JDownloader is a download manager, written in Java, which allows automatic download of groups of files from one-click hosting sites. JDownloader supports the use of premium accounts. Some parts of the code are open-source. As a popular software tool used in Europe, in December 2009 the program's website was in the top 1000 visited websites of Spain. German online magazine Chip.de designated it "newcomer of the year" in 2009, after it ranked among the top 50 most downloaded applications, with over half a million downloads in a year.
In 2011, JDownloader was superseded by its successor, JDownloader 2. While support for the original JDownloader still exists on forums, the official site only lists JDownloader 2.
During mid-2012, there were complaints that JDownloader's installer added adware without the user's consent. The JDownloader installation contains adware according to several sources, including the developer's own forums. There were further complaints mid-2014. In response a link to the non-adware version was made available but only in a forum post.
In June 2013, JDownloader's ability to download copyrighted and protected RTMPE streams was considered illegal by a German court. This feature was never provided in an official build, but was supported by a few nightly builds.
