Have you ever wondered how to boost your download speed on Mac? Read below to find some tips and solutions to speed up your downloads.
Even with a reasonably good connection sometimes it feels like it needs a boost to go faster. When you need to download large files, like movies, for example, you'll probably become interested in the methods to boost download speed on Mac. In that case, the Mac download manager comes in handy.
Folx is one of the most popular download managers for macOS that also works as a great speed downloader.
It helps to achieve speed downloading Mac thanks to splitting the downloads in threads and fetching them from multiple sources at a time.
Free Folx splits the downloads in up to two threads, while Folx PRO allows you to split the downloads in up to 20 threads.
Pros:
Cons:
Supported OS: Mac OS X
Conclusion: An all-in-one Internet Download Manager, Folx is the only app you need as a Mac user if you want to improve your download speed. Even without the PRO version, you will be able to easily manage the files you download and lose the fear of getting disconnected halfway.
However, when upgrading to PRO, you unlock the full power of this app and will be able to also download torrents, sync music with Apple Music, decide what happens when the download is finished, and more.
There are numerous third-party apps that can accelerate download speed and the best example comes from download managers. We’ve analyzed and tested five of the most powerful and reliable ones available now. When it comes to how to increase download speed Mac users can use the apps listed below. Here’s our conclusions regarding these five software you can use to speed up downloads on Mac.
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Folx PRO
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Folx PRO
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iNetGet
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iGetter
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FlareGet
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Ninja Download Manager
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Download Shuttle
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Maxel
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Leech
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Progressive Downloader
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Xtreme Download Manager
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JDownloader
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Persepolis Download Manager
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Neat Download Manager
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Free Download Manager
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4K Video Downloader
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ZenMate
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Multithreading
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Multithreading
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Downloads scheduling
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Downloads scheduling
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Apple Music integration
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Apple Music integration
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Speed control
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Speed control
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Bandwidth optimization
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Bandwidth optimization
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SoundCloud only
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Proxy support
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Proxy support
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Browser integration
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Browser integration
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Password storage
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Password storage
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Torrent client
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Torrent client
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Autoresume of downloads
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Autoresume of downloads
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macOS 10.15+
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macOS 10.15+
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$19.95
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$19.95
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$29.99
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$25
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$19.99
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$19
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$9.99
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$9.99
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$6
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$2.99
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free
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free
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free
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free
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free
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free
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JDownloader is an open-source download tool for Mac. With this downloader, you'll need to specify the number of connections for downloading files. As we mentioned before the number of connections is directly connected to the downloading speed.
Using JDownloader, you can choose when to initiate a download, pause it whenever you need, or stop the entire process. Besides the fact you accelerate download speed, you can also auto-extract archives, enable bandwidth limitations as well as other settings.
Pros:
Cons:
Supported OS: Mac OS X, Windows, Linux
Conclusion: If you’re looking for free software to download files from the Internet without having to always rely on your browser, JDownloader is the solution for you.
Of course, being an open-source app you may experience some bugs along the way, however, the code is constantly checked by the people that launched the app and you should have a great overall experience.
When talking about ways to increase download speed, Mac users should give iNetGet a chance as well. You should know right from the start that you’ll need some previous experience to successfully download files with this app. However, don’t think you need to be an expert or computer geek.
It comes with a user interface that can be figured out after a few moments with the app and it allows you to download MP4, FLV, and music from YouTube and other websites. Even more than that, it comes with an auto-sniff function that is able to detect the file formats you pre-define and download them automatically.
Pros:
Cons:
Supported OS: Mac OS X
Conclusion: A great fast downloader for Mac users that want to take things to the next level. While it’s not a complicated app, the auto-sniffing feature requires some technical skills to work properly. Nonetheless, if you are looking for an answer to “how to download faster on Mac” this app is a great solution.
FlareGet is an all-in-one download manager that can be used by macOS, Linux, and Windows users alike. It comes with a free trial version that offers you the opportunity to experience its features.
