What’s the best way to get my idea to a software company, without them just claiming it as their own?

I have an idea for a program that I think would be indispensable for any office to to have. However, I don’t have the skill to write it, so I need to know how to go about getting a software company to consider it, without them just claiming it as their own idea and not compensating me in any way.

Before you discuss your idea with any potential software company, make them sign a “Non-Disclosure Agreement”. Have an attourney draw one up for you.

That way, if they do steal your idea, they will have to fully compensate you.

Note that this depends on the nature of your idea. Not all ideas are patentable nor would be able to be protected by an NDA (i.e. If the idea is a common one whose implmentation is limited by current technology)

Get an NDA.