily publish your files through the Ares peer to peer network. As a member of the virtual community, you can search and download just about any file shared by other users. Latest versions support BitTorrent protocol and Shoutcast radio stations. With Ares you can also join chat rooms or host your channel and meet new friends.

    • Warning Adware

    Free Open Source Windows

    Peer-To-Peer Add a feature

    Ares icon

  • Calypso

    Calypso, formerly Kommute, is a cross platfrom file sharing client using the anonymous network MUTE. Developped using C++ and Qt. For windows and linux, portable to other environments. You can try it by following the installation instructions below. Calypso uses the anonymous network MUTE, protecting your privacy. Calypso is multisource, allowing a good download speed. Calypso is fully compatible with MUTE. You can download files shared by MUTE customers and vice versa.

    • Discontinued The project is no longer developed. Last version, 0.24, released in May 2010, can be still downloaded from the official website.

    Free Open Source Windows Linux

    Integrated Search Multiple languages Peer-To-Peer Portable ... Resume interrupted downloads Tabbed interface Add a feature

    Calypso icon

  • Transdroid

    A remote client for your Transmission, Deluge, µTorrent, rTorrent, Deluge or BitTorrent 6 torrent daemon. You can show and manage torrents, add them via URL or integrated torrent search. A home screen widget is included.

    Free Open Source Android rTorrent Transmission µTorrent Deluge ... BitTorrent Vuze

    Remote client Torrent search Add a feature

    Transdroid icon

  • WireShare

    WireShare is a fork of the original LimeWire open source project. Features Ease of use. Just install, run, and search. Ability to search by artist, title, genre, or other meta-information. Elegant multiple search tabbed interface. "Swarm" downloads from multiple hosts help you get files faster. Utilizes "ultrapeer" technology that reduces bandwidth requirements for most users. Integrated chat.

    Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux

    Integrated Chat Integrated Search Support for MAGNET links Peer-To-Peer ... Tabbed interface Add a feature

    WireShare icon

  • OneSwarm

    Supports both bittorrent protocol and a friend-to-friend version of the same protocol which in most situations makes you anonymous.

    • Discontinued The last code commit on GitHub was on May 25th, 2012.

    Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux

    Anonymity Anonymity Peer-To-Peer Add a feature

    OneSwarm icon

  • BeeMP3

    BeeMP3 is a music search engine for locating an mp3-audio files over the Internet. Free mp3 music search & download. Top artists and hit music free for download. The site doesn't host any files - their crawler searches through the Net and indexes all the brand new and popular songs for Your comfortable and fast search. It has 800 000 mp3 files in its search database and approximately 10000 files are added daily.

    • Warning BeeMP3 is malicious according to McAfee.

    Free Web

    Built-in player Add a feature

    BeeMP3 icon

  • BitSpirit

    BitSpirit is a very powerful and easy-to-use BitTorrent client that provides not only full BitTorrent protocol implementation but also many personalization features. BitSpirit supports simultaneous downloads, download queue, UPNP port-maping, NAT traversal(UDP transport), select downloads from multiple files torrent package, disk cache, chatting with other peers, torrent market, ip-filter, etc. In 3.

    • Discontinued The program is no longer updated. Last version, 3.6.0.550, released in December 2010, can be still downloaded from the official website.

    Free Windows Linux Wine

    No features added Add a feature

    BitSpirit icon

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