Ivan Korol Aug 19, 2022

Best Download Manager for Mac: 11 Best Solutions of 2022

The best download manager for Mac makes downloading faster and easier, as well as offers useful management options like speed control, download scheduling, and more. All these criteria perfectly fit in Folx, making it the best download manager. However, there are other solutions worth consideration.

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Folx

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If you often download torrents, movies, etc, from the Internet, the download manager for Mac will make your life much easier and save you time and space on your hard drive. There are many download managers available, and the purpose of this article is to give you an idea of what application might work best for your needs.

Top 11 Download Managers for Mac That are Worth Your Time:

Folx Download Manager
Other Apps Making It to the Best Downloader for Mac
Tips on Choosing the Best Download Manager for Mac

Folx Download Manager

Folx

4.6 Rank based on 1889 + users Reviews(796)

Requirements: OS X 10.9+

Version: v5.26.13983, Released 13 Nov, 2021 Release notes

Category: Downloaders

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If you’re looking for an easy-to-use and powerful downloader for Mac, Folx is definitely worth considering. It’s extremely user-friendly and is fully compatible with Apple’s latest operating system - Monterey.

Folx offers two versions: the free version and a PRO version. The free version includes all the essential features and is ideal for those who do not download content from the Internet on a regular basis. However, by upgrading to Folx PRO, you’ll get the most out of your downloads and unlock features like built-in torrent search, password saver, smart speed control, and more.

On top of that, Folx works with all popular browsers: Safari, Firefox, Chrome, Opera. You can easily integrate Folx via its plugin in the Safari browser’s context menu and use it as a Safari download manager.

The application sorts all kinds of files for your convenience.

Pros:

Allows you to assign each of your downloads with "tags"
Offers full torrent client compatibility
Can be assigned as your primary torrent downloader
Supports magnet links to download torrents
Allows you to set automatic speed control on your downloads and schedule downloads at specific times
Splits downloads into multiple threads, which can significantly improve the speed at which they download
Fully compatible with Apple Music (formerly iTunes)
Can save your login credentials for multiple torrent trackers and websites you use on a regular basis
Has an awesome built-in torrent search option.

Cons:

Advanced features like the built-in search torrent tool and scheduler are only available in the PRO version. The price starts from $19.95.

Supported OS: macOS

Conclusion: In our opinion, this has to be the best download manager Mac users can find. Folx offers a huge range of features that can be easily used by users with even a limited understanding of how a download manager works.

Thanks to its full torrent compatibility, it’s a really useful Mac download manager for anyone who uses this download method. It’s also got good speeds and plenty of options that let you customize the way that you download files.

While you do have to invest some money for the PRO versions, it’s a low price and one that’s affordable by just about anyone. Whatever you’re looking for, this is a great option with tons of features and top speeds.

See all the pros of the app in our video review.

How to Use Folx Download Manager for Mac

1

Download and install Folx.

2

Copy link to the file you want to download.

3

Open Folx and choose New task in File menu or simply press "+" button in the main app window.

4

Choose where to save downloaded file and assign one or more tags to your download, so you can easily find it later.

5

Configure additional download settings (for PRO users): select the number of simultaneous download threads, schedule download for later start, set up saved authentication credentials.

6

Press "OK" and wait until the download is finished.

Top Mac Download Managers

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Folx PRO	Folx PRO	Free Download Manager	Progressive Downloader	FlareGet	iDownloader	Leech	Xtreme Download Manager	Neat Download Manager	Download Shuttle	Fat Pipe Downloader
Multithreading	Multithreading
Downloads scheduling	Downloads scheduling
Apple Music integration	Apple Music integration
Speed control	Speed control
Bandwidth optimization	Bandwidth optimization
Proxy support	Proxy support
Browser integration	Browser integration
Password storage	Password storage
Torrent client	Torrent client
Autoresume of downloads	Autoresume of downloads
macOS 10.15+	macOS 10.15+
$19.95	$19.95	free	$2.99	$19.99	free	$6	free	free	$9.99	free

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Other Apps Making It to the Best Downloader for Mac

Transloader

Transloader is one of the best download managers for Mac that helps you start downloading any files on your Mac computer by using your iPhone or iPad. The desktop and mobile versions are connected to each other using iCloud, after which you can upload files to your desktop computer from mobile devices.

