aria2 for Windows

Aria2 — compact, no-cost command-line downloader

Aria2 is an open-source command-line tool designed to simplify file transfers between machines and servers. It accepts connections from multiple sources and supports a range of transfer protocols and locales, making it a flexible alternative to more generic downloaders. The project is actively maintained and all features are available without charge.

Common scenarios and intended users

• Metalink and multi-source downloads where combining segments speeds transfers
• Users who frequently grab large files via BitTorrent trackers
• Those moving files over HTTP(S) or FTP and needing a scriptable interface
• Situations where parallel connections to several hosts save time

This utility is a good fit for people comfortable with shell commands — intermediate familiarity is usually sufficient to run typical tasks.

Size and system impact

Aria2 has a small binary footprint: HTTP-only builds can be as little as a few megabytes, while BitTorrent-enabled builds are somewhat larger. Typical CPU load during transfers tends to be low (developers report average usage in the single-digit percentages). Because it can fetch from many hosts at once, it’s especially useful when speed is a priority.

Extensibility and extra capabilities

• Built-in control interfaces using both JSON-RPC and XML-RPC for remote management
• File-handling utilities and hooks that let you adapt behavior to specific workflows
• Distributed under the GNU Public License, so you can inspect and modify the source
• Localisation support for multiple languages to accommodate diverse users

These extension points make it straightforward to integrate Aria2 into automation scripts, front-ends, or custom server workflows.

Version information and alternatives

The project maintains several release branches; version 1.31.0 is one of the available releases, with older builds still accessible for specific needs. If you prefer a graphical client instead of a command-line tool, consider Mipony — a free alternative that provides a GUI-oriented approach to downloading.