When do Black Friday software deals start in 2026?

Black Friday 2026: the key dates

The main weekend is short, but software sales spread well beyond it. Most makers announce their offer in the two weeks before Black Friday, and many keep it running until Cyber Monday ends.

Tip: If a deal you want already states its price and end date, buying early rarely costs you anything. The bigger risk is forgetting.

When software deals usually appear

Unlike shops with stock to clear, software makers can start a sale whenever they like, so start dates vary. In our data, the earliest offers appeared in the first days of November, and most were announced in the two weeks before Black Friday.

Security software such as password managers and VPNs often starts early too, so it's worth checking before the main weekend.

Should you buy early or wait?

If a deal states its price and end date, there's rarely a reason to wait for that app. The risk with waiting is forgetting, or missing a limited offer. The risk with buying early is a better offer appearing, which is uncommon for indie software that has already announced its sale.

Tip: Make a short list of the apps you actually want, then check each maker's site once in mid-November and once on Black Friday. That catches nearly every offer without endless browsing.

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