The Best Free Folx Alternative for Mac
Folx is a well-known download manager built for macOS. If you want the same job — accelerated downloads, video capture and torrents — without a Pro license, AVS Download Manager is a free native alternative with a built-in converter and browser capture for Chrome, Edge and Brave.
What Folx is good at
Folx is a native Mac download manager from Eltima. The free Folx Mini tier covers basic accelerated downloads. Folx Pro unlocks a fuller toolkit: YouTube and video downloads, torrent support, scheduling and extra integrations. For many Mac users the split between Mini and Pro is the reason they start looking for an alternative.
Where AVS is a stronger fit
AVS Download Manager is completely free. Multi-connection downloads, YouTube videos and playlists, magnet links, .torrent files, HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) / Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) capture and a built-in MP4, MKV, MP3, M4A and WAV converter all ship in the same app — no upgrade to unlock torrents or playlists.
Both apps are native to macOS. AVS adds a menu bar utility, notifications and App Lock with Touch ID, and talks to Chrome, Edge and Brave through a companion extension.
When to stay with Folx
If you already paid for Folx Pro and its workflow fits you, there is no need to switch. AVS is for people who want a Folx-class Mac download manager without a paid tier, or who also want conversion in the same window.
AVS Download Manager vs Folx
| Feature | AVS Download Manager | Folx |
|---|---|---|
| macOS native | ✓ macOS 14+ | ✓ |
| Windows | — | — |
| Price | Free — no Pro tier | Free Mini / paid Pro |
| Download acceleration | ✓ Multi-connection, multi-segment | ✓ |
| Browser capture | ✓ Chrome, Edge, Brave | ✓ |
| YouTube playlists | ✓ Included | Pro |
| Torrent downloads | ✓ Magnet & .torrent included | Pro |
| Built-in converter | ✓ MP4, MKV, MP3, M4A, WAV | — |
| App Lock / Touch ID | ✓ | — |
Frequently asked questions
Is AVS a Folx alternative?
Yes. AVS is a native macOS download manager that covers accelerated downloads, video capture and torrents — the same jobs Folx Pro is known for — and it is free.
Does Folx work on Windows?
No. Folx is Mac-only, like AVS. The difference is licensing: Folx reserves torrents and some video features for Pro, while AVS includes them at no cost.
Is AVS affiliated with Folx or Eltima?
No. AVS Download Manager is an independent app and is not affiliated with Folx or Eltima.