November 21st, 2007
Free alternatives to commercial software
Over then next few weeks I’m bound to get my brain picked to shreds on a near infinite number of tech-related subjects. One subject that came up extensively over the holiday period last year was what free software was available to replace commercial software.
Last year I was ill-prepared, this year I won’t be.
Here’s the list I’ve got so far:
| Free | Commercial |
| 7-Zip | WinZip |
| CDBurnerXP | Nero |
| OpenOffice.org | Microsoft Office |
| Thunderbird | Outlook |
| Paint.NET/GIMP | Photoshop |
| AVG Free | Symantec/McAfee etc |
| UBCD4Win | Norton SystemWorks |
| Any Linux distro… | Windows/Mac |
What am I missing?
Here’s more alternatives, thanks to the readers of this blog (cheers!):
| Software | Description |
| FoxIt | PDF reader |
| Real Alternative |
RealPlayer/Real One alternative |
| avast! 4 Home AV |
Anti virus |
| ZipGenius | Compression tool |
| ImgBurn | ISO burning tool |
| Serif software |
DTP software |
| Google Pack |
Misc |
| CCleaner | System optimizer/privacy |
| Inkscape | Vector drawing tool |
| AdAware | Antispyware |
| Spybot S&D |
Antispyware |
| Audacity | Sound editor |
| FreeMind | Mind mapping |
| Gantt Project |
Project manager |
| Open Workbench |
Project manager |
| Scribus | DTP |
| Blender | 3D creation |
| SoftMaker Office |
Office suite |
| Timidity++ | MIDI sequencer |
| PDFCreator | PDF creator |
| Hugin | Panorama creator |
| OpenDisc | ISO crammed with high quality apps |
Adrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations
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