Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 30, 2026

Softonic

Softonic is a Spanish software download platform that distributes, categorizes, and evaluates programs for Windows, Android, and Mac. The platform was founded in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in June 1997.

Last revised
May 30, 2026
Read time
≈ 7 min
Length
1,593 w
Citations
40
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Softonic.com
Type of site
Software hosting service
Available inArabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese, Chinese
CEOFiona Garvey
Revenue€32.4 million (2025)"Softonic eleva ingresos un 14% y plantea su evolución hacia un ecosistema más basado en el usuario". Cinco Días. 26 February 2026.
Operating income€5.1 million (2025) 1
Employees87 (2025) 1
Subsidiaries
URLen.softonic.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationNot required
Launched1997 (1997)
Current statusOnline

Softonic is a Spanish software download platform that distributes, categorizes, and evaluates programs for Windows, Android, and Mac. The platform was founded in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in June 1997.

History

Softonic started in 1997 as a file-oriented download service called Shareware Intercom,2 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".3 The company also offered monthly CDs of its software library.4 In 1999, the service was described by El Tiempo as having a "generosity of games, antiviruses, education and the long, seductive et cetera."5 In 2000, the company became independent under the name Softonic.6

In 2004, Softonic was made available in German, and in 2005, English.7 Initially, the service was for downloads of MS-DOS and Windows software.8 Mac and mobile platforms were later added.

In 2013, Partners Group acquired 30% of the shares, paying more than 82 million euros.910 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.11

In February 2015, Scott Arpajian, co-founder of Download.com, became the CEO, succeeding founder Tomás Diago.12

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 2014.13

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.13

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.14

In July 2016, Softonic announced a partnership with business software platform Crozdesk.15

In May 2017, the company announced that it had hired international executive Sophie Bernard as Vice President of Strategy.16

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.17

In 2020, Softonic launched Revamp, a technology to increase publishers' advertising revenue.18

In 2021, Fiona Garvey was appointed as CEO.1920

In 2022, the company grew 34%,2119 amounting to over €26 million.222324

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.2526

In February 2026, Softonic reported revenues of €32.4 million for fiscal year 2025, a 14.1% year-on-year increase, and an operating profit of €5.1 million.27

Security

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.2829

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.30

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.3132

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 tests33.

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.

Overview

Products

The company currently has four main products:343536

  • 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
  • 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.

International presence

Softonic operates internationally, with its platform available in 18 languages. According to the company's Global Download & Trends Report 2025, produced with consultancy firm Forvis Mazars, the platform recorded over 1.5 billion visits in 2025, with an average of 127.7 million monthly sessions. By region, Asia accounted for 51.25% of traffic and the Americas for 22.25%. In Spain, the company's domestic market, Softonic registered more than 24 million sessions during the same year.37

