10 Safe and Trusted Websites to Download Free PC Software (2025)

Are you searching for platforms to download licensed software programs at no cost? Then here’s a list of the best websites to download PC software for free. With the advent of the internet, software piracy has become one of the world’s most popular hobbies. Whether you’re trying to save money, want to try out a game before paying full price, or are simply curious about how something works, there are plenty of safe and trusted platforms to find PC software.

Cracked software is illegal software that has been hacked to remove its copy protection. Cracking software is more common on Windows operating systems than on Mac operating systems because of the different architecture of the two platforms.

If you’re looking to download software programs for free, you should be aware of the many pitfalls that come with it especially if they are cracked software which we typically do not endorse. Many websites advertise free games, music, videos, and other content but are just trying to steal your personal information or sell you malware. Instead, there are plenty of legitimate websites that have free licensed software. This article highlights safe and trusted sources to get free PC software legally.

IMPORTANT: Kindly note that this article is solely for research and educational purposes only. Naijaknowhow Media do not support downloading apps and games from cracked or illegal websites. Please refer to safe and trusted platforms shared below, such as the Microsoft App Store, Softpedia etc. to download PC apps correctly.

Free vs. Cracked Software

Free software, popularly known as freeware, is software that has been made available for free. Companies that own this type of software often offer them for free, most times with limited capabilities. An example of such software is VLC Media Player, which is free and open source.

On the other hand, cracked software is often pirated copies of Windows, Mac OS, or other premium software. It is obtained illegally through various means. A user downloads this software for free, but it is illegal and not the actual licensed product.

Without further ado, let’s delve right into this article on Naijaknowhow which reveals the top free PC software download sites.

10 Free Licensed Software Download Sites

The following are the 10 best websites to download free PC software without any hassles.

1. Softpedia

• Website: www.softpedia.com
• Features:
  • Offers over 1,000,000 free and trial applications for Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile.
  • Provides software reviews, tutorials, and user ratings.

Softpedia is a website that has a library of over 1000000 free and free-to-try applications for Windows, Mac, Linux and smartphones, games, and drivers. It is a renowned website that provides detailed information on software programs and games, including downloads, reviews, tutorials, etc. That’s why we included it in our list of top websites to download free PC games legally; you should check out other websites contained in the article.

Aside from providing software for free, you can also download paid software legally with reviews from previous downloaders. If you’re looking for a platform to download free software, then Softpedia is an encyclopedia of free software to check out.

2. CNET Download

• Website: www.download.cnet.com
• Features:
  • Hosts thousands of malware-free software programs for Windows and Mac.
  • Ensures security by testing and banning risky software.

CNET Download offers thousands of malware-free software for most operating systems, like Windows and Mac. It tests and bans software that can modify security settings, have unclear terms of policy, and secretly share user information. They also offer editorial reviews, blogs, and how-to articles.

If you’re looking for a website to download software programs without the fear of installing malware on your Windows or Mac PC, then the CNET Download portal is just the place to be. The free software contained on download.cnet.com or download.com is free to try and legal, unlike other websites you’d find in this article.

3. SharewareOnSale

• Website: www.sharewareonsale.com
• Features:
  • Offers paid software for free, often for a limited time.
  • Requires email registration for downloads.

This list won’t be complete without mentioning SharewareOnSale. This platform is surely one of the top websites available. It provides top programs for Mac and Windows PCs, all for free daily. Aside from that, you can also access quality iOS and Android applications on the platform.

To get started, you are required to provide your email and other details to sign up before you can start downloading software on the platform. The software activation code is also made available right on the download page, which makes it easy to activate the software upon installation.

4. Ninite

• Website: www.ninite.com
• Features:
  • Automates software installation and updates.
  • Prevents bundled software or unnecessary add-ons.

Ninite is just another awesome tool that should be mentioned. This tool works quite differently from the rest of the websites mentioned here. With Ninite, you don’t have to worry about installing and updating software manually. This tool helps you to update and install multiple apps at once.

