The Most Useful Computer Program, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the computer program you think is the most useful!

Updated on May 5, 2024 06:58

Deciding which computer programs are the most beneficial can often feel like a daunting task given the sheer number of options available. Each user has unique requirements and preferences, which make certain programs stand out more than others in their daily digital interactions. This understanding leads to a quest for a collective knowledge base that reflects wide user experiences. By aggregating individual preferences into a single, live ranking, users gain access to a dynamic resource that adjusts with new inputs in real-time. This ranking allows users to not only see which applications are esteemed by the community but also to participate in shaping the outcome. Casting a vote can significantly influence the ranking, encouraging a diverse and participatory community feedback loop.

What Is the Most Useful Computer Program?

1

53
votes
Microsoft Office Suite

Microsoft Corporation

This program includes essential tools such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, which are universally used for word processing, data management, and presentations. It is arguably the most useful program for productivity in the workplace.
Microsoft Office Suite is a collection of productivity software applications developed and distributed by Microsoft. It includes commonly used programs for creating documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and managing emails and appointments. The suite is widely used in various industries and educational institutions for personal and professional purposes.

Software applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access, and more

Compatibility: Available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

Collaboration features: Real-time co-authoring, shared document editing, cloud storage integration

Document creation: Advanced formatting, templates, styles, and grammar checking

Spreadsheet capabilities: Data analysis, formulas, charts, macros, and pivot tables in Excel
Microsoft Office Suite in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular Microsoft product
2

33
votes
Megamanfan3 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Google Chrome

Google

This program is a fast and reliable web browser that is used by millions of people worldwide. It offers a wide range of features such as tabbed browsing, bookmarks, and extensions.
Google Chrome is a fast, secure, and customizable web browser developed by Google. It provides a user-friendly browsing experience with features like quick access to popular websites, a minimalist design, and seamless synchronization across devices.

Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

Engine: Blink (WebKit-based)

Release Date: September 2, 2008

Latest Version: 87.0.4280.88 (as of December 2020)

Tab Management: Supports multiple tabs, tab grouping, and tab pinning
Google Chrome in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular computer software
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular Google products
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular PDF reader
3

24
votes
Screenshot: Own work Photograph: Frederic Eugene Ives (1856–1937) · Public domain

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Inc.

This program is widely used for photo editing, graphic design, and digital art. It offers advanced tools such as layers, masks, and filters that allow for creative freedom in creating stunning visuals.
Adobe Photoshop is a powerful image editing software that allows users to manipulate, enhance, and create digital images. It is widely used by professional photographers, graphic designers, and digital artists.

Layers: Support for multiple layers to organize and edit different elements of an image.

Image Manipulation: Extensive tools for cropping, resizing, retouching, and adjusting color and tone.

Filters and Effects: A wide range of filters and effects to apply creative and artistic enhancements to images.

Selection Tools: Various selection tools like lasso, magic wand, and quick selection for precise editing.

Brushes and Painting: Customizable brushes and advanced painting tools for digital artwork and photo enhancements.
Adobe Photoshop in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular drawing software
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Adobe products
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Adobe app
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular editing app
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular computer software
4

19
votes
Microsoft · Public domain

Windows 10

Microsoft Corporation

This operating system is used by millions of computers worldwide, offering a reliable and user-friendly interface. It offers advanced features such as virtual desktops, Cortana, and the Start menu.
Windows 10 is the latest and most advanced operating system developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Windows NT family of operating systems and serves as the successor to Windows 8.1. Windows 10 was first released on July 29, 2015, and since then, it has received consistent updates and improvements.

User Interface: Modern, intuitive, and customizable UI with the Start menu and Live Tiles.

Cortana Integration: Built-in virtual assistant for voice commands, reminders, and personalized assistance.

Microsoft Store: Access to a wide range of apps, games, and entertainment through the unified Microsoft Store.

Continuum Mode: Seamless transition between tablet and desktop modes for hybrid devices.

Virtual Desktops: Multiple desktops for improved multitasking and organization.
Windows 10 in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular version of Windows
- Position 1 of 10 in Most advanced operating system
5

16
votes
Zoom

This program has become essential for online meetings and video conferencing, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers features such as screen sharing, recording, and virtual backgrounds.
Zoom is a popular video conferencing app that allows users to connect and collaborate remotely. It provides features for hosting and joining online meetings, webinars, and virtual events. Users can join meetings from their desktops, laptops, smartphones, or tablets, making it a versatile communication platform.

