Our verdict: Tixati is a lightweight torrent client for people who like to see what is going on: every peer, piece and connection has its own detailed view and chart. It is free with no ads, but it is closed source and its dense, old-fashioned interface takes some getting used to.
About Tixati
Tixati downloads and seeds torrents with support for DHT, peer exchange and magnet links, encrypts connections with RC4 and uses UDP connections and NAT hole-punching to reach more peers. Detailed bandwidth management lets you set limits per transfer or globally, and charts show transfer rates, peers and pieces in real time.
Advanced features include RSS feeds for automatic downloads, IP filtering and an event scheduler. The program has no dependency on .NET or Java and installs no extra DLLs. Tixati is written by Kevin Hearn, is free with no ads or spyware and is funded by donations; the source code is not public.
What it does well
- DHT, PEX and magnet links. Find peers without trackers and open magnet links directly.
- Bandwidth management. Global and per-transfer speed limits with detailed charts.
- Peer and piece views. See every connected peer and the state of every piece.
- RSS and scheduler. Download from RSS feeds automatically and schedule transfers.
- IP filtering. Block address ranges with filter lists.
Who it is for
Good fit
Experienced torrent users who want deep statistics and fine control in a small, ad-free client.
Look elsewhere
Beginners who want a simple interface, or users who prefer open-source software for P2P.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free with no ads or spyware
- Very detailed statistics and charts
- No .NET or Java dependency
Cons
- Closed source
- Dense interface that looks dated
- No built-in search or media streaming
How to install Tixati
Run the 64-bit installer, which installs to Program Files and the Start menu. When upgrading, install the new version over the old one without uninstalling first, as the developer recommends. The installer is Authenticode-signed, and GPG signatures are available on the download page.
Questions about Tixati
Is Tixati free?
Yes. Tixati is free to use, with no ads or spyware. The developer accepts optional donations.
Is Tixati open source?
No. Tixati is freeware; its source code is not published.
Is there a portable version?
Yes. Besides the installer there are standalone ZIP builds and a Portable Edition for USB sticks on the download page.
