Open source, Decentralized, and Self-Hosted Alternatives for Data Security

Paid software can be expensive, often requiring significant upfront costs or ongoing subscription fees. Additionally, users are typically locked into specific vendors, making it difficult to switch software. Paid softwares also come with proprietary limitations, restricting customization, and often lacks transparency in terms of security and privacy. Open source software offer several advantages over paid softwares, such as:

Free of cost
Transparency
Cutomizable
Security, privacy and ethics
Community Support

3D Modeling

Open Source

OpenSCAD

OpenSCAD is a free and open-source software used for creating 3D models, especially focused on creating models through scripting. Unlike most 3D modeling software that uses a graphical interface for creating models, OpenSCAD allows users to describe 3D objects using a scripting language.

Blender

Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation suite widely used for modeling, animation, rendering, and more. It supports the entire 3D pipeline, making it a versatile tool for artists, developers, and creators.

Proprietary

SketchUp

SketchUp is a user-friendly 3D modeling software widely used for architectural design, interior design, landscape architecture, and more. Known for its intuitive interface and versatility, it allows users to create detailed 3D models efficiently.

App Store

Open Source

GNOME Software

GNOME Software is a graphical application for managing software on Linux systems. It enables users to browse, install, update, and remove applications, firmware, and system extensions. It supports software repositories, Flatpak, and Snap integration, providing access to a wide range of software packages. GNOME Software is user-friendly, designed to fit seamlessly with the GNOME desktop environment, but it is compatible with other Linux environments as well.

Aptoide

Aptoide is a decentralized open source marketplace for Android apps. Unlike centralized app stores, it allows users to create and manage their app stores, offering diverse content and personalized repositories. Aptoide hosts free and paid apps, providing flexibility for users and developers. It emphasizes community-driven app curation and offers an alternative platform for app distribution.

Aurora Store

Aurora Store is an open source alternative client for the Google Play Store, allowing users to download apps directly from Google's servers without requiring a Google account. It focuses on privacy and anonymity, enabling users to access the Play Store's content while avoiding Google tracking. The app features a clean interface, app updates, and categories for browsing apps easily. It is widely used by individuals who want to minimize their dependency on Google's ecosystem.

F-Droid

F-Droid is an alternative app store for Android devices, offering only free and open source software (FOSS). It provides a catalog of apps that can be browsed, downloaded, and installed directly through the F-Droid client app. It emphasizes privacy and does not track users. F-Droid also allows users to create and manage their own repositories of apps.

Proprietary

Apple App Store

Apple Store is Apple's official retail and online platform for purchasing Apple products, accessories, and third-party hardware. It offers devices like iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and services such as device setup, technical support, and repairs. Customers can also explore apps, subscriptions, and personalized recommendations through their Apple ID account.

Google Play Store

Google Play Store is Google's official platform for downloading apps, games, movies, books, and other digital content for Android devices. It provides both free and paid content, allowing developers to distribute applications worldwide. The store offers user reviews, ratings, and personalized recommendations. It also supports subscriptions and in-app purchases, ensuring secure transactions via Google Play's billing system.

Audio Recorder

Open Source

Audacity

Audacity is an open-source, cross-platform audio software designed for recording and editing sound.

OBS Studio

OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) is a free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. While primarily designed for streaming, it also supports high-quality audio and video recording, making it versatile for creating various types of content.

Ardour

Ardour is a powerful, open-source digital audio workstation (DAW) for recording, editing, and mixing audio. It is commonly used by musicians, sound engineers, and producers for professional audio production.

Proprietary

Pro Tools

Pro Tools is a professional-grade digital audio workstation (DAW) developed by Avid Technology. It's widely regarded as the industry standard for audio recording, editing, mixing, and mastering, particularly in music production, film soundtracks, and post-production environments.

Logic Pro

Logic Pro is a comprehensive digital audio workstation (DAW) developed by Apple, designed for professional audio recording, editing, and music production. It is widely used by musicians, sound designers, and producers for its powerful features and user-friendly interface.

