wget2

wget2 is a free, open-source command-line downloader that serves as a modern rewrite of GNU Wget. It is designed to be faster, more robust, and easier to maintain than its predecessor, with a modular code base and modern asynchronous I/O. The project aims to provide a drop-in replacement for common download tasks while offering additional features for complex mirroring and large-scale downloads.

Development and status: wget2 originated as a separate project aimed at replacing Wget with a cleaner architecture. It is actively maintained by volunteers and contributors, with releases that introduce performance improvements, new protocols, and expanded configuration options. It is cross-platform, supporting Linux and other Unix-like systems as well as Windows.

Features and capabilities: Key functionalities include recursive downloads and mirroring, continuation of interrupted transfers, and support for HTTP and HTTPS with TLS. It also handles proxies, authentication, and cookies, and provides options for directory structure preservation and file naming. wget2 includes support for modern web protocols such as HTTP/2 and TLS, along with robust error handling, rate limiting, and flexible configuration.

Usage and compatibility: While wget2 shares many command-line options with Wget, there are differences in behavior and option names. It is not guaranteed to be a strict drop-in replacement for every script, so some adjustments may be required. wget2 is available in major distributions and can be built from source, making it accessible to users seeking improved performance and modern features over the traditional Wget.