Find freeware versions of commercial apps with Last Freeware Version
Some of the best commercial Windows utilities, like FastStone Capture, or Reaper started out as freeware. If you want the latest versions of these programs with all the new features, bug fixes, and other updates you'll have to pull out your wallet. But if you're OK with using an older version or just want to try the program for a while before deciding whether to pay for the most recent update, you can often install the last freeware version.
There's even a web site dedicated to finding the last version of apps that you don't need to pay for. It's cleverly called Last Freeware Version. The site features brief descriptions of each application, a link to the product homepage so you can buy the full version or download a free trial if available, and a download link for the last freeware version of each app.
The user interface isn't that pretty, and there's no search feature. But you can always use Google to search for specific apps by restricting your search to site:www.321download.com.
There's even a web site dedicated to finding the last version of apps that you don't need to pay for. It's cleverly called Last Freeware Version. The site features brief descriptions of each application, a link to the product homepage so you can buy the full version or download a free trial if available, and a download link for the last freeware version of each app.
The user interface isn't that pretty, and there's no search feature. But you can always use Google to search for specific apps by restricting your search to site:www.321download.com.













Comments
5
Subscribe to commentsd00msay3r3Jan 19th 2009 2:33PM
The site 'portable freeware collection' kind of does the same thing BUT for portable apps. They list the last free version of portable apps before they become "un"portable or go shareware.
http://www.portablefreeware.com
AmmonJan 19th 2009 10:35PM
I've been visiting this site for a few years and it has quite a few gems. Last Freeware Version also hosts some free/shareware apps that have since been abandoned. A great place to find really useful apps for free!
I only wish this site had a Mac counterpart. There are quite a few useful Mac apps that started out free before becoming commercial. Does anybody know of a site like this for Macs?
Fred ThompsonJan 22nd 2009 12:00AM
Uh...Reaper says there are no technical limitations on the file and they trust the user to register it after 30 days. Why do you claim the only way to get the most recent version is to register? It's available, without restrictions, on their website.
Brad LinderJan 20th 2009 8:54AM
I was just using it as an example, but the version you're referring to is a commercial version. The developers have just decided to make it nagware instead of shutting off functionality if you don't purchase a license. You'll get a message telling you its an unregistered version every time you load Reaper after your 30 day trial is up. Not a big deal, I know, but technically version 0.99 was free, version 2.54 is not.
Fred ThompsonJan 22nd 2009 8:20AM
Yeah, they have Reaper on the first page, too. Good point.