Top 15 Super Freeware Sites

It was a tough call to rank the following sites. All these sites, however, have something in common: they all have software, utilities, games, tools, and applications of every conceivable category! If you can't find it in any of these super sites, chances are that you won't find it anywhere else! We should also point out that some of these super sites carry shareware as well.

#1   Freeware Home

Super Freeware Site with a collection free 32-bit software. Their site is divided into the following freeware categories: Business, Desktop, Education, Games, Graphics, Home & Hobby, Internet, Programming, System Utilities, Free Services, and Miscellaneous. They also have a search engine which makes it easy to find what you are attempting to locate. If you want to keep up with their site, you can even sign up for their free weekly newsletter. Finally, they also have some reviews of their freeware. This is one of our favorites sites! This is an all freeware site!

#2   Nonags America

Super Freeware Site with a large collection of 32-bit Windows software that has no disabled features, nags, time limits, or any other tricks. Everything in the original and huge Freeware section is truly freeware (and they're very careful not to include shareware). They have also recently added a shareware section, but this is separate from their freeware section.  Nonags also downloads, virus scans, installs, tests, rates and provides descriptions of their freeware.  Their three main categories are divided as follows: Internet Applications, General Applications, and The Coolware Section. Naturally, these three main categories are further divided into subcategories. Finally, Nonags is mirrored at many locations throughout the world from volunteer mirror sites, and it is absolutely free of charge.

#3   Freeware Files.com

This Super Freeware Site is aiming to become your next portal! Not only does it have a great selection of freeware material (both 32 bit and 16 bit), but they also provide services you won't find in any of the other super freeware sites. Their services include: World News, Horoscopes, New Files, Top Ten Files, HyperGames!, and Java Games!  Moreover, their freeware material is divided into the following main categories: Win 95/98/NT, Programming, Win 3x, More Freebies, and On-line Games. While they do have a search engine, they don't necessarily rank their software. At times (like in their games section), they will even provide screenshots of the software you're interested in downloading. In short, this super freeware site is loaded with features, services, on-line games, and software. Check them out! We're definitely impressed! This is an all freeware site!

#4   Freeware32

This Super Freeware/Shareware Site operates like Windows' Explorer (thus it is easy to navigate around their website). Their freeware categories are divided as follows: Desktop, Fonts, Games, Graphics Tools, Internet, Productivity, Programming, Utility Tools, and Essential Files. Like most of the super freeware sites, they also have a search engine. Their search engine will allow you to search by the current date's new files or from new files posted within the previous week (divided into their respective dates). They also rate their freeware and they have a "Top Ten" section as well. Unfortunately, not all the software on their site is freeware. They do have quite a bit of shareware but they do point this out within the software's description so that you can easily ignore them and move on to their freeware.

#5   Freeware Web

This is a well organized Super Freeware Site with plenty of features. Among their services, they have a site search engine, a FTP search engine, a free newsletter, and a "newest additions" page divided by the date of addition. Their freeware material is divided into the following main categories: Desktop Tools, Desktop Themes, Desktop Wallpapers, Fun & Games, Graphics Tools & Viewers, Internet Applications & Tools, Multimedia Tools, Required Files & Direct X, Screen Savers, Text Utilities & Editors, and Utilities. While they don't rate their freeware, they do provide extensive descriptions and sometimes even screenshots! Great site! This is an all freeware site!

#6   Completely Free Software

This is another Super Freeware Site worth examining. Unlike most of the other super freeware sites, CFS also includes Windows 3.1x (16 bit) and DOS software. Their freeware material is divided into the following categories: Desktop Utilities, Games, General Applications, Graphics, Internet, Multimedia, Text, Win Extras.  Besides all this, they also have a search engine, a ranking system, some reviews of their material, a free newsletter, and a "new additions" page.  Finally, CFS sell Freeware CDs for a reasonable price that will ultimately save you a lot of time and trouble. This is an all freeware site!