References

References

  1. Cite error: The named reference cincodias2026 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. "Shareware". Intercom.es. Archived from the original on 2000-10-21.
  3. "Backstage" (in Spanish). Shareware.Intercom.es. Archived from the original on February 21, 1999.
  4. "CDROMs Softonic". Softonic.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2000.
  5. "Enredados (Tangled)" (in Spanish). Spain: El Tiempo. December 19, 1999. (English tr.).
  6. "About pmiiumima". Softonic.com. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  7. "About Softonic". Softonic.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2005.
  8. "Shareware.intercom" (in Spanish). shareware.intercom.es. Archived from the original on December 24, 1997.
  9. "Partners compra el 30% de Softonic por 82,5 millones". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 2013-02-27. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  10. Martínez, Jesús (2014-10-28). "Softonic, auge y caída de uno de los 'unicornios' españoles de internet". El Blog Salmón (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  11. "Softonic acuerda con la plantilla 156 despidos, frente a los 207 planteados". 18 December 2014.
  12. "Softonic Names Scott Arpajian New CEO". Yahoo Finance.
  13. "Q&A with Softonic's CEO Scott Arpajian: from desktop software juggernaut to 'mobile first' restart". 9 September 2015.
  14. Novoa, Jaime (2015-09-09). "Q&A with Softonic's CEO Scott Arpajian: from desktop software juggernaut to 'mobile first' restart". Novobrief. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  15. "Crozdesk announces partnership with Softonic to help millions of businesses find the right software". techcitynews.com. July 6, 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-07-07. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  16. "Softonic Hires Sophie Bernard as Vice President of Strategy". Softonic Corporate. Archived from the original on 2018-07-18. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  17. Brinkmann, Martin (October 7, 2019). "Ghacks has a new owner, and that is good for everyone". ghacks.net. Softonic. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  18. "How publishers can amplify ad revenues with AMP". Media Makers Meet. 2020-08-12. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  19. "Visión y trayectoria". Forbes España (in Spanish). 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  20. "Fiona Garvey nueva CEO de Softonic - ProgPublicidad". El Programa de la Publicidad (in Spanish). 2022-07-29. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  21. "Softonic CEO: 'Having a female leader promote other female leaders has driven our success'". www.managementtoday.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  22. Es, Eleconomista (2023-02-07). "Softonic aumentó sus ingresos un 34% en 2022 gracias a la diversificación de sus productos". eleconomista.es. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  23. "Softonic eleva un 34% sus ingresos hasta los 26,6 millones en 2022". Forbes España (in Spanish). 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  24. "Softonic vuelve a despegar". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 2023-03-17. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  25. "La tecnológica Softonic adquiere el medio de comunicación especializado Appvizer". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  26. "Softonic entra en el segmento B2B con la compra de la francesa Appvizer". EXPANSION (in Spanish). 2024-06-24. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  27. "Softonic eleva ingresos un 14% y plantea su evolución hacia un ecosistema más basado en el usuario". Cinco Días. 26 February 2026.
  28. Madridiario. "Descargas más seguras: Softonic lanza los Informes de Seguridad en todo su catálogo de software". Madridiario (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  29. "Fiona Garvey, CEO de Softonic: "Mantenerse relevante en tecnología exige propósito, innovación y una obsesión por mejorar"". elEconomista.es (in Spanish). 2025-10-31. Archived from the original on 2025-10-31. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  30. Geniola, Alberto; Antikainen, Markku; Aura, Tuomas (2018-08-01). "Automated analysis of freeware installers promoted by download portals". Computers & Security. 77: 209–225. doi:10.1016/j.cose.2018.03.010. hdl:10138/238335. ISSN 0167-4048.
  31. "Privacidad y seguridad: una de las principales preocupaciones de los usuarios". El Español (in Spanish). 2022-12-04. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
  32. Geniola, Alberto; Antikainen, Markku; Aura, Tuomas (2018-08-01). "Automated analysis of freeware installers promoted by download portals". Computers & Security. 77: 209–225. doi:10.1016/j.cose.2018.03.010. hdl:10138/238335. ISSN 0167-4048.
  33. Geniola, Alberto; Antikainen, Markku; Aura, Tuomas (2018-08-01). "Automated analysis of freeware installers promoted by download portals". Computers & Security. 77: 209–225. doi:10.1016/j.cose.2018.03.010. hdl:10138/238335. ISSN 0167-4048.
  34. Es, Eleconomista (2023-02-07). "Softonic aumentó sus ingresos un 34% en 2022 gracias a la diversificación de sus productos". eleconomista.es. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  35. "Esplendor, decadencia y renacer de un unicornio: Softonic vuelve a beneficios operativos - Emprendedores: La revista líder en economía de empresa". emprendedores.es (in Spanish). 2018-06-07. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  36. "Softonic". www.coursehero.com. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
  37. "Softonic superó los 24 millones de sesiones en España durante 2025". El Economista (in Spanish). 26 March 2026. Retrieved 4 May 2026.