Recommended free and open-source software that can save you hundreds a year

Replaces: WinRAR, WinZip

Compresses and extracts ZIP, 7z, RAR and dozens of other formats.

Windows

Replaces: Notion, Miro

All-in-one workspace: docs, whiteboards and databases, local-first.

Windows · macOS · Linux · browser

Replaces: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign

All-in-one professional design suite: photo editing, vector illustration and page layout, on par with Adobe.

Good to know: Free with a (free) Canva account. Only the AI features require a Canva Pro subscription.

Windows · macOS

Replaces: Quizlet Plus

Spaced-repetition flashcards: ideal for learning a language or studying for an exam.

Good to know: Free on desktop, on Android (AnkiDroid) and in the browser; only the official iPhone app is paid (one-time purchase, about $25).

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android · iOS

Replaces: Adobe Audition

Audio recording and editing: cut, remove noise, normalize, export to MP3.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Paid macro tools

Creates keyboard shortcuts and automates repetitive tasks in Windows.

Windows

Helps blind and low-vision people: a volunteer or AI describes live what the camera sees.

Android · iOS

Replaces: 1Password, Dashlane

Open-source password manager, synced across all your devices.

Good to know: Free with no limit on passwords or devices; advanced features are paid.

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android · iOS · browser

Replaces: CCleaner

Frees up space by deleting temporary files, caches and browsing traces, and permanently erases sensitive files.

Windows · Linux

Replaces: Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D

3D modeling, animation, rendering, visual effects and even video editing.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: YouTube Premium (for ads), paid ad blockers

Fast browser that blocks ads and trackers out of the box, no extension needed: watch YouTube without ads, and much of the advertising on Prime Video and Disney+ is blocked too.

Good to know: Ads built directly into the video by Prime Video or Disney+ aren’t always blocked.

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android · iOS

Replaces: Revo Uninstaller Pro, CCleaner’s uninstaller

Cleanly uninstalls programs, several at once, along with their forgotten leftovers.

Windows

Replaces: Calendly

Online appointment booking synced with your calendar.

Server / VPS (Docker) · browser

Replaces: Paid e-book converters

Manage your e-book library, convert between formats (EPUB, MOBI, PDF…) and send them to your e-reader.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Adobe Express

Social media visuals, posters, presentations and short videos from thousands of templates.

Free: The free version is enough for most designs; Canva Pro adds background removal, brand kits and more images.

Browser · Windows · macOS · Android · iOS

Public transport, bike and scooter directions in major cities, with real-time schedules.

Free: Free for everyday use; the Club subscription adds a few features.

Android · iOS · browser

Replaces: Vercel, Heroku

Deploys your websites, apps and databases to your VPS in a few clicks, with automatic HTTPS certificates.

Server / VPS (Docker)

Replaces: Hard Disk Sentinel

Monitors the health of your hard drives and SSDs and warns you before they fail.

Windows

Replaces: Adobe Lightroom

RAW photo processing and photo library management, the open-source alternative to Lightroom.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro

Professional-grade editing, color grading, effects and audio mixing, used in film.

Free: The free version covers almost everything; the paid Studio version adds some effects, AI tools and export above Ultra HD.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Sage, EBP, invoicing software

Complete management for small businesses: quotes, invoices, customers, inventory, orders, accounting.

Server / VPS · Windows (DoliWamp)

Replaces: Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart

Diagrams, flowcharts, floor plans and technical drawings, exportable to PDF, PNG or SVG.

Windows · macOS · Linux · browser

Replaces: Acronis, Backblaze (software)

Automatic, encrypted backups of your folders to an external drive or the cloud of your choice.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, backed up and synced with encryption.

Android · iOS · Windows · macOS · Linux · browser

Finds any file on your PC instantly, from the very first letter you type.

Windows

Replaces: Miro

Online whiteboard with a hand-drawn look, for sketching out an idea alone or together.

