Three LimeWire alternatives for easy peer-to-peer downloading

- The Gnutella network did not get shut down -- the actual songs you were downloading came from the Gnutella network, not directly from LimeWire. LimeWire merely found the songs on the network and then downloaded them.
- LimeWire is open source software -- this means any developer with the know-how could download the LimeWire program code and modify it and release his or her own version of LimeWire.
So, how do you download songs now? Easy -- just replace LimeWire with an alternative program which can download from the Gnutella network and you're good to go!

Frostwire
In case you didn't guess from the name, FrostWire is about as close as you can get to the original LimeWire experience. The program is pretty much LimeWire minus some of the annoyances -- like the "upgrade to pro" nag screens. Some Gnutella programs don't compare to LimeWire for searching or download speed, but FrostWire is one of the best -- which makes sense, since it's built on the same source code.
As a bonus, FrostWire is also available for your Android phone -- check out Sebastian's post for more details!
Watch out for the Ask toolbar during install -- just uncheck all the boxes if you don't want it.
Download FrostWire for Windows, Mac, or Linux

Cabos
We've written about Cabos in the past, and it might be exactly what you were hoping LimeWire would be in the first place. Cabos is small, fast, good at searching, and offers excellent download speeds. Installing Cabos is a breeze -- there's no toolbar to watch for and no lengthy "set up your sharing options" wizard to trudge through.
Download Cabos for Windows or Mac

MP3 Rocket
MP3 Rocket also looks a lot like LimeWire and works the same way, so it's another good option. It's a lot like FrostWire, too, though MP3 Rocket does offer you a pro version and screens will pop up from time to time asking you to upgrade.
During install, MP3 Rocket offers the Ask toolbar -- make sure to uncheck all the boxes if you don't want it. You'll also be asked for your email address, but you don't have to provide it -- just click next to skip ahead.
Download MP3 Rocket for Windows













Comments
14
Subscribe to commentscmsb55Nov 1st 2010 1:22PM
Anyone who was still using Limewire when it was shutdown is no doubt far too ignorant to find an alternative. Also, I have a ton of trouble believing any of those people would be using this site.
lehenryjrNov 1st 2010 1:25PM
This is exactly what I was stating…
http://www.lehsys.com/2010/10/observations-lessons-learned-from-the-limewire-shutdown/
While it took almost 10 years to shut down Limewire; there's applications lined up to take it's place. I find the process for the RIAA futile and ignorant to keep moving forward this direction.
Thanks for providing the links; I knew they'd be coming…
Until next time,
Larry Henry Jr.
SteveNov 1st 2010 2:11PM
LittleShoot is also a super slick little program
MuzikgodNov 1st 2010 5:06PM
Have not used any of these programs this year! I'll give you 5 sites that you must check out and no viruses from the downloaded files.
http://www.filestube.com/
http://totalmusiccontrol.blogspot.com/
http://musicistheheartofoursoul.toxicstrut.net/
You can also try googling what your looking for, it's really that easy. :-)
SamKapoor80Nov 1st 2010 8:31PM
I see no offense in p2p sharing if we go back in the history when money or perhaps currency didn't exist people often exchanged goods based on their skills and inheritance this system was called BARTER SYSTEM it was like you have extra pair of shoes i have extra pair of clothes so lets just exchange it so practical and convenient. Got dam these fuckin capitalists seems this world in not enough for them they already make huge money but still they want MORE & MORE , Greedy Arse Holes LOL
RobNov 1st 2010 8:33PM
So,.. it may have just been me, but ever since the demise of (the original) Napster, I was under the impression that Limewire, Bearshare, and all the other P2P network clients out there were worthless because of the overwhelming amount of virus-riddled, poor quality, and fake songs that were out in the collective repository. It's pretty much for this reason alone that I moved from those type of P2P sites to torrents. Now I understand that torrents don't work in the same way, but if Frostwire and the others mentioned above aren't as corrupt as I remember, I may be more inclined to recommend them to my friends.
Anyone care to comment?
MuzikgodNov 1st 2010 9:31PM
You can still get viruses/malware from using torrents but I do believe that's where the future is heading. Those programs are still corrupt and I personally wouldn't recommend any of those to anyone. These sites that I mentioned are great, fast downloads and no viruses!! If anyone tries these sites and downloads zip or rar files I recommend using Peazip to unzip to your folder of your choice.
BhagavadgitaNov 4th 2010 11:33AM
What.cd if you don't know what it is find out.
JamieNov 2nd 2010 9:52PM
MP3 Sniper is a create alternative.
Safe simple and free! No downloads needed.
http://mp3sniper.com
Uryaell SensenmannNov 6th 2010 6:30PM
I've used Cabos for the last two years or so, and found it convenient, fast, reliable, and most importantly, free of annoyances.
Fake files leading to paid download mp3 sites are a minimal rarity, and I've yet to see any other form of maleware appear in Cabos listings after a search for a song title.
Cabos is what Limewire should have been.
Granted, Frostwire comes close as a good alternative to Cabos.
However: I no longer have Frostwire installed on my computer because Cabos is that much better.
I do NOT recommend MP3 Rocket: endless nagware, slow, and usually bereft of anything resembling useful listings: unless you happen to be seeking the latest hip-hop- rap-crap noises which masquerade as "music track mp3's".
Uyraell.
sk8rproNov 17th 2010 9:26AM
If you just want to find singles, then ditch software and go to http://www.beemp3.com
But seriously, in my opinion, torrents are the best way to go. I don't like downloading singles (most of the time), I like downloading albums to understand the context of the song.
Transmission or uTorrent both work great. Then download the albums from sites like www.thepiratebay.org or find a way to join demonoid.com, a private network
If you want the best experience, as someone pointed out. You should join what.cd - it's perhaps the most organized and virus-free music file-sharing network. It has so many formats available, it's better than any online store because it has FLAC from CDs or even Vinyl, and of course the lossy versions of ogg, aac, and mp3s. Seriously, by not joining you are missing on a great experience.
It also comes with a cost - if you break their rules (like not sharing enough to match your ratio), you will get banned. If you tag your files wrong, that's also not good. Just read the rules, and you will understand that it's because of these rules that it's the Best File-Sharing music site in the world.
Joining is not easy, because knowledge of the formats and how to upload them properly is required in order to keep it organized. For more information, go here -> http://whatinterviewprep.webs.com/howtojoin.html
BugMeNotNov 21st 2010 7:39AM
thanks for that junk link with exit blocking popup ;\
wozie_98Nov 22nd 2010 10:54AM
Torrents are a good alternative, but there will always be a problem with the "file-sharing" scene... How about the UseNet, these are an excellent resource for files and downloading without the wait for a user to connect with the file you want like on P2P.
I have seen http://www.LimeWireAlternative.com - I think im going to signing up.
StephNov 24th 2010 3:11AM
I use Imesh for years now, and I can safely say it won't go the same way limewire sadly did, as it is approved by the RIAA, for what it's worth.