Native on Windows & Linux · Open source

A native download manager
for files and video.

Bring your downloads together. Multiple connections, a manageable queue, and file and video tools in one native desktop app.

Choose your download

Work in progress — actively developed, with rough edges and more to come.

Four ways to get Skein

Your desktop. Your choice.

Install it on Windows, carry a portable copy, or use it on Linux. Flatpak is the recommended package for SteamOS. All four formats target 64-bit x86 systems; check the release listing for available builds.

Windows · x64

Installer

A familiar setup with Start menu integration. Installs for your user without administrator rights; internet access is needed for video tools.

Find the Windows installer ↗
Windows · x64

Portable ZIP

Unzip and run. Keep the application wherever you prefer, and install the video tools from within Skein when you need them.

Find the portable ZIP ↗
Linux & SteamOS · x86_64

Flatpak

The package to choose for SteamOS, and for Linux distributions with Flatpak support. Video helpers are provided by the package and runtime.

Find the Flatpak ↗
Linux · x86_64

AppImage

A regular Linux AppImage for Ubuntu 22.04 and newer. Make it executable and launch, with video tools included.

Find the AppImage ↗

The Windows installer is not code-signed yet. Installation details and SHA-256 checksum information are in the README.

A look inside

One place for your downloads.

Run up to four downloads at once, pause and resume, and switch between active downloads, the queue, and history. Choose a native light or dark theme.

Skein main window in light mode, with an empty queue
Light theme · A clear view of your download queue.
Skein main window in dark mode, with an empty queue
Dark theme · The same controls in a darker palette.
File downloads

Pick what you need.

Load a direct link or browse files from supported sources, including Internet Archive, GitHub and GitLab releases, and Hugging Face repositories.

  • Filter and select files before adding them.
  • Choose the destination and connections per file.
  • Keep downloads organized in one queue.
File download window with filtering, destination, and connection controls
File selection and transfer options.
Video downloads

Choose your format.

Download video through yt-dlp with quality selection, MP4 or MKV output, and a destination of your choice.

Install or repair the supporting tools from the video window. Browser-cookie access is opt-in and is never restored across launches.

Video download window with quality, format, and tool installation settings
Video options and tools together.
Make Skein match your desktop

Open About → Theme to follow the system, or choose Light or Dark. Windows applies the change after restarting Skein; Linux applies it immediately.

About dialog with the theme selector
Independent & open source

Built for the desktop.

Skein is written in C++20 with wxWidgets and released under GPL-3.0-or-later. It is similar in purpose to Free Download Manager, but is an independent project, not affiliated with or endorsed by its makers.

Follow the project

Still taking shape.

Skein is a work in progress. Read the documentation, explore the source, or report a problem on GitHub. Include the application log when reporting an issue.

Missing support for a site you want? File an issue and ask for it. People who support me on Ko-fi get priority on their requests.

Explore the project ↗