Go straight to the Change Log to see what is new since the major update in June 2010.
Introduction
There comes a time when you are downloading a large file and the download stops part of the way through. If you are using the Windows download applet there is nothing you can do about it; you will just have to start again. A good download manager will allow you to resume the download, picking up where it left off.
Good download managers also allow you to start several concurrent download sessions from available resources for the one file. This works by splitting the file into parts with each part downloaded at the same time from multiple or mirrored resources. At the end the file is re-assembled, like "joining pieces of me to become me" by the download managers.
This can result in dramatic improvements in download speed given a transmission speed limited by Internet service providers.
Below are a few free download managers short listed for review based on the basic requirements including:
Speed, or lapsed time to download a file
Interface with clipboard, web browsers and supported protocols
Management of downloaded files
Other features
Discussion
Free Download Manager is a popular download manager and a good choice for its stability, nice user interface and support for various browsers such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera and Safari.
The program offers simultaneous multi-part downloads from several mirrors to increase the download speed, with a powerful scheduler to start and pause downloading files at the preset time.
It also features downloads from RapidShare, prioritized and partial torrent downloads, adjusting traffic usage, flash video download and an upload manager. Management of downloaded files is well supported.
Upon installation of the application, uncheck 'install Software Informer' if you don't need it. A lite version of the program is also available with optional plugins.
A good contender in this category is Orbit Downloader, which is based on p2p and multi-source downloading technology with more efficient mirrors selection algorithm for faster download. It's also devoted to the new generation web to make downloading any social media easy and fast.
Moreover, Orbit Downloader features Grab Pro to facilitate video download from sites using anti-leeching technology like YouTube, Pandora, etc. It also comes with a software updater but it might not be as good as the top pick reviewed in Best Free Software Update Monitor.
It integrates with Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera and Maxthon, supports most streaming media protocols and file-sharing service websites, and includes other features such as general and tagged download management. Advisory: Orbit Downloader is bundled with OpenCandy. More information here.
Apart from downloading various types of files, GetGo Download Manager helps download your favorite videos from YouTube and other websites with embedded FLV flash videos with one-click.
It integrates with IE and Firefox browsers. With the program, you can easily set up a batch download using an URL pattern template and rename downloaded files automatically using a filename pattern template. Other features such as download scheduler, resume broken downloads, managing downloaded files, etc., are included.
The program has optional Standard and Search toolbars in the user interface. Upon installation, it adds a GetGo Toolbar into your browser, but that can be disabled.
FlashGet download manager is also worth a try as it is designed for speed and management of downloaded files.
It increases the download speed by applying multi-server hyper-thread technology and supports HTTP, FTP, BT, eMule and other various protocols.
FlashGet provides download monitoring for Internet Explorer and also integrates well with Firefox's FlashGot extension. It supports unlimited categories for managing downloaded files.
Upon first running of the program after installation, it shows a 'recommended message' on the right panel, but that can be easily disabled.
Download Manager for multi-platform
Uget is a cross-platform program designed to be simple, lightweight and easy to use.
It's an open source application written in GTK+. Debian and RPM packages are readily available for download and installation, but for Windows users, the GTK+ runtime environment needs to install separately before running the program.
The program supports pause, resume and queue downloads, and classification of download files, monitors clipboard and integrates with Firefox browser via FlashGot plugin. Other features include batch download and import downloads from html files.
As an alternative, MultiGet is an open source and easy-to-use download manager for multi platforms including Windows and Linux. It runs on most desktops without any configuration.
The program accelerates the download by multi-tasking with multi-threading on multi servers and supports http/ftp protocols which meet the requirements of most users.
It provides management of downloaded files in a good GUI interface, monitors the clipboard well but does not integrate with browsers.
Other useful features include multi-language support, optional auto MD5 check and reconfiguring the thread number without stopping the current task.
Browser Addons
FlashGot is a Firefox's addon which allows you to set your own preferred download manager and integrate it with the Firefox browser for auto download. The addon by itself also helps you to download many files on a web page at one go.
oGet, also known as DM Bridge, is a Chrome's extension to integrate the Chrome browser with an external download manager of your choice, with optional settings for the integration mode and context menu.
