Manage downloads across browsers, terminals, and NAS devices with a unified hub
If you want to manage file downloads scattered across various locations in one place, this tool serves that role. Motrix is a desktop app that accepts files via HTTP, FTP, BitTorrent, and magnet links, and it also functions as a headless server that can run on a server. The latest version, Motrix Turbo v2, has been rebuilt with Electron, React, and TypeScript, and is currently in the beta testing phase.
Changes and cautions for the v2 beta version
Motrix Turbo v2 maintains the clean experience of the existing v1 while completely rewriting the internal structure. The download core operates independently from the UI, and browser extensions or command-line tools communicate with the app through an open protocol called MDXP. Currently, v2.0.0-beta.44 is available, and it must be used as a beta version until the official release. Since the migration of existing v1 data has not been verified, it is safe to back up your data or run it in parallel using a separate account or Docker data directory before testing the beta.
Two faces: desktop and server
The same core operates in two forms: a desktop app and a headless server. The desktop app runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux, providing a clean interface and dark mode. The headless server runs on Node.js or Docker without a desktop environment and includes a web UI for NAS or home servers. This allows you to manage downloads remotely or automatically receive files in a server environment.
Download management and extension features
For BitTorrent downloads, it supports per-file selection and magnet links, automatically updates tracker lists, and checks their health status. It features port mapping via UPnP and NAT-PMP, upload and download speed limit profiles, and SQLite-based session management that restores download sessions after a restart. Additionally, it provides a QuickJS-based plugin sandbox for fine-grained permission management and an in-app marketplace, along with browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox that allow you to hand off browser downloads to Motrix with a single click.
Command-line and plugin development ecosystem
Through the official @motrix/cli client, you can add downloads or check lists from the shell and stream real-time progress as NDJSON. For plugin development, it provides the Motrix Plugin SDK, which consists of a TypeScript API, manifest schema, project scaffolder, and CLI. Plugins run within the QuickJS sandbox and operate through hooks like beforeCreate and afterComplete without Node.js APIs or direct file/network access. Official built-in plugins include filename templates, page scrapers, and URL resolvers.
Pre-installation checks and suitable users
The desktop app is installed by downloading the package for your operating system from motrix.app. For macOS, the Apple Silicon build is recommended, and the Windows x64 package is unsigned, so a SmartScreen warning may appear. Linux is available in various formats, including AppImage, deb, rpm, Snap, Flatpak, and Arch packages. The command-line client is installed with Node.js 22 or higher and npm install -g @motrix/cli. The Docker-based headless server provides images on Docker Hub and GHCR, supporting non-root execution and read-only root filesystems. Since it is currently in the beta stage, it is suitable for users who want to try new features first or those who want integrated download management on a NAS/home server. Before the official release, you must always perform data backups and parallel testing.
