Unix Download Managers
Review of Linux download managers.
This is not intended as the most complete list of download managers for Linux/Unix, it just comprises the applications I have used.
WGet
This is the most powerful tool. It has lots of command-line options and configurations available to the run control file. Because of its power and customization it can be intimidating to new users though; it doesn't have a graphical interface.
WGet's support for recursive download and mirroring is very good. It is primarily intended for background downloading - I couldn't find any way to force it re-read its configuration while fetching files.
Download WGet, I also have made a collection of WGet shell scripts.
Web Downloader for X (nt)
A graphical download manager similar to the Windows apps, it can intercept URIs from the clipboard and display a download basket.
The main advantage over WGet is that you can set the maximum download speed during download which is impossible with WGet.
It also supports FTP mirror searching, scheduling, and recursive downloading (not as good as WGet though).
Prozilla
Prozilla supports downloading one file through multiple connections and is the fastest at it (of course the server has to support resumes).
It has a ncurses interface but you only have a few shortcuts available, most commonly you will use it from the command line.
KGet
KGet is a QT point and click download manager.
GNOME Transfer Manager
GNOME Transfer Manager is a gtk front-end to wget.
Thanks to Vasile Alaiba (alaiba@ozland.ro) for referring to it.
Feedback
If you have experience with a download utility I haven't covered or a different opinion for those listed don't hesitate to share your thoughts.
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Technorati
Comments
current wget supports 2GB only
The current (Jan 03) version of wget does not support files greater than 2GB.
There is a patch to support large files, but you cannot locate prebuilt rpms with this, yet. Just an fyi.
GTM
What about the Gnome Transfer Manager? Except for multithreading/segmented download, it has about everything one needs.
Another Download Manager
Another download manager that I've found which works pretty good is called Axel. It's very similar to wget and it supports resumes and multiple simultaneous connections. I haven't used Prozilla, so I can't compare the two.
bpopp - www.bpopp.net
larger than 2 GB File -- lol
who the hell is downloading a file larger than 2gb? i think thats no bug!
wget supports download speed limiting
just user wget --limit-rate=4k ... to set maximum download speed for wget.
large file
I need to download a file about 2.7gb. Does anyone know how to do it? Using wget I only get about 77% of the file. I am begging for any help.
large file
Have you tried curl?
multiple auto feed
Hi,
I look for a dowload manager with multiple auto feed feture. Like in FlashGet. Yes, linux versions can read from clip board one by one but so far I could not get any with being able to process several links from a copied web page / like 20 hperlink, URLs / at the same time... /
Any advice?
Thanks,
Larger than 2GB: DVDs
Umm, Fedora Core 2 users who want to burn one DVD-R vs. 4 CDRs would be the most obvious.
Eventually KNOPPIX 3.5 or some later DVD version will also make it to the 'net and people will want to 'wget' that.
Hi Martin,
Thanks for referencing me on GTM. Now I'm using another download manager: "Downloader for X" or just D4X. It has a long list of features, just take a look at the home page or, why not, give it a try yourself.
Vasile