Open-source apps are often overlooked as being only for developers, but they offer numerous benefits even if you’re not coding yourself. For many people, free software is a small mercy in an industry increasingly moving towards subscription-based services. The world benefits when tools are made available to everyone, allowing them to evolve and meet real-world demands rather than just prioritizing profit.
On my PC, I have a few open-source apps that I rely on: VLC for media playback, GIMP as an alternative to Adobe Photoshop, 7-Zip for file compression, and Google Chrome (which is built on the Chromium open-source project). These tools fill gaps in other players or provide essential functions like media management, photo editing, and data storage. They’re not used daily, but I wouldn’t feel complete without them.
GIMP, for instance, may require some time to get familiar with its interface, but it’s an excellent alternative for those new to professional photo editing. Similarly, 7-Zip provides convenient file compression that blends seamlessly into Windows’ right-click menus. While Google Chrome isn’t open-source itself, the Chromium project is, and many other browsers are built upon it.
These apps demonstrate that open-source software can be just as valuable, if not more so, than proprietary alternatives – regardless of your coding background.
Source: https://www.pocket-lint.com/open-source-apps-i-install-on-every-windows-pc