What are the categories of application software?

Types of Application Software: The Complete List (2022 Update)

In everyday life, we use multiple applications on our desktops and mobile devices to reduce the effort and complete a task quickly from sending an E-mail from outlook and updating the status on Facebook and LinkedIn, all we are accessing and utilizing applications. In addition, with briskly modernizing the market, organizations are also advancing their strategies by crafting cutting-edge applications for their allies.

To know more about application software, its types, examples, and for which purpose it is used, continue reading further.

Task-Oriented Application Software

A program written in a high-level programming language, installed on the user’s system, is known as Application Software. For example, Windows Media Player, Adobe Photoshop, Skype, Any Desk, VMWare, and MS Paint are application software. Users can download these from the online repositories, and some can be pre-installed on the system by the vendor. In addition, whenever an Operating System is installed, it comes up with some incorporated applications, such as Control Panel, Snipping Tool, File Explorer and many more.

Application Software requires a system software, mainly an Operating System, to get downloaded and installed on the computer system. Whether it’s a GUI-based OS or a command-line based, it is the basic necessity of every application.

Types of Application Software List for 2022

Web Browsers

Web browsers are the most common type of application software, which comes pre-installed on every system. Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Vivaldi, Brave, Firefox, and Safari are some of its examples and most recommended browsers to use based on security and compatibility. The user requires an internet connection to search and navigate websites using a browser.

In addition, it is also used for accessing the Software as a Service and downloading installation packages of other application software.

Application Development Software

Several IDEs are freely available in online repositories, and you can effortlessly download and install them on their system to write code for innovating a new application. For Example, users can configure visual Studio on the computer system to produce code for developing a .NET application for mobile and desktop devices. Moreover, code can also be compiled, tested, and debugged using this software.

Enterprise Software

Large organizations use ERP software to link multiple departments and remote offices through a single dashboard. It is capable of covering and automating the tasks of accounting, project management, risk management, decision making, supply chain, transaction management, and so forth. Also, it can be customized according to business requirements, leading to streamlining the workflow and decreasing bottlenecks.

Spreadsheet Software

This application software comprises rows and columns and helps store, process, and evaluate the data. User is also leveraged to perform various arithmetic calculations for a large amount of data quickly. Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, and Apple number are the standard applications easily accessible and integrated with cutting-edge APIs for better collaboration. In addition, it can be flawlessly adjoined with third-party tools to collect data from online forms.

Multimedia Software

Software aiding the user to open, edit and record image and video files are the multimedia applications, such as Windows Media Player, VLC Player, Image Viewer, iTunes, AIMP, Filmora 11, and so forth. It is mainly used in the entertainment and telecommunication sector for viewing and editing recorded videos. Additionally, it is integrated with several APIs, leading the organizations to broadcast the videos and share them on the internet with a single click.

Gaming Software

End-users can download the package through a web browser to install games on their device. GTA V, Dota, Rocket League, and Counter-Strike are examples of some most popular gaming applications played worldwide. These apps can be connected to the internet for making a team and playing it with your friends and associates. In addition, an application such as Steam and Twitch is installed by users for playing and streaming games on digital platforms.

Word Processors

Notepad is a common word processing application software installed by default on every system. This kind of solution aids in inputting and editing the files and adding tables, images, and links to them. Also, in advanced word software, like Microsoft Word, the user is provided with features to format text using different formats and put references. Moreover, users can select multiple color combinations, page boundaries, page color, font style, and size to make your text more appealing.

Database Software

MS Access, Database Management System, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, MongoDB, and Oracle are the database application software embedded with other business solutions to store, organize, and process data into a helpful format. These types of applications mainly function as a backend for other solutions and are helps in data flow operations. For example, it can be embedded with an E-commerce solution, and whenever a new user sign-up, its username and password details are stored in the database.

Simulation Software

Simulation Applications are used to visualize the real-life scenario using mathematical calculations, 3-D graphics, and algorithms. It is used to train and educate the people about resources, which cannot be created easily or its access provided to limited people only. Its utilization can be seen in the defense, education, and IT industry. Cisco Network Simulator is an easy-to-remember example of this application, as industries use it to train their staff about installing, configuring, and maintaining the network components.

Penetration Testing Software

For maintaining data confidentiality and integrity, every business solution is tested at multiple stages, and for this purpose, testing applications are used. For example, Netsparker, Wireshark, Metasploit, Aircrack are the testing applications used by ethical hackers and testers for identifying loopholes in both enterprise solutions and networks. In addition, it helps to create a risk matrix, generating a mitigation plan for securing the IT infrastructure from malicious actors.

Top Business Application Software

Custom Application Software

Custom Applications Software are designed and developed for a specific set of users or an organization. It is only available to the defined user group, and all the functionalities are embedded according to them. Many organizations outsource resources to develop an application for their internal use only, and these are not available on the internet. Only that particular company and digital partner can modify and maintain the codebase as per changing business goals.

It is opted as a long-term investment for increasing productivity, improving customer relationships, and streamlining the workload with the rapidly growing business.

Shareware Application Software

Users can access shareware applications after paying a subscription fee to the vendor monthly, quarterly, or annually. For instance, Adobe Photoshop is available only after paying the software vendor. It is freely available to provide a demo to the user for a short period. Most of the time, it is a commercial business solution, which any firm can avail of by paying the authorized company for continuous support.

With the free trial version, users can understand the functionalities and cross-verify them with their business needs. Further, users can cancel the subscription anytime and save their data offline for accessing it anytime.

Freeware Application Software

As the name implies, this application software is freely available to every user and can be downloaded using a web browser and the internet. The user doesn’t have to pay anything to the vendor and can utilize the application as long as he wants. Also, very few updates are provided for these solutions to assure that they can be run using minimal system specifications.

Adobe PDF, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Facebook App are examples of freeware applications that are distributed free of cost.

Open Source App Software

These kinds of applications are available with their source code to enable the user to integrate external tools, APIs, plugins, and widgets to align with business standards. Apache Web Server, Mozilla Firefox, LibreOffice, and Blender are some examples of open-source application software. As a result, their functionality can be impeccably extended without degrading the performance and Quality of Service.

The Purpose of Application Software

Based on the type, every application software is used for a particular purpose, such as:

• Web browsers are used to search over the internet, navigate multiple web pages, and download and upload files to web-based solutions.
• Video, audio, and image files are viewed and edited with multimedia applications.
• Visual Studio, PyCharm, Atom, and NetBeans type of application software is preferred to write code.
• For monitoring the network and IT infrastructure of an enterprise, the SolarWinds application is considered.
• Microsoft Suite is comprised of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is used for word processing, making spreadsheets, and creating presentations.
• 3D Builder and Cisco Packet Trace, a simulation software, provide training to the students.

The main objective of opting for an application for completing a core operation is to save time, automate the task, and reduce the errors in the final output. In addition, organizations use enterprise management systems for optimizing collaboration between their internal and external departments. Furthermore, data security is maintained with applications software, due to embedded authentication, access control, and encryption mechanisms.

Wrapping Up

Everyone uses application software in their day-to-day life for personal and professional tasks, and all this software requires system software for functioning seamlessly. Different types of software are available in the market, and each solution comes with a unique license type and features. Enterprises can also fabricate customized applications, and you can combine the functionalities of multiple other applications as per your business requirements.

Contact us for Software Development or App Development.

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Jemin Desai is Chief Marketing Officer at Positiwise Software Pvt Ltd, he is responsible for creating and accelerating the company’s marketing strategy and brand recognition across the globe. He has more than 20 years of experience in senior marketing roles at the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies.