CNET Editors' review
This download manager brings much more to the table than fast file transfers, but it definitely delivers those, too. Upon installation, Download Accelerator Plus asks for your e-mail address in hopes of sending you special offers, but you don't actually need to submit any information. Although the program is free, the trade-off is the "information panel" that displays software advertisements in the right portion of the interface. Luckily, it's easy to get used to. In most other respects, the tabbed main window is straightforward to use and navigate. Download Accelerator Plus also installs a handy toolbar in Internet Explorer and integrates with alternate browsers such as Firefox.
Increased download speeds are the program's bread and butter, and it doesn't disappoint, speeding up downloads by almost 200 percent in most cases. Besides using the common tactic of splitting files into smaller pieces, it automatically seeks faster mirrors. It also can get a file simultaneously from several sites, which is useful if a particular site limits the download speed. Other useful tools include the ability to resume interrupted downloads, log on to protected sites, and schedule downloads at low traffic times for faster downloading. We appreciate the extra tools for organizing media and finding games, as well as the basic yet functional FTP client. We also found a very interesting feature (only in the pay version, however) that allows you to resume all downloads, whether a server supports it or not. All things considered, this feature-rich program will prove valuable for most avid downloaders.
Publisher's Description
From SpeedBit:
With more than 115 million registered users worldwide, Download Accelerator Plus (DAP) is the world's most popular download manager. It leverages patented technology, ease of use, and rich features including multi-connections for optimal downloads from most responsive servers, automatic recovery from lost connections and errors, AlwaysResume (when standard resume is not supported), scheduling, and automatic hang-ups.
DAP integrates with Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape, and other browsers, and is available in 10 languages. It also is 100 percent spyware-free and enjoys industry-wide recognition from Norton, Ad-Aware, eTrust PestPatrol, Spyware Doctor, and McAfee. Version 8 brings you enhanced privacy with file shredder and trace cleaner, improved algorithms for higher download speeds, redesigned friendly and clean interface, and weekly most popular downloads from fileratings.com.
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All versions:
3.7 starsout of 2,148 votes
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Current version:
3.5 starsout of 122 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"A Friend introduce it to me"
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 8
Pros
A Friend introduce it to me
Cons
A Friend introduce it to me
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"very good speed"
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 8
Pros
very good speed
Cons
very good speed
Summary
very good speed
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"I love it"
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 8
Pros
what i like about this product is that you can pause your downloads and continue them at any time.And if you get knocked off the internet it will save your download for you.
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"Good downloading program for dialup people who gets cut off after a few hours."
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 8
Pros
If your internet service drops you in the middle of a download you can re-dial and pickup that program in the same spot you lost it.
Cons
The accelerator is slow. No faster than without it.To get a real acceleration you must upgrade . I spent $39.90 SALE PRICE. They say up to 400% faster,I got 200%. All you get is the same program you got for free with no ads and a $20.00 Speed optimizer. I e'mailed for 2 weeks to get higher speed. At the end of the 2 weeks their support messed my program up so bad I couldn't use it no more. DO NOT UPGRADE.
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"IT IMPROVED SPEED ON MY PC"
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 8
Pros
OK I DONT KNOW ABT YALL PC,BUT I HAVE MODEM,IT IMPROVED MY DOWNLOAD SPEED BY 30 KBS.IT IS THE BEST I HAVE EVER TRIED.I WOULD GIVE IT 5 STARS AND WOULD RECOMEND IT .
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"Good one with lot of options - but too many questions to install"
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 8
Pros
It is Free :)
has options for various types of connections and optimization
Cons
Doesn't do it in background - occupies one window spaces in task bar
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"Interesting but"
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 8
Pros
It sounds great for dial up users and download freaks like me . i can resume large downloads like huge demos etc . As i cannot download continously and my connection gets broken frequently and its too slow .by having DAP , i can download many huge games and softwares ( yes it takes days sometimes ) .but it does has really sticks to its words ( to a bit ) to download faster.
Cons
lots of ads . if system is working slow then it may show error and saying that server disconnected it !
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"Newest technology"
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 8
Pros
The program is a traditoinal one, and has attained a famous position among downladers. Easy, reliable, friendly interface, although it may be visually polluted/fancy.
Cons
DAP's rival, Gigaget (see it at the product's page: "gigaget" + ".com" all together) is the next generation download manager which utilizes cutting-edge Net Grid technology that improves your download speed by 7-10 times. This feature is lacking in DAP, and besides, DAP is adware. DAP's rivals are increasing, with next-generation capabilities besides being totally free. Antoher fine features of this DAP's rival is the Intelligent Disk Cache system which protects your hard disk from high-speed download; major streaming protocol support, including MMS/RTSP/Flash; Import/export download list, easy to share with friends. No adwares. No reminders. After trying Gigaget, my review (pros/cons) is mainly concerned with this issue: having Gigaget in mind as the pattern of downloader manager to be compared against.
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"Highly overrated, Slowed down mydownloads by 40%"
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 8
Pros
The mirror sites thing may be a good deal, but when it slows down the download it's junk.
Cons
After trying 5 different download sites and using DAP vs std windows download on identical programs, same time frame, within 30 minutes, every download was 35 to 50% slower with DAP. My next move Delete it from my computer..
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"Too much of connecting to their own server"
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 8
Pros
FTP connections
Cons
DAP has to connect to their servers and stuff, and there will be some pop-ups.The acceleration is also not very good. When i uninstall, i also dislike the fact that DAP connects to client.speedbit.com
Few programs that i have installed have given me pop-ups(liking to a small window where users must click no thanks to continue and also another one which contains a feedback form) and fewer will keep connecting to their own servers(except anti-virus/anti-spyware softwares which I understand). I have tried to block DAP from connecting to their servers when uninstalling, but DAP will only freeze the uninstalling of the program.
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