Free software download sites can be dangerous.

Free software download sites can be dangerous. Visiting a bad site could end up with you smothered in fake download buttons and fake virus and malware warnings, which are usually malware in disguise.


A good internet security suite can protect you against malware-loaded downloads, but it’s better to avoid such free download sites altogether. Stick to tried-and-true sites that are committed to being free of malware and deception.

In addition to personal experience, we used these tools for check website reputations and build our list of the best software download sites:

Web of Trust
URLVoid

In order for a website to qualify for this list, it had to score at least 90% with Web of Trust and 35/36 with URLVoid. No site can ever be 100% safe, but these download sites are generally clean and worthwhile.
1. Ninite



WOT Trustworthiness: 94%
URLVoid Rating: 36/36


For those who don’t know about Ninite, it’s quite simple: the website presents you with a list of programs that you can select, then lets you download a custom installer file that bundles all of the selected programs together so you can install them in bulk.How To Install & Uninstall Windows Programs In Bulk How To Install & Uninstall Windows Programs In BulkA mass installer or uninstaller can save you heaps of time. Remember the last time you set up a new computer? We are going to teach you how to do these tasks in a flash.READ MORE

Ninite is known for its safety and security, so you don’t have to worry about malware or bundled bloatware and junkware. Run the same installer file at a later time and Ninite will automatically update every program.

This is a great tool to download the best Windows software.The Best PC Software for Your Windows Computer The Best PC Software for Your Windows ComputerWant the best PC software for your Windows computer? Our massive list collects the best and safest programs for all needs.READ MORE
2. Softpedia




WOT Trustworthiness: 93%
URLVoid Rating: 36/36

Softpedia is arguably the largest file host on the web, complete with over 850,000 files in its database. Hundreds of them are updated every single day, so not only can you get clean and malware-free programs, but you can be sure that they are as recent as possible.7 Types of Computer Viruses to Watch Out For and What They Do 7 Types of Computer Viruses to Watch Out For and What They DoMany types of computer viruses can steal or destroy your data. Here are some of the most common viruses and what they do.READ MORE

On top of that, it has a fantastic reputation and an easy-to-use interface that makes it painless to browse for programs and drivers of all types—whether on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, or Windows Mobile.
3. MajorGeeks




WOT Trustworthiness: 93%
URLVoid Rating: 36/36

Even though the site looks like it’s straight out of the 90s, MajorGeeks has been one of the most reputable software download sites for over 15 years. When a site has a couple thousand users online at any given time, you know it’s providing a great service.

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.
4. FileHippo




WOT Trustworthiness: 93%
URLVoid Rating: 36/36

FileHippo is a well-known site with over 20,000 active programs broken down into 16 helpful categories across Windows, Mac, and Web. But whatever you do, if the site offers you a download manager or anything like that, skip it and go for the direct download instead.

One thing to note is that FileHippo offers an Update Checker program, which scans your system and compares all current programs to see if any of them need to be updated. It’s the easiest way to make sure all of your software is consistently up-to-date.
5. DonationCoder



WOT Trustworthiness: 92%
URLVoid Rating: 36/36

We recently highlighted Donation Coder when we included Automatic Screenshotter in our coverage of free screen recorders for Windows. As you might glean from its name, Donation Coder prides itself on providing free and clean software in exchange for nothing but donations.3 Free Screen Recorders to Capture Your Windows Desktop 3 Free Screen Recorders to Capture Your Windows DesktopYou can use a screen recorder to create tutorials, document bugs for troubleshooting, or track unsolicited activity on your desktop in your absence. Choose from one of our recommended tools.READ MORE

The downside to this site is that you’ll only find utilities created by Donation Coder, so the repository is small and niche. Then again, a lot of the programs are quite useful and interesting, so maybe you’ll find something that catches your eye.
6. Download Crew



WOT Trustworthiness: 91%
URLVoid Rating: 36/36

Despite its cluttered and headache-inducing website, Download Crew is worth using because each listed program has a short but informative review that explains what it does, why it’s good, and what flaws it has.

Want to find some cool new programs? Start with the “Most Popular Downloads” section and the “Editor’s Choice” section (which you can access at the bottom of the home page). Programs are available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.
7. FileHorse



WOT Trustworthiness: 91%
URLVoid Rating: 36/36

FileHorse doesn’t have a massive repository of software. Instead, this site focuses on only stocking the best and most useful programs and making sure all of them are clean and free of malware and viruses. It’s great for finding popular alternatives to popular programs.
8. FilePuma



WOT Trustworthiness: 90%
URLVoid Rating: 36/36

FilePuma and the aforementioned FileHippo share a lot of similarities—and I’m not just talking about their names. Where FilePuma excels is in its categorization, which is much easier to browse than FileHippo.

FilePuma also has its own Update Detector program to keep your software up to date. Very handy if FileHippo’s tool doesn’t work well for you or if you don’t like it for some other reason.
9. SnapFiles



WOT Trustworthiness: 90%
URLVoid Rating: 36/36

There’s little to differentiate SnapFiles from other free software download sites, but if there’s one thing I like about this one, it’s the “Daily Freeware Pick” that’s highlighted on the home page. If you check in every day, you can occasionally find some really useful tools and utilities.
Where Do You Download Free Software?

Don’t just rely on this list! At the end of the day, staying safe on the Web involves practicing good security habits, such as checking the integrity of files you download with suitable hash checkers. In particular, you should heed these common-sense tips for avoiding malware.

And if you ever slip up and find that your computer has been compromised, follow our guide to cleaning up malware and viruses from your system.10 Steps To Take When You Discover Malware On Your Computer 10 Steps To Take When You Discover Malware On Your ComputerWe would like to think that the Internet is a safe place to spend our time (cough), but we all know there are risks around every corner. Email, social media, malicious websites that have worked...READ MORE

If you also own a Mac, be sure to see our best sites to download secure Mac apps.