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

Video Conferencing: Up to 1000 participants

Screen Sharing: Yes

Recording: Cloud recording

Chat: Text-based chat
6

5
votes
Spotify

This program is a popular music streaming service that offers a vast collection of songs and podcasts. It offers features such as playlists, recommendations, and offline listening.
Spotify is a popular music streaming app that allows users to listen to millions of songs from various genres and artists. The app offers both free and premium subscription options, providing an extensive library of music accessible across multiple devices.

Number of songs: Over 50 million

Audio quality: Up to 320kbps

Offline mode: Available for premium subscribers

Custom playlists: Create and save personal playlists

Social features: Connect with friends, share music, and follow artists
7

5
votes
Slack

This program is a messaging platform used by teams to communicate and collaborate. It offers features such as channels, direct messages, and file sharing.
Slack is a cloud-based team collaboration platform that allows teams to communicate and work together efficiently. It provides various features and integrations to facilitate real-time messaging, file sharing, and project management.

Real-time messaging: Allows instant communication among team members.

Channel-based organization: Enables teams to create dedicated channels for specific topics or projects.

File sharing: Allows easy sharing of files and documents.

Search functionality: Enables users to quickly search and retrieve past conversations and files.

Integration with third-party apps: Integrates with various tools and services used by teams, such as Google Drive, Trello, and GitHub.
8

2
votes
QuickBooks

This program is widely used for accounting and bookkeeping, especially for small businesses. It offers features such as invoicing, payroll, and financial reporting.
QuickBooks is a widely used accounting software designed for small businesses. It provides comprehensive tools for managing financial data, including invoicing, tracking expenses, managing sales and inventory, and generating financial reports. The software offers both desktop and online versions, catering to user preferences. With a user-friendly interface and robust features, QuickBooks streamlines financial processes, improves accuracy, and helps businesses stay organized and compliant.

Invoicing: Create and send professional invoices to customers.

Expense Tracking: Track and categorize business expenses.

Sales and Revenue Management: Manage sales, track income, and generate sales reports.

Inventory Tracking: Track and manage inventory levels.

Financial Reporting: Generate financial reports, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
9

4
votes
Evernote

This program is a note-taking app that allows users to organize and synchronize their notes across multiple devices. It offers features such as tags, notebooks, and reminders.
Evernote is a note-taking app that allows users to capture and organize their thoughts, ideas, and tasks across multiple devices. It provides a digital workspace for users to create, edit, and sync notes, documents, files, and images.

Cross-platform support: Available for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and web browsers

Sync across devices: Keep notes and data synchronized across multiple devices

Rich formatting options: Customize text with various styles, fonts, colors, and bullet points

Web clipping: Capture and save web pages and articles directly from the browser

Search functionality: Efficiently find notes, text within images, and documents with powerful search features
10

6
votes
GIMP

This program is a free and open-source alternative to Adobe Photoshop that offers similar tools for photo editing and graphic design. It is widely used by professionals and enthusiasts alike.
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a powerful and popular free and open-source image editing software. It offers an extensive set of tools and functionalities, making it comparable to commercial editing software. GIMP is widely used by professionals and enthusiasts for various purposes, such as photo retouching, image composition and authoring, and graphic design.

License: GNU General Public License

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, and more

Supported File Formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, PSD, RAW, and more

Layers: Supports unlimited layers and layer masks

Brushes and Tools: Customizable brushes, selection tools, transformation tools, paint tools, and more

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Ranking factors for useful computer program

Functionality

The program should serve its intended purpose effectively and efficiently.
Ease of Use

The program should be user-friendly and easy to navigate.
Compatibility

The program should be compatible with various operating systems and devices.
Security

The program should have strong security features to protect data and prevent unauthorized access.
Reliability

The program should be dependable and perform consistently without crashing or freezing.
Support

The program should offer customer support and resources to help users troubleshoot and resolve issues.
Innovation

The program should be continuously updated with new features and improvements to keep up with industry standards and user demands.
Affordability

The program should be reasonably priced or offer a free option for users on a budget.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most useful computer program. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or program is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

3817 views
172 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each program once every 24 hours. The rank of each program is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most useful computer program

Computers have become an integral part of our lives, and with that, the software that runs on them is equally important. From productivity tools to entertainment software, computer programs have transformed the way we live and work. With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which computer program is the most useful. However, through the power of polling, we can find out which software is favored by the masses. In this article, we will explore the results of a StrawPoll to determine the most useful computer program.