Launch catalog / Playbook

Softpedia

softpedia.com ↗

Free route directory

Researched from public pages — no submission was run · sources read 2026-09-25. Rules change — recheck the platform's own pages before submitting.

Requirements

  • A downloadable software product (Windows, Mac, Linux, Mobile, Games — separate submit sections per platform)
  • Check via site search that the product isn't already listed before submitting
  • Two submission modes: fill the full form, or provide a PAD-file URL (preferred — Softpedia's automated monitoring picks up new versions from the PAD quickly)

Prepare before opening the form

  • Product name, download URL, short + long descriptions, category, publisher/contact email
  • Ideally a hosted PAD (Portable Application Description) XML file — submit once and updates propagate automatically
  • A clean installer — Softpedia flags adware/spyware/tie-in bundles as potentially unwanted and marks products accordingly
  • Screenshots/icon per the form

Workflow

  1. Search Softpedia to confirm the product isn't already listed
  2. Open the Submit Program page (menubar link or /user/submit.shtml) — pick the right platform section
  3. Either complete the full form or submit the PAD-file URL
  4. Wait for editorial processing — third-party submit trackers report ~14 days; you get an email when published
  5. Verify the product page is live in the correct Softpedia section

Watch for

  • Submit pages are per-platform — submitting a Windows app via the wrong section wastes the review cycle
  • Softpedia hosts binaries on its own servers and tests them; bundled offers/adware get your product marked as a PUP
  • The submit page 403s automated fetchers — use a real browser or submit the PAD URL
  • Registration is optional for downloads but the submission flow uses the publisher form

What counts as live

A public product page under the relevant softpedia.com section (win/mac/linux/mobile/games) with download links and editor-tested status

Not verified

  • Exact review SLA for non-PAD submissions
  • Whether SaaS/web-only products without a downloadable binary are accepted (Softpedia historically lists web apps in some categories — unverified)
  • Whether the listing's developer-site link is dofollow

Sources

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