Chromium-Based Browsers Torch

🧭 Overview

Developer: Torch Media Inc.

Engine: Chromium

License: Freeware, ad-supported

Platforms: Windows (7, 8, 10); macOS support was limited

🕰️ Timeline of Torch Browser

2012 – Launch

June 18, 2012: Torch Browser was officially released.

It was designed to offer a media-focused browsing experience, integrating tools for downloading torrents, streaming media, and sharing content on social networks directly from the browser.

Built on the Chromium engine, it supported Chrome extensions and featured a familiar interface for users.

2013 – Growth and Feature Expansion

June 18, 2013: Torch announced it had surpassed 10 million monthly active users.

Introduced several features:

2014 – Continued Development

February 26, 2014: Version 29.0.0.6508 was released, introducing:

Facebook Facelift: Customization of Facebook pages with themes and visual enhancements.

Torrent Streaming: Ability to stream torrents before they were fully downloaded.

2015 – Recognition

TechRadar reviewed Torch 39, calling it “an excellent alternative for anyone looking for a browser that breaks away from the norm.”

2016–2022 – Decline and Maintenance

Development slowed, and Torch Browser became less prominent in the browser market.

The browser continued to be available for download but received fewer updates and new features.

2022 – Discontinuation

November 2022: Torch Browser’s official website redirected users to the Torch Search extension on the Chrome Web Store.

Downloads for the browser were no longer available, marking the end of its development.

🔍 Features Overview

Media Grabber: Allowed users to download videos and audio from websites.

Torch Player: A built-in media player to play downloaded content within the browser.

Torch Games: Provided access to a variety of online games.

Social Sharing: Integrated tools for sharing content on social media platforms.

Torch Torrent: An integrated BitTorrent client for downloading torrent files.

⚠️ Criticisms

Bundling of Unwanted Software: Torch Media received payments from companies like Ask.com to bundle potentially unwanted programs with the browser.

Privacy Concerns: Some users reported that Torch Browser collected and uploaded data about their internet browsing behavior.

📉 Legacy

Niche User Base: Torch Browser maintained a niche user base among individuals seeking an all-in-one media-centric browser.

Influence on Media Browsing: Its integration of media tools directly into the browser influenced the development of future browsers focusing on media consumption.

The Origins: The “Swiss Army Knife” for Media Users (2012)

The Torch Browser emerged in 2012, a period when the browser market was solidifying around giants like Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer.

Founding Vision: Torch Media Inc., the developer, identified a specific user need: people were using their browsers increasingly for consuming media (music, videos) and downloading files. They saw an opportunity to build a browser that integrated these functions directly, eliminating the need for separate download managers or media grabber extensions.

Strategic Foundation: Like many others, Torch was built on the Chromium open-source project. This gave it instant compatibility with the modern web and access to the Chrome Web Store, lowering the barrier to entry for new users.

Launch and Rise to Niche Popularity (2012-2015)

Torch Browser was launched with a clear set of built-in features that became its unique selling proposition.

The Killer Feature: Torch Player & Media Grabber: This was its flagship innovation. Users could drag a video or audio stream from a webpage into the “Torch Player,” a built-in media player that would continue playing the content in a separate, always-on-top window. More importantly, the “Media Grabber” tool could detect and allow users to download video or audio files directly from websites, a function that often required a separate extension or program.

Integrated Torrent Client: In a bold move, Torch included a built-in BitTorrent client. Users could download files and initiate downloads directly within the browser, a first for a major browser.

Torch Share: A one-click button to share the current webpage or file directly to Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, and other social platforms.

Accelerated Downloading: It featured a download accelerator that attempted to speed up downloads by using multiple connections for a single file.

These integrated features resonated with a specific segment of users, particularly younger, media-heavy users and those in regions with slower internet who valued download management tools. At its peak, it amassed tens of millions of users.

The Plateau and Growing Concerns (2015-2018)

While Torch maintained its user base, several issues began to tarnish its reputation.

The Bloatware and Adware Allegations: To monetize the free browser, Torch began bundling other software during its installation process. Users who did not choose the “Custom” install option would often find their computers loaded with unwanted third-party programs, adware, and browser hijackers that changed their homepage and default search engine to Torch’s own. This practice led to its classification as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) by many antivirus companies.

Privacy Policy Concerns: Critics raised alarms about Torch’s privacy policy, which suggested it collected and potentially shared user data, including browsing history and download information, for advertising purposes.

Stagnant Development: While Chrome, Firefox, and others were rapidly advancing in security, performance, and privacy features, Torch’s core development seemed to stall. Its innovations remained the same, and it began to feel outdated compared to its competitors.

The Decline and Current Obscurity (2019-Present)

A combination of market forces and its own controversial practices led to its decline.

The Rise of Specialized Extensions: The very need Torch filled was eroded by the Chrome Web Store. Powerful and reputable extensions like Video DownloadHelper and dedicated torrent clients like qBittorrent could replicate all of Torch’s unique features without the privacy concerns or bloatware.

Increased Security Awareness: Users became more savvy about privacy and security. Browsers like Brave and Vivaldi gained traction by promoting privacy, while security software became more aggressive at flagging and removing PUPs like Torch.

Loss of Trust: The bundling practices damaged the browser’s reputation irreparably. It was no longer seen as a useful tool but as a potentially harmful application to be avoided.

Current Status: The Torch Browser still exists and can be downloaded, but it is no longer a relevant player in the browser market. It is not updated frequently, its website often feels outdated, and it is primarily mentioned in tech forums as a program to be wary of during installation or to remove if found on a computer.

**Summary

The history of Torch Browser is a story of a product that found initial success by identifying a genuine user need and integrating features that were, at the time, revolutionary. However, its legacy is ultimately defined by its controversial monetization strategies. It serves as a cautionary tale about how the pursuit of profit through bundling and data collection can undermine a product’s utility and destroy user trust, leading to its eventual irrelevance.