DownThemAll is another browser extension to add advanced download capabilities to Firefox. This add-on is useful if you are using Firefox and need to download many files on a web page at one go. However, when you need to download a single large file it's much slower than a standalone download manager.
Other Download Managers
Several other free download managers were brought up in comments here or noted from other sources. As they are not rated in this review, I am listing some of them here with brief descriptions and links to their sites for ease of reference.
Internet Download Accelerator, the free version offers general features of a download manager but comes with an ad panel which cannot be disabled. It also prompts for an upgrade to the commercial Pro version.
Gigaget utilizes cutting-edge Net Grid technology to tap the unused resources of networked PCs and servers to improve your download speed. This program is no more supported by the developer. It occasionally prompts an 'about:blank' error message after a browser's home page is set to blank.
Download Accelerator Plus (free) is a toned down version of the commercial DAP Premium, but basic features are available such as multi-connections to download sites, mirror search, etc. It has an active 'information pane' at the right panel which can't be disabled.
Star Downloader Free accelerates your downloads by splitting files into parts and downloading them from mirror sites. It is also a toned down version without some of the useful features available in the commercial Star Downloader Pro, such as a link leecher.
MetaProducts Download Express, a small application weighing in at about 680 KB, supports IE and Firefox browsers and allows you to download individual files from the Web and FTP sites with multiple channels technology. It features a Projects list without classification of downloaded files. Download speed is slower than the top-picked download manager.
LeechGet(Personal Edition) is a free download manager for non-commercial use only. It provides common download features and limits the number of simultaneous downloads to one only. The unlimited number of downloads is available to its commercial premium version.
Fresh Download offers several useful features such as turbo-charged downloads, pause and resume, multiple connections, integration with browsers, clipboard monitoring, categorized download, etc. Upon obtaining the software, you will be asked to enter your name and email address to get free codes to unlock the software. This program does not display the original names of some downloaded files when a download link is manually added.
SKDownloader is a java based download accelerator for Linux, Windows and other platforms, supports for simultaneous multi-part download, http and ftp protocols, Firefox and IE integration. It comes with an advertisement panel which cannot be disabled.
JDownloader lacks classification of downloaded files but makes downloading files from One-Click-Hosters like Rapidshare.com or Megaupload.com easier for users with a premium or a free account.
KooLoader, a slimmed down version of the paid for product, lacks classification of downloaded files and encountered couple of download sluggishness when tried.
Quick Selection Guide
Free Download Manager
9
Gizmo's Freeware award as the best product in its class!
Runs as a stand-alone program on a user's computer
Stable; support for IE, Firefox, Opera, Chrome and Safari; simultaneous multi-part downloads; flash video download; restart and recover; powerful scheduler; management of downloaded files
A portable version of this product is available from the developer.
Windows 95 to 7
Orbit Downloader
8
Runs as a stand-alone program on a user's computer
Makes downloading social media fast and easy; allows video download from anti-leeching sites; supports IE, Firefox, Opera and Maxthon; management of downloaded files
Runs as a stand-alone program on a user's computer
Download FLV flash videos with one-click; integrate with IE and Firefox; batch download using template; auto rename; download scheduler; managing downloaded files
Install toolbar into browsers; integrate optional Search toolbar into user interface
There is no portable version of this product available.
Windows XP to Windows 7
Uget
8
Runs as a stand-alone program on a user's computer
Open source and cross platforms, designed to be simple, lightweight and easy to use. Supports pause and resume, queue and classification of download files, monitors clipboard and Firefox with <a href="#FlashGot">FlashGot</a> Plugin.
Requires GTK+ run environment to download and install separately for Windows users.
Linux (Debian and RPM packages); Windows XP to Windows 7 with GTK+ runtime environment
FlashGet
7
Runs as a stand-alone program on a user's computer
Increases speed with hyper-thread technology, support various protocols, monitor IE, integrate with <a href="#FlashGot">FlashGot</a> extension to Firefox, managing downloaded files.
A recommended message on the right panel needs to disable upon first use
Runs as a stand-alone program on a user's computer
Open source and supports multi platforms; multi-task with multi-thread on multi-server to speed up downloads; clipboard monitoring with a good GUI interface; optional auto MD5 check
This software category is maintained by volunteer editor Remah.
