Find good software. Avoid bad tabs.

Audio & Music

Audacity

Recommended

Multitrack audio editor for recording, cutting, editing and exporting audio files.

Best suited for: Audio recording, playback, editing and music production

Graphics & Design

Blender

Recommended

Professional 3D suite for modelling, animation, rendering, video editing and effects.

Best suited for: Graphics, illustration and creative design

Photos & Images

DigiKam

Recommended

Powerful photo manager with metadata, ratings, search and image-editing features.

Best suited for: Managing, editing and converting photos

Browsers & Internet

Firefox

Recommended

Open web browser with extensions, synchronisation and extensive privacy features.

Best suited for: Web access, downloads and internet services

Graphics & Design

GIMP

Recommended

Powerful image editor for photos, composites, retouching and web graphics.

Best suited for: Graphics, illustration and creative design

Video & Streaming

HandBrake

Recommended

Converts videos into modern formats and provides easy-to-understand presets for devices, the web and archiving. Chapters, subtitles, audio tracks and quality levels can be adjusted individually.

Best suited for: Video conversion and smaller file sizes

Graphics & Design

Inkscape

Recommended

Professional vector graphics editor for logos, illustrations, diagrams and SVG files.

Best suited for: Graphics, illustration and creative design

Notes

Joplin

Recommended

Note and task manager with Markdown, attachments, end-to-end encryption and freely selectable synchronisation. Complete notebooks can also be exported.

Best suited for: Private notes, tasks and knowledge collections

Security

KeePassXC

Recommended

Local password manager for encrypted password databases without mandatory cloud use.

Best suited for: Password management, privacy and system protection

Office & Documents

LibreOffice

Recommended

Complete office suite for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings and databases.

Best suited for: Creating, reading and editing documents

Development & Editors

Notepad++

Recommended

Fast Windows text editor with syntax highlighting, tabs, macros, plugins and powerful search. Particularly useful for configuration files, scripts and small code changes.

Best suited for: Fast text and code editing on Windows

Video & Streaming

OBS Studio

Recommended

Screen recording and live-streaming software with scenes, sources, filters and an audio mixer.

Best suited for: Video recording, editing, conversion and streaming

Development & Editors

Python

Recommended

General-purpose programming language with clear syntax for automation, web development and data processing.

Best suited for: Programming, source editing and software development

Backup & Synchronisation

rclone

Recommended

Command-line tool for copying, synchronising, encrypting and mounting cloud storage. It supports many providers and is especially useful for automated workflows.

Best suited for: Cloud synchronisation and scripted automation

Backup & Synchronisation

restic

Recommended

Fast, encrypted and deduplicating backup tool for local drives, servers and cloud destinations. Snapshots can be checked, searched and restored selectively.

Best suited for: Encrypted, space-efficient backups

Backup & Synchronisation

Syncthing

Recommended

Synchronises folders directly and securely between your own devices without requiring central cloud storage. Management is handled through a convenient local web interface.

Best suited for: Direct device synchronisation without a cloud account

Communication

Thunderbird

Recommended

Email, calendar and contacts application for multiple accounts and providers.

Best suited for: Chat, video calls and secure communication

Multimedia

VLC media player

Recommended

VLC is a free and open-source multimedia player and framework for several operating systems. It plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs, audio CDs, VCDs and various streaming protocols.

Best suited for: Media playback and management

Development & Editors

VSCodium

Recommended

Open VS Code variant without Microsoft telemetry or proprietary branding components.

Best suited for: Programming, source editing and software development

Office & Documents

PDF Arranger

Recommended

PDF Arranger is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: rearranging and merging PDF pages.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need rearranging and merging PDF pages.

Security

Flatseal

Recommended

Flatseal is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: reviewing and changing Flatpak permissions.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need reviewing and changing Flatpak permissions.

Virtualisation

GNOME Boxes

Recommended

GNOME Boxes is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: creating and running virtual machines.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need creating and running virtual machines.

Files & Archives

7-Zip

Fast archive utility for 7z, ZIP and many other archive formats.

Best suited for: Creating, extracting and managing compressed archives

Web Development

Apache HTTP Server

Powerful open-source web server for local and production web projects.