Adobe Audition

Adobe Audition is a professional audio editing software developed by Adobe Systems, primarily used for recording, editing, mixing, and mastering audio. It is widely used by podcasters, musicians, sound designers, and video editors due to its powerful features and integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps.

Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS)

Open Source

Nhost

Nhost is a backend-as-a-service (BaaS) platform designed for modern web and mobile application development. It combines several open-source tools to simplify backend development and provides developers with an integrated ecosystem. Ideal for developers who prefer GraphQL, PostgreSQL, and relational database-centric applications.

Proprietary

Firebase

Firebase is a comprehensive backend-as-a-service (BaaS) platform developed by Google, offering tools for building and managing web and mobile applications. It focuses on real-time data synchronization, serverless architectures, and seamless integration with Google Cloud services. Best for apps requiring real-time data updates, NoSQL databases, or those heavily reliant on Google Cloud tools.

Book Management

Open Source

Openreads

OpenReads is an open-source platform designed to provide a simple way to manage and share eBooks, articles, and other reading content. It typically allows users to upload, organize, and share reading materials through a digital interface. The platform is often customizable, enabling users to adjust the appearance and functionality based on their specific needs.

Proprietary

Goodreads

Goodreads is a social networking site for book lovers. It allows users to write reviews, rate books, and discover new ones. Additionally, users can create personal reading lists for books they've read, plan to read, or want to read. Goodreads also provides a platform for authors to share their books and receive feedback from readers.

Chat

Open Source

Nextcloud Talk

Nextcloud Talk is a communication platform integrated into Nextcloud, designed for secure and private messaging, video calls, and collaboration. It provides an open-source alternative to popular messaging apps while keeping user data under control.

Rocket.chat

Rocket.Chat is an open-source communication platform designed for team collaboration, messaging, and customer engagement. It offers flexibility, privacy, and self-hosting options, making it a popular alternative to proprietary messaging tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams.

Mattermost

Mattermost is a messaging and collaboration platform designed for team communication. It is often used as an alternative to proprietary tools like Slack, with a focus on security, flexibility, and self-hosting options. Mattermost is suitable for organizations that need control over their data and workflows.

Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. It offers fast and secure communication with a focus on versatility and privacy. Telegram's client applications (like Android, iOS, and Desktop) are open-source. Telegram's Bot API is open-source, enabling developers to build bots for various purposes. Telegram’s server-side code is proprietary and not open-source.

Signal

Signal is a privacy-focused messaging app that provides secure communication through end-to-end encryption. It is available on Android, iOS, and desktop platforms.

Proprietary

WhatsApp is a widely used messaging app that allows text, voice, and video communication. It is owned by Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) and is available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and web browsers through WhatsApp Web.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a collaboration and communication platform that integrates with the Microsoft 365 suite, designed to facilitate teamwork through chat, video meetings, file sharing, and project management tools. It is widely used in professional settings for remote and hybrid work environments.

Facebook Messenger

Facebook Messenger is a messaging app and platform developed by Meta Platforms. It is available on Android, iOS, and as a web app, integrated with Facebook. It offers a wide range of features for personal and business communication.

Slack

Slack is a messaging platform designed for team collaboration and communication. It is widely used in workplaces for project management and team coordination. Available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and web browsers, Slack offers a range of features to streamline communication.

Chess

Open Source

Lichess

Lichess is a free, open-source chess platform offering features like online play, puzzles, game analysis, and tournaments. It supports multiple game formats, including classical, rapid, blitz, and bullet, along with variants like chess960, atomic, and crazyhouse. The platform includes tools for studying openings, endgames, and games of grandmasters. It is available on web and mobile apps, with no ads or premium subscriptions.

Proprietary

Chess.com

Chess.com is an online platform for playing chess, learning strategies, and improving skills. It offers features like live games, puzzles, lessons, analysis tools, and tournaments. Users can play against other players worldwide, practice with computer opponents, or watch matches by professionals. The platform is accessible via web and mobile apps and caters to players of all skill levels.

Cloud Storage

Open Source

NextCloud

Nextcloud is an open-source self-hosted cloud platform that provides file synchronization, sharing, and collaboration tools. It is designed to allow users and organizations to host their own private cloud, offering features similar to commercial cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox, but with full control over data privacy and security.

