Side by side
MLDonkey vs Nicotine+
Both stand on peer-to-peer file sharing software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb+1
MLDonkey covers several networks through one background daemon and offers multiple control interfaces. Allow for network port configuration and the stated OCaml version range when assessing fit.
Visit MLDonkey Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Pick Nicotine+ if you want a free, open source graphical client for Soulseek on a supported desktop platform. Look elsewhere if you need secure communications or a web interface, since Soulseek is unencrypted and Nicotine+ has no web interface.
Visit Nicotine+The facts
| MLDonkey | Nicotine+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | github.com | nicotine-plus.org |
| On peer-to-peer file sharing software | #12 of 36 | #16 of 36 |
MLDonkey: what it does well
- Connects to several peer-to-peer networks.
- Provides web, telnet, and binary control interfaces.
- Includes make_torrent and ed2k_hash utilities.
- Free under GPL-2.0-only.
What to know first
- Full use may require opening firewall or router ports.
- Supported OCaml versions exclude 5.0 and later.
- Third-party control applications vary in stability and functionality.
Nicotine+: what it does well
- Free and open source under GPL v3.0 or later.
- Available on GNU/Linux, Windows, and macOS.
- Compatible with other Soulseek clients.
- Linux installation options include packages, Flatpak, Snap, PPA, and PyPI.
- The team says the client does not collect data it uses or stores.
What to know first
- Soulseek uses an unencrypted protocol not intended for secure communication.
- There is no web interface.
- Magnet links are not supported.
- The standalone Windows package can conflict with the installed variant's shared data and configuration folder.
Alternatives to MLDonkey Alternatives to Nicotine+ The whole list