Rob Cheng
Dave Methvin
Steve Hogan
Lyle Schuknecht
Steve Bass
Harry McCracken
Chris Pirillo
Bill Pytlovany
John DodgeTop Free Software
Welcome to the Top Free Software Report. There are two problems with free software. First off, there is a lot of free software and it is hard to know what free software is the best. Secondly, because it is free, free software makers can't spend money on advertising to get the word out on their cool creations. We hope that this new feature in TechTalk will solve both of these problems.
We have created a new popularity measurement that is the percentage of PC's that have that particular software installed. Each newsletter we will update the list with more and more free software in rank order. If you have any suggestions, just leave them in the comments section below and we will continue to build out the list of the world's best free software.
| PC Pitstop Top Free Software (Last Update 2009-05-21) | |||||
| Rank | Free Software | Category | Popularity | Info | Web Site |
| 1 | Adobe Reader | Document Management | 77.60% |  |  |
| 2 | Mozilla Firefox | Browser | 36.30% | | |
| 3 | Ccleaner | Registry Cleaner | 27.34% | | |
| 4 | AVG Anti-Virus | Anti-Malware | 25.67% | | |
| 5 | Real Player | Video Player | 24.82% | | |
| 6 | Spybot - Search & Destroy | Anti-Malware | 18.81% | | |
| 7 | Ad-Aware | Anti-Malware | 16.73% | | |
| 8 | OpenOffice | Office | 12.38% | | |
| 9 | Skype | VOIP | 11.32% | | |
| 10 | VLC Media Player | Video Player | 10.85% | | |
| 11 | Malwarebytes Anti-Malware | Anti-Malware | 10.53% | | |
| 12 | Google Chrome | Browser | 8.65% | | |
| 13 | 7-Zip | File Compression | 4.35% | | |
| 14 | Avira AntiVir | Anti-Malware | 3.60% | | |
| 15 | Audacity | Music Edit | 3.39% | | |
| 16 | ZoneAlarm | Firewall | 3.34% | | |
| 17 | Mozilla Thunderbird | 3.18% | | | |
| 18 | Filezilla | FTP Client | 1.99% | | |
| 19 | FrostWire | P2P | 1.95% | | |
| 20 | PaintNET | Photo Edit | 1.39% | | |
| 21 | Opera | Browser | 1.23% | | |
Related posts:
- Free Software – July 2009 Update
- The World of Free Software
- The World's Most Popular Freeware – Updated
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115 Responses to “Top Free Software”
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May 27th, 2009 at 8:23 am
what is the best firewall to your knowledge, free and otherwise
May 27th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Hi! Thanks for your great website and services.
I use Microsoft's free SynchToy 2.0 to back up my daily work and keep my home computer synched to my work computer. I have used both 32 bit and 64 bit versions, and have been happy with both.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Photofiltre 6.3.2, Xn View, Context Magic, Open Expert, Send To Toys, MWSnap, (MS Powertoys XP Image Resizer), VSO Image Resizer, Mediachance.com Free Digital Camera tools/utilities,
Revo Uninstaller, Jet Photo Studio, Microsoft ICE, Pictomio,
ShiftN,
These are just a few of the excellent programs and utilities I have used for a few years and found indispensable. All the Photo software is updated periodically.
May 28th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
This article should be renamed "Preinstalled Software" otherwise it is nonsense! Adobe Reader at no 1? The only reason this software is no 1 is because it comes already installed on 99.99% of computers that are sold. It is one of the first bits of useless bloated software that I remove from any computer that I work on. I replace it with Foxit Reader, a fraction of the size and yet it does exactly the same thing. And as for Adobe not having the money to advertise their software? Please!!
Quote- "we will continue to build out the list of the world's best free software."
What a joke!
May 28th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I have started losing all respect that I had for PC Pitstop…Adobe Reader at No 1??? You guys are out of your geeky mind. You have completely lost it. Period.
When I see that excellent freewares like PDF Xchange and even Foxit is not even mentioned, then I know somethings really rotten in this apple…
The saddest part is, so many noobs like me tend to visit you site, read your newsletters and believe in them…
Really really sad, not to mention, pathetic.
May 28th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
After installing "audacity" i then remembered why I deleted it once before: There is absolutely no clue given as to how to use it, or what to do when audacities window comes up. This sucks!!!!
May 28th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Adobe Reader just sucks big time, every experienced user removes this slow bloated program from their systems. Foxit Reader is the best in that category. WinRAR is NOT free, just a free trial and should not even be listed. Real Player?? what about WinAmp, GOM Player or JetAudio, they are all much better and can play any formats. Ccleaner is excellent but it is NOT a registry cleaner, it is a system "junk file cleaner", it registry cleaning is very limited. No uTorrent or BitComet?? everyone knows that they are both top freeware programs. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware?? have you ever reviewed anti-virus tests of this program?? It is highly over-rated, nothing more than a rogue remover. What about a-squared Anti-Malware Free or Avast Home Edition?? COMODO Internet Security is the only totally free security suite. Spywareblaster and SuperAntiSpyware are other free programs that should be listed. Online Armor Firewall Free Edition, Outpost
Firewall Free and PC Tools Firewall Plus are the best free firewalls. All much better than ZoneAlarm. I'm sorry but this list just sucks.
Good Day.
May 28th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I agree totally with Jerry. For years I have uninstalled Adobe on every computer I owned. Foxit is far superior and a tiny fraction of the size of Adobe. Audacity is certainly one of the best music recording and editing programs. I used to use Cool Edit until it priced itself out of the stratosphere. For me the best Firewall is Online Armour. The free personal version is excellent. I also use 'Updater' which is unbelievably quick to recommend updates for your installed programs and the lightening fast search program "Everything".
May 28th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
You guys forgot one of the best free programs out there for protecting your system and keeping your software up to date.
Secunia PSI [ Personal Software Inspector ] Please check this program out and add it to your list.
