Ares Lite was developed in 2003. It is optimized for a smaller footprint to use up less resources on your computer and lower bandwidth consumption when downloading files. The maximum number of simultaneous downloads is limited to 5 instead of the 10 that is standard with other versions of Ares.

Also, Ares lite does not have the built in Chat room functions where members can go and discuss music and downloading with Ares. Otherwise the basic functions and layout are the same as other versions of Ares.

Installing Ares is a simple two-click affair. When the program first runs, you must click through another couple of configuration dialogs, but all in all, the process is painless and easy. Ares Lite follows the same basic format and has all the usual P2P features plus some unique ones. There's a search window, an audio and video preview page, and an upload and download monitor. It's also quite easy to tweak these controls using the control-panel page.