"I've used TechSupportAlert and the older Support Alert Newsletter for almost a decade so I have saved hundreds of hours of work and many more dollars by following Gizmo's Freeware recommendations. Thanks for the opportunity to give something back."
If you have had a similar experience then you should consider becoming a reviewer too.
Change Log
Date
Change
Editor
October 2011
No change to content. Update Quick Selection Guide to new database.
You mean Fresh..or Free? Because George.J posted about Freemake Video Downloader.. whereas what you are posting about is a different product. Both are legitimate products.
by vladik (not verified) on 18. December 2011 - 13:12(85231)
Very good download manager is free VSO Downloader.
Actual version : VSO Downloader 2.0.2.2
High speed, multiprotocol, with adblocker, all browsers.
many languages.
Yes, it is not a general download manager but a specialized video downloader. At present this category doesn't include such software but I might in a later update. The closest category we have is Best Free Streaming Media Recorder but that is for recording any video stream whether downloadable or not.
If you are going to accuse a product of being malware then you should also tell us how you know this. Otherwise your comment will appear to be flaming Free Download Manager.
What products said it has identified malware?
- Tell us the name and version of the scanner.
- If you used an online scanner then also give us the URL.
Were you scanning the website or the download file?
- Tell us the URL or filename that was scanned.
If you haven't scanned yourself then you're often reporting someone elses error, as appears to be case here.
A web search reveals that Emsisoft identifies Adware.Win32 in Free Download Manager but their report has no date nor file details. That was in 2007 and, as far as I can see, no other anti-malware product has done the same, either then or since. The exceptions are supposed anti-malware sites that are themselves sources of malware.
Although it is still recorded in the Emsisoft database, I doubt that any problem exists now, if it ever did, because FDM is open source and the Emsisoft 5.1.0.11 scanner used by VirusTotal (online scanner) found no problem.
My anti-virus and other protection haven't alerted me to any problems. But to comfort the fearful, I ran the following scans today and found no problems:
Scanned the install files with VirusTotal:
- fdminst.exe Version 3.0.852 (I took the results from an earlier scan on 2011-11-29 11:15:35 (UTC))
- fdm38inst.exe Version 3.8 Release candidate
by John Litzinger (not verified) on 30. November 2011 - 16:09(84178)
I have been using Free Download Manager for close to a decade now, and I have not seen a single ad from it in those ten years. I have also used over a dozen virus and malware scanners in that time and have had no alerts about this program. It is an excellent program, and I have no complaints about it.
Unfortunately ORBIT has not kept up with FireFox, and no longer integrates with FF. The last two (or maybe three) versions of FireFox automatically disable the addon.
The Orbit forum is useless and has been taken over by spammers, and posting a bug report seems to be a waste of time too. I wonder if development for it has been dropped, or at least put on the back burner.
Pity, because it is (was) a very good manager, but without the right click context menu it is much less convenient to use, so I'm going to give Free Download Manager a try.
Use the FlashGot add-on, which integrates different download managers with Firefox. I have been using it for years, along with Orbit Downloader, and do not face any problem.
Perhaps you could also answer another question about orbit which has bothered me for some time.
A few months ago I had a problem trying to integrate Orbit with a new version of FF, so I uninstalled Orbit completely, with Revo Uninstaller, and did a clean re-install.
I expected to have to reset my preferences, but they were all set exactly the same as before.
So as a test, I uninstalled Orbit again with Revo on it's "advanced" setting, next I ran C-Cleaner, then did a search and found no sign of anything related to Orbit.
But when I reinstalled again, all my settings were just as they had been.
So, do Orbit keep a file somewhere, with my IP and other details about me, or is there a file somewhere on my PC which keeps this info, but does not use "orbit" in it's name.
Any ideas or suggestions ??.
Just a note to point out that at default the AppData folders are hidden.
Easiest way to get there on XP is Start>Run>and type %appdata% and on 7 Start>and type %appdata% in the search box and you will see Roaming, which is the AppData folder.
