Compare software

Axel vs wcurl: catalog facts
Axel	wcurl
Free Free and open source.	Free Free and open source under the MIT license.
Linux, Command line	Windows, Linux, Command line
Multiple connections per file for faster downloads Small and lightweight	Downloads files without needing to remember curl options Accepts a list of URLs in one call
Command line only, no graphical interface No browser integration	Requires curl to be installed Deliberately minimal; use curl directly for anything advanced
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License: MIT
No account needed	No account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.