Comparison of BitTorrent sites
There are many different BitTorrent websites, each providing information about files distributed via the BitTorrent protocol. They typically contain multiple torrent files and an index of those files. In a typical scenario, a user would enter such a site and browse or search for the content they desire, based on the torrent descriptions posted at the site by other users. If a torrent with the sought content is found, the user could download that torrent.
Such websites each have different features to facilitate the user's search.
Contents |
[edit] Features
[edit] BitTorrent Tracker
BitTorrent sites may operate a BitTorrent Tracker. A tracker provides the site with greater control over user interaction with the content offered by the site. Operating a tracker should not be confused with hosting content.
[edit] Directory
A directory allows users to browse the content available on site based on various categories. For example, a directory may let users browse through cookbooks in books section. A directory is also a site like filesharingz.com where users can find websites. In bittorrent's case, users can find trackers and bittorrent-related sites on these directories.
[edit] Comments
Some sites let users post comments about files. Comments allow user to gain additional information before deciding to download a file. This is especially useful when dealing with larger files which may take hours or even days to download.
[edit] Specialization
BitTorrent sites may either focus on certain content —for example, etree.org focuses on Live Concerts— or may have no particular focus, like Mininova. Some sites specialize as search engines of other torrent sites (see below).
[edit] Multi-tracker index
Some sites like 'Torrenz.eu' index and provide a combined listing of torrents found on multiple other torrent index sites. This saves time looking for torrents on different other sites. And chances of finding difficult-to find files are increased.
[edit] Site comparison
The following table compares the features of various BitTorrent sites. It is by no means exhaustive. Alexa ranking is accurate as of 20 January 2012.
| Site | Specialization | Is a tracker | Directory | Public | RSS | One-click download | Sortable | Comments | Multi-tracker index | Alexa Traffic Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnimeSuki | Anime & otaku subculture[1] | No | Yes[2] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Only new torrents | No | No | 25,610[3] |
| BitTorrent | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | 6,488[4] |
| BTJunkie | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 393[5] |
| Demonoid | No | Yes | Yes | Semi | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 472[6] |
| etree | Live Concerts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 86,601[7] |
| FlixFlux | Film[8] | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 587,249[9] |
| isoHunt | No, (Legally redistributable media within U.S.)[10][11] | No | Yes | Yes | Yes[12] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 257[13] |
| Mininova | Legally redistributable media | No | Yes | Yes | Yes[14] | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 8,945[15] |
| OpenBitTorrent | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | 356,800[16] |
| ShareReactor | No | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | 974,956[17] |
| The Pirate Bay | No | No[18] | Yes[19] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not the top 100 | Yes | No | 75[20] |
| Torrentz | Metasearch | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 136[21] |
| yourBittorrent | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 439[22] |
| Site | Specialization | Is a tracker | Directory | Public | RSS | One click download | Sortable | Comments | Multi-tracker index | Alexa Traffic Rank |
[edit] Notes
- ^ Anime Suki
- ^ Anime Suki
- ^ Anime Suki at Alexa
- ^ Bit Torrent at Alexa
- ^ BT Junkie at Alexa
- ^ Demonid at Alexa
- ^ eTree at Alexa
- ^ Flix Flux FAQ
- ^ Flix Flux at Alexa
- ^ Kravitz, David (Mar 2010). [http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/03/isohunt/ "Isohunt Ordered to Remove Infringing Content"]. Wired. http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/03/isohunt/.
- ^ Yam, Marcus (Apr 2010). [http://www.tomshardware.com/news/isohunt-bittorrent- torrent-pirate-bay-mpaa,10053.html "Isohunt Ordered to Take Down Illegal Torrents"]. Toms Hardware. http://www.tomshardware.com/news/isohunt-bittorrent- torrent-pirate-bay-mpaa,10053.html.
- ^ RSS Search Feeds at ISO Hunt
- ^ ISO Hunt at Alexa
- ^ FAQ RSS at MiniNova
- ^ MiniNova at Alexa
- ^ Open Bit Torrent at Alexa
- ^ Share Reactor at Alexa
- ^ Pirate Bay Tracker Shuts Down for Good at Torrent Freak
- ^ Pirate Bay
- ^ Pirate Bay at Alexa
- ^ Torrentz at Alexa
- ^ Your Bit Torrent at Alexa
