Bearshare Free Music Downloads

About BearShare Free Music Downloads

While there have been several versions of the BearShare P2P file sharing network software available, the latest BearShare 6 is the one that has brought so many changes and helped make BearShare one of the most popular P2P networks on the internet. This version of BearShare has all of the request upgrade bells and whistles you would expect to find, like faster downloading speeds, an upgrade search engine capability, and a sleek new main page user interface, complete with artist bios, music videos, new release information and more. What is really unique about this version of BearShare, however, is the fact that the songs you download are free and clear of any legal constraints; good news for people who use P2P networks heavily and are concerned about getting one of those dreaded letters in the mail from the RIAA threatening thousands of dollars in fines.

So, what’s the problem with BearShare 6? The problem most users have with it is that it really isn’t free after all. You can download the software for free, and you can use it to download so called “green” tracks from the BearShare network, but if you want to download a so called “premium” track, you have to have to upgrade to a premium membership, which involves a monthly subscription fee. Which tracks are premium tracks? Just about every track you will want to download, because these tracks are the tracks that are protected by copyright. The record labels get paid for the downloads, and they stay off BearShare’s back. If you want to download songs to burn to a CD, then you have to pay an additional fee for the song on top of your monthly membership fee. So, there might be millions of songs on the network waiting to be downloaded, but this service is no free lunch. Some say this flies in the face of the spirit of P2P networks – and some users like to remind BearShare that they once made a commitment that they would never have a fee based service.

Other customer reviews of BearShare complain about the new user interface, claiming it is too confusing, and that the new search feature is also more confusing then it used to be. BearShare tracks downloaded from the new version of BearShare can only be played on BearShare’s own media player, another sore point for users. Lastly, BearShare contests that their software is adware and spyware free, but many experts claim it comes bundled with software that might not officially be considered spyware, but essential performs in the same way.

Should You Use BearShare?

So, what does all of this mean to you as a user? Should you cash in on BearShare free music downloads, or are you better off with another P2P network? It all depends on how you use your music, and what music you want to find. If you want to burn CDs, be aware that BearShare is by no means a free service. If you want to download tracks to have on your hard drive, and you want to experiment with unsigned music, then you can find tons of free stuff for the taking on BearShare. There’s nothing wrong with the BearShare software, per se, as long this network fits the way you want to download music online.