Soulseek
Soulseek is a free file-sharing network built around searchable files, rooms, and a correlation system for finding people with similar interests.
What Soulseek is
Soulseek is a free file-sharing network built around searchable files, rooms, and a correlation system for finding people with similar interests. SoulseekQt lets users choose folders to share and download selected files from search results, while browsing a folder allows selection of its full contents. Private rooms can restrict membership and assign operators to manage participants. The service says it has no advertising and does not bundle software. Clients are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, including 64-bit Linux; the listed Mac build requires OSX 13 or higher. Browsing another user’s files requires a TCP connection, and router or ISP settings can block incoming connections, although UPnP configures some routers. Soulseek asks users to share only material they are legally permitted to share. Donations of $5 or more add a permanent username, a gold star in SoulseekQt, and at least one month of download-queue privileges. The service is described as unsupported, and access may be revoked.
Good
- Free on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Provides searchable file discovery
- Supports private rooms
- No advertising or bundled software
- Allows selective downloads
Watch out
- Browsing files requires a TCP connection
- Router settings may block incoming connections
- Mac build requires OSX 13 or higher
- Service is described as unsupported
Who it suits
It suits users seeking a free network for file discovery, selective downloads, and community rooms. Users should be comfortable with connection setup and the service’s legal and support limitations.
Verdict
Soulseek combines file search with rooms and selective downloading across three desktop platforms. Its free access is balanced by connection requirements, legal responsibilities, and limited service support.
Plans and prices
From Soulseek's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Soulseek | Free | File-sharing network; privileges available with donations of $5 or more |
The facts
Each one read from Soulseek's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Advertising and bundled software
- Soulseek says it is ad-free and does not include bundled software.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Client migration limit
- The FAQ says data cannot currently be transferred from the original client to SoulseekQt.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Connection requirements
- Browsing another user's files requires a TCP connection, and router or ISP settings can prevent incoming connections; the clients use UPnP to configure some routers.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Copyright rules
- Soulseek says it does not endorse sharing copyrighted material and instructs users to share and download only files they are legally allowed or permitted to share.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Donation privileges
- Donations of $5 or more provide a permanent username, a gold star badge in SoulseekQt, and at least one month of download queue privileges.checked 11 Oct 2026
- File sharing
- In SoulseekQt, users can share files by choosing folders in Options → File Sharing.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy and account security
- The terms say users are responsible for keeping their passwords confidential and must report unauthorized account use.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Rooms
- Users can create private rooms, control who joins or leaves, and assign operators to manage membership.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Search downloads
- SoulseekQt's Download Folder action downloads only files shown in the search results; users can browse a folder to select its full contents.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Service support
- Soulseek describes the service as unsupported and says server access may be revoked at any time.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Supported downloads
- The download page lists SoulseekQt builds for Windows, macOS, and 64-bit Linux; the listed Mac build requires OSX 13 or higher.checked 11 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Soulseek is a free file-sharing network with rooms, a search engine, and a search correlation system for finding people with similar interests and discovering files.checked 11 Oct 2026
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