Someone reviewed v on Jul 5, 2022

Pros: 555

Cons: 555

Bottom Line: 555

luckman212 reviewed v1.7.3 on Jun 29, 2007

This is a nicely-rounded IM program, I have found it is the only one that works cross-platform (Mac/PC/Linux) and thus we chose this for our corporate IM so as not to exclude Mac users. Also, it allows people who are working at home or out in the field to chat with people at the office which the other "business" LAN-based IM programs couldn't do, because this one is client-server based and not Peer-To-Peer (although I do think it falls back to P2P mode if it loses connectivity with the server). There are a few bugs and it crashes on occasion, which is why I rated it a 4 instead of 5. Hopefully there will be a rewrite at some point to address these, becuause development has halted in the past few years.

Xssshell reviewed v1.7.2 on May 6, 2007

Tried it years ago...a little more complicated than other messanger but I think it's worth the effort.

Make it a Miranda Plugin and I'll use it 24/7!
But no need for another messenger for me personally.

czekar reviewed v1.7.2 on Jun 19, 2006

This would be great software if it supported proxy connections to the internet.

Ah well. At least the screenshot isn't just the same picture in a bigger window!

Blue Joker reviewed v1.7.2 Beta 1 on May 18, 2006

Used it since first releases ,
I ever found it very good and I appreciate his development .
In my opinion , it has to spread up yet ,
it's used , or at least I do use it , with personal friends or co_workers , as a valid IM , whom you can rely absolutely .
The File Transfer is very fine and so other small features , which if not make it unique , sure make it a valid product and I can tell , a professional one.

Nikkie reviewed v1.7.1 on Apr 1, 2006

It's better than multi-network messengers .. it is its own network and does more than those other programs ... they should allow users to create plugins though .. this program is great but feels limited ..

darthbeads reviewed v1.7.1 Beta 1 on Feb 17, 2006

I guess I don't quite understand -- is this a multi-protocol IM client that can access MSN, AIM, Yahoo, etc?

bobad reviewed v1.7.1 Beta 1 on Feb 16, 2006

Great IM program. Simple, intuitive GUI, encryption, great reliability for file transfers. The program is compact and truly portable. Just drop it to your USB flash drive and take it along with you. "Feet to the Fire Radio" just adopted BitWise IM as their official IM. Check it out!

This may sound trifling, but the author actually knows how to post a usable screenshot on FileForum. He also cares enough about his users to post a change log. His care and professionalism are reflected in the program.

uberfly reviewed v1.7 Beta 2 on Dec 1, 2005

This is good software. Been using it for a while. As to why more don't use it - I think the company site does a bad job explaining how this program works under the surface, whether it's comptible in any way with existing IM networks... do you have to run your own server? etc. They just don't do a good job pointing past the interface. That is the kind of thing people who would be drawn to this program are interested in - the rest just go and download AIM.

EarlyMorningHours reviewed v1.7 Beta 2 on Nov 30, 2005

I am simply mystified that this program has not seen larger adoption. AIM, Yahoo, Microsoft, they could all learn a whole from this wonderful utility. It's small, fast, secure, and doesn't clutter the interface with a bunch of fluff. And now you can even run it off of a USB flash drive. What more could you want? Easily in the top 20 of my all time favorite freeware.

tp reviewed v1.0.6.5 Beta 2 on Nov 5, 2005

much improvement since i tried it years ago.. nice to see my username is still there too! ;-)

sanawar reviewed v1.0.6.5 Beta 2 on Nov 5, 2005

I was able to use file transfer where even heavyweights like MSN and Yahoo failed because of NAT/firewall issues.

Also there is enhanced file transfer with queing. I would look forward to these features further enhanced.

No doubt an excellent program.

ModderXManiac reviewed v1.0.6.5 Beta 2 on Nov 4, 2005

Impressive!

Multi-platform support given all the features earns a five from me.

I wonder if It'll stand up well against Gaim 2.0 tho...

xdeimox reviewed v1.0.6 Beta 2 on Oct 3, 2005

Not only is this program outstanding but the developer constantly listens to and acts on user feedback. More and more users getting onboard all the time, check it out, and get your friends to try it out.

