- Official Software Websites
- Ninite
- Softpedia
- MajorGeeks
- FileHippo
- Download Crew
- Filehorse
- Filepuma
- SnapFiles
- The Microsoft Store
- The Best Free Software Download Sites to Visit
Before we get into the sites that offer lots of different Windows software, it's worth remembering that the safest place to download most popular software is often right from its official website. If you're looking to download a browser, security suite, media app, or similar, you can't get much more secure than its homepage. Some software may still...
Ninite is simple. The website presents you with a list of popular programs to select, and you check the boxes for all the apps you want. Then, clicking the download button will give you a custom installer file that bundles all the selected programs together, allowing you to install them in bulk. Ninite is known for its safety and security. It autom...
Softpedia is one of the largest download sites around; it's delivered over three billion downloads over the years. The most popular apps are updated every day, allowing you to get clean and malware-free software that's also as recent as possible. On top of this, it has an easy-to-use interface that makes it painless to browse for programs on any pl...
Even though the site looks like it hasn't been updated since the 1990s, MajorGeeks has been one of the most reputable software download sites for some time. Its list of Top Freeware Picks is a great place to start, but don't be afraid to browse the left sidebar and look through all kinds of highly-rated programs that you might find handy. Otherwise...
FileHippo is a well-known site with tons of active programs broken down into categories. It also has a repository of web apps, if you aren't set on just downloading desktop software. The site will occasionally prompt you to download another app (such as Opera) before the one you asked for. But this is clearly labeled, easy to skip, and doesn't push...
Download Crew's website stands out thanks to its short but informative descriptions on each app page. These are written by real users, not just copied and pasted from the vendor's website. You'll learn what each app does, its perks, and any flaws. The top section has Featured Downloads, making it a good place to get started. It also has a robust li...
FileHorse doesn't have a massive repository of software. Instead, this site focuses on stocking the best and most useful programs. Each product page has screenshots so you know what to expect, plus version compatibility, a changelog, links to old versions, and more. Because the homepage is broken into a relatively small number of categories like Vi...
FilePuma has a pretty basic interface and focuses on simplicity. Search for the software you're interested in, or browse its categories to find something new. Since the categories have the most popular tools right on the homepage, it's easy to see what's on offer. Aside from old versions and screenshots, there's not much more on the product downloa...
SnapFiles looks like a lot of the other download sites we've featured, but it has a few cool functions that make it worth a look. One of these is the Freeware Pick on the homepage, which highlights a piece of software you might not have known about. And under More at the top of the page, you'll find a Random Pick, which is also great for discoverin...
It's easy to ignore the Microsoft Store, which is the home for Modern apps on Windows 10 and Windows 11. And while a lot of its offerings aren't particularly great, you can still find some solid apps on the Store. Using Store apps also has some benefits compared to their traditional counterparts. Store apps update automatically update themselves. A...
Remember that no site can ever be 100 percent safe. It's possible that a rogue ad will slip through, or the site could get hacked or sold to a malicious company. But in general, the download sites we've featured here are clean and trustworthy. Use a bit of common sense and don't install anything that seems shady. If a site offers a "faster" downloa...
- Ben Stegner
- Editor in Chief
People also ask
Are free software download sites safe?
Is it safe to download a browser?
Which browser should I use if I want a new browser?
Does free software require payment?
Sep 19, 2012 · Freeware is software that's entirely unrestricted for copying and downloading (but you wouldn't have access to the code, unlike open-source freeware ). It can be offered by large commercial companies, too: think Microsoft's malware protection, which you can download directly from their site.
- Kate Kershner
- FileHippo. On the web since 2004 and Alexa-ranked at 625, FileHippo is solid. FileHippo states that they hand-pick the software, and test it for malware and viruses.
- Nirsoft. Nirsoft is a freeware utility site that was created and currently run by a guy named Nir Sofer. He’s single-handedly written all of the software utilities that you see on the site.
- Ninite. More than just a free software download site, Ninite is also a package management system. Using it as a package management system, Ninite can be used to automate the installation of your favorite software and keep it up to date, with just one click.
- Softpedia. Even older than FileHippo, Softpedia has been a software download staple since 2001. Softpedia hosts a lot of free downloads on their own physical servers.
May 4, 2023 · How to Safely Download & Install Software Avoid malware and other problems when downloading software By Tim Fisher Updated on May 4, 2023 In This Article Jump to a Section Avoid Unsolicited Links Use Curated Software Lists Freeware and Trialware Free Download ≠ Free Software Avoid Tricky 'Download' Ads Avoid Installers and PUPS
Aug 1, 2021 · 1. Download.com download.com Launched way back in 1996, Download.com (which now redirects to download.cnet.com), is the oldest site on this list. As part of the CNET brand, the site’s trustworthiness has never been in question. The site contains software for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. The layout is really well thought out, too.