What it does
aria2 is a command-line download utility supporting HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SFTP, BitTorrent and Metalink, with remote-control interfaces.
Pass aria2c a URL, a text file of URLs, a torrent or a Metalink document. Several mirrors or protocols can contribute to one retrieval, while per-host connection settings and checksum-bearing Metalink information support repeatable scripts. Choose existing-file behavior explicitly: the 1.37 manual sets allow-overwrite false by default and treats automatic filename changes and resume as separate options. The program also exposes JSON-RPC and XML-RPC control, but downloading from an authenticated source still needs that source’s access. aria2 is GPLv2-or-later software; source availability and resume support determine what a job can complete.
Strengths
- Several protocols in one client
- URL lists and remote-control interfaces
Watch out for
- Command-line options or a separate interface are needed
Sources
- aria2 (Oct 26, 2026)
- aria2c 1.37.0 manual (Oct 26, 2026)