iDownload Manager review: Speeding up downloads on Windows 10

By Sean Endicott
last updated

You don't need to settle for your browser's built-in download manager.

Windows Central Recommended Award

When I first saw iDownload Manager, I thought it would be a nice utility that would be ultimately redundant. After all, browsers already have download managers built in. But after using it, I can't see myself uninstalling it. It's fast, simple, and works flawlessly with web browsers through its accompanying extension.

The app is available for free on Windows 10. The extension is also free. If you don't want to use Microsoft Edge, iDownload Manager also has extensions for Chrome and Firefox. You can get to any extension through the Settings section of the app.

Extremely Fast

One of the main draws of iDownload Manager is speed. The app's developer advertises it as being ten times faster than standard web browsers when it comes to download speeds. Results will vary from machine to machine but I found my downloads using the app to be extremely fast. Downloading shorter 1080p YouTube videos was practically instantaneous and longer 4K videos took less time than I expected.

iDownload Manager also manages multiple simultaneous downloads well. This makes the speed difference more apparent if you download a large number of files.

The app can limit network usage if you need it to and also picks up downloads that are interrupted by network issues.

Having a dedicated app for downloads might seem like it would add a step to your workflow because you have to jump to a separate app, but I found it to streamline the experience.

Couldn't be simpler

iDownload Manager is easy to use and gets jobs done efficiently. You can enter URLs manually or use iDownload Manager's browser extensions. Once set up, you can download content automatically through the app any time you initiate a download or use the app as a destination for a download.

The apps's download list and queue allow you to sort through your content and manage what's being downloaded.

The interface is clean, with just a few icons on the left of the app. It also has the best bug report icon that I've ever seen. That's important.

Overall thoughts on iDownload Manager for Windows 10

I'm genuinely surprised by how much I like this app. Its download speeds are fast, its interface is attractive, and its integration with Edge is smooth. It makes it easy to download things directly from the web or by pasting a link.

I didn't think I needed a download manager until I tried iDownload Manager. Now, it's a regular part of my workflow. The fact that it's free also lowers any barriers from giving it a try.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Works with many browsers
  • Fast
  • Free

Cons

  • Practically flawless (no issues worth mentioning)
Sean Endicott
Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott brings nearly a decade of experience covering Microsoft and Windows news to Windows Central. He joined our team in 2017 as an app reviewer and now heads up our day-to-day news coverage. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at sean.endicott@futurenet.com (opens in new tab).

13 Comments
  • Great review... I'd love to start seeing privacy as part of reviews. For example if an app tracks and shares lots of personal info and location. I will turn down using great apps and 'free' games that gather and share my email address, etc. without letting me opt out and buy it
  • From the way the writer sounds, it means that the downloader is very good. I am going to try it right away and come back to share my experience.
  • I've been used internet download manager.......but since it isn't free....I had to uninstall it....
    Is this one better than IDM ?
    IF Yes....it's awesome that this is free.
    Plz tell me how does it compare to IDM?
  • Better than IDM? I think it's not fair, as IDM has been in market for more than a decade and this app would be hardly a month old.
    In terms of speed I think this app comes very close to what IDM offers and has most of the P0 features.
    As the author pointed out, the app is free, so try it out yourself.
  • Can it download 1080p YouTube video (with audio of course)?
  • Nope, it can't: https://imgur.com/I4DE9Gl.jpg
  • 80% of my downloads are Anime torrents with the remaining 20% being Drivers coming straight from the source ( Intel, Microsoft, Nvidia, etc... ) usually providing ridiculous fast speeds capable of saturating my Downstream anyways or Games from Steam / MS Store which this App has no access to. Which leaves me with only two possible reasons why I'd want this app:
    1. Resuming Downloads - Which is a problem I haven't had in like... Forever?
    2. Downloading 1080p+ YouTube Videos - Which it can't do: https://i.imgur.com/I4DE9Gl.jpg Soo... OFF WITH THEIR HEADS! ( off my platter )
  • Interesting. Why can the author download HD from YouTube, while users report it's impossible?
  • Finally a decent download manager on the store. Simple and fast. 10/10
  • It's about time someone brought a decent download management to the store. Great looking UI and some powerful features including categorization, bandwidth limit control, and a scheduler.
  • Downloads are super fast. If only it could support torrent. Am I being too demanding?
  • try FDM (free download manager) it's free and has dark mode
  • Here is another good one: Microsoft com/store/apps/9NLVH2LL4P1Z
    A beautiful video player with picture in picture support, audio tracks, subs......