Top 10 Largest Software Companies in the World

Microsoft is the world's largest provider of computer software. It is also a leading provider of cloud computing services, gaming, computer hardware and accessories, search, and other online services. The company's headquarters are located in Redmond, Wash, and it has offices in over 60 countries. Microsoft developed a graphical interface running on DOS called Interface Manager, later renamed Windows when released in 1985. This was inspired by the same Xerox PARC research project that Apple used to move a pointer on a graphical display.

In 1983, Microsoft introduced its first operating system, Windows 1.0, which was not released until November 1985. But it was not until the release of Windows 3.0 in 1990 that it began to gain respect from users. The release of Windows 3.1 in 1992 finally received widespread acceptance. And the release of Windows 95 in 1995 marked the beginning of the transition from DOS-based applications to Windows-based applications. Key features in the Windows Server operating system include Active Directory, automating user data management, security, and distributed resources, while enabling interaction with other directories; and Server Manager, a utility for managing server roles and performing configuration changes, locally or remotely.

Global Software Sales: $168.1 billion

Established in: 1975

Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, USA

Main Software Offerings: Operating Systems, Enterprise Software, Productivity Software

SAP SE is one of the world's leading software manufacturers for managing business processes, developing solutions to efficiently handle data and information flow between organizations. Established in 1972, the company was initially called Systemanalyse Programmentwicklung (System Analysis Program Development), later abbreviated as SAP. Since then, it has evolved from a small effort with 5 people into a multinational enterprise headquartered in Walldorf, Germany, with over 105,000 employees worldwide.

With the advent of SAP R/2 and SAP R/3 software, SAP has set a global standard for enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. The company's integrated applications connect all parts of the business into an intelligent product suite on a fully digital platform, thus replacing the legacy, process-driven approach. Today, the SAP technology conglomerate has over 230 million cloud users and more than 100 solutions, including all major business functions and the largest cloud portfolio compared to any provider worldwide.

Global software sales revenue: $32.3 billion

Founded: 1972

Headquarters: Walldorf, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Primary software offerings: Software as a Service, Enterprise Software

Oracle Corporation is one of the world's renowned technology conglomerates with software products and services such as Java. Through its four main business segments including cloud and licensing, hardware and services, Oracle sells its cloud and database management technical services and systems to customers. For over a decade, the conglomerate has been embroiled in a feud with Google over allegations that Google's rival had infringed copyrights by using Java elements in the programming code of the Android operating system.

In 2021, the battle was settled when the United States Supreme Court ruled 6-2 in favor of Google, declaring that Google had engaged in “lawful use” when incorporating key aspects of Oracle's Java programming language into the Android operating system. Oracle remains a leading company in database technology, with versions available for various operating systems and for many types of computers, from large computers to tiny computers. With the acquisition of Sun Microsystems, Oracle not only acquired the Java computer programming language and Solaris operating system but also the popular open-source database MySQL, which Sun acquired in 2008 for $1 billion.

Global software sales revenue: $40.5 billion

Founded: 1977

Headquarters: Austin, Texas, United States

Primary software offerings: Software as a Service, Enterprise Software

Salesforce.com is one of the leading cloud-based software technology companies providing businesses with tools to find more potential customers, close more deals, and provide better service to customers. Salesforce, Inc. is also a renowned cloud-based software company from the United States that also offers CRM services. The services provided by Salesforce are a popular CRM tool specifically designed for support, sales, and marketing teams worldwide.

The technology company's services also enable businesses to use cloud technology to connect more effectively with partners, customers, and prospects. By using the Salesforce CRM tool, companies can capture customer activities, market to customers, and many other services. The Salesforce CRM platform empowers businesses to gain deeper insights into all their metrics and data; it can also set up a dashboard to display data visually. Furthermore, businesses can also have personalized access with automation. Another significant benefit is that the CRM platform can also enhance customer service capabilities to assist customers or enhance sales team outreach efforts.

