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agalwood/Motrix

A cross-platform desktop download manager for HTTP, FTP, BitTorrent and magnet links, with a headless Docker server option.

Open-source alternative to:IDMFree Download Manager

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What is it?

Motrix is a desktop download manager for HTTP, FTP, BitTorrent and magnet links, built on Electron and TypeScript. Its download engine is a maintained fork of aria2, and downloads are stored in SQLite so they resume after a restart. BitTorrent tasks support per-file selection, and the app includes tracker list management, UPnP and NAT-PMP port mapping, and speed-limit profiles.

The project also covers the wider workflow. The official browser extension for Chrome, Edge and Firefox hands browser downloads to Motrix, and the `@motrix/cli` tool adds a `motrix` command for adding and monitoring tasks from the shell. Communication uses MDXP, a JSON-RPC 2.0 based protocol.

The same core runs as a headless server on Node.js or in Docker, with a web UI intended for NAS devices and home servers. Plugins run in a QuickJS sandbox with declared permissions, and the project ships a plugin SDK. The current v2 line is in beta.

Key features

  • 01Downloads over HTTP, FTP, BitTorrent and magnet links, with per-file selection for torrents
  • 02Sessions stored in SQLite so downloads resume after a restart
  • 03Tracker list management with automatic updates and health checks
  • 04Upload and download limits with multiple speed-limit profiles
  • 05Browser extension for Chrome, Edge and Firefox that hands downloads to Motrix
  • 06Command-line client `motrix` for adding and watching tasks
  • 07Plugins run in a QuickJS sandbox with declared permissions

Use cases

  • Managing large file and torrent downloads on a desktop computer
  • Running a headless download server on a NAS or home server via Docker
  • Scripting download tasks from the shell or AI agents through the CLI
  • Sending browser downloads to a local or remote download manager

Quick start

  1. 1

    Download the desktop app from motrix.app and choose the package for your OS

  2. 2

    Install the command-line client (requires Node.js 22 or later)

    npm install -g @motrix/cli

Things to know

  • Motrix Turbo v2 is in beta, so back up your Motrix data and downloads before testing.
  • Windows x64 and arm64 packages are unsigned and may trigger a SmartScreen warning.
  • The README does not state a clear license (the metadata reports NOASSERTION).

Topics

#download-manager#bittorrent#aria2#electron#typescript#magnet-links#docker#self-hosted#bt#download

FAQ

What is Motrix?
A cross-platform desktop download manager for HTTP, FTP, BitTorrent and magnet links, with a headless Docker server option. Motrix is a desktop download manager for HTTP, FTP, BitTorrent and magnet links, built on Electron and TypeScript. Its download engine is a maintained fork of aria2, and downloads are stored in SQLite so they resume after a restart. BitTorrent tasks support per-file selection, and the app includes tracker list management, UPnP and NAT-PMP port mapping, and speed-limit profiles.
Is Motrix free to use? What license does it have?
Motrix is open source under the Other license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is Motrix still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to Motrix was on Oct 21, 2026.
What can I use Motrix for?
Managing large file and torrent downloads on a desktop computer Running a headless download server on a NAS or home server via Docker Scripting download tasks from the shell or AI agents through the CLI Sending browser downloads to a local or remote download manager
How do I install Motrix?
Download the desktop app from motrix.app and choose the package for your OS Install the command-line client (requires Node.js 22 or later): npm install -g @motrix/cli
Where can I get Motrix?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/agalwood/Motrix

Summary generated by AI from the project's README. GitHub stats refresh daily.

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