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Head-to-head · Download Manager Software

Internet Download Manager vs aria2

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Internet Download Manager #3 in Download Manager Software 9.1/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 5 features Visit IDM
aria2 #7 in Download Manager Software 8.6/10 Open source ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit aria2

Internet Download Manager leads on 0 checks, aria2 on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreInternet Download Manager · 9.1/10
  • Free trialonly Internet Download Manager
  • Most featuresInternet Download Manager · 3 of 5

Internet Download Manager scores higher on our rubric for download manager software: 9.1 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

Internet Download Manager is the better fit for windows users wanting a dedicated paid manager. aria2 is the better fit for technical users needing protocol flexibility.

  • Internet Download Manager fits best

    Windows users wanting a dedicated paid manager

  • aria2 fits best

    Technical users needing protocol flexibility

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Side by side

Feature Internet Download Manager 9.1/10 Visit ↗ aria2 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.6
Ranking #3 in Download Manager Software #7 in Download Manager Software
Best for Windows users wanting a dedicated paid manager Technical users needing protocol flexibility
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price — Open source
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Desktop, Browser extension Desktop
Platforms Windows, Chrome extension Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support Email, Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Internet Download Manager 3/5 · aria2 1/5
Browser integration ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Video downloading ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Download scheduling ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Remote control Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Portable version Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Windows Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Concurrent downloads Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Multipart downloading can segment files and support faster transfers.
  • Resume, error recovery and scheduling help manage interrupted queues.
  • Browser integration, video capture and offline browsing extend its reach.
  • 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
Cons
  • Windows-only availability limits platform choice.
  • There is no free plan for ongoing use.
  • Licenses are sold for one-year or lifetime terms, not monthly access.
  • 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
Our verdict

Internet Download Manager is a Windows desktop tool for accelerating, organizing and resuming file transfers. It suits individual Windows users who want more control than a browser’s built-in download panel, particularly when downloads…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. Internet Download ManagerDownload Manager Software 9.130-day trial
  2. aria2Download Manager Software 8.6Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Internet Download Manager — where it wins

    • Multipart downloading can segment files and support faster transfers.
    • Resume, error recovery and scheduling help manage interrupted queues.
    • Browser integration, video capture and offline browsing extend its reach.

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only availability limits platform choice.
    • There is no free plan for ongoing use.
    • Licenses are sold for one-year or lifetime terms, not monthly access.

  • 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
  • Internet Download Manager9.1/10 · 30-day trial

    A capable paid Windows manager for organized, resumable and scheduled downloads.

    Visit IDMFull verdict →
  • aria28.6/10 · Open source

    A scriptable downloader for technical users who need broad protocol support.

    Visit aria2Full verdict →

More comparisons

All download manager software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update