FREEWARE’S FINAL DAYS! App Stores by Google and Microsoft Obliterate Classic Download Sites! 🔥

Indie developers are struggling as app stores replace PAD files and freeware platforms! 😲 😱

As an independent software developer, I've long held onto the hope that with enough persistence, there would always be new corners of the internet where quality software could find its audience. Recently, in an effort to broaden the visibility and reach of our applications, I embarked on a deep search for active freeware and shareware download sites that still welcome PAD file submissions. Sadly—and somewhat ironically, given the explosion of digital content—my search returned little more than digital tumbleweeds and dust...

Reports generated by several AI engines confirmed what I had reluctantly begun to suspect: only 25 active sites could be identified—barely half of the modest 50 I was aiming for. Many of the stalwarts I once relied on—Soft32.com, FreewareFiles, and even the venerable Download.com website, which now adds third-party malware to your downloads—have either shuttered their doors or moved on to other ventures to finance their operations.

Some have simply lost interest in general software altogether or have become alternative news outlets, and others now offer documentation on PAD support that’s either cryptic, outdated, or nonexistent. In an era where app stores and walled gardens dominate, the independent software developer’s toolbox for organic distribution is growing alarmingly light. The landscape is shrinking, and with it, the avenues for visibility.

But still, we press on—because giving up just isn't in our code! 😎

Pad Files, Every Developer's Friend!

The Portable Application Description (PAD) file format, introduced in 1998 by the Association of Software Professionals (ASP), was designed to streamline software distribution by providing a standardized XML-based metadata format for independent developers to submit their applications to download websites. However, by 2025, the number of websites accepting PAD files has significantly declined, and many traditional free software download platforms have either ceased operations or shifted focus.

This report examines the reasons behind the dwindling acceptance of PAD files and explores how the rise of centralized app stores, particularly Google Play Store and Microsoft Store, has contributed to the vanishing of free software download websites.

Key factors include the obsolescence of PAD file infrastructure, shifting developer and user preferences toward app stores, stringent app store policies, and the decline of the traditional freeware/shareware model.

Reasons for the Decline of Websites Accepting PAD Files

2.1 Obsolescence of PAD File Infrastructure
2.2 Shift to Centralized App Stores
2.3 Decline of the Freeware/Shareware Model
2.4 Technical and Operational Challenges for Download Sites
3.1 Google Play Store’s Influence
3.1.1 Stringent Policies and App Purges
3.1.2 Security and Trust
3.1.4 Market Dominance
3.2 Microsoft Store’s Influence
3.2.1 Centralized Distribution
3.2.2 Strict Certification Standards
3.2.3 Monetization Requirements
3.2.4 Security and Code Signing
3.3 Combined Impact

Many computer users are reluctant to use open-source sites like GitHub and itch.io due to concerns about reliability, usability, and lack of support. GitHub’s interface can be intimidating, often requiring command-line knowledge. This makes it hard for average users to find trustworthy, user-friendly software.

Security is another major concern. Open-source platforms lack formal vetting, raising fears of malware or unstable code. With little to no technical support and uncertain long-term maintenance, users often prefer polished, commercial alternatives that offer simplicity, stability, and peace of mind.

My Final Say...

The decline of websites accepting PAD files is a complex and unfortunate trend, driven not just by the aging PAD infrastructure, but also by the growing dominance of centralized app stores and the fading relevance of the traditional freeware/shareware model.

Platforms like the Google Play Store and Microsoft Store have played a significant role in pushing smaller, independent download sites into obscurity. By monopolizing visibility, locking down distribution behind strict policies, and favoring monetization over accessibility, these app stores have made it increasingly difficult for grassroots developers to thrive outside their ecosystems.

The once-diverse freeware landscape has been reduced to a homogenized marketplace governed by corporate interests and algorithmic gatekeepers. While some may see this as an opportunity to adapt, it’s hard to ignore that the shift has largely marginalized independent voices and constrained the freedom once offered by open distribution.

For developers who value autonomy, creativity, and community-driven sharing, the app-store-dominated world can feel more like a walled garden than a step forward...