May 28th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
My favorites different than yours are:
Foxit Reader
Sweepi
Avast Anti-virus
Real Alternative
May 28th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Hi,
Just to be clear. The reason that Adobe reader is #1 is NOT because we think it is the best. It is because it is found on the most computers. The rankings are by popularity not our preferences. Thanks for reading.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Picasa is a free photo editor from Google. Does that count?
May 28th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
AML registry cleaner
eusing free registry cleaner
K meleon (browser)
auslogics disk defrag
peergardian
iceows
7-zip
I like these ones
May 29th, 2009 at 12:20 am
The article is mis-titled. Most used would be a more appropriate name. I don't know how you equate "best" with being on the most computers. Many of these "best" programs are pre-installed. Many users use them because they don't know any better or can't be bothered to change. If you want the best, you should have considered some of the recommendations above, as well as Sandboxie. But if the criteria is on most computers, then you should have included IE as well.
May 29th, 2009 at 1:21 am
For Carl M…Check the links under the Help tab on Audacity's front page. Lots of info in the manual http://audacity.sourceforge.net/manual-1.2/index.html and on the Wiki page.
http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php?title=Tutorials
hth
(btw, I agree with the comments about Adobe Reader. "Pre-installed" in no way equates with "Popularity". I even bought the shareware version of PDF Xchange.)
May 29th, 2009 at 2:27 am
Before it became a marketing tool, PCPitstop used to promote and discuss the very best of genuinely free software . Simple tools such as ' Startup Monitor ', ToniArts ' EasyCleaner ', ' RegCleaner ' and Karen Kenworthy's remarkable range of free ' Karen's Power Tools' kept everybody up, running and interested in the concept of a free internet. Philanthropic developers were almost folk heroes. Now the excruciatingly sluggish and petulant ' Adobe Reader ' appears top of the list because it ' comes preinstalled ' ? What happened chengrob ? Where is PCPitstop's essential pre-installed free browser, Internet Exploiter ?
May 29th, 2009 at 2:42 am
Wow, I am stunned by the negative responses, I am also puzzled as to why you did not read the article to find out how the list was compiled. This is not a list that PitStop recomends but a list that they have gleaned from the thousands of computer scans that they do daily. This IS software that people have installed on their computers. The reason that your favourite software is not listed is because nobodys computer that PitStop have scaned have it installed, sorry guys, if no one else has it installed on their computer, the software that you love so much must suck.
May 29th, 2009 at 4:22 am
If, as Chengrob says, "The reason that Adobe reader is #1 is NOT because we think it is the best. It is because it is found on the most computers.", then maybe Pitstop should change the title in it's newsletter from "The World's Best Free Software" to "The World's Most Popular Free Software".
May 29th, 2009 at 4:48 am
Adobe Reader + PC Pitstop = Epic Fail(s)!
May 29th, 2009 at 5:40 am
Avast has clearly become the most effective freeware A/V (it not just my personal favorite,but tested as superior to AVG) Real-time protection and boot-time scanning the others do not offer.
May 29th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Well, Robert Fishwick, first question is what is the use of this list? It doesn't help anybody find good free programs (except by chance). And a list of the crap that is on most computers is like asking all their owners their opinion on quantum theory or the relative merits of Mozart and Hyden.
And, to cap it all, to say that if a program is not on a large percentage of computers then it must be useless is the stupidest thing I've read for ages. I'd guess that less than one percent of computers have a music sequencing program; but that doesn't necessarily make them all – including the free ones – crap.
As I've told many people (unless they've seen ms coming), the biggest BS I've heard in my life has mostly been from 'experts'.
May 29th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Pardon the typing error: it should have been 'me coming'.
May 29th, 2009 at 6:50 am
Please correct the typing error: it should be 'me coming'. Thanks
May 29th, 2009 at 7:04 am
I have to agree that this article misrepresents the data. It does not denote the "best" software… Not even, really, the most popular. It just lists the most installed. I think that metric can have value but I think you should rethink the presentation. You should also consider not listing commonly pre-installed software such as Adobe Reader.
May 29th, 2009 at 7:19 am
You missed a biggie.. Internet Explorer. Installed on every PC and it is free. whether you use it or not!!!
May 29th, 2009 at 7:32 am
WinRAR is a great program, but it isn't, and never has been freeware.
May 29th, 2009 at 7:37 am
As most of us know, it is not possible to express an opinion on the internet without attracting a certain number of trolls. While I agree with some of the quibbling over 'best', I agree that popularity is one measure for software. Also agree that logic says that IE should be on the list somewhere but then there would also be notepad and a host of the other Windows utils and all of the top 50 or so would be things supplied by the most popular OS. Even though the percentages are getting pretty small, I would be interested in seeing the top 100 or so.
May 29th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Right on Londonsid, Take out "PC Pitstop" and insert Most Popular. Title implys PC Pitstop's approval of list and take out "best" in text. How about you guys go out on a limb and run a parallel list of what your in house consent is as to the real BEST alternatives are.
It will take alittle more effort but will really help the Nubees out there that will take your misnamed title and text as gospel!
May 29th, 2009 at 8:58 am
To all those who felt/feel it necessary to flame on this simple attempt to provide a list of POPULAR freeware: take a pill. If you'd read the very concise intro, you'd realize that this is a quantitative list based on the number of installations encountered, not a subjective, qualitative list – which is virtually impossible with all the different opinions out there.
Most people understand this, and so don't feel the need to "open their mouths and remove all doubt." Sheesh!
May 29th, 2009 at 9:04 am
John
do you have a download site for the updater you mentioned? thanks
May 29th, 2009 at 9:41 am
everybody quit your complaining. just remove adobe reader and real player and what remains is a nice top 20 list of good freeware. btw, utorrent should be on the list.
May 29th, 2009 at 9:49 am
You should change the title from "Top Free Software" to "Most Installed Free Software". "Top" implies excellence and in this case is grossly misleading.