Thanks for that. Yes, things are different in XP and Win 7. I had told for Win XP, because that's what I have. I find it easier in XP though, in Vista and 7, I don't particularly like how these special folders are accessed. They are scattered all over the place.
by Anonymousmark (not verified) on 21. September 2011 - 14:49(80040)
orbit is the only downloader i have been able to use,because when visiting a site which has opened a link or is streaming content a ''get it button appears over the media on screen click it and it starts download as for speed,because of budget internet account it is probably 5% faster than IE built in.on broadband it is very fast perhaps nearly as good as they say.they keep a record of all downloads like google this information is very valuable to marketeers.if a file stalls it can't resume!incomplete media files such as rar mp3'flvs etc,which you may have gotten 75% of the file will come out as an ob file which vlc can usually play but the file cannot be used in any other way and in playback(vlc)from 75%you may only see or hear 10%.so i'ii try your top rated and check back for any improvements.easier is better isn't it!
by Fletcher (not verified) on 10. September 2011 - 10:31(79362)
Please help. I use FDM (version 3.0 build 852). I like it very much, especially because it splits the file being downloaded and finally merges the small parts. However, when am on an internet connection hovering around 54Mbps, it does not download, only starts... cant connct to the server... pauses...and again... and finaly stops! What do I tweak?
by Old user (not verified) on 19. August 2011 - 23:40(77994)
Windows does too restart where you have left off due to a broken link, just start over with the download and you will see the bar go instantly to where the link was broken. I still have dialup as no viable high speed Internet is available and though I use 3G on the iPad to get most things some stuff has to be downloaded through windows and I've never had to restart from scratch. This is in Win 7 64bit. This feature goes back to at least win 2k and maybe nt 4.
Subscribe to our RSS feed or enter your email address below to get the feed delivered to you by email:
We are currently looking for people with skills and/or interest in the following areas:
Read this article in Spanish
Go straight to the Quick Selection Guide
Printer-friendly version
Comments
Thanks.
How about Free Video Downloader. I love their products and most of them went through major updates in 2011. Downloading it now...
I tried to download the Fresh Video Downloader, but Norton 360 deletes it immediately. Have you had any problems with them?
You mean Fresh..or Free? Because George.J posted about Freemake Video Downloader.. whereas what you are posting about is a different product. Both are legitimate products.
Its only for downloading videos, whereas this category is for a download manager, which can download all kinds of files.
After a long long time, Free Download Manager has been updated. The new version : 3.8.1173 final is now available on their site :D
Here is a simple download manager extension for Google chrome:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/mcceagdollnkjlogmdckgjakjapmkdjf
Very good download manager is free VSO Downloader.
Actual version : VSO Downloader 2.0.2.2
High speed, multiprotocol, with adblocker, all browsers.
many languages.
Home page:
http://www.vso-software.fr/products/downloader/vso-downloader.php
Its mainly a streaming media downloader. Don't think it will be suitable here.
Thanks Anupam.
Yes, it is not a general download manager but a specialized video downloader. At present this category doesn't include such software but I might in a later update. The closest category we have is Best Free Streaming Media Recorder but that is for recording any video stream whether downloadable or not.
I think a separate category would be better for such software. This can be covered in BF Streaming Media Recorder I feel, not here.
Also, a separate category could be for video downloaders, which download videos from YouTube, Vimeo etc. I keep coming across such software a lot.
How to integrate Orbit with Chrome? Please Help...
We don't provide support in the article comments. You will need to go to our Freeware Forums.
Free download manager from http www freedownloadmanager org is malware: Adware.Win32
If you are going to accuse a product of being malware then you should also tell us how you know this. Otherwise your comment will appear to be flaming Free Download Manager.
What products said it has identified malware?
- Tell us the name and version of the scanner.
- If you used an online scanner then also give us the URL.
Were you scanning the website or the download file?
- Tell us the URL or filename that was scanned.
If you haven't scanned yourself then you're often reporting someone elses error, as appears to be case here.
A web search reveals that Emsisoft identifies Adware.Win32 in Free Download Manager but their report has no date nor file details. That was in 2007 and, as far as I can see, no other anti-malware product has done the same, either then or since. The exceptions are supposed anti-malware sites that are themselves sources of malware.
Although it is still recorded in the Emsisoft database, I doubt that any problem exists now, if it ever did, because FDM is open source and the Emsisoft 5.1.0.11 scanner used by VirusTotal (online scanner) found no problem.
