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NCH Software
NCH Software
NCH Software
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NCH Software is an Australian software company founded in 1993 in Canberra, Australia. The Colorado office was started in April 2008 due to the large U.S. customer base.[1]

Key Information

Software products

[edit]

NCH Software provides software programs for audio, video, business, dictation and transcription, graphics, telephony and other utilities. On September 26, 2014, cnet.com showed their most-frequently downloaded program from NCH Software was WavePad Sound Editor Masters Edition.[2]

VideoPad is the firm's video editing application for the home and professional market.[3][4][5] It is part of a suite that integrates with other software created by the company. This other software includes WavePad, a sound-editing program;[6] MixPad, a sound-mixing program;[1] PhotoPad, a photo and image editor;[7] Prism a video format converter;[8] Express Burn, disc burning software; Switch, an audio format converter, Express Scribe, a transcription software, Express Zip, a file compression software, and Debut, a screen recorder and video capture software.

Controversy

[edit]

During 2013, some computer security companies categorized NCH software as bloatware because it bundled the Google Toolbar. In July 2015, NCH Software announced[9][10] it was no longer bundling the Google toolbar. As of November 30, 2015, NCH Software is marked clean by all major antivirus products.[11][12][13]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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NCH Software

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
NCH Software is an Australian company founded in 1993, specializing in easy-to-use applications for audio, video, , , utilities, and dictation across Windows, Mac, and mobile platforms. The company has released over 80 programs, many of which are award-winning and recognized as market leaders in their categories. Headquartered in , , with origins in , , NCH Software maintains a global presence through its U.S. incorporation established in 2009. Its product lineup includes notable tools such as VideoPad for , WavePad for audio editing, Debut for screen recording, and Express Scribe for transcription, all designed with intuitive interfaces to meet user needs affordably. NCH Software emphasizes simplicity, reliability, and innovation, earning praise from industry reviewers like PCWorld and TopTenReviews for quality and design. As a privately held entity, the company focuses on providing free trial versions of its software, backed by a 30-day , and holds an A+ rating from the for its customer support and product diversity. Key leadership includes President Peter Lupton, who co-founded the firm.

Company Overview and History

Founding and Early Development

NCH Software was established in 1993 by Peter Lupton in , , operating as a private company with an initial emphasis on tools, particularly those related to audio processing. Originally known as NCH Swift Sound, the company leveraged Lupton's background as a sound engineer to target practical audio solutions for both personal and business use. During the mid-1990s, NCH Software began releasing its first products, focusing on user-friendly audio editing applications designed for Windows platforms. These early offerings included tools for recording, editing, and managing sound files, laying the foundation for the company's reputation in accessible multimedia software. By prioritizing simplicity and compatibility, NCH addressed the growing demand for affordable audio utilities among home users and small businesses transitioning to digital audio workflows. In the late , the company experienced growth through the adoption of a free trial model, which allowed users to test software before purchase, encouraging widespread adoption via direct downloads from the company's website. This approach facilitated expansion into a broader range of Windows-compatible utilities beyond core audio tools, helping NCH build a global user base without heavy reliance on traditional distribution channels. A key early milestone came by 2000, when NCH Software gained recognition on prominent download sites such as for its intuitive audio tools, which were praised for their ease of use and effectiveness in everyday applications. This visibility marked a turning point, solidifying the company's position in the competitive software market and attracting increased downloads and feedback from international users.

Expansion and Leadership

In April 2008, NCH Software expanded its operations by opening an office in Denver, Colorado, to better serve its substantial U.S. customer base and facilitate growth in the North American market. This move marked the company's first international outpost beyond its origins in , enhancing support for its growing user community and distribution efforts. In 2009, the company was incorporated in the United States as NCH Software Inc. in . Founded by Peter Lupton in 1993, NCH Software has remained under his leadership as CEO, with the company operating as a privately held entity focused on independent development and innovation. Lupton's ongoing role has guided the firm's strategic direction, emphasizing bootstrapped growth without external funding. As of September 2025, the organization employs approximately 77 staff members across its offices in , Australia, and Denver, Colorado, supporting a global reach that delivers over three million software downloads monthly to users worldwide. In recent years, NCH Software has continued to evolve, releasing updated versions of its applications in 2025, such as MixPad version 13.49 and PhotoPad version 14.48, which incorporate enhancements for performance and usability. The company maintains a strong emphasis on cross-platform compatibility, ensuring its tools function seamlessly across Windows, macOS, , and Android devices to meet diverse user needs.

