Microsoft Office apps like Word, Powerpoint, Excel, etc. have got so many features nowadays that it takes weeks of classes to learn the ins and outs of a single product (almost as many features as text editors). Then there’s the feature that most people aren’t so much a fan of, the price tag. Having said that, do you wish to know some great free Microsoft Office alternatives to make your tasks easier?
Some people need specific features or compatibility with other contacts, and that’s understandable; it’s expected to come at a price. But what about those who don’t need much out of an office software? The average person, even if technically inclined, doesn’t need much out of a word processor (I mean, it’s not like it’s a text editor or anything). So, should you pay for something that you don’t need? Probably none of my business, so I’ll just give you the facts to make an informed decision and select the best Microsoft Office alternative:
7 Best Microsoft Office Alternatives For Free
1. Google Docs, Google Slide, Google Sheets
Google is known for its omnipresence in all things technology, there are few places Google hasn’t touched, and the office isn’t one of them. Google’s own set of web apps can be used as the best alternative to Microsoft Office apps as they are available for free and their cloud-based nature doesn’t need you to go through a tedious installation process.
Google Docs online office suite comprises of a word processor (Docs), a presentation app (Slides), a spreadsheet (Sheets). Apart from these primary office apps, Google Drawings, Forms, are also a part of the free office suite.
Google’s office suite apps can be accessed without any cost from any location on the globe, all you need is a Google account and an active internet connection. However, the biggest advantage can be a deal breaker for the users having a scarcity of internet. Although there is an official extension that enables offline mode, it only works for the files stored on your Google Drive.
Google Docs supports simple export to industry standard document formats such as Microsoft ‘docx’, PDF, and several others. Similar is the case of other Google office apps like Sheets and Slides. Google Sheets now includes a feature where you can create pie charts and bar graphs for a given data just by typing the description into a text box.
You can upload files from your device or directly edit the files stored on your Google Drive. Google office apps allow the sharing of documents privately with friends, or even publicly. And in addition to the sharing, you can even invite people to edit with you in real-time collaboration.
Why choose Google Docs?
Google Docs is undoubtedly the best and free cloud-based office software that also gives close competition to Microsoft Office Online. You can also add a number of add-ons built by Google or third parties which extend the functionality of Google Docs.
The freely available Microsoft Office alternative can be beneficial to home users and students searching for a cost-effective set of office apps, you’re only paying for the internet. However, for commercial users, Google also sells these apps in the form of a subscription called G Suite (here’s the free G Suite trial) which also includes Google’s other cloud-based solutions. G Suite comprises of Gmail, Calendar, Google+, Hangouts, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Sites, etc. It also includes the digital interactive whiteboard Jamboard.
Platforms supported by Google Docs: Windows, macOS, Linux, and other operating systems via a web browser. Apps are available for Android and iOS.
2. LibreOffice
LibreOffice was forked from OpenOffice a while back for some political reasons. Suitable for all intents and purposes, they’re more or less the same thing with the exception that the community followed the LibreOffice fork and OpenOffice just hasn’t seen as much development since.
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LibreOffice is a very feature-rich free MS Office alternative suite if you want something that installs on your computer and works without an internet connection. In terms of cost-effectiveness, it’s pretty hard to beat. It has a few quirks, like need to change the default document formats to Microsoft Office formats. But apart from that, this free office software is an excellent choice for anyone that doesn’t require the bells and whistles of a commercial product.
Why Choose LibreOffice?
If you’re using Linux, there are great chances that you’re already using LibreOffice. It’s good looking, gets regular updates, supports MS Office file formats and has a few of its own.
The free office suite is also one of the best open source software for Microsoft Windows, so Windows users might want to consider it in place of the closed source MS Office.
Platforms supported by LibreOffice: Windows 10/8/7, Linux, Mac OS X, Android (only for viewing documents)
3. Office Online
If you want to stick to Microsoft-made office apps, Office Online can also be a great alternative to Microsoft Office Suite which we normally install on our PCs and Macs. Similar to Googe’s set of office apps, it works right inside your web browser and can be accessed using your Microsoft account.
