aria2
What it is
aria2 is a free, open-source command-line utility for downloading files using multiple protocols and sources. It supports HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, SFTP, BitTorrent, and Metalink, and can retrieve a file from several sources or protocols to use available bandwidth. BitTorrent capabilities include DHT, PEX, encryption, magnet URIs, web seeding, selective downloads, local peer discovery, and UDP trackers. Metalink adds file verification and works with HTTP, FTP, SFTP, and BitTorrent. A running process can be controlled remotely through JSON-RPC over HTTP or WebSocket, or XML-RPC. Metalink checksums can validate download chunks, with MD5 and SHA-family checksums supported. aria2 checks HTTPS server certificates by default. The project reports typical physical memory use of 4 MiB for normal HTTP/FTP downloads and 9 MiB for BitTorrent when disk cache is off. Related projects include apt-metalink, powerpill, python3-aria2jsonrpc, and aria2.js; webui-aria2 and uGet are listed as frontends. The program is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android under GNU GPL version 2 or later. The project states that it comes without warranty and is used at the user’s own risk.
For and against
For
- Supports HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, SFTP, BitTorrent, and Metalink.
- Can download one file from multiple sources.
- BitTorrent includes selective downloads and magnet URIs.
- Metalink supports file verification with MD5 and SHA-family checksums.
- Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
Against
- It is a command-line utility.
- The project states that it has no warranty.
- Use is at the user's own risk.
The verdict
aria2 offers broad protocol support, multi-source transfers, and remote control through several RPC options. It is free software, but the project provides no warranty and says users assume the risk of use.
Who it suits
aria2 suits users comfortable with a command-line utility who need downloads over different protocols or from multiple sources. Remote control options and listed frontends may also suit users integrating it with other tools.
Plans and prices
aria2
Free software under GNU GPL v2 or later · no paid tiers stated
Read 4 Oct 2026 · aria2.github.io
On the record
- BitTorrent
- BitTorrent features include DHT, PEX, encryption, magnet URIs, web seeding, selective downloads, local peer discovery, and UDP trackers.aria2.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrity checks
- aria2 can validate download chunks using Metalink checksums and supports MD5 and SHA-family checksums for Metalink verification.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The program is free software under the GNU General Public License, version 2 or, at the user's option, any later version.aria2.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Metalink
- Metalink support includes file verification and integration with HTTP, FTP, SFTP, and BitTorrent.aria2.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Multi-source downloads
- It can download a file from multiple sources or protocols to use available bandwidth.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- It supports HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, SFTP, BitTorrent, and Metalink.aria2.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- aria2 is a lightweight command-line utility for downloading files over multiple protocols and from multiple sources.aria2.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Related integrations
- The project lists apt-metalink, powerpill, python3-aria2jsonrpc, and aria2.js as related projects, and webui-aria2 and uGet as frontends.aria2.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Remote control
- The process can be controlled through JSON-RPC over HTTP or WebSocket and through XML-RPC.aria2.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Resource use
- The official site reports typical physical memory usage of 4 MiB for normal HTTP/FTP downloads and 9 MiB for BitTorrent downloads when disk cache is off.aria2.github.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- The project README says aria2 checks HTTPS server certificates by default and describes using a CA bundle when the system trust store is unavailable.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security releases
- The project says it may issue patch releases between regular releases to address security issues.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Warranty
- The project README states that the program comes with no warranty and is used at the user's own risk.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