Best suited for: Web servers, local development environments and web projects

System Tools

balenaEtcher

Writes ISO and image files to USB drives or memory cards in a particularly simple and safe way. Its clear interface reduces operating errors and verifies the drive after writing.

Best suited for: Installation media and Raspberry Pi images

System Tools

BleachBit

Removes temporary files, browser data and system remnants that are no longer needed.

Best suited for: System maintenance, diagnostics and administration

Development & Editors

Bluefish

Fast source-code editor with tools for web development and large projects.

Best suited for: Programming, source editing and software development

E-books

Calibre

Manages, converts and transfers extensive e-book collections.

Best suited for: Reading, managing and converting e-books

Multimedia

Cheese

Simple GNOME application for taking photos and recording videos with a webcam.

Best suited for: Media playback and management

Content Management

Contao

Flexible open-source CMS for professional, accessible websites and web applications.

Best suited for: Managing websites and content

Photos & Images

Converseen

Converts, resizes and rotates many images at once in a single operation.

Best suited for: Managing, editing and converting photos

Communication

Discord

Free platform for voice, video and text communication in groups.

Best suited for: Chat, video calls and secure communication

Communication

Element

Decentralised messenger based on the Matrix protocol with end-to-end encryption.

Best suited for: Chat, video calls and secure communication

Browsers & Internet

FileZilla

FTP, FTPS and SFTP client for transferring files to servers and web storage.

Best suited for: Web access, downloads and internet services

Engineering & CAD

FreeCAD

Parametric 3D CAD application for technical models, components, engineering projects and 3D printing. Dimensions can be changed later in a traceable way.

Best suited for: Technical drawings and 3D printing

Backup & Synchronisation

FreeFileSync

Compares folders and synchronises files between hard drives, network shares and external storage. A preview and several synchronisation modes help you review changes in advance.

Best suited for: Folder comparison and local backup copies

Development & Editors

GNU Emacs

Highly customisable text editor and working environment with an extensive extension system.

Best suited for: Programming, source editing and software development

Browsers & Internet

Google Chrome

Free browser from Google with synchronisation and broad extension support.

Best suited for: Web access, downloads and internet services

Multimedia

guvcview

Webcam viewer and recording application with many camera controls for Linux.

Best suited for: Media playback and management

Video & Streaming

Kdenlive

Comprehensive non-linear video editor with multiple tracks, effects, transitions, proxy files and flexible export. Suitable for short clips as well as larger projects.

Best suited for: Advanced video editing without a subscription

Multimedia

Kodi

Media centre for organising and playing films, music, images and streams.

Best suited for: Media playback and management

Graphics & Design

Krita

Digital painting and drawing application with brushes, layers and illustration tools.

Best suited for: Graphics, illustration and creative design

Audio & Music

LMMS

Digital audio workstation for producing, arranging and mixing music.

Best suited for: Audio recording, playback, editing and music production

Audio & Music

MuseScore Studio

Creates, edits and prints sheet music for solo instruments, ensembles and orchestras. Playback, MusicXML import and numerous templates support arranging.

Best suited for: Music notation, composition and arrangements

Office & Documents

ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors

Free desktop suite for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files and forms. Its interface follows familiar office suites and supports common Microsoft formats.

Best suited for: Office files with strong format compatibility

Video & Streaming

OpenShot

Simple open-source video editor with transitions, effects, titles and multiple tracks.

Best suited for: Video recording, editing, conversion and streaming

Browsers & Internet

Opera

Free browser with built-in additional features and synchronisation.

Best suited for: Web access, downloads and internet services

Files & Archives

PeaZip

Cross-platform archive manager for more than 200 formats with encryption, checksums and a portable edition. A versatile alternative to traditional archive utilities.

Best suited for: Archives, encryption and portable use

Web Development

PHP

Widely used server-side scripting language for dynamic websites and web applications.

Best suited for: Web servers, local development environments and web projects

Browsers & Internet

qBittorrent

Lightweight, ad-free BitTorrent client with queues, bandwidth rules, RSS and a web interface. It remains easy to use despite its many settings.