Currently, Office Online includes cloud-based versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, Sway (creates presentations), Flow (automate tasks), etc. Similar to Google Docs, and Sheets, you can edit the files stored on your OneDrive or your computer.
You shouldn’t confuse these apps with Office 365 which comes at a monthly price. It won’t be surprising if Microsoft cuts down some features from these cloud-based Office apps.
Why use Office Online?
One reason to use Office Online is that it doesn’t introduce you to an entirely new set of office apps. It even carries the same user interface we find in MS Office 2016. Technically, Office Online is an MS Office alternative but given the lack of its awareness among general users, it had to make to the list.
Office Online has Skype integration allowing users to chat with other people while editing a shared document or a powerpoint presentation together. For Chrome, users can install the Office Online extension which allows them to create and edit new files and existing files easily using Office Online.
Platforms supported by Office Online: Windows, MacOS, Linux, and other operating systems via a web browser.
4. WPS Office
Another name to be taken as the best Microsoft Office alternative in 2018 is WPS Office. You might have heard about Kingsoft Office in the past; it was renamed as WPS Office which is a well-known office app for Android.
Currently, WPS Office 2016 Free version is available to the Windows users at no cost but with non-interrupting advertisements when the software starts. It includes a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation making applications. Regarding look and feel, WPS Office is similar to MS Office.
Why use WPS Office?
WPS Office includes cloud sync feature allowing users to sync document progress across devices. You can take advantage of various inbuilt templates for different purposes.
It also includes an inbuilt Word to PDF converter but the free version gives you a limited number of conversions. That’s the dark side of software which are available in both free and premium versions. In a nutshell, the free version can be more than enough for regular users like us. But you can go for the paid option if you want additional features.
Platforms supported by WPS Office: Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.
5. Apple iWork
Apple has always been Microsoft’s biggest competitor in consumer operating systems, but Apple has put generous effort into their office suite called iWork. It’s only available on Mac OS (OS X) but it is free of charge (though, not free as FOSS). Yes, it lacks many of the features of Microsoft Office, but do you need them?
iWork is capable of word processing (with an emphasis on design), spreadsheets, and presentation software. Some find iWork to be so simple that it makes you feel stupid (myself included) and it really takes some time to get used to. Despite that, this Microsoft Office replacement for Mac is still a solid suite for a small office.
Why Choose Apple iWork?
iWork provides many easy to use and popular features. It’s simple to use without any unnecessary fuss.
A cloud-based version called iWork for iCloud is also available. Earlier, iCloud was available only for Apple users but now other platforms are also compatible with iWork apps because of the free office suite on iCloud. All you need is an Apple ID.
Platforms supported by iCloud: Mac, iOS, Multiple operating systems (via iCloud version).
6. Calligra Office
Calligra Office split from KOffice in 2010, and the KOffice fizzled out shortly afterward. Calligra Office is an open source suite built upon the Qt toolkit. It has more applications than LibreOffice, but they lack much of the features of LibreOffice. If you want a simple office suite with a few extra applications like flowcharts, database management, and image manipulation, this free Microsoft Office replacement might be for you. Again, just like LibreOffice, if this is all you need, it’s very cost-effective.
Why Choose Calligra Office?
While LibreOffice is often the final choice of users, Calligra Office comes with more applications like one for project management.
Platforms supported by Calligra Office: Full support for Linux and FreeBSD. Preliminary support for Windows and Mac.
7. DropBox Paper
For a long time, DropBox was only a place where you could store your documents. Now, with DropBox Paper, which aims to develop itself as a replacement of Microsoft Office Online and Google Docs, you can create and edit documents, collaborate with friends and colleagues, as well as enjoy many of the project management and team communication features.
Dropbox Paper has gone past its beta stage. The web-based work platform doesn’t include presentation and spreadsheet apps of its own but it’s possible to add compatible files created using Google Docs apps or Microsoft Office files stored on your computer or Dropbox or Google Drive.
Why use DropBox Paper?
With Paper, DropBox is looking to break the shell and become more than a file storage platform. If you love a minimalistic and clean interface for collaborative editing, Paper is a great choice.
