Free and/or Open-source Alternatives to many Common Programs

[svmlegacy]

OpenSCAD also exists for parametric modelling. Rather limited, but uses a programming to create the models. Good for small models based on basic geometric shapes.

[Sandro Linux]

WPS Office is not open source

[kaixax555]

The list is kind of old, here are updates on some of the software out there.

Video editing

DaVinci Resolve - Probably the most feature-rich video editor that you can use for free. NLE editor that covers the entire workflow, has features like multi-track editing, color correction, audio mixing (Fairlight) and special effects (Fusion). Pro version in used in the industry like in blockbuster movies (think Hunger Games and the like). There are limitations for the free version, like maximum 4k resolution and 60fps being the most significant, but for most users, what is being offered is more than enough.

CAD/CAM/CAE
There are few good open source CAD software out there, and they can't quite match up to even Fusion 360, so I will list some free software from CAD vendors available right now.

Fusion 360 - For most people this is their go-to recommendation for CAD. A lot of tutorials out there, cloud based. Parametric modelling, assembly functions, part drawings, 3D printing support and milling routing for 2, 2.5 and 3 axis. Feature set has been reduced since today (1 Jan 2021), with up to 10 active editable documents, but the restriction can be worked around and it is still among the most powerful CAD tools you can use for free unless...

Solid Edge Community Edition - My recommendation for CAD, as long as the design is for personal or non-commercial use. It is locally based, so your designs are saved to desktop. Functionality (from experience with the 2019 version I use in my workplace) is pretty much the same as the full featured version, with parametric modelling (same kernel as SolidWorks, which is Parasolid, since Parasolid is a Siemens product), assembly functions, part drawings, sheet metal design, generative design and simulation. There is also a free version for startups as long as you meet requirements.

Creo Elements/Direct Express - Direct modelling is more of a push-pull design method, as opposed to the normal parametric modelling. You can make unlimited parts, but your assembly is limited to 50 parts. Also requires constant internet connection like Fusion 360. Alternative to the above two CAD if parametric isn't for you (though if you are learning, I suggest picking up Solid Edge cause that is the most transferable to industry use).

[mon1ka]

On 1/1/2021 at 10:28 PM, kaixax555 said:

Video editing

DaVinci Resolve - Probably the most feature-rich video editor that you can use for free. NLE editor that covers the entire workflow, has features like multi-track editing, color correction, audio mixing (Fairlight) and special effects (Fusion). Pro version in used in the industry like in blockbuster movies (think Hunger Games and the like). There are limitations for the free version, like maximum 4k resolution and 60fps being the most significant, but for most users, what is being offered is more than enough.

was about to comment how OP hasnt been online since 2017 and how resolve would fit perfectly. thanks.

 

id also recomend adding hitfilm express to this list: ive only used it a couple times but it works for light tasks.

[TorC]

For GIS -- QGIS

[Joseph Keen]

Another good free video editor is Hitfilm Express.

[12345678]

/

[ZFSinmylungs]

Open-source can mean nothing if you aren't allowed to copy the software and remove viruses and spyware, if it happens to have any, such is the case with Audacity.
I prefer using the term "freedom software", software that is free, free by the license that it has, for example GPL is currently the best license for that that I know of, after which comes something like MIT I guess.
Let me quote the founder of FreeSoftwareFoundation, RMS here:
"Specifically, free software means users have the four essential freedoms: (0) to run the program, (1) to study and change the program in source code form, (2) to redistribute exact copies, and (3) to distribute modified versions."

[Sawtaytoes]

Posted in the wrong place. Please delete this post.

[10leej]

Emacs is better ran in the GUI not the terminal

[Mihle]

Gramps is great for Genealogy/Making Family Trees

https://gramps-project.org/

[maplepants]

Tailscale (tailscale.com) is a wireguard wrapper and lighthouse service that's free for personal/single user projects. Super handy if you want access to a LAN only service from outside the house. I use it so that I don't have to open port 22 to the world in order to allow ssh.

 

If you're on a Mac, get Keka. It's basically a nice little gui for p7zip and I can't recommend it enough. Great finder integration too.