May 29th, 2009 at 10:39 am
It's interesting that six of the entries in the list are anti-virus/anti-malware/clean-your-registry programs. That's Windows for you. It would be nice to see PC Pitstop be a bit less Windows-centric or perhaps just change the name of the Web site to "Windows Pitstop".
And, by the way, the vast majority of software available for Linux is free, so maybe this list should be called "Windows Pitstop Top Free Windows Software".
May 29th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Whether you agree with the original list or not, this entire thread has been very informational and given me the names of a lot of additional programs to check out. I run Avira AV, but it really seems to slow my system down and misses most of the spyware that my Spyware Terminator catches.
May 29th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Dissapointing. You guys need to do better than this.
May 29th, 2009 at 11:16 am
I am surprised at the cutting criticism this article received. I guess it shows a real love affair that people have for their computers and software. but I appreciate the article; at least PCPitstop does share this type info. And believe it or not, I appreciate the responses of users who know the products and other programs they recommend.
I hope you all keep up this type of service.
May 29th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Words count. To add my two bits. As others point out, P.S. writers confuse "best" with "most popular" and "most popular" with "most installed". This is clearly a list of the "most installed" and carries no (or should carry no) implication of "popularity" or "quality – poor, fair, good, best, etc". Regarding popularity, even if that were the criterion, "pop" should carry no necessary implication of quality as pop usually appeals to the lowest common denominator and, whatever virtue that might have in democratic elections and celebrity fan bases, as often as not, it comes with little or no quality – i. e., there's zero correlation between popularity and quality. So to repeat some of what's been said by others and add my bit, have three categories, "Most Installed", "Most Popular", and "Best Quality". The first is the list provided compiled by the means used by P.S. here. The second and third would require a pole of users with the third requiring added justification beyond "I think it's cool" or a simple star-rating. Additionally, breaking all three into two categories – "Systems/Systems-related" and "Applications that let you do productive things". That would get rid of silly comparisons such as that between Adobe Reader and Audacity – arguably the worst and best of two completely different programs for completely different purposes.
May 29th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Now I'm really confused. Do I delete Adobe and fearfully install Foxit Reader? I had already changed from AVG to Avast. Picasso 3 was a lifesaver when I had to do 2 slideshow presentations. As a senior who has had computers since 1990, I try to guide other seniors on how to manage their computers. Keep on trying guys, I still like the information in PC Pitstop.
May 29th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Lots of great free stuff out there on the Web. If you want a really fast file finding tool (and I mean faaaaaaaaaaast)
then go to Gizmo's site and download Everything (name of the program!)
Beats waiting for the Windows pooch to stop wagging its tail.
May 29th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
I agree that Adobe Reader is 'for the birds' AFAIAC. Ditto for Real Player. Seems that Adobe has to issue security patches even more often than Micro$oft has been doing over the past decade or so.
However, there is a lot of stuff in the list that I have personally tested that is quite worthy of mention.
Nothing is perfect in this world and my respect for PC Pitstop is unflagging.
May 29th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
To be of real service, PCP should publish a list of legitimate freeware ie programs that are free of adware, virus, etc. Many sites publish lists but no evaluation of legitimacy. Possibly bad example but P2P sites. All I have tried are loaded with virus's etc. Have had to reinstall several times after using. Are any safe to use? That would be a great service. Also other computer sites "experts" can never finalize the "best" one freeware to use ie Comodo or Zone Alarm. Your the experts, evaluate, agree and tell us who are not very literate. I assist free many senior citizens and would like some info.
May 29th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I can't believe how many have jumped on PCPitstop for publishing this list!! Perhaps the title should read "most installed"… PcP has obviously a large database of our machines and installed software. Fair swap for their free utilities, don't you think?
Anyway, my "free" list is as follows:
Firewall: Comodo
A/V: Avg
Grot remover: AdAware
Image editor: Gimp
Image resizing tool: PixResizer – brilliant!
Office: Open office
PDF viewer: Foxit
Browser: Google chrome
Tecchie editor: Notepad++
HTML editor: Max's HTML beauty for quick and dirty edits (old but still valid…)
audio player: winamp
image viewer: irfanview (great plugins available)
General system utilities: Glary utilities
Defrag tool: JkDefrag – brilliant!!
System de-crapper: Ccleaner!
Operating system: Ubuntu
Hope the list is helpful to the "noobs" out there!
Best regards and happy downloading!
KimZ
May 29th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Reading through the replies has certainly given food for thought. I had never before even considered an alternative to Adobe, (like thousands of others I suspect) but I shall be looking now.
Running Windows XP I have never had any problems with the following freebies which are well worth a look.
Secunia PSI
May 29th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
@ Oldodger
Excellent! Then our work is done!!
A couple more for my "free" list which I forgot earlier:
General system analysis tool: pcpitstop!!
Tecchie system analysis tool: sandra
Task manager: Sysinternals process explorer (now microsoft – but still free)
File compression/decompression: 7-Zip
System monitor: Speedfan
L8erZ
KiMZ
May 29th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
@ Charley
Re: P2P downloads
IMHO do NOT download from these sites, especially if you are non-tecchie as (perhaps) 75% WILL be carrying a payload that you were not expecting or wanting. IE virus, ad/spyware or worse. Go to the author's sites for these excellent freeware programs and NEVER, sorry, NEVER click on a link that says something along the lines of "your PC has a virus. Click here to download our free tool"…
Try and use the same "sixth sense" (you probably use when walking down your street at night) when downloading freebies from the 'net…
Happy surfing!
KimZ
May 29th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
To quote the article's lead-in:
"… it is hard to know what free software is the best. … We hope that this new feature in TechTalk will solve both of these problems."
When I read that, I could hardly wait to read on! But noooo – that's not really what the list is about. Just an incomplete compilation of most-often installed software.
How about future revised features that really do list the good stuff (with ratings)? Looks to me like your fathful readers have already given you a good head-start on that one!
