7 Must-Know Mac Software Download Sites

Posted by Taylor Sternberg on 12/8/07 in Articles, Linkage, Opinions

We strive to review and preview the latest and greatest applications for OS X here at Macapper, but if there is one thing I have relied on over the years, it has been several Mac Software download sites. They have pointed me in the right direction when looking for even the most obscure application. And as this blog and others can attest to, there are so many obscure and cool apps floating out there.

This list is by no means definitive but here is a list of my 7 must-know software download repositories for the best in Mac software, and more. Let me know if I missed any!

Apple Downloads
Includes: Categories, Editor Picks, Popular Download list, RSS feed.
Pros: Slick interface. Elegant design in the Apple way.
Cons: Lack of community. Apple applications hold prominent positions.

Download.com
Includes: Categories, Download Cart, Editor Picks, Editor Reviews, Popular Download list, RSS feed, User Generated Ratings, User Comments.
Pros: Reliable (owned by CNet), nice looking design, quick search and interface.
Cons: Lack of community, as there aren’t a lot of user comments or reviews, and the most popular downloads are surprising. The main URL is complicated, which makes it hard to quickly get to the Mac download page.

iUseThis
Includes: Facebook Application, Popular Download List, RSS feed, Tags, User Comments, User Voting System (like Digg).
Pros: Simple interface. The voting system makes the popular application list feel more relevant. Quick and reliable.
Cons: Application list pages (New, Search, etc) includes full description and info, rather than just titles for finding an application quickly.

MacUpdate
Includes: Blog, Categories, Downloadable Client, Editor Picks, Popular Download list, RSS feed, User Generated Ratings, User Comments.
Pros: Mac-centric. Simple layout. Good for finding an application at a glance, as search reveals a list of application names.
Cons: Search is often slow.

Pure Mac
Includes: Categories, Editor Picks, File Extension Database, RSS feed.
Pros: Very simple interface. Clean. Surprisingly informational for being so simple.
Cons: Lots of Google Ads. Lacks professional polish.

Softpedia
Includes: Categories, Download Cart, Editor Picks, Editor Reviews, Popular Download list, User Generated Ratings, User Comments.
Pros: Includes a lot of applications, even obscure stuff. Quick Search.
Cons: Cluttered interface. Latest Additions is at the bottom of the page, below news and reviews. Rollover ads.

VersionTracker
Includes: Categories, Downloadable Client, Download Cart, Editor Picks, Editor Reviews, Popular Download list, RSS feed, User Generated Ratings, User Comments.
Pros: Reliable and quick.
Cons: Requires free registration for some basic functions. Interface seems a bit cluttered.

del.icio.us tag this | digg this | permalink | ping

5 Comment(s)

Legend:

Guest

Article Author

Contributor

Gand said on

December 8th, 2007 at 9:08 am

18,500 listed here:
http://osx.hyperjeff.net/Apps/

About 250 OpenSource here:
http://www.freesmug.org/review

Frank said on

December 11th, 2007 at 2:40 am

Can MacApper complain in good faith about a site having a cluttered interface?

Joel Mueller said on

December 11th, 2007 at 4:05 am

The MacUpdate search may “seem” slower because the javascript sorts the results, but in the end it actually saves you time. For example, go to each of these download sites and search for “itunes”. As you can see, the main Apple iTunes file download is first in line at MacUpdate. This isn’t the case with the other sites.

Bruce A said on

December 12th, 2007 at 4:09 am

I greatly prefer MacUpdate over VersionTracker. I used to be a VT man, but they started getting more interested in shoving ads down my throat than actually providing downloads.

Juju said on

December 17th, 2007 at 12:40 pm

Hello guys !

I think you forgot http://www.softonic.com which has a really good Mac section here :

http://en.softonic.com/mac

It’s in english and a lot more language.

Check on it !

windows vista free downloadable games said on

February 3rd, 2008 at 1:39 am

windows vista free downloadable games

haha gotta love Windows…