Latest Software Reviews
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Reviews
Aomei Backupper Standard review: Surprisingly good free backup and restore
If you don't mind an ad here and there, this more-than-capable standard version of Aomei Backupper will meet most users' needs for zero coin. Can't argue with that.
Reviews
Ditch Windows Explorer! These programs are better for fast file transfers!
SSDs can top 15GBps these days. However, Windows Explorer can't get much past 3GBps. Xcopy or FastCopy allow you to realize the true potential of your NVMe storage and save you time when copying large amounts of data.
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Backup and Restore (Windows 7) review: Good for imaging, bad for disaster recovery
There's a well-hidden feature in Windows called "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)" that will image your storage drives to the highly compatible VHDX format. Alas, creating boot media is arduous, it's unreliable, and limitations spoil it as a recipe for disaster recovery.
Reviews
OysterVPN review: The new kid on the VPN block
Newcomer OysterVPN stands its ground against some heavy competition thanks to its easy-to-use app and affordable pricing.
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McAfee Total Protection review: Top security undermined by a major feature
McAfee Total Protection offers strong antivirus, network, and online protection, but its password manager needs improvement.
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Avast One review: Polished PC security with excellent protection
Avast One defends not just your PC from online threats, but you as well—and does so by going beyond just superb antivirus protection.
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Retrospect 19 Solo review: Good backup, but where's the disaster recovery?
This entry-level version of a famed backup program will ward off ransomware attacks on your backups and now supports backup to the cloud. But there's no disaster recovery and several other features found in the pricier Desktop version are missing.
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Norton Antivirus Plus review: Fantastic security for digital minimalists
Norton Antivirus Plus provides solids basics of online protection without any extra fluff—ideal for those avoiding unnecessary, expensive excess.
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Bitdefender Total Security review: Great, easy to use protection
Bitdefender offers superb antivirus and malware defense, but this mid-tier security suite is oddly stingy in a key regard: VPN support.
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AVG Internet Security review: Reliable, budget-friendly antivirus software
AVG Internet Security is a good upgrade on its free antivirus software, especially if you need broader online protection and don’t want to pay a lot for it.
Reviews
Aomei Backupper Professional review: All-in-one backup, now with online storage
As of version 7, Aomei Backupper Professional can compete with the best imaging, backup, and sync programs out there in terms of specs and features. It's also a solid performer — with some rough edges.
Reviews
Retrospect Desktop review: Reliable backup, cloud storage, and more
One of the most configurable and effective backup programs on the market, Retrospect wards off ransomware damage to your backups and now supports backup to the cloud.
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PrimoCache review: This handy app makes old storage feel new again
PrimoCache speeds up slower drives on RAM-rich systems and helps protect SSDs on faster machines.
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PDF Expert review: A full-featured PDF editor for Apple devices
If you're all-in on Apple's ecosystem, this is the PDF editor for you, allowing seamless integration among Macs, iPhones, and iPads. Read on to learn more.
Reviews
Norton VPN Standard review: Simple, no-fuss protection
Norton VPN Standard is a standalone offering from the security giant that provides good privacy and protection for fans of the brand.
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pdfFiller review: A versatile PDF editor for individuals and businesses
This web-based tool makes it easy to edit, secure, convert, and share forms and documents.
Reviews
Macrium Reflect X Home review: Fantastic backup, capricious pricing
While we love Macrium Reflect X's speed, interface, and reliability, its new subscription-only pricing is very expensive over time.
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Nintendo Switch 2 review: A worthwhile upgrade, just not a big leap
The Nintendo Switch 2 is a smart upgrade with better graphics and faster load times, but its weaker battery, LCD screen, and high price suit hardcore fans more than casual players.
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PureVPN review: All of the basics, but lacking an X-factor
While not perfect, PureVPN is trying its best.
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Windscribe Pro review: A versatile VPN with a good free plan
Windscribe Pro has established itself as a versatile and effective featured-packed service that also offers strong ad blocking.
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MSP360 Managed Backup: Track and manage backups on all your devices
With its web-based console, MSP360 Managed Backup provides imaging and file backup services for multiple devices at a reasonable price.
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MSP360 Backup review: Very effective local backup — and free file backup!
In its free incarnation, MSP360 Desktop Backup is a worthwhile upgrade to Windows File History. However, the Pro version with imaging is subscription-only, which puts it head to head with Acronis.
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NordVPN review: More than just a VPN, it’s a privacy powerhouse
NordVPN has it all: excellent performance, lightning-fast speeds, and a solid set of features that will appeal to both novices and power users alike. It's one of the best VPNs money can buy.
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EaseUS PDF Editor review: Complete document control for individuals, teams
EaseUS PDF's full slate of tools enable you to efficiently edit, annotate, and secure your PDFs.
