Vuze (formerly Azureus) is an open source project that provides users with a full-featured file sharing application. It is written in the Java programming language and it’s compatible with Linux, Mac and Windows systems. In other words, Vuze is a fast and dedicated BitTorrent client that allows for playback of HD (High Definition) video files. It is distributed as binary and source files for all the aforementioned OSes.

The application features subscriptions, meta search, faster downloads, web remote, as well as the ability to drag and drop files to be played on mobile devices like iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Apple TV, PS3, Xbox 360, PSP, and TiVo devices. Except for the latest Java runtime environment from Oracle, the application doesn’t require any other libraries of components. However, using the JAR file on a Linux system is somewhat complicated because you will have to keep that binary file on a specific folder and create a shortcut on your desktop.

Anyhow, ignoring that initial prompt, the application looks quite familiar, simple and easy to use, and provides users with a getting started page. If you’ve used uTorrent before, then you will have no problem using this app. The graphical interface is comprised of the main section where you can see the downloaded files and a sidebar that allows you to access your library, newly added files, notifications, subscriptions, and the Vuze HD network.

If you’re lucky enough to have a Linux operating system that provides Vuze on its default software repositories, we strongly recommend to install it from there. But even so, we can immediately notice that the application has been designed for Linux systems, as it requires users to make the /usr/lib/vuze folder writer in order to install updates (this is not the case on Linux).

The application is quite rich in features, offers an attractive user interface and it’s easy to use. However, on Linux we recommend users to use a native application that does the same thing, not a Java one.