BiglyBT, new Vuze-based torrent client without ads

BiglyBT is a new cross-platform open source torrent client that can be best described as a fork of Vuze / Azureus that is ad-free and without other pasted on features.

The first version of BiglyBT is pretty similar to Vuze right now, but the developers have big plans for the torrent client.

It is developed by two long-standing Azureus and Vuze developers, who have worked on the client for a long time.

Azureus launched back in 2003 when BitTorrent was still in its infancy. The client shipped with new features and options, and quickly became a favorite of many users.

Vuze includes features such as device playback, meta search options and media playback. There is also a plus version available that does away with the advertisement that is displayed in the client, and ships wiht add-on features such as built-in antivirus protection, DVD burning, or media playback while downloading.

Note: BiglyBT requires Java. It comes with an integrated Java Runtime Environment so that Java does not need to be installed globally on the system to use the torrent client.

BiglyBT

Vuze users will notice the similarities to the client. Basically, BiglyBT's first version is just like Vuze, but without the advertisement that Vuze displays in the free version of the client, and some tacked on features according to Torrentfreak.

The features that were removed are the content network, game promotions, DVD burning, and the offers in the installer. At least the DVD burning feature is a Vuze+ feature that is not part of the free version anyway.

Another difference between Vuze and BiglyBT is that the latter is strictly open source, while the former includes proprietary code.

Here is a short list of features that BiglyBT supports (besides the obvious such as downloading and seeding torrents):

• Swarm merging across torrents that share the common files. BiglyBT detects similar files in multiple torrents automatically, and merges swarms to download files faster and, if possible, fix incomplete torrents.
• Rate limiting to limit rates globally, by download, by tag, peer-set (e.g. peers from a country, by network, and by individual peer.
• Web Torrent support.
• Remote control support through an Android application.
• Tagging and the creation of categories.
• RSS feed subscriptions.
• View ratings and comments before adding torrents to the torrent client.
• Decentralized public and anonymous chat.
• VPN detection for better integration of virtual private networks.
• I2P Support.
• Tor support to proxy search results, subscriptions and browser connections.
• Media playback.
• Media conversion.
• UPnP Media Server and DLNA support.

Closing Words

BiglyBT  is basically a better version of Vuze, as it comes without advertisement, is fully open source, and does not include proprietary code. The developers have big plans for the program while Vuze's development seems to have stalled in recent time.

Now You: Which BitTorrent client do you use?