Free Download Manager 6.35.1.7021

Free Download Manager (FDM)

Free Download Manager is a free download manager for Windows, macOS, Android and Linux that handles direct downloads, torrents and magnet links in a single application. The current release is version 6.35.1. According to the developer, the program has been downloaded more than 180 million times worldwide and has been in development for more than 20 years.

Platform Availability

The Windows build is a 64-bit installer for Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8 and 7. Older builds are offered for earlier systems, including a 32-bit version of FDM 6.24 for Windows 8.1, 8 and 7 and version 3.9.7 for Windows XP. On macOS, separate 64-bit DMG packages are provided for Apple silicon (ARM) and Intel processors, with earlier releases for macOS 12, macOS 10.12 to 11 and macOS 10.11. The Linux version is distributed as a DEB package and through Flathub. The Android app is available as 64-bit and 32-bit APK files and on Google Play.

Key Features

• Segmented downloading: Files are split into segments that download simultaneously. The developer states that this can make downloads up to 10 times faster, though actual gains depend on the server and network.
• Torrent and magnet support: A built-in BitTorrent client handles torrents and magnet links, with priority control for files and bandwidth management.
• Resume: Interrupted downloads continue from where they stopped, and broken or expired download links can be resumed.
• Browser integration: The program works with Chrome, Firefox, Edge and other popular browsers and can intercept downloads started in the browser. Official extensions are listed for Chrome and Firefox.
• Add-ons: The Elephant add-on adds support for downloading videos from various websites. A video conversion plugin, a BitTorrent plugin and a language pack are offered for the FDM Lite 3.x version.
• Organization and scheduling: Downloaded files can be sorted into predefined folders by type, and downloads can be scheduled for a set time.

Android Version

The Android app allows users to download large files, torrents, music and videos. It can organize downloads by file type, schedule them, download only when connected to Wi-Fi, and adjust traffic usage so that browsing and downloading can run at the same time. The app supports formats including WEBM, AVI, MKV, MP4 and MP3. It requests permission to access device storage for saving files and to access the network. The developer declares that no user data is collected and that none is shared with third parties. Downloading from YouTube is not supported under YouTube's terms of service. Users bear full responsibility for any copyrighted content they download with the app.

Functionality and Reliability

Segmented downloading can improve throughput when servers and network conditions allow it. Resume support covers both lost connections and expired links, and scheduling suits transfers that are meant to run at a later time. The bundled torrent engine covers common torrent tasks, while users who need highly specialized torrent controls may prefer a dedicated client.

Usability

The interface is described as modern and has been redesigned in recent releases. Common tasks, such as capturing downloads from the browser and managing torrents, are accessible from the main window. The program is translated into 24 languages, including Arabic, Japanese, Korean and Chinese.

Safety and Installation

The developer states that FDM contains no adware, malware or spyware and that the program is open source. Official downloads are available from the project website and Google Play. Checksums are published for some builds, including the Linux DEB package for version 6.35.1, and can be used to verify the downloaded file.

Intended Users

1. Users who want to accelerate HTTP and FTP downloads and resume interrupted transfers without paying for a subscription.
2. Users who want one tool for both direct downloads and occasional torrenting.
3. Android users who want scheduled downloads that run only on Wi-Fi.