Our verdict: Neat Download Manager is a lightweight alternative to paid download accelerators: the installer is under 1 MB, and it splits downloads into segments and resumes them after a crash. It handles HTTP, HTTPS and FTP only, and the developer publishes little information about the project.
About Neat Download Manager
Neat Download Manager is a free download manager for Windows and macOS. It uses a dynamic segmentation algorithm that opens several connections per file, and it sorts downloads by status and file type.
A browser extension sends links to the app and can catch video and audio on web pages, including HLS streams, which it downloads as .ts segments and merges into one file. You can change the bandwidth limit and the number of connections while a download is running.
What it does well
- Segmented downloads. Splits each file into parts downloaded in parallel to use the full bandwidth.
- Pause and resume. Continues interrupted or crashed downloads and can renew expired links.
- Browser extension. Sends download links and page video or audio from the browser to the app.
- HLS video download. Downloads all .ts parts of an HLS stream and merges them into a single file.
- Live speed limits. Changes bandwidth and connection limits during a download.
Who it is for
Good fit
People who download large files over unstable connections and want a very small tool.
Look elsewhere
Users who need torrents, scheduling scripts or an open-source download manager.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Installer under 1 MB
- Resumes broken downloads
- Catches video and HLS streams from the browser
- No cost
Cons
- Only HTTP, HTTPS and FTP; no BitTorrent
- Closed source with little developer information
- Updates are infrequent
How to install Neat Download Manager
The button downloads the small official installer. After setup, install the Neat Download Manager extension for your browser from the official site so downloads are passed to the app.
Questions about Neat Download Manager
Is Neat Download Manager free?
Yes. The official site describes it as a free download manager for Windows and macOS.
Does it work with Chrome and Firefox?
Yes, through the browser extension linked from the official site, which passes links to the app.
Can it download torrents?
No. It supports HTTP, HTTPS and FTP only.