EarlyMorningHours reviewed v1.0.6 Beta 2 on Sep 28, 2005

Simply outstanding. Not once have I ever had a crash in the year I've used it. The product web site and it's documentation is supurb as well. I often set this up in lieu of a VPN connection when all I want is file transfers, but the IM funtionality is outstanding as well. I really wish that adoption of this would pick up and start to become an industry standard of sorts.

Nikkie reviewed v1.0.5.1 on Jun 29, 2005

GET THIS !!!

BitWise 1.0.5.1 went with the eye candy and i must say great job !!

subtle but really catchy ..

the program overall is fantastic and fast . great for people with old computers and even better for the newer (super fast!) ..

has great security and a crapload of functions .

really an excellent program and the dev's work hard to please their people ...

good job !!!

bobad reviewed v1.0.4 Beta 3 on Apr 12, 2005

Been using it for a while now, and it keeps getting better and better. It seems that mainly experienced (I hate the word "elite")Internet users appreciate it. If the author would get a break and get publicity from one of the bigger blogs (like Slashdot or Wired) or TV, it could break out over night, and become popular to the masses. Right now, I'm enjoying the great reliability and features, and freedom from the heavy hand of MS and AOL. If BitWise becomes mega-popular, would anything change? I have a feeling the author would do his best to not change his philosophy of continuous improvement of a small, simple, fast, no ads, no hassle IM. Best of all, you do not need to jeopardize your privacy to sign up. No personal information is asked for to sign up. You can still get in on the ground floor if you sign up now. -S- BitWise "bobad".

Nikkie reviewed v1.0.4 Beta 2 on Mar 11, 2005

I liked the idea but it was hard to find poeple and its just not advertised enough ...

iNsuRRecTiON reviewed v1.0.4 Beta 2 on Feb 1, 2005

Hi there,

its good, but Skype (www.skype.com) does the job better.
Skype is also free and have an integrated 256 bit AES encryption, this app only have 128 bit Blowfish, why not 448 bit Blowfish? aah I see, there are an pro version, that have 448 bit encryption, but this on isn't free!

The features in Skype and security in Skype is better, so at the moment only 3 stars for this, an 5 stars for Skype :-P

best regards,

iNsuRRecTiON

Zulithe reviewed v1.0.4 Beta 1 on Dec 3, 2004

Excellent. I can't recommend this program highly enough. This is a no-nonsense, secure, feature-full IM client WITHOUT ads, spyware, or CRAP. I'm sure it won't gain WIDE popularity until it has webcam support but you should start using it NOW, it's just so great. Another reason to start using it early: you can get the username you want! I got lucky and have my first name as my username, whoohoo!

tp reviewed v1.0.3 Alpha 2 on Aug 31, 2004

i've used this one off and last year and it was good then so i am sure it's even better now.. the people i chat with (mostly family members) are spread out over the im spectrum.. so gaim works for me as a better solution. i was just thinking that vnc would be a great thing for these guys to throw into their mix..

imposeeugenics reviewed v1.0.3 Alpha 1 on Aug 11, 2004

Excellent chat client, I will be coercing my friends into switching and then abandoning my standard aim+deadaim and msn messenger setup within the week. I've been looking for a worthy replacement for a while now and this is it.

Maverick_16 reviewed v1.0.3 Alpha 1 on Aug 9, 2004

Well... This Bit is getting Wise. Great to see voice chat added. Very nice professional developer(s). I can see BitWise going main stream soon. Maybe needs to access other networks to make it appeal to the masses.

distinguished reviewed v1.0.2 Alpha 2 on Jun 6, 2004

It does a great job of encrypting chats, keeping conversations private, so they can't be sold to corporations or governments.

bobad reviewed v1.0.2 Alpha 1 on May 11, 2004

Very good update, making an already great IM even better. To those who use MSN, Yahoo, AOL/ICQ etc: Do you trust them? Have you read their license agreement? BitWise offers weary IM users an option to leave the realm of spyware, spam, and popup ads. Things always work too. That's a lot more than I can say for the rest! When BitWise gets "discovered", there will be a stampede to sign up. If you want your favorite nickname, better sign up now! (BitWise "bobad").

kebabi reviewed v1.0.2 Alpha 1 on May 11, 2004

More and more, always more...of IM's!
I need only Xfire and MSN Messenger!
Why should I download ICQ, Yahoo, AOL, MSN, BitWise, Xfire and many more?

woodengod reviewed v1.0.1 Island Tide on Apr 22, 2004

Neat and slim + multiplatform + no ads + messages encription = 5 stars

bobad reviewed v0.9.9.3 Harvest Moon on Feb 12, 2004

This program gets better and better. It has good features to be so compact and quick. It does everything well, including sharing and transferring files. It's private because it's encrypted. It creates no Windows bloat. The icons suck, or I would give it a 6. :)

Mexaner reviewed v0.9.9.2 Harvest Moon on Feb 3, 2004

A very interesting program! The Macro function is great, i always missed it in ICQ! I hope this program keeps freeware and without Spyware!