Supported platforms: Works on all platforms, but needs internet connection
There are many more office applications that are capable of covering the basic user’s needs. The alternative options to Microsoft Office are many and plenty. Even more when you include individual applications that aren’t bundled like AbiWord and LYX.
Editor’s Recommendation:
Without a doubt, LibreOffice is the perfect free Microsoft Office replacement if you don’t want to opt for a cloud-based solution. It comes loaded with all necessary features that one needs to perform common tasks. If you have seamless Internet connectivity, Google Docs is a great way to create and share documents.
Did you find this article helpful? Let us know what your favorite office productivity suites (or individual applications).
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A few years back, I dubbed Kingsoft Office the best free Microsoft Office alternative. Then the developers renamed it WPS Office, built in a bunch of clunky online features and added a watermark to all printed and PDF documents. Talk about ruining a perfectly great freebie! (To be fair, developers gotta eat, and the free version really was almost too good. I'm guessing few users bothered to pay for the pro version.)
Best Free Office Suite For Windows 10 64 Bit
So what's the alternative to that alternative? Ladies and gentlemen, the 2016 Cheapskate Award for Best Free Office Suite hereby goes to LibreOffice 5.1.
This is, of course, a decidedly old-school option. For many a user, word processing, spreadsheet management and presentation creation work just fine in a Web browser, thank you. Tools such as Google Docs and Microsoft's own Office Online afford plenty of basic features, without extra software to install or money to spend.
So why bother with a desktop office suite? I can think of any number of reasons: mail-merge, text boxes, change-tracking, custom styles.. shall I go on? Plus, and let's be honest, Google Docs is a really ugly place to spend your time. Interface isn't everything, but it's something.
LibreOffice, for its part, borrows heavily from Microsoft Office circa 2003 -- and that's just fine. (I know plenty of folks who despise the Ribbon interface that's prevalent across newer versions of Office.) I do wish it offered a tabbed view for multiple documents, though, of course, Microsoft Office doesn't, either. Which is ridiculous.
That gripe aside, I like pretty much everything about LibreOffice. It's fully file-format compatible with Microsoft Office (read: it can open and save .docx and all the other 'x' files), and it offers some of the more obscure features (macros, track changes, etc.) not typically found in freebie suites.
If you're a regular Cheapskate reader, you know I'm a bit conflicted about this. I like Microsoft Office, and in fact I rely heavily on Outlook because it's the only desktop mail client worth a damn. (Yep, I said it.) But I still think it's overpriced, and Microsoft shenanigans like this drive me insane.
That's just me. If you're looking for a free (technically, open-source) office suite that can handle the big-three productivity tasks with aplomb, look no further than LibreOffice 5.1. Your thoughts?
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Unless you have a company buying licenses for you, tools like Photoshop, Pro Tools, Maya, or even Windows can be a serious bite out of your wallet. Here are some more affordable options to those normally pricey apps that’ll help you stop fretting and get more done.
10. GIMP (Free, for Windows, macOS, and Linux)
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The first one’s a bit obvious. If you don’t have the money for Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions, or never purchased a copy of Photoshop for yourself, the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP for short) is for you. It’s feature-rich, powerful (even moreso with the GIMPShop plugin), and with just a little work, can work pretty much exactly like Photoshop when you need it to.
How to Make GIMP Work More Like Photoshop
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Read more ReadIf you have a little trouble getting started with it though, that’s okay—it can look a little daunting, but this cheat sheet full of shortcuts and tips can help you navigate it and get up to speed quickly. After all, it’s your favorite PhotoShop alternative for a reason. If you’d like more alternatives, Windows users can try Paint.net (free), and Mac users can check out the highly-acclaimedPixelmator ($30.)
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Read more Read9. Libre Office (Free, for Windows, macOS, and Linux)
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Microsoft’s Office suite is the productivity standard in offices around the globe, but when it comes to your computer at home, if you don’t want to shell out for a license, or don’t have access to it through other means, you’ll still need something to work with—especially if you have to work with Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, or PowerPoint presentations others send you. Enter Libre Office, our long-favorite alternative if you need a local, non-web-based office suite.
