Our verdict: Nicotine+ is the most polished free way to use the Soulseek network on Windows, with fast search, download queues and chat in one window. It is popular for finding rare music. The network itself is unencrypted, and what you can find depends entirely on what other users share.
About Nicotine+
Nicotine+ is a graphical client for Soulseek, a long-running peer-to-peer network where users share folders and talk in chat rooms. It is written in Python with a GTK interface and stays compatible with the official Soulseek clients.
You search the files other users share, queue downloads from them and share your own folders in return. The Nicotine+ team says it collects no data; the default Soulseek server is run by a third party with its own rules, and the protocol is not encrypted.
What it does well
- Network-wide search. Searches the shared folders of online Soulseek users and filters results by size, bitrate and more.
- Download and upload queues. Manages transfers per user, with limits on slots, speed and queue size.
- Folder sharing. Shares chosen folders with everyone or only with buddies.
- Chat rooms and private messages. Joins public rooms and talks to other users directly.
- User browsing. Opens another user's full share list to find related files.
Who it is for
Good fit
Music collectors looking for rare releases and people who already use the Soulseek network.
Look elsewhere
Users who need encrypted or anonymous file sharing, or who want legal streaming instead of P2P downloads.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free and open source
- Fast search with useful filters
- Chat rooms and buddy lists built in
- Compatible with other Soulseek clients
Cons
- Soulseek traffic is unencrypted
- Content depends on what users share; much of it may be copyrighted
- Installer comes inside a ZIP file
How to install Nicotine+
The button downloads a ZIP from the project's GitHub releases; extract it and run the installer inside. On first start, create a Soulseek username and password and choose download and shared folders. Share only files you have the right to share.
Questions about Nicotine+
Is Nicotine+ free?
Yes. Nicotine+ is open source under the GPL v3 or later, with no ads or paid version.
Do I need a Soulseek account?
You pick a username and password the first time you connect; the Soulseek server registers it automatically.
Is Nicotine+ private?
The Nicotine+ team does not collect data, but the Soulseek protocol is not encrypted and other users can see your IP address and shares.
