ESPIRIDION  I've used Speed Download since before it became a Yazsoft product. I upgraded to version 5 a few months ago, and will probably go back to version 4.

Version 5 lacks the options to Hold and Queue downloads. Accessing these options via a contextual menu is not as efficient and can become annoying.

The small, unobtrusive floater is gone. SD5 in minimized mode is larger than the old floater and only displays the selected download. I miss having the old floater displaying the number and speed of all downloads.

There's a "Web" menu with an item to "Buy Now." I already bought the program, so in essence that menu is a waste of space. Checking the Registration Details my name and number of licenses appear, but the Name and Serial fields are blank. I don't know whether this is the correct behavior.

Adding files from a URL is a great feature, but it is provided by some (or all) web browsers these days. I just used it to download some files, and after clicking "OK" the downloads began as expected, but the "Add files from URL" window remained open. I clicked OK again expecting the window to close, but the files were downloaded again. Trying to stop the duplicate files from downloading was futile. I managed to stop a few, but it became easier to just let the downloads finish and remove the duplicates later. Fortunately these were only 70 files, no bigger than 5MB.

Through the years I've been pleased with Speed Download for the most part. Version 5 feels like a big step backwards. Hopefully these issues will be corrected.

I would rate version 4 with 5 stars, but this one is not as good. To me this one is definitely not worth the upgrade from version 4.  
(Version 5.1.1)

FYREFLYE  At the same time, long time users still have to pay for this upgrade; and while it may be worth $25 to some for its added features, SD 4, which I've already paid full price for, works just as well for plain old every day downloading, and I'm now using it on Snow Leopard without any problem.  
(Version 5.2.6)

DR. GIRLFRIEND  Even if this was called "Medium Download" or "Slow Download", you know what, I'd still buy it because it solves my number one and two issues with downloading:

1. Scheduling

2. Cut-offs

Speed Download allows me to schedule my downloads during times when it won't affect others on my network.

Speed Download will resume my broken downloads so I don't have to wake up in the middle of the night to babysit them.

This is also important if you use a browser that is prone to crashing -- and let's face it, what browser ISN'T these days -- SD continues to download even when your browser crashes. It works independently of the browser so you don't lose those big files mid-download and have to start all over.

These things are more important than speed (to me), but, as it happens, I get very speedy downloads to boot -- much faster than using a browser alone. Your mileage may vary of course; that's why the developer offers a trial. Use it. Whining that it doesn't give you enough speed when there's a perfectly good trial version available in which you could have tested the app before you bought it makes you look a bit dim.

The developer is constantly improving this product and it's a fabulous app. Totally worth the money, imo.  
(Version 5.2.4)

PENGMAN  Just another example of incredible support.

Had a registration question and answer was received in just over an hour.

Unbelievably quick support, incredibly fast program.

No wonder I'm a huge fan of developer and SD.  
(Version 5.2.6)

ESPIRIDION  Months ago I mentioned that I've used Speed Download since before it became a Yazsoft product and found that version 5:

1. Lacks the options to Hold and Queue downloads in the toolbar. Accessing these options via a contextual menu is not as efficient as it was before.

2. The small, unobtrusive floater from version 4 is gone.

3. There's a "Web" menu with an item to "Buy Now" even after a person has purchased the application.

4. Adding files from a URL has been problematic.

This is the fourth update since I posted my comments and they were going to "be taken in consideration"

Nothing has changed regarding this issues. In addition, I recently emailed Yazsoft regarding another problem with the "Adding files from a URL" feature. Nine days later I still have not received any response.

Speed Download receives many 5-star reviews and praise from people who have never reviewed anything else. I really wish I could rate version 5 with 5-stars. I like the software and the company. As it is, I have to deduct 1-star from my previous review given the lack of customer support.  
(Version 5.2)

WELSHPAT  I've used this for years. Getting a second licence now to use on my laptop. Suport is first rate. Once, when I upgraded to Leopard I sent the guy an e-mail and he responed in an hour. Highly recommended.  
(Version 5.2.6)

STEPHENTGV20  If you were to buy this software just for downloading videos from YouTube, the cost would be more than justified. Yet yhis is one of its less important functions.

As the name implies the increase in speed for downloading is incredible. It has to be seen, to be believed. Strongly recommended.  
(Version 5.2.6)

TEALCK   SD is the best downloader with a great integration with website as rapidshare. It also supports upload to rapidshare (with premium account) and let you resume your upload. On mac ! Unbelievable!  
(Version 5.2.6)

DR. GIRLFRIEND  Worth it's weight in gold. Speed Download plus Flashgot make downloading and uploading a pleasure, not a chore. This app literally saves me hundreds of hours per year and the customer support from Johnny is top-notch.

No issues so far with this latest update on Snow Leopard; in fact, it seems to be downloading a bit faster than usual. Nice work!   
(Version 5.2.6)

WIGHTA  Are you too getting annoyed at the way SD attempts unsuccessfully to update its componehts every time you launch it--- spanning the last several versions, currently at v.5.2.5 ? I'm using 10.5.8 on a 2007 MacMini. I followed the various advice on the SD Forums but none of it worked for me : Corrected the permissions of the Scriptng Additions folder, did a manual download of a fresh copy of the SD dmg, & eventually I did a full uninstall with Uninstaller v.1.0.2. and then reinstall.

Before System X, the advice was always to do installs with the Extensions Off. So I tried the System X equivalent=Safe Mode= hold down Shift key until you hear the tone when restarting and then enter the Admin Password once you are prompted to do so. So I restarted in Safe Mode then launched SD then clicked upon Update Components and this time it worked. It beachballed briefly and then it was fine. End of problem.  
(Version 5.2.5)