8 Best Free Download Managers

FDM and JDownloader are examples of free software to manage large downloads

Download managers aren't necessary, but they are helpful for file management and pause/resume support; they might even speed up the download process. Below is a list of completely free download managers that I think you'll like.

01
of 08

Free Download Manager (FDM)

Free Download Manager getting a torrent file
What We Like
  • Able to integrate with your web browser.

  • Supports pausing and resuming downloads.

  • Enables bandwidth control.

  • Can download whole websites.

  • Lets you download specific files out of archives.

What We Don't Like
  • Your antivirus program might identify the software as malicious and block it from installing or being used correctly.

This free download manager is called (you guessed it!) Free Download Manager (FDM). It can monitor and intercept downloads from web browsers, but can also work independently.

All in all, this is very much my favorite pick that I recommend above all the others in this list. I say this because of the huge number of useful features it has.

You can create batch downloads, download torrents, preview ZIP files before they're downloaded and even deselect files you don't want from the compressed folder, download entire websites, resume broken downloads, run automatic virus checks on downloads, quickly control the bandwidth allocation for all downloads, and download all links from the clipboard.

Downloads are performed in the order they are listed in FDM, but you can move files up or down the list to set their priority. This is an awesome function that's commonly found in download managers, so it's nice to see here.

In addition, you can preview and convert audio and video files before they're finished downloading, set traffic limits, create a portable version of the app, and schedule downloads to occur on certain days only.

The latest version of this program runs on Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. It can also be installed on Linux, Android, and macOS 10.12 and later. The browser extension works with Chrome and Firefox.

FDM Lite for Windows XP requires less disk space than the regular version by removing things like the torrent client. If a download manager is all you're after, and you need it to run on XP, this is the better choice.

02
of 08

JDownloader

JDownloader 2 in Windows 8
What We Like
  • You can manage and monitor your downloads remotely.

  • A list of download links can be saved to an encrypted file.

  • Lots of options are easily customizable.

  • Works on Windows, Linux, macOS, and any OS that supports Java.

What We Don't Like
  • Setup asks to install unrelated programs.

Probably the coolest feature I found in JDownloader is its remote management ability. Use either the mobile app or the My JDownloader website to start, stop, and monitor downloads from anywhere.

LinkGrabber is a part of this program that adds any download link from the clipboard directly into the program so you can start a download nearly immediately after copying the link.

This download manager can also save a list of download links as a password-protected encrypted file so you can easily import them again later.

PlayPause, and Stop buttons are at the top of the program, which makes controlling all pending downloads simple.

It's also easy to control the download speed and the maximum number of simultaneous connections and downloads from the bottom of the program at any time. If you're looking for a good download manager with bandwidth control, this is a great option.

This download manager supports Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems, within the Firefox and Chrome browsers.

This program might download inside a RAR archive, which your computer might not support without a third-party tool. Also, look out for other installation offers within the setup that don't pertain to JDownloader—feel free to skip them if you want.

03
of 08

Internet Download Accelerator (IDA)

Internet Download Accelerator (IDA) in Windows 8
What We Like
  • Can auto-categorize downloads for easier management.

  • Supports auto-downloads for specific file extensions.

  • Able to check for viruses automatically after downloads.

  • Plugins can be installed.

  • Supports downloading based on URL variables.

What We Don't Like
  • The advanced download scheduling feature only works through the use of a plugin.

  • Contains ads.

Internet Download Accelerator (IDA) includes a live monitor for your browser, so files can be downloaded through IDA and placed in proper categories for easy organization. This can be done with regular downloads or files from an FTP server.

The program can grab a group of downloads via URL variables, automatically scan for viruses, use hotkeys, change the user-agent information, and auto-download files with certain file extensions of your choosing.

A few IDA plugins are available that expand the functionality of the entire program. An advanced scheduling function is one particularly useful example.

This download manager runs on Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. The browser functions are supported in a variety of programs such as Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Yandex, and Vivaldi.

04
of 08

Download Accelerator Plus (DAP)

Download Accelerator Plus (DAP) downloading an iso file
What We Like
  • Can be configured to turn off your internet access after the last download finishes.

  • A web browser is built-in, but it also integrates with your regular browser.

  • Supports scanning files for viruses.

  • Includes a few ways for importing multiple URLs.

What We Don't Like
  • The free version is limited when compared to the Premium edition.

  • Shows ads.

  • Hasn't been updated since 2014.

Download Accelerator Plus includes a built-in web browser. You can also add your own links from your browser through copy/paste.

Here are some of the features I like: the ability to import a list of links via an M3U or plain text file, the option to disconnect from the internet after all files are downloaded, a virus checker, and the ability to start downloads immediately after importing the links.

