BitSpirit
Rating: 5
Version tested: 3.2.2.206
BitSpirit is a powerful and easy to use BitTorrent client that offers advanced features and is highly customizable.
What is Bittorent, you ask?: BitTorrent is an open-source file distribution protocol designed to distribute large amounts of data using decentralized, peer-to-peer (P2P) resources that bypass the need for costly bandwidth and server resources. I recently read that torrent traffic-estimates on the internet as a whole range between 18% of all broadband traffic to 35% of all traffic on the internet. Simply put, there is massive number of files on the torrent network (both legal and illegal) that are available for download.
BitSpirit is a solid freeware BitTorrent client that manages to be simultaneously laden with features and very low on resource utilization. BitSpirit Features include multiple simultaneous downloads, disk caching, High-speed downloads (with speed control), scheduled downloading, IE integration, instant messaging support, and fast job resumes. Other features include HTTP/SOCKS4/5 proxy support and UPnP portmapping.
There are a number of freeware Torrent clients out there, most notably uTorrent and Azureus. Of these three my favorite is BitSpirit (and is the one I use), even if it is not necessarily the one with the most features. Click here for a comparison table for Azureus, BitSpirit, and uTorrent.
For me, BitSpirit simply has the better look-and-feel of the three; I really don’t care for a Torrent client that offers command-line-interface or web remote control support. BitSpirit provides (a) a very powerful torrent client, and (b) nice design, without intimidating complexity.
Compatibility: Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP.
Go to the program home page to download the latest version.
While I usually agree mostly with your reviews I’m afraid this is not one of them. “Peer exchange” is an essential and the whole reason I choose uTorrent (instead of the resource hungry Azuerus). If the “?” means “no” for PE I wouldn’t touch BitSpirit with a pole wearing a space suit.
I agree with Kent. Utorrent is much bettter and is also free. And if you are running OS X go with bitrocket.
BitSpirit is definitely the choice of a serious Windows downloader. Customization is one of the first things you should look for in an application, because it means control. BitSpirit supports in a neat and adequate manner everything you need but it’s all under-the-hood technology and that’s the beauty of it. I highly recommend it and I’m sure that those who tried it never switched back to other clients.
@Kent Larsson: PEX is good technology but primarily on LOCAL level.
[...] If I am going to be downloading/viewing copyrighted content anyway, why not use a torrent client or some other P2P service in order to get the titles I am looking for? A: For the same reasons [...]