The best download managers, according to hackers
3 download managers were recommended on Hacker News between November 2025 and November 2026. We rank them by how many separate people recommend each one, and 1 earns the Hacker Approved badge.
Top pick
The most recommended download manager with the badge. Each figure is one person. RecommendsCriticizes One comment
Resumes downloads dropped mid-way
Windows download manager that resumes downloads cut off mid-way and can redial a dropped dial-up connection, remembered fondly from the dial-up era.
All 3 download managers, ranked
Select a column heading to sort. Approval share is recommenders out of everyone who gave an opinion; the tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs. Months counts the months, out of 13, in which someone recommended it.
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GetRight | 10 | 0 | 100% | 4 | — | Approved |
| 2 | aria2 | 9 | 0 | 100% | 3 | — | — |
| 3 | JDownloader | 6 | 9 | 40% | 2 | — | — |
How we rank
Rank is the number of separate people who recommend a product in a Hacker News comment over the past year. Someone who praises the same download manager in five threads counts once.
The badge goes to download managers that at least 10 people recommend, with recommenders outnumbering critics at least 2 to 1, recommended in at least 4 of the 13 months.
Rankings are never for sale. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes the order.