Two Download Sites We Trust

Two Download Sites We Trust

When it comes to keeping you safe, steering you away from download sites that thrive on tricking you into downloading parasitical download bundles (are you reading this CNet – Download.com and, how about you, Softonics?). Installing software bundles teaming with adware, browser hijackers, backdoors, search engine hijackers, and even worse, is a really good way to not only harm your computer – but a good way to toss away your privacy – and maybe even your sanity. These download bundles contain other software – we call them parasites – that try to trick you into clicking “Yes” or “OK” thus permitting them to install their garbage on your PC. It’s bad enough playing whack-a-mole with download buttons and links, but it’s really bad if you keep clicking next > next > next when you install software and don’t read the dialogs as they pass by.

One of the best things we can do to keep you safe is to keep you away from download sites that prey upon your trusting nature and count on you being in a hurry when you download and install any software. So today, we’re going to tell you about the only two major download sites we trust.

We download a lot of software – particularly freeware. We have to. We’re always testing new software and trying to find good software to recommend to you.

But these days downloading software, especially freeware, is a bit like playing Russian roulette. There are so many software download installers that try to sneak unwanted 3rd-party junkware and worse unsuspecting users, that you must be constantly vigilant when you install any software you’ve downloaded – particularly freeware.

But it’s not enough to be vigilant when you install software that you’ve downloaded, you have to be extra careful where you download it from. Unfortunately, the world’s most popular download site (CNet’s Download.com ) has decided to make even more of a crap shoot out of downloading by taking clean freeware and bundling it in its own installer. And the worst download site in the world, Softonics doubles down on CNet’s game with even worst bundles of garbage (see our article about Softonics here).

So, if you like to download software we’re going to tell you the two sites from which we generally download – after we make a simple suggestion. Whenever possible, we always try to download from the software developer’s site – the program’s homepage, so to speak. That does not guarantee that we (or you) will always get clean software, but it does give us a better chance than downloading from sites that care more about getting their garbage installed on your computer and making money than they care about you or integrity and/or clean downloads. But no matter where you download, take our advice – and always be careful – even developers who offer clean software sometimes love to play Whack-a-Mole with the download links.

Here they are – in order – our two favorite software download sites:

SnapFiles

Our favorite download site – by far – is SnapFiles. The site’s developer has been around as long as we have – that’s a long time! –  and we’ve come to trust his reviews and his site.  On SnapFiles programs that may try to install 3rd-party software are noted  so you can be watchful when you install. They have a section dedicated to freeware and one dedicated to trialware. If you’re looking for freeware, be sure to browse only in the freeware section on SnapFiles.

Here’s some info from the site owner:

What makes us different from other download sites?

• We download and test EVERY program before listing it.
• We create the screenshots.
• If it’s not working for us, it will not be listed.
• If it appears to be a waste of your time, we won’t list it…

If we have any doubts as to the integrity of the software and/or author, we will not list it.

Unlike most other software download sites, we actually download, install and review every single program before it is listed on the site. We use our years of experience to bring you the products that appear reliable and worth your time. If it’s not working for us, we won’t list it. If it appears to be a waste of your time, we won’t list it…

Adware & Bundle Policy

All products you find at Snapfiles.com are carefully selected and constantly monitored.

Please refer to our Adware policy for additional details.

If you are looking for a trustworthy download site where the reviews are accurate and where software bundles are clearly identified, you’ll want to make a trip to SnapFiles and take a look around – they have a great selection of freeware.

MajorGeeks

Another download site we use occasionally is MajorGeeks. And while we don’t use MajorGeeks nearly as much as SnapFiles, it’s still a good download site and worthy of mention here. MajorGeeks does not do as good of a job of notifying users when applications contain bundled software, but the download links are easy to find and the reviews are generally trustworthy.

Here’s some information from the owners of MajorGeeks:

MajorGeeks is a small, home-based software download site where all the software is handpicked and tested by just two people. We lean heavily towards freeware, but we gladly post high-quality shareware. We do not automate anything, and we reject 95% of submissions. While most websites brag about having hundreds of thousands of software titles to download, we brag about having fewer than 10,000. The intention is to give you a place to go where you can find the top 1% of software, and we try only to add software that we consider to be four stars or better. We have no employees, no offices, and no social life. We live for this stuff and hope you appreciate the difference.

How we test for software:

1: We Google it and look into the software and company reputation. Sometimes we can eliminate a program right here.

2: If it passes step 1 then we need to scan it with multiple virus scanners using VirusTotal, for example.

3: Last is the most important and unique step at MajorGeeks for software we’re comfortable listing. We use VMWare Workstation to test the software safely. We want to see if it does what it promises, is fairly priced if shareware and is worthy of a 4 star or better rating. If we have time we write a mini review with our thoughts and post that first under MajorGeek says. We will also grab screenshots at this point if needed.

Here is a video explaining it better.

If you need further assistance, please visit our Boot Camp for how to use te (sic) website, check out our must have free downloads list or for personal help, stop by our Support Forum and ask for help. We believe you will find our forums friendly to newcomers.

The Software Awards Scam is a classic example that still applies today. A lot of those big websites will do whatever they have to do to get traffic from authors. We have even seen sites offer to remove negative reviews for authors to trade for traffic. Can you imagine? Please, be careful who you trust.

If you’re looking for a trustworthy download site, give MajorGeeks a try.