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PDF Candy review: A feature-packed free PDF editor
With an impressive set of 44 tools, PDF Candy can take care of most PDF-editing tasks.
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Foxit PDF Editor 13 review: Ready for business
Extensive editing, collaboration, and security tools plus AI integration make this multi-platform PDF editor an excellent Acrobat alternative.
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R-Drive Image 7.3 review: Far more versatile, but hyper-reliable no more
With added support for S3/S3-compatible online storage services, R-Drive Image is gaining features with a vengeance, however, reliability in the new features isn't what we're used to.
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Proton VPN review: Great paid plan, even better free plan
Proton VPN, from the Proton line of personal security services, is a great standalone paid VPN and its free option has quickly become my favorite.
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I spent $200/mo on ChatGPT Pro so you don't have to. It wasn't worth it
OpenAI's top-of-the-line ChatGPT Pro subscription plan offers a lot of goodies, but not enough value to justify the insane cost for most users.
Reviews
Iperius Backup Basic review: Versatile, extremely powerful — and best for IT types
Iperius Backup is arguably the most versatile, comprehensive, and compatible backup program available. IT types will love it, but end users will need a deep dive to suss out all its features. If all you need is local plain file backup, there’s a free version for that.
Reviews
Malwarebytes Premium Security review: An antimalware staple is now optional
Malwarebytes isn’t the vital supplement to Windows it used to be—but those who want a dead simple antivirus app will be served well.
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Avast Premium Security review: Strong protection focused on PC security
Avast offers several paid antivirus suites, but its Premium Security software keeps its focus on protecting your PC while online—and by extension, you as well.
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Mullvad VPN review: The ultimate privacy-first VPN
Mullvad VPN might not have a ton of flashy features but it provides rock-solid security and unrivaled privacy.
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McAfee+ Ultimate review: Comprehensive security that needs more polish
McAfee+ Ultimate offers strong antivirus protection and a vast array of online protections, but its apps, services, and tools could use more polish.
Reviews
Handy Backup 8.5 Professional review: Full-featured backup with cloud support
Given a glitch-free performance, Handy Backup might’ve garnered an Editors' Choice award. We still say take a look, but small bugs and interface foibles lessened our initial enthusiasm.
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Hotspot Shield review: Feeling the need, the need for speed
Hotspot Shield is one of the fastest VPNs on the market, but it comes with a few trade-offs.
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Norton 360 Deluxe review: Excellent value and strong protection
Norton 360 Deluxe offers solid online protection on multiple fronts, but it could benefit from a more polished interface.
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Swifdoo PDF for Windows review: Essential features and easy to use
This Windows desktop PDF editor provides everything you're likely to need for working in PDFs at a fraction of the price of the big brands.
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MiniTool ShadowMaker Pro 4.6 review: Fast image backup with remote control
Imaging, disaster recovery, and remote control highlight ShadowMaker Pro 4.6 — an easy-to-use, full-featured backup program. There’s also a scaled-down free version.
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BackUp Maker Pro review: File backup made easy and efficient
If you’re looking for file backup with pro options and more security than Windows File History, BackUp Maker Professional from Ascomp program delivers. Complete support for networks and even optical are highlights.
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NymVPN review: An innovative decentralized VPN with some work to do
NymVPN is out to shake up the VPN market with its unique decentralized platform, promising users superior privacy and anonymity compared to traditional VPNs.
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DriveImage XML review: An oldie, but still goodie image backup program
Though the latest version is well over 5 years old, DriveImage XML is still a viable free backup solution, albeit a partial one. MBR is fully supported, but restore or cloning failed with GPT disks.
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EaseUS Todo Backup 2025 review: Slick, full-featured backup
Slicker than ever, super capable, and super easy to use, Todo Backup 2025 has become one of our favorite backup suites.
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Surfshark One review: Adequate antivirus protection with caveats
Known for its VPN service, Surfshark offers antivirus with its security software—but how it defends against malware won’t suit everyone.
Reviews
Acronis True Image review: Top-tier do-it-all PC backup
With backup, disaster recovery, and malware protection under one roof, Acronis True Image is the most comprehensive end-user data-safety solution on the planet.
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Ashampoo Backup Pro 26 review: Easy, effective PC backup
With super-thorough wizards and all the common options, Ashampoo Backup Pro 26 is a great total backup solution for the average user. However, it's missing some of the options that would truly make it "pro."
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TunnelBear VPN review: It’s just right for beginners
TunnelBear is a simple and easy-to-use VPN service with solid security features that will appeal to those who just need the basics.
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MobiPDF review: A budget PDF editor with business-ready features
From document editing to cloud integration, MobiPDF offers a wide range of tools at a fraction of the cost of top-tier alternatives.
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PrivadoVPN review: Come for the free VPN, stay for the premium features
PrivadoVPN is a powerful premium service that also offers one of the best free VPNs on the market.
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