A Chrome-based browser with many surprises
Torch Browser is an alternative web browser that integrates social features, video and audio downloading via streaming and a BitTorrent client.
Based on Google Chrome –or rather, on its open-source browser project Chromium–, you'll like Torch Browser because it combines the advantages of Chrome with its own improvements.
A pimped-out Chrome
Torch Browser is definitely an improvement compared to Google Chrome as it adds new features that you would otherwise have to add as extensions.
First, Torch Browser has a client to download Torrent files. On a separate tab, you can add a Torrent via URL or file and see how it downloads.
Torch Browser also allows downloading video and audio via streaming. It's simple and, although it doesn’t let you choose the quality and format, it’s useful if you want to store these files and convert them later.
On the other hand, with Torch Browser you can share the page you are viewing by clicking the Share button, compatible with Twitter and book.
Other interesting features are the option to share the name of songs and groups that you are listening through Torch Music, and the options to search something on Google, Wikipedia or YouTube by selecting a word or phrase and dragging it to the right side of Torch Browser.
Chrome on the outside, Torch on the inside
Torch Browser should offer the same quality as Google Chrome, such as speed and low resource consumption. However, since it includes its own functions, the performance of Torch is slowed down, especially when using the BitTorrent feature regardless of your Internet connection.
When you open Torch Browser you think you're using Google Chrome. Indeed, it’s very similar, but the added features and functions make Torch different: some are subtle as the search function while others can be accessed from the address toolbar, such as the Share, Media and Torrent buttons.
Improving Chrome
Is Torch Browser a good alternative to Google Chrome? The answer is yes. There is still a long way to go, like improving the resource consumption of the BitTorrent client and the media download function but, for now, Torch Browser works well and offers the same advantages as Chrome, plus some interesting additions.