Transloader offers you convenient and enhanced download management where you can find such features as downloading on multiple Macs, set time for download, remote login to download, and way more. The mobile version of the app is free whereas the desktop version will cost you $9.99.

Pros:

Easy-to-use
Accessible via the Share menu
Notifications when the downloads are completed
Download scheduling.

Cons:

Sometimes link synchronization via iCloud is not very fast.

Supported OS: macOS, iOS

Conclusion: Transloader can greatly simplify downloading files to a desktop computer while using only an iPhone or iPad at hand. At first glance, it may seem that there is nothing special in this download manager. But if the user is often on the road, actively moves around the city, or often writes down files on the mobile device that need to be downloaded, the application will be very useful and save a lot of time.

Free Download Manager

Another top download manager for Mac to check out is called Free Download Manager. FDM does everything the best download manager Mac should do: resumes broken downloads, increases download speed, adjusts available bandwidth, schedules activity, and even supports BitTorrent protocol. All these features for zero price make FDM a solid choice. It also seems to be supported on Mac’s latest OS - Monterey.

Pros:

It’s completely free
Like most download managers, FDM increases download speed, adjusts available bandwidth
One of only two download managers for Mac that combine torrent with regular downloading.

Cons:

One thing to note about FDM is that it was originally released as an open-source software, so older versions are susceptible to malware. Be sure to download this program from the original vendor.

Supported OS: macOS, Windows, Linux

Conclusion: As the name suggests, one of the great benefits of this program is the fact that it’s completely free. It also pairs torrenting with conventional downloading, which is a welcome change.

Beyond that, it has many of the organization and pause/resume features that we’ve seen in other programs. Obviously, the main issue is the fact that, as a very new program, it’s particularly vulnerable to malware. That’s definitely something you’ll want to bear in mind if you’re concerned about your computer’s security.

Progressive Downloader

Progressive Downloader is among the best download managers for Mac because it offers a wide variety of features. It can resume interrupted downloads, offers multi-threaded downloading, browser integration, etc. Progressive Downloader also has a built-in mirror search option to help find mirrors (copies of the same file you’re downloading but in different locations) for large files.

The application is best suited for advanced users.

Pros:

Tons of features - this is a great piece of software for those Mac users who download multiple files every day
Seems to be compatible with Mac’s newest operating system - Monterey.

Cons:

The download speed acceleration leaves a lot to be desired, as Progressive is only capable of splitting downloads into three threads.

Supported OS: macOS

Conclusion: This downloader Mac is pretty good, though it does fall down quite badly where it matters most. There are plenty of useful functions such as pausing downloads, and thankfully the program might work fine with Mac Monterey. It also has a built-in feature that lets you use mirror sites, which is handy.

However, the big issue is the low download speed. Downloads can only be split into three threads, which isn’t much when you consider that similar products offer a lot more. If it wasn’t for the low speeds, this would be a really great choice.

FlareGet

FlareGet is primarily known as a download manager for Linux. Linux is by far the most popular open-source operating system but it’s not a commonly used download manager Mac. Again, "open-source" means that the actual code that runs FlareGet is available for anyone to use and customize. But, FlareGet seems to operate on macOS Monterey just fine, too. It’s interface is simple, if a bit dated.

The application doesn't download torrents and is limited in formats.

Pros:

Offers full metalink support - meaning that you can use FlareGet to replace your chosen Internet browser’s default download manager
Allows splitting files into 32 threads.

Cons:

Most of FlareGet’s most helpful features are only available on the PRO version, which will set you back 20 bucks
Again, unless you’re a software developer or code guru, FlareGet is just overkill for the average Mac user.

Supported OS: macOS, Windows, Linux

Conclusion: This download manager for Mac and Linux is more of an option for people who understand the ins and outs of software. If you really know your stuff, you can use this open-source program to download files, and the download speeds really are impressive - something to take into consideration.