OwnCloud

OwnCloud is an open-source, self-hosted cloud storage platform designed to provide file synchronization, sharing, and collaboration features. Similar to services like Dropbox and Google Drive, ownCloud enables users and organizations to store, manage, and share files securely, but with full control over the data since it can be hosted on private servers.

Puter

Puter is an advanced, open-source internet operating system designed to be feature-rich, exceptionally fast, and highly extensible. A privacy-first personal cloud to keep all your files, apps, and games in one secure place, accessible from anywhere at any time.

Proprietary

Google Drive

Google Drive is a cloud storage service provided by Google that allows users to store files online, sync them across devices, and share them easily with others. It's widely used for personal and business purposes due to its integration with Google’s suite of productivity tools, such as Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

OneDrive

OneDrive is a cloud storage service provided by Microsoft that allows users to store, share, and synchronize files online. It integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, making it a popular choice for individuals, businesses, and educational institutions.

Dropbox

Dropbox is a cloud storage service that allows users to store files online, sync them across devices, and share them easily with others. It is known for its simplicity, strong collaboration features, and integrations with other services. Dropbox is used by individuals, teams, and businesses for file storage, backup, and real-time collaboration.

Control Panel

Open Source

Virtualmin

Webmin

Webmin is a powerful, open-source web-based control panel designed for managing Unix-like operating systems, such as Linux and BSD. It provides a graphical interface to simplify the process of configuring and managing system settings and services, making it easier for administrators to handle system administration tasks remotely.

Proprietary

cPanel

cPanel is one of the most widely used commercial web hosting control panels, offering a graphical interface for managing web hosting services. It simplifies the process of managing websites, email, databases, and server settings through a user-friendly interface, making it ideal for both beginner and experienced web administrators. cPanel is often bundled with web hosting services, providing an easy way for users to manage their hosting environment.

E-Commerce

Open Source

Medusa

Medusa is an open-source, headless e-commerce platform designed for developers who need flexibility and scalability to create custom e-commerce solutions. It allows businesses to build unique e-commerce experiences by separating the backend from the frontend.

Proprietary

Shopify

Shopify is a fully hosted e-commerce platform that allows businesses to create, manage, and scale online stores. It is designed for ease of use, with an emphasis on providing a simple, streamlined solution for businesses of all sizes.

Email

Open Source

Proton Mail

Proton Mail is a secure email service that emphasizes privacy and security. Developed by CERN scientists in 2014, it uses end-to-end encryption to ensure that only the intended recipients can read the emails. Proton Mail is available as a web app and via mobile and desktop clients, and it is widely used by individuals and organizations concerned with data privacy.

Mozilla Thunderbird

Mozilla Thunderbird is a free and open-source email client developed by Mozilla. It is a feature-rich desktop application designed for managing emails, contacts, and calendars. Thunderbird is known for its flexibility, customizability, and compatibility with multiple email services and operating systems.

Roundcube

Roundcube is an open-source webmail application that provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface for accessing email. It is typically used by email administrators for managing email services on servers, allowing users to send, receive, and organize their email directly through a web browser.

Proprietary

GMail

Gmail, developed by Google, is one of the most widely used email services globally. It offers a web-based interface and apps for mobile and desktop devices, providing a range of features for personal and professional email management. Gmail is part of the Google Workspace suite, integrating seamlessly with other Google tools like Drive, Calendar, and Docs.

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is a popular email client and personal information manager that is part of the Microsoft Office suite. It is widely used by individuals and businesses for managing emails, calendars, contacts, tasks, and more. Outlook integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 services and is available for desktop, web, and mobile devices.

Image: Drawing and Editing

Open Source

Krita

Krita is an open-source, professional-grade digital painting software designed for artists, illustrators, and graphic designers. It is especially popular among those who focus on creating digital art, concept art, comics, and animations.

Raw Therapee

RawTherapee is a free and open-source photo editing software that focuses on processing raw image files from digital cameras. It provides powerful tools for photographers, especially those who work with raw images, as it allows greater flexibility and control over the image processing compared to JPEG files.