Browser

Replaces: GitHub, GitLab (paid plans)

Host your Git code repositories privately, with issue tracking and continuous integration.

Server / VPS (Docker)

Replaces: SolidWorks, Fusion 360

Parametric 3D design for 3D printing, mechanical engineering and architecture.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Adobe Photoshop

Photo editing and image creation: layers, masks, selections, filters.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Unity

Lightweight 2D and 3D game engine, with no royalties or subscription.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Microsoft Money, paid personal finance software

French personal finance software: bank accounts, budgets, reconciliation and reports.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Wondershare UniConverter

Converts and compresses videos to modern formats (MP4, MKV), with ready-made presets.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Subscription-based smart home hubs

Controls your whole smart home from a single app, locally, whatever the brands.

Raspberry Pi · mini PC · server

Replaces: Google Photos, iCloud Photos

Automatic backup of your phone’s photos and videos, with face recognition, map and search.

Good to know: Keep a second copy of your photos elsewhere: Immich is not a substitute for a backup.

Server / VPS (Docker) · apps Android, iOS

Replaces: Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW

Vector drawing (logos, illustrations, plans) in SVG format, with PDF and PNG export.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Plex Pass

Your own “Netflix” for your movies, shows and music, on all your screens.

Server / VPS (Docker) · apps TV, Android, iOS, browser

Replaces: Zoom Pro, Teams

Video conferencing with no account and no time limit: create a room and share the link.

Browser · Android · iOS

Replaces: Evernote

Encrypted notes and to-do lists, syncable with your own cloud (Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive…).

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android · iOS

Replaces: Streaming subscriptions (indie films)

Ad-free streaming of indie films, classics and documentaries.

Good to know: Free with a card from a partner library or university (mainly in the US, UK, Canada and Australia).

Android · iOS · browser · TV

Replaces: Pushbullet Pro

Links your phone and computer: notifications, texts, files, shared clipboard, remote control.

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android · iOS

Replaces: Adobe Premiere Pro

Full multitrack video editor, easy to pick up, with titles, transitions and effects.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: 1Password, Dashlane

Offline password manager: a single encrypted vault, on your computer.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Clip Studio Paint, Corel Painter

Digital painting and illustration, designed for graphics tablets.

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android

Replaces: Kindle Unlimited, Audible

Borrow e-books and audiobooks with your library card, to read or listen to on your phone, tablet or Kindle e-reader (depending on the country).

Good to know: Requires an OverDrive partner library: very common in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, rarer in France, where many libraries lend e-books through their own portal.

Android · iOS · browser

Replaces: Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

The complete office suite: word processor, spreadsheet, presentations, drawing. Opens and saves Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Mailchimp, Brevo

Sends newsletters and manages subscriber lists, even very large ones.

Good to know: You need a reliable email sending service (SMTP) alongside it, otherwise your messages will end up in spam.

Server / VPS (Docker)

Replaces: FL Studio, Ableton Live

Music production: sequencer, virtual instruments, loops and effects.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Sends files and photos between phone and computer over Wi-Fi, with no cable or cloud, like AirDrop but for everyone.

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android · iOS

Cuts and joins videos in seconds, without re-encoding and so without any loss of quality.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Medication reminders, treatment tracking and drug interaction alerts.

Free: Reminders and basic tracking are free; the Premium subscription adds advanced features.

Android · iOS

Minimalist video player, very lightweight, with excellent image quality.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Sibelius, Finale

Music notation: note entry, audio playback, PDF and MIDI export.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Zapier, Make

Automates your tasks by connecting your apps together (email, forms, online store, spreadsheets, AI…) with visual workflows.

Good to know: “Fair-code” license: free to self-host for your own needs, but not strictly open source (reselling the service is not allowed).

Server / VPS (Docker)

Replaces: Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive

Your own cloud: synced files, sharing, calendar, contacts and an online office suite.

Server / VPS (Docker) · apps Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

Replaces: Sublime Text, UltraEdit

Fast text and code editor, with syntax highlighting and powerful search.

