About GDownload

Introduction

GDownload is a free, open-source, cross-platform download manager built with C++20 and Qt Quick. The project has a clear goal: bring multi-protocol downloads such as HTTP, FTP and BitTorrent, P2P networks like eD2k, and parsing for all kinds of cloud-drive share links together into one modern desktop app, so users don't have to switch back and forth between multiple specialized tools.

The project started out as a simple desktop front end for aria2 to manage download tasks. As features iterated, it gradually grew an in-house eD2k engine, a companion browser extension, and a JavaScript-based plugin architecture and ecosystem, forming the complete download solution it is today.

Tech Stack

Building GDownload involved technology choices at several layers, each with its own role - from the UI framework and download protocols down to the underlying networking and data storage:

License

GNU AGPL-3.0

GDownload is released as open source under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 (AGPL-3.0), with its full source code hosted on GitHub. Anyone is free to use, modify and distribute the software, including commercially; however, if you distribute a modified version, or offer the software (or a modified version of it) as a network service, you must release the complete source code under the same license and retain the original copyright and license notices.

Releases up to and including v1.0.8 remain covered by the Apache License 2.0 they shipped with. For use beyond the AGPL-3.0 terms (such as closed-source integration), contact the author via GitHub Issues to discuss a commercial license.

Contributing

If you run into problems, find a bug, or have a feature suggestion while using GDownload, feel free to open an Issue on GitHub to let us know. We also welcome Pull Requests from the community - whether it's fixing a defect, improving documentation or implementing a new feature, every contribution is carefully reviewed and answered as quickly as possible.

GitHub Repository Report Issues

Contact

GitHub Issues is currently the main channel for reaching the project, reporting problems and discussing new features. We recommend submitting your questions or ideas through the Issues page so they can be tracked and answered in one place.