Microsoft Store is the best place for software for most Windows users, with Apple App Store close behind for iPhone, iPad and Mac users, and Steam the default pick for PC games. Six of the eight places in this guide start at $0 for free apps or free games, so the store itself costs nothing and you only spend on the apps or games you choose. Setapp is the budget bundle pick for Mac users at $14.99 per month, while Humble Choice is the bundle pick for PC gamers at $14.99 per month.
The best place for software depends on the device in your hand and the kind of software you need. A Windows PC, an iPhone, an Android phone and a Mac each have a main store built into the system, and those built-in stores are the safest first stop because the publisher name, the price and the system requirements sit on one page.
On this page
Best place for software: comparison table
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
| # | Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan / trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microsoft Store | Windows PC users | $0 for free apps | Yes | Visit |
| 2 | Apple App Store | iPhone, iPad and Mac users | $0 for free apps | Yes | Visit |
| 3 | Google Play | Android phone and tablet users | $0 for no-charge apps | Yes | Visit |
| 4 | Steam | PC gamers | $0 for a free account and free-to-play games | Yes | Visit |
| 5 | Epic Games Store | PC gamers who want weekly free games | $0 for a free account and the weekly free game | Yes | Visit |
| 6 | GOG.com | PC gamers who want DRM-free games | $0 for a free account and free games | Yes | Visit |
| 7 | Setapp | Mac users who want many apps in one plan | $14.99 per month | Free trial (7 days) | Visit |
| 8 | Humble Choice | PC gamers who want a monthly game bundle | $14.99 per month | No | Visit |
The 8 best best place for software tools, in detail
Microsoft Store
Best for: Windows PC users
Microsoft Store is the main store for Windows apps, games and media, and it ships with Windows 10 and Windows 11, so most Windows users already have it. You can browse apps in a browser at apps.microsoft.com and open a listing in the Store app to install it. A free app shows a Get button, and a priced app shows its price on the listing page before checkout.
- One limit is that the Store is tied to Windows, so it does not help if you move to a Mac or a Chromebook.
- Another limit is that some free apps still ask for a Microsoft account sign-in, and some apps ask for a subscription to use the full catalog inside th
- Check the publisher name under the app title before you install, because lookalike apps can use a similar name.
Pros
- Built into Windows 10 and Windows 11
- many free apps
- automatic updates for Store apps
Cons
- Windows only
- some apps ask you to sign in with a Microsoft account
Apple App Store
Best for: iPhone, iPad and Mac users
Apple App Store is the main store for iPhone, iPad and Mac apps, and it ships with iOS, iPadOS and macOS, so there is nothing extra to install. Apple Support states that an app with a Get button instead of a price is free, and you will not be charged for downloading a free app. Some free apps offer in-app purchases and subscriptions that you can buy inside the app.
- One limit is that the store only serves Apple devices, so an app bought here does not move to a Windows PC or an Android phone.
- Another limit is that Apple may ask for a valid payment method on file even for a free app, which surprises some new users.
- Check the compatibility line on each listing, because an app may need iOS 16.4 or later.
Pros
- Built into iOS, iPadOS and macOS
- clear Get button for free apps
- Top Free chart for discovery
Cons
- Apple devices only
- Apple may ask for a payment method on file even for a free app
Google Play
Best for: Android phone and tablet users
Google Play is the main store for Android apps and games, and it ships on most Android phones and tablets. Google Support states that you can download no-charge and priced apps from Google Play, and that a no-charge app shows an Install button while a priced app shows its price. You can browse on the phone or on a computer at play.google.com, then install to a signed-in Android device.
- One limit is that Google Play only serves Android devices, so it does not help on an iPhone or a Windows PC.
- Another limit is that many no-charge apps sell extra features, content or subscriptions inside the app, so the free download is not always the full pr
- Check the app page for in-app purchases and the device requirements before you install.
