Varia is a powerful, open-source download manager designed to simplify and accelerate downloading across multiple platforms. Supporting HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SFTP, BitTorrent, and Metalink protocols, it handles regular files, torrents, and video/audio content seamlessly. With built-in integration for yt-dlp, Varia allows users to download videos from popular platforms efficiently.
Its browser extensions for
In This Post
Why It Stands Out
Optimizing Torrent Downloads
- Go to Settings > Torrents > Backend and select libtorrent for improved performance. 2. Enable DHT and Peer Exchange in the torrent settings. 3. Set a reasonable upload limit (e.g., 80% of your upload bandwidth) to maintain good download speeds.
Why: Using the libtorrent backend significantly improves torrent download speeds and stability, especially for large files or poorly seeded torrents.
Setting Up Video Downloads
- Install yt-dlp separately if not bundled (though it’s included by default). 2. In Settings > Video, ensure yt-dlp path is correctly set. 3. Test with a YouTube URL to confirm video parsing works before downloading playlists.
Why: Proper yt-dlp integration ensures reliable video downloads from streaming sites, avoiding common issues like format errors or missing metadata.
Using Browser Extensions Effectively
- Install the Varia extension from your browser’s official store. 2. Pin the extension for easy access. 3. When on a video page, click the Varia icon to see download options. 4. Choose quality and format before starting the download.
Why: The browser extension streamlines media downloading by eliminating the need to copy URLs manually, reducing steps and improving workflow efficiency.
Download Varia
File size: 150.0 MB
OS support: Windows
Windows
Changelog in Recent Version
- Improvements to the browser extension to better handle download transfers.
Product Specifications
| Software Name | Varia |
|---|---|
| Version | 2026.8.5-1 |
| License | Free |
| File Size | 150.0 MB |
| OS Support | Windows |
| Language | English |
| Developer | giantpinkrobots |
| Homepage | https://giantpinkrobots.github.io/varia/ |
| Changelogurl | https://github.com/giantpinkrobots/varia/releases |
| Last Updated | August 28, 2026 |
Main Features
- Multi-Protocol Support: Varia supports a wide range of protocols including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SFTP, BitTorrent, and Metalink, enabling seamless downloading of regular files, torrents, and video/audio content from various sources.
- yt-dlp Integration: Built-in integration with yt-dlp allows Varia to efficiently download videos from popular platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and others, handling format selection and extraction automatically.
- Cross-Platform Availability: Varia is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a consistent download management experience across different operating systems with native performance.
- Browser Extensions: Varia offers browser extensions that integrate directly with web browsers, enabling one-click downloading of media and files from web pages without leaving the site.
- Open Source & Free: As an open-source project, Varia is completely free to use, modify, and distribute, with transparent development hosted on GitHub and community-driven improvements.
Setup Instructions
Installation Steps
- Click the download button above to get the installer for your operating system
- Locate the downloaded file and double-click to run the installer
- Follow the on-screen installation wizard to complete setup
Compatibility: Compatible with Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit)
Common Issues & Fixes
- Issue: SmartScreen warning → Solution: Click More info then Run anyway to proceed with installation
Questions & Answers
Is Varia free to use?
Yes, Varia is completely free and open-source software, available at no cost with no hidden fees or premium tiers.
Can Varia download videos from YouTube?
Yes, Varia includes built-in integration with yt-dlp, allowing it to download videos from YouTube and many other video platforms efficiently.
Is Varia safe to download?
Varia is open-source and hosted on GitHub, allowing anyone to inspect the code for security. Downloads from the official GitHub releases are verified and safe.
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