#7   Freeware 95

Like Freeware32, this Freeware Site operates like Windows' Explorer (although we like this implementation better). Their freeware section is divided into the following main categories: Browsers, E-Mail Clients, FTP Clients, Games, HTML Tools, IRC/Chat, Miscellaneous, Networking, News Readers, Shell Goodies, and System Tools. Unfortunately, there is not a huge selection of software available on this site, but they do strictly carry freeware material (so you won't be wasting your time with shareware).

#8   Moochers

On the main site of this Super Freeware Site, you can easily find their newest additions divided by the date they were uploaded to their site. This makes it easy to stay on top of their latest additions. Besides this, they also have a search engine and provide good descriptions of their downloads. Unfortunately, they don't rate their freeware. Their freeware material is divided into the following main categories: Business, Desktop, Education, Games, Graphics, Internet, Programming, and Utilities.  This is an all freeware site!

#9   Only Freeware

Although this Super Freeware Site may not be as fancy as some of the other ones on our list, they certainly do provide an extensive freeware library (with no shareware).  Moreover, you're not going to find any free icons, cursors, wallpaper or screensavers on this site. Their freeware material is instead divided into the following main categories:  Anti-Virus, Astronomy, Chat, Compression Utilities, Educational, E-mail Stuff, Faxing, File Splitters, Free Email Addresses, Free Internet Services, FTP Clients, Graphics, HTML Editors, HTML Additional, Java Applets, Games, MISC, MISC Redux, MISC Three, Money (Free tax return software), News, Organizers, Printing, Privacy & Security, Programming, Science, Search Tools, Sound Stuff, Technical Analysis, Text Editors, Un-Installers, Upgrade Your Software, VRML, Web Browsers, and Webtools. Whew! We told you their library was extensive!  If the other super freeware sites fail you, they're definitely worth checking out in your freeware search.

#10   Tudogs

This Super Freeware Site claims to have the "ultimate directory of gratis software." While they do have plenty of freeware software available, they also have shareware material included as well. Because of this, make sure to read their download descriptions carefully.  Along with their descriptions, you will also find a rating system in place. Their freeware material is divided into the following main categories: Web Design, Operating Systems, Programming, Business & Finance, Lifestyle, Internet, and Games. Their "Site Map" is useful since it further subdivides their main categories into subcategories. If you sign up, you can also receive a weekly email newsletter informing you of their latest freeware additions. The one drawback of this site is there isn't any search engine available (so it might take longer to find what you're attempting to locate).

#11   Top Quality Freeware

This newly revamped Super Download Site has strictly freeware downloads. Their freeware downloads are divided into the following main categories: Desktop Utilities, Databases, Drive Utilities, Internet Utilities, Graphic Utilities, System Utilities, Drive Utilities, Music/Sound, Screen Savers, PC Games, Education, and Miscellaneous. They also have a search engine and a request page. Finally, they have devised a clever ratings system to their downloads. This site was ranked 14 in 1999 but they have definitely moved up the ladder in 2000! Greatly improved site!

#12   FreewareWorld

This Super Freeware Site has a modest collection of software. Their freeware material is divided into two main categories: Internet Applications and General Applications. As far as we can tell, it's a strictly freeware site! They don't have reviews of their downloads, but they do have a search engine and a free newsletter.

#13   ZDNet's Top 100 Free Favorites

ZDNet is a popular site on the Net for downloads (both shareware and freeware). Fortunately, ZDNet has created a page with their Top 100 freeware favorites. These downloads all have descriptions and are ranked. Definitely check them out!

#14   CNET Freeware Download

Like ZDNet, CNET is another popular site on the Net for downloads (both shareware and freeware). The link above will take you directly to their freeware section.  These downloads all have descriptions but are not ranked by CNET. Check these free downloads too!

#15   TopFile.com Freeware

This Super Download Site is mainly known for their shareware downloads.  Recently, however, they have begun to include an ever-increasing freeware library to their downloads. The link above will take you directly to their freeware downloads. One of their strongest points is that they provide extensive information on their download descriptions.

Honorable Mention: Fat Bill's Page of Links to Windows95 Freeware

Although you can't download freeware directly from Fat Bill's Website, Freeware Guru gave Fat Bill an honorable mention because Fat Bill provides an extensive set of links to Windows 98/95 freeware.  Fat Bill's freeware website is divided into the following categories: Desktop, System, File, Graphics, Multimedia, WebPage, Internet, Program, Applications, Miscellaneous, and Links. In short, we feel that Fat Bill has done an incredible job in organizing all those links. Thanks Bill!