Gimp

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a powerful, open-source image editing software that is often considered a free alternative to Adobe Photoshop. It offers a wide range of tools for tasks like photo retouching, image composition, and graphic design.

Proprietary

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a professional-grade raster graphics editor developed by Adobe, widely regarded as the industry standard for digital image manipulation. It is used by photographers, graphic designers, web designers, and digital artists for tasks like photo editing, graphic design, digital painting, and compositing.

Learning Management System

Open Source

Moodle

Moodle is a widely-used, open-source Learning Management System (LMS) that helps organizations create, manage, and deliver educational content. It is designed to support both online learning and blended learning environments.

Proprietary

Canvas

Canvas LMS is a cloud-based Learning Management System (LMS) developed by Instructure. It is designed to help educational institutions, instructors, and learners manage, deliver, and track educational content and activities in an online environment.

Library Management

Open Source

Koha

Koha is an open-source Integrated Library System (ILS) designed for libraries to manage cataloging, circulation, acquisitions, member accounts, and other library operations. It supports MARC standards for bibliographic data, offers a user-friendly Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC), and includes advanced features like automated notifications, multilingual support, and customizable modules. Koha is web-based, making it accessible across devices, and is widely used by public, academic, and special libraries for efficient resource management and reporting.

Link Management

Open Source

Linkstack

Linkstack is an open-source, self-hosted alternative to platforms like Linktree, designed for managing and sharing multiple links in one place. It is highly customizable, offering features like theme customization, user analytics, and multi-user support. You can host Linkstack on your own server or use community-hosted instances. It is privacy-focused, GDPR-compliant, and free to use, with optional premium plans for additional features such as custom domains and priority support. Linkstack provides a simple, code-free setup and integrates easily with web servers or Docker.

Media Management

Open Source

Piwigo

Piwigo is a web-based, open-source platform designed for organizing, managing, and sharing photos and other media. It is widely used by photographers, small businesses, and organizations for maintaining their photo galleries.

Proprietary

Google Photos

Google Photos is a cloud-based media management service offered by Google. It allows users to store, organize, edit, and share photos and videos. Designed for personal and professional use, it is accessible via web and mobile apps.

Media Player

Open Source

VLC

VLC Media Player is a free, open-source multimedia player developed by the VideoLAN project. It supports a wide range of video and audio formats without requiring additional codecs.

Proprietary

QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player is a multimedia player developed by Apple, primarily for macOS. It is designed to handle various formats of digital video, picture, sound, and interactive media.

Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player (WMP) is a media player developed by Microsoft. It is primarily used for playing audio, video, and viewing images on Windows operating systems.

Music Notation

Open Source

LilyPond

LilyPond is an open-source music engraving program designed to produce high-quality sheet music. Unlike graphical music notation software, LilyPond uses a text-based input system, where users write code-like scripts that are compiled into beautifully formatted sheet music. It is particularly favored by users seeking precise control over music layout and professional-grade output.

MuseScore

MuseScore is an open-source music notation software widely used for creating, editing, and sharing sheet music. It is a powerful, free alternative to commercial programs like Finale and Sibelius, offering robust features for musicians, composers, and educators.

Navigation

Open Source

Openstreetmap

OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a collaborative, open-source mapping project that provides free geographic data and mapping tools. It is often referred to as the "Wikipedia of maps" because it is created and maintained by a global community of volunteers who contribute data, including streets, landmarks, geographic features, and more.

Maps.me

Maps.me is a mobile application that provides offline maps and navigation services. It uses OpenStreetMap (OSM) data to offer free, detailed maps for navigation and route planning, especially useful when traveling without an internet connection.

Proprietary

Google Maps

Google Maps is a widely used mapping service developed by Google. It provides detailed maps, real-time navigation, traffic updates, and a variety of location-based services. Google Maps is available on web browsers and mobile devices and is one of the most popular tools for navigating the world.

