Alternatives to Folx
macOS download manager and torrent client with multi-thread splitting and scheduling
Folx ranks #6 of 11 in Download managers, with an Alt Score of 70. It is proprietary, freemium from $19.95 and available on macOS. 9 of 9 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
Folx is a paid macOS-native download manager and BitTorrent client from Electronic Team (formerly Eltima) that splits downloads into up to 10 threads, schedules tasks, and includes browser integration. It is aimed at Mac users who lack a native IDM equivalent. It distinguishes itself as one of the few actively maintained, Mac-first download managers with built-in torrent support.
Folx is built for macOS users who want a dedicated download manager and torrent/magnet-link client to replace ad hoc browser downloads, particularly people downloading many files, torrents, or large media at once.
The free version splits downloads into two threads, integrates with Safari, Firefox, Opera, and Chrome, auto-resumes failed downloads, supports tagging, proxy downloading, and torrent/magnet links, and is Spotlight-searchable. A one-time-purchase PRO upgrade adds up to 20-thread multi-threading, download scheduling, smart bandwidth/speed control, an in-app torrent search tool, a password saver, and Apple Music integration.
Users copy a direct download link or open a .torrent/magnet link, and Folx queues the transfer, assigns tags, and lets the user pick download destination, format, and (in PRO) start time; the app manages threading, resumes interrupted transfers automatically, and can route traffic through a proxy server.
Why people leave Folx
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
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Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Download Master, developed by WestByte, is a free Windows download manager that accelerates transfers via multi-threaded file segmentation, resumes broken downloads over HTTP/HTTPS/FTP, and grabs stre.
Xtreme Download Manager (XDM) is a free, open-source download accelerator for Windows, macOS, and Linux that splits files into segments for multi-threaded downloading and captures video/audio links fr.
yt-dlp is an open-source command-line tool for downloading video and audio from YouTube and over a thousand other sites, with format selection, playlist handling, and post-processing via ffmpeg.
Persepolis is a free, open-source download manager built as a graphical front-end for the aria2 download engine, available on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
4K Video Downloader is a commercial desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux that downloads videos, full playlists, channels, and subtitles from YouTube and other sites in up to 8K resolution.
Feature comparison
How Folx compares with its alternatives, feature by feature.
| Download managers checklist | Folx | Download Master | Internet Download Manager | Xtreme Download Manager (XDM) | Free Download Manager | yt-dlp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| Segmented downloading | ||||||
| Browser integration | ||||||
| Video grabbing | ||||||
| Scheduler | ||||||
| Resume support | ||||||
| Open source | ||||||
| No bundled adware | ||||||
| Speed limits | ||||||
| CLI |
Every fact and feature listed for Folx is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
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License Proprietary verified 2026-07-30
This is Folx's 'Freeware License' EULA (free of charge to use, but closed-source and fully owned by Electronic Team Inc.). PRO unlock is a separate paid license, see pricing_model/starting_price.
The Licensee will not have any proprietary rights in and to the Software. The Licensee acknowledges and agrees that the Licensor retains all copyrights and other proprietary rights in and to the Softw
https://help.electronic.us/support/solutions/articles/44002278937-freeware-license -
Starts at $19.95 verified 2026-07-30
Personal License (1 Mac) $19.95 one-time; Family Pack (3 Macs) $39.95 one-time, per the purchase page.
Pricing: Starts from $19.95
https://mac.eltima.com/download-manager.html -
Platforms macOS verified 2026-07-30
Requirements: macOS 10.13+
https://mac.eltima.com/download-manager.html -
Status active verified 2026-07-30
Latest version: v5.34.14042, Released 3 Jun, 2026
https://mac.eltima.com/download-manager.html -
Pricing model Freemium verified 2026-07-30
Free version is a fully usable standalone product; PRO is an optional one-time-purchase upgrade, not a trial.
The Free version of Folx serves as a comprehensive download manager and torrent client with numerous useful features for everyday downloads, while Folx PRO comes with even extended functionality like
https://mac.eltima.com/downloader.html -
Segmented downloading Yes verified 2026-07-30
Free tier splits into 2 threads; PRO's 'Multi-threading' feature raises this to up to 20 simultaneous threads per download.
Each download can be split into 2 threads. That allows to significantly improve the download speed.
https://mac.eltima.com/download-manager.html -
Browser integration Yes verified 2026-07-30
Mac download manager works perfectly with your favorite browsers, including Safari, Firefox, Opera, Chrome. Just integrate it with any of these browsers via the Folx plugin.
https://mac.eltima.com/download-manager.html -
Video grabbing No verified 2026-07-30
Vendor FAQ explicitly denies grabbing streamed/embedded video (e.g. YouTube); Folx only downloads from direct links or torrents/magnet links.
Unfortunately, Folx cannot download videos from YouTube; it requires a direct download link or a torrent.
https://mac.eltima.com/downloader.html -
Scheduler Yes verified 2026-07-30
Download Scheduling is listed under 'Get more features with Folx PRO' — PRO-only, not in the Free tier.
Folx Mac downloader allows downloading files at specific times. Just choose the most convenient time to start the download and configure what Folx scheduler should do after the download is complete.
https://mac.eltima.com/download-manager.html -
Resume support Yes verified 2026-07-30
If the download suddenly fails, there is no need to start it over. Folx will take care of the interrupted download and will resume it from the place it has stopped.
https://mac.eltima.com/download-manager.html -
Open source No verified 2026-07-30
Folx's own EULA treats its source code as a confidential trade secret and forbids decompiling/reverse-engineering — it is closed source.
The structure, organization and code of the Software are the valuable trade secrets and confidential information of the Licensor. The Licensee agrees not to decompile, disassemble or otherwise attempt
https://help.electronic.us/support/solutions/articles/44002278937-freeware-license -
No bundled adware Yes verified 2026-07-30
Vendor FAQ states the official Folx installer is safe; it does not use the word 'adware' specifically and warns risk comes from third-party download sources, not the app itself — worth a human double-
Folx is completely safe for Mac, but we recommend that you download it from the official site. If you download it from elsewhere, there’s a chance that you may end up with unwanted malware or viruses.
https://mac.eltima.com/download-manager.html -
Speed limits Yes verified 2026-07-30
'Smart speed adjustment' is listed under Folx PRO advanced features — PRO-only, not in the Free tier.
Folx download manager gives you complete control over the downloading speed of your Mac. You can adjust the speed manually or let the app manage the bandwidth automatically.
https://mac.eltima.com/download-manager.html -
CLI No verified 2026-07-30
The FREE vs PRO feature comparison table on this page enumerates ~28 capabilities (threading, scheduling, tagging, proxy, torrent search, browser integration, Spotlight/Quick Look integration, etc.) w
Compare FREE and PRO versions
https://mac.eltima.com/download-manager.html
FAQ
Yes. Xtreme Download Manager (XDM), Free Download Manager and yt-dlp have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
Xtreme Download Manager (XDM), yt-dlp and aria2 — every license claim links its source.