Best internet download managers of 2024 for Windows

Download managers increase your download speed by splitting files into several sections and simultaneously downloading them, schedule your downloads, support pausing and resuming downloads, and have many other useful functions.

Freeware  
No ads  
Adjust traffic usage  
Snail mode  
Organize downloads  
Schedule downloads  
Automatic antivirus scan  
HTTP/HTTPS/FTP support  
BitTorrent support  
Download from video hostings  
Proxy support  
Audio and video preview  
Catch browser downloads  
Magnet-link support  
Batch downloads  
Drag-and-drop URLs  
Available for Mac  
Modern interface  
Multiple languages  
Regular updates  
$11.95
Open source

Freeware

$11.95

Open source

No ads

Adjust traffic usage

Snail mode

Organize downloads

Schedule downloads

Automatic antivirus scan

HTTP/HTTPS/FTP support

BitTorrent support

Download from video hostings

Proxy support

Audio and video preview

Catch browser downloads

Magnet-link support

Batch downloads

Drag-and-drop URLs

Available for Mac

Modern interface

Multiple languages

Regular updates

Free Download Manager
Free Download Manager
87 (76%) 27 (24%)
Download
One of the most widespread and reliable internet download managers. It is absolutely free, has no built-in ads and works under Windows 7+ and Mac OS X 10.9+.
Screenshot
Main Window
Free Download Manager Features
  • HTTP/HTTPS/FTP/BitTorrent support.
  • Simultaneously download several files.
  • Conveniently organize your downloads.
  • Integration with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, and Safari.
  • Video and audio file preview while downloading.
  • Add URLs using the drag-and-drop feature.
  • Proxy support.

Advantages

    - Available for Windows and Mac.
    - Torrent and magnet-link support.
    - Snail mode: it minimizes a download speed without breaking the connection while you're talking via Skype, for example.
    - Chrome and Firefox extensions.
    - Modern design, use a light or dark theme.
Official website:
freedownloadmanager.org
Internet Download Manager
Internet Download Manager
38 (72%) 15 (28%)
Download
A convenient program for downloading files that is localized into all major world languages. It significantly speeds up downloads, supports batch downloads and different types of proxy servers.
Screenshot
IDM screenshot
Internet Download Manager key features
  • Dynamic file segmentation.
  • Automatic antivirus scan of downloaded files.
  • Simultaneous downloads from several servers at the maximum speed.
  • Integration with Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and other browsers.
  • Preview of .zip archives.
Advantages

    - Supports firewall, proxy, FTP, HTTP and HTTPS protocols, redirected cookies, etc.
    - Multiple queues and periodic file synchronization.
    - Sounds on events.
    - Unicode support.
Disadvantages

    - Outdated interface.
Official website:
internetdownloadmanager.com
uGet Download Manager
uGet Download Manager
9 (60%) 6 (40%)
Download
An open-source download manager with a portable version for Windows. It supports Linux and Android platforms.
Screenshot
Main window
uGet main features
  • Supports HTTP, HTTPS, FTP and BitTorrent protocols.
  • Clipboard batch: copy an unlimited number of files to the clipboard and add them to the queue.
  • Downloads files from TXT and HTML files.
  • Easily manages downloaded files and their history.
Main characteristics of uGet

    - Open source, available for Windows, Android and Linux.
    - FTP authorization.
    - Quiet mode: automatically downloads files to a set category.
    - Multiconnection: supports up to 16 simultaneous connections.
Official website:
ugetdm.com
Orbit Downloader
Orbit Downloader
15 (75%) 5 (25%)
Freeware download manager and file-sharing client for Windows.
Main functions of Orbit Downloader
  • Supports HTTP, FTP, RTSP, RTMP and MM protocols.
  • Groups downloaded files by tags and stores URLs of downloaded files.
  • Internet Explorer, Opera, Firefox, Netscape, Google Chrome, and Maxthon integration.
  • Proxy support.
Advantages
  • Scans downloaded files for viruses.
  • Downloads social video and music as well as streaming media.
  • Light, uses minimum system resources.
Disadvantages
  • Offers additional software downloads, shows ads.
Internet Download Accelerator
Internet Download Accelerator
19 (86%) 3 (14%)
Free program designed to simplify and speed up downloads, recommended for large file downloads.
Internet Download Accelerator features
  • Integration with Internet Explorer, Opera, Netscape Navigator, Mozilla, SeaMonkey, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari.
  • Works with ZIP and RAR archives (preview, unpack, etc.).
  • Downloads entire folders.
  • Convenient file search in the download history.
  • Various themes and plug-ins are supported.
Advantages
  • Add URLs from the clipboard or using the drag-and-drop feature.
  • Easily manage downloaded files.
  • HTTP, HTTPS, FTP protocol support.
  • Preview video and audio files while downloading.
Disadvantages
  • No automatic updates.
  • Periodically shows advertisements.
Official website:
westbyte.com

Conclusion

Free Download Manager has earned the highest rating. It means FDM is the best internet download manager of 2018. We recommend using it as Free Download Manager is a modern free program for Windows and Mac, with the Snail mode, HTTP/HTTPS/FTP/BitTorrent/magnet-link support, and other useful features.

What download manager are you using? Why? Share it with us and we'll add the program to our comparison list.

Comments

B
Becky 6 years ago

Do not understand the usefulness of these tools, actually. Restart downloads or continue a broken one? Well, ok, this is useful, but in fact, if my Internet connection is lost, no tricks will help. But thanks for the comparison.

Reply Was it helpful? yes | no (+11)
G
GlassOfWine 6 years ago

FDM is good but I use Ace Player, it helps not to download the video but watch it immediately, just take one minute to prepare

Reply Was it helpful? yes | no (+12)
J
Johnny 6 years ago

Hey, are you kidding? Why has IDM such a low rating????

Reply Was it helpful? yes | no (+11)
N
NOTORIOUS 6 years ago

Johnny, not sure but I actually got the trial version of IDM before I got this and it was very good!

Reply Was it helpful? yes | no (+9)
N
NOTORIOUS 6 years ago

Umm no the interface for IDM is actually more comfortable compared to FDM since the progress and log are all in one screen

Reply Was it helpful? yes | no (+12)