Nesting

Open Source

Deepnest

Deepnest is an open-source nesting software designed to arrange irregular 2D shapes efficiently on a sheet to minimize material waste. It is widely used in applications like laser cutting, CNC routing, plasma cutting, and fabric cutting. The software supports common vector formats such as SVG and DXF, making it compatible with most CAD/CAM workflows. Deepnest uses a no-fit polygon (NFP) algorithm combined with a genetic algorithm to calculate optimal placement of shapes, allowing automatic rotation and duplication of parts for better space utilization. It is cross-platform and built using JavaScript and Electron, with key components like Clipper.js handling polygon operations. Deepnest is available for free under the GPL license and is actively maintained on GitHub.

Proprietary

NestFab

NestFab is a commercial automatic nesting software used to efficiently arrange 2D shapes on sheet material to minimize waste. It is commonly used in industries such as sheet metal fabrication, woodworking, textile cutting, and composites. NestFab supports true-shape nesting, meaning it can handle complex and irregular part geometries rather than just simple rectangles or circles. It allows direct import of DXF files from CAD software and supports unlimited part quantities. Users can define sheet size, margins, grain direction, and spacing between parts to control the nesting layout. The software provides an interactive layout preview and features like batch nesting and job management, making it suitable for industrial-scale operations.

Note Taking

Open Source

Joplin

Joplin is an open-source note-taking and to-do application designed for flexibility, privacy, and ease of use. It supports markdown-based notes, syncing across devices, and integration with cloud services.

Proprietary

Microsoft Onenote

Microsoft OneNote is a digital note-taking application that is part of the Microsoft Office suite. It is designed to help users organize notes, ideas, and tasks in a flexible and accessible format.

Google Keep

Google Keep is a lightweight note-taking application by Google, designed for quick and simple organization of thoughts, tasks, and ideas. It integrates seamlessly with the Google ecosystem, making it accessible across devices and platforms.

Office Suites

Open Source

NextCloud Office

Nextcloud Office is a powerful open-source office suite integrated into the Nextcloud platform, allowing users to create, edit, and collaborate on documents directly within their Nextcloud environment. It combines the functionality of office productivity tools with the cloud storage capabilities of Nextcloud, offering both individual users and businesses a comprehensive and secure solution for document management and collaboration.

Collabora Office

Collabora Office is an open-source office suite based on LibreOffice, designed for cloud-based and collaborative document editing. It is typically used by businesses and organizations that need a powerful, self-hosted office solution that can be integrated with various cloud platforms, offering advanced collaboration features.

OnlyOffice

OnlyOffice is a web-based office suite designed for both personal and business use, offering tools for document editing, collaboration, and project management. It provides a modern, cloud-centric alternative to traditional office software, with strong integration capabilities and a focus on team collaboration.

LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a free, open-source office suite that includes a variety of productivity tools for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and more. It is a popular alternative to proprietary office suites like Microsoft Office, offering robust features for both personal and professional use.

Interface of LibreOffice

LibreOffice Base is a database management tool in the LibreOffice suite, designed for creating and managing databases. It supports database engines like HSQLDB and Firebird, as well as external connections to MySQL, PostgreSQL, and more via ODBC or JDBC. Base allows users to design tables, forms, queries, and reports, making it useful for tasks like inventory management, address books, or small business data tracking. It includes built-in wizards for creating forms and reports, providing a user-friendly way to handle data without requiring advanced database knowledge. Base is free and open-source, suitable for personal or small-scale business applications.

LibreOffice Calc is a spreadsheet application in the LibreOffice suite, used for organizing, analyzing, and visualizing data. It offers a wide range of functions such as formulas, pivot tables, charts, and data sorting tools. Calc supports various file formats, including Excel files (.xls and .xlsx), making it compatible with other spreadsheet applications. The software includes features for financial modeling, statistical analysis, and complex calculations, alongside tools for conditional formatting and cell referencing. Calc is free and open-source, suitable for personal, academic, or small business use.

LibreOffice Math is a formula editor in the LibreOffice suite, designed for creating and editing mathematical equations and formulas. It allows users to easily insert complex symbols, operators, and expressions, which can be embedded into documents created in LibreOffice Writer, Calc, or Impress. The editor uses a simple markup language to define mathematical notations, making it easy to format and adjust equations. LibreOffice Math is particularly useful for academic and scientific writing, as it supports a wide range of mathematical functions and symbols. It is free and open-source, providing a convenient tool for users who need to incorporate formulas into their work.

