Setting up a new computer, or cleaning up an old one? You do not need to spend a fortune on software. Some of the most capable programs available today are completely free, and many are open source, which means their code is public and reviewed by a large community. This is the Adescargar list of the 20 best free programs for Windows and Mac in 2026: what each one does, who it is for, and where to get the official download.
Every pick below is free to use without a trial period or watermark, is actively maintained, and is available from its developer’s own website or an official app store. We link to official sources only.
- A new PC or Mac can be fully equipped for work, media and creative projects without paying for software.
- Open-source picks such as LibreOffice, VLC, GIMP and OBS Studio are safe, mature and widely used.
- Always install from the official website, the Microsoft Store, the Mac App Store or a package manager like winget or Homebrew.
- Uninstall anything you stop using: fewer programs means fewer things to update.
The 20 best free programs at a glance
| # | Program | Category | Windows | Mac | Open source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Firefox | Web browser | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Bitwarden | Password manager | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | Malwarebytes Free | Malware scanner | Yes | Yes | No |
| 4 | LibreOffice | Office suite | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | Obsidian | Notes | Yes | Yes | No |
| 6 | Thunderbird | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 7 | VLC media player | Video and audio player | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 8 | IINA | Video player | No | Yes | Yes |
| 9 | Audacity | Audio editor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 10 | HandBrake | Video converter | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 11 | OBS Studio | Screen recording and streaming | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 12 | GIMP | Photo editor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 13 | Affinity by Canva | Design, photo and layout | Yes | Yes | No |
| 14 | Krita | Digital painting | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 15 | DaVinci Resolve | Video editor | Yes | Yes | No |
| 16 | Blender | 3D and animation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 17 | 7-Zip / Keka | File archiver | 7-Zip | Keka | Yes |
| 18 | Microsoft PowerToys | Windows utilities | Yes | No | Yes |
| 19 | Everything / Rectangle | Search / window snapping | Everything | Rectangle | Rectangle only |
| 20 | Visual Studio Code | Code editor | Yes | Yes | Yes (core) |
Browsing and security
1. Firefox
Mozilla’s browser is the main independent alternative to Chrome-based browsers. It has strong built-in tracking protection, a large extension library and syncs bookmarks and passwords across devices. Best for: anyone who wants a fast, privacy-respecting browser that is not tied to an advertising company. Official download: mozilla.org.
2. Bitwarden
A password manager is the single most useful security tool you can install. Bitwarden’s free plan stores unlimited passwords and syncs across unlimited devices, with apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android and every major browser. Its code is open source and regularly audited. Best for: replacing reused passwords with strong, unique ones. Official download: bitwarden.com.
3. Malwarebytes Free
Windows already includes Microsoft Defender, and it is good enough for most people. Malwarebytes Free is a useful second-opinion scanner that you run on demand when something feels wrong. After the Premium trial ends, the free version keeps scanning and removing threats, but does not provide real-time protection. Best for: cleaning up adware and checking a suspicious system. Official download: malwarebytes.com.
Productivity
4. LibreOffice
A full office suite with a word processor (Writer), spreadsheets (Calc), presentations (Impress) and more. It opens and saves Microsoft Office formats such as .docx, .xlsx and .pptx, and it works completely offline. Complex Office layouts can occasionally shift, so check important documents before sending. Best for: students, home users and small businesses who do not want a subscription. Official download: libreoffice.org.
5. Obsidian
A notes app that stores everything as plain Markdown files on your own computer, so your notes stay readable even without the app. Linking between notes turns it into a personal knowledge base. The app is free for personal and commercial use; optional paid add-ons cover syncing and publishing. Best for: writers, students and anyone who wants notes they own. Official download: obsidian.md.
6. Thunderbird
Mozilla’s email client handles multiple accounts, calendars and contacts in one place, and there is now an official Android app as well. Best for: people who manage several email accounts and prefer a desktop app to webmail. Official download: thunderbird.net.
Media
7. VLC media player
VLC plays almost any video or audio file without hunting for codecs, and it can also stream, convert and play DVDs. It is one of the most impersonated programs on fake download sites, so always get it from the official site. Best for: everyone. Official download: videolan.org.
8. IINA (Mac)
A modern, Mac-native video player built on the open-source mpv engine. It supports picture-in-picture, trackpad gestures and dark mode, and feels at home on macOS. Best for: Mac users who want a player that looks and behaves like an Apple app. Official download: iina.io.
