Motrix alternative for Mac
A Motrix alternative for Mac.
Motrix is free, open source and downloads torrents. If that’s what you need, keep it. Its stable version dates from May 2023, and Motrix 2 is in beta. Lynx is a Mac-only app that catches big downloads from your browser, saves video from web pages and can download just part of a long video.
Free · Pro free for 14 days · No account, no ads
Lynx and Motrix
| Feature | Lynx | Motrix |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free · Pro $29.99/year or $99 once | Free |
| Open source | Yes (MIT) | |
| Made for | The Mac | Mac, Windows and Linux (Electron) |
| Macs | Apple silicon, macOS 11+ | Apple silicon + Intel · 1.8.19: macOS 10.14+ · 2.0 beta: macOS 13+ |
| Latest release | 1.1.3 (Oct 2026) | 1.8.19 (May 2023) · 2.0 beta 41 (Sep 2026) |
| Connections per file | 16 by default, up to 32 with Pro | Motrix 2: 16 by default, up to 64 |
| Resumes interrupted downloads | ||
| Catches downloads from the browser | Chrome, Edge, Brave, Arc | Chrome, Edge, Firefox (Motrix 2 beta) |
| Extension in the browsers’ stores | Yes, for Motrix 2 | |
| Torrents, magnet links and FTP | ||
| Video from web pages | With plugins (Motrix 2) | |
| Downloads just part of a video | ||
| Vertical, square and GIF clips | Pro | |
| Download progress in the notch |
Motrix facts from its developer’s own pages, checked September 28, 2026 (sources). If something is out of date, tell us.
When to choose Motrix or Lynx
Stay with Motrix if…
- You download torrents, magnet links or from FTP servers.
- You want free, open-source software, and you’re happy to run a beta for browser catching.
- You’re on an Intel Mac or a macOS older than 11: Motrix 1.8.19 runs from macOS 10.14.
- You want downloads on a NAS or from the command line: Motrix 2 has a headless server and a CLI.
Choose Lynx if…
- You want browser catching in a stable release: Motrix’s official extension needs the 2.0 beta.
- You save video from web pages, or need just part of a long one: a 35-second clip is 11 MB instead of 255 MB.
- You’d rather have an app made only for the Mac, with Mac menus and shortcuts.
- You’d like download progress in the MacBook’s notch.
Questions
More in the Help Center.
Is Motrix still maintained?
Yes. Its stable version is still 1.8.19, from May 3, 2023. Motrix 2 adds a new interface, plugins, a command-line tool and browser extensions in the Chrome, Edge and Firefox stores. It has been published as public betas on GitHub since August 16, 2026, and beta 41 came out on September 27, 2026. Its README asks you to back up your Motrix data before you try it.
Does Motrix run on Apple silicon Macs?
Yes. Motrix 1.8.19 has Apple silicon, Intel and universal builds and needs macOS 10.14 or later; the Motrix 2 betas have Apple silicon and Intel builds for macOS 13 or later (checked on its download page, September 28, 2026).
Is Motrix free?
Yes, free and open source under the MIT license. Lynx has a free version with no time limit, and Pro for $29.99 a year, $4.99 a month or $99 once.
Does Lynx download torrents?
No. Lynx handles direct downloads, your browser’s downloads and pages with video. It doesn’t do BitTorrent, magnet links or FTP. For those, keep Motrix, or see the best download managers for Mac.
Can I use Motrix and Lynx on the same Mac?
Yes. If both browser extensions are installed, let only one of them catch downloads. In Lynx, turn catching off in the extension’s popup.
Is downloading legal?
It depends on what you download and where you live. Saving your own uploads, public-domain and Creative Commons works, or anything the owner lets you download is fine. Don’t download or share content you don’t have the rights to, and respect each site’s terms.
Sources
Checked on September 28, 2026.
- Motrix README on GitHub: features; Motrix 2 (“Motrix Turbo”) in beta; Electron; MIT license
- Motrix releases on GitHub: 1.8.19 on May 3, 2023; 2.0.0-beta.12 on Aug 16, 2026 to beta.41 on Sep 27, 2026
- Motrix download page: 1.8.19: macOS 10.14+, Apple silicon, Intel and universal; 2.0 beta: macOS 13+; extension stores
- Motrix manual on download performance: 16 connections per file by default, up to 64
- Motrix manual on the browser extension: Chrome, Edge and Firefox, for Motrix 2
- motrix on Homebrew: version 1.8.19
Motrix is an open-source project by agalwood (Dr_rOot) and its contributors. Lynx isn’t affiliated with Motrix.
Get Lynx for Mac
Free to download. Every Pro feature is free for 14 days, with no card or account needed.
macOS 11 or later · Macs with Apple silicon · Intel coming soon Available for Mac. Windows is coming soon. Available for Mac. Windows is coming soon.