5 Editors' Choice Software Deals: Titles for Free, a Deal that Puts You Ahead $20

Our top software deals of the week are pretty crazy. Every single one is an Editors' Choice offer — which is understandable since three of the titles cost nothing at all, and one even puts you ahead by $20. If you're looking for cheap or free foreign language instructional software, payroll programs, or virus protection, look no further, because you won't beat these deals anywhere. And remember: there's always plenty of great value to be found at our daily software deals page.

1. $50 Dell Gift Card with McAfee Total Protection for PC
   Vendor: Dell Home
   Price: $29.99 with free shipping
   Lowest By: $20

   Is It Worth It?: This is the rare deal where you end up actually making money, in the process of spending it. Purchase McAfee Total Protection 2012 for Windows for $29.99, and you'll also receive a $50 Dell Home Gift Card. We're not mathematicians, but to us, even if you forget about the software entirely, you're spending about $30 to get $50 (assuming you have a Dell purchase in your future). Having said that, the software sounds pretty useful too — it features protection against spyware, viruses, and phishing.

2. QuickBooks Enhanced Payroll 2012 for PC
   Vendor: Staples
   Price: Free after $200 mail-in rebate with free shipping
   Lowest By: $138
   Expires: August 18

   Is It Worth It?: If you're running a small business, saving every penny counts, and right now at Staples you can get this useful Intuit QuickBooks software for $0 after this $200 mail-in rebate. And the savings don't stop there: With this software you can easily create paychecks, calculate payroll taxes and deductions, and generate state and federal payroll tax forms, all of which will surely save you money when compared to an expensive accountant or nettlesome extra taxes and fees.

3. Norton Internet Security 2012 3-User for PC
   Vendor: newegg
   Price: Free via coupon code "EMCNBJF239" and $50 mail-in rebate with free shipping
   Lowest By: $36
   Expires: August 20

   Is It Worth It?: There have been a lot of news stories lately about aggressive hackers going after ordinary consumers for their credit card information, and who knows how secure your WiFi connection really is; this Symantec software protects you against viruses, spyware, online identity theft, and more. Right now, if you're a newegg newsletter subscriber (signing up is free), you can get it for $0 after redeeming coupon code "EMCNBJF239" and a $50 mail-in rebate. Norton has been in this business for a really long time, so they know what they're doing.

4. Berlitz Language Software for Windows or Mac
   Vendor: newegg
   Price: Free after $25 mail-in rebate with free shipping
   Lowest By: $36
   Expires: August 20

   Is It Worth It?: Instructional language software is such a brilliant use of computer technology, don't you think? And nowadays, language software conveniently comes with functionality that lets you use it in your car or on your smartphone while you jog. At newegg, you can get several Berlitz Language Learning software titles for Windows or Mac for $25 each — but this $25 mail-in rebate takes care of the full price for you, dropping the price to $0. Available languages include Italian, German, Chinese/Japanese, French, and (you never know) English.

5. Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11 Home for PC
   Vendor: newegg
   Price: $9.99 via coupon code "EMCNBJF28" and $40 mail-in rebate with free shipping
   Lowest By: $22
   Expires: August 20

   Is It Worth It?: Voice recognition software is so incredibly advanced, so that, not only can you buy it at any store, the prices are also very affordable. newegg newsletter subscribers (signing up is free) can get Nuance's Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11 Home for Windows for $9.99 via coupon code "EMCNBJF28" and this $40 mail-in rebate. With Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11, you can control your computer using speech instead of a keyboard and mouse, and that includes functionality for word processing, email, instant messaging, web surfing, and more, with up to 99% typing accuracy (so they say). A headset is included.