With Orbit Downloader you can comfortably handle all your internet downloads thanks to its perfect integration with popular browsers (Firefox, Opera, Chrome, Internet Explorer), a handy "drop zone" to drag and drop links, an automatic monitoring tool that catches any download links and customized, user-defined filters.

Orbit Downloader features a simple design that makes it easy to use from the very beginning. The program works with most download sites, including those that require a username and password. There's no support for Torrent files though. You can also schedule downloads and make Orbit Downloader scan files with your antivirus right after downloading them.

As for download speed, Orbit Downloader offers a handful of features: multi-thread connections, speed limits (so that your connection is not hogged by the program) and a special P2P-based technology to increase speed.

Orbit Downloader is not just another download manager, but a complete application that includes useful tools to make your downloads faster and easier to manage.

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Do you need it?

Today's browsers actually handle downloads very well, especially Google's Chrome, but if you're looking for a complete dowload manager, Free Download Manager might be for you. The interface is pretty untidy and outdated, with a row of buttons along the top which are not self explanatory. Below are a series of tabs that let you access the various download types.

Functions

There are basic downloads, from links you enter, Flash video downloads from a small selection of popular video sites, torrent downloads and a few more. Each part is relatively easy to use, and you can simply drag download links into Free Download Manager's floating drop box. The application works, but it feels clunky and old fashioned. We would recommend sticking with your browser's download manager alongside a dedicated torrent client if you need it.

Overall

Free Download Manager is an all-in-one app that should cover all your download needs, but fails to impress in terms of usability or looks.

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This Java-based tool makes the whole file downloading process much easier, saving you the pain of endless pop-up windows, waiting times and download links cunningly hidden among dozens of Google AdSense boxes. As it is designed for downloading from file sharing sites, JDownloader can import CCF, RSDF and DLC files.

jDownloaderworks best with multiple downloads, as it enables you to create a list of files and download them all at the same time. Other interesting options include the ability to limit bandwidth usage and support for premium user accounts and Capchas.

The only thing that really needs to be improved is jDownloader's user interface. We don't know if it's just the design, or the fact that the program runs on Java, but the truth is that jDownloader is confusing and sometimes counterintuitive.

If you take the time to learn how to use it, jDownloader will prove to be a handy companion for download junkies.

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Torrents are a handy way of distributing media, but in order to find what's out there, you'll have to manually hunt around for the good ones. Mediaget takes on some of the work by integrating a torrent search engine into its interface, meaning you can search and download from the same place, without having to install a client like uTorrent.

The Mediaget interface is pretty slick. It's attractive and clear, showing your search results and details of the files to the right. It classes torrents by speed, name and size, and you'll be able to download, preview or share the media using the colored icons on the right. There's also a window where you can view your transfers, and a media player, so you can use the media you download. Mediaget automatically imports and sorts this media, making your job even easier.

Unfortunately, when you look a bit closer, Mediaget also has a number of features that aren't so hot. For a start, you're limited to the torrent sites that it provides, and you can't add more. The way Mediaget presents your files also means that it's not quite as easy to get information about them, making it hard to tell if a file is what you want, or if it's even legal.

Add this to Mediaget's interface, which feels a bit rough around the edges from a usability point of view, and this torrent app loses a bit of its shine. Remember that many torrents are illegal, and Mediaget doesn't distinguish!

Mediaget is a solid app. Whether or not its weaker points cause you a problem, however, remains to be seen.

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A few years ago these managers were a basic need for all download junkies. Internet connections were not as fast and reliable as they are now, so you needed a tool that could not only improve your speed but also allow you to pause, restart and resume downloads.

FlashGet does all of that, and even more. It takes care of all your downloads and automates the process from beginning to end. It lets you download multiple files simultaneously and organize them into categories - movies, music, software and even customizable categories. Plus, now it also works with Torrent and eMule files.

FlashGet can be set to monitor both the clipboard and your web browser in search of downloadable content. Bear in mind though that if you use Firefox you'll have to download a separate plug-in. The great thing about this monitoring feature is that you can specify the file types FlashGet should be looking for. And those who prefer not to use the download monitor can use the floating window instead – a transparent icon where you can start your downloads by dragging and dropping links onto it.

During our tests FlashGet reached excellent download speed rates. Although having a broadband connection – like the one we use in Softonic – surely helps, I'm sure FlashGet will improve the download speed of any domestic DSL network connection.

FlashGet is a feature-rich manager for download addicts that automates the whole downloading process and makes it faster and easier.

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Download Accelerator Plus has an easy-to-use and attractive interface, divided into three sections: Downloads, Internet and FTP Browser. As expected, the Download area displays downloads, while the Internet area provides a mini-browser which will allow you to surf and download directly.

When you click on a download link, you’ll see that a Download Accelerator Plus has been integrated into your browser as an add-on. A DAP window pops up where your Firefox or other browser window would normally appear and from there downloads automatically to the Download Accelerator Plus folder.

In the meantime, downloads are displayed in the Downloads area, so you can keep an eye on their status. In fact, you don't even have to tell Download Accelerator Plus to download your items - just clicking on a downloadable link is enough for it to begin. It’s this seamless browser/program integration that makes Download Accelerator Plus so easy to use, not to mention the fact that it’s noticeably faster than traditional downloading.

