Want to know what the best freeware for the job is? You need look no further than Daves Computer Tips.
I’ve been writing about freeware for more than 20 years, with the past 18 years dedicated to writing for Daves Computer Tips. During that time, I’ve tested and reviewed countless freeware titles in just about every category imaginable.
There was a time when freeware discussions pretty much dominated across forums and tech sites, but those days are long gone. Do you remember the wonderful TechSupportAlert freeware site, which provided so many freeware reviews and opportunities for discussion but, alas, folded some years ago?
The fact is that the freeware arena has been stagnant now for quite some time, with very few new or innovative titles forthcoming and old popular favorites still dominating user choices.
Every couple of years or so I used to compile a list of the best freeware, published here on DCT, but the last time I looked into compiling a new list I quickly realized that it would merely consist of the same old titles repeated over again.
Looking on the positive side, that also means that those reviews and recommendations remain valid to this day. So, here then, is a selection from my freeware reviews over the years. None have been changed from the original, so please make allowances for changes over time. However, the vast majority remain as relevant today as when they were first published.
- Best Free Uninstallers
- Best Free Password Manager
- Best Free Portable Screen Capture Tools
- Best Free PDF Reader
- OnlyOffice Free Alternative to Microsoft Office
- 40 Best Portable Freeware
- Best Free Clipboard Managers
- 10 Best Freeware Picks
- 6 More Best Freeware Picks
- Best Free Data Recovery Software
- 50 Best Free Portable Applications
- Best Free Suite Of PDF Editing Tools
- Best Freeware Picks – 2023
This final one is not mine, but it is such a great and comprehensive review that it has to be included in this list. From fellow author John Durso:
Don’t forget too, if you’re looking for specific freeware, you can find plenty of recommendations on our Software Page; just click “Software” in the main menu across the top of the page.
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I have been using Hasleo Backup Suite, and in later months in starting in 2025 through 2026, the free version has been losing options that remain only in the paid versions. One of those is cloning. Go to the website and look at the version comparion tables, and you will see all the options that are no longer free. However, as long as backup and restore continue to work properly I keep using it.
Hey David,
Well, that’s all changed completely. Originally the only version was the free version and it was full-featured. Seems Hasleo first release a full-featured free version, wait until it becomes popular, and then introduce paid options while degrading the free version.
Thanks for the heads up, appreciated.