May 29th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Have enjoye all the discussion Keep making your point bacause guys lik me me look at the comments and then go searching at suggested individuals preference. What anoys me is the amound of so called free ware which in the end you click on and its free to download but u need to pay to use. There should be a law to that. bWhat we need is a site where all the good software on it is freeeee.
My suggestion to PCPit stop is they have another techitalk that allows the likes of you all to make suggestions of your popular chioces and have a rating by that us by users only. I agree that alot of programs are pre installed and people use them because they are there and they know no better. Why is the many microsoft pragrams not at number one?
DRB
May 29th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Maybe you should distinguish between preinstalled and user
installed.
Some of the programs would not have been installed if the user had a choice.
May 29th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
While this is interesting, I think a more valuable list would be the top 3-10 programs in each category. And perhaps include some sort of indicator as to which are PC pitstop staff and user favorites.
May 29th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Thanks to PitStop and all those who LamBlasted them over so-called free programs. It was an education.
Wish there was such a thing in politics. Why dont all you people run for Congress or even city council.
May 29th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I found very nice pdf reader and it's free and very 'light'. Only about 7.2MB's!! I'm now using it exclusively on all machines I work on. It's called FoxitReader. Cheers
May 29th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
I am a big fan of Avast. I use it in both MS Windows and Linux.
The best way to get free software is to install a Linux OS – my favourite is LinuxMint (Based on Ubuntu)
May 29th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Thanks ,is a valuable list of freeware
May 29th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
What a great start, if only to establish the how superficial so many of your readers are. They read one thing and see another. At least you have shown a real need in the community. The suggestion to be very careful what you download was the best general response. I've found a goldmine in the responses so far. Keep up the good work!!
May 29th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I agree title was somewhat misleading. However, we all learned a lot because we found out what really works, not what is #1 popular. Bev
May 29th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
I agree w/ Mike about Foxit reader.
To Douglas, I say, Comodo FW, best for free & for pay.
I like Avast AV, & Super AntiSpyware & Malwarebytes Antimalware are both better scanners than Adaware & SpyBot, though I still use the latter.
I've tried Opera & it is a pain; Ff is better, but must be properly configured for top speeds in broadband, which most folks don't do.
May 29th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Oh, ExtractNow is an excellent decompressor, but doesn't go the other way. & the venerable Irfanview is good, too, as an image viewer/editor.
Also, I often use Revo uninstaller & Format Factory, & think they are great.
May 29th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
My 3 top free programs are not even on the list….Advanced System Care (much better that CCleaner)….SUPERAntiSpyware….Online Armor (firewall). These programs always find more that any of the other free programs….even some pay ones! I have others, but these 3 are my key ones.
May 29th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Some people just want to bitch don't they. Here are a few people bitching that Adobe Reader is listed as the number one installed free application – they bitch because it's not that great a product but they even bother to read the sentence that reads "We have created a new popularity measurement that is the percentage of PC's that have that particular software installed."
So quit your bitching and read the article first. PCPitstop scans numerous computers and from all those scans it has been determined that Adobe Reader is the number one installed free software product. Gawd – can't you morons read?
May 30th, 2009 at 1:01 am
One of the responses was lauding Picasa. I lost over 300 photos that I stupidly did not copy before uploading to Picasa. I waited too long to log back on and my account had been deleted. I will never get the pictures back. My e-mail account is a better photo program!
I'm a Stardock fan myself.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:17 am
"This is not a list that PitStop recomends but a list that they have gleaned from the thousands of computer scans that they do daily. This IS software that people have installed on their computers."
What about windows? Any version… Isn't that installed on more computers than Adobe Reader? Why is it not listed? And dont start that "it isn't freeware" garbage… a great number of the programs listed above require some amount of payment to unlock all of the features, including Adobe Reader, and most of them are not pre-installed. Windows comes pre-installed on almost every over-the-counter computer sold, and if you uninstall it, you void the warranty on the computer (as i understand it). And with computer prices around $250 or so (sans monitor) at Walmart, how can you say Windows isn't freeware?
May 30th, 2009 at 1:35 am
There's absolutely no requirement to compare IQs , I'm sure. Several of us 'morons' pointed out that Internet Exploiter was also 'free', preinstalled and yet doesn't appear on the list, a point that many non-morons appear to have missed.
Folks looking for a useful graphics freebie might try FastStone Viewer. It has useful editing tools.
Those looking for a free burner could give Deepburner a whirl.
TinySpell is a user-freindly ' on-the-fly ' spellchicker .
j/k.
May 30th, 2009 at 6:36 am
While I find all the vilifying utterly unnecesary and of-putting, thanks to all those who have told us of useful programs. I was totally unaware that there is an alternative to Adobe Reader. I'll most certainly follow that up.
Please everyone, there's really no need to be so rude and unpleasant about the PCPitstop list. No it's not very useful, but by writing in a positive way about your favourite free programs and being supportive while disagreeing about the value of the information, it's much more likely they will rejig the idea to give us various useful ways of using it. Shouting at them will simply make them reluctant to continue to provide new ideas, however imperfect.
PCPitstop people, although you didn't intend it that way, the majority of people will read this list as some sort of endorsement by you of these programs. The concept is very good but needs tweaking. Please don't be put off by the unpleasant attitudes, but also, please can you develope this idea until it become really useful. I have never even heard of something like 85% of the free programs mentioned by comment writers positive and negative. I'm saving this mail complete simply to have time to investigate all the useful sounding programs.
May 30th, 2009 at 7:49 am
I think there are two major omissions, both with literally millions of downloads for their current versions (and new versions/updates occurr several times a year).
IOBit Smart Defrag – defrags in the background when your system is idle. Using it, my system is always 99+% defragmented.
IOBit Advanced Systems Care Free Edition – (I know that I sound like a shill, but their products are great). Automatically does registry cleaning, file cleaning, etc. and has dozens of intuitive easy to use functions built in.
