Torch Browser

Pros

• Convenient built-in BitTorrent client
• Media grabber that offers a sleek, convenient alternative to standalone clients
• Drag & Drop search and sharing that is immensely helpful for social media

Cons

• Limitations – Torch relies upon the convenience of an all-in-one browser, but it can’t generally perform its unique functions as well as the best third party applications for any given task
• Speed – Additional features do tend to slow things down slightly
• Security – Torch doesn’t offer the sort of enhanced security features that some other browsers provide

Torch is a Chromium-based, freeware web browser that is developed by Torch Media. The browser focuses on offering users a convenient, all-in-one browser focused on social media, file sharing and downloading. While it received mixed reviews upon release, the latest versions of Torch are largely praised. Torch is unlikely to infringe upon Chrome or Firefox in terms of its share in the browser market, but it is quite appealing when compared to competitors like Internet Explorer.

One of the main ways that Torch differs from Chrome is its built-in BitTorrent client. Instead of having to download torrent files within the browser and use a third-party app for peer-to-peer file sharing, Torch includes a clean and simple torrent manager directly within the browser itself.

When it comes to standard downloads, Torch also has an integrated download accelerator. Users of Chrome or Firefox who like to utilize third-party download managers will find this aspect of Torch to be as convenient as its built-in BitTorrent client. If they wish to stick with their favorite download manager, Torch’s download accelerator can be easily disabled.

Torch also includes a built-in media grabber, which offers users the ability to search for and easily save web media such as audio and video. Again, many users often turn to third-party applications to accomplish this task, and Torch saves them the trouble of having to go outside the browser to do so.

Finally, Torch’s third main draw is its Drag & Drop social media sharing abilities. Searching for and sharing links and photos on major social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Wikipedia, and Image Search) is as simple as clicking and dragging. Torch’s Drag & Drop feature also works for translation.

Torch’s security features are about on par with those offered by the standard Chrome browser. While Torch is not as "locked down" as those Chromium derivatives that focus on privacy and security, the average user will not have to worry about Torch exposing them to significantly more risk than they have come to expect in standard browsers.

While Torch is noticeably slower than Chrome, it can easily outpace Internet Explorer in terms of speed. Since newer versions of Torch have introduced the ability to use add-ons, most of the critics decrying Torch as substantially inferior to Chrome and Firefox have been largely silenced. However, its unique features, while certainly convenient, are not likely to make most people take the plunge and leave their Google or Mozilla browser. However, Torch’s features may be more than enough to impress anyone still using Internet Explorer, especially when combined with the speed and ease-of-use that fans of Chrome

Pros

• Convenient built-in BitTorrent client
• Media grabber that offers a sleek, convenient alternative to standalone clients
• Drag & Drop search and sharing that is immensely helpful for social media

Cons

• Limitations – Torch relies upon the convenience of an all-in-one browser, but it can’t generally perform its unique functions as well as the best third party applications for any given task
• Speed – Additional features do tend to slow things down slightly
• Security – Torch doesn’t offer the sort of enhanced security features that some other browsers provide