JDownloader is a free, open-source download manager written in Java. It fetches files from web pages and one-click file hosting services. These downloads often involve waiting periods, captchas, split archives and links hidden behind protection pages. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. It is also available as a platform-independent JAR for other systems with Java. You can set it up on NAS and embedded devices. The source code is released under the GPL.
The LinkGrabber staging area
Links do not go straight into the download queue in JDownloader. They first arrive in the LinkGrabber, which checks, sorts and groups them. You can paste text, and JDownloader extracts its URLs. You can also add links from the clipboard: with clipboard monitoring on, the program opens the LinkGrabber whenever copied text contains supported links.
For a page it does not recognize, JDownloader can run a deep decryption, loading the page and searching its source for further links. It can also check each file’s online status and size, so dead links show up before downloading. JDownloader groups links into packages, each with its own download folder and archive password. A regular-expression filter keeps unwanted file types or whole hosts out of the list.
Hoster and decrypter plugins
JDownloader handles individual websites through plugins. Hoster plugins handle individual file hosts, while decrypt plugins handle link-protection services. You can enable or disable each plugin in the settings. The built-in recognition module, JAntiCaptcha, handles captchas and can solve many captcha types automatically. The program keeps itself current through a built-in web update.
Running the download queue
JDownloader works through the download list from top to bottom, so order sets priority. You can drag entries or move them up, down, to the top or to the bottom. Row colors show whether a download finished, has not started, or stopped with an error. Start and Stop control the whole queue, while Pause lets running transfers finish without starting new ones. You set how many downloads run in parallel and an overall bandwidth cap.
JDownloader can also split a single file across several simultaneous connections, which it calls chunkload. Each connection fetches a different part of the file. Most hosts allow free users only one download and connection at a time, so parallel downloads and chunk loading mainly benefit premium accounts.
Premium accounts
JDownloader stores login details for paid accounts on supported hosts. With an account added and premium use switched on, the matching plugin downloads through that account instead of the free route. After you add an account, JDownloader shows an overview of all accounts. You can switch premium use on or off for all accounts at once.
Reconnecting to skip wait times
Many hosts limit free users by IP address and enforce a wait between downloads. On a connection with a dynamic IP address, which includes most DSL lines, disconnecting and reconnecting usually brings a new address and ends the wait. JDownloader can perform this reconnect itself. Because routers differ, JDownloader offers router-specific reconnect scripts, a UPnP method and modem reconnection. It also offers a Reconnect Recorder that works out the steps needed to get a new IP. Reconnect stays off until configured, and a Force Reconnect button triggers one on demand. Using it this way can conflict with a host’s terms of service.
Archive extraction and passwords
Files on hosting services are often split into multi-part archives. JDownloader’s extraction module unpacks RAR archives automatically after downloading. Passwords come from the package’s password field or from a global password list that JDownloader searches during extraction. You only need to enter a recurring password once.
Click’n’Load and link containers
Click’n’Load lets websites hand links to JDownloader with one click. While JDownloader runs, it listens on a local port on the same computer. A site’s Click’n’Load button sends its links and any archive passwords there. The links can travel in encrypted form rather than as plain text in the page.
JDownloader also reads link container files. DLC, a format created by the JDownloader project, stores download links in encrypted form. JDownloader imports DLC, RSDF and CCF files and can export its own download list as a DLC file.
Remote control with MyJDownloader
MyJDownloader links a running JDownloader installation to an online account. You can then control it remotely through a web interface, Android and iPhone apps, and browser extensions.
Tray, scheduler and shutdown add-ons
Extensions change how JDownloader runs. The tray extension minimizes it to the system tray with a menu for its main functions. The scheduler sets times to start or stop downloads, change the speed limit, or allow or block reconnects. The shutdown extension turns off the computer, or performs another configured action, when the queue finishes. Themes and multiple interface languages are also available.
