Comparing Ant Download Manager and Internet Download Manager showdown

For many, Ant Download Manager may sound unfamiliar compared to IDM, but that doesn't mean this software lacks the capability to support users effectively in downloading content from the web, similar to what IDM does.

To use Ant Download Manager, you can refer to the article on installing Ant Download Manager introduced by Mytour in the previous post. In reality, installing Ant Download Manager, like many other download-supporting software, is not difficult. Importantly, you need to follow the instructions provided in the aforementioned article.

In today's article, let's dive deeper into the capabilities of these two software options, exploring who currently holds the upper hand.

Comparing Ant Download Manager and IDM (Internet Download Manager)

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Popularity Factor

- IDM (Internet Download Manager)

Presently, it's not challenging to spot the software Internet Download Manager (IDM) on Google search after typing the keyword 'download support software.'

This indicates the undeniable popularity of IDM, developed by Tonec Inc since 1998. The rapid evolution of online content has been a driving force behind IDM's development. Currently, the software boasts over 10 million users worldwide.

- Ant Download Manager

It's quite challenging to identify a fledgling download support software like Ant Download Manager.

Debuting with its first beta version on August 13, 2015, Ant Download Manager has undergone numerous updates, adding features and significant interface innovations. Up to now, the software has been updated to the latest version 0.3.6.

For many, the popularity of Ant Download Manager might be somewhat hindered by the developing interface in the software's Download section. Currently, the software is linking download links on the dedicated CNET Download page.

User Interface

Internet Download Manager

IDM's interface follows a style that has been defined since its early versions. Above are the toolbars including Task (command processing), File (tasks related to download), Download (organizing download list and download speed), View (language and toolbars adjustment), Help (assistance), and Registration (software registration).

Directly below the toolbar are other options designed with recognizable icons and text. IDM categorizes download items in the Categories section, making it easy to filter and find downloaded content. Overall, IDM's interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate, even for beginners.

Ant Download Manager

Being a relatively young software, this implies that Ant Download Manager's user interface is not yet truly polished.

In the main interface, users will find only one toolbar with various options. Unfortunately, this toolbar only displays icons for customization without text labels, which can be quite inconvenient for both new and experienced users.

The plus (+) icon is for entering download URLs, while the video icon is for entering video download URLs. From left to right, icons correspond to functions like Play, Pause, Stop Download, Delete, Select Download Speed, Customize, Error Notification, and Exit Software.

Additionally, the software features a Categories section, organized similarly to IDM.

In an overview, Ant Download Manager is quite suitable for those who enjoy exploring software. However, it may not be ideal for new users and requires a genuinely clear interface.

Overall Strength

Internet Download Manager

As of now, Tonec has released the latest version IDM 6.25. This version supports compatibility with Windows 10 and adds a download bar for web game players. This feature is particularly useful for players who want to download flash videos. You can learn how to install IDM to use the software on your computer. For other operating systems like Windows 7 or 8 and 8.1, after installing IDM, you will get a full set of software features, including link capture, scheduling downloads, browser extension integration, and an improved toolbar interface.

Other features of the software include support for up to 33 languages, unfortunately still without Vietnamese. Additionally, users can preview compressed files, view download categories, and scan downloads for virus protection.

IDM supports accelerating download speeds up to 5 times. Moreover, IDM can recover errors in downloaded files, easily resume downloading faulty or interrupted files. The strength of IDM lies primarily in its multi-threaded download feature and reasonable bandwidth control. Notably, IDM also supports various protocols and file formats for downloading, such as HTTPS, FTP, MMS, MP3, MP4, FLV, and more.

The power of this software doesn't stop there; you can completely speed up IDM for faster image, file, or document downloads. However, the issue lies in the fact that accelerating IDM will consume more bandwidth in the internet network, leading to network lag and affecting those around you. To address this situation, we need to know how to limit IDM download speed to avoid affecting the network transmission. For specific instructions on solving this issue, you can refer to the article on limiting IDM download speed.

Ant Download Manager

From various perspectives, Ant Download Manager may find it challenging to match up with IDM, but the software notably excels over IDM in the free download aspect.

The software is seamlessly integrated into the browser immediately after installation.

With each improvement, developers have continuously added numerous new features to the software, such as introducing the Delete All option, allowing users to delete the entire list of downloaded files. Starting from version 0.3.5, Ant Download Manager also supports downloading Mp3 files separately for all videos.

Ant Download Manager falls slightly behind IDM in terms of the number of supported browsers.

One of the most distinctive features rarely found in many other software is the ability to split files into various formats. This could be video files with or without audio, or you can download the audio file separately for each video.

Downloading Experience with YouTube and Large Files

The following will be a download and comparison test between Ant Download Manager and Internet Download Manager when downloading YouTube videos and large files.

Both software options handle YouTube links quite effectively.

On the other hand, when it comes to large files, Ant Download Manager shows a disadvantage compared to IDM. To address this issue, readers can speed up Ant Download Manager to enhance the download speed of Ant Download Manager.

IDM's download speed proves superior to Ant Download Manager due to having more download threads.

There is an inconvenience you will notice when wanting to download the audio format of a video on Ant Download Manager, which is the software downloading the video first and then proceeding to convert it into the audio format.

Based on the writer's usage experience, Ant Download Manager can display the link capture bar directly on the video. If users copy the link and paste it into the software's add video section, the software will automatically grab the link even before users paste it into the software. However, this link capture bar design is not really impressive and attractive.

Ant Download Manager will ask if you want to download additional audio files for videos without sound. You press Yes for the software to automatically merge the accompanying audio file, or press No to do the opposite.

Notably, through testing downloading a video with and without audio, the writer noticed that Ant Download Manager doesn't seem to perform well with the link capture bar. Videos with the icon indicating no accompanying sound still have sound when downloaded. Only when users choose the pre-set video download feature in the software can they download videos with completely separated audio.

Audio options appear for you to download along with the video if you press Yes.

Below is a compiled list of some differences between Internet Download Manager and Ant Download Manager:AAAA

Conclusion

So, in essence, we have skimmed through the differences as well as the processing power of the two download support software, Ant Download Manager and Internet Download Manager. Both IDM and Ant Download Manager not only support downloading YouTube videos but also efficiently help users download Facebook videos. With Ant Download Manager, you have an additional method to download Facebook videos to your computer.

Internet Download Manager still excels in download support capabilities. Meanwhile, Ant Download Manager, although a newly developed software, already boasts remarkable processing power, particularly with the added advantage of being free.

We hope this article will provide you with the most suitable choice between these two impressive download support software.