However, for the vast majority of Internet users out there, this is probably not the ideal solution. While it has its merits, you need a lot of background understanding to really make it work for you.

iDownloader

iDownloader continues our list of Mac download tools. The tool provides multipart download, allows scheduling, and can detect copied URLs from browsers. Besides downloading, it can also speed up download tasks. iDownloader integrates with web browsers via its extensions, supports download scheduling, and can resume the download from where it left if the connection is lost.

A simple application, but if all the basic functions.

Pros:

Scheduling downloads at the most suitable hours
Integration with browsers
There are various ways to create a new download
Resuming paused downloads.

Cons:

Downloads large files rather slowly
Sometimes the file is not downloaded completely.

Supported OS: macOS

Conclusion: In general, iDownloader is quite a good download software for Mac for downloading media content from various websites. It comes with a neat interface, so you are unlikely to have any difficulty using it. However, it lacks a few features: for example, it doesn’t download torrents. This product is free, but there are in-app purchases.

Leech

Leech is another contender among the best download managers for Mac. The main focus of Leech is to smoothly integrate with your Internet browser. Its interface is simple - drag and drop a URL into the app and you’re good to go.

You also have the option to set a username and password for corresponding servers. E.g. if you have a premium account on uploaded.net for high downloading speed, you can set up automatic login to your account whenever Leech catches the link from uploaded.net. No need to have any extensions for web browsers in order to use automatic download link catching.

Pros:

Lightweight - meaning it won’t take up much space on your hard drive
Very simple to use, appealing user interface
Reported to be available on Mac’s newest OS - Monterey.

Cons:

Some users complain that Leech does not offer enough options when it comes to setting up "rules" for your downloads.

Supported OS: macOS

Conclusion: If you’re looking for a pared down download manager for Macintosh, this could be a good choice for you. First off, it takes up very little space on your hard drive. It’s also been designed with simplicity in mind, meaning that you will probably not struggle to make use of it.

However, obviously, this simplicity isn’t ideal for everyone. Leech is not a great choice if you want to be able to customize how you download and organize your files. While it’s a good, easy option, there are better choices that give you a lot more control.

Xtreme Download Manager

We consider Xtreme Download Manager to be among the best download managers for Mac because of its pleasing user interface and its lightweight size.

This Mac app downloader also boasts that it can increase your download speed by up to 500%, but we’re not so sure about that. It does, however, offer a ton of features - including download scheduling - so you can set up your Internet downloads to begin at times when you’re away from your computer.

Powerful and optimized Download-Engine for Mac.

Pros:

Clean and intuitive user interface makes it easy to use, even for beginners
Has the capability to automatically identify the type of file you’re downloading and sort it into an appropriate category - i.e., documents, movies, music, etc.

Cons:

Xtreme DM does not currently have the capability to automatically resume interrupted downloads
Not currently supported by some popular Internet browsers, including Firefox
Xtreme DM is currently not available on Mac’s latest OS - Monterey.

Supported OS: macOS, Windows, Linux

Conclusion: As a download manager that has been designed to be accessible to anyone, this program largely succeeds. They’ve come up with a clear interface that’s easy to use. There are also plenty of useful features, such as reconnecting when a connection is dropped.

However, there are a few issues regarding compatibility. Xtreme doesn’t work with Monterey. It also is not supported by Firefox, which is surprising given how popular that browser is. If you’re looking for a straightforward choice, depending on what software you use, this could be a good option.

Neat Download Manager

Neat Download Manager is a lightweight, simple-to-use and free download manager for Mac. Neat is a newcomer to the download manager scene and it is quickly making a name for itself, but its developers are still working through some kinks. We’re looking forward to seeing Neat’s developers improve upon its features, though, as it is a promising app, and it might be available on Mac’s newest OS - Monterey.

The application is under development, so the functions are limited for now.

Pros:

Offers Internet browser extensions so you can easily download audio and video content from a variety of websites
Uses a dynamic segmentation algorithm that increases your download speed significantly
Only takes up 1 MB of space on your hard drive.

Cons:

As we mentioned, Neat is a relatively new software, so bugs are not uncommon
Not a lot of features yet. Currently only has basic downloading capabilities, such as acceleration and segmentation.

