Firelink vs Free Download Manager
Firelink
github.com
Free Download Manager
freedownloadmanager.orgSide by side
| Figure | Firelink | Free Download Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Download Manager Software | 8.6 (#7) | 8.1 (#20) |
| BitTorrent | It supports torrent files, magnet links, browser handoff, file selection, web seeds, seeding, and live diagnostics. | FDM supports downloading files using the BitTorrent protocol. |
| Browser integration | Firelink Companion sends browser downloads, selected links, media pages, magnet links, and torrent metadata to the desktop app for review. | The download page offers official Chrome and Firefox extensions for browser integration. |
| Platforms | Desktop packages are listed for macOS Apple silicon, Windows x64, and Linux x64. | The current download page lists Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux versions. |
| Purpose | Firelink manages direct downloads, browser captures, media, playlists, queues, and scheduling in one desktop app. | FDM is a download accelerator and organizer that downloads files by splitting them into sections and downloading those sections simultaneously. |
| Support | The maker directs users to GitHub Issues to report bugs and request features. | The support page says most requests are answered within 24–48 hours and offers email support and a community forum. |
Plans
In their own words
Firelink
Firelink is a free desktop download manager for direct files, browser handoffs, media, playlists, torrents and scheduled queues. It supports segmented HTTP and HTTPS downloads with retries, speed limits, connection controls and adaptive mirror selection. Queues can be paused, resumed, retried, redownloaded and scheduled. Bundled yt-dlp, FFmpeg and Deno support media and playlist downloads, including direct HLS, DASH and Smooth Streaming manifest URLs; DRM and other protected-key workflows are not supported, and subtitle or multiple-audio-track selection is not exposed in the current phase.
The Firelink Companion can send browser downloads, selected links, media pages and torrent information to the desktop app for review. It supports Firefox and Chromium Manifest V3, with Edge installation through Microsoft Edge Add-ons and a release ZIP for other Chromium browsers. The extension says download data stays local. Firelink is available for macOS, Windows and Linux under the MIT License. The macOS package is ad-hoc signed and not notarized, the Windows installer is unsigned, and the current Linux AppImage requires glibc 2.35 or newer.
Free Download Manager
Free Download Manager (FDM) is a download accelerator and organizer for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. It divides files into sections and downloads them simultaneously, and interrupted downloads can resume. It also supports BitTorrent. A scheduler can start or pause downloads, launch applications, and connect or disconnect from the internet at set times; traffic modes help manage use while browsing and downloading. FDM can preview audio and video before downloads finish and convert file formats afterward. Official Chrome and Firefox extensions provide browser integration, while the Elephant add-on adds video downloading from various sites. When FDM is installed on both devices, an Android device can create downloads on a remote PC or Mac. The plan is free, with no ads and optional donations. Its privacy information says it does not track in-app activity or collect or share personal data; its policy also describes profile information, network settings, and user-provided cookies, plus Flurry Analytics for interaction data it says is not personally identifiable.