Computers would be quite useless without programs that put the physical hardware into practical use. These programs and data can be summarized as software. Software producers therefore belong to the most important companies in the general tech industry. They types of software can vary quite a lot and for example include software for entertainment, business or security purposes. The following ranks the updated Top 10 Largest software companies in the world in 2019. It is based solely on the software revenues a company has generated either by itself or through its subsidiaries.

(Note: Gaming companies are not included here).

The 10 Largest Software Companies in the World 2019

(based on 2018 sales)

1. Microsoft

Founded in: 1975
Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, USA
CEO: Satya Nadella
Main types of software offered: Operating system, Productivity software, Enterprise software

With a achieved revenue of $103.3 billion, the nonplus-ultra of the software industry remains Microsoft. The company was founded in 1975 by co-founders Paul Allen and Bill Gates. Originally based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the American software giant is now headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA. Microsoft offers a huge choice of software for many purposes. Its best known and most popular franchise product is the operating system software ‘Windows‘, which powers close to a billion of computers worldwide. It is by far the most used operating system in the world. Aside from Windows, Microsoft also offers the world’s most popular and most widely used productivity software through its ‘Office‘ franchise. And these are only the most commonly known Windows products out there. Not really a surprise therefore, that Microsoft continues to dominate the worldwide software market.

2. Oracle

Founded in: 1977
Headquarters: Redwood City, California, USA
CEO: Safra Catz
Main types of software offered: Enterprise software, Software as a Service

Oracle is the second largest software company in the world. The American company, based in Redwood City, California, right in Silicon Valley, is the globally leading provider of Enterprise software as well as Software as a Service (SaaS). The company was founded in 1977 by co-founders Larry Ellison, Bob Miner and Ed Oates. Oracle achieved a worldwide revenue of $32.9 billion last year. Oracle software is primarily used in the business fields of Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Enterprise Resource Planing (ERP), Human Capital Management (HCM) and Supply Chain Management (SCM).

3. SAP

Founded in: 1972
Headquarters: Walldorf, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
CEOs (co-CEOs): Christian Klein & Jennifer Morgan
Main types of software offered: Enterprise software, Software as a Service

SAP (“Systems, Applications & Products”) is one of the two companies among the Top 10 software companies that are not American. With a revenue of $27.4 billion last year, the German company is the third largest software company in the world and largest one in Europe. The company was founded in 1972 by five German former IBM engineers. It is headquartered now in the small city of Walldorf, Baden-Wuerttemberg in Southwestern Germany. The company focuses on Enterprise software as well as providing Software as a Service (SaaS) to its worldwide clients. SAP is especially well known for its Enterprise Resource Planing (ERP) software, where the German company is the worldwide market leader.

4. Salesforce.com

Founded in: 1999
Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
CEOs (co-CEOs): Marc Benioff & Keith Block
Main types of software offered: Enterprise software, Software as a Service

Salesforce.com is the fourth largest software company in the world. The company was founded in 1999 by four former Oracle executives. Salesforce.com is an American company based in San Francisco, California. The company achieved a revenue of $10.5 billion in 2018. Its main focus lies on Enterprise software, specifically in the area of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, where Salesforce is the global leader.

5. Broadcom

Founded in: 1961
Headquarters: San Jose, California, USA
CEO: Hock Tan
Main types of software offered: Enterprise software (through CA Technologies), Security Software (through NortonLifeLock)

Broadcom is primarily a leading manufacturer of semiconductors. Through its two subsidiaries CA Technologies as well as NortonLifeLock (previously known as Symantec), the American company based in San Jose, California is also involved in the software business. CA Technologies focuses on Enterprise software, while NortonLifeLock is a leading provider of Security software. Additionally, Broadcom itself also offers Infrastructure software. This wide range of different software types allowed Broadcom to now become a Top 5 largest software company in the world. The company’s worldwide software sales amounted to $9.1 billion last year.

6. Adobe Systems

Founded in: 1982
Headquarters: San Jose, California, USA
CEO: Shantanu Narayen
Main types of software offered: Graphic Design software, Web Design software, Video Editing software

7. Dell Technologies

Founded in: 2016
Headquarters: Round Rock, Texas, USA
CEO: Michael Dell
Main types of software offered: Enterprise software (through VMware), Virtualization software (through VMware), Security software (through Secureworks & RSA Security)

8. HCL Enterprise

Founded in: 1976
Headquarters: Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
CEO: Roshni Nadar
Main types of software offered: Software Outsourcing, Software Consulting, Enterprise software

9. Intuit

Founded in: 1983
Headquarters: Mountain View, California, USA
CEO: Sasan Goodarzi
Main type of software offered: Enterprise software

10. Fiserv

Founded in: 1984
Headquarters: Brookfield, Wisconsin, USA
CEO: Jeffery Yakubi
Main type of software offered: Financial services software