Whether you do your downloading via BitTorrent, FTP, or plain old HTTP, efficiently sucking files down from the cloud onto your hard drive takes the right tools. Whether you're a web video addict, constant software downloader, MP3 freak, or BitTorrent junkie, we've got some power downloading tools for you. Step inside for our picks of the best free download managers that get you the files you want fast and easy
uTorrent
uTorrent is an efficient BitTorrent client for Windows. Most of the features present in other BitTorrent clients are present in uTorrent, including bandwidth prioritization, scheduling, RSS auto-downloading, and Mainline DHT. Additionally, uTorrent supports the protocol encryption joint specification and peer exchange. Unlike many torrent clients, it does not hog valuable system resources--typically using less than 6MB of memory, allowing you to use the computer as if it weren't there at all.
BitLord
BitLord is free Open Source software similar to FireFox, meaning we will never spy on you because you can check our code and even help make BitLord better!
Moyea YouTube FLV Downloader
This program is divided into three sections, Download, Library, and Playlist, which help download, manage, convert, and play the FLV files easily. With the help of FLV to Video Converter Pro 2 users can convert the files into other popular video formats for playback on iPod, iPhone, PSP, Xbox, cell phone, etc. The Playlist section enables users to create their own playlist. Group and play the files to enlarge the fun. What’s more, it captures FLV URLs from various browsers like IE, Safari, Firefox, Maxthon, 360 SE, etc. Compared with other downloaders, it is the most entertaining program. The capability to download Hulu and Fox videos (RTMP) is the most attracting feature to me. It is quite integrated but free.
YouTube
Downloader
This software allows you to download videos from YouTube and many others and convert them to other video formats. The program is easy to use, just specify the URL for the video you want to download and click the Ok! It also allows you to convert downloaded videos for iPod, iPhone, PSP, Cell Phone, Windows Media, Xvid and MP3. Allows you to access YouTube videos for which you need to be 18+ years of age. It is said that it now plays videos downloaded, but I don’t see the selection. In a word, I’m attracted by its simple steps to download.
Zbusoft FLV Downloader 1
Free Download Manager
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
Orbit Downloader
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.
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
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.
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.
1-Click YouTube Downloader
UnPlug
(Firefox extension)
See video, music, or images on a web page that you want right away? The UnPlug Firefox extension adds a little smiling fish to your web pages that "unplugs" embedded objects for your downloading pleasure. Click the fish (or go to Tools -> UnPlug), to suck down media files available on that web page.
Miro
(Podcatcher, BitTorrent downloader and more)
The video player formerly known as Democracy, Miro can subscribe to and automatically fetch video podcasts, grab clips from YouTube channel feeds or BitTorrent (in addition to letting you watch streaming video). Here's how to create your television season pass with Miro's BitTorrent capabilities, which works similar to Ted (also mentioned on this list) but without the need for a separate BT client.
Ares Tube / TubeTV
(Web video to iPod downloaders and converters)
Easily download video clips from the popular sites (YouTube, Google Video, Metacafe, et al.) and convert them for use on your iPod with Ares Tube (Windows) and TubeTV (Mac). For more video converters, see our top 10 free video rippers, encoders, and converters
Filezilla
(Cross-platform FTP client)
DownThemAll!(Firefox extension)
Powerful download manager DownThemAll! (dTa) can queue, batch, pause, resume, and automatically detect and download a certain filetype linked on any web page. Once you've used dTa, you'll never go back to Firefox's default Downloads dialog. Here's more on how to supercharge your Firefox downloads with DownThemAll
Whether you're running your own FTP server or you log into your web host's or someone else's, you'd do well using the open source, cross-platform FileZilla client. In fact, if you did want to download files from your home computer via FTP, you can also set that up using the FileZilla server. When it comes to FTP clients, we also like SmartFTP (Windows, free), FireFTP (Firefox extension), Transmit (Mac, $30), and WinSCP (Windows only, free, handles SCP as well as SFTP.)
InstallPad / AppSnap
(Software update downloaders, Windows only)
So you're setting up yet another PC, and you're sick of manually clicking around the interwebs to download and install all your essential software—but that's not necessary any more. Desktop utilities InstallPad and AppSnap automate the software download process, by letting you set up a list of downloads in one interface (which comes pre-loaded with great, free suggestions you already love) and grabbing the latest versions for you. InstallPad is a little easier to use than AppSnap. Here's how to automatically download and install your favorite software with InstallPad.