Edited December 2, 2021 by maplepants
added Keka

[Musty]

Just wanted to say thanks for leading me to FreeCAD. Exactly what I was looking for.

 

Never bookmarked a thread faster 

[giusgius]

Hi, is there Outlook like free mail client for MAC (mac os high sierra) ?

Would be great if it has mail "archive" feature like Outlook has. Thanks

 

 

 

[Nayr438]

47 minutes ago, giusgius said:

Hi, is there Outlook like free mail client for MAC (mac os high sierra) ?

Would be great if it has mail "archive" feature like Outlook has. Thanks

 

 

 

I believe Thunderbird still remains the closest Alternative to Outlook. According to the site, it still supports MacOS High Sierra.

[giusgius]

5 minutes ago, Nayr438 said:

I believe Thunderbird still remains the closest Alternative to Outlook. According to the site, it still supports MacOS High Sierra.

Hi, thanks for info. Does it have archive feature if you know? Like Outlook does...

[Dat Guy]

12 hours ago, giusgius said:

Hi, is there Outlook like free mail client for MAC (mac os high sierra) ?

eM Client is quite Outlook-like.

[giusgius]

9 hours ago, Dat Guy said:

eM Client is quite Outlook-like.

I think that's a perfect option, also has archiving feature. I give it a try, thanks

[vdmo]

Wanted to add few suggestions towards few tools that been released since original post

1.0 - Microsoft Office
Libre Office still good


2.0 - Adobe Photoshop  
 

krita 

gimp 



3.0 - Adobe Illustrator

Inkscape is best in that space.. 

4.0 - Adobe Premiere/After Effects
- Davinci Resolve - free version is great 

Olive editor 
- https://olivevideoeditor.org

enve
- https://maurycyliebner.github.io/ 

- https://natrongithub.github.io/- compositing tool 
- https://ebsynth.com/

https://morevnaproject.org/opentoonz/

 

5.0 - 3D Graphics (Modelling, Animation)
 

https://blender.org

https://dust3d.org/

 

6.0 - Digital Painting

- Autodesk - sketch - some free versions still around 

- http://mypaint.org/

 

7.0 - Development Tools 

 

- neovim 

- vscodium 

 

8.0 - Desktop Recording/Streaming

 

obs - obviously 

9.0 - Media Player

 

vlc 

11.0 - CAD/CAM/CAE 

 

https://www.freecadweb.org/
https://github.com/hlorus/CAD_Sketcher
(plug in for blender) 

- Wings 3D

- 

12.0 - Torrent Clients

brave browser

deluge

13.0 - Instant Messaging/Chat Clients

getsession.org
telegram.org

14.0 - Email Clients

https://www.spikenow.com/

https://www.postbox-inc.com/

https://getmailspring.com/
https://k9mail.app/

https://bluemail.me/

15.0 - Linux Terminal-based 
16.0 - Antivirus
17.0 - PDF Tools
18.0 - Virtualization

19.0 - Miscellaneous

 

best search utility for windows  https://www.voidtools.com/ 

https://fman.io/ - just great windows 2 panel interface

[Dat Guy]

5 hours ago, vdmo said:

https://fman.io/ - just great windows 2 panel interface

 

Mostly unmaintained. The developer basically stopped working on it in 2019, with only one small update in May 2020.

[vdmo]

24 minutes ago, Dat Guy said:

 

Mostly unmaintained. The developer basically stopped working on it in 2019, with only one small update in May 2020.

alright... lets mention 

 

https://doublecmd.sourceforge.io/

[vdmo]

38 minutes ago, Dat Guy said:

 

Mostly unmaintained. The developer basically stopped working on it in 2019, with only one small update in May 2020.

we can also keep an eye on https://www.spacedrive.com/ 

[Dat Guy]

There are too many file managers.

[Nikko944]

I use shotcut for video editing. It’s awesome! And very easy to use (especially if you’re used to iMovie)

[TeeQue]

Codium as developer tool should be added, It is vscode without microsoft telemetry