Pros
- Built into most Android phones and tablets
- no-charge apps show an Install button
- Google Play Protect checks apps
Cons
- Android only
- some no-charge apps sell extra features inside the app
Steam
Best for: PC gamers
Steam is the largest PC game store in this guide, and a Steam account is free to create, with no monthly fee to use the store. Free-to-play games can be downloaded and played without a subscription or a credit card, according to Steam Support, and popular free-to-play titles include Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2 and Apex Legends. Priced games range from a few dollars for indie titles to $60 or more for new releases, and seasonal sales cut many prices for a limited time.
- One limit is that most games are priced per title, so a large library can cost far more than a subscription bundle if you buy at full price.
- Another limit is that Steam restricts some community features on a limited account until the account has spent at least $5.00 in the Steam store, whic
- Check the price and the system requirements on each game page before you buy.
Pros
- Free account with no monthly fee
- large catalog of free-to-play games
- seasonal sales cut game prices
Cons
- Most games carry a price per title
- some community features stay limited until the account has spent $5.00
Epic Games Store
Best for: PC gamers who want weekly free games
Epic Games Store is a PC game store with a weekly free game offer that sets it apart from the other stores in this guide. A new free game appears every Thursday, and the old one leaves at the same time, so you get exactly seven days to claim it. A claimed game stays in your library whether or not you install it at once, and you can claim it in a browser without the launcher.
- One limit is that the catalog is smaller than Steam, so a game you want may not be listed here at all.
- Another limit is that the seven-day window is strict, so a free game you miss goes back to its normal price.
- Epic may also ask for two-factor authentication before you claim a free game, so turn that on before the Thursday you want to claim.
Pros
- Free account
- a free game every Thursday for seven days
- claimed games stay in your library
Cons
- Smaller catalog than Steam
- each free game is only free for seven days
GOG.com
Best for: PC gamers who want DRM-free games
GOG.com is a PC game store that sells games without digital rights management, which means a downloaded game does not need an online check to play. The store lists classic games and modern hits, with prices shown on each game page, and it lists free games such as POSTAL Classic and Uncut at $0. The GOG Preservation Program keeps older games working on modern computers.
- One limit is that the catalog is smaller than Steam and mainly covers games, so it does not replace a general app store for work software.
- Another limit is that there is no subscription bundle, so each game is a separate purchase and sale prices change often.
- Check the game page for the price and the system requirements before you buy.
Pros
- Free account
- games are DRM-free with no online check to play
- free games listed on the store
Cons
- Smaller catalog than Steam, mainly games
- no subscription bundle for many apps
Setapp
Best for: Mac users who want many apps in one plan
Setapp is a subscription service from MacPaw that gives Mac users access to a catalog of 300 or more Mac, iOS and web apps for one monthly fee. The Mac plan costs $14.99 per month billed monthly, and annual billing costs $107.88 per year, which works out to $8.99 per month. The Mac plus iOS plan costs $18.99 per month billed monthly for 1 Mac and 4 iOS devices, and the Power User plan costs $22.99 per month billed monthly for 4 Macs and 4 iOS devices.
- One limit is that Setapp is Mac only, so it does not help on Windows, and the iOS marketplace in the EU was discontinued in February 2026.
- Another limit is that access to the apps ends when the subscription ends, so you do not own the apps in the catalog.
- The Mac plan covers 1 Mac only, so a second Mac needs a higher plan.
Pros
- One plan covers 300 or more Mac, iOS and web apps
- 7-day free trial
- annual billing cuts the monthly cost
Cons
- Mac only, with no Windows version
- access to apps ends when the subscription ends
- Mac plan covers 1 Mac only
Humble Choice
Best for: PC gamers who want a monthly game bundle
Humble Choice is a monthly game bundle from Humble Bundle, and it costs $14.99 per month in the United States. Each month members receive a set of PC games, usually seven or eight, and the games are delivered as keys, mostly for Steam, which you keep after you claim them. Members also save up to 20 percent on most purchases in the Humble Store, and the yearly plan costs $154.99, which works out to about $12.92 per month.
- One limit is that there is no free plan or trial, so the first month is a real spend even if you only want one game in the bundle.
