When it comes to downloading free PC and free programs and software, you can start thinking about an article on where to find pirated versions of paid programs. Instead we do good here, not so much for ethical reasons but because, really, in the vast majority of cases, it is absolutely not necessary to buy software. For every famous program, there is a free version, often at the same quality level. The problem is that often the sites where free software are downloaded hide adware, malware, download managers and malicious sponsors that can harm your computer. It therefore becomes necessary to be able to recognize which are the best and most reliable sites to download computer software from the Internet, for free, without ever paying, in a secure and perfectly legal way, for Windows, Linux and Mac PCs. I recommend to bookmark them or to save this page for future reference
Best Sites To Download Free PC Software and Programs
1. SoftPedia.com
Softpedia is older than Softonic and doubles as an online computer journal and also offers downloads for PC drivers. Using these websites is useful when looking for software or programs that have a specific function, even if you don’t know the names. Using the categories and the search bar with advanced filters you can choose whether to list only the programs with freeware license, shareware (those limited in functions), Trial (those limited in time), Adware (those accompanied by an often annoying sponsor), LPG (opensource ones). The number of downloads made, the rating and the update date are indicated for each program (useful for checking if a software is no longer developed). Visit Softpedia website
2. Majorgeeks.com
This is undoubtedly the ugliest site but it has a certain fame because sometimes programs that are not found anywhere are kept here. For all programs there is a review, a rating and a link to the developer’s site.The site is safe and every download is reliable, verified and free of virus, adware or similar. Visit Majorgeeks Site
3. Filehippo.com
This website is perhaps the most Spartan of all at least from a graphic point of view. It has some features that are missing in others sites, such as reviews, comments, news and things like that. The main page contains a table for each category of software that just waits to be downloaded on the fly. Unfortunately, one major drawback in this site is there are no reviews or rating or rating systems, only the link to the file with the description of the software and some technical details. However, the greatest advantage is the download speed and the ability to download a desktop program that updates the versions of the programs automatically. On FileHippo, there are also previous versions of older programs in case you want to downgrade any software. Although in the past years it had a lot of publicity and had many sponsors download, today it is a clean and safe download site like few on the internet. Visit Filehippo site
4. DownloadCrew.com
This is another site that often appears in Google searches, even though the website design is not so appealing, it is absolutely safe, with verified downloads, direct and without viruses, to download programs for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS. Visit DownloadCrew Website
5. Ninite.com
This is one of the best and safest sites to download free software, where you can select programs and then download a single installation file for everyone. You can actually download all your favorite PC programs from this free website. Visit Ninite Website
6. FilePuma.com
This website is not as popular as others in this list but it’s very similar to FileHippo, absolutely reliable and safe to use for all your software downloads. Visit FilePuma
7. FileHorse.com
It is another good site to search for PC programs and software, very reliable and it has most of the popular programs with updated and legitimate versions in its database. Visit FileHorse Site
8. Snapfiles.com
This is a very secure site that divides all programs/software into categories and allows you to search for each software according to its features. Visitors can write their own reviews on the favorite Software and reviews are not biased. Visit Snapfiles Website
9. DonationCoder.com
Just as the name suggests, donation coder is a website to download PC software and programs with optional donations. You can find a lot of useful and interesting software developed by independent programmers. There are thousands of programs in its repository. Visit Donation Coder Website
10. Tucows.com
This is another old site just as SoftPedia, but it has been less used lately but always a great source of programs to download for your PC. Each software is classified with a vote and for each it is written if the version is commercial, paid or if it is freeware and free. Tucows has recently been redesigned and has become one of the most reliable and safest sites to download software. Visit Tucows Website
11. Jaleco.com
Jaleco is one of the most popular sites for downloading PC Software for free, which often appears when looking for the name of a software on Google, safe and reliable, with a download button that is clearly visible and not hidden among the advertisements. Visit Jaleco Site SEE ALSO: Best Software to Update PC Drivers.
12. Sourceforge.net
This website is different and is part of the list of “sites with open source programs”. Opensource not only means free but it also means that the programming code is public and, whoever is interested, can download and modify it. So on SourceForge you can download free programs and their source code. Programmers can easily modify the source code to adapt them to their needs and distribute them in accordance with the software license agreement. Although there is no lack of advertising and it is annoying, this is a good site for looking for scripts and applications based on PHP / MySQL projects, Python scripts, and for homemade software. Visit Sourceforge
13. Softonic.com
Softonic is one of the most popular sites to download free PC programs, but it is to be avoided if possible, because it often hides unsolicited sponsors and downloaders. Visit Softonic Website
14. Download.CNET.com
A very popular and historical site hosting thousands of PC software and programs. However, in recent times, the website has been turned into a site to make money with advertising, so if not necessary, better avoid it. Visit CNET Site
15. FileCluster.com
This is one of the newer PC program download websites. It was launched in 2006 and has since provided visitors with the latest and updated software. The site offers both Freeware and Shareware programs. They also has a list of WordPress Themes and Latest News about Software Companies. Also check Opera PC software download site known as apps hub.
Wrapping Up
Knowing the best websites to download PC software and programs is the first security step to avoiding installing a malware or virus in your system. The sites listed above has been rated highly by PC users globally and you won’t make a bad choice using any of them to download your favorite PC programs. The offer programs free from any virus but if by any chance your PC is infected, use these anti virus software to immediately remove them. Do you know of any other site to download free software to your PC, kindly drop it in the comment section and we will review and possibly add it to this list. Thanks for reading our article today.