Preface#
I believe you are 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. Despite offering a trial period, long-term use still requires purchasing a license.
- Interface (
ugly) and relatively fixed features: Compared to some open-source or more modern download tools, IDM's interface and feature 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, introducing today's main character AB Download Manager (abbreviated as ABDM)
It is not only open-source and free but also supports cross-platform functionality on Win / Linux due to its development in Kotlin, making it a perfect alternative to IDM.
Core Features#
Faster Download Speed#
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 resume capability (uh, seems like every downloader should have this).
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 integrate with browsers.
Download Queue#
Can create and manage downloads in the queue, running all files in order.
Open Source & Free#
Completely open-source! Features you like can be proposed as issues, or you can implement them yourself for everyone's benefit; sharing joy is better than enjoying it alone~
Why this one?#
The most important aspect 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; problems can be solved together, and discussions can be held. For example, the software originally 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 downloads.
In summary, ABDM brings me a freshness that is 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.crashvibe.cn/posts/tool/admb-download