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GNU Wget

Free#6 of 58 in Download Manager SoftwareCommand Line Tools Web Archiving Software

GNU Wget: A scriptable, open-source downloader for HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and website mirroring. Ranked #6 of 58 in Download Manager Software by our editors (8.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for scriptable website and file downloads.

8.7/10Editor score

Visit GNU Wget

GNU Wget8.7 Visit GNU Wget

At a glance

Editor score
8.7 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Scriptable website and file downloads
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Facts checked
21 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Supports HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, proxies, resume, and background operation
- Recursively downloads linked content and mirrors websites for offline viewing
- Free, open-source, and available on Linux, Windows, and macOS
Where it doesn't
- Command-line operation is less suited to users seeking a graphical workflow
- No browser integration is listed
- Video support is not established in the published positioning

Our verdict on GNU Wget

GNU Wget is a free, open-source, non-interactive command-line utility for retrieving files and web content. It is aimed at users who need repeatable downloads from scripts or scheduled jobs, including workflows on Unix-like systems and Windows. Support for HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP covers common web and file-transfer sources, while HTTP proxy support helps it operate within network environments that require a proxy. Its command-line design makes it a focused choice for automation rather than a general-purpose graphical download manager.

For controlled retrieval jobs, Wget combines several practical capabilities in one utility. It can run in the background, resume partially downloaded files, apply download quotas and rate limits, and retrieve linked web content recursively. Website mirroring and local link conversion extend that scope beyond individual files, allowing content to be prepared for offline viewing. These features also fit scheduled jobs, where repeatable command-line behavior is more important than interactive controls. The published platform list includes Linux, Windows, and macOS, giving it coverage across the three listed operating systems.

GNU Wget is available at no cost, with no paid tiers described. Its main trade-off is the command-line workflow: users looking for browser integration or a visual interface should choose a different type of download manager. Video downloading is also not part of its stated positioning, so it is better suited to HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, file retrieval, scripted transfers, and website mirroring than to media-focused workflows. Pick Wget when automation, open-source availability, resume support, recursion, rate limiting, or scheduled execution matter most; look elsewhere when browser-connected or video-oriented features are central.

Your product? Our editors can test GNU Wget in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

GNU Wget pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on gnu.org

GNU Wget fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Supported platforms	linux, windows, macos
Browser integration	Not verified
Video downloading	Not verified
Download scheduling	Yes
Concurrent downloads	Not verified
Remote control	Not verified
Portable version	Not verified
Deployment	Desktop
Platforms	Linux, Windows, macOS
Support	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Pricing	Free plan
Website	gnu.org
Facts checked	21 Sep 2026

Alternatives to GNU Wget

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GNU Wget vs the competition

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Also Ranked In

GNU Wget is ranked in 3 of our directories.

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Featured on iTechGuides

GNU Wget is listed in our Download Manager Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update