However, the full list of features is unlocked when you upgrade to PRO. You will then get amazingly fast downloads, intelligent file management so that you will never have to waste time organizing files ever again. Just pre-define some categories and all the files will go to their destination, according to what you download.
Also, the app comes with enhanced browser integration so you can start your downloads immediately. Even if you get disconnected, you can always resume from where you were left without having to start over again.
Pros:
Cons:
Supported OS: macOS, Windows, Linux
Conclusion: FlareGet is worth a shot if you want an alternative to downloading files via Safari or the Internet browser you are using. It’s nice that it comes with a free trial version, however, the real power is unleashed in the PRO version. Intelligent file management is the top feature this app has to offer.
We’re continuing our list of download managers for macOS with Ninja Download Manager. If you’re actively looking for an answer to how to make Mac download faster, you should explore this high speed downloader as well.
The app comes with a very interesting user interface, is very fast compared to downloading directly through your Internet browser, and it’s also elegant. Besides making downloads faster, it comes with plenty of features like Sequential File Writing a feature that allows you to start previewing the files even before they’re completely downloaded.
On its list of features, you can also see batch downloading, complete speed control, a limitation for maximum concurrent downloads, and many more.
Pros:
Cons:
Supported OS: Mac OS X, Windows
Conclusion: A very potent download manager for Mac that can easily take the top position on our list if it also had a decent free trial version. However, without the ability to check the features and what the app can do, users prefer to choose its competitors.
You’re wondering how to improve download speed on Mac without installing additional software? You can still do so using your browser and a special extension destined for each of the three most popular browsers out there. Not sure how to do so? Don’t worry! We’re giving you the best browser extensions to make downloading easier and faster on your Mac.
This Mozilla Firefox dedicated add-on is everything you need if you want to boost your download speed no matter what files you download from the Internet. It basically allows Mozilla to use multiple connections to the same server and get the download faster. It comes with 6 simultaneous threads that can be boosted to even more if you know a bit of config editing.
You want the full versatility of standalone download managers packed in a browser extension for Chrome? Turbo Download Manager v3 is the answer!
It allows you to pause and resume the downloads, get files remotely and, of course, use the multi-thread technology to improve speeds. It also comes with internal modules that easily detect images and media sources. It also has a built-in M3U8 parser and a Live Stream downloader that allows you to download live videos.
If you were wondering how to make download speeds faster on Mac using a browser extension, DownThemAll (or simply dTa) is a very easy-to-use and powerful Opera extension that allows you to take full control of any download process on your computer.
DownThemAll can be used to increase download speed Mac users get as a standard and it also serves as an excellent download manager, allowing you to better organize your downloads.
If you are experiencing poor Internet speed, the first thing to do is make sure you are not running any current downloads or other programs that might hog your bandwidth. Run a speed test and check download and upload speed on your Mac. You can go to dedicated apps or do it manually to see what your speed downloading Mac is.
One of the ways you can use to check your Mac download and upload speeds is Activity Monitor, a utility that monitors your Mac’s activities like processor load, running applications, and keeps your computer running smoothly.
In the Activity Monitor window on your Mac, select the "Network" tab. Here you will see the amount of data your Mac is sending and receiving over the network: Data Received/Sec indicates the download speed, while Data Sent/Sec points at the upload speed.
The "Network" tab also defines applications that are actively using your network.
You can find out your Mac’s download speed with the help of dedicated apps like Speedtest. It aims to help Mac users to check Internet connection speed and performance. Using this speed download app, you can launch the test right from your macOS menu bar.
Open the app and click on the "Go" button. Speedtest launches its tests. Once completed, the results will be displayed in the same window.
What is considered a fast download speed? Generally, if the data transfer is above 100 Mbps, it means that you have a good Internet connection that allows you to perform more than several online activities simultaneously without major interruptions. However, there are several speed download Mac tips and trick you can do to reach the optimal speed for downloads.
