Why does SourceForge still exist?

Pro tip: If you log in to SourceForge you'll never see ads. The main reason I use SourceForge is because it's better for distributing software to non-coder end users. It's set up like an app store with user reviews, and is much easier to navigate than github if you are not a developer, and are just looking for software to download. It's also not owned by Microsoft, and the new owners have been making really good strides. SourceForge also gives me more robust project stats like downloads, etc than other repo sites do.

When was the last time you went to Sourceforge? How do you access it?

It isn't ad filled here. They went through a bad patch when owned by the previous owner, who was trying to figure out how to monetize it, and made bad choices in how ads were presented. These days, ads normally get presented during the period when you are actually downloading something hosted on Sourceforge. (And I visit using Firefox with uBlock Origin enabled. It works fine.)

And bear in mind that the practical definition of "free" these days is "Someone else pays for it." Just who is that someone else and where does the money come from? Offerings like Sourceforge are expensive to operate and maintain, with full time salaried employees doing it. The money in their paychecks comes from somewhere. The usual source of the money is advertising.

Yes, GitHub is still free, but GitHub is now owned by Microsoft, and there are folks who object to that. (I am not one of them.)

Would you be willing to pay for a "no ads" version of Sourceforge or similar service?