If the question is, "what’s the best P2P program?" then the answer to that is, "Well, that depends on what your needs are." Each program has its own strengths and weaknesses and so it’s really a question of what’s right for you. Here is a selection of P2P programs that have been chosen for their popularity and features.
1. µTorrent
A lightweight client for Microsoft Windows that is fast on downloads and light on resources. µTorrent is an ultra-compatible program that works with all versions of Windows and uses less than 6mb of memory. Even though this slim lined program is small on stature compared with other P2P clients, it is feature-rich and has become one of the most popular file sharing programs in use on the Internet.
2. BitComet
A very popular file sharing program for Microsoft Windows that uses the BitTorrent protocol. It supports HTTP/FTP downloading and employs P2P to further increase download speeds. A nice feature of the BitComet interface is an embedded Internet Explorer window to make searching for Bit Torrents easier.
3. Azureus Vuze
Azureus Vuze is a Java based program that is used for BitTorrent networks. It has an incredible list of features and a user-friendly interface. A unique feature of the program is the use of I2P and Tor networks to enable anonymous file sharing. Azureus Vuze has good support with regular updates and is available for many operating systems due to its use of the cross-platform Java programming language.
4. LimeWire
LimeWire is another Java programmed P2P client that is available for any platform that is running a Java Virtual Machine. The LimeWire client is compatible with the Gnutella P2P network and has built-in support for BitTorrent. The program sports firewall-to-firewall transfers and iTunes integration (via DAAP) to enable the sharing of music. LimeWire has good download speed and can be upgraded to the enhanced ‘pro’ version for a fee.
5. Ares Galaxy
Ares Galaxy is an open source file sharing program that utilizes the Ares network. The program also supports BitTorrent and SHOUTcast radio stations. This P2P client uses swarming technology to maximize download speeds and has its own web browser. There is a chat facility which you can use to connect to a community of people or even set up your own channels. A built-in media player and organizer makes it possible to preview and organize your downloads easily.