- Another limit is that keys have redemption deadlines, so a key you leave unclaimed can expire.
- Check the redemption date on each key and the monthly lineup before the billing date.
Pros
- Monthly bundle of PC games to keep
- members save up to 20 percent in the Humble Store
- keys are mostly for Steam
Cons
- No free plan or trial
- monthly members can skip or pause a month, but keys have redemption deadlines
How we chose
We chose places that sell or list real software from real publishers, with an official store page, a clear price for each app or game, and a way to install it without a third-party download site. We checked prices and plan limits on official vendor pricing pages and official support pages on 12 November 2026, and we used $0 as the starting price only where the store itself lists a free app, a no-charge app, or a free-to-play game. Setapp and Humble Choice are the only two places in this guide with a monthly entry price, at $14.99 per month each. Humble Choice raised its monthly price from $11.99 to $14.99 in July 2025. We did not test any tool hands-on. We did not use customer counts, awards or review scores to rank the stores. A unique angle in this guide is the weekly Epic Games Store cycle and the March 2026 Setapp Marketplace, because both change the cost of a library in a way a simple price list misses.
Which place fits your device and budget
| Situation | Start here | Monthly cost to start |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC, one or two apps | Microsoft Store | $0 for free apps |
| iPhone, iPad or Mac | Apple App Store | $0 for free apps |
| Android phone or tablet | Google Play | $0 for no-charge apps |
| PC games, widest choice | Steam | $0 for free-to-play games |
| PC games, weekly free game | Epic Games Store | $0 for the weekly free game |
| PC games, DRM-free ownership | GOG.com | $0 for free games |
| Mac, many apps each month | Setapp | $14.99 per month |
| PC games, monthly bundle | Humble Choice | $14.99 per month |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best place for software for most people?
Microsoft Store is the best place for software for most Windows users because it is built into Windows and lists many free apps. Apple App Store is the best place for iPhone, iPad and Mac users for the same reason. Start with the store built into your device, then add Steam for PC games or Setapp for Mac apps when you need more.
How much does the best place for software cost?
The store itself costs $0 on Microsoft Store, Apple App Store, Google Play, Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG.com, and you only spend on the apps or games you choose. Setapp costs $14.99 per month billed monthly, or $107.88 per year on annual billing. Humble Choice costs $14.99 per month, or $154.99 per year.
Which is best for PC games?
Steam is best for PC games when you want the widest catalog and seasonal sales. Epic Games Store is best when you want a free game every Thursday for seven days. GOG.com is best when you want DRM-free games you can play without an online check. Humble Choice is best when you want a monthly bundle of games to keep.
Which is best for Mac apps?
Setapp is best for Mac users who use many apps each month, because one plan at $14.99 per month covers 300 or more Mac, iOS and web apps. Apple App Store is best when you need one or two Mac apps, because many Mac apps are free or carry a one-time price. Check how many Setapp apps you will use before you commit to a monthly plan.
Is software from these stores safe to install?
Yes, when you use the official store page and check the publisher name on the listing. Microsoft Store, Apple App Store, Google Play, Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG.com each list the publisher, the price and the system requirements on the app or game page. Avoid third-party download sites that offer the same app, because those copies can carry malware.
Do I own the software I buy from these stores?
It depends on the store. A one-time purchase on Microsoft Store, Apple App Store, Google Play, Steam, Epic Games Store or GOG.com stays tied to your account, while a Setapp subscription gives access only while you keep the plan. Humble Choice keys stay yours after you claim them, but each key has a redemption deadline, so claim it before that date.
Sources
- https://apps.microsoft.com/store
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app-store
- https://play.google.com/store
- https://store.steampowered.com/
- https://store.epicgames.com/
- https://www.gog.com/
- https://setapp.com/
- https://setapp.com/pricing
- https://www.humblebundle.com/
- https://www.humblebundle.com/membership
Prices and features were read on each company’s own website in November 2026. They change often, so confirm the current offer on the official site before you sign up or buy.