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The Best New Software of 2020

The Best New Software of 2020
Softonic Editorial Team

Softonic Editorial Team

  • Updated:

2020 has been the most atypical year. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, just about everyone has had to reinvent themselves and move their work and social lives online. Teleworking has gone from being the prerogative of some freelancers to an absolute necessity for companies around the world. That’s why this year, more than ever before, software has become a fundamental part of our everyday lives.

In today’s article, we have a roundup of the best software of 2020, including programs that have helped us to reduce stress and cope with the pandemic. You’ll find not only new versions of well-known programs, but also software that had gone practically unnoticed until this year. In each case, we have included a link to download and install the program on your computer quickly and safely. We hope you find it helpful!

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021

We’ll start our list with one of the world’s most popular photo editors: Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021. For anyone who’s still unfamiliar with it, the Adobe Elements range encompasses home-use products that deliver excellent results even if you don’t have advanced editing skills. In other words, Adobe Photoshop Elements is a simplified, cheaper version of Photoshop that offers professional results.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021 has gained juicy new features compared to previous versions. They include the ability to create moving photos (Moving Photos) and to adjust a crooked face in a photo with a single click (Adjust Face Tilt), along with a new selection of graphics to add text to your images (Quote Graphics).

What’s more, Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021 has upgrades concerning Adobe Sensei, the Adobe tool that uses artificial intelligence to help you edit your photos. You can use the program at your own pace and even get creative ideas from this AI tool with machine learning.

This year’s version of Adobe Photoshop Elements is perfect for any photography buff who wants professional results without having to spend hours learning Photoshop. You can download the program below.

Adobe Photoshop Elements DOWNLOAD
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Adobe Premiere Elements 2021

Adobe Premiere Elements 2021 is the simplified, budget version of the most professional and widely used video editor on the market. It has the potential to improve image quality and add professional effects to your recordings, making it the perfect software to edit your favorite videos.

The latest version of Adobe Premiere Elements has gained new features, such as the ability to select specific objects in your videos and add effects to them (Select Object). It’s great for blurring certain sections of your video, for example. Another welcome upgrade is optimized performance when it comes to processing and adding effects to your videos (GPU Accelerated Performance). Finally, the latest version of Premiere Elements lets you add new audio tracks to bring new life to your videos.

Like Photoshop Elements, this version of Premiere comes with the invaluable help of Adobe Sensei. Whenever you need help editing a video, this AI tool can walk you through all the necessary steps, making it the perfect ally to new users.

Adobe Premiere Elements 2021 has so many upgrades that it’s one of the best video editing programs of the year. Want to try it?

Adobe Premiere Elements DOWNLOAD
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Adobe Photoshop 2021

If Adobe Photoshop Elements is too limited for you, or if you’re a photography professional, then be sure to check out the new Adobe Photoshop 2021. Part of the Creative Cloud suite, it makes significant advances compared to the last version of the program. In the latest version of Photoshop, Adobe focused on adding new artificial intelligence-based features, giving a new twist to the typical photo editing program.

The main upgrades in Adobe Photoshop 2021 are as follows:

  • Neural Filters- A selection of AI-based, non-destructive filters. They are designed to reduce the workflows of any user, achieving an exponential performance boost. These filters make it easy to improve and retouch photos and perform complex tasks such as altering facial features, changing the direction of the gaze, or even generating a smile on any photographed face.
  • Sky Replacement- Using this new tool, in just a few clicks, you can change the sky in your photos for a seamless look. This feature has a good selection of default skies or you can add an image of your own. Then Photoshop will take care of adjusting the color of your photo so the change looks natural.
  • The Discover panel- This new panel was created to make it easy for Photoshop users to access its AI-powered features. It includes not only tools, but also tips to make the most of your working hours and photos.
  • Object Aware Refine Edge and Refine Hair- These two new AI-powered selection tools make it easier to select backgrounds, complex objects and hair.

Adobe Photoshop 2021 is an incredibly powerful image editor that all professionals should have installed on their PCs.

Adobe Photoshop 2011 DOWNLOAD
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Autodesk AutoCAD 2021

Autodesk launched a new version of its famous AutoCAD software in 2020. In case you’re unfamiliar with it, AutoCAD is the world’s most popular 2D and 3D modeling program. This software is especially useful in sectors such as architecture, engineering, graphic design, and industrial design.

The main upgrades in AutoCAD 2021 are as follows:

  • Drawing History- This new feature provides detailed information to see the evolution of your drawing. You can also display and compare different versions of a project through cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox.
  • Trim and Extend- This isn’t a new feature, but it has been greatly simplified and is much easier to use.
  • Graphics Performance- Panning and zooming in real time is made easier by this feature.
  • Blocks Palette Enhancements- Now you can access blocks and sync recent blocks for a drawing to a cloud storage location.
  • XREF Compare- You can use this tool to compare two versions of an external reference file.
  • Cloud Connectivity- Access any DWG file on the main cloud storage services.
  • AutoLISP Extension- This feature lets you edit and easily debug AutoLISP files.

AutoCAD is a must for anyone who works in engineering or 2D-3D modeling.

Autodesk AutoCAD DOWNLOAD
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Bitdefender Total Security 2021

Bitdefender Total Security is one of the most powerful security suites on the market. You’ll find everything you need to protect your PC from hacker attacks, from powerful antivirus to anti-ransomware and a firewall feature.

Since online threats tend to evolve rapidly, it’s important to make sure that your antivirus software is up-to-date and uses the latest methods of protection and detection. That’s why it’s a good idea to consider the upgrades it receives each year.

The 2021 version of Bitdefender Total Security has a new interface that’s cleaner and more intuitive than the previous one. Another new feature to consider is the ransomware protection tool, which lets you recover encrypted data that has been altered in an attack. Regarding upgrades to current services, its new VPN service is noteworthy. Now Bitdefender makes use of the Hydra Catapult protocol, making your connections much more secure.

In short, Bitdefender Total Security 2021 is the best choice to keep your PC secure at all times. Click below to download this antivirus software.

Bitdefender Total Security DOWNLOAD
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VLC Media Player

Yes, we’re aware that VLC Media Player isn’t a new program. This incredible, free multimedia player has been around for years, and many  consider it to be the best that one can download. But it deserves a place on our list for one simple reason: a new version full of interesting upgrades was launched this year.

VLC Media Player 3.0.11, known popularly as “Vetinari,” plays 4K and 8K videos and is HDR-compatible. It can also display 360-degree videos and play 3D audio files. Another interesting thing is that VLC Media Player can now cast and play videos on Chromecast compatible devices, even in formats not supported natively. Also, it can finally play Blu-ray Java menus.

If you’re looking for a free, reliable multimedia player that’s compatible with all video and audio formats on the market, don’t think twice about downloading VLC Media Player today. 

VLC Media Player DOWNLOAD
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Zoom Meetings

It’s an undisputed fact: Zoom Meetings is the star program of 2020. This video calling service gained particular importance during the months of confinement due to COVID-19, helping family and friends to communicate and hosting online classes and business meetings.

The Zoom app is very simple to use. You only need a computer, a phone or a tablet and an internet connection. Just install the program to start making unlimited individual video calls, holding video-conferences with up to 100 participants (expandable to 500) and of course, sharing your screen.

If you’re looking for a good video-conferencing program with a distinct 2020 flavor, check out Zoom Meetings. You won’t regret it!

Zoom Meetings DOWNLOAD
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Winget

Installing apps on Windows 10 was never easy… until Winget came along. With this great program launched by Microsoft in mid-2020, using simple commands, you can download and install the packages you want in a matter of seconds.

From Winget, you’ll have access to a large number of popular apps, much more than in the Microsoft Store. And it’s quick, manual, and very secure! To use it, just make sure you have installed Windows 10 version 1709 or higher.
Windows 10 DOWNLOAD
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Xbox for PC

This is inarguably the year of the Xbox. In 2020, we’ve seen the birth of not only a new generation of consoles and the acclaimed Game Pass, but also a useful app that lets you play all your console titles on Windows 10. How convenient!

Xbox for PC boasts much higher performance than its predecessor (it consumes half the memory) and takes up less space on your hard drive (reduced from 300 MB to just 60 MB). A very interesting feature of this app is that it lets you access Game Pass. So you’ll have access to all the games of this Microsoft subscription service and the more than 100 games on EA Play.

What’s more, it has a new and improved Game Bar, which now includes a wide range of widgets and tools, a task manager, a resource monitor, and even an FPS counter. This program is ideal for gamers who want to enjoy their Xbox titles on their PC.

Xbox para PC DOWNLOAD
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Zenkit To Do

Zenkit To Do is the perfect program to boost your productivity and make sure you always meet your goals. It bears a strong resemblance to Wunderlist, Microsoft’s popular service that unfortunately shut down last May.

One of Zenkit To Do’s strengths is that it’s a highly intuitive, visual and user-friendly app. In fact, if you previously used Wunderlist, you’ll be using it like a pro in a matter of seconds. What’s more, you can use this service on both your PC and on Android and iOS phones.

  • Zenkit To Do for PC
Zenkit To Do GO WEBSITE
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  • Zenkit To Do for Android
Zenkit To Do (Android) DOWNLOAD
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  • Zenkit To Do for iOS
Zenkit To Do (iOS) DOWNLOAD
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We hope our selection of the best new software of 2020 has been helpful to you. Do you know of any programs that should be on our list? Tell us about them in the comments section!

Softonic Editorial Team

Softonic Editorial Team

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