pyLoad
Self-hosted download manager for one-click hosters, HTTP/FTP, and premium accounts with a web UI, captchas handling, scheduling, and a large plugin ecosystem.
pyLoad is a web-based download manager focused on automating downloads from one-click hosters and file-sharing sites, with additional support for generic HTTP/FTP downloads. It runs as a daemon and is controlled through a browser UI and APIs, relying on a large plugin system for hosters, captchas, and container formats.
Key Features
- Web interface to add, organize, and monitor downloads (packages/links, status, speed, progress)
- Plugin ecosystem for one-click hosters, decrypters, container formats (e.g., DLC/CCF), and captchas
- Premium account management for supported hosters (centralized credentials and automatic use)
- CAPTCHA handling via plugins (interactive and/or external services depending on configuration)
- Scheduler/reconnect and bandwidth/time-based control via configuration (commonly used to fit ISP limits)
- Remote control interfaces: web UI plus programmatic access via RPC/API (project-provided interfaces)
Use Cases
- Automate “one-click hoster” downloads (including premium accounts) on a home server
- Run a headless download box you manage from a browser on LAN/VPN
- Centralize downloads for a media workflow by fetching files to a NAS/storage directory
Limitations and Considerations
- Hoster support quality depends heavily on plugins; breakage can occur when hosters change
- Some advanced download features may require external tools/services through plugins (e.g., captcha services)
pyLoad is best suited for users who need automation and broad hoster support via plugins rather than a simple single-protocol downloader. Its web UI and daemon model make it practical for always-on servers, while the plugin system enables adaptation to many download sources.
