Softonic
| Softonic International
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| legal form | Sociedad de responsabilidad limitada (SL) |
| founding | 1997 |
| Seat | Barcelona |
| management | Tomás Diago, Emilio Moreno |
| sales | 45 million euros |
| Branch | Download portal |
| Website | www.softonic.de |
| Status 2011 | |
Softonic is a download portal for software from Windows , Linux , Mac and mobile devices. The website, which was launched in Spanish in 1997, is currently available in ten languages, including German since 2004. In addition to test reports on programs, Softonic offers tips on working with software on the associated blog OnSoftware and in a user forum.
Softonic.com had more than 131 million unique users in September 2012. Softonic had Alexa rank 162 worldwide in November 2012. According to the information community for determining the spread of advertising media, the German site Softonic.de had 8.7 million visits per month in October 2012, and over 11 million in January 2011.
The company Softonic International , a subsidiary of Spanish internet company Grupo Intercom , based in Barcelona .
Financing model
Softonic is funded primarily through banner and link advertising. There is also a sales platform on which software vendors can sell their software to Softonic users. In the event of a purchase, Softonic receives a commission from the dealer. In 2011 Softonic achieved sales of 45 million euros.
Controversy
Paid freeware
In 2010 a cooperation with GMX , Sueddeutsche.de , FAZ.net and Web.de was criticized, which offered free programs (so-called freeware ) on Softonic's servers for a fee . Managing director Tomás Diago replied to the allegations to 20min.ch : “The premium download is clearly marked as such [...] throughout. [...] [If you do not agree to our chargeable offer, [this] will be removed immediately at your request. "
Toolbar
Under Windows, Softonic offers a 4 MB add-on called Softonic Toolbar for the Firefox and Internet Explorer web browsers , which enables access to company-specific content. However, it is classified as spyware and is difficult to remove. The Softonic Downloader , which Softonic suggested as a mandatory requirement for downloading some programs, installed the toolbar without being asked. This also explains the high number of "users" of Softonic.
Others
As a so-called climate - neutral download portal, Softonic Germany claims that it offsets all CO 2 emissions by purchasing emission certificates , the proceeds of which go to climate protection projects.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ OJD - Unique Users
- ↑ Softonic.com ranking on Alexa
- ↑ IVW - online usage data October 2012 ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Softonic prevé cerrar un año más con un crecimiento de dos dígitos - ABC.es - Noticias Agencias , ABC newspaper report on sales from November 6, 2012
- ↑ Henning Steier: Free software for three francs , 20min.ch from July 7, 2010
- ↑ Castelltort, Diana: Introducing the Softonic toolbar! (blog.en.softonic.com) May 7, 2008, accessed November 11, 2012
- ↑ Netzwelt.de: Instructions: How to delete the Softonic Toolbar, accessed on November 11, 2012
- ↑ Christian Mühlbauer: Rip off at Softonic cleared up: That's what the rumors of fraud are all about, Techfacts from October 18, 2012
- ↑ ClimatePartner Italy - Softonic ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
