Wget vs axel : Which is Better?
Wget
Wget is a free utility for non-interactive download of files from the Web. Developed by GNU Project
License: Open Source
axel
Axel tries to accelerate HTTP/FTP downloading process by using multiple connections for one file. It can use multiple mirrors for a download. Axel has no dependencies and is lightweight, so it might be useful as a wget clone on byte-critical systems. Developed by http://wilmer.gaa.st/main.php/axel.html
License: Open Source
Wget VS axel
Wget is a versatile tool with comprehensive protocol support, recursive downloading, and strong scripting capabilities, making it ideal for complex download tasks. In contrast, Axel excels in speed with its multi-threaded approach, suitable for users looking for fast downloads of multiple files, but lacks some advanced features found in Wget.
Wget
Pros:
- Comprehensive protocol support
- Strong recursive downloading capabilities
- Ability to mirror sites easily
- Robust error handling and retries
- Highly configurable with numerous options
- Good support for HTTPS and SSL
- Can be used in scripts effectively
- Progress indicators for user feedback
- Wide compatibility across different OS
- Supports proxy configurations
Cons:
- Slower compared to multi-threaded tools
- No multi-threaded download support
- More complex configuration in some cases
- May have limited performance on very large downloads
- Less intuitive for beginners
axel
Pros:
- Fast download speeds due to multi-threading
- Effective handling of large files
- Simple command-line usage
- Bandwidth throttling options available
- Lightweight and efficient
- Good for downloading multiple files simultaneously
- Supports resuming downloads
- Easy to set up and use
- Cross-platform functionality
- Less resource-intensive than some alternatives
Cons:
- Limited protocol support compared to Wget
- Not suitable for recursive downloads
- Fewer configuration options
- No built-in mirroring capabilities
- Less robust error handling
Compare Wget