Global software sales revenue: $17.1 billion

Founded: 1999

Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States

Primary software offerings: Software as a Service, Enterprise Software

IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) is one of the largest technology companies in the world, operating in over 170 countries with more than 345,000 employees worldwide. IBM is renowned for manufacturing and selling computer hardware and software, as well as cloud computing and data analytics. This technology giant has also functioned as a major research and development entity over the years, with significant inventions such as the floppy disk, hard drive, and UPC barcode.

Researchers at IBM have been awarded Nobel Prizes, Turing Awards, and other top honors for their work throughout its history. In May 2021, IBM teamed up with rivals Microsoft and Google in a project designed to better protect companies from hackers and other cybersecurity issues. That same month, the company unveiled the “world's smallest and most powerful microchip,” which IBM claims could quadruple the battery life of a mobile phone in a day.

Global software sales: $23.4 billion

Founded in: 1911

Headquarters: Armonk, New York, USA

Primary software offerings: Cloud software, Recognition software

Fiserv Inc (Fiserv) is a leading provider of payment technology and financial services. The company offers payment and mobile banking systems, account processing systems, as well as electronic payment processing products and services. It also provides financial solution services, business solutions, network, and security solutions including the production and distribution of documents and payment cards, check processing and imaging systems, source capture solutions, card solutions, as well as lending and risk management products and services.

The Fiserv platform comes with various marketing tools that enable merchants to run customized loyalty programs, marketing campaigns, and offer discounts or rewards to enhance customer engagement. The company's primary services are comprehensive account services, business technology services, and personal payment services. It serves a range of markets including banking, credit unions, other financial institutions, and merchants. Fiserv is headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, USA.

Global software sales: $14.9 billion

Founded in: 1984

Headquarters: Brookfield, Wisconsin, USA

Primary software offerings: Fiserv financial service software

Adobe is renowned as a creative giant in the digital realm, serving the design needs of professionals worldwide since 1982. Whether customers are graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, marketers, students, beginners, or experts, Adobe offers a plethora of tools and software to cater to the creative needs of each individual. While most Adobe applications today require a paid subscription, some of them are available for free trial. You can opt for separate account upgrade packages based on your personal requirements or pay for the entire Adobe Creative Cloud suite at once and own all 20+ apps outright.

Adobe continually enhances existing features and adds new ones. Added or improved features can provide a better experience and save time. Adobe's cloud storage allows you to access your files from anywhere effortlessly. Additionally, it enables you to use the software across multiple devices. The Adobe Stock library is the finest service Adobe offers for designers to choose software from. Essentially, they provide stores such as content, vectors, images, colors, brushes, typefaces,...

Global software sales: $15.8 billion

Founded in: 1982

Headquarters: San Jose, California, USA

Primary software offerings: Graphic Design Software, Graphic Editing Software, Web Design Software, Video Editing Software

Broadcom Inc. is recognized as one of the leading designers, manufacturers, developers, and global suppliers based in the United States related to various semiconductor software and infrastructure systems. The services and products provided by Broadcom technology company serve data centers, broadband, networks, software, wireless, and storage markets and the industrial market. Tan Hock Eng is currently the chairman and CEO of the company to date. The Broadcom technology company is headquartered in San Jose, California. Avago Technologies Limited, the company that renamed Broadcom Corporation after acquiring Broadcom in January 2016.

The AVGO code symbolizing the modern Avago old one represents the new legal person of Broadcom merged. The BRCM symbol of Broadcom Corporation was subsequently removed shortly thereafter. There is a long history of Broadcom company transactions (or attempted transactions) with other prominent corporations, primarily in the high-tech field. In October 2019, the European Union issued a temporary injunction against Broadcom technology company due to indications of involvement in anti-competitive business activities allegedly violating EU competition law.

Worldwide software sales: $7.1 billion

Founded in: 1961

Headquarters: San Jose, California, USA

Main software types provided: Security software (through Norton LifeLock), Enterprise software (through CA Technologies)