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Head-to-head · Download Manager Software

Free Download Manager vs Internet Download Accelerator

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Free Download Manager #1 in Download Manager Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit site
Internet Download Accelerator #12 in Download Manager Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit site

Free Download Manager leads on 0 checks, Internet Download Accelerator on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFree Download Manager · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth

Free Download Manager scores higher on our rubric for download manager software: 9.3 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #12.

Free Download Manager is the better fit for most users wanting a free all-purpose manager. Internet Download Accelerator is the better fit for windows users wanting low-cost advanced controls.

  • Free Download Manager fits best

    Most users wanting a free all-purpose manager

  • Internet Download Accelerator fits best

    Windows users wanting low-cost advanced controls

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Side by side

Feature Free Download Manager 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Internet Download Accelerator 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 7.9
Ranking #1 in Download Manager Software #12 in Download Manager Software
Best for Most users wanting a free all-purpose manager Windows users wanting low-cost advanced controls
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free $8/user one-time
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Desktop, Browser extension
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Windows, Chrome extension
Support Email, Community Email, Docs
Integrations 4 integrations 10 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Free Download Manager 5/5 · Internet Download Accelerator 5/5
Browser integration ✓ ✓
Video downloading ✓ ✓
Download scheduling ✓ ✓
Remote control ✓ ✓
Portable version ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Windows
Concurrent downloads Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan includes acceleration, torrents, scheduling, and browser integration
  • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
  • Adds traffic controls, file organization, and Android remote control
  • Download acceleration with resume for HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP transfers
  • Scheduling, categories, bandwidth controls, and automatic file placement
  • Browser interception, video downloads, and remote downloads
Cons
  • Video downloads depend on supported add-ons and websites
  • Portable mode is documented for the legacy FDM 3.9 release
  • Remote control requires an Android device plus a PC or Mac
  • The free version is limited to non-commercial use
  • Platform coverage centers on Windows, with a Chrome extension
  • Remote downloading requires the Remote Download plug-in
Our verdict

Free Download Manager is a free download accelerator and organizer for people who want more control than a browser’s basic download queue. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, with features covering segmented acceleration,…

Read the review →

Internet Download Accelerator is a Windows desktop download manager for HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and FTPS transfers. It is aimed at users who want more control than a browser download prompt provides, including multi-part acceleration,…

Read the review →
  1. Free Download ManagerDownload Manager Software 9.3Free plan
  2. Internet Download AcceleratorDownload Manager Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Free Download Manager — where it wins

    • Free plan includes acceleration, torrents, scheduling, and browser integration
    • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
    • Adds traffic controls, file organization, and Android remote control

    Where it doesn't

    • Video downloads depend on supported add-ons and websites
    • Portable mode is documented for the legacy FDM 3.9 release
    • Remote control requires an Android device plus a PC or Mac
  • Internet Download Accelerator — where it wins

    • Download acceleration with resume for HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP transfers
    • Scheduling, categories, bandwidth controls, and automatic file placement
    • Browser interception, video downloads, and remote downloads

    Where it doesn't

    • The free version is limited to non-commercial use
    • Platform coverage centers on Windows, with a Chrome extension
    • Remote downloading requires the Remote Download plug-in
  • Free Download Manager9.3/10 · Free plan

    A broad free manager with acceleration, torrents, scheduling, and multi-platform support.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • Internet Download Accelerator7.9/10 · Free plan

    A low-cost Windows download manager with acceleration, resume, scheduling, and video downloads.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update