Free software refers to computer programs that are free for download, as opposed to paid, proprietary (commercial) software. The Free Software Foundation defines free software as “free and open source software, which can be used, modified and shared without limitations.” Free software includes the Linux kernel, BSD operating system, the GNU Compiler Collection & C library, the MySQL relational database software, the Sendmail mail transport agent, and the Blender 3D computer graphic software.
It is crucial to understand that downloading paid software without purchasing it is a crime. This is referred to as piratery, and it deprives developers of any revenue. It could also cause the product to fail in the near future or become unsupported. Similar to downloading pirated apps from non-official sources could result in malware or virus infections.
TechSpot Downloads is updated each day with dozens of new programs in categories ranging from communication and productivity to security and gaming. It also offers a useful guide that helps users avoid downloading harmful software and help them find alternatives they can explore.
FileHippo is another well-known site with a ton of active programs broken down into categories such as Windows and Mac software, Android apps, and web-based applications. The page for each app has brief, informative descriptions written by actual users. This will give you a better idea of the app’s capabilities and benefits before you install it.
FileHippo can sometimes ask you to install another application before the one you’re looking for. However, it is clearly marked and easy to skip. It also does not promote untrue programs. It also has vast back catalogs of the older versions of a wide range of applications, which are nice to have if you’ve got older programs that require updating or if you’re worried about stability issues when you install the latest release.