Windows

Turns off telemetry and intrusive settings in Windows 10 and 11 in a few clicks.

Good to know: Create a restore point first; preferably apply the “recommended” settings.

Windows

Replaces: Camtasia, XSplit

Screen recording and live streaming (YouTube, Twitch…) with scenes, sources and overlays.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Notion, Evernote

Markdown note-taking with linked notes, stored as files on your computer. Free, including for work use.

Good to know: Online sync and publishing are paid (optional).

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android · iOS

Replaces: Microsoft 365

Office suite with an interface very close to Microsoft Office, and excellent compatibility with Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android · iOS

Offline maps and GPS for hiking, cycling and travel, with no ads or tracking.

Android · iOS

Replaces: Adobe Photoshop Elements

Quick, simple photo editing with layers and effects, much easier to use than GIMP.

Good to know: Free to download from the official website; the Microsoft Store version is paid (to support the author).

Windows

Replaces: Evernote Scannable, document management software

Scans, organizes and makes all your paperwork (invoices, contracts…) searchable with text recognition.

Server / VPS (Docker)

Replaces: TeamViewer, Splashtop

Remote access to a computer with very low latency, even for gaming or video editing.

Free: Free for personal use; the paid plan adds multiple monitors and better color quality.

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android

Replaces: CCleaner Pro (software updates)

Updates more than 500 common programs (browsers, players, utilities…) in one click, very easy to use.

Good to know: Free for personal use. As with any bulk update, close your programs and documents before starting.

Windows

Replaces: Adobe Acrobat Pro

The complete PDF toolbox: merge, compress, split, convert, sign, recognize text (OCR).

Windows · browser

Replaces: Figma

Collaborative interface mockups and prototypes, the open-source alternative to Figma.

Good to know: Free online for everyday use; paid plans for large teams.

Browser · self-hostable

Replaces: Adobe Photoshop

Online image editor very close to Photoshop, which opens PSD, XCF, Sketch files…

Free: Free with ads; the Premium subscription removes ads.

Browser

Web interface to manage your Docker containers without the command line.

Server / VPS (Docker)

Replaces: Buffer, Hootsuite

Schedules your posts on 20+ social networks from a single calendar.

Server / VPS (Docker)

The little tools Windows is missing: quick launcher, bulk rename, color picker, window snapping…

Windows

Replaces: 1Password, LastPass

Encrypted password manager, synced across all your devices, with email aliases.

Free: Unlimited passwords and devices on the free plan; the paid plan mainly adds more email aliases and sharing options.

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android · iOS · browser

Replaces: NordVPN, ExpressVPN

Ad-free Swiss VPN that keeps no browsing history.

Free: The free version has no data limit but a restricted choice of countries; the paid plan adds all countries and streaming.

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android · iOS

Lightweight, ad-free BitTorrent client for downloading large files (Linux images, free games…).

Good to know: Only download legal content.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Acronis True Image

Backs up an entire drive (Windows included) and restores it if something goes wrong: your insurance against disaster.

Bootable USB stick

Creates a Windows or Linux installation USB stick in a few clicks.

Windows

Replaces: TeamViewer, AnyDesk

Remote control of a computer, to help out a friend or family member or access your own PC.

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android · iOS

Learn to code by snapping blocks together: games, animations, stories. Ideal for kids.

Browser · Windows · macOS

Replaces: Adobe InDesign

Professional desktop publishing: flyers, magazines, menus, catalogs, ready for the printer.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Snagit

Advanced screenshots and screen recordings: annotations, blur, text recognition (OCR), GIFs.

Windows

Identifies the music playing around you in seconds.

Android · iOS · macOS

Replaces: Adobe Premiere Elements

Lightweight video editor that plays almost any format without conversion.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Adobe Media Encoder

Converts, compresses, trims and prepares your videos, audio and images with professional-grade settings.

