# aria2

> Lightweight multi-protocol command-line download utility supporting parallel connections and torrents

aria2 is a lightweight command-line download utility that supports HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SFTP, BitTorrent, and Metalink. It speeds up transfers by downloading files across multiple concurrent connections or sources and can resume interrupted downloads. It also provides JSON-RPC and XML-RPC interfaces for remote control and integration into other applications.

Website: https://aria2.github.io/

## How it works

Basic usage:

\`aria2c '\<url\>'\`

Download with multiple parallel connections (e.g., 10 connections):

\`aria2c -x 10 '\<url\>'\`

Features mentioned:

- Resumes interrupted/broken downloads.

- Multi-connection parallel downloading (\`-x\` flag).

- Supports torrent downloads.

## What it is for

- Speed up large file transfers using multiple parallel connections
- Resume broken or interrupted downloads without restarting from zero
- Download torrents and magnet links directly from the command line
- Automate batch downloads from a text file of URLs

## Features

- Multi-connection segmented downloading across single or multiple sources
- Support for HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SFTP, BitTorrent, and Metalink protocols
- Built-in BitTorrent client supporting DHT, PEX, encryption, and magnet links
- Low memory and CPU consumption during large transfers
- JSON-RPC and XML-RPC interfaces for remote control and web frontends
- Automatic file verification via Metalink checksums

## Pricing

Open source

## Details

- Type: Desktop app
- Category: [Development](https://xiry.app/topics/development.md)
- Open source: yes
- Platforms: Command line, Linux, macOS, Windows, Android
- For: Developers, system administrators, and power users needing fast, reliable command-line downloads
- Alternative to: wget, curl, Transmission
- Tags: download manager, cli, bittorrent, file transfer, command line, networking

## Why it was saved

- [@ai.christianson, 25 February 2025](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGgom-9O3r1/): It allows resuming broken downloads and significantly speeds up file transfers over unreliable or fast connections by downloading across multiple concurrent connections.

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Updated 3 October 2026. Page: https://xiry.app/resources/aria2

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