LibreOffice Writer is a word processing application in the LibreOffice suite, designed for creating and editing text documents. It offers features such as spell check, style formatting, tables, headers, footers, and image embedding. Writer supports various file formats, including .doc, .docx, .odt, and .rtf, ensuring compatibility with other word processors. Users can create everything from simple letters to complex reports, with advanced options like mail merge and automatic table of contents generation. As an open-source application, LibreOffice Writer is free to use and suitable for personal, professional, and academic writing tasks.

LibreOffice Impress is a presentation software in the LibreOffice suite, used to create slideshows for personal, professional, or educational purposes. It supports features like slide layouts, animations, transitions, and multimedia integration. Impress allows users to design slides with text, images, charts, and other elements, offering tools for custom themes and templates. Presentations can be exported in formats like PDF and PPT, ensuring compatibility with other software. With its built-in drawing and diagram tools, it is well-suited for creating visually engaging presentations. As open-source software, Impress is free to use and adaptable to various needs.

Proprietary

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office is a suite of productivity software developed by Microsoft, widely used in both personal and business environments for tasks such as document creation, data analysis, presentations, and email management. It includes a range of programs that cater to different aspects of work and is available for both desktop and cloud use.

Operating System

Open Source

Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, OpenSUSE, Manjaro, Arch Linux, etc.)

Linux is an open-source, Unix-like operating system kernel that serves as the foundation for a wide range of operating systems. Unlike proprietary systems like Windows or macOS, Linux allows anyone to use, modify, and distribute the software under various licenses, primarily the GNU General Public License (GPL).

Puter

Proprietary

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is a family of proprietary operating systems developed by Microsoft, widely used on personal computers, laptops, and enterprise systems. It provides a graphical user interface (GUI) and a set of system tools for managing hardware, software, and users, making it one of the most popular operating systems worldwide.

MacOS

macOS is the operating system developed by Apple Inc. for its line of Macintosh computers. Originally introduced as OS X in 2001, it was later rebranded to macOS in 2016 to align with Apple's other operating systems (iOS, watchOS, tvOS). Known for its stability, security, and user-friendly design, macOS is a key component of the Apple ecosystem, offering tight integration with other Apple devices and services.

P2P File Sharing

Open Source

LocalSend

LocalSend is an open-source, cross-platform tool designed for sending and receiving files directly between devices over a local network or Wi-Fi, without the need for an internet connection or a cloud service. It is typically used for transferring files between devices such as computers, smartphones, or tablets within the same local network.

ShareDrop

Sharedrop is an open-source web-based file-sharing solution that enables peer-to-peer file transfers between devices over a local network or the internet. It works similarly to AirDrop, allowing users to send files directly without relying on cloud storage or third-party servers.

Snapdrop

Snapdrop is an open-source alternative to AirDrop, enabling peer-to-peer file sharing between devices on the same local network. It's simple, fast, and works directly through a web browser, making it convenient for sharing files across different platforms.

Proprietary

Apple AirDrop

Apple AirDrop is a proprietary feature developed by Apple, allowing users to wirelessly transfer files between Apple devices (iPhones, iPads, Macs, etc.) over short distances. AirDrop uses a combination of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technology to enable peer-to-peer sharing without the need for a Wi-Fi network or cellular connection.

Project Management

Open Source

Taiga

Taiga is a free and open-source project management tool designed for agile developers, designers, and project managers. It provides a simple and intuitive interface to manage sprints, backlogs, and workflows.

OpenProject

OpenProject is an open-source project management software that supports teams in managing their projects throughout the entire project lifecycle. It offers features like task management, team collaboration, roadmaps, and timelines.

Proprietary

Trello

Trello is a visual collaboration tool used for project management. It helps teams organize tasks, track progress, and manage workflows using boards, lists, and cards.

Monday.com

Monday.com is a work operating system designed to help teams run projects and workflows with ease. It offers customizable boards for project tracking, task management, and collaboration.

