Tucows History

Tucows.com is the original software download site, offering fast, local downloads through our global file-hosting system.

When the Internet was a baby, Tucows was among the first places computer users could go for free or try-it-before-you-buy-it software. We know these programs as "freeware" and "shareware," respectively. We currently host more than 40,000 software titles, all tested and reviewed by our staff of in-house software experts.

How It Works

Windows, Macintosh, and Linux software libraries are conveniently divided into logical categories. Under the Business tab, you'll find word processors, calculators and other office utilities. The Games tab includes MMORPGs, card games, arcade games, puzzles and board games. The Internet category houses all things Web-related: e-mail clients, chat messengers, networking tools and browsers. The Audio & Video category contains software for playing, editing, converting and organizing audio and video files. Security includes security and files tools to optimize and monitor your system, and the Desktop Enhancements category allows you to spruce up your desktop with custom screen savers, wallpapers, cursors and icons.

Tucows Today

In August 2001, Tucows launched our Author Resource Center which allows software developers to manage and promote their Tucows offerings. This advancement in the way we process software ensures that you always have the best, most up-to-date freeware and shareware available on the Web. Our newest offerings include user discussion forums and editorial articles focused on software and Internet trends.

How We Are Different From Other Download Sites

Review Process

No other download site on the Web can claim that it tests and reviews every piece of software that is submitted to its site. Not only does Tucows evaluate every submission that we receive, we do so according to comprehensive set of criteria that we publish for anyone's viewing pleasure.

Our team of expert reviewers is exposed to hundreds of the same type of program, while end-users may find one great word processor and fall in love. Who knows if it uninstalls properly? After the reviewer spends a generous amount of time testing each application, a "cow rating" — 3, 4 or 5 — is assigned based on the total number of points the program received. You won't find one or two-cow programs on this site because those programs simply do not meet our standards.

The image to the right is a summary breakdown of our Ratings Guide. For the full Guide, click here.

File Hosting

Our global file-hosting system allows us to provide you with fast, local downloads by automatically choosing the location closest to you when you select an application to download, and because we host the physical files we are also the only download site on the ‘Net who can claim that our downloads are 100% virus-free, and contain no third-party advertising or spyware.

The Product Page

On every Tucows download page, also called a Product Page, you will find a wealth of information. We include the cow rating, a promotional description of the software provided by the developer, an objective description of the program provided by our editorial staff. We also allow the reviewer to provide commentary on program highlights in the form of a bulleted list, and we suggest titles downloaded by other users who have chosen a given program, as items that may be of interest to you.

An estimated download time appears on the right-hand side of the screen, and you always have access to our entire selection of software libraries, discussion forums and informative articles from any Tucows page.

Other Tucows Offerings

Tucows is not just about the software! We also offer Weblogs, domain names and Web hosting through our worldwide network of resellers. Please visit www.blogware.com and www.domaindirect.com for more information.