Battle of the Office Suites: Microsoft Office and LibreOffice Compared
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Read more ReadLibre Office has come a long way in recent years, too. What used to look very much like a stereotypical “design by committee,” utilitiarian suite of tools has now come into its own as a more than capable and elegant competitor to Office that can still open Office documents, edit them, and save them for seamless use by people using Office. And of course, it’s completely free.
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LibreOffice Updates, Doesn't Look Like Crap Anymore
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Read more Read8. Inkscape (Free, for Windows, macOS, and Linux)
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Adobe Illustrator is a must-have if you work with vector graphics, build logos, or even format documents for print or other publication, but again, if you’re not down to shell out for Creative Cloud subscriptions, Inkscape has been a long-time favorite for, well, just about everything you can do in Illustrator without the bells and whistles that most people don’t actually bother using. Plus it’s free, open-source, and cross-platform.
Manipulate Vector Images with Open Source Inkscape
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Read more ReadInkscape also has a large user community and tons of guides on its tutorials blog to help you get started with it and up to speed quickly if you need a little help. We discussed it more in detail in our guide to replacing Creative Suite with affordable apps, along with some alternatives if Inkscape doesn’t suit your fancy.
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Build Your Own Adobe Creative Suite with Free and Cheap Software
Adobe's Creative Suite is one of the best software packs out there for professionals, but the…
Read more Read7. Blender (Free, for Windows, macOS, and Linux)
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If you’re interested in 3D modeling, 3D printing, or 3D animation, Blender is your tool of choice, at least to get started in the field. Sure, Maya and other tools like it are used in animation and modeling studios, but if you want to get started, or even model your own objects for 3D printing, Blender is the way to go.
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Read more ReadIt can be a little tricky to make sense of at first, though, and our 3D modeling night school can help you get started. If that’s not enough for you, this free ebook from Wikibooks is another great tool to help you learn Blender.
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Intro to 3D Modeling: The Complete Guide
We spent last week learning about the basics of 3D modeling using an application called Rhino 3D.…
Read more Read6. Avira (Free, for Windows) and Sophos (Free, for macOS)
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Make no mistake, there’s no replacement for good browsing hygiene and smart sense when it comes to what you click, what you download, and the sites you visit. However, it doesn’t hurt to have a good antivirus and/or combo antimalware tool on your computer at the same time, or especially on the computer of someone who may not have the same web street smarts you might have.
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Read more ReadFor that reason, Avira is our pick for the best for Windows, and Sophos is our pick for the best for macOS when it comes to antivirus, and MalwareBytes when it comes to antimalware. If you prefer something else? We have more options. Bottom line, there’s absolutely no reason to pay for pricey antivirus or antimalware subscriptions, and free tools—despite some sleazy practices from some of late—do the same job without the bloat and cruft that comes with big names you might recognize from office computers everywhere.
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Read more Read5. LMMS (Free, for Windows, macOS, and Linux)
LMMS, formerly the Linux MultiMedia Studio, is a great, powerful, and free alternative to Apple’s Garageband, or even pricier, industry standard apps like Pro Tools. It probably won’t replace it if you’re looking to work professionally, but if you’re an amateur at home, this free, cross-platform tool is worth checking out.
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Read more ReadAside from turning your computer into a music sequencing machine, whatever computer you’re using, it’s richly featured for multi-track editing in a way that Audacity, our favorite simple recording and audio editing tool, isn’t. From sequencing, composing, mixing, and editing to effects mixing and built-in instruments for effects, loops, and other sounds, it’s all there in LMMS.
4. VirtualBox (Free, for Windows, macOS, and Linux)
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Virtualization isn’t just something for geeks to play with—it’s a great way to test out new tools and software and make sure it doesn’t wreak havoc on your computer. Virtualbox, free and cross-platform, may not strictly be the best or most efficient tool for the job, but it’s features and benefit-to-cost ratio is unmatched. It’s super powerful, and completely free.
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Read more Read3. DaVinci Resolve (Free, for Windows and macOS)
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It’s hard to find a video editing tool that’s both good and free, especially compared to common at-home tools like iMovie or professional-grade tools like Adobe Premiere. However, if you are looking for an alternative, DaVinci Resolve, which started life as a complex (and expensive) color grading tool, picked up video editing features a few years ago. Since then it’s earned a name for itself as being a comprehensive, solid alternative video editor that—while a little tough for beginners to climb into—is robust enough once you have the hang of it to replace other, more expensive tools. There’s a paid version if you do want to shell out for it, and a comparison between the free and paid versions here.