My anti-virus and other protection haven't alerted me to any problems. But to comfort the fearful, I ran the following scans today and found no problems:
Scanned the FDM website using URL scanners:
- VirusTotal
- URLVoid
Scanned the install files with VirusTotal:
- fdminst.exe Version 3.0.852 (I took the results from an earlier scan on 2011-11-29 11:15:35 (UTC))
- fdm38inst.exe Version 3.8 Release candidate
I have been using Free Download Manager for close to a decade now, and I have not seen a single ad from it in those ten years. I have also used over a dozen virus and malware scanners in that time and have had no alerts about this program. It is an excellent program, and I have no complaints about it.
Thanks for your reply. My experience is similar.
I'd forgotten to respond to johnmoore.
Unfortunately ORBIT has not kept up with FireFox, and no longer integrates with FF. The last two (or maybe three) versions of FireFox automatically disable the addon.
The Orbit forum is useless and has been taken over by spammers, and posting a bug report seems to be a waste of time too. I wonder if development for it has been dropped, or at least put on the back burner.
Pity, because it is (was) a very good manager, but without the right click context menu it is much less convenient to use, so I'm going to give Free Download Manager a try.
Use the FlashGot add-on, which integrates different download managers with Firefox. I have been using it for years, along with Orbit Downloader, and do not face any problem.
Thanks for that tip Anupam, I will give it a try.
Perhaps you could also answer another question about orbit which has bothered me for some time.
A few months ago I had a problem trying to integrate Orbit with a new version of FF, so I uninstalled Orbit completely, with Revo Uninstaller, and did a clean re-install.
I expected to have to reset my preferences, but they were all set exactly the same as before.
So as a test, I uninstalled Orbit again with Revo on it's "advanced" setting, next I ran C-Cleaner, then did a search and found no sign of anything related to Orbit.
But when I reinstalled again, all my settings were just as they had been.
So, do Orbit keep a file somewhere, with my IP and other details about me, or is there a file somewhere on my PC which keeps this info, but does not use "orbit" in it's name.
Any ideas or suggestions ??.
Thanks, Leo.
That's strange. It should have reset the preferences. The preferences and other things are stored in a folder which you can find here :
C:\Documents and Settings\{UserName}\Application Data\Orbit
Maybe that is not getting deleted. Just check.
Just a note to point out that at default the AppData folders are hidden.
Easiest way to get there on XP is Start>Run>and type %appdata% and on 7 Start>and type %appdata% in the search box and you will see Roaming, which is the AppData folder.
Steve
Thanks for that. Yes, things are different in XP and Win 7. I had told for Win XP, because that's what I have. I find it easier in XP though, in Vista and 7, I don't particularly like how these special folders are accessed. They are scattered all over the place.
Thank you Steve & Anupam,
The folder was indeed hidden which is why my search didn't find it, and maybe why it was not being deleted by Revo.
BTW Orbit is working well with Flashgot.
Cheers, Leo.
Glad to be of help :).
Thanks for that info. I haven't been able to update the review yet but will do that this month.
Thanks for including in your review the fact that some software is bundled with Open Candy. Good to know ahead of time.
orbit is the only downloader i have been able to use,because when visiting a site which has opened a link or is streaming content a ''get it button appears over the media on screen click it and it starts download as for speed,because of budget internet account it is probably 5% faster than IE built in.on broadband it is very fast perhaps nearly as good as they say.they keep a record of all downloads like google this information is very valuable to marketeers.if a file stalls it can't resume!incomplete media files such as rar mp3'flvs etc,which you may have gotten 75% of the file will come out as an ob file which vlc can usually play but the file cannot be used in any other way and in playback(vlc)from 75%you may only see or hear 10%.so i'ii try your top rated and check back for any improvements.easier is better isn't it!
Please help. I use FDM (version 3.0 build 852). I like it very much, especially because it splits the file being downloaded and finally merges the small parts. However, when am on an internet connection hovering around 54Mbps, it does not download, only starts... cant connct to the server... pauses...and again... and finaly stops! What do I tweak?
Windows does too restart where you have left off due to a broken link, just start over with the download and you will see the bar go instantly to where the link was broken. I still have dialup as no viable high speed Internet is available and though I use 3G on the iPad to get most things some stuff has to be downloaded through windows and I've never had to restart from scratch. This is in Win 7 64bit. This feature goes back to at least win 2k and maybe nt 4.
Post new comment