The 10 Best Sites to Get Free Software for Students

As a student, your budget is limited, and your expenses are high. The last thing you want is to spend an exorbitant amount of money on licensing fees for software. Fortunately, there are dozens of ways to find free software, some of which require only proof of enrollment (usually a student ID or email address) to qualify. These sites provide everything from word processing software to audio and image-editing programs.

Unfortunately, not all websites are safe. Even the most visited sites with a friendly, inviting front might hide viruses and malware inside the downloads. As you search for software, make sure you pay attention to your downloads folder. If you see any file downloading other than the one you selected, delete it immediately. Do not open it. You should install an anti-virus program on your computer before you begin searching for any software or download any applications.

Other Ways to Get Free Software

Check with the student resources center at your school. Many universities provide some software free as part of your tuition, but many students don’t know about this and never look. Depending on your area of study, advanced, powerful software may be available to you. For example, many art schools provide photo-editing tools such as Photoshop for free (or at a steep discount) for students enrolled in graphic arts studies.

10 Best Sites for Free Student Software or Services

Here are some of the best websites for students to find free software or services they can use in their studies and their lives.