DigitalSin reviewed v0.9.9.2 Harvest Moon on Feb 2, 2004

Great program and very friendly and helpful dev team. Keep up the great work guys!

(Bitwise: Keith)

DarthVeda reviewed v0.9.9.1 Harvest Moon on Jan 19, 2004

This program rocks!!!!
it's got cool features like file sharing, 64 bit encryption, direct connect, contact's local time display (which i like the most).

I am trying to convince all my contacts to use this instead of msn, icq or yahoo.

Keep up the good work kevin.

war593122 reviewed v0.9.9.0 Beta on Jan 13, 2004

You have to get the latest from here:

http://bitwisecommunications.com/devel/

This product rocks. Best IM messenger I have on my system. Only problem is that not enough people use it. Which really bites the dust. Hopefully more people will relize how cool this program really is.

Keep up the good work.

Take Care,
Will

kevinBW reviewed v0.9.8.0 Harvest Moon Beta on Dec 13, 2003

I have ZA and no problems at all, as well as many people on my buddy list have ZA and no problems at all. Works great! Stable and does everything it says; easy to use and powerful.

Dapumkins reviewed v0.9.8.0 Harvest Moon Beta on Dec 13, 2003

I found that it doesn't crash if ZA is not open. Yes I did allow it access.

war59312 reviewed v0.9.2.4 Harvest Moon Alpha on Nov 30, 2003

I like, I like a lot. Damn transfers are fast.

bobad reviewed v0.9.2.4 Harvest Moon Alpha on Nov 19, 2003

Ignore Zero3K. I already have an account, and I like the proggy. Now to sell all my friends on Bitwise. Eh! Won't happen! :(

Wheelie reviewed v0.9.2.4 Harvest Moon Alpha on Nov 19, 2003

Small Fast Secure what else is there to say except I like it :)

Rev_Kwee reviewed v0.9.2.4 Harvest Moon Alpha on Nov 18, 2003

The future of IM is in a product that provides secure, serverless communication. Frankly something this small, light, fast AND secure has been a long time needed on the net. As for the rest... any of you twigged where the spybots are coming from yet?

Way to go Kevin! (And now to go download BW for my Linux box...)

Zero3K reviewed v0.9.1.3 Alpha 6 on Aug 26, 2003

Well...Kevin fixed the bug...so now its back to being Alpha 6 :)

dzjepp reviewed v0.9.1.3 Alpha 6 on Aug 26, 2003

Too many IM programs are out already. Trillian takes up 10MB of memory for me, hardly bloated at all. Everybody I know is already using AIM, ICQ, Yahoo!, or MSN. This new protocol is just making things more complicated. I don't have the time, nor the will, to talk to all the people on my buddy list to switch to a different IM. If it ain't broke, don't fix it... most people are already happy with what they got. Now on the other hand, if this program had multi-protocol support like Trillian, Miranda IM, GAIM, etc., then maybe it would have some use. The future is in multi-protocol supported IM platforms! Rating is a netural 3 on my part. I mostly wanted to drop a few comments but BetaNews requires that you input the rating field as well.

Zero3K reviewed v0.9.1.2 Alpha 5 on Aug 15, 2003

Ignore bobad's comment...he now has an account

bobad reviewed v0.9.1.2 Alpha 5 on Aug 15, 2003

Can't even create an account. That points to incompetency or inadequate resources on the part of the author. Maybe my IM's aren't cool, but at least they work.

djthomas reviewed v0.2.0.2 on Jan 19, 2003

Functionality rivals even the "big boys" but the file size and resource requirements are significantly less. I found a small bug and one of the authors messaged me within 10 minutes and sent me a new version of the client to test - with my bug fixed. What they don't have in terms of size, they have in dedication.