May 30th, 2009 at 8:16 am
I was sorry to see that the CCLEANER was like most "free" software I have tried, it runs a check for free, tells you there are 697 (actual numbers from my scan) problems, but it can only fix 6 of them with the free version..you need to buy to full version.
May 30th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Neil Doughty,
Windows in not "FREEWARE" in any way shape or form.
You are paying for it in the cost of the computer.
It does not void your warranty if you remove it.
Many, many people refuse to accept it's very restrictive license agreement and have taken the pains to get a refund for the cost. $100 or more in some cases.
Needless to say, anyone who thinks windows is freeware, has no concept of the computer software industry.
May 30th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Just because its installed doesnt make it good. I have programs installed that I think suck. I do agree with everyone about adobe reader, it TOTALLY SUCKS. Way to big.
May 30th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Please Be nice People , this IS a popularity based review. I like Avast, and like other people was dissapointed about not seeing it up there BUT, if you spend less time and money on advertising, nine times out of ten you get less popularity. Plus quality of the product has almost has no meaning in maketing ie. like William Hung bombed American Idol, but still made and sold a cover album that put him through college and was dubbed the first breakout star that season.All thanks to marketing.
May 30th, 2009 at 9:30 am
I'm happy Pitstop made this list because with all the responses i can now check out nearly a dozen freeware programs of which i admit i would know about less than half of.
May 30th, 2009 at 9:39 am
foxit is far more secure than adobe i found an article when browsing saying as much foxit is faster loading than adobe as well so dume adobe and use foxit
May 30th, 2009 at 9:59 am
You list products that are incredibly buggy/dangerous, like Adobe, RealPlayer & Skype? I have just lost all confidence (along with many others in previous posts) in Pitshop's advice. And there are a LOT of better vid/photo editing sites who apparently do not pay you to advertise.
May 30th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Wow!! Haven't I seen some of you guys on other forums bitching and spewing forth with all your so called knowledge that amounts to nothing in the end??
Just goes to prove out the old addage that you "can't please all the people all of the time!". I say keep hanging in there PCPitstop and don't let the naysayers get your goat!! You are bound to tweak this concept into a useful list of programs that we all can benefit from if given enough time to get it right.
It's like walking up to a guy in a gas station and saying, "What are all those bugs on your windshield?". Well, given enough time and trial and error on the driver's part, he could most likely come up with a comprehensive list of every critter smashed on that windshield!! But, on the outset, he would probably just reply, "That's a beetle and that's a moth and the rest are just BUGS!!" and reach for the windshield squeegie! Yeah, I know, it requires some brain activity to understand the analogy, more effort than some are willing to expend.
May 30th, 2009 at 11:39 am
yeah, I agree with ya all this list is silly. I get the newsletter in my email and expected somethign interesting that I didnt know about. instead I find a list of programs I avoid like the plauge with the execption of 2 ( spybot & VLC ). Adobe #1 – why not just slap us all in the face. Why the hell isnt Avast on here? thanks for wasting 6-mins of my afternoon Kev
May 30th, 2009 at 11:43 am
I think it would be better to put this list next to a list of software that people choose to install. You have enough opinions on this topic that you could create a list and let people vote on their choice of top software.
May 30th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Only having 43 years experience with personal computers going back to the IBM 1130, really the first, I agree with
Oldodger Says:
Reading through the replies has certainly given food for thought. I had never before even considered an alternative to Adobe, (like thousands of others I suspect) but I shall be looking now.
May 30th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
I'm agreeing with what people are saying about how terrible Adobe Reader is. Foxit Reader is infinitely better, and free, of course.
I'd like to add PeerGuardian 2 to the list, as well.
May 30th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Thank you PC Pitstop for allowing your readers to read this article. I agree that it should be titled 'most installed'. The comments have informed me of free programs that I was not aware of. I compared AVG and Avast and chose Avast for it's features and have been very satisfied with it's performance. Advanced Windows Care Pro is wonderful; I chose to pay for the upgrade and agree that IOBIT is a very good freeware site. Having only Social Security and what aide I receive from SRS and low income programs, I have been searching for freeware to keep my computer safe and up-to-date. Do not let anyone say that any Microsoft products are free!! I am still using Windows 2000 and Office XP as it is too costly to upgrade. I need to learn more about freeware to replace these.
May 30th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
I was pleased to see OpenOffice so high on this list. Also, ZoneAlarm, Skype, AVG Antivirus, Firefox, Audacity, and several others. It seems that quite a few Windows users know about several nifty free alternatives to more expensive programs.
I use Irfanview most often, which I consider indispensable for cropping and resizing pictures, renaming picture files, and making minor red-eye corrections. It also has a pretty good automatic color correction feature. I like it so much that it's the first software that I install on any new computer that I get.
I use Inkscape for drawing, and GimpShop for more detailed picture editing. GimpShop is simply Gimp with a user interface more like Photoshop, which makes it easier for me to follow Photoshop tutorials.
Although I haven't uninstalled Adobe Acrobat, I use PDF X-change Viewer as my default PDF reader. It allows me to make annotations and notes on PDF files, which are very handy for my work. Other useful software for working with PDF files that I use is doPDF (which sets up as a printer on your system and can be used to create PDF files from other software), PDF Split and Merge, which allows me to do just what the title suggests, and PDF Word to Doc Converter (which also does exactly what its title says).
I use the venerable old Keynote for taking and keeping notes. It has been out of development for years, but I've found nothing else that is as useful, as flexible, and most importantly, as easy to learn to use as Keynote is. (And for free, too.) I use TiddlyWiki if I want to keep notes with extensive tagging features. I use NoteTab Light for plain text notes and any html editing that I want to do. (I do very little of that, but enough to find it useful to have a text editing software with the html commands built in, and I really like the tab feature.) Finally, when I need to do brainstorming, I use Compendium, which I found easier to learn to use than the more frequently recommended FreeMind.
