The Best Free Download Manager (FDM) Alternative for Mac
Free Download Manager (FDM) is a long-running, cross-platform download manager that people often install when they search for a free Internet Download Manager (IDM) alternative. AVS Download Manager is a native, Mac-only alternative — same core jobs (speed, capture, videos, torrents), plus a built-in converter and a macOS 14+ interface.
What Free Download Manager (FDM) is good at
Free Download Manager runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile. It accelerates HTTP downloads, talks to browsers, can catch videos on many sites and includes a BitTorrent client. If you hop between a PC and a Mac, that one-app-everywhere story is the main reason to keep FDM.
Where AVS is a stronger fit on a Mac
AVS is built only for macOS 14+. Multi-connection downloads, YouTube videos and playlists, HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) / Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) capture, magnet links, .torrent files and a built-in MP4, MKV, MP3, M4A and WAV converter all live in one native window — with a menu bar utility, notifications and App Lock with Touch ID.
The companion extension hands Chrome, Edge and Brave downloads to the Mac app over native messaging. You do not need a separate converter or a second torrent client.
When to stay with Free Download Manager
If you need the same download manager on Windows and Mac, FDM still covers that. If you only use a Mac and want playlists, conversion and a native interface without a cross-platform compromise, AVS is the tighter fit.
AVS Download Manager vs Free Download Manager (FDM)
| Feature | AVS Download Manager | Free Download Manager |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | ✓ Native (macOS 14+) | ✓ Cross-platform build |
| Windows / Linux | — | ✓ |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Download acceleration | ✓ Multi-connection, multi-segment | ✓ |
| Browser capture | ✓ Chrome, Edge, Brave | ✓ |
| YouTube playlists | ✓ Full playlists | ✓ / varies by site |
| Torrent downloads | ✓ Magnet & .torrent | ✓ |
| Built-in converter | ✓ MP4, MKV, MP3, M4A, WAV | Limited |
| App Lock / Touch ID | ✓ | — |
| Menu bar utility | ✓ | — |
Frequently asked questions
Is AVS a Free Download Manager (FDM) alternative?
Yes. On a Mac, AVS covers accelerated downloads, browser capture, videos and torrents — the same jobs FDM is known for — and adds a native converter plus Touch ID.
Is Free Download Manager free on Mac?
Yes. FDM is free on macOS. The difference is product shape: FDM is cross-platform; AVS is Mac-only and includes conversion in the same app.
Is AVS affiliated with Free Download Manager?
No. AVS Download Manager is an independent app and is not affiliated with Free Download Manager or SoftDeluxe.