Softonic

Softonic started in 1997 as a file-oriented download service called Shareware Intercom,^[1] at Intercom Online (Grupo Intercom), a provider of Internet services in Cerdanyola del Vallès, near Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain). Files came from the "Files Library Intercom BBS" at Intercom Online, using a "5-step semi-automated process".^[2] The company also offered monthly CDs of its software library.^[3] In 1999, the service was described by El Tiempo as having a "generosity of games, antiviruses, education and the long, seductive et cetera."^[4] In 2000, the company became independent under the name Softonic.^[5]

In 2004, Softonic was made available in German, and in 2005, English.^[6] Initially, the service was for downloads of MS-DOS and Windows software.^[7] Mac and mobile platforms were later added.

In 2013, Partners Group acquired 30% of the shares, paying more than 82 million euros.^[8][9] At the end of 2014, Softonic announced that a headcount reduction procedure would be carried out as a cost-cutting measure, allegedly due to financial and organizational reasons. In December, the company formalized the dismissal of 156 employees.^[10]

In February 2015, Scott Arpajian, co-founder of Download.com, became the CEO, succeeding founder Tomás Diago.^[11]

Softonic's "Softonic Downloader" was described by their CEO Scott Arpajian as having "facilitated bad behaviour amongst third party vendors which ended up harming the user", with malicious links impersonating the downloader itself. He said that the Downloader "grew revenue but was under the microscope as far as the industry was concerned". In February 2015, Softonic permanently discontinued the Softonic Downloader and transitioned to a direct-download-only model, with the aim of improving transparency and rebuilding user trust., in particularly Google", who went on to withdraw its advertising from the site in 2014.^[12]

Arpajian said that shutting down the Softonic Downloader was one of the first things he had done when he took over the company in February 2015, and that his intention was to regain the trust of the site's users.^[12]

In February 2015, Softonic permanently discontinued the Softonic Downloader and transitioned to a direct-download-only model, with the aim of improving transparency and rebuilding user trust.^[13]

In July 2016, Softonic announced a partnership with business software platform Crozdesk.^[14]

In May 2017, the company announced that it had hired international executive Sophie Bernard as Vice President of Strategy.^[15]

In October 2019, Softonic acquired Ghacks. The site's founder and editor, Martin Brinkmann, along with the writing team, retained editorial control over the content. Softonic assumed responsibility for administrative tasks, including domain management, hosting, advertisements, and partner communications.^[16]

In 2020, Softonic launched Revamp, a technology to increase publishers' advertising revenue.^[17]

In 2021, Fiona Garvey was appointed as CEO.^[18][19]

In 2022, the company grew 34%,^[20][18] amounting to over €26 million.^[21][22][23]

In 2024, Softonic acquired Appvizer, a business-to-business software recommendation platform. Appvizer is known for its recommendation algorithms and clients like Factorial, Monday.com, and Salesforce.^[24][25]

Softonic applies a multi-layer security analysis system to the files published on its platform. Each file is scanned using multiple antivirus engines through services such as VirusTotal and technologies from providers including Avira, BitDefender, ESET, Kaspersky, Google Safe Browsing, AVG, Avast, McAfee, Microsoft, and Symantec.^[26][27]

Files are also subject to digital signature verification, integrity checks, and publisher reputation analysis. When a file is updated, it is automatically reanalyzed, and content may be quarantined or removed if new threats are detected.^[28]

As of 2024, Softonic analyzes more than 10,000 files daily and has verified over 8 million files to date, detecting approximately 98% of threats prior to download. Each file includes a visible indicator known as the “Softonic Score,” which summarizes the outcome of the security analyses.^[29][30]

Independent study

In 2018, an academic study published in the journal Computers & Security examined software samples downloaded from several distribution platforms, including Softonic. Within the analyzed sample, files from Softonic showed a higher proportion of valid digital signatures than those from some comparable platforms, recorded low levels of bundled software, and did not execute unauthorized payloads in Man-in-the-Middle interception tests^[31].

The study noted that these findings were limited to the files analyzed and did not represent a comprehensive assessment of all content available on each platform.

Products

The company currently has four main products:^[32][33][34]

• Softonic.com: A software distribution platform that provides options and guidance for various software needs.
• Appvizer: A platform that recommends B2B software.
• GHacks: A tech news site focusing on web browsers, software tips, guides, and reviews.

White Labels

Softonic collaborates with other platforms to manage their ecosystems:

• FileHippo: A computer software for Windows downloading website
• DigitalTrends.com: A tech news site that covers consumer electronics, computing, entertainment, and emerging technologies, with up-to-date news, reviews, and articles.
• Download.com: Software download platform owned by CNET and launched in 1996, becoming one of the most prominent software distribution directories in the United States during the 2000s.