Asana

Asana is a proprietary project management software designed to help teams organize, track, and manage their work. It provides tools for task management, project timelines, and collaboration.

Search Engine and Data Analytics

Open Source

Duckduckgo

DuckDuckGo is a privacy-focused search engine that emphasizes protecting users' personal information and not tracking search activities. Unlike many other search engines, DuckDuckGo does not create user profiles or store personal information, making it a popular choice for those concerned about online privacy. DuckDuckGo's browser extension and mobile apps are open source. Its proprietary search algorithm and ranking system are not open source. DuckDuckGo’s methods for handling and processing user data, such as how they ensure privacy, are not fully disclosed.

Yacy

YaCy is an open source, decentralized search engine that allows users to create and share their own search indexes. Unlike traditional search engines, YaCy is peer-to-peer (P2P), meaning it operates without a central server or database. Each participant in the YaCy network contributes to the indexing process by sharing data and resources, making it a community-driven search engine.

Opensearch

OpenSearch is an open source search and analytics suite derived from Elasticsearch. It is primarily used for searching, analyzing, and visualizing large volumes of data in real time. OpenSearch is designed for high performance, scalability, and flexibility, making it suitable for a variety of applications such as log management, website search, and business intelligence.

Elastic Search

Elasticsearch is a distributed search and analytics engine, scalable data store and vector database optimized for speed and relevance on production-scale workloads. Elasticsearch is the foundation of Elastic’s open Stack platform. Search in near real-time over massive datasets, perform vector searches, integrate with generative AI applications, and much more.

Proprietary

Google

Google is a multinational technology company known primarily for its search engine, which is the most widely used search engine in the world. Google's search engine indexes billions of web pages and uses complex algorithms to provide relevant search results.

Bing

Bing is a search engine developed by Microsoft, offering web search capabilities similar to those of Google. While it doesn't have the same global dominance, Bing is known for its integration with Microsoft's suite of products and its focus on delivering diverse and visually rich search results.

Social Network

Open Source

Mastodon

Mastodon is an open-source, decentralized social media platform that allows users to post short messages, images, and videos, similar to Twitter. Unlike centralized platforms, Mastodon operates on a federated model, meaning it consists of multiple independent servers (called \"instances\") that can communicate with each other. This allows users to have more control over their data and experience.

Pixelfed

Pixelfed is an open-source, decentralized photo-sharing platform designed as an alternative to centralized services like Instagram. Built on the ActivityPub protocol, it allows users to share photos, follow other accounts, and interact across federated servers, similar to how Mastodon operates for microblogging.

Proprietary

Instagram

Instagram is a popular social media platform primarily focused on sharing photos and videos. It is owned by Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) and is available on Android, iOS, and through a web browser. Instagram is widely used for personal, professional, and business purposes, offering various features for content creation, sharing, and engagement.

LinkedIn is a social network primarily designed for professional networking. It allows individuals to connect with colleagues, potential employers, and industry peers. Users can share their resumes, achievements, and work experience, as well as participate in discussions and share content related to their field. It's also commonly used for job searching, recruiting, and professional development. LinkedIn features a news feed, direct messaging, and groups to foster professional interactions.

Twitter / X

Twitter is a popular microblogging and social media platform that allows users to share short messages, known as tweets, to communicate with a global audience. It is used for a wide variety of purposes, including personal expression, news updates, business communication, and entertainment.

Facebook

Facebook is a widely used social media platform owned by Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook Inc.). It allows users to connect with friends, family, and communities, share updates, photos, videos, and more. It is one of the largest social media networks globally, offering various features for both personal and business use.

Text Editors

Open Source

Emacs

Emacs is a highly extensible and customizable text editor that is free and open-source. It is widely used by programmers, writers, and researchers due to its flexibility and the ability to be tailored to specific workflows.

Vim

Vim (Vi IMproved) is a free and open-source text editor known for its efficiency and speed, especially in programming and system administration tasks. It is an enhanced version of the original Vi editor, designed for use in command-line environments, though it also has a graphical version (GVim).

Atom

Atom is a free and open-source text editor developed by GitHub, designed for coding and general text editing. Known as the "hackable text editor for the 21st century," it provides extensive customization and a modern user interface.