Good to know: Free (donation encouraged).

Windows · macOS · Linux

End-to-end encrypted messaging: messages, calls and video calls, with no ads or data collection.

Android · iOS · Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Driver Booster Pro, CCleaner Pro (drivers)

Finds and installs missing or outdated drivers, even without an Internet connection, with no ads or unwanted software.

Good to know: For experienced users only. Always create a restore point first, and only install the drivers you really need: a wrong driver can make your PC unstable. Download only the “Origin” version from Glenn Delahoy’s website (dubious copies exist). For your graphics card and Intel chips, use the official tools instead (NVIDIA app, AMD Adrenalin, Intel Driver & Support Assistant) and Windows Update.

Windows

Replaces: Adobe Acrobat Pro, Smallpdf

Every PDF operation in your browser, on your own server: your documents never go to a third party.

Server / VPS (Docker)

Replaces: Adobe Acrobat Reader

Ultra-light PDF, EPUB and comic reader that opens instantly.

Windows

Replaces: Dropbox, Google Drive (subscriptions)

Syncs your folders between your devices, directly, without going through a cloud.

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android

Replaces: Microsoft Outlook

Mozilla’s email client: multiple email accounts, calendar, contacts and encryption.

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android

Anonymous browsing: your address and habits are hidden from websites and trackers.

Good to know: Slower than a regular browser; some websites block Tor.

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android

Hear the sound of a muted TV (bar, gym, airport) in your earphones: just point your phone’s camera at it.

Good to know: Works with supported channels, mainly live.

Android · iOS

Replaces: Google Analytics

Simple, privacy-friendly website analytics, with no mandatory cookie banner.

Server / VPS (Docker)

Replaces: CCleaner Pro (software updates)

Lists all your software that has an update and updates it in one click, or automatically, via Microsoft’s official tool (winget).

Good to know: Review the list before updating everything at once: a new version sometimes changes how a program looks or works. Avoid updating software in the middle of important work.

Windows

Replaces: Topaz Gigapixel AI

Enlarges and enhances images with AI, right on your computer.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: UptimeRobot Pro, Pingdom

Monitors your websites and services and alerts you (email, Telegram…) as soon as they go down.

Server / VPS (Docker)

Replaces: 1Password, Bitwarden Premium

Lightweight server compatible with the Bitwarden apps: your passwords on your own server.

Good to know: Unofficial community project. Regular backups are essential: if the server is lost without a backup, so are your passwords.

Server / VPS (Docker)

Put several systems (Windows, Linux, repair tools) on a single USB stick and choose at startup.

Bootable USB stick

Replaces: BitLocker (Windows Pro)

Encrypts a drive, a USB stick or a file vault: without the password, nothing can be read.

Windows · macOS · Linux

The player that plays everything: videos, music, DVDs, network streams, no codecs to install.

Windows · macOS · Linux · Android · iOS

Replaces: Visual Studio Code (Microsoft build with tracking)

The VS Code editor in a fully open-source build, without Microsoft’s tracking: same interface, same extensions.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: TomTom GO

Community-driven GPS: traffic jams, roadworks, speed checks and hazards reported in real time by drivers.

Android · iOS

Replaces: SpaceMonger (now paid), TreeSize Pro

Shows in seconds what’s filling up your hard drive, as a visual map.

Good to know: Free for personal use; paid license for businesses.

Windows

Replaces: ACDSee

Ultra-fast image viewer that reads more than 500 formats, with batch renaming, conversion and resizing.

Good to know: Free for personal use; paid license for professional use.

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: Sublime Text, Cursor

Modern, ultra-fast code editor with real-time collaborative editing and a built-in AI assistant.

Good to know: The built-in AI features have a limited free tier; beyond that, a subscription (optional).

Windows · macOS · Linux

Replaces: EndNote

Collects and organizes your sources, then generates bibliographies and citations in Word or LibreOffice.

Windows · macOS · Linux · iOS