Third-party software refers to any application, tool, or program developed by a company that is not the original manufacturer of the device or primary software platform. In simple terms, if a software application is created by a developer other than the original vendor of the operating system or hardware, it is considered third-party software.
For example, if you’re using Microsoft Windows, any software that isn’t made by Microsoft — such as Google Chrome, Adobe Photoshop, or Zoom — would be classified as third-party software. Similarly, on an iPhone, apps like Spotify or WhatsApp are considered third-party applications because they are developed by companies other than Apple.
A common example of third-party software is Google Chrome. While Windows and macOS come with their own web browsers (Microsoft Edge and Safari), Google Chrome is developed independently by Google, making it a third-party software choice for users.
Other examples include:
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