Best suited for: Ad-free torrent downloads

System Tools

Rufus

Small Windows utility for creating bootable USB drives from ISO files. It supports BIOS and UEFI and does not require installation.

Best suited for: Bootable Windows and Linux USB drives

Office & Documents

Scribus

Desktop-publishing application for brochures, flyers, books and print-ready PDF files.

Best suited for: Creating, reading and editing documents

Video & Streaming

Shotcut

Open-source video editor with native timeline editing, many filters, 4K support and broad format compatibility. Projects can be started without importing media first.

Best suited for: Direct video editing with many formats

Games & Platforms

Steam

Free distribution and community platform for games and software.

Best suited for: Games, emulators and gaming platforms

Video & Streaming

Streamlabs Desktop

Free streaming software with scenes, overlays, alerts and built-in additional features.

Best suited for: Video recording, editing, conversion and streaming

Communication

Telegram

A new era of communication. Pure instant messaging—simple, fast, secure and synchronised across devices. One of the world's most frequently downloaded apps, with more than 500 million active users.

Best suited for: Chat, video calls and secure communication

System Tools

Timeshift

Creates Linux system snapshots that can be used to restore system files.

Best suited for: System maintenance, diagnostics and administration

Virtualisation

VirtualBox

Virtualisation software for running additional operating systems in virtual machines.

Best suited for: Virtual machines and containers

Development & Editors

Visual Studio Code

Powerful code editor with debugger, terminal, Git integration and extensions.

Best suited for: Programming, source editing and software development

Content Management

WordPress

Widely used open-source CMS for websites, blogs and editorial content.

Best suited for: Managing websites and content

Web Development

XAMPP

Local web-development environment with Apache, MariaDB, PHP and additional tools.

Best suited for: Web servers, local development environments and web projects

Notes

Xournal++

Note-taking and drawing application for handwriting and PDF annotations.

Best suited for: Notes, tasks and knowledge organisation

System Tools

PowerToys

Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of help programs that significantly expand the productivity and customization possibilities under Windows.

Best suited for: Microsoft

Office & Documents

Okular

Okular is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: viewing PDF files and other document formats.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need viewing PDF files and other document formats.

Office & Documents

Document Viewer

Document Viewer is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: viewing PDF files and other document formats.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need viewing PDF files and other document formats.

Office & Documents

Document Scanner

Document Scanner is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: scanning paper documents.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need scanning paper documents.

Engineering & CAD

OpenSCAD

OpenSCAD is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: script-based 3D CAD modelling.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need script-based 3D CAD modelling.

Engineering & CAD

KiCad

KiCad is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: electronics and printed circuit board design.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need electronics and printed circuit board design.

Photos & Images

Identity

Identity is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: comparing images and videos.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need comparing images and videos.

Multimedia

Celluloid

Celluloid is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: lightweight video playback.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need lightweight video playback.

Audio & Music

MusicBrainz Picard

MusicBrainz Picard is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: organising and tagging music files.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need organising and tagging music files.

Audio & Music

Amberol

Amberol is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: simple music playback.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need simple music playback.

Audio & Music

Elisa

Elisa is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: managing and playing music.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need managing and playing music.

Audio & Music

Podcasts

Podcasts is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: playing podcasts.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need playing podcasts.

Audio & Music

gPodder

gPodder is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: subscribing to and managing podcasts.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need subscribing to and managing podcasts.

Browsers & Internet

Chromium

Chromium is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: browsing the web.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need browsing the web.

Browsers & Internet

Transmission

Transmission is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: downloading and sharing files through BitTorrent.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need downloading and sharing files through BitTorrent.

Browsers & Internet

Remmina

Remmina is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: connecting to remote desktops.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need connecting to remote desktops.

Communication

Signal

Signal is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: secure encrypted messaging.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need secure encrypted messaging.

Communication

Geary

Geary is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: reading and managing email.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need reading and managing email.

Browsers & Internet

LocalSend

LocalSend is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: transferring files across a local network.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need transferring files across a local network.

System Tools

Warehouse

Warehouse is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: managing Flatpak applications.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need managing Flatpak applications.

