File download managers are a group of applications specialized in improve the experience when downloading content from the Internet and they are especially useful when dealing with large files or trying to download multiple files at the same time.
These tools allow you to make the most of the capacity of the Internet connection that you have contracted since they use mirror websites to obtain several connections to the same file to speed up the download or automatically choose between several servers that have the file available, opting for which it offers better stability and performance.
And it is that the acceleration of the transfers is the great strong point of these applications, but they have other advantages, since they allow to automate the transfers, schedule them, resume them and in general better manage and administer the content. Another great advantage is its ability to resume downloads voluntarily paused or interrupted due to server or line errors without losing the part of the files that had been downloaded up to that moment. In addition, it prevents an unfinished download from being corrupted if there is an accidental disconnection.
They also allow automate and schedule downloads or uploads at the time that interests us the most, normally outside of working hours or at night when the networks are less saturated, in addition to downloading a large number of files at the same time, prioritizing performance over those that interest us the most or limiting the download speed so as not to saturate the connection and allow us to use the equipment in functions such as web browsing or others.
Other added advantages of these tools are the administration by type of files and more precise information on transfer speed and download times. Some of them offer extra functions such as antivirus for malware checking or a viewer for video and audio preview.
File download managers for Windows
There are many, good and free. The web browsers from which they are downloaded have plugins that can be used and which we will see later, but if you want something more complete there are specialized applications that can be used. We leave you a selection of the best free ones.
FlashGet
A true classic in download managers that has been with us for nearly 20 years and promises to speed up transfers “between 6 and 10 times”. It includes the general features of a download manager including virus checking. You can download from websites, from FTP and even .torrent files although in this case it is always better to use a dedicated P2P client. To start a download, simply drag the download link onto a small window that acts as a minimal interface. Interface that could use an update although for many it is still the best in the sector. You can get it on their website. It also has a portable application and a ‘classic’ version that will take you fifteen years back.
JDownloader
One of the most used especially when we work with direct download services and multiple files. An open source platform written in Java with lots of plugins to use, such as the separation into packages to allow pausing and continuing downloads individually. It has captcha recognition, allowing batch downloads without user intervention. In addition to Windows, it has versions for Linux and Mac. If you use many direct download servers, it is a reference.
Internet Download Accelerator
Also known as IDA, it is a free manager developed by a Ukrainian company called WestByte. It includes support for HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP protocols and provides integration for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, and Safari web browsers. It has a built-in site manager to save username and passwords for websites. Users can preview RAR file content before downloading it. Available for all Windows systems.
Motrix
An open source download manager that supports HTTP, FTP, BitTorrent and Magnet links. It can handle up to 10 downloads at a time and 64 threads per task, making downloads faster. It can also “impersonate” various user agents, so it can pass the computer off as an Android or iOS phone to download restricted files from the device. Its interface is simple and modern and like the previous ones it is totally free.
Ninja Download Manager
One of the few file download managers that allow sequential writing of files. With it, you can listen or watch a video or audio file before the download is complete. It has a built-in video downloader that works with YouTube and Vimeo, as well as a video converter. Also, you can manage the number of simultaneous connections for a single download. It is promoted as simple, fast and elegant, available for Windows and macOS.
Free Download Manager
Another of the good download managers (free alternative to the well-known Internet Download Manager) that can also be used in a portable version on all your Windows devices without the need for installation. Like the previous download managers, it increases the download speed by dividing the file into pieces and connecting from several mirror sites, it allows you to resume and schedule downloads, a video and audio viewer before the download ends and much more. It includes the HTML Spider feature that allows you to download entire websites. It has versions for Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux.
Download managers in browsers
As we said above, web browsers can also be used to manage downloads. All browsers have their own utilities, but the truth is that they have very little potential, nothing to do with the functions of the installed ones that we have selected above. Better are those that come based on third-party plugins that can be used. Personally I don’t use them because I like to have the browsers as clean as possible, but if you prefer to use them here we leave you a sample:
Chrono Download Manager (Chrome). Exclusively for the Google browser, it integrates very well with the interface and use of its download system. It includes the “Chrono Sniffer” function that detects all links, images, audio and video on a web page.
DownThemAll (Firefox). It’s our favorite manager for Mozilla’s web browser and one of the absolute best built-ins you can find. Its integration with Mozilla is seamless and it even integrates into the Firefox download menu. It is capable of detecting all the media links on a web page (with the corresponding filters), automatically downloading at high speed and allowing them to be summarized.
Video Download Helper (Firefox and Chrome). Ideal if you are looking for a program for occasional video downloads on the web. It does not work with some Youtube videos as it usually happens with these managers.
Fruumo Download Manager. (Chrome) Without as much integration as the previous one, it does its job as a manager in the Google browser with an intuitive interface. Very simple, but it downloads, pauses and resumes downloads like the rest.
