CNET Editors' review
This download manager brings much more to the table than fast file transfers, but it definitely delivers those, too. Increased download speeds are Download Accelerator Plus's bread and butter, speeding up downloads by almost 200 percent in most cases and occasionally as high as 400 percent.
Besides splitting files into smaller pieces, it thrives on automatically seeking faster mirrors. It also can get a file simultaneously from several sites, which is useful if a particular site limits the download speed; it can resume downloads; and it can preview some media files while downloading. There's also a blacklist for sites that you never want to accept downloads from, and categorized folders and filters to keep your downloads organized. DAP rolls in a media buffer, too, that allegedly will prevent streaming-video hiccups. Ensuring that you're running the latest version of the Adobe Flash player won't hurt, either.
Two new features include a UI change that lets users choose a Firefox- or Internet Explorer-styled download window, and integration with DAP's publisher's video converter. Downloading and converting video on the fly is a pretty smart way to keep the program fresh. The program will prompt you at your first attempt if you don't have the converter installed and guide you through its installation. Frustratingly, the install process will weigh you down with a ton of toolbars, default switches, and e-mail recommendations that you must opt out of for a clean installation.
Although it's heavy with ads and promotions, DAP is still a good choice for adding some heat to your typical download recipe.
Watch the CNET video review of Download Accelerator Plus:
Publisher's Description
From SpeedBit:
Download Accelerator Plus (DAP) 9.7, the world's fastest and most popular Download Manager and Accelerator, has been installed over 265 million times. DAP accelerates your downloads up to 600% faster, so you get what you need. Fast. Videos, applications, photos and music files are all delivered to you at the highest speeds on the planet. DAP provides file management tools that allow you to download with confidence and without the wait. DAP's patented, award winning, multi-channel technology empowers you to take your file download experience to a higher level of speed and efficiency using cutting edge technology. Your privacy and security are never compromised with DAP's innovative download security technology. SPEEDbit's Multi Anti-Virus (MAV) technology lets you receive notice of threats from the most popular anti-virus programs. Thereby, giving you the power to choose if it is safe to open the downloaded file or not- helping you protect your computer from harmful viruses. DAP gives you the option of adding cool tools on top of the application itself. SPEEDbit Video Downloader will provide you with the ability to download web videos from such sites as YouTube, Facebook and DailyMotion in 1-click, directly from your browser. SPEEDbit Video Accelerator will seamlessly use the multi-channel acceleration technology to significantly cut down web videos loading time, reducing annoying buffering and pauses as well as your wait. Using SPEEDbit Video Accelerator you will experience YouTube, Facebook, DailyMotion and the hottest video sites like they were meant to be, and it will also accelerate your iTunes downloads. DAP supports 42 languages thanks to the help of SPEEDbit's millions of users worldwide. Loyal SPEEDbit users all across the planet contribute to the SPEEDbit Translation Wiki Project to give others around the world the powerful option to inject their online experience with speed in their own language. The world increasingly understands - patience is overrated.
What's new in this version: Upgraded and improved Chrome browser extension performance, supporting version 16; Support for the latest Firefox browser release, version 9; Reduced file size.
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All versions:
3.7 starsout of 2,047 votes
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Current version:
3.2 starsout of 18 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"good job , gets the job done"
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 9.7.0.7
Pros
fast and consistent
Cons
i don't know yet
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"Comapability Issues w/File Management Sites"
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 9.7.0.7
Pros
Is it faster? I couldn't tell :(
Cons
Trouble when downloading from oron.com. Randomly goes to "Uable to download file" error message. Of course unable to resume download...
No issue when downloaded without DAP.Summary
I had no problem avoiding the "annoyanceware" other users complain about.
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"Is it really faster?"
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 9.7.0.7
Pros
It was able to resume most downloads
Cons
Way too many attempts to install extra software. Not clear that it was faster than a regular download
Summary
As a freebie, it did help me download large files.
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"Fast downloads."
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 9.7.0.7
Pros
Downloads are fast and it's free.
Cons
None that I can tell.
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"A very good software."
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 9.7.0.7
Pros
Fast downloads
New lookCons
The old look was better.
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"Ease of use"
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 9.7.0.7
Pros
I've been using for a while off and on and my best compliment is that I don't notice it. It work and I don't have to do much else. After setting up my folders (the default set isn't bad I'm just anal retentive), I just let it do it's thing and I did mine.
Cons
It's a bit large so on an older machine you might have an issue. But I run an older system and it does just fine. I put the download on cooperative and I can still surf with no issues.
Summary
It keeps track of your downloads, without much fuss.
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"Very good, better than plenty others"
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 9.7.0.7
Pros
Keeps track of downloads, allows resuming of broken ones. Faster downloads.
Cons
You have to be very careful during installation to un-check all the annoyware and other unwanted options.
Becomes a CPU hog when you have Firefox running, but that is probably FF's fault (it didn't do it before Mozilla started "upgrading" FF every 2 weeks).
And it requires re-installing every time FF upgrades. Again, probably Mozilla's fault.Summary
Contrary to the opinions of other reviewers on this page, it *IS* possible to do a clean install without Speedbit's search provider/home page, toolbar, video downloader, video accelerator, etc; you just have to pay very careful attention at all points of the installation.
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"did not like the browser add on, Speed Bit"
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 9.7.0.7
Pros
I really didn't notice any
Cons
**download speed was not improved over my computers XP installed download manager
**installed SpeedBit search engine that took over my browsers and was very difficult to remove/disableSummary
may work for some folks but not me
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"It is a CPU hog."
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 9.7.0.7
Pros
Downloads some large files very fast indeed.
Cons
Hogs CPU all the time your Firefox is open. Typically around 4-5% usage, but sometimes rising to 70%. You have to go into the Windows process manager after every download to kill the thing.
Fills your browser with loads of crappy software you don't need like the Speedbit video downloader.Summary
The best option with this is to install it, refuse as many extras as you can, weed out the rest from your browser and then disable the extension. Instead you can copy and paste the download link manually to DAP when you need it and then shut down DAP when you're finished with it. If you don't have a particularly awkward download to do then stick with your browser's inbuilt downloader.
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"Works - But BEWARE - it's ANNOYWARE!"
Version: Download Accelerator Plus 9.7.0.7
Pros
Works well, downloads seem to be accelerated. Has enabled download continuation from a sticky source which is helpful.
Cons
CONTINUALLY resets your search to "SpeedBit Search" and now my homepage keeps getting hijacked. Too bad - but this feature ruins it for me.
Summary
Not worth it. At all. I hate you, you vindictive programmer you!
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