Obviously, a download manager like Download Accelerator Plus is aimed at more frequent downloaders. These users are also going to appreciate the program's extensive range of configuration options, where you can toggle everything from post-download behavior to scheduled downloads and proxy server specifications.

Many of us will never need or want to know about half of the options Download Accelerator Plus provides, but for those who do, they’re great to have.

Download Accelerator Plus - a very customizable download accelerator manager for frequent downloaders.

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jDownloader Portable works best with multiple downloads, as it enables you to create a list of files and then download them all at the same time. Other interesting options include the possibility of limiting bandwidth usage and support for premium user accounts. Unlike other download managers though, jDownloader Portable doesn't have support for resuming downloads.

That said, the only thing that really needs to be improved is its user interface. I don't know if it's just the design, or the fact that the program runs on Java, but the truth is that jDownloader is confusing and sometimes counter intuitive.

If you take the time to learn how to use it, jDownloader Portable will prove to be a handy companion for download junkies.

Download jDownloader Portable 0.9421 in Softonic

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In the case of Rapidshare the most annoying thing is that you have to wait before you can click on a file to download it. FreeRapid Downloader offers a more holistic way to manage your downloads and uploads in one convenient application. It lets you download files hosted on Megaupload, Rapidshare, Netload or FileFactory without needing to click a single thing.

FreeRapid Downloader basically works by allowing you to add several links at the same time until they're queued up waiting to go. It can even monitor your clipboard for links that are cut to it and automatically add them to your queue. While this definitely makes managing your downloads easier, it still only downloads files one by one meaning if you've got several files from several file sharing sites, it can be painfully slow.

FreeRapìd Downloader will make your file sharing site downloads easier to manage although not speed them up in any significant way.

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Fresh Download claims it can "turbo charge" downloads to make them download in less than half the time they would normally. Fresh Download is a program that works with both FTP and HTTP protocols and gives you a whole range of control over how downloads are completed. Included is a pause and resume feature which is very useful for broken downloads or those downloads that suddenly and annoyingly time out. Fresh Download achieves such high speeds due to its ability to connect to multiple connections and it works across most major browsers. If you don't want to carry out downloads immediately, you can also schedule them on Fresh Download for a later date and it can even download links that you've copied to your clipboard or dragged into the main interface from your desktop. If you're downloading zip files, Fresh Download can also decompress them automatically with it's own Zip extractor although note that it's not particularly powerful or fast - you'd be better using WinZip or WinRAR.

Although you won't notice huge download speeds, you will notice an improvement and besides, this is a much easier way to manage downloads.

Download Fresh Download 8.73 in Softonic

Mipony is a handy download manager that has been especially developed to work with free hosting sites such as Megaupload, Rapidshare, Mediafire, Filesend and many others.

All you need to do is copy and paste download links onto Mipony's interface (or simply enable the program's clipboard monitor) and relax while your files are being downloaded, one after the other, as fast as possible. You can also use the program's built-in web browser, or copy and paste a web address and Mipony will scan it in search of download links.

Mipony checks the links before downloading them to make sure they work, waits if necessary and downloads the files to your hard drive. If the file is divided into several parts, Mipony will also let you join them. The program's configuration settings enable you to limit download speed and number of simultaneous downloads so that you don't jam your internet connection. You can also use Mipony with premium accounts on many of the supported hosting sites.

The only thing that annoyed me about Mipony is that the program's window opens on top of everything else every time you copy a download link to the clipboard. It would be nicer if it simply stored all copied links in the background. Other than that, it's simply an excellent download manager!

With Mipony you can manage all your downloads from free hosting sites in a much easier, more comfortable way.

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This full featured download manager takes care of all your downloads, handling the whole process from start to end and organizing them into different categories. You can even schedule downloads so that they take place when you're not using the program and don't interfere with your current browsing session.

GetGo Download Manager works with Internet Explorer and Firefox and embeds a toolbar on the browser's interface from which you can access the program's main functions. In the case of YouTube, the program detects embedded videos and can also download them – only in FLV though.

GetGo Download Manager is a great app to manage your downloads. It includes many configuration options, lets you add custom categories and can be set to automatically scan downloaded files for virus or shut down the computer when the download jobs are finished. On the downside, the program's toolbar is connected to Ask.com engine and can't be customized to use another search engine.

GetGo Download Manager can help you dealing with your downloads: schedule them, organize them and categorize them.

Download GetGo Download Manager 4.8.2.1233 in Softonic

Raptor is an application that manages your Rapidshare downloads. Just paste a Rapidshare link into it, and it will take care of the download for you. This means no more clicking back onto tabs to see if the waiting time has elapsed, because as soon as it's done so, Raptor will begin the download without prompting.

The default setting for Raptor is Russian, which makes installation a more or less blind click through, but it shouldn't be impossible. Take a look at the screen shots to see how to change the language to English! The translation to English isn't 100% perfect, but is understandable enough to use.

If you're sharing smallish files, download time will be OK, but for larger files you could be waiting a while (more than ten minutes, the horror!). Raptor doesn't do anything to trick Rapidshare, so this won't speed things up or allow simultaneous downloads, just take out the manual checking usually involved.

For anyone who uses Rapidshare to download, this is a great little management app that'll save you time and open browser tabs. Don't get put off by the Russian script!

Download Raptor 1.04b in Softonic