Supported OS: macOS, Windows

Conclusion: While it hasn’t yet quite fulfilled its potential, Neat still promises great things in the future. One of the most striking things about it is the fact that it only takes up a single megabyte on your hard drive - pretty remarkable. It’s got plenty of compatibility with browsers and boasts impressive download speeds, which is obviously an important factor.

As we’ve said, the main issue is that, as a very new program, there’s not a huge amount of features on offer. Also, as with all new programs, it’s more vulnerable to viruses and malware. However, with any luck, we’ll see improvements in the future.

Download Shuttle

Download Shuttle is one more best free download manager for Mac. It is a simple solution for managing multiple downloads and accelerating transfer speeds. Download Shuttle can also split your downloads in multiple segments and download them all at once, handle links with authentication, and includes basic, but effective, link management options.

In the main window of the app you can see the list of your downloads, and the top toolbar has the buttons for basic functions, including the option to add or remove links. Download Shuttle also offers an inspector window with the detailed info about the status of each segment and supports QuickLook (access data about the downloaded file). It also seems to be compatible with macOS Monterey.

Download Shuttle is a free software only available for Mac.

Pros:

Many users praise Download Shuttle for its ultra-fast download speed, especially when downloading very large files, such as HD movies
Pleasing user interface that offers features for those Mac users who are doing multiple tasks at once.

Cons:

Does not allow the users access to their download queue.

Supported OS: macOS

Conclusion: This is probably one of the best choices in our list. The major plus point about Download Shuttle is the fact that it offers very high speeds for downloading. This is mainly thanks to the fact that it divides files into multiple threads, making for much quicker downloads.

It’s also really easy to use, with a well-thought-out interface that is easy to navigate. It only falls down in a couple of places. The other problem is it doesn’t let you access your download queue, which is a pretty glaring fault.

Fat Pipe Downloader

Fat Pipe Downloader, the accelerator and download manager for Mac, finished our list. This application splits the download task into many smaller chunks, thereby bypassing the speed limits set by the Internet providers. Fat Pipe Downloader has Chrome, Firefox, and Safari extensions, so you can integrate it into your browser and download videos right from your browser's right-click menu.

Pros:

Available as an extension for popular browsers
Can filter file destination by file extension
Supports HTTP/HTTPS.

Cons:

Sometimes it stops working unexpectedly.

Supported OS: macOS

Conclusion: If you are looking for a basic download manager, you can try Fat Pipe Downloader. What’s more, it is stated that the app can bypass the speed limits set by Internet service providers and servers by splitting download tasks. So, you can use it as a download accelerator.

Tips on Choosing the Best Download Manager for Mac

The first thing you need to consider when choosing a downloader for Mac is what kind of program you want to use. For instance, you can use a program like Folx, that’s actually downloadable software. The other option is to use torrent clients like Vuze, that are specifically aimed at torrenting. The third option is to check out cloud-based clients. For all of these things, there are lots of different factors to take into account.

Obviously, the basics such as download speed are important, as are the ways in which you can organize your downloads. Some of these things can be simplified with browser integration and Apple Music integration. Since you’re looking for a Mac downloader, it’s also essential that the option you pick has maximum compatibility with Monterey - the latest macOS.

Finally, one of the most obvious questions is price. While some options are 100%, you’ll often find that you need to invest to get the maximum out of a program. In this case, you may want to prioritize a solution with a one-off payment over options that expect you to pay a monthly or annual subscription fee.

So what factors determine the best download manager for Mac?

There are a few things you need to take into account when deciding on the best download manager for Mac. A few factors are fairly obvious, like ensuring that it runs safely. But there are other ones that need to be considered, that you might not have thought of. The following are some of the main things to bear in mind?

Usability - an obvious factor is how easy the program is to use. A good downloader will offer a straightforward interface that lets you get straight to the files and folders you need. In addition, the best managers let you search directly for files online, rather than searching through a browser then opening the file via the manager.

Websites - ideally, a downloader will let you get audio and video files from a wide range of websites. YouTube and Facebook are obvious ones, but other file sharing and social media platforms should be included as well.