Audio & Music

Easy Effects

Easy Effects is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: applying audio effects with PipeWire.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need applying audio effects with PipeWire.

Virtualisation

Virtual Machine Manager

Virtual Machine Manager is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: managing KVM and QEMU virtual machines.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need managing KVM and QEMU virtual machines.

System Tools

Disk Usage Analyzer

Disk Usage Analyzer is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: analysing disk usage.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need analysing disk usage.

System Tools

System Monitor

System Monitor is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: monitoring processes and system resource usage.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need monitoring processes and system resource usage.

System Tools

Logs

Logs is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: viewing system logs.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need viewing system logs.

System Tools

Firmware

Firmware is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: updating and managing device firmware.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need updating and managing device firmware.

System Tools

Extensions

Extensions is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: managing GNOME Shell extensions.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need managing GNOME Shell extensions.

System Tools

Calculator

Calculator is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: performing calculations.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need performing calculations.

Notes

Text Editor

Text Editor is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: editing plain-text files.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need editing plain-text files.

Photos & Images

Loupe

Loupe is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: viewing images.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need viewing images.

Photos & Images

Snapshot

Snapshot is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: taking photos and videos with a camera.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need taking photos and videos with a camera.

Notes

Calendar

Calendar is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: managing appointments and calendars.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need managing appointments and calendars.

System Tools

Maps

Maps is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: viewing maps and planning routes.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need viewing maps and planning routes.

System Tools

Weather

Weather is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: checking weather information.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need checking weather information.

Notes

Solanum

Solanum is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: managing focused work sessions with the Pomodoro method.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need managing focused work sessions with the Pomodoro method.

E-books

Foliate

Foliate is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: reading and organising e-books.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need reading and organising e-books.

Notes

Planify

Planify is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: organising tasks and to-do lists.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need organising tasks and to-do lists.

Development & Editors

GNOME Builder

GNOME Builder is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: developing and testing software.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need developing and testing software.

Development & Editors

Workbench

Workbench is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: experimenting with and developing GNOME applications.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need experimenting with and developing GNOME applications.

Development & Editors

Godot Engine

Godot Engine is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: developing 2D and 3D games.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need developing 2D and 3D games.

Development & Editors

Podman Desktop

Podman Desktop is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: managing containers.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need managing containers.

Development & Editors

Kate

Kate is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: editing text and source code.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need editing text and source code.

Development & Editors

Apostrophe

Apostrophe is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: writing and editing Markdown documents.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need writing and editing Markdown documents.

Web Development

Cartero

Cartero is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: testing HTTP services and APIs.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need testing HTTP services and APIs.

Web Development

Roster

Roster is a free open-source application for Linux. Main purpose: testing HTTP services and APIs.

Best suited for: Suitable for Linux users who need testing HTTP services and APIs.

Games & Platforms

Lutris

Lutris is a free open-source game for Linux. Gameplay focus: organising and launching games.

Best suited for: Suitable for players looking for organising and launching games.

Games & Platforms

Dolphin Emulator

Dolphin Emulator is a free open-source game for Linux. Gameplay focus: emulating Nintendo GameCube and Wii games.

Best suited for: Suitable for players looking for emulating Nintendo GameCube and Wii games.

Games & Platforms

PCSX2

PCSX2 is a free open-source game for Linux. Gameplay focus: emulating PlayStation 2 games.

Best suited for: Suitable for players looking for emulating PlayStation 2 games.

Games & Platforms

PPSSPP

PPSSPP is a free open-source game for Linux. Gameplay focus: emulating PlayStation Portable games.

Best suited for: Suitable for players looking for emulating PlayStation Portable games.

Games & Platforms

Endless Sky

Endless Sky is a free open-source game for Linux. Gameplay focus: space trading and combat.

Best suited for: Suitable for players looking for space trading and combat.

Games & Platforms

SuperTux

SuperTux is a free open-source game for Linux. Gameplay focus: classic platform gameplay.

Best suited for: Suitable for players looking for classic platform gameplay.

Games & Platforms

SuperTuxKart

SuperTuxKart is a free open-source game for Linux. Gameplay focus: kart racing.