The absolute best resource on the web for finding great free software for Windows is Gizmo's Freeware Reviews. It has now been set up as a Wiki, and there is a users forum as well, so you can seek out opinions from other software users. Another great resource for free software is Donation Coder. They specialize in creating useful little utility softwares, and you can even make a request for something specialized. (Donation Coder does ask for donations, but they're not obnoxious about it, and you are not required to donate in order to benefit from its resources.)
By the way, I found out about PC Pitstop from Gizmo's newsletter.
May 30th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Reading all these post reminds me greatly of something my father, may be rest in peace, used to tell me all the time. "You'd complain if you got hung with a bran new rope." I usually don't read blogs for the reasons above. My mother had a phrase she told me quite a lot and it still sticks with me. "If you don't have sometime conscrutive to say the keep your mouth shut." My parets got a lot smrter the older I get.
May 30th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
For anyone who wants build or rennovate their home in 3D, check out the new, completely FREE to download – "MyVirtualHome" software. Version 2 has just been released & it's now a tiny 35MB download. http://www.mvhlive.com
May 30th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I use some of the programs on this list, but I have to agree with everyone else that Adobe's PDF viewer is bloated junk. It's loaded on most preconfigured computers as default, and it's included on most of the game discs that I have that include a .pdf file.
Foxit is amazing, and isn't bloated. But, you never hear about it.
I've been using Kantaris for my media player. It comes with most codecs already so it plays just about every media file, and it's based on VLC. I highly recommend it.
I ditched AVG and started using Avast! recently. Much better so far.
May 31st, 2009 at 12:32 am
I use advanced System3 & smart Defrag both from Iobit which are free & good plus I also use 2 free progs from Glary utilities
May 31st, 2009 at 2:46 am
> I have started losing all respect that I had
> for PC Pitstop…Adobe Reader at No 1??? You
> guys are out of your geeky mind. You have
> completely lost it. Period."
>
> When I see that excellent freewares like PDF
> Xchange and even Foxit is not even
> mentioned, then I know somethings really
> rotten in this apple…"
I think you've completely missed the point – it's a "league table" – it reflects what people have got installed, not what's best.
Complaining that Foxit isn't mentioned is a bit like complaining that your favourite local football team isn't at the top of the national league.
May 31st, 2009 at 9:42 am
Hey..You have left out one of the best video players..GOM Player & GOM Encoder
May 31st, 2009 at 10:13 am
Thanks for the article and all of the responses that it generated. I enjoyed some of the outraged responses mainly because I was able to learn about Foxit Reader and some other freeware. Maybe your next article could not focus on popularity of freeware but safety of various types of freeware, such as antivirus, registry cleaning, etc. etc.
diana
June 1st, 2009 at 5:30 am
I agree with many of the points that are stated above. To create a true list of Best Free Ware programs you should split into categories and list 5-10 in each and invite people over a 1 month period to download and try the ones they are interested in then submit their list, that way you will get a list that removes the issue of Installed on Most PC's, just because software is installed doesn't they use it.
What do people think of this type of List.
Tony
June 1st, 2009 at 5:47 am
Like the list or not, I'm glad that it was published, if only for the responses it has generated. I've learned about more software choices in 5 minutes, than any other time I can remember. Thanks for posting the eReplies!
June 1st, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Actually there is a very good reason why CCleaner should be considered the best Registry Cleaner and Junk File Remover for non-expert users. All-In-One Programs like
Advanced System Care 3,
X-Setup,
Glary Utilities and
COMODO System Cleaner
include both Registry Cleaner and Junk File Remover, but you may find that they are not the safest programs for these purposes. If you insist on using a Registry Cleaner and Junk File Remover, you had better first backup your registry and key files. You have been warned!!
June 1st, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Portable Apps lets you use your Pen Drive to do dozens of different things from run your favorite program on any computer without having to install it, to syncronizing files from the computer you are on to your pen drive, to auto changing the desktop background when you plug it in. The list of Programs keeps growing. Well worth the download.
June 1st, 2009 at 2:42 pm
It should be mentioned that PC-Pitstop is not a random sampling of the computer universe. The computers included in the survey are, for the most part, from individuals who are careful about computer safety and actually want to maximize the potential of their systems. Slightly elitist. Might I even say the geeks of this world. Even with the elite status of this sampling we are surprised to find that pre-installed software is most popular? I think it demonstrates that what we have always used will still be used until something much better and well-marketed will take its place. Inertial is a powerful force. Thanks, PC Pitstop.
June 1st, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I must say I am a neo-byte.
The title of the article caugt my eye cause:
I would really like to know what is the best FREE anti virus to load on my old machine? I think I've got that 'trojan' from the old UPS tracking code email.
any help is appreciated, in neo terms please.
June 1st, 2009 at 4:41 pm
> COMODO Internet Security
> PhotoFiltre 6
> Media Player Classic
> Azureus
> Spybot – Search & Destroy
> Winamp
> Mozilla Firefox
> Mozilla Thunderbird
> Fast Stone Image Viewer
> CDex
> Nexus Radio
> Terragen 2
> Wise Disk Cleaner
There are the best and really freeware softwares. Highly recommended!!!!!!!
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:25 am
Just do a search for free software in google and you will be surprised what you might find.
Be aware that you may find more than you bargained for.
Be cautious and do your research ie. google any software you may find and include the key word reviews in your search and see what others have to say about the program you are interested in.
Do it right and there is no need to pay for any software. There are free versions of any type of software that will enable you to do anything.
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:26 am
I think we are all missing something that the cat draged in.
