This file download component beats them all. I have tried all of them and VFM is the best in terms of speed, simplicity, and usability. It does exactly what is needed of a file download component. Dump your files in the download folders and subfolders and they get listed automatically in VFM for authorised users to view and download. The feature that allows you to give descriptive names to files and folders without actually changing the name of the file on the server is very useful.
I would have given this component 5 stars instead of 4 if only it had JACL groups recognition capability (Presently VFM only recognises core Joomla user groups and its own VFM groups )

A File download log capability which would tell me who has downloaded which file how many number of times would be the crowning glory for this component making it the king of the Joomla file-download territory !!

Thanks to the Author for giving us such a superb component.