The reason for your low speed can also be in your broadband connection or your wireless network. And since you can control your wireless network yourself, besides using speed download app boosters, it is recommended to optimize and fine-tune home or office Wi-Fi for better performance.
You can increase download speed by managing the download process wisely. Below, you will find some tips that should hopefully help you boost the download speed on Mac.
New versions of OS can also provide a faster and more stable network. Check the Software Update via the Apple menu in order not to miss anything. Another way to increase download speed Mac users should do is to update the router's firmware. With the new firmware version, your router may start to receive a Wi-Fi signal better (if you use it), and in general work faster.
It is easy to forget that you started the tenth download while nine others are still active. However, it affects the download speed tremendously. Try pausing less urgent downloads to dedicate more traffic to the most important files.
Limit your upload rateSharing is caring, and the peer-to-peer connection is all about that. But an unlimited setting on upload affects your downloading too. It is a good idea to set your torrent client upload rate to about 80% of your maximum upload speed.
Also, try to play with your upload speeds – set the speed high initially and then gradually lower it towards the middle of the download. Pay attention to speed units – they can either be kilobits per second (kb/sec) or kilobytes per second (kB/sec). 1 kilobyte = 8 kilobits.
The location of your router can also significantly affect your download speed. If you normally use the Internet near your router, you're probably fine. But if your router is located behind objects or in the corner of your house, your speed issues may be due to distance or obstacles. If you want to know how to speed up downloads on Mac and to find the perfect place for the router location we recommend you NetSpot, an app for interference monitoring.
Make sure to check the max download and upload bandwidths allowed by your ISP. Of course, the torrent downloading speed won't go over what is set up by the ISP. Use bandwidth tester to see what you have and how to increase it. You can use speed.io or DSLReports included in the speed test of uTorrent.
Tweak your router/ISP’s settingsOne more tip on "how to make downloads faster on Mac" is to check the current setup of your router. When you sign in to your ISP account, you can also check various settings. The default settings installed on your router are often not the best. Go to your ISP's webpage to learn more about which settings work best for your router and download speed.
Regardless of whether you use Wi-Fi or an Ethernet connection, there is a cable that enters your apartment. It can be bent, pinched, or damaged somewhere, which automatically degrades the quality of the connection causing speed downloading Mac issues. Check the cable in areas accessible to you or ask your provider to "ring" it and repair possible damage to make sure that the Internet speed does not depend on its condition.
Using Wi-Fi affects the speed of your connection, that’s why it is recommended to connect via an Ethernet cable as it can quickly increase download speed. We understand that this tip "how to increase download speed on Mac" may sound like it's from the 90s, still, you shouldn’t underestimate it. As it's a wired connection and you don't have to rely on Wi-Fi, this option may provide the fastest connection for your download speed.
Replace filtersPlease keep in mind that another reason for Mac download speed slow issue can also be the low-quality filters. Such kinds of filters can affect the Wi-Fi infrastructure so replacing them with more high-quality ones can help you increase the speed.
As you can see, the speed of your downloads depends on many factors. Some of them are beyond your reach, but some can be tempered with. The easiest and convenient way to adjust download speed is to use software with special features on your Mac.
The best choice to speed up your downloads is Folx - a fast and user-friendly download manager and torrent client. Do you know any other tips and tricks to increase download speed? Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments below and help others out in the process.
First, we will recommend you check your Internet speed. This way you will understand the reasons why downloads are slow. You can check your upload speed manually or using special programs like Speedtest. If the reported speeds are much lower than the advertised speed of your Internet plan, then your connection is slow.
There are some ways to increase upload speed: you can try using a wired connection, clear cache and history, and make sure your device doesn't have any viruses. Multiple devices connected to the same network may also slow down the upload speed. Or refer to Folx, the best download manager for Mac, which helps you speed up your downloads by splitting them into threads.