I belive the reason that sites like this are pushing this type of software (good or bad) is mainly because if they can get you to grab something and then when you install it, free or free to try. Then they have what they want. A chance to add a toolbar to your browser and make a penny or two on each one. times millions of users. they have there real goal accomplished. A big few bucks and a very big list of supposed new toolbar or freescan or whatever junk program/add on program users to submit to there next potential paying advertisers and cohorts or other questionable pundants. Whats the old addage? Follow the money. Live in a town with more than one big newspaper? Ever try to switch papers.. They dot give up trying to get you back as a subscriber.. Same deal with this crap. In the last 4 days I have tryed a few things online I normally dont touch ex: Free scans, Trial Programs. etc. Before I knew it I had 4 Browser add ons on my explorer. I had forgotten how to remove them. The installed either stealthalie in the case of two or sneeky in the case of 2 others. (In my rush to get something done I had little time to pull out a giant magnifyer and read every last character of text.) Well soon those 4 Browser add on's had a battle for supremicy on my PC. and slowed it to a crawl on bootup and with minor bugs adding up to the Ant that eats pittsburgh. I finally got frustrated and took the time to remove them with extreem prejudice. Now I am left with my original search engine "Google" toolbar. I dont really need or want it as a toolbar but hey, They have been around so long that I left that toolbar up for prosperity. I had always loved Yahoo IM and still have use for it and woo hoo not it updates automatically and I'm a power User thanks to some new hyped upgrade. Just the respect is gone now not the devotion for what I actually did like and need from them. Cant say I blame them for wanting what the Google founders got for thier brilliant Idea and implimentation. But hey by a 40ft. Boat and be happy with it.. the 120 footer will never happen.. Unless of corse you Invent something New and exciteing of true value, done in an inovative way. The 120 Footers get bought by the people who maintain respect for there roots in Hard work amd passion for thier Ideas Validity Value and inovation. NOT BY THOSE WHO SCRAPE THE STEAK BONES OF OTHERS AND SELL IT AS STIR FRY BEEF.
There was a day when you paid Money for a shovel and not only would it shovel dirt but when your kid bought his first house it became his new shovel. a little fileing the edge and a maybe some paint and it was as usefull as the day it was first purchaced. ALL be it an inch shorted it maintained value. And when that shovel went out to grandkids 3rd generation and finally became impractical to use a a shovel its handle was cut off and made into a harwood stick for holding up that recently planted Cherry tree that got unrighted by last springs storm. Still had value.
Today I buy a $59.99 game and get it home only to find out it sucks and had no value from day one. in fact a negative value from day one, because of the oversise Tree/oil wasteing packageing used to make it stand out on the shelf at some overpriced retailer.
No wonder the world is going to hell in a handbasket. Greed rules in todays world. It always did I guess but the means to the end was different in some way.
When we figure out which way and what we might do about it we might just make it through. But prolly not before that Cherry tree shades the house with 150 years growth.
END OF MY VENTING SORRY!
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Ccleaner (General cleanup tool)
Avast (Antivirus) Better than the rest
Wordweb (dictionary) nice
Glary Utilities (General utility tool)
File Shredder ( It works very good)
Bible Explorer 4 (Education 200+ free books)
Stellerium (Education/toy)
Opera (#1browser)I did not care for FF or IE just my preference.Both are most likley fine programs for some.
Google Chrome (#2 browser)Very clean and fast
Ubuntu (secondary OS)
Open Office (free, close version of MS office)
XnView (Photo viewer +)
WinDirStat (Graphical Drive viewer)
Aida32 (system viewer)
Windows live mail (again just preference)
Easeus partition manager (Not needed on if vista is the os)
Macrium Reflect (disk image creator/backup utility. A must have.)
Password container
There are many good freeware programs out there.
The ones I listed are just my preference. I have used and tested I have found no issues with them.
As far as the article: Thanks PC Pitstop for putting it out there!
Please Read:from article
"If you have any suggestions, just leave them in the comments section below and we will continue to build out the list of the world's best free software."
Sounds to me like a work in progress!
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:28 am
Take me off of your mailing list.
Any one who would tell anyone else that Adobe Reader is good, are IDIOTS of the 1st magnitude
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:43 am
i agree with your venting but back to the subject pc pitsop should make alist most recomended by readers
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Well, at least this caused some discussion. I got some good ideas from the comments about programs to check out. I, too, never thought much about Adobe Reader, never seemed that slow to me, but I will look at Foxit and some other programs on here.
And, hey, if you don't agree with the list, why not start your own tech blog site? At least the article providing a jumping-off point for an exchange of ideas.
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:46 pm
I can't believe it. The fact that software is on most computers does in no way indicate that it is either the best or the most popular. I've been in IT for 25 years, and I find that people will download just about anything that is free, be it good or bad. Then once they have it, they aren't savvy enough to know that leaving it on their computer wastes space and resources. Much of it is preinstalled bloatware that came from the manufacturer. Some evens comes on "free" CDs from magazines. Why not call the list "Crap People Downloaded and Forgot"? It's closer to the truth.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Suggestion: Instead of listing just the top overall free software (continue to do this, but), also make individual lists by software category. This way you will have a huge list of software and people can find the type of software they need.
Kinda bland suggestion but it should help.
Example:
Top free Anti-Virus Software List
Top free Photo Editing Software List
etc.
You could show it in little tabs like the Overdrive scanner has.
June 4th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
For those who don't know (there seem's to be a lot) CNET.com has lots and lots of freeware … most is tested and rated by the editor … reviews are posted for you to read… for windows users try this link:
http://download.cnet.com/1770-20_4-0.html?query=freeware&tag=srch&searchtype=downloads&filterName=platform%3DWindows&filter=platform%3DWindows
Thanks PCPITSTOP for your list … those who read clearly fully understand it is based upon your testing data of installed software … as is the ranking of each pc you allow tested here. To all those who listed favorite freeware they enjoy … cudo's to you for helping the users who did'nt know … we were all newbies at one time or another … Happy Summer everyone!! =D
June 6th, 2009 at 11:48 am
I always find it interesting at how worked up some folks get — I have had a ball checking out all the alternate suggestions and have found some great freeward that I didn't know existed. Yeeeeeeh!! for getting rid of Adobe Reader! And many, many thanks for the lists others have provided. I do think PcPitstop could have differentiated between "free to try" or genuine freeware. But whatever their ultimate goal for their article, it surely brought lots of useful information to the surface and that I truly value.