Business Operations

Licensing and Revenue Model

NCH Software employs a model for its software distribution, offering free versions that provide access to core functionality but include limitations such as nag screens prompting for purchase and watermarks on outputs to encourage upgrading to paid versions. These typically last a limited time, often 14 to 30 days depending on the product, after which the software ceases to function fully without registration, requiring users to acquire a for unrestricted use. This approach allows potential customers to evaluate the products before committing to payment, aligning with NCH's strategy to convert users into paying ones. Paid licenses are primarily perpetual for Windows applications, granting lifetime access to the specific major version purchased without recurring fees, though users must buy upgrade licenses for subsequent major versions. In June 2025, NCH transitioned its Mac applications to a subscription model, with existing paid users receiving one year of free access. Pricing for individual licenses varies by product and edition, generally ranging from $30 to $100, with options for home editions (non-commercial use) and professional editions (business use), alongside discounted bundles for multiple tools. Subscription plans, such as quarterly or annual renewals, are available across platforms for ongoing access to updates. The company's revenue is generated mainly through direct sales via its official website (nchsoftware.com), where users and register software after purchase. Additionally, NCH partners with download aggregators and affiliate programs, allowing third-party sites to distribute the software and earn commissions up to 30% on sales, expanding reach without significant marketing overhead. This dual-channel distribution supports an estimated annual revenue of around $7 million as of 2024, derived predominantly from license sales across its portfolio of over 80 applications.

Marketing and Distribution Strategies

NCH Software primarily distributes its products through direct downloads from its official website, which features SEO-optimized pages for each software title to enhance visibility. The company also leverages third-party download platforms such as CNET Download.com to broaden its reach and provide users with alternative access points for free trial versions. To promote adoption, NCH Software offers free trial versions of its applications, allowing users to evaluate functionality before purchase, with a requirement to register a paid after the trial expires for full, unrestricted use. The company engages in affiliate partnerships through networks like Commission Junction, where partners can earn up to 30% commission on sales generated from their sites, alongside programs offering volume discounts. For global distribution, NCH Software maintains an online model that enables worldwide downloads without regional restrictions, supported by localized language options on its website including English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Portuguese, and Swedish. This multilingual support facilitates accessibility across international markets. Additionally, the company has expanded into mobile app stores, with applications available on the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android devices, reflecting a continued emphasis on mobile distribution as of 2025.