Transmission
(Mac BitTorrent client)
Our pick for best BitTorrent client on the Mac, Transmission offers features like selective file downloading from inside a torrent, per-file priorities, and seeding limits. Like uTorrent, you can also remote control your Transmission downloads from a web interface with Clutch.
Ted / TVShows
(Television episode BitTorrent downloader)
Stop manually searching for the new episode of your favorite television show and automatically download the next episode when it becomes available via BitTorrent using Ted (cross-platform) or TVShows (Mac only). Here's more on how to automatically download new episodes of your favorite TV shows with Ted
DownThemAll!
(Firefox extension)
Powerful download manager DownThemAll! (dTa) can queue, batch, pause, resume, and automatically detect and download a certain filetype linked on any web page. Once you've used dTa, you'll never go back to Firefox's default Downloads dialog. Here's more on how to supercharge your Firefox downloads with DownThemAll
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.
Video Download
Toolbar
System Requirements:Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista, Internet Explorer 6
Video Download Toolbar is a solution that allows users to download all FLV videos in 1 click from YouTube, Google, MySpace, IFilm, Metacafe, Dailymotion, Break, blip.tv, vidiLife, CollegeHumor, Sike, CurrentTV, directly to your computer. This toolbar enables you to download videos from the running Web page and from all opened Web pages, search for your favorite videos just by typing a specific keyword in the box; it can also search for related videos. With this tool you will also be able to automatically save videos from the Web sites and play FLV videos directly from Internet stream (FLVPlayer4Free required). It supports high definition videos and allows multiple downloads.
mega vedio downloaders
Download flv files especially from Megavideo.com.
Online Video Downloader
System Requirements:Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista
Download all shared videos hosted by GoogleVideo and YouTube. You can save videos on your computer in *.flv and *.avi format. This App is portable and you can run it every where, it can run from CD / DVD / CoolDisk, No installation needed. Very simple GUI, and simple using. Very low resource usage.
FLV Player & Downloader
system Requirements:Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
This program is a simple downloader and player. Very easy to handle, but only downloads from YouTube.
Hope all the above can help you choosing the most suitable downloader. Each one has its own advantages. Enjoy!
uTorrent
uTorrent is an efficient BitTorrent client for Windows. Most of the features present in other BitTorrent clients are present in uTorrent, including bandwidth prioritization, scheduling, RSS auto-downloading, and Mainline DHT. Additionally, uTorrent supports the protocol encryption joint specification and peer exchange. Unlike many torrent clients, it does not hog valuable system resources--typically using less than 6MB of memory, allowing you to use the computer as if it weren't there at all.
BitLord
BitLord is free Open Source software similar to FireFox, meaning we will never spy on you because you can check our code and even help make BitLord better!
Moyea YouTube FLV Downloader
This program is divided into three sections, Download, Library, and Playlist, which help download, manage, convert, and play the FLV files easily. With the help of FLV to Video Converter Pro 2 users can convert the files into other popular video formats for playback on iPod, iPhone, PSP, Xbox, cell phone, etc. The Playlist section enables users to create their own playlist. Group and play the files to enlarge the fun. What’s more, it captures FLV URLs from various browsers like IE, Safari, Firefox, Maxthon, 360 SE, etc. Compared with other downloaders, it is the most entertaining program. The capability to download Hulu and Fox videos (RTMP) is the most attracting feature to me. It is quite integrated but free.
This software allows you to download videos from YouTube and many others and convert them to other video formats. The program is easy to use, just specify the URL for the video you want to download and click the Ok! It also allows you to convert downloaded videos for iPod, iPhone, PSP, Cell Phone, Windows Media, Xvid and MP3. Allows you to access YouTube videos for which you need to be 18+ years of age. It is said that it now plays videos downloaded, but I don’t see the selection. In a word, I’m attracted by its simple steps to download.
Zbusoft FLV Downloader 1
Download flash videos to your hard drive so you can view them
without being online and no page view! FLV Download is a small, effective
software product that can download sorts of Flash video from Web, YouTube,
MySpace, Google video. This program features the support of multithread,
synchronization download, and the browser.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
1-Click YouTube Downloader
1-Click YouTube Downloader is an easy YouTube videos downloader.
You simply paste YouTube URL, then click mouse. The software will download the
video as FLV file instantly.
