7 Most Popular Software Products of All Time

When you need a software product, it’s usually easy to find dozens of companies offering the type of software you want. But how do you narrow down your options? With as many products that come onto the market every year, it can be overwhelming to choose just one. One way to whittle down your choices is to pick the most popular products in the history of software. Here are the top software products ever based on the number of downloads.

1. Google Chrome

The Google Chrome web browser is the gold standard of web browsers. Whether you have a Windows-based PC or a Mac, there’s a Google Chrome download that will work on your device. It’s simple design and customization options make it ideal for both technology novices and expert programmers. It’s also extremely fast and doesn’t experience much downtime, which is a must-have for any user.

2. CCleaner

CCleaner is the most downloaded freeware software product worldwide, with more than 3 billion downloads. The reason why is because when people’s computers slow down, they need a solution that will clean their hard drive and make it run like new again. It removes junk files, fixes broken registries, and optimizes PCs, eliminating the headaches and frustration that comes with slow computers.

3. Mozilla Firefox

The second-most popular web browser, Mozilla Firefox, is a fantastic alternative to Google Chrome, and in fact, before Chrome became the top-downloaded browsing software in history, Firefox held that title. It offers numerous built-in features and add-ons that improve productivity and make browsing a breeze. It’s more privacy friendly than Chrome, which is why some computer users prefer it to Google’s product.

4. Avast Free Antivirus

Every PC needs an antivirus program to prevent viruses, malware, and hackers from taking over. There are many paid antivirus software products on the market, but Avast Free Antivirus offers excellent protection for no cost at all. Independent software evaluators rate this product as high or higher than some of the pricier antivirus options out there.

5. VLC Media Player

The VLC Media Player plays all formats of video and music files, from podcasts to radio shows, to downloaded music. You don’t need an expensive media player when the VLC Media Player does everything at a much lower price. It’s the undisputed leader in the media player category and it’s not even close.

6. Adobe Acrobat Reader

Nearly every computer user has the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on their machines because, without it, they can’t read PDF files. Of course there are alternatives, but they aren’t nearly as fast or as reliable. In fact, if you go to download a PDF file and you don’t have the Adobe Acrobat Reader software on your device, you’re prompted to download it for free.

7. µTorrent

Everyone needs a quick torrent downloader to quickly and efficiently download their files, but the problem with most torrent downloaders is they take up a huge amount of computer resources while they’re downloading files. They slow down every other activity you’re running on your computer, making it impossible to get anything else done. µTorrent is different because it doesn’t use up your resources, allowing you to continue doing whatever it is you need to do while you’re downloading your files.

Conclusion

Popularity is often a great indicator of a software’s value to users. These seven software products have stood the test of time and will vastly improve your online experience.