What Download.Com does

Download.com, doing business as CNET Download, is a web-based software discovery and download directory operating across four platforms: Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS. The platform organizes third-party software into categories including security, utilities, games, multimedia, browsers, developer tools, internet, communications, productivity, entertainment, education, travel, customization, and screensavers, and surfaces user ratings and reviews alongside editorial listings. Its core technology is a curated catalog with cross-platform browsing, search, and category-page architecture optimized for organic search traffic.

The business operates on a free-to-use model for end consumers, with revenue generated primarily through advertising and sponsored listings (software publishers pay for featured placement, with Opera and Adobe Stock visible as sponsors) and affiliate or referral commissions driven by a dedicated software coupons section featuring VPNs, antivirus, and hardware brands such as ExpressVPN, Surfshark, NordVPN, Norton, HP, Hostgator, and Samsung. The go-to-market is product-led growth via SEO and self-serve download, supplemented by a content and distribution partnership with Softonic disclosed on the site.

Download.com is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ziff Davis (NASDAQ: ZD), a diversified digital media company that acquired CNET Media Group in 2016. The unit operates with a 1-10 employee footprint, is headquartered in San Francisco, and serves global consumers, with localization into Spanish as a notable multilingual extension. No standalone financials, funding, or recent strategic initiatives are disclosed at the Download.com level.

Name

Download.Com

Legal name

Download.com

Website

https://download.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Download.com (CNET Download) is a Ziff Davis-owned, free-to-use software directory that aggregates downloads, reviews, and coupons for Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS users worldwide. It monetizes through sponsored listings and affiliate commissions from software publishers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Software Download Directory

NAICS

Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)

SIC

Retail-Computer & Computer Software Stores (5734)

akta.pro primary industry

PC/Desktop Software Stores (BPAMADAB)

Keywords

• Software download platform
• Software directory
• App discovery
• Software reviews
• Software coupons

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Advertising and Sponsored Listings: Software publishers pay for featured/sponsored placement on the platform. Opera browser appears as sponsored listing across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS categories. Adobe Stock appears as sponsored in Multimedia categories.
2. Affiliate/Referral Commissions: Revenue generated through affiliate links and referral commissions when users download or purchase software through the platform. Coupon section drives affiliate revenue from software purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Download.com (CNET Download) is a free, web-based software discovery and download directory that aggregates third-party software, apps, and drivers for Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS platforms. Users browse categorized listings (browsers, security, multimedia, games, developer tools, etc.), read user ratings and reviews, and download titles offered as free, trial, or paid by the underlying software publishers.

Product overview

Download.Com (CNET Download) is a software download directory and review platform operated by Ziff Davis, offering free and paid software downloads across four platforms: Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS. The service organizes software into categories including Security, Tools & Utilities, Games, Multimedia, Browsers, Developer Tools, Internet Software, Communications, Entertainment, Productivity, Educational Software, Travel, Customization, and Screensavers & Wallpaper. The platform features both editorial-curated recommendations and sponsored listings, along with software coupons and deals. Rather than a unified product with modules, the site functions as a curated directory aggregating third-party software downloads with user ratings and reviews.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CNET Download Software Directory Cross-platform software directory and review platform covering Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS, allowing individual consumers to search, rate, review, and download free, trial, or paid third-party software organized into categories such as Browsers, Security, Games, Multimedia, Developer Tools, Internet Software, Productivity, Communications, and Utilities.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Softpedia: Software download library and news site covering desktop and mobile apps with editorial reviews. Competes head-to-head with Download.com for SEO-driven software discovery traffic.
• MajorGeeks: Curated Windows software download directory emphasizing vetted, adware-free listings. Targets the same end user seeking safe, categorized desktop software as Download.com.
• Softonic: Global software and app discovery platform covering Windows, Mac, and mobile. Direct competitor to Download.com and listed as a content/distribution partner on the site, sharing near-identical curation, ratings, and sponsored-listing monetization.
• FileHippo: Long-running Windows software download directory with category browsing, version history, and editor-reviewed listings. Closely mirrors Download.com's Windows-focused value proposition.
• Ninite: Software download and silent-installation service primarily for IT and prosumer users managing multiple Windows apps. Comparable on the desktop software aggregation core, differentiated by batch installation.
• Uptodown: Multi-platform (especially Android) app store and software discovery platform with APK distribution and editorial content. Comparable mobile-side catalogue and free-download model to Download.com's Android section.
• APKPure: Android-focused third-party app store with APK downloads, app discovery, and editorial reviews. Direct comparator to the Android leg of Download.com's offering.

Broad incumbents

• CNET: Parent editorial brand under Ziff Davis that powers Download.com's reputation and traffic. Provides reviews, news, and software listings across a broader tech-media portfolio, of which Download.com is the download-focused property.
• Google Play: Default Android app store with native distribution, curation, and billing. Indirect competitor that structurally limits the addressable market for Download.com's mobile offering.
• Apple App Store: Default iOS app marketplace with strict curation and integrated payment. Sets the structural ceiling on iOS software discovery that third-party directories like Download.com can address.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/downloadnow
• Facebookfacebook.com/downloadcom

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Download.Com