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Read more Read2. Linux (Free)
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Of course Linux deserves a spot on the list. Which distribution you use is, of course, entirely up to you—as is which desktop environment you choose—but if you’re moving from macOS or Windows to Linux, either for simplicity’s sake or because you don’t want to shell out for new licenses, or you just want to bring an old computer back to life, Ubuntu and Linux Mint are your two best options for getting the hang of things.
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Read more ReadIf you want to drop right into the deep end, Arch Linux is a favorite around these parts, but it’s not super newbie-friendly. Even so, we have a great guide on setting it up—and learning a lot about linux in the process. Also, make sure to check out our Lifehacker Pack for Linux for the essential, must-have tools to be productive and make the most of your new Linux installation.
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Read more Read1. Google Drive (Free, Web-Based)
Finally, everyone knows—and probably uses—Google Drive, (formerly Google Docs, because Google.) We live and die by it around here at Lifehacker, and combined with Gmail, it’s fast, flexible, free, available on any computer that has a web browser, and it’s powerful to boot. Sure, it may not have some of the perks of a traditional desktop office suite, but there are ways around that.
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How to Make Google Drive Work Like a Desktop Suite
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Read more ReadCombined with the wealth of plugins, add-ons, and other tools that can supercharge Docs, Sheets, and Slides, and you have a pretty powerful set of tools that you don’t have to pay a dime to use. And we haven’t even discussed the cheat sheets, templates, and other tricks to make yourself a G Suite ninja yet, either.
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Illustration by Angelica Alzona. Additional images by Blender Foundation, Nemo, OpenClips, and Ase (Shutterstock), and Eduardo Quagliato.
Lifehacker’s Weekend Roundup gathers our best guides, explainers, and other posts on a certain subject so you can tackle big projects with ease. For more, check out our Weekend Roundup and Top 10 tags.
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Microsoft is mostly criticized by the Linux community for their closed-source Windows operating system which single-handedly outperforms the popularity of all the Linux distros combined. The company has been an advocate of proprietary software, but in the last couple of years, Redmond has made a lot of contributions to the open source community.Microsoft is now one of the top-tier members of the Linux Foundation and has a regular presence on GitHub. Stuffing distros such as Ubuntu, openSUSE, and Fedora into the Windows Subsystem is the sign of love Microsoft is showing towards the Linux community.
However, on the other hand, some people might want to tie this with Microsoft’s evil intentions. Earlier, it was predicted that they would digest Linux in the long run. If Windows becomes capable of running Linux applications someday, then people might fall for it.
Leaving all these things aside, one important thing to consider is that various free and open-source software available for Windows 10. If you want to take advantage of Windows 10’s fluidity and other features, you can do so with a touch of open source.
Don’t forget to check out our list of open source apps for Android.
14 Best Free Open Source Software For Windows 10
1. Firefox – Open source browser for Windows 10
Developed by Mozilla Foundation, Firefox is an open-source web browser which was first released in 2002. Firefox started to lose its user base after the arrival of Google Chrome in 2009. But last year, Mozilla gave a massive transformation to Firefox, and now it stands proudly in front of Chrome and other leading browsers.
Firefox is the default web browser on various Linux distributions, but it also has gigantic user based on the Windows platform, and not to mention Android.
2. Chromium – Open source alternative to Edge
People often criticize Google Chrome for its proprietary nature; its daddy Chromium is always ready to rescue the popular browser with its open source goodies. In fact, Chrome borrows its base code from Chromium after which Google makes some changes.
One of the advantages of having Chrome or Chromium is that you can stream content from your desktop to TV screen using a Chromecast receiver.
Chromium has posed itself as a serious contender for the default web browser on Linux systems. When it comes to Windows 10, many people are stuck to Chrome, but Chromium can be a great alternative if you want to fill your proprietary machine with some open source software.
