Head-to-head · Download Manager Software
aria2 vs KGet
aria2 leads on 0 checks, KGet on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scorearia2 · 8.6/10
- Free planonly KGet
aria2 scores higher on our rubric for download manager software: 8.6 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.
aria2 is the better fit for technical users needing protocol flexibility. KGet is the better fit for linux users wanting a lightweight file manager.
- aria2 fits best
Technical users needing protocol flexibility
- KGet fits best
Linux users wanting a lightweight file manager
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Side by side
| Feature | aria2 8.6/10 Visit ↗ | KGet 8.4/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.6 | 8.4 |
| Ranking | #7 in Download Manager Software | #8 in Download Manager Software |
| Best for | Technical users needing protocol flexibility | Linux users wanting a lightweight file manager |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Open source | Free plan |
| Free plan | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | Linux |
| Support | Docs | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features aria2 1/5 · KGet 1/5 | ||
| Browser integration | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Video downloading | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Download scheduling | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Remote control | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Portable version | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | Linux |
| Concurrent downloads | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | aria2 is an open-source command-line download utility for technical users who want a scriptable local transfer engine. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, with transfers across HTTP(S), FTP, SFTP, BitTorrent and Metalink. Its… Read the review → |
KGet is an open-source download manager from KDE for Linux desktop users, particularly those who want a focused way to handle FTP and HTTP(S) transfers. It displays current and pending downloads, can run in the system tray, and supports… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
aria2 — where it wins
- Supports HTTP(S), FTP, SFTP, BitTorrent and Metalink transfers
- Combines multi-source, segmented downloading and checksum validation
- Offers JSON-RPC, XML-RPC, daemon operation and bandwidth throttling
Where it doesn't
- Command-line operation is less approachable than a graphical interface
- Video downloading is not explicitly documented
- Scheduled downloads, browser extensions and portable builds are not documented
KGet — where it wins
- Free and open source with FTP and HTTP(S) support
- Pauses, resumes, restarts, and retries broken downloads
- Metalink checksums, clipboard monitoring, and download grouping
Where it doesn't
- Linux-only platform scope
- Konqueror is the listed browser integration
- No documented scheduling, concurrent downloads, or video support
- aria28.6/10 · Open source
A scriptable downloader for technical users who need broad protocol support.
Visit aria2Full verdict → - KGet8.4/10 · Free plan
A free, open-source Linux download manager with practical transfer controls.
Visit KDEFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update




