- FoxTorrent eliminates the need for an external BitTorrent client application.
- Downloads can be easily monitored and controlled from right within your Firefox browser window.
- Being able to stream media files while they are still downloading is a great feature.
- Downloads will continue even after you have closed your Firefox browser.
- FoxTorrent's interface is completely transparent when you want it to be.
- Streaming does not always work correctly when files are being downloaded at lower bandwidths.
- There are problems installing the Red Swoosh client (necessary to run FoxTorrent) on Mac and Linux.
- Aside from d/l location, there are no configuration options available unlike most torrent clients.
- FoxTorrent contains no proxy support.
- Some trackers tend to ban this client because of its bit selection policy.
- FoxTorrent becomes your default BitTorrent client when installed, automatically downloading files that you wish to retrieve.
- The FoxTorrent Downloads window can be displayed by choosing the FoxTorrent Downloads option from Firefox's Tools menu.
- Downloaded files are saved in a user-specified location on your hard drive.
- Individual downloads can be started and stopped using the Pause and Resume buttons.
- Media files can be played in the Foxtorrent player while they are still being downloaded by using the Stream button.
- Media files that are fully downloaded can be played in the Foxtorrent player by using the Play button.
- File downloads continue to progress even when the Foxtorrent Downloads window or the Firefox browser itself is closed.
- File name, extension, size, and status are displayed for each download.
FoxTorrent is one of the simpler BitTorrent clients available due to its lack of configuration options and ease of use. Based on that last statement, there are obviously both pros and cons to an application of this nature being deemed simple. When it comes to downloading torrents, sometimes the client's settings need to be tweaked in order to handle your specific connection. In the case of FoxTorrent, they claim to do it all for you. This, for the most part, appears to be true. Transfer rates and tracker settings may be things that you would just as well stay away from. However, sometimes FoxTorrent may not be smart enough to meet your needs. If you try this add-on and determine that you fall into this group, FoxTorrent may not be for you.
With that said, if the settings work and you are able to download torrents then you may just fall in love with it. The sleek and straightforward interface makes downloading files a breeze all the while giving you the luxury of staying within your Firefox browser window. The ability to stream audio and video while it is downloading has great advantages when it comes to filtering out media files that are misnamed or of poor quality. Instead of wasting time completing a bad download, you can find out ahead of time and and cancel it. This may seem like a small thing, but I found myself using this feature quite often. Managing all downloads is very easy, even for a beginner. Also, the fact that FoxTorrent keeps on trucking after your browser is shut down eliminates any Firefox dependency you may have been concerned about.
Advanced users may find the lack of configuration options to be frustrating but the bottom line is that FoxTorrent allows you to easily pull down torrents with practically no user interaction. I recommend making it part of your add-on collection and seeing what it has to offer.