To get started, all you have to do is select all the software you want to download and install, then download and run your custom installer or updater. This site ranks among the best free software download sites because of its strict policy on app inclusion. You’ll hardly find an app that would infect your PC with malware or viruses.

5. FileHippo

• Website: www.filehippo.com
• Features:
  • Provides a wide range of updated free and trial software.
  • Ensures downloads are free from malware and viruses.

Looking to download safe, free versions of the latest software, freeware, shareware, and demo programs from a reputable download site? FileHippo is another website that provides safely downloadable software and web apps in various categories.

FileHippo contains the latest versions of the best software, such as Avast Secure Browser, VLC Media Player 64-bit, uTorrent, Avast Free Antivirus, Google Chrome and Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, handpicked with the best software titles. Also, you can rest assured that you are getting software that has been tested for malware, adware, and viruses. It does not allow programs that bundle software.

6. Download.io

• Website: www.download.io
• Features:
  • Offers free software and exclusive giveaways.
  • Provides downloads for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

Download.io is a unique software download site where you can get paid software for free on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Aside from dishing out paid apps for free, they also host giveaways, which can be accessed through their main menu. The website is easy to navigate, and you can start downloading software with or without registration.

The simplicity of this platform makes it one of my favourite platforms to get free PC software. In addition, you will find a section dedicated to giveaways; under this section, paid software, mobile apps, and games can be gotten for free.

7. FileHorse

• Website: www.filehorse.com
• Features:
  • Features a hand-picked selection of software for Windows and Mac.
  • Ensures software authenticity with malware scanning.

If you’re searching for a quick and easy way to download free software for your Windows PC, then FileHorse contains the latest versions of hand-picked programs sorted into categories.

With FileHorse, you can easily find the latest software for your Windows by simply using the search panel or, perhaps, the category section to find your desired software program. The files downloaded on FileHorse will be downloaded from secure FileHorse servers, are safe and scanned with 70 antivirus apps, and all files are in their original form. FileHorse does not repack or modify downloads in any way.

8. GiveAwayOfTheDay

• Website: www.giveawayoftheday.com
• Features
• • Offers free premium software daily.
  • Limited-time downloads available for 24 hours.

Have you heard of GiveAwayOfTheDay? Yes, you heard me right! This website has a huge collection of all major software, including Windows 11, Windows 10 Pro 64-bit version, Windows 8.1 Pro 32-bit version, Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit version, etc. The way GiveAwayOfTheDay works is that it provides users with one or two pieces of free software daily and is available for download in only 24 hours.

This platform was added to our list of the best websites to download free licensed software because it provides user reviews and also has a huge collection of Android and iOS apps for mobile devices.

9.  MajorGeeks

• Website: www.majorgeeks.com
• Features:
  • Specializes in utility and security software.
  • All software is manually tested and verified.

MajorGeeks completes my list of the best websites to download software for free. On this site, you will find all kinds of software. Every piece of software is tested for viruses and functionality before being listed. It lists the top freeware picks and ratings to help users.

10. Microsoft Store

• Website: www.apps.microsoft.com
• Features:
  • The safest source for Windows apps.
  • Offers free and paid applications with automatic updates.

One of the most reliable platforms to get Windows PC software is certainly Microsoft Store. If you use a Windows PC, you will certainly have access to any free software directly from the built-in store. All your apps or games downloads from the Store will be linked to your Microsoft Account, so when you acquire a product on one device, you can easily restore it on your other devices. Apps and games downloaded can also be updated easily and more efficiently through the store.

Conclusion

Installing quality software on your computer for free doesn’t have to involve illegal downloads. All the websites mentioned above offer legitimate, malware-free software recommended for personal and professional use. If you’re searching for free licensed software and games to install for free, consider exploring reputable app stores such as Microsft Store, Softpedia, Ninite and many more listed. If, for any reason, you’re searching for free licensed mobile apps or games, then here are the best mod APK download websites to download games and apps for free on your Android devices.