Based on available data, here is a list of P2P media sharing platforms ordered by estimated active users. Note that these numbers come from various sources and time periods, so they provide a rough comparison rather than a precise ranking.
P2P Platforms by Estimated Active Users
| Platform | Estimated Active Users | Data Source & Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BitTorrent | ~9-11.5 million DAU; 43-54 million MAU | KuCoin reports, 2025-2026 | The largest P2P network. Includes μTorrent, BitTorrent Web, and mobile clients. |
| IPFS | >11 million weekly users; 250,000 public nodes | ethereum.org, 2026; IEEE, 2025 | A decentralized file system, not a traditional file-sharing client. Used by many dApps and NFTs. |
| Soulseek | ~120,000 concurrent users | AcademicKids encyclopedia (historical data) | A music-focused network with a loyal community. The figure is an older estimate but is commonly cited. |
| DC++ (Direct Connect) | Varies by hub; hundreds per major hub | Public hublists (e.g., hublist.pwiam.com) | A federated network of independent hubs. Total user count is the sum of all active hubs, which can be queried via public directories. |
| eMule (eD2k & Kad) | ~100,000 users (ed2k protocol, 2024 estimate) | Community estimate from 2024 | A classic decentralized network. Hard to measure precisely without a client running. |
| LimeWire | ~2.1-2.5 million active users | LimeWire reports, 2025 | Rebranded as a crypto/AI platform and NFT marketplace. No longer a traditional P2P file-sharing client. |
| Gnutella | Single-digit nodes (active) | nDPI project analysis, 2025 | An early decentralized protocol, now nearly extinct. Only a handful of nodes remain. |
| Fopnu | "Barely 500" users (community estimate, 2024) | Community discussion | A decentralized, encrypted network created by the developer of WinMX. |
| WinMX | Tiny, dedicated user base | Various community sources | At its peak in the mid-2000s, it had over 10 million monthly users. Now sustained by a small community patch. |
| Kazaa | Defunct (website inactive since 2012) | Computer Hope, 2025 | Was a major P2P service in the 2000s with millions of simultaneous users. No longer operational. |
| Shareaza | Inactive development, small user base | Community discussions | A multi-network client (Gnutella, eDonkey, BitTorrent) that is no longer actively developed. |
Key Takeaways
- BitTorrent and IPFS are in a different league. Their user bases are measured in the millions, far surpassing the other networks.
- Legacy networks persist with niche communities. Soulseek, eMule, and DC++ still have dedicated user bases, primarily for music and specialized content, but are far smaller than in their prime.
- Some platforms have transformed or become defunct. LimeWire is now a crypto platform, Kazaa is shut down, and Gnutella is essentially dead.
- Measurement is challenging. For decentralized networks like eMule, Fopnu, and Gnutella, there are no official trackers. User estimates rely on community observations or specialized monitoring tools like KadGlobe for eMule or DHT-Telescope for BitTorrent.