Software Products

Audio and Multimedia Tools

NCH Software's audio and tools form a suite designed for creative professionals, hobbyists, and general users seeking accessible software for editing, converting, and producing media content. These applications emphasize user-friendly interfaces combined with professional-grade features, supporting a wide range of formats across Windows, Mac, , and Android platforms. The lineup prioritizes efficiency in handling audio, video, and image files, enabling tasks from basic recording to advanced multitrack production without requiring steep learning curves. WavePad serves as the flagship audio editor, renowned for its comprehensive capabilities in recording, editing, and applying effects to sound files. It supports numerous formats including , , AIFF, , OGG, and more, allowing users to perform operations such as cutting, copying, pasting, , amplification, and equalization. The software includes advanced tools like spectral analysis, , and virtual soundboard integration for live effects, making it suitable for podcasters, musicians, and artists. According to data from 2014, WavePad was the most downloaded NCH Software program. VideoPad provides a versatile video editing suite that accommodates both novice and professional users through its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and multi-track timeline. Key features include support for importing formats like , MOV, MP4, and WMV, along with over 70 transitions, visual effects, and tools for green screen compositing. It enables 4K video editing and export at resolutions up to 2160p, with options for speed adjustment, handling, and direct uploads to platforms like . The software targets content creators producing home videos, tutorials, or promotional clips, emphasizing quick rendering and compatibility with hardware like cameras. MixPad specializes in multitrack audio mixing for music production, offering unlimited tracks for layering vocals, instruments, and effects into studio-quality outputs. It includes sound editing functions such as trimming, fading, and , alongside built-in effects like reverb, compression, and EQ. A standout feature is VST plugin support in the Master's Edition, allowing integration of third-party instruments and processors to expand creative possibilities. Designed for producers and DJs, MixPad facilitates exporting to , , or direct burning to CD, streamlining workflows from recording to final mastering. PhotoPad functions as an image editor focused on photo enhancement and manipulation, supporting formats like JPG, , TIFF, BMP, and RAW files. Users can crop, rotate, resize, and apply adjustments for , exposure, sharpness, and , with tools for retouching blemishes, removing objects, and creating HDR merges or artistic effects like oil paintings. Batch processing capabilities enable simultaneous edits on multiple images, such as resizing or watermarking, ideal for photographers handling large collections. The software caters to both casual editors and those preparing images for print or . Among other notable tools, Prism acts as a video converter handling over 40 formats including , MP4, WMV, and MOV, with batch conversion, audio extraction, and options to adjust resolution, frame rate, and speed while adding overlays or watermarks. Express Burn facilitates disc burning for CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays, supporting audio compilation from / files, video authoring with menus, and data backups, ensuring compatibility with standard media players. Switch serves as an audio format converter for more than 75 file types like , , M4A, and , featuring batch normalization, video audio extraction, and simple interface for quick conversions suitable for archiving or device compatibility.

Business and Utility Applications

NCH Software's business and utility applications encompass a suite of tools tailored for workflows, including transcription, screen capture, file , telephony systems, and diagramming solutions. These programs emphasize ease of use and integration into environments, supporting tasks such as handling, call , and time without requiring advanced technical expertise. Express Scribe is a designed for professionals, such as legal and typists, that facilitates the conversion of audio and video recordings into text documents. It features variable speed playback with constant pitch to allow accurate listening without , support for most common audio formats including encrypted dictation files, and integration with foot pedal controls for hands-free operation during extended sessions. The software also enables multi-channel control for handling multiple recordings simultaneously and includes tools for video playback in its professional edition. Debut serves as a versatile screen recording and tool, ideal for creating tutorials, demonstrations, or footage in settings. Users can record from webcams, external devices, or the computer screen, with options to add text captions, timestamps, , or watermarks directly to videos. It supports multiple output formats like , MP4, and MOV, along with adjustable color settings and effects to enhance captured content before saving. The program is noted for its ability to handle simultaneous screen and recording, making it suitable for training videos or monitoring applications. Express Zip functions as a file compression and archiving utility, enabling users to create, manage, and extract zipped files efficiently for and transfer in professional contexts. It supports compression of folders and individual files with built-in options to secure sensitive information, and it handles common formats for seamless integration with other systems. The tool's interface allows for , making it practical for backing up large volumes of business documents without significant performance overhead. In telephony, NCH Software provides IVM and as complementary tools for voice communication management. IVM operates as a voicemail and (IVR) system, supporting call attendant functions with features like logging, multi-line handling, and customizable greetings for up to 30 mailboxes in configurations. It connects via voice modems or professional telephony boards and can integrate with VoIP lines for automated call routing. , a virtual PBX and SIP server, is geared toward call centers and businesses, managing extensions, on-hold music, predictive dialing, and digital call routing across analog or VoIP lines. It installs on Windows servers to simulate a full switch, accommodating multiple users and external connections for scalable operations. Additional utilities include ClickCharts, a diagramming program for creating flowcharts, mind maps, UML diagrams, process workflows, and organizational charts. It offers a of templates and drag-and-drop tools for quick visualization of business processes, with export options to common image formats for reports or presentations. HourGuard is a and time tracking application focused on billing and , featuring a simple start/stop interface to log hours against tasks, automatic idle detection to pause tracking during inactivity, and report generation for invoicing freelance or employee work. These tools round out NCH's utility offerings by addressing diagramming and needs in professional environments.

