BitTorrent has a bad reputation. The word torrent is often associated with pirated content and illegal content sharing. Regardless of how the internet chooses to use it, the BitTorrent technology that underpins all of this is amazing. Create a peer-to-peer network to share content directly between two machines. No need to deal with the hassle of buying server space, uploading content, and re-downloading. Not to mention the cost of the whole thing.
BitTorrent, the company that created this protocol is trying to give the technology a new twist with their Sync app. We talked about what makes it great when it comes to syncing content and how it’s better than Dropbox. Since we last talked about it, the app has become available on more platforms and supports automatic camera upload from the mobile app to the connected computer.
But what is this personal P2P craze? Why use these apps if you already have Dropbox and Drive installed? Read to find out.
Pros and cons of using a personal P2P sync solution
A peer-to-peer network is private, doesn’t talk to a server, and is typically a lot faster than server-based synchronization solutions. On the other hand, when the P2P transfer is happening, both computers need to be up and connected to the internet.
Think of personal P2P sync as a directory-based FTP transfer that’s easy to set up and simple to understand.
BitTorrent Vs Infint Sync
BitTorrent Sync and Infinit both require the sender and receiver to install the application. Remember, this is P2P, so unlike Dropbox or Google Drive, just a link to the file stored on the server is not enough.
1. Easy to use
Of the two, Infinit is clearly the easier to use. It has a menu bar widget on Mac and a system tray app for Windows. This allows you to quickly drag files in, enter an email address (either your own or your friend’s), and the file is being sent.
In BitTorrent Sync, it’s not nearly as simple as that. First, you need to make sure that you have BitTorrent Sync version 1.4 beta or later installed for local syncing to work. Then you need to add a folder to the app.
You will then have to “share” this folder with your friends or other computers on your network. There is no easy way to scan BitTorrent Sync installations on other PCs on your network. Basically, you’ll need to email the link to yourself or copy and paste the link.
When you click the link on another machine, you need to go back to the original machine and validate the invitation. And now both machines are synced and anything you add to this folder (on either machine) will sync automatically.
Winner: Infinit.
2. Mobile Application
BitTorrent Sync has iOS, Android, and Windows Phone apps. Since everything in BitTorrent Sync is device-specific, you’ll have to go through the entire process of setting it up, just like you did with another PC. But I think it’s worth it, especially for its speed compared to Dropbox.
Infinit doesn’t have an iOS or Android app yet.
Winner: BitTorrent Sync.
3. Security
Both BitTorrent Sync and Infinit use the same basic P2P technologies. But BitTorrent Sync with the annoying multi-layer authentication process mentioned earlier makes it more secure.
Winner: BitTorrent Sync
4. Speed
This is a bit difficult to determine. Sync speed is highly dependent on your internet connection and Wi-Fi router. But I find Infinit a bit faster than BitTorrent Sync.
Winner: Draw (depends on).
Best for sharing vs syncing
The most fundamental difference between the two of these apps and the one going to be the deal breaker (or maker) is that BitTorrent Sync is explicitly modeled as a syncing app while Infinit is a more file sharing app. But what does that really mean?
If you are looking for a way to easily sync your own files between all the desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones you own, then BitTorrent Sync is the app. Fit. Yes, setup takes a while, but once it’s done, anything you drag into the synced folder will automatically show up on the other device.
On the other hand, if you want to share large files between friends or roommates, Infinit is clearly the better choice.
Which one did you choose?
So which one did you go for? BitTorrent Sync or Infinit? And why? Or will you use both? Let us know in the comments below.
Top images via Shutterstock
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
