Are subscription-based apps becoming too expensive? You’re not alone. With most essential tools now requiring monthly or annual payments, many users are looking for affordable alternatives. Fortunately, there’s a legitimate and ethical solution that can get you professional-grade software without paying a dime: open-source or freeware communities.
Here are five top-notch free alternatives to paid apps:
1. **LibreOffice**: Replaces Microsoft 365 (Office)
For decades, Microsoft Office has been the go-to productivity suite for professionals and students worldwide. However, its high price tag may be excessive for home users. That’s where LibreOffice comes in.
LibreOffice is an open-source, fully featured suite that includes Writer, Calc, Impress, and more. It supports launching and editing Microsoft formats without any issues, making it a great alternative to Microsoft Office.
2. **GIMP**: Replaces Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is the undisputed king of image editing, but its professional version is only available through Creative Cloud subscriptions. For hobbyists or casual users, GIMP is an excellent free alternative that offers a complete toolkit for basic to advanced image editing.
GIMP has a steep learning curve, but it’s worth mastering. With its highly customizable UI and extensive compatibility with Photoshop files, you’ll be amazed at how powerful this free tool is.
3. **Bitwarden**: Replaces Dashlane/1Password
Dedicated password managers like Dashlane or 1Password offer essential features, but they’re often locked behind a paywall. Bitwarden disrupts this pattern by offering a “freemium” model with a free trial that’s suitable for most users.
Bitwarden is an open-source program that encrypts your data with zero-knowledge encryption architecture. It offers unlimited password storage, syncing across devices, and browser extensions – all at no additional cost.
4. **PDFgear**: Replaces Adobe Acrobat Pro
Adobe Acrobat Pro has taken advantage of the PDF’s popularity by charging a premium for editing capabilities. PDFgear is a game-changer that offers full PDF editing with zero watermarks and page limits.
You can edit text directly in the document, rearrange pages, merge files, and even convert PDFs to editable Word or Excel documents – all locally on your machine.
5. **ShareX**: Replaces Snagit/Camtasia
TechSmith’s Snagit is a gold standard for screenshot taking tools, but it comes with a hefty price tag. ShareX is an open-source alternative that handles screen capture, file sharing, and productivity tasks.
ShareX is lightweight, yet powerful, capturing full screens, specific windows, or scrolling webpages with ease. It also includes a massive toolbox of “extras” like a color picker, screen ruler, QR code generator, and DNS changer – all completely free.
These five alternatives will help you get professional-grade software without breaking the bank. Say goodbye to subscription fatigue and hello to affordable productivity tools!
Source: https://www.slashgear.com/2095800/free-alternatives-popular-windows-apps