Controversies and Criticisms

Adware and Bundling Issues

In 2013, NCH Software's installers were categorized as bloatware by several computer security companies due to the bundling of the Google Toolbar as an optional download during installation. This practice, which involved offering third-party toolbars like Google or Ask without mandatory selection, drew significant user criticism for potentially compromising system performance and privacy. In response to feedback, NCH Software discontinued all bundling effective July 31, 2015, removing such options from its installation processes. Following the change, the company's website and software downloads were cleared by major antivirus vendors, including Norton and , with full clean status reported across antivirus products by November 2015. Despite these reforms, allegations of bloatware-like behavior, such as residual files and difficult uninstallation, have continued into recent years. Users have described installers adding background processes and registry entries without explicit , resulting in hard-to-remove components that cause system bloat and instability; for instance, a December 2024 Better Business Bureau detailed duplicated files that persisted post-uninstall. A 2024 similarly highlighted unauthorized installation and uninstallation blocks, attributing these to invasive distribution tactics. In April 2024, the NCH Software website was blocked by as reporting potential , affecting access via browsers like Chrome and , though the issue could not be reproduced by Malwarebytes staff and remained unresolved in investigations.

Customer Service and Licensing Disputes

NCH Software has faced significant user complaints regarding its licensing practices, particularly around the interpretation of "lifetime" licenses. Many customers report that these licenses do not cover major version updates, requiring repurchases for new editions, such as upgrading from version 10 to 11, where old registration codes fail to activate the software. For instance, after performing updates, software reverts to trial mode, prompting users to buy again despite prior payments. Similar issues with license recognition following system changes or software upgrades have persisted. Customer support has been a frequent point of contention, with users describing difficulties in uninstalling software that leaves behind residual files and registry entries, complicating complete removal. Help desks are often criticized for unresponsiveness, including delays of weeks in email or chat replies and failure to address inquiries about registration or refunds. On Trustpilot, where NCH holds a 4.2 out of 5 rating from 1,437 reviews as of November 2025, negative feedback highlights cases of non-delivery of passcodes after payment and ignored support requests, contributing to perceptions of deceptive practices. The (BBB) has recorded 29 complaints against NCH Software since 2020, with many involving incorrect or missing activation keys, transfer issues to new devices, and overall support dissatisfaction. As of September 2025, BBB recorded ongoing complaints, including licensing and support issues, with many resolved via replacement keys. Forum discussions echo these concerns, including reports of invalid keys post-update and challenges in license recovery without additional costs. Consumer review sites like PissedConsumer aggregate over 200 user reports averaging 2.2 stars, frequently citing licensing errors and poor support resolution as of late 2025. In response to these disputes, NCH Software often resolves BBB complaints by issuing replacement keys or providing activation assistance, emphasizing use of official support channels. The company maintains detailed uninstallation guides on its site to address removal issues and attributes certain problems, such as invalid installations, to downloads from unauthorized third-party sources rather than official distributions. NCH guarantees the safety and legitimacy of software obtained directly from its website, advising against third-party versions to avoid licensing and complications.