Features - the best downloaders offer a number of other features beyond simply downloading files. Some offer tools to convert to or edit video, rip to DVD, and a number of other useful features.

Speed - there’s no point using a downloader that takes forever. You’ll want to be able to get videos of reasonable quality at the kinds of speeds you can work with.

Compatibility - it’s essential that your downloader is compatible with the latest macOS, as well as older versions. Check that it works with Monterrey, Sierra, High Sierra, Catalina, Mojave and Big Sur.

How Do I Use an Internet Download Manager for Mac?

Every browser comes with its own straightforward download tool, such as the Safari download manager. It’s what lets you get files from online sources. However, browser downloaders and the OS X download manager are generally not the best. They’re fine for handling the basics, but if you want anything additional, it’s worthwhile downloading a dedicated download manager for Mac.

These download manager Mac programs let you easily manage what you’re downloading, pausing and resuming when necessary, and prioritising certain downloads over others. They also let you boost your speeds for the quickest downloads possible. Here’s how you can use one:

Most downloader managers for Mac use a copy and paste function. Find the source page of the download you want, and copy and paste the URL to the downloader.
Click start, and the downloader will start downloading the file.
You can use the pause and resume functions if you need to temporarily stop a download.
You can also schedule downloads, if you want them to start at a certain time.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a variety of download software on the market these days, and choosing the best download manager for Mac can be quite time-consuming. We hope this article has helped you find what you need.

Apart from researching the pros and cons, we always recommend reading the features that the app offers and user reviews, as well as avoid download managers that might come with malware attached. Besides, don't forget to check the software's price and compatibility with your OS.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is IDM available for Mac?

Currently, Internet Download Manager (IDM) isn't available for Mac, it works only on PCs. But there are plenty of IDM for Mac alternatives like Folx. Being a download manager, it also serves the purpose of a torrent client and comes with the following features: multithreading, download acceleration, browser integration, proxy support, and more. Folx also knows how to schedule downloads for Mac, it enables schedule downloads at a given time.

Why do I need a download manager for my Mac?

If you often download from the Internet, a download manager is a must. It comes with many useful features such as speed control and download scheduling that greatly streamline your workflow. Besides, the download manager makes downloads faster since it can initiate multiple connections to the same server.

Is Folx safe for Mac?

Yes, it is. There are no ads and malware, it doesn’t offer to install other bundled programs to your computer while installing. What’s more, it offers a plethora of features, it’s fully customizable, and provides high speed downloading Mac by splitting the downloads into threads and fetching them from sources at a time.

What is the best download manager for Mac?

We believe that Folx is the best download manager for Mac, which is why we have it listed at number one among our favorites. It's simple, but pleasing-to-the-eyes, user interface is intuitive, it offers a plethora of features, it’s fully customizable, and it’s fast.

How do download managers speed up downloads?

To speed up downloads, you can refer to Folx. Here’s how it works:

Add a download task to Folx. The download will be automatically split into threads.
You can set up the number of threads manually by choosing between 2 and 20 in the "Split into" field.
Click "OK".

Folx

Requirements: OS X 10.9+ , 18.02MB size
Version 5.26.13983 (13 Nov, 2021) Release notes
Category: UtilitiesApplication

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4.6 Rank
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1889 + users Reviews(796)

Ömer Özbay 2022-08-15T17:54:55

Which free download manager support youtube video download like one click from widget basically like ıdm but ı need mac version ı found neat but it doesn't work for youtube.
- Tim- 2022-08-17T18:05:06
  
  That's the fault of chrome, not neat. Firefox is compatible with Youtube.
  You'd have to look out for programs that have an extension outside of the chrome store, since they don't allow Youtube.
  Let me tell you though, it's not fast. You're waaaay better off getting something with yt-dlp or youtube-dl (first one is superior)
Tim- 2022-06-05T13:14:10

Do any of them support dynamic chunks, meaning that if one chunk has finished downloading, it will create a new one. Just like IDM does, and why IDM is superior to most, if not all, other download managers?
- Electronic Team 2022-06-06T12:29:54
  
  As we understand, you are talking about the "split downloads in threads" option. In the site-free version of Folx, you can split the download into up to 2 threads. In the AppStore version of Folx GO and in the website PRO version you can choose up to 20 threads.
  Should you have any additional questions, contact our Support Team directly via email support@eltima.com.
  
