Expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better. This golden rule is best understood when it comes to free software that competes successfully with its renowned predecessors. Fortunately, our world is not without kind and smart people who believe that there should be alternatives to paid computer programs.
Open source software is thousands of computer programs distributed under a free (open) license. Their authors successfully create counterparts to popular paid programs that are no worse, and sometimes even better than the advertised paid software. AdmiGram.com has gathered the best free alternatives to paid computer programs that will save you money.
7 free alternatives to popular paid PC software
Full-fledged office suite: LibreOffice
If your work involves interaction with a word processor, spreadsheets, and presentations, then instead of Microsoft Office, you can successfully use its absolutely free counterpart. LibreOffice is a powerful office suite for professional text processing, working with spreadsheets, developing presentations, and databases. It’s worth noting that LibreOffice takes up 10 times less disk space. That’s such a tangible saving.
Text scanning and recognition: Cognitive OpenOCR (CuneiForm)
Right now, there are many good text recognition services available online. But what to do when the internet is unavailable, and buying a package from FineReader is expensive? Enter Cognitive OpenOCR (CuneiForm) – one of the fastest text optical recognition systems in the world. Although the software is a bit old, it works flawlessly like a Swiss watch. The program supports 23 languages.
Graphic editor: GIMP
Finally, the total hegemony of Adobe Photoshop has come to an end. GIMP is the best free raster graphic editor that allows you to easily create and manipulate raster graphics. And in the latest versions, GIMP has even learned to work with vector graphics. Perhaps at first, the program’s interface may seem a bit unfamiliar to you, but remember how you looked at Photoshop buttons for the first time? Learning to work with GIMP is a matter of habit.
Non-linear video editor for video editing: DaVinci Resolve
If you’re into simple video editing, or maybe even aiming for an Oscar for best video editing, then instead of Adobe Premiere Pro, we strongly recommend you to use this product. DaVinci Resolve is a simple but fast non-linear video editor that allows you to edit videos, audio, and graphics. It supports most video effects, as well as all modern video and audio file formats.
Sound file audio editor: Audacity
When it comes to sound editing, there’s no need to burden your computer with software like Sound Forge or Adobe Audition. Audacity is a simple and intuitive sound file editor that supports working with multiple tracks. It includes a fairly large set of filters and technologies that allow you to process sound at a professional level.
Vector graphics editor: Inkscape
When it comes to working with vector graphics, there’s no need to turn your gaze towards giants like Adobe or Corel. Inkscape is an excellent solution for those involved in technical or artistic illustration, as well as those willing to perform any general-purpose drawing. Today, Inkscape supports a huge number of languages, tools, operations, and imported image formats. So, you definitely won’t have any creativity issues with it.
3D modeling, animation, and visualization: Blender
Since we’re talking about graphics, it would be a shame not to admire the legendary creation of Ton Roosendaal once again. He and his like-minded people truly achieved the impossible. Blender is, without exaggeration, the best tool available today for free 3D work. It supports all the latest visualization technologies. This free tool is used for both professional 3D modeling and creating movies, cartoons, and graphics.
image on top: junaidrao / Flickr