My biggest complaints about this program is that it displays ads, and it probably will never again be updated since the last change made to the software was in 2014. Also, there's a premium edition, so some features are only available if you pay.

DAP can work on a schedule and supports being integrated with Chrome, Safari, Opera, and Firefox. It runs on Windows only.

05
of 08

Download Accelerator Manager (DAM)

Download Accelerator Manager (DAM) in Windows 8
What We Like
  • You can set up sounds to alert you when downloads are finished.

  • Stores website passwords to make it easier to download from them again in the future.

  • Starting downloads is easy when you use the always-visible download button.

  • Can automatically download files you start in your browser.

What We Don't Like
  • Some features are limited because there's also an Ultimate version of the same software.

  • Identified as malware by a few virus scanners (most say it's safe).

Like some of these other download managers, DAM has a Drop Target button that hovers on your screen to make it easier to start file downloads.

It also supports batch downloads, a scheduler, virus checker, confirmation sounds, and stored credentials. Another feature is MediaGrabber, which can automatically check for streaming video and music files in any browser on your computer.

This program can integrate with most web browsers, including Firefox, Chrome, Opera, and Safari. The supported operating systems include Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.

Dozens of virus scanners checked this program for threats, and a few of them identified it as malware. However, the majority of the scanners detected nothing, so it's unclear whether DAM is considered safe.

06
of 08

GetGo Download Manager

GetGo in Windows 8
What We Like
  • Downloads can be started and stopped on a schedule.

  • Makes importing download links easy with multiple options.

  • You can view an image before the download starts.

  • Lets you download files from password-protected websites.

  • Downloads can be set up to auto-save to a specific folder based on file extension.

  • Includes a built-in web browser to more easily download videos.

What We Don't Like
  • Sometimes seems a bit more sluggish than other download managers.

  • Integrates with Firefox only.

  • Last update was in 2018.

  • Flagged as adware by some virus scanners.

GetGo Download Manager supports batch downloads as well as a floating drop box for quickly downloading files via drag and drop.

You can paste links directly into the program or import an LST file containing all the download links.

Defining categories for where to place downloads is easy because you can specify the exact file extensions that should be considered a particular category. Doing so places executable files, for example, into a Software folder while MP4 and AVI files are placed in a Videos folder.

GetGo Download Manager can store login credentials for downloading files from password-protected websites. I also like that it can preview image files before downloading them, run downloads on a schedule, and capture videos from video-streaming websites.

Similar to some of the other programs in this list, this one is considered abandonware because the developer doesn't update it anymore. Something else I don't like is that it's considered adware by some virus scanners.

Windows is the only operating system that this program works on. It integrates with Firefox (it used to work with Chrome, but doesn't seem to anymore).

07
of 08

Xtreme Download Manager (XDM)

Xtreme Download Manager (XDM)
What We Like
  • Includes a built-in file converter.

  • Lets you preview media files before fully downloading them.

  • Works in all the major operating systems.

  • Intercepts downloads made by your browser.

  • Easy to use with its minimal UI.

  • Includes other unique features.

What We Don't Like
  • Doesn't support some features found in similar programs, such as torrent downloads.

  • Asks for permission to read and change all data on sites you visit.

Xtreme Download Manager (XDM) has a simple interface, which is helpful when you consider that most of the download managers in this list are flooded with lots of menus and options.

There's a download preview, so you can take a sneak peek at media files. It also lets you resume broken downloads, limit the download speed, convert files, automatically download files of a certain format, schedule downloads, and run certain shutdown parameters after downloads.

While some of those features are unique, which is great, I very much don't like that the add-on asks for permission to read and change all data on sites you visit. I recommend avoiding doing online banking and sharing personal information while using it.

This program is for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Browser monitoring is supported in Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and other browsers.

08
of 08

FlashGet

FlashGet download manager in Windows 8
What We Like
  • Shows a file's download size before starting it.

  • Downloads from a variety of locations (e.g., HTTP, FTP, etc.).

  • Can monitor downloads from your web browser and start them for you.

  • It's simple and easy to understand.

What We Don't Like
  • Doesn't track downloads started in the Chrome browser.

  • Doesn't support HTTPS downloads.

  • Last updated in 2012.

FlashGet monitors downloads in Firefox, and it can scan downloads with your antivirus program and tell you how large a file is before you download it, which is awesome.

Download files over the HTTP, FTP, BitTorrent, and other protocols with a seamless integration into the one-for-all download button. Even if you add a torrent file or image/video file to be downloaded, you use the same button, and FlashGet immediately knows how to handle it.

This program also has a floating desktop button, so you can toggle browser monitoring, pause/start downloads, and add new download links.

You can download it on your Windows computer.

Was this page helpful?