Download accelerators

1. Free Download Manager v 3.0
   This download utility is surprisingly attractive and full-featured for a freeware product, and its operation couldn't be more straightforward. To download a file, just click a link in your browser or drag it onto the program's tiny, semitransparent window.
   
   In our comparison tests, Free Download Manager beat out Opera's download manager 85Kbps to 53Kbps. Its automation features also are very good. Like other managers, it can automatically dial a modem, start a download, or shut down the PC. Unlike many of them, it also can change the number of connections depending on download speed, or disconnect and shut down the computer if a file is unavailable.
   
   If you want to boost your download speed for free, this utility is certainly worth a try.
   
   
   Download link: http://files2.freedownloadmanager.org/fdminst3.exe (6.4 MB)
   Official site: http://www.freedownloadmanager.org



2. Download Accelerator Plus v 9.1
   This download manager brings much more to the table than fast file transfers, but it definitely delivers those, too. Increased download speeds are Download Accelerator Plus's bread and butter, speeding up downloads by almost 200 percent in most cases and occasionally as high as 400 percent.
   
   Besides splitting files into smaller pieces, it thrives on automatically seeking faster mirrors. It also can get a file simultaneously from several sites, which is useful if a particular site limits the download speed; it can resume downloads; and it can preview some media files while downloading. There's also a blacklist for sites that you never want to accept downloads from, and categorized folders and filters to keep your downloads organized. DAP rolls in a media buffer, too, that allegedly will prevent streaming-video hiccups. Ensuring that you're running the latest version of the Adobe Flash player won't hurt, either.
   
   Two new features include a UI change that lets users choose a Firefox- or Internet Explorer-styled download window, and integration with DAP's publisher's video converter. Downloading and converting video on the fly is a pretty smart way to keep the program fresh. The program will prompt you at your first attempt if you don't have the converter installed and guide you through its installation. Frustratingly, the install process will weigh you down with a ton of toolbars, default switches, and e-mail recommendations that you must opt out of for a clean installation.
   
   Although it's heavy with ads and promotions, DAP is still a good choice for adding some heat to your typical download recipe.
   
   
   Download link: http://www.vnudownloads.com/Software/DAP/dap91.exe (9 MB)
   Official site: http://www.speedbit.com



3. Download Accelerator Manager v 4.1.2
   Download Accelerator Manager (DAM), the new generation downloader, is made for the Web social media downloading, such as video, music, and Flash downloading from any sites and with any browsers or programs! DAM is a free Internet download manager, accelerator, and media grabber to make downloads easier and faster!
   
   DAM features an advanced tool, DAM MediaGrabber, which can capture media files from any sites, like MySpaceTV, GoogleVideo, DailyMotion, CNN, Bebo, MetaCafe, and LiveVideo. Plus, this tool works with any browsers or programs, such as IE, FireFox, Chrome, Opera, Netscape, Mozilla, Avant, AOL, and Flock. With DAM, you can download with maximum possible speed using a smart download logic accelerator, schedule, recover, resume, and manage downloads.
   
   DAM features advanced dynamic-download-segmentation, no-file-part-assembly technology to achieve maximum possible download speed. Unlike other products of its kind that split download in parts only before download begins, DAM dynamically segments download throughout download process, reuses connections without extra connect steps, and maintains connections busyness. Plus, DAM eliminates file-part-assembly stage to achieve optimal download process.
   
   DAM will recover downloads due to unexpected events or errors, such as lost connections, power outages, or network problems. It can connect to the Internet, download files, then disconnect or shutdown computer when done. This downloader can get files from protected sites and support Web cookies, proxy, HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP protocols, and redirects.
   
   Other features include connection, sites, and sounds managements. DAM supports Vista and all popular browsers, like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape, Mozilla, Opera, and Avant. You may add a scanner program to ensure download security.
   
   
   Download link: http://www.tensons.com/products/downloadacceleratormanager/DAMsetup.exe (1.1 MB)
   Official site: http://www.tensons.com



4. Xunlei/Thunder v 5.8.14.706
   Xunlei/Thunder is another type of multi-resource-based Hyper-Threading technology of download software. As a downloading tool in the broadband era, Xunlei/Thunder is special optimized to take full advantage of the characteristics of broadband Internet access. High-speed download users enjoy a new experience! At the same time, Xunlei/Thunder launched the “smart download” which is a new ideas through a wealth of tips and intelligence to help to enable users to download and enjoy fun.
   
   It is a popular Chinese download manager and file sharing client that supports BitTorrent, eMule, Kad, and FTP. Xunlei/Thunder accelerates downloads by accessing its proprietary P2P network in addition to the given HTTP download. Members who login with Xunlei/Thunder account can earn points when they are downloading files. Those points would increase the level of account and different rewards would be given according to different levels.
   
   Xunlei/Thunder will find addition sources for the files that you download. Therefore, you are not using only 1 source to get your files but a lot of sources. In the end, the download speed improves. However, XunLei/Thunder is only available in Chinese language. If you prefer in English, just download an English language pack for it. You can find the translation pack and installation guide at this link: http://hehehunter.com/xunlei/english-xunlei-translation-pack-31/.
   
   
   Download link: http://down.sandai.net/Thunder5.8.14.706.exe (9.71 MB)
   Official site: http://dl.xunlei.com



5. GetGo Download Manager v 4.1.1.201
   Free Full Featured Online Video, Music and File Download Manager, Downloader and Accelerator. This Free Downloader is an Essential Internet Tool for Increasing Download Speed, Resuming, Scheduling, and Organizing downloads. Easy to use, customizable modern interface allows you to download all of your favorite videos, program, games, and music up to 500% faster than regular web browsers.
   
   With auto-resuming feature, you never have to waste your frustrations on unfinished downloads due to network problems, or unexpected power outages. Seamless integration with Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Mozilla web browsers allows easy "One-Click" downloading of YouTube, MySpace, Google, Metacafe, DailyMotion, iFilm/Spike and sites with FLV video as well as other file types according to the extension.
   
   Powerful batch and leech download features give you ability to download large amount of pictures, videos or other files from Web sites fast and easy. GetGo Download Manager fully supports Windows Vista User Access Control (UAC) and Internet Explorer 7 Protected Mode. GetGo has no banners, no spyware, no pop-up ads, and completely FREE.
   
   
   Download link: http://www.getgosoft.com/files/GetGoSetup.exe (4.01 MB)
   Official site: http://www.getgosoft.com



6. Orbit Downloader v 2.8.11
   Downloading videos, Flash games, and large batches of files is greatly simplified with this freeware download manager, but Firefox users may have difficulty with integration.
   
   Orbit's primary interface is bland, but the basic toolbar and info boxes guarantee everything is easy to find. Orbit shines with Internet Explorer integration. To get a media file, simply right-click a video or photo and choose Download from your context menu. Grabbing a Flash game is even easier. Hover over a Flash file, and Orbit displays a button for a fast download.
   
   Fast and small are key traits of this application. It uses a bare minimum of memory, and downloads are much faster than with a browser alone. Where Orbit shines is its one-button simplicity for downloading multiple files on a site. From there, you can easily filter for file type. Orbit's numerous configuration options make it one of the more flexible download managers available.
   
   Although designed to integrate with the IE, Firefox, Opera and Maxthon, we had great difficulty getting Orbit to work seamlessly with Firefox. We finally gave up trying to get the Flash download feature to work. Nevertheless, anyone downloading large numbers of files will find this freeware indispensable.
   
   
   Download link: http://dl.orbitdownloader.com/dl/OrbitDownloaderSetup.exe (2.19 MB)
   Official site: http://www.orbitdownloader.com