Preface#
I believe you are definitely familiar with IDM, which was a globally popular downloader at the time, characterized by multi-threaded downloads that fully utilize bandwidth and intelligent dynamic file segmentation technology, standing out among many download software for a long time due to its unique advantages.
Its plugin takes over the browser's downloads, automatically fetching links and splitting files into several parts for simultaneous downloading.
But the drawbacks are
- Not free: Although money is indeed a motivation for development, the price is still a bit high. Even though a trial period is offered, long-term use still requires purchasing a license.
- Interface (
ugly) and relatively fixed functions: Compared to some open-source or more modern download tools, IDM's interface and function updates may not be frequent enough, and support for new features is not as flexible as some competitors. - Compatibility issues: Although IDM widely supports most mainstream browsers, there can sometimes be integration or compatibility issues with specific browsers or after browser updates, requiring users to manually adjust or wait for software updates.
Quoted from Bilibili article
So today’s main character is AB Download Manager (abbreviated as ABDM).
Not only is it open-source and free, but also due to its development based on Kotlin, it supports cross-platform compatibility with Win / Linux, making it a perfect alternative to IDM.
Core Features#
Faster Download Speeds#
It's incredibly fast, with file segmentation and multi-threaded downloads just like IDM. My own tests show speeds can reach over 100 MB/S (my bandwidth is gigabit fiber).
Modern and Simple Interface#
The interface is simple and beautiful, quite modern, supporting both light and dark themes.
Download Scheduling#
Supports resuming interrupted downloads (uh, seems like every downloader should have this feature).
Cross-Platform Support#
Cross-platform support for Win / Linux, much better than IDM.
Easy and Clear Configuration#
Supports setting download proxies, speed limits, and can also integrate with browsers.
Download Queue#
Can create and manage downloads in the queue, running all files in order.
Open Source & Free#
Completely open-source! If you like a feature, you can raise an issue, or implement it yourself for everyone's benefit; sharing joy is better than enjoying it alone~
Why this one?#
The most important thing for me is that it is free, and the interface is much more attractive than that old thing called IDM. Moreover, the open-source community is also a major attraction for me; if there are issues, everyone can work together to solve them and discuss. For example, the original software only supported English, but after many collaborators' improvements, it now supports multiple languages. IDM has many features, but for me, downloading is the most important, and ABDM happens to be software focused on downloading.
In summary, ABDM brings me a refreshing experience different from other downloaders, and I hope you find it worth a try!
How to install and use it?#
Github releases: https://github.com/amir1376/ab-download-manager/releases
Official website: https://abdownloadmanager.com/
This article is synchronized and updated to xLog by Mix Space. The original link is https://ling.tblstudio.cn/posts/tool/admb-download