3. VLC – Open source alternative to Windows Media Player
It’s hard to imagine a Windows 10 machine without the VLC. That’s the reason it has bagged the top position on our list of best media players for Windows 10. The open-source media player developed and maintained by VideoLAN.
Other than playing different audio/video formats, VLC can also be used to stream online content and download YouTube videos.
4. DC++ – Open source file-sharing client
You might have heard about the direct connect (DC) protocol used for sharing files over the internet. The open source DC++ is the most popular peer-to-peer file-sharing client based on the direct connect protocol.
You can use DC++ as an alternative to BitTorrent. Other than Windows, various DC clients are available for macOS and Linux. Read this post to know more about the pros and cons of DC++.
5. qBittorent – Open source torrent client
qBittorrent is an open source client for Windows 10 which is used to download torrent files. The letter q in the name qBittorrent is because it is designed using Qt. qBittorrent is also available for other operating systems including macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, etc.
6. GIMP – Open source alternative to Photoshop
GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) can be assumed as the open source answer to Adobe Photoshop unless you’re planning to spend ten years and master MS Paint, like, this guy did.
Created by Spencer Kimball and Peter Mattis, GIMP has existed for more than two decades since its first release in 1995. The open source graphics editor can be used to create and make changes to photos and clipart in raster image formats including JPEG, PNG, TIFF, etc. GIMP is available for Windows 10, Linux, and macOS.
7. Libre Office – Open source alternative to Microsoft Office
Another name in the list of free and open source software for Windows 10 is Libre Office. In 2011, the office application suite sprung out of another open source project known as OpenOffice.
Libre Office currently offers a variety of apps like Writer (similar to MS Word), Calc (MS Excel), Impress (Powerpoint), Math (used to create and edit maths formulae), Draw (vector graphics editor), and Base (a database management program).
There are two versions of Libre Office which are in continuous development. ‘Fresh’ release comes with all the latest features created for Libre Office, on the other hand, ‘Still’ release is a little behind in terms of features but focuses more on stability.
8. 7zip – Open source Zip extractor
You can’t question the capabilities of the 17-year-old open source tool 7zip when compressing and extracting files. The fact that 7zip is open source adds to the comfort of the haters of proprietary software.
7zip is primarily created for machines running Windows operating system. However, command line based versions for Linux distros are available. Other support for popular compression formats, 7zip also offers its own compression format called 7z.
9. VirtualBox – Open source hypervisor software
Probably, the only hypervisor software known to common users like us is VirtualBox. It allows people to run some other operating system, be it Windows or Linux, inside their primary operating system.
The original development of this open source software was carried out by Innotek GMbh before it was taken over by Sun Microsystems followed by Oracle.
Other than being an open source software available for Windows 10, VirtualBox is also available for other platforms including Linux, Solaris, macOS, etc.
10. Tor Browser – Open source anonymity suite
Tor Browser is the perfect solution for users who don’t want to blow their anonymity cover on the internet. The open-source web browser for Windows 10, macOS, and Linux leverages Tor network to conceal user’s identity and IP address.
It’s a modified version of the Firefox ESR browser which includes some add-ons such as HTTPSEverywhere, NoScript, etc. Tor browser reroutes the traffic through various nodes on the Tor network. It automatically deletes cookies and web history when the user closes the browser window, thus, reducing the chances of a user getting tracked.
11. FileZilla – Open source FTP solution
The file-sharing software FileZilla is also a great open source software for Windows 10. It’s available for Linux and macOS as well. The FTP client was born as a class project of a student trio in 2001.
FileZilla offers protected file sharing which requires a username and password to access the shared data. Overall, the software has received a positive response, but it has been accused of storing passwords insecurely. Users have criticized FileZilla for bundling adware as a part of SourceForge’s revenue program.
12. Mozilla Thunderbird – Open source alternative to Outlook
Thunderbird is an email client developed by Mozilla. Launched in 2004, it was able to serve the rising demand for a dedicated email client. In the last few years, Mozilla has reduced their focus on Thunderbird because they don’t believe it can make the same the industry-wide impact as Firefox does.