References

  1. https://www.nch.com.au/general/about.html
  2. https://www.bbb.org/us/co/greenwood-village/profile/computer-software-developers/nch-software-inc-1296-90103039
  3. https://www.macupdate.com/vendor/nch-software
  4. https://www.nchsoftware.com/index.html
  5. https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/nch-software
  6. https://www.ithistory.org/db/companies/nch-software
  7. https://www.crunchbase.com/person/peter-lupton
  8. http://pcug.org.au/pcug/16bits/98_08/16B9808.pdf
  9. https://www.afr.com/technology/aussie-software-stalwart-nch-does-world-class-editing-yet-flies-under-the-radar-20180223-h0wkbd
  10. https://www.nchsoftware.com/
  11. https://download.cnet.com/developer/nch-software/i-10012381/
  12. https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/business/2011/06/28/nch-software-offers-fantastic-affordable/21480977007/
  13. https://getlatka.com/companies/nch-software
  14. https://leadiq.com/c/nch-software/5a1da8062300005a009bc070
  15. https://www.nch.com.au/general/press.html
  16. https://www.linkedin.com/company/nch-software
  17. https://www.nch.com.au/mixpad/versions.html
  18. https://www.nchsoftware.com/photoeditor/versions.html
  19. https://nch.invisionzone.com/topic/24550-free-version-is-really-trialware/
  20. https://help.nchsoftware.com/help/en/pixillion/win/141.html
  21. https://help.nchsoftware.com/help/en/ivm/win/_purchase.html
  22. https://www.nchsoftware.com/invoice/kb/1586.html
  23. https://nch.invisionzone.com/topic/82931-i-want-to-install-new-version-of-videopad-shall-i-pay-again/
  24. https://nch.invisionzone.com/topic/87334-urgent-recent-update-disables-paid-licenses-on-macos/
  25. https://secure.nch.com.au/register/debut.html
  26. https://nch-software.tenereteam.com/
  27. https://secure.nch.com.au/cgi-bin/register-no.exe?software=videopad
  28. https://www.nch.com.au/reseller/
  29. https://getlatka.com/companies/nch-software/team
  30. https://www.nch.com.au/kb/10053.html
  31. https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=NCH+Software
  32. https://help.nchsoftware.com/help/en/wavepad/win/help.pdf
  33. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/installation-guide/how-to-download-and-install-wavepad-sound-editor-on-windows/
  34. https://help.nchsoftware.com/help/en/videopad/win/about.html
  35. https://www.nchsoftware.com/videopad/index.html
  36. https://www.nch.com.au/mixpad/index.html
  37. https://secure.nch.com.au/cgi-bin/register-no.exe?software=mixpad
  38. https://help.nchsoftware.com/help/en/mixpad/win/help.pdf
  39. https://www.nchsoftware.com/photoeditor/index.html
  40. https://help.nchsoftware.com/help/en/photopad/mac/about.html
  41. https://www.nchsoftware.com/prism/index.html
  42. https://www.nch.com.au/burn/index.html
  43. https://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html
  44. https://www.nchsoftware.com/software/index.html
  45. https://www.nch.com.au/scribe/index.html
  46. https://help.nchsoftware.com/help/en/scribe/win/help.pdf
  47. https://www.nchsoftware.com/capture/screenrecorder.html
  48. https://help.nchsoftware.com/help/en/debut/win/help.pdf
  49. https://www.nchsoftware.com/zip/index.html
  50. https://help.nchsoftware.com/help/en/expresszip/win/help.pdf
  51. https://www.nch.com.au/ivm/index.html
  52. https://help.nchsoftware.com/help/en/ivm/win/help.pdf
  53. https://www.nch.com.au/pbx/index.html
  54. https://help.nchsoftware.com/help/en/axon/win/help.pdf
  55. https://www.nchsoftware.com/chart/index.html
  56. https://www.nchsoftware.com/timesheet/index.html
  57. http://help.nchsoftware.com/help/en/hourguard/win/help.pdf
  58. https://www.nch.com.au/software/safety-guarantee.html
  59. https://www.bbb.org/us/co/greenwood-village/profile/computer-software-developers/nch-software-inc-1296-90103039/complaints
  60. https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/310288-wwwnchsoftwarecom-is-blocked-as-reports-malware/
  61. https://nch.invisionzone.com/topic/33411-update-requires-new-purchase/
  62. https://nch.invisionzone.com/topic/60856-trouble-with-software-upgrades-losing-license/
  63. https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.nchsoftware.com
  64. https://nch-software.pissedconsumer.com/complaints/RT-P.html
  65. https://www.nch.com.au/general/uninstall.html
  66. https://www.nchsoftware.com/support/index.html
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