TrueDownloader: Free, Open Source Download Manager

Oftentimes, the download manager that comes standard with your browser isn't up to the job. Maybe it doesn't support resuming downloads, or maybe it's just too slow. One popular alternative is GetRight, which supports many advanced features for downloading files, but you can't use it forever without paying.

However, the open source TrueDownloader (previously DownloadPlus*), which mimics many of the same functions that GetRight supports, is free. You can integrate it into your browser so that it essentially replaces your default manager by going into the Options menu. The advantage is that, in addition to giving you more control over your downloads, you can often download files faster because multiple chunks of a file are downloaded at a time. You can also schedule multiple downloads so you don't have to sit at your computer waiting for one download to finish to begin another.

The UI of TrueDownloader is minimal; it doesn't have as many bells and whistles as GetRight, but in most cases, that's probably a good thing because more functions means more clutter. Interestingly, the ability to preview certain types of downloads is also supported.

*Note: DownloadPlus is also the name of a trojan.