9. Audacity
A multi-track audio editor for recording podcasts and voiceovers, cleaning up noise and editing music. Best for: podcasters, students and musicians. Official download: audacityteam.org.
10. HandBrake
Converts video files into widely supported formats and shrinks large files with sensible presets for phones, tablets and the web. Best for: anyone who needs smaller or more compatible video files. Official download: handbrake.fr.
11. OBS Studio
The standard tool for screen recording and live streaming. It captures screens, windows, webcams and audio, and mixes them into scenes. Best for: tutorials, gaming videos, online teaching and streaming. Official download: obsproject.com.
Creative tools
12. GIMP
A powerful, open-source image editor with layers, masks, filters and plug-ins. GIMP 3, released in 2025, brought a refreshed interface and non-destructive filters. Best for: photo editing and graphics work on any operating system. Official download: gimp.org.
13. Affinity by Canva
In October 2025, Canva relaunched Affinity as a single free app that combines photo editing, vector design and page layout. You need a free Canva account to use it; the optional AI tools require a paid Canva plan. Best for: designers who want professional tools without a subscription. Official download: affinity.studio.
14. Krita
A painting program made by artists, with excellent brushes, pressure-sensitive pen support and animation tools. Best for: illustration, concept art and comics. Official download: krita.org.
15. DaVinci Resolve
Blackmagic Design’s editor is used on professional film and television productions, and the free version includes editing, colour grading, audio and visual effects. It needs a reasonably powerful computer. Best for: serious video editing without the price tag. Official download: blackmagicdesign.com.
16. Blender
A complete 3D suite for modelling, animation, rendering, visual effects and even video editing. Best for: 3D artists, game developers and hobbyists. Official download: blender.org.
Utilities
17. 7-Zip (Windows) and Keka (Mac)
7-Zip opens and creates ZIP, 7z, RAR and many other archive formats, with strong compression. It does not update itself, so install new versions when they are released, as older versions have had security fixes. On a Mac, Keka does the same job; it is free from the developer’s website. Official downloads: 7-zip.org and keka.io.
18. Microsoft PowerToys (Windows)
A free, open-source collection of utilities from Microsoft, including FancyZones for window layouts, a colour picker, bulk file renaming, text extraction from the screen and a quick launcher. Best for: Windows power users. Official download: the Microsoft Store or Microsoft’s GitHub page.
19. Everything (Windows) and Rectangle (Mac)
Everything, from voidtools, finds any file on your PC by name as fast as you can type. On the Mac, Rectangle adds keyboard shortcuts for snapping windows to halves, thirds and corners. macOS Sequoia added basic window tiling, but Rectangle still offers more layouts and shortcuts. Official downloads: voidtools.com and rectangleapp.com.
20. Visual Studio Code
A fast, extensible code editor that also works well for writing Markdown, editing configuration files and learning to code. Best for: developers, students and technical writers. Official download: code.visualstudio.com.
How to install these programs safely
- Use a package manager when you can. On Windows,
winget install Mozilla.Firefoxinstalls Firefox from the official source, andwinget upgrade --allkeeps everything current. On a Mac, Homebrew does the same with commands such asbrew install --cask firefox. - Otherwise, type the official address listed above rather than clicking a search ad.
- Check the installer’s signature and details before you run it. Our guide on how to verify a download shows you how in a couple of minutes.
- Decline bundled offers by choosing a custom installation if you ever see one.
Installing everything on a brand-new PC? Tools such as winget let you install a whole list of apps in one go. It is faster, and every app comes from its official source.
Frequently asked questions
Is free software safe to use?
Reputable free software from the developer’s official site is as safe as paid software. The risk comes from where you download it: repackaged installers on unofficial sites can contain adware or malware.
What is the difference between free and open-source software?
Free software costs nothing to use. Open-source software also publishes its code so anyone can inspect and improve it. Most of the programs on this list are both; Obsidian, Affinity, DaVinci Resolve and Malwarebytes Free are free but not open source.
What free software should I install first on a new PC?
Start with a browser, a password manager and your everyday tools: Firefox, Bitwarden, LibreOffice and VLC cover most needs. Add creative or technical tools as you need them.
Do I need a paid antivirus on Windows?
For most home users, the built-in Microsoft Defender is enough when combined with safe download habits and automatic updates. A free on-demand scanner like Malwarebytes Free is handy for a second opinion.
Replacing a paid program?
See our honest comparison of free alternatives to Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Premiere Pro and other paid software.