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Updated on December 10, 2021
As a companion to my previous post on recommended Chromebook apps and my Linux Mint post-installation guide, I thought I’d write a post on free software alternatives to commercial software. This list is regardless whether the programs are free as in “free and open source” (FOSS) or merely free-as-in-cost (freeware), but most of the choices will fall under the former. While there’ll be some overlap, this list mainly refers to stand-alone actual applications, since I’ve covered cloud-based apps in my Chromebook setup article. Unless otherwise noted, all the software below is available on OS X and Windows, and most of it’s also available on Linux.
| Function | Free software | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Word processing | Microsoft Office Online
Google Docs LibreOffice |
LibreOffice is an open source office suite that replicates Microsoft Office’s functions.
Office Online is a free web-based alternative to the usual Microsoft Office package. Google Docs is Google’s equivalent. |
| Spreadsheets | Google Sheets
LibreOffice Microsoft Office Online |
|
| Note taking | Google Keep
Evernote (free tier) |
|
| Play music/streaming audio | Google Music
Spotify Pandora TuneIn Amazon Music Banshee |
Banshee is my desktop music player of choice for Linux, though it has (mainly beta) Windows/OS X versions. Otherwise, it might be better to stick with any number of web/cloud-based music services (or, well, iTunes). |
| Play video files | VLC | |
| Edit photos | GIMP
Pixlr Editor |
Pixlr Editor is a web-based photo editing program. GIMP is a long-standing desktop graphics program, available on all major operating systems. |
| Thunderbird
Webmail services (Gmail, Outlook, etc.) |
Thunderbird is the “cousin” to the Firefox web browser, both created by the Mozilla foundation. | |
| Web browser | Firefox
Google Chrome |
|
| Listen to podcasts | Stitcher | I’ve been using Stitcher as a podcast service, though other web-based ones are available. |
| Manage ebooks | Calibre | |
| Read comics | Comixology
Simple Comic (OS X) MComix (Linux) |
See my post on comic reader apps for more details/recommendations. |
| Personal finances | Google Sheets
Office Online Mint |
|
| Create a slideshow | Google Slides
Office Online |
|
| Password management | LastPass
KeePass |
|
| Access media/files from a home server | Plex | |
| Cloud storage | Dropbox
Google Drive OneDrive |
|
| Operating system | Linux Mint
Xubuntu |
For more daring and technically inclined users only, for the reasons I outlined here. Non-technical/average computer users who really want an alternative to Windows should consider either a Mac or a Chromebook.
Mint offers Xfce, Cinnamon and MATE as desktop environments. Xubuntu is the Xfce version of Ubuntu. I favor either Xfce or Cinnamon. |
Conclusion
Most of the above should easily fulfill the same functions as their commercial, non-free counterparts. Since they’re all free, they’re worth trying out to see if they’re worthwhile.
What free software do all of you enjoy using? Let me know in the comments below.
