Free Download Manager integration with your Firefox browser

Free Download Manager Official Extension for Firefox
The 'Free Download Manager official extension' is a Firefox add-on developed by the creators of Free Download Manager. Its sole purpose is to allow smooth integration with FDM, a reliable, efficient download manager and accelerator that amplifies your download experience. Used on Windows, Mac and Linux, FDM enables users to download videos from popular sites, supports various protocols, and allows multi-threaded downloads for enhanced speed. The extension requires FDM to be installed for optimal performance.
Add-on stats
Manifest V2
Rating: 4.14
(725)
Weekly download count: 5,445
Firefox on Android: No
Permissions:
- cookies
- webRequest
- webRequestBlocking
- *://*/*
- downloads
- nativeMessaging
- contextMenus
- activeTab
- storage
- history
Size: 333.18K
URLs: Website ,Privacy policy
Full description: See detailed description
Ranking
# 234 ▼ 1
Other platforms
Not available on Edge
User reviews
Pros
- Great extension functionality when it works
- Works well for conventional installations
- User-friendly once set up properly
Cons
- Forced collection of anonymous data for usage
- Extension does not function correctly in certain environments (e.g., Flatpak, macOS)
- Lack of transparency regarding the data being collected
- Extension does not catch downloads as expected
- Issues with integration within the browser
Most mentioned
- Mandatory data collection for using the add-on
- Extension's failure to handle downloads properly
- Incompatibility with certain installation types and platforms (e.g., Flatpak, Mac)
- Users express frustration over data privacy concerns
User reviews
by Heintz, 2025-02-28
When running addon it has this statement as part of privacy policy:
"If you choose not to allow us to collect anonymous data, the FDM extension will be immediately removed from your browser."
This is not present on the privacy policy shared on firefox addon store.
The main issue is deception, but using such underhanded tactics is not great either. They never disclose what data will be collected or anonymized either.
Edit: found this response "We've implemented the recent anonymous data usage notification only to comply with the latest Mozilla’s requirements."
On one hand it is clearly stated that anonymous data is collected, on the other, this response implies that this is only because mozila required this statement. The only conclusion I can reach is that mozila is asking all addons to add this note no mater if they are collecting data or not, which, while possible, is hard to believe.
Edit 2: Some other comments from developers imply that this is to allow downloads (i.e. you need to send URL to server to download, etc). But all this is already called out separately and in great details outside of this mysterious anonymous telemetry. Thus, this is just necessary.
by Firefox user 18842995, 2025-02-20
I'm reviewing the business practice of forcing users to send anonymous data in order to use the add-on. I know they keep saying "but only anonymous data is sent" but that's not the point. User data is just that. User data. Regardless of any anonymization.
by Shane, 2025-02-17
Add-on safety
Risk impact
Free Download Manager official extension requires some sensitive permissions that could impact your browser and data security. Exercise caution before installing.
Risk impact analysis details
- Critical Grants access to browser tabs, which can be used to track user browsing habits and history, presenting a privacy concern.
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Risk likelihood
We don't have sufficient data to confidently determine the risk likelihood of Free Download Manager official extension. Use it at your own risk.
Risk likelihood analysis details
- High This extension was recently updated in the past month. New updates may not be stable or safe.
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