June 6th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Gosh! The list is kind of crappy but the article does say that it is a list of software found on most computers that they scanned so all this frogginess is unnecessary, guys! But I will say that from reading this article and the comments, however heated they are, I have found out some other great software that I otherwise did not know of, lol.
June 6th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Thanks PC Pitstop, get um fired up, like coal in a boiler firebox. It puts more power to the task. I'm a newbie and I need all the help (power) I can get. Article OK, response great!
June 9th, 2009 at 7:56 am
No one above has mentioned the VERY BEST file compression utility, ZipGenius. I've tried ALL the ones mentioned above and found ZipGenius to be the easiest to use and the most complete.
June 9th, 2009 at 10:55 am
for all that use a 3rd party ZIP utility.why do you need one???…Windows have included it since Win XP….on a folder, right click and got to "send to" then "compressed (zipped) folder"…it will compress a folder and if you need to unzip one, just double click…MS has been taking the "rocket science" out
June 9th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
It really is a matter of semantics and nothing more than a quick editing of the words used in the two paragraph description of what it is that pcpitstop is attempting to accomplish with this survey of installed software on computers that run tests at pcpitstop. When Kevin set out to glean this data from users of the pcpitstop website, he made a simple error–easy to do for a person sampling any sort of population or statistical data. The statement that "there is a lot of free software and it is hard to know what free software is the best" is a terribly inaccurate statement of purpose if indeed the aim is to merely list the most installed free software on computers that have used pcpitstop's suite of tests. Which, of course, in and of itself, could not possibly garner an accurate list of "the world's best free software" There is no statistically accurate method to acquire the data for that specific statement of purpose. And to further the confusion as to what the purpose of this sample data is, Kevin goes on with the statement that "Secondly, because it is free, free software makers can't spend money on advertising to get the word out on their cool creations. We hope that this new feature in TechTalk will solve both of these problems." Unfortunately, it is clear to many readers that TechTalk cannot begin to solve both of these problems without a revision of the original statement(s) of purpose. This is simply because the method used to gather the sample data ("We have created a new popularity measurement that is the percentage of PC's that have that particular software installed.") cannot possibly give us anymore data than the "rank order" of installed free software–which is accurately mentioned in an obfuscated way with "…we will update the list with more and more free software in rank order." But to finish the descriptor of the statement of purpose with "we will continue to build out the list of the world's best free software," completely violates (again) the parameters of the sample data and the method used in gathering that data. Nothing more than a semi-decent editor (perhaps with more experience wording a statement of purpose in a survey group) could clear all of this fuss up. As many readers have pointed out, this list does not fulfill the statement of purpose nor can it without a revision thereof. All that said, Kevin, thank you for providing a platform for some very constructive commentary and useful suggestions, programs and lists by the readers. You did a superb job of getting a quality, worthwhile and useful discussion going on. Thank you.
June 12th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Good grief – AVG is HORRIBLE! When will people realize this? Avant Home is soooooo much better, and it's also free – doesn't clog up your system doing unnecessary scan all the time.
June 13th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
WOW, all this information on one site. For all the crab's remember these were computers brought in for repairs!!!!
If you have the right stuff you do not need repairs until your hardware breaks down. So stop bitching.
I trust the following:
Spybot – Search & Destroy- have use it for many years and gave them a donation a few month ago as thanks.
Open Office – is a great option for Microsoft Office though the latest update is very "Fat", it maybe the next Adobie.
COMODO- I have the the firewall and the antivirus installed my system. The big issue for Newbies with this program is download mode is total protect mode (no microsoft update etc) it treats your computer as a virus, if you take the time to go through all the allow/…/never option / Or the brain to use a built in program that will review your programs on your computer.
Defragglar from Pinform is great, also from Pinform:
Ccleaner I have use this program for years, might be advance for Newbies, for all others if you use/like Pinform freeware check the website (this true freeware looks like it may change? (update now)
June 14th, 2009 at 1:37 am
Dear Webmaster,
While your willingness to abide by the basic tenets of "free-speech" is, in itself, admirable, I think many would appreciate a heavier editorial hand, in dealing with material written by individuals whose sole intent is to vent spleen, BEFORE this medium goes the route taken by CB-radio, in the 60's. Readers, for their part, should lean back, take a deep breath, and THINK, before clicking the "Submit Comment"-button, below. The "great philosopher" Charlie Papazian says it best: "Sit back. Relax! -Have a homebrew." -And, just chill out.
June 15th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Secunia PSI- Scans your system for installed software and reports back if there are any software exploitations on the software installed. If there are any exploitations it provides you with a direct link to fix the problem, if available
June 16th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I agree with others, i hear that Audacity is great but i haven't been able to use it because there are no instructions and it is very confusing!!!!???
June 17th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Comodo Security
Secunia PSI
Gimp
Picasa
BonkEnc Audio Recorder
Are great and "Priceless" free programs for personal use.
July 4th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
This article certainly caused a response! I must say that even though I have been around pc's for a lot of years it is only this year that I had heard about Foxit Reader. Being busy doing work I still haven't got round to trying it and have continued to use Adobe reader. This forum has prompted me to get off my "A**" and try it. Similarly the programs many other respondents have listed is also of great value. Agreed the original concept of the list may be flawed but the benefits of such open discussion far outway the limitations of the intial list. PC Pitstop keep acting as devil's advocate!
October 6th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
@ alaine n others
hey guy i tried avast earlier but i had a lot of problems with it…..since my laptop had a lotta viruses a msg kept poppin up on ma screen n i had to clik on move to vault or remove or …..(atleast a 100 times or more) which got me frustrated n decided to uninstall n get avg….n is workin fine…..