Internet Download Manager (IDM) - Download Accelerator
Internet Download Manager (IDM) is a download accelerator by Tonec Inc. that splits files into multiple streams and downloads them simultaneously. On a good connection, this can noticeably speed up large downloads. IDM integrates with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge through a browser extension that intercepts download links and hands them off to IDM automatically.
It costs $24.95 for a lifetime license after a 30-day trial. There is no free version - the trial is fully functional but expires.
What it does
When you click a download link in your browser, IDM grabs it and opens its own download dialog. It splits the file into segments (usually 8-16 parts) and downloads them in parallel, which can max out your connection on servers that would otherwise throttle single-stream downloads. If the connection drops mid-download, IDM resumes from where it stopped instead of starting over.
The video grabber detects media on web pages (YouTube, Vimeo, and others) and shows a floating download button over the video player. Click it to save the video directly. The scheduler (Downloads > Scheduler) lets you queue files for overnight downloading and optionally shut down the PC when everything finishes.
Files are automatically sorted into categories (Options > Save To) - music goes to one folder, videos to another, documents to a third. You can customize these categories and their target directories.
Advantages
- Genuinely faster downloads through multi stream splitting
- Reliable resume on interrupted downloads
- Browser integration with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
- Video download detection on most streaming sites
Drawbacks
- Paid software, no permanent free option
- Windows only
- Free Download Manager does most of the same things at no cost
- Less useful on fast connections where single-stream downloads already saturate bandwidth
Who it is for
IDM makes the most difference if you download large files regularly and your connection benefits from multi stream acceleration. If you mostly download small files on a fast connection, the speed difference won't be noticeable. Free Download Manager is the obvious free alternative, though IDM's resume reliability is still a bit better in practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Internet Download Manager free?
Does IDM actually speed up downloads?
Does IDM work with Chrome?
What is a free alternative to IDM?
Features & How-To Guide
| # | Feature | How to use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Download acceleration 2 | IDM automatically intercepts downloads from the browser. It splits the file into parts and downloads them in parallel. |
| 2 | Video capture from web pages | Detects videos on websites (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) and shows a download button above the player. |
| 3 | Resume interrupted download 5 | If the connection drops, IDM resumes downloading from where it stopped. Works with most servers. |
| 4 | Browser integration 4 | Installs an extension for Chrome/Firefox/Edge. A "Download" button appears on pages with files. |
| 5 | Download queuing 2 | Add files to the queue › IDM downloads them sequentially with a set limit of simultaneous downloads. |
| 6 | Download categorization | Options › Save files › Assign destination folders per file type (music, video, documents, software). |
| 7 | Download scheduling 10 | Downloads › Scheduler › Set automatic download hours. You can also set the PC to shut down after completion. |
| 8 | Entire website download (site grabber) | Tools › Site Grabber › Enter a URL › Downloads the entire page with its files for offline use. |
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