(Firefox extension)
See video, music, or images on a web page that you want right away? The UnPlug Firefox extension adds a little smiling fish to your web pages that "unplugs" embedded objects for your downloading pleasure. Click the fish (or go to Tools -> UnPlug), to suck down media files available on that web page.
Miro
(Podcatcher, BitTorrent downloader and more)
The video player formerly known as Democracy, Miro can subscribe to and automatically fetch video podcasts, grab clips from YouTube channel feeds or BitTorrent (in addition to letting you watch streaming video). Here's how to create your television season pass with Miro's BitTorrent capabilities, which works similar to Ted (also mentioned on this list) but without the need for a separate BT client.
Ares Tube / TubeTV
(Web video to iPod downloaders and converters)
Easily download video clips from the popular sites (YouTube, Google Video, Metacafe, et al.) and convert them for use on your iPod with Ares Tube (Windows) and TubeTV (Mac). For more video converters, see our top 10 free video rippers, encoders, and converters
Filezilla
(Cross-platform FTP client)
DownThemAll!(Firefox extension)
Powerful download manager DownThemAll! (dTa) can queue, batch, pause, resume, and automatically detect and download a certain filetype linked on any web page. Once you've used dTa, you'll never go back to Firefox's default Downloads dialog. Here's more on how to supercharge your Firefox downloads with DownThemAll
Whether you're running your own FTP server or you log into your web host's or someone else's, you'd do well using the open source, cross-platform FileZilla client. In fact, if you did want to download files from your home computer via FTP, you can also set that up using the FileZilla server. When it comes to FTP clients, we also like SmartFTP (Windows, free), FireFTP (Firefox extension), Transmit (Mac, $30), and WinSCP (Windows only, free, handles SCP as well as SFTP.)
InstallPad / AppSnap
(Software update downloaders, Windows only)
So you're setting up yet another PC, and you're sick of manually clicking around the interwebs to download and install all your essential software—but that's not necessary any more. Desktop utilities InstallPad and AppSnap automate the software download process, by letting you set up a list of downloads in one interface (which comes pre-loaded with great, free suggestions you already love) and grabbing the latest versions for you. InstallPad is a little easier to use than AppSnap. Here's how to automatically download and install your favorite software with InstallPad.
Transmission
(Mac BitTorrent client)
Our pick for best BitTorrent client on the Mac, Transmission offers features like selective file downloading from inside a torrent, per-file priorities, and seeding limits. Like uTorrent, you can also remote control your Transmission downloads from a web interface with Clutch.
Ted / TVShows
(Television episode BitTorrent downloader)
Stop manually searching for the new episode of your favorite television show and automatically download the next episode when it becomes available via BitTorrent using Ted (cross-platform) or TVShows (Mac only). Here's more on how to automatically download new episodes of your favorite TV shows with Ted
DownThemAll!
(Firefox extension)
Powerful download manager DownThemAll! (dTa) can queue, batch, pause, resume, and automatically detect and download a certain filetype linked on any web page. Once you've used dTa, you'll never go back to Firefox's default Downloads dialog. Here's more on how to supercharge your Firefox downloads with DownThemAll
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.
System Requirements:Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista, Internet Explorer 6
Video Download Toolbar is a solution that allows users to download all FLV videos in 1 click from YouTube, Google, MySpace, IFilm, Metacafe, Dailymotion, Break, blip.tv, vidiLife, CollegeHumor, Sike, CurrentTV, directly to your computer. This toolbar enables you to download videos from the running Web page and from all opened Web pages, search for your favorite videos just by typing a specific keyword in the box; it can also search for related videos. With this tool you will also be able to automatically save videos from the Web sites and play FLV videos directly from Internet stream (FLVPlayer4Free required). It supports high definition videos and allows multiple downloads.
mega vedio downloaders
Download flv files especially from Megavideo.com.
Online Video Downloader
System Requirements:Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista
Download all shared videos hosted by GoogleVideo and YouTube. You can save videos on your computer in *.flv and *.avi format. This App is portable and you can run it every where, it can run from CD / DVD / CoolDisk, No installation needed. Very simple GUI, and simple using. Very low resource usage.
FLV Player & Downloader
system Requirements:Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
This program is a simple downloader and player. Very easy to handle, but only downloads from YouTube.
Hope all the above can help you choosing the most suitable downloader. Each one has its own advantages. Enjoy!
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