How to Download Mac Apps for Free
Mac software is non immune to security issues. Third-political party apps can harbor malware, spyware, adware, ransomware, and numerous other security-based threats.
As such, you demand to make sure you but download Mac apps from safe, secure, and trustworthy websites. Here are some of the safest sites to download Mac software from.
Analyzing Site Security
When we looked at the safest free software sites for Windows, nosotros ran each site through two reputation checkers—Web of Trust (WOT) and URLVoid.
We're going to apply the same philosophy in this article. Web of Trust provides a trustworthiness score out of 100 while URLVoid grades each site out of 36.
ane. MacUpdate
WOT Trustworthiness: 91/100
URLVoid Rating: 35/36
MacUpdate is ane of the most popular websites to download Mac software safely. Information technology has a library of more than than 32,000 apps.
All the apps in the library have been paw-picked past the site'southward squad of experts, then you can be confident they've all gone through a total vetting process.
MacUpdate can likewise save you money equally in that location are groups for free apps and apps that are currently on auction. Sometimes you can observe savings of every bit much as xc pct.
Navigating the site is like shooting fish in a barrel; all the apps are divided into twenty well-divers categories. They include Internet, Utilities, Drivers, Games, Education, Home, Business, Multimedia Design, Evolution, and Graphics and Pattern.
2. Softpedia
WOT Trustworthiness: 93/100
URLVoid Rating: 36/36
Softpedia is one of the largest software download sites on the web. Unsurprisingly, it has an entire section dedicated to Mac apps.
The download files are updated every twenty-four hours, then you can be sure you lot're e'er getting the latest available version. Using upwardly-to-date versions is disquisitional for avoiding security bugs and flaws.
Many apps are also tagged with the "100% Clean" label. Here is how Softpedia describes it:
Softpedia guarantees that the app is 100% Clean, which ways it does not contain any form of malware, including but not limited to: spyware, viruses, trojans and backdoors.
This software product was tested thoroughly and was institute absolutely clean; therefore, it can be installed with no concern by whatever computer user. However, information technology should be noted that this product will be retested periodically and the award may be withdrawn, and then yous should cheque back occasionally and pay attention to the date of testing shown above.
Softpedia as well has user reviews for many of the available apps. They can provide insight on any bug yous may encounter during use.
iii. Pure Mac
WOT Trustworthiness: 92/100
URLVoid Rating: 36/36
If you can look by the slightly dated visuals, Pure Mac is another of the nigh secure sites to download Mac software and apps.
The site boasts one of the most all-encompassing selections of categories; at that place are more than 80 to choose from. The large number of groups means the site is fantabulous for finding a Mac app to perform a item part.
On the downside, Pure Mac does not run its ain download servers. All the downloads on the site are direct links that the app'due south publisher or developer has provided. Retrieve, using one of the best anti-virus apps for Mac tin can help to catch any malware-laden downloads y'all come across.
4. CNET Download
WOT Trustworthiness: 90/100
URLVoid Rating: 36/36
CNET'southward Download.com is some other of the spider web's largest collections of apps. Like Softpedia, it covers all the major operating systems, including macOS. In full, the site offers more than 150,000 free downloads.
All the Mac software on the site goes through a rigorous testing procedure to bank check for malware and other viruses.
Download.com as well bans any apps that:
- Don't have easy-to-read cease-user license agreements.
- Modify default browsers, search-engine dwelling pages, or other security settings.
- Send data about your computer usage habits to the developer without prior notification.
Because information technology'south office of CNET, many of the Mac apps you tin can download take editorial reviews, accompanying blog posts, and how-to articles. These combine to make certain that not only is the initial download safe, but that you besides utilise the software in a condom and secure way once it's on your system.
5. MacApps
WOT Trustworthiness: Not Ranked
URLVoid Rating: 36/36
If you've always bought a new Windows machine, you may be familiar with Ninite. It provides a comprehensive list of many of the well-nigh popular Windows apps across a range of categories. You lot can choose the ones you want, so download them in bulk via a custom installer. It can save hours during the system setup phase.
Sadly, Ninite does non provide a solution for Macs—but there is an alternative: MacApps. The available software is divided into vii categories: Net, Productivity, Programmer, Tools, Utilities, Multimedia, and Messaging. There are download links for all the apps y'all probably use every twenty-four hour period, including Spotify, GitHub, Docker, Evernote, Firefox, Chrome, and many more. In total, there are more than 120 apps to choose from.
To apply the tool, select the apps you lot want from the list, and MacApps will provide you with a custom Final command. Paste the control into the Concluding app, and the download will brainstorm.
half-dozen. Mac App Store
WOT Trustworthiness: 92/100
URLVoid Rating: 36/36
Of course, if you want to avert third-party Mac software sites entirely, you could simply caput to the official Mac App Store. In theory, it has highly robust processes to forestall malicious apps from finding their way into the listings.
But contrary to popular belief, the Mac App Store isn't impenetrable from a security standpoint. Some bad stuff does sneak through.
For example, in September 2018, Malwarebytes discovered that multiple apps were collecting sensitive user data and uploading information technology to servers controlled by the programmer. In many cases, the servers were in Prc. Amazingly, one of the apps—Adware Doctor—was number ane in the nautical chart for paid utilities until the inquiry was made public.
seven. Download Directly From the Developer
It's piece of cake to understand why sites that curate libraries of Mac app downloads are popular. They salvage time, offer unbiased reviews, and allow you to download older versions of software to get rid of unwanted new features.
But none of the sites we've looked at are perfect. If Apple tree can't fifty-fifty keep bad actors out of its own store, you tin exist sure that some malicious software makes its manner onto the other platforms every bit well.
The virtually reliable mode to safely and securely download Mac apps, therefore, is to head to the developers' own sites and download the file directly. Merely beware of phishing attacks for the almost popular software!
Make Certain You Download Safely
As long as you accept reasonable precautions while downloading Mac apps, you should be condom. All the usual advice applies—don't download pirated or cracked apps, don't use unknown mirrors, don't employ 3rd-party installers, and run an anti-virus at all times.
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