 

Top 10 Freeware Game Sites (Our Favorite Freebies)

#1  Free Games Org

This site is a rather newcomer and they have done a great job in posting a lot of great quality freeware games. It also has a search engine and the games are divided by different categories. Finally, they also have a rating system which helps you determine which games to download.

#2  Free Games Net

This is a site from England. They have a galore of games here. Unfortunately, some of the games are shareware games. But, you will also find tons of freeware games. They also have reviewed a lot of the games and will even provide extensive information on some of the games.

#3  Electric Games

This was the site that started it all for us. We were looking one day to download the latest cool shareware games when we encountered their "freeware" section (our link above will take you directly there). In no time, we were hooked and amazed by the free games that we found. We also couldn't believe there were totally free games out there to download and enjoy! In either case, from that point on, we were determined to find as many freeware games and applications as we could find. This is still one of our favorites sites to find new freeware games. The best part is that they keep it up-to-date.

#4   Freeware Home

This the Super Freeware Site that we mentioned earlier (#1 on our previous list). We mention them again because they have an extensive library of freeware games which they keep up-to-date. Their freeware games are also divided by categories, and you can also use their search engines to narrow down your choices.  Definitely check them out!

#5  NPCF Freeware Games

This is another great site with a great selection of games. This site also provides descriptions and some reviews. Our only real complaint is that the site sometimes runs too slow (mainly due to the traffic and the webserver). But, if you remain persistent and pick a time and day when it is not too busy, you'll find some real winners!

#6  Izzy Online

This is not a well known site since you won't find this site mentioned in the other famous freeware lists. We, however, have found a lot of great freeware games that we still continue to enjoy and play. Izzy will at times also rate the games and even provide screen shots. So check out Izzy Online for some great freeware games!

#7  Free Dos Games

This site has a huge selection of DOS games divided by categories. Unfortunately, some of the games are shareware. But, if you remain persistent in your search, you'll find some great DOS freeware games. As a matter of fact, we have found some great classics!

#8  WinFiles Games

This is a popular Super Freeware/Shareware Download Site. Although you will find a lot of shareware games on their games section, you will also find a lot of freeware games. Fortunately, they make it easy to find the freeware games since they tell you which games are freeware and which ones are shareware.

#9  The Free Site

This is another Super Freeware Site with plenty of freeware applications, utilities, and stuff. Their freeware games section is not as extensive as some of the other ones, but you will find some great freebies. They also continue to maintain their links up-to-date so that you won't encounter any dead links. The only real drawback of this site is that you can't download the games directly. Instead, links are provided to the actual sites where you can download the game. The advantage of this method is that you'll get the latest release of the freeware game in question.

#10  Free Games Online

On this site, you'll find some great freeware and abandonware games. For those of you who don't know, abandonware games are games which have been "abandoned" by their original developers. Because of this, you can find commercial games that were introduced to the market in the 1980s (even if the graphics are a bit outdated). You will also find plenty of links to other freeware sites to help you find even more freeware games.

Honorable Mention: Funtastic Games

This site claims to have the "best freeware games on the planet!" But there's a catch: for a price! We were very skeptical with that hype. Throughout the years, none of the purchased collection CDs have impressed us. But we took a chance and bought their Volume I CD with 154 games. True to their advertisement, Funtastic Games actually fulfills their own hype! We were blown away by the quality of the games on Volume I. There were also a lot topnotch games that even we hadn't discovered from our freeware hunting! We were also impressed by their user-friendly game installer & launcher (the best that we have seen) that allows you to install, delete, read the game's manual, get a quick description of all the games, and play the games with a click of your mouse. In short, Funtastic Games has designed a great product and their price is reasonable. How great of a product? Suffice to say that we immediately went ahead and bought Volume II and that turned out to be another awesome CD too! So, if you want to save yourself some heavy downloading time, look no further than Funtastic Games. You won't regret it!

        

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