Best suited for: Suitable for players looking for kart racing.

Games & Platforms

The Battle for Wesnoth

The Battle for Wesnoth is a free open-source game for Linux. Gameplay focus: turn-based strategy.

Best suited for: Suitable for players looking for turn-based strategy.

Games & Platforms

OpenTTD

OpenTTD is a free open-source game for Linux. Gameplay focus: transport management and business simulation.

Best suited for: Suitable for players looking for transport management and business simulation.

Operating systems

Linux Mint

Free, user-friendly Linux operating system with Cinnamon, MATE, or Xfce.

Best suited for: Beginners, everyday use, office work, and switching from Windows

Operating systems

Ubuntu

Free Linux operating system with a long-term support LTS edition.

Best suited for: Desktops, laptops, development, servers, and broad hardware support

Operating systems

Debian

A complete free and especially stable Linux operating system.

Best suited for: Stable desktops, servers, experienced users, and long-term installations

Operating systems

Fedora Workstation

Modern, fully free Linux operating system with a current GNOME desktop.

Best suited for: Development, modern hardware, Linux enthusiasts, and current software

Operating systems

openSUSE Leap

Free Linux operating system with YaST administration and a stable release model.

Best suited for: Desktop use, administration, development, and servers

Operating systems

Arch Linux

Lightweight, free rolling-release Linux for building a customized system.

Best suited for: Experienced users, learning, development, and highly customized systems

Operating systems

Manjaro

Free, user-friendly rolling-release Linux based on Arch.

Best suited for: Desktop use, gaming, current software, and users with some Linux experience

Operating systems

Zorin OS Core

Free Zorin edition with a familiar interface for Windows and macOS switchers.

Best suited for: Beginners, older computers, and switching from Windows or macOS

Operating systems

Pop!_OS

Free Linux operating system focused on productivity, development, and graphics hardware.

Best suited for: Development, creative work, laptops, and powerful PCs

Operating systems

elementary OS

Elegant Linux operating system with its own desktop and a pay-what-you-can model.

Best suited for: Beginners, focused work, and users who prefer a clean design

Operating systems

MX Linux

Free, stable, and resource-efficient desktop Linux based on Debian.

Best suited for: Everyday use, older computers, stable desktops, and simple administration

Operating systems

Linux Lite

Free, easy-to-use Linux for beginners and older hardware.

Best suited for: Older computers, beginners, office work, and basic everyday tasks

Operating systems

Raspberry Pi OS

Official free Linux operating system for Raspberry Pi computers.

Best suited for: Raspberry Pi, learning, electronics, home servers, and small projects

Operating systems

AlmaLinux OS

Forever-free, community-governed enterprise Linux distribution.

Best suited for: Servers, enterprises, hosting, virtualization, and long-term stability

Operating systems

Rocky Linux

Free enterprise Linux focused on stability and production systems.

Best suited for: Servers, data centers, hosting, and enterprise applications

Operating systems

Alpine Linux

Very small, security-oriented, free Linux operating system.

Best suited for: Containers, servers, virtual machines, and minimal installations

Operating systems

FreeBSD

Free Unix-like operating system with integrated ZFS, jails, and a strong network stack.

Best suited for: Servers, storage, networking, appliances, and experienced users

Operating systems

OpenBSD

Free Unix-like operating system with a strong focus on security and correctness.

Best suited for: Firewalls, network services, security systems, and experienced administrators

Operating systems

NetBSD

Free, highly portable Unix-like operating system for many hardware platforms.

Best suited for: Servers, embedded systems, older or unusual hardware, and research

Operating systems

Haiku

Free desktop operating system inspired by BeOS and still in beta.

Best suited for: Experiments, classic desktop concepts, developers, and BeOS enthusiasts

Operating systems

ReactOS

Free reimplementation of a Windows-compatible operating system; currently alpha software.

Best suited for: Testing, research, development, and legacy Windows applications in test environments

Operating systems

FreeDOS

Free DOS-compatible operating system for classic programs and games.

Best suited for: DOS games, legacy business software, retro computers, and embedded tasks