FlashGot

What is FlashGot?

FlashGot was a popular Firefox browser extension that integrated external download managers with the browser, enabling users to send downloads to dedicated download applications like Free Download Manager, Internet Download Manager, or JDownloader instead of using Firefox’s built-in download functionality. The extension detected download links on web pages and provided one-click transfer to configured download managers, which typically offered features like download acceleration, pause/resume capability, scheduling, and batch downloading that exceeded browser-native functionality.

The extension proved particularly valuable for users downloading large files, managing many simultaneous downloads, or requiring features like bandwidth limiting and download scheduling. FlashGot detected links automatically, allowing users to right-click and send single links or entire pages of downloads to their preferred download manager. For sites with multiple files—software mirrors, media galleries, or file archives—the ability to queue all downloads at once through an external manager saved significant time compared to individual browser downloads.

FlashGot supported numerous download managers across platforms: Free Download Manager and Internet Download Manager on Windows, DownThemAll for browser-integrated acceleration, JDownloader for file hosting sites, and various Linux download managers. This flexibility let users choose their preferred tool while maintaining consistent browser integration. The extension was developed by Giorgio Maone, also creator of the NoScript security extension, and was freely available from Mozilla Add-ons until Firefox’s extension architecture change deprecated its functionality.

Key Features (Historical)

• Download Manager Integration: Connected Firefox to external download applications.
• One-Click Downloads: Send links directly to download manager from context menu.
• Batch Downloads: Select multiple links and download all at once.
• Page Link Extraction: Find all downloadable links on current page.
• Filter by Type: Select downloads by file extension (videos, images, archives).
• Link Interception: Automatically redirect downloads to external manager.
• Multi-Manager Support: Configure multiple download managers, choose per download.
• Gallery Support: Download image galleries efficiently.
• Custom Rules: Define which links go to which download manager.
• Free and Open: No cost, open-source development.

Supported Download Managers

Windows

• Free Download Manager
• Internet Download Manager (IDM)
• JDownloader
• Download Accelerator Plus
• FlashGet
• GetRight
• Mass Downloader

Cross-Platform

• DownThemAll (browser-based)
• JDownloader (Java-based)
• aria2 (command-line)
• wget (command-line)

Linux

• KGet (KDE)
• Gwget (GNOME)
• uGet

Current Status

FlashGot is no longer actively developed or functional in modern Firefox versions. Firefox’s transition to WebExtensions API in version 57 (November 2017) broke compatibility with legacy XUL-based extensions including FlashGot. The extension cannot be installed on Firefox 57 or later. Users seeking similar functionality have several alternatives:

• Download Manager Native Integration: Many modern download managers (Free Download Manager, Internet Download Manager) now include their own browser extensions compatible with WebExtensions.
• DownThemAll Reborn: DownThemAll was rewritten for modern Firefox and provides browser-based download acceleration.
• Browser Native Download Handling: Modern Firefox’s download manager has improved significantly, reducing the need for external tools for typical downloads.

Why FlashGot Was Valuable

• Download Acceleration: External managers split downloads into multiple streams, increasing speed on servers that allowed it.
• Pause and Resume: External managers could pause and resume downloads, essential for large files on unstable connections.
• Queue Management: Batch downloads to queue and manage rather than starting all simultaneously.
• Scheduling: Schedule downloads for off-peak hours or when away from computer.
• Bandwidth Control: Limit download speed to preserve bandwidth for other activities.
• Link Organization: Collect and organize links before downloading.

Alternatives for Modern Firefox

Pros and Cons (Historical)

Pros

• Universal Integration: Worked with nearly any download manager.
• Free Software: Open-source with no cost.
• Feature Rich: Batch downloads, filtering, custom rules.
• Trusted Developer: Created by respected NoScript developer.
• Cross-Platform: Supported Windows, Mac, and Linux download managers.

Cons

• Deprecated: No longer works with modern Firefox.
• Legacy Technology: Built on obsolete XUL extension framework.
• No Updates: Development ended after Firefox architecture change.
• Alternatives Required: Users must find replacement solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use FlashGot?

FlashGot doesn’t work with Firefox 57 or later due to the WebExtensions transition. You would need Firefox ESR 52 (also end-of-life) or an older Firefox version, which isn’t recommended due to security vulnerabilities. Modern alternatives provide similar functionality through updated extension frameworks.

What’s the best FlashGot alternative?

For similar functionality, use your download manager’s own browser extension (most modern managers include one) or DownThemAll for browser-based download acceleration. Free Download Manager and Internet Download Manager both offer WebExtensions-compatible extensions that provide download interception and batch downloading.

Why did FlashGot stop working?

Firefox 57 (Quantum) replaced the legacy XUL extension system with WebExtensions API for security and performance reasons. FlashGot used capabilities that WebExtensions doesn’t support, making conversion impossible. Many powerful legacy extensions faced similar deprecation during this transition.

Final Verdict

FlashGot served Firefox users well during its active years, providing essential integration between the browser and external download managers that offered capabilities beyond native browser downloads. The extension’s ability to connect with virtually any download manager while providing batch downloading, link filtering, and customization made it a cornerstone of power-user Firefox configurations. Its deprecation with Firefox Quantum’s extension architecture change represented a significant loss for users who relied on its functionality.

For users seeking similar capabilities today, the download manager landscape has evolved—most modern download managers include their own browser extensions that provide direct integration without intermediary tools like FlashGot. While none perfectly replicate FlashGot’s universal approach, the combination of DownThemAll for browser-based acceleration and download manager native extensions covers most use cases. FlashGot remains notable as an example of the powerful utilities that Firefox’s legacy extension system enabled, even as the browser has moved to a more restricted but more secure extension framework.