Internet Download Manager (IDM) is a popular tool that helps speed up your downloads and manage them efficiently on your computer. It's known for its fast download speeds, easy-to-use interface, and the ability to pause and resume downloads. IDM integrates well with most browsers, making downloading files from the internet convenient. However, IDM is a paid software, and some users might find its cost too high or its features unnecessary for their needs. Additionally, IDM is only available for Windows, leaving users on other platforms looking for alternatives. Whether you're seeking a free option, something with different features, or a tool that works on other operating systems, finding the right IDM alternative can help you manage downloads more effectively without breaking the bank.
Aqua Clip - Most Recommended Alternative
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Price: It is available for $34.95 as a personal lifetime license, with a free trial included.
If we're talking about the best alternative for IDM, we present Aqua Clip. This is an all-in-one yet intuitive video downloader that boasts multi-threading technology. Furthermore, it boosts the speed by maximizing your entire internet connection's bandwidth. With this tool, you can download YouTube playlists in the fastest way possible. What separates it from the rest is that it can download videos for up to 8K quality if available. Due to these features, it allows you to save multiple videos simultaneously. Also, it support multilingual support, like French, Chinese, Portuguese, and more. It even downloads all videos included in an entire YouTube playlist within a few clicks. After downloading, you can create unlimited download categories on your computer.
Try it for Free
You can start using the tool by clicking at least one of the "Download" buttons provided to install it on your Windows or Mac computer. Next, open a web browser and visit any video streaming website you prefer. Search the video you want to download and make sure to copy its link from the address bar. Then, go back to Aqua Clip to paste the video URL and let the tool download it. Ensure that you use the maximum download bandwidth for faster download process of up to 5 times.
JDownloader
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Java-based, JD-Source
Price: It is free software.
JDownloader is an open-source Internet Download Manager alternative. Its main advantage against IDM is that it is available to all platforms. Additionally, this software has an "Auto-Reconnection" feature that resumes an interrupted download process once the internet connection is stabilized. Plus, you can also set bandwidth limitations and customize the download acceleration according to your network. It also lets you control the process like start, pause downloads, or stop it anytime you want. If you are into this kind of software, you can always search for JDownloader similar websites to download videos.
Free Download Manager
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android
Price: This is a free video downloader.
Free Download Manager is a robust download accelerator and software like Internet Download Manager. What separates it from IDM is that this software is also available to install on smartphones. Additionally, Free Download Manager can grab videos from several websites, including Vimeo, Dailymotion, and more. It also supports downloading videos streaming on web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. Aside from that, the alternative to IDM also offers an add-on version available for Chrome and Firefox for easier and quicker access to the software, making it a great free download managers in the market.
Orbit Downloader
Platforms: Windows
Price: This video grabber is free of charge.
Another IDM free alternative on this list is Orbit Downloader. Like other tools mentioned here, this download manager can speed up the process. A good thing about it is that you can enjoy its services for free. Orbit Downloader supports saving videos via FTP, HTTP, RTSP, and MMS, making sure you can save more videos from several sites. This download accelerator uses a "peer-to-peer" client approach to maximize the bandwidth of the data connection. However, like IDM, Orbit Downloader is not also available for Mac and Linux computers.
FlashGet
Platforms: Windows
Price: This download manager is free to use.
FlashGet claims to be one of the best download manager and IDM similar software. The developer states that it can speed up the download process up to 6-10 times. It is possible thanks to its MHT feature that separates the downloaded files into sections. Plus, this alternative to IDM can even work with minimal system resources and won't take much work on your system unit performance. Lastly, FlashGet claims that it is safe and free from adware as its antivirus program automatically cleans any detected malware.
Internet Download Accelerator
Platforms: Windows
Price: 30-day free trial and get a lifetime subscription for 3 PCs for just $24.95.
The next software, like IDM on this list, is Internet Download Accelerator. This best free IDM alternatives supports downloading videos from popular web browsers such as IE, Firefox, Chrome, and more. Like IDM, it is one of the pioneers of download managers as it was released in 2002. The software also shows a small tray that monitors the download speed all the time. You can also optimize the download files speed and put it on "Automatic" to adjust it according to your network.
EagleGet
Platforms: Windows, Web Browsers
Price: It is a free application.
EagleGet is an intuitive and more modern download manager if were talking about its main interface. It showcases cleaner UI controls compared to IDM since its icons and buttons are more recognizable and organized. Additionally, it can grab and save multiple videos at the same time. Moreover, it can sort the downloaded files according to size, name, and type, making it look like a video playlist. Aside from being an accelerator, this IDM alternative proposes essential downloading features like auto video detection playing on any online streaming site and multiple files download.
Ninja Download Manager
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Chrome
Price: This video downloader is free.
Another platform like IDM for Mac that possesses a modern interface is Ninja Download Manager. Like all the software mentioned above, this solution aims to make the download speed faster. One unique function of the Ninja Download Manager that is not present to IDM is that it has a download list for the schedule download process. If you are also fond of using Chrome, it has a browser extension built for it that lets you add new downloads quickly to its interface while browsing from it.
uGet Download Manager
Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux
Price: The tool is completely free.
uGet Download Manager, launched in 2003, is a free and open-source tool designed to enhance your downloading experience. As a lightweight application, uGet is compatible with a wide range of platforms, making it flexible and accessible. It boasts essential features like downloading multiple files simultaneously, resuming paused downloads, and scheduling future downloads, much like the well-known Internet Download Manager (IDM). Additionally, uGet's source code is available on SourceForge, providing transparency and ensuring security. Whether you're managing small files or large batches, uGet offers a reliable, efficient, and secure solution for all your download needs.
Xtreme Download Manager
Platforms: Windows, Chromium, Vivaldi, Mac, and Linux
Price: You can use this IDM alternative for free.
Claiming to increase download speeds by up to 500%, Xtreme offers all the features needed to rival IDM while remaining user-friendly. This internet download manager achieves rapid download speeds through advanced segmentation algorithms, connection reuse, and data compression. Additionally, Xtreme allows you to resume broken or dead downloads and schedule future downloads, just like its well-known competitor. Furthermore, Xtreme excels at capturing FLV videos from any site and supports HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP protocols. With these capabilities, Xtreme provides a powerful, efficient, and straightforward solution for all your downloading needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding an alternative to Internet Download Manager (IDM) can greatly enhance your downloading experience. Many options, such as Aqua Clip, JDownloader, Free Download Manager, FlashGet, Internet Download Accelerator, EagleGet, Ninja Download Manager, uGet Download Manager, and Xtreme Download Manager offer unique features and benefits to suit different needs. Whether you prefer a free tool, need multi-platform support, or want advanced downloading capabilities, there is an alternative for you. These tools can help you download videos and files more efficiently while often being easier on your budget. Explore these alternatives to find the best fit for your preferences and enjoy faster, smoother downloads!
Aqua Clip (Former Name: Video Keeper)