  Tim- 2022-06-06T12:36:48
  
  Yes and no. I am talking about splitting it into threads, but also about if they start a new thread, when one is finished earlier. Which happens all the time, since it never happens that both (in the case of 2 threads) connections have the same speed.
  Also, for your comparison, if you didn't already, you can give NeatDownloadManager a look at.
Jonathan Clark 2021-08-12T06:18:19

Can I download via VPN with Folx? Sometimes content is not available through my IP address.
- Electronic Team, Inc. 2021-08-12T06:19:47
  
  Yes, Folx provides such an option. It is recommended to use VPN to protect your privacy and keep transferred data secure.
Frank Gibson 2021-08-11T06:29:32

Which download managers for Safari are good?
- Electronic Team, Inc. 2021-08-11T06:30:20
  
  Folx comes with the extension which is available for all popular browsers, so you can easily search for and manage downloads from your web browser. To activate the Folx extension, you’ll need to go to Safari Preferences and check the Folx Extension box in the Extensions tab.
Robert Smith 2021-08-10T09:31:04

Been looking around for a download manager for MacBook and found this article. In my opinion, the file downloader Mac should include the scheduler, the built-in search and speed control. These are the most useful features for me.
Gwen Davidson 2021-08-09T06:18:39

Thinking about upgrading to Folx PRO. The list of features it offers is really impressive. And the price is quite affordable.
Robert Jones 2021-08-05T06:24:56

Thanks for reviewing Mac download tools. I've been using iGetter for a long time, I didn't even know there were so many options for Mac users.
Harold Robinson 2021-08-04T09:38:55

Please recommend a fast downloader for Mac compatible with Big Sur.
- Harlad Sinsteden 2021-08-10T15:13:06
  
  You're asking this on the website of a producer of a downloader app. Do you really expect them to recommend you any of the alternatives? Really?!
- Electronic Team, Inc. 2021-08-05T06:26:03
  
  We would recommend you Folx. It’s fully compatible with the Mac’s latest operating system, easy-to-use, and provides fast and secure downloads.
Thomas Loos 2021-08-02T07:29:39

I use Folx as Mac OS X download manager. What I like about it is the clear and intuitive interface. You don't need to spend a lot of time to figure it out, everything is quite easy and simple.
SamanceGroup Financials 2020-03-28T05:48:00

Please let me know about your experiences.
SamanceGroup Financials 2020-03-28T05:47:41

I have tried all the down; loaders for mac, All of all there are 3 that stands out; IDownloader, Ninja downloader, and Shuttle. But, out of all the proceeds regarding the shuttle and ninja be the best two, but I have concluded that Idownloader does have the top speed in the past year or two that I been working with all three of them.
sbjsw 2019-08-14T09:06:21

anyone use thunder for mac?
Jacob Maxson 2019-06-18T14:51:23

I use Free Download Manager and it can have the edge over any of these, why don’t you put it in the list?
- Electronic Team, Inc. 2019-07-03T08:27:32
  
  Thank you for your advice, we’ll take FDM under review when updating this article next time.
Jacob Lawson 2019-06-06T14:10:28

I’ve heard that JDownloader is not safe anymore. Is it true?
- Electronic Team, Inc. 2019-06-18T08:47:25
  
  We’ve found nothing malicious in JDownloader while testing it for this article. You should better contact JDownloader team if you have any questions regarding their safety.
Thomas Douglas 2019-05-30T15:07:10

Does anybody need download manager in 2019 at all? Any browser can download whatever I want!
- Electronic Team, Inc. 2019-05-31T13:59:31
  
  Sure, you are free to choose any tool that fulfills your needs. Download managers are dedicated apps for more precise control of downloads. As usual they can catch up downloads from browsers, resume and speed up downloads, more powerful allow to schedule downloads and set download speed limits. These features are much-in-demand even in 2019, especially for those who download large files regularly.