The open source email client is available for Windows 10, Linux, and MacOS. Other than an email client, Thunderbird includes a Calendar, Chat client, and can receive RSS feeds amongst various other features. However, the emails are listed in a congested manner and might ruin your user experience.
13. Media Player Classic – Home Cinema (MPC-HC)
MPC-HC is also an open source media player for Windows 10. In terms of video and audio format support, it can easily go shoulder to shoulder with VLC. One thing I like about MPC-HC is that it can play 4K videos if you’re running capable hardware.
The biggest drawback of MPC-HC is that it’s only available for Windows platforms, that’s where VLC takes over by providing a cross-platform media player.
14. KeePass – an open source password manager
In our list of the best password managers, you can find the open source Windows software called KeePass. Standing confidently among other proprietary password managers, KeePass provides an effective way to save and organize tons of usernames and passwords you have for your web accounts and various services.
All the account credentials added to KeePass are stored on the user’s system in an encrypted file to protect the information from attackers. It supports input and export of data from other password managers and also comes with built-in password generator which can suggest random passwords. Read more about creating a strong password.
So, these were some of the free and open source software for Windows 10 you can use in your daily life. I’ll try to extend this list in the future.
Did you find this helpful? Drop your thoughts and feedback.
Also Read: 10 Best Free And Open Source Android Apps Every User Should Try
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Microsoft Office 2016 has arrived , and with it the same pricing model Microsoft adopted a couple years back: $69 per year for the single-user Personal Edition, $99 per year for the five-user Home Edition or $149.99 to buy the suite outright.
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Make no mistake, I like Office. Word, Excel and PowerPoint have been refined and polished to a fine shine, and Outlook is arguably the best desktop mail client currently available, especially for business users.
But for years many of us have been spoiled by Google Docs, OpenOffice and other free alternatives, to the point where it just seems ludicrous to pay for Microsoft's suite -- even with its 1 terabyte of OneDrive cloud storage and (snicker) 60 minutes of monthly Skype time. (Excuse my mockery, but this is such a paltry value-add, one few people ever use, yet Microsoft wants you to think it's all that and a bag of chips.)
My question for you, fellow cheeps: What's your solution? My guess is you're not paying for Office either (unless you're getting it cheap or free as a student or from your company), but you still need word processing, spreadsheets and/or presentations.
One of my longtime favorites, WPS Office (formerly Kingsoft Office), has become something of a mess. If you head to WPS.com, you find only Android, iOS and Linux versions of the suite. Huh? A little Googling reveals that Kingsoft proper still offers the Windows version, but good luck figuring out the different names and options. (My advice: click the Download button next to Office Suite Free 2013. That's the version I used for a long while and really liked.)
What about Google Docs? It's effective enough for basic document work, but file management is kind of a pain -- especially if you use Google Drive as your portal. (If there's a way to sort your documents by file type, I haven't found it.) And like most of Google's Web-based apps, it's just ugly. I consider myself a creative guy, and when I'm creating stuff, I prefer a pretty interface.
Which brings us to Microsoft Office Online, a surprisingly decent set of tools that more or less rival what Google has to offer -- but with a much prettier UI. If you don't need the higher-end feature packed into Word, Excel and PowerPoint (and I suspect most users don't), you might be surprised by how much you can accomplish with free Office Online.
Now, your turn. What's your pleasure? LibreOffice? Old-standby OpenOffice? Something else entirely? Tell me (and everyone else) what tools you use to handle your everyday office-y tasks.
Bonus deal: Calling all Mac users! If you're getting ready to make the move to El Capitan, you'll no doubt want to make a full backup first. And for that you'll need software. For a limited time, you can grab Belight Backup Pro (Mac) for free. Normally $19.95, this drive-cloning tool creates a bootable backup and includes features like file-syncing and scheduled activities.
Bonus deal No. 2: You've probably heard this news by now, but just in case: Starting tomorrow (and ending tomorrow!), Amazon will offer a one-year Prime subscription for $67. Regular price: $99. This offer is for new subscribers only, though if there's a gift option, you could theoretically buy that gift for yourself and use it to renew an existing subscription when the time comes. (You'll definitely want to read all the fine print to see if this would work. I'm only speculating.)
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