Vector Graphics

Open Source

Inkscape

Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics editor used for creating and editing scalable vector images (SVG files). It is commonly used for tasks such as graphic design, logo creation, illustration, and web design.

Proprietary

CorelDRAW

CorelDRAW is a professional graphic design software suite developed by Corel Corporation. It is widely used for vector illustration, layout design, photo editing, and typography. CorelDRAW is popular among graphic designers, illustrators, and print professionals for creating high-quality vector graphics, logos, brochures, and more.

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a professional vector graphics software developed by Adobe, widely used for creating illustrations, logos, icons, typography, and complex artwork. It is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite and is considered one of the industry standards for vector design.

Version Control

Open Source

Subversion (SVN)

SVN, short for Apache Subversion, is an open-source version control system. It helps developers manage changes to source code and files over time.

Git

Git is a widely used, open-source, distributed version control system designed for efficient source code management. It enables teams to collaborate on software projects by tracking changes, managing branches, and integrating code effectively.

Video Conferencing

Open Source

Jitsi Meet

Jitsi Meet is an open-source video conferencing platform that allows users to host and join video calls directly from their web browser without requiring downloads or registrations. It provides a simple, secure, and flexible solution for video meetings, ideal for personal, professional, and educational use.

Nextcloud Talk

BigBlueButton

BigBlueButton is an open-source video conferencing platform specifically designed for online learning and virtual classrooms. It provides a range of features that support live video discussions, collaborative work, and real-time communication, making it particularly suitable for educational institutions and organizations offering remote training or webinars.

Proprietary

Zoom

Zoom is a widely used video conferencing platform that enables users to conduct virtual meetings, webinars, and collaboration in real-time. It is popular for both personal and professional use, offering a range of features designed to support remote communication and collaboration.

Microsoft Teams

Google Meet

Google Meet is a video conferencing platform developed by Google, designed for both business and personal use. It is integrated with Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) and offers a simple and secure solution for virtual meetings, video calls, and collaboration.

Video Editing

Open Source

Kdenlive

Kdenlive (KDE Non-Linear Video Editor) is an open-source video editing software that is part of the KDE project. It provides a range of features for both novice and professional video editors, offering powerful tools for non-linear video editing, effects, and multi-track editing.

Shotcut

Shotcut is an open-source, cross-platform video editing software that provides a wide range of tools for video editing, from basic tasks to more advanced features. It's known for its simplicity, flexibility, and broad format support, making it suitable for both beginners and intermediate users.

Proprietary

Adobe Premier

Adobe Premiere is a professional video editing software developed by Adobe. It is widely used by filmmakers, video editors, and content creators for video production, offering a comprehensive set of tools for high-quality video editing, post-production, and integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications.

Final Cut

Final Cut is a professional video editing software developed by Apple Inc. It is widely used by filmmakers, content creators, and video editors, particularly within the macOS ecosystem. Known for its high performance, intuitive interface, and powerful features, Final Cut Pro is designed for both professionals and advanced users looking to create high-quality video content.

iMovie

iMovie is a user-friendly video editing software developed by Apple Inc. It is available on macOS and iOS devices and is designed for beginners and casual video editors. While it is less feature-rich than professional video editing software like Final Cut Pro, iMovie offers a simple, intuitive interface and essential tools for creating high-quality video projects.

Video Sharing Platform

Open Source

Peertube

PeerTube is an open-source, decentralized video hosting platform designed to give users more control over their content and data. Unlike centralized platforms like YouTube, PeerTube allows users to host their own video-sharing sites or join existing communities that run their own instances (servers). It uses a peer-to-peer (P2P) network to distribute video content, which can help reduce the bandwidth load on individual servers. PeerTube is ideal for those who prioritize control, privacy, and decentralization. It’s best for niche communities, smaller creators, or those who want to build a customized platform.

Proprietary

Youtube

YouTube is a centralized, globally recognized video-sharing platform owned by Google. It is the most popular platform for uploading, viewing, and sharing videos. YouTube is the go-to platform for large audiences, mainstream content, and creators looking for built-