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BitTorrent to go after leading cloud file-sharing services

New Sync service gives users a less expensive way to sync massive files.

Seth Rosenblatt Former Senior Writer / News
Senior writer Seth Rosenblatt covered Google and security for CNET News, with occasional forays into tech and pop culture. Formerly a CNET Reviews senior editor for software, he has written about nearly every category of software and app available.
Seth Rosenblatt
2 min read

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BitTorrent Sync 2.0 will arrive in early 2015 with advanced features to take on the biggest cloud storage providers. BitTorrent

BitTorrent wants to make it easier for you to control your data. The company, best known for helping people share large files incredibly fast, is now applying the technology to syncing very large files across devices.

BitTorrent announced Wednesday a premium version of Sync that will pit BitTorrent Sync against cloud-based services such as Apple iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive. BitTorrent wants Sync 2.0 to appeal to two key groups: Individuals and businesses wanting to share unlimited-size files, and people worried about privacy and security in the cloud.

"We developed the product for things that need to be kept very, very private," said Erik Pounds, vice president of product management in charge of Sync.

Sync 2.0 Pro will offer dedicated tech support, business-grade work-group features and the ability to sync terabyte-size files for more than $40 less than its cheapest cloud competitor.

BitTorrent plans to charge $39.99 annually for the premium service. Though Sync 2.0 won't be available for a few months, people can sign up to test it and the upcoming mobile sync apps. BitTorrent said it expects to release Sync 2.0 in early 2015.

The free version of Sync 2.0, which is designed to simplify the syncing and sharing of folders, has an updated interface from the current Sync version 1.4 and comes with a 30-day trial to Sync Pro. Users can toggle folder permissions and ownership, sync files automatically and receive technical support.

BitTorrent is working on building two new services based on Sync's technology, Pounds said. One is a mobile app for syncing very large files, and the other will help businesses distribute files. Both are expected to be released next year.