Desktop guide
How to install open-source apps safely
Open-source apps are free and transparent, but you still want the real download. Here's how to get and install them safely on Windows, Mac and Linux.
By the Fetchly team ·
Open-source software publishes its code for anyone to inspect, which is a big advantage for trust. The one thing to get right is downloading the real build from the project itself — not a re-upload. Every Download button here links to the project's own website or its GitHub releases page for exactly that reason.
Where to download
- The project's official website, if it has one.
- The project's GitHub Releases page — look for the latest release and pick the file for your system (.exe/.msi for Windows, .dmg for Mac, .AppImage/.deb/.rpm for Linux).
Installing on each system
- Windows: run the .exe or .msi and follow the installer. If SmartScreen warns about an unknown publisher, you can choose More info › Run anyway for a project you trust (many small open-source apps aren't code-signed).
- Mac: open the .dmg and drag the app to Applications. If macOS blocks it, open System Settings › Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway.
- Linux: make an .AppImage executable (chmod +x App.AppImage) and run it, or install the .deb/.rpm with your package manager.
A quick safety check
Prefer releases with many downloads and recent activity, and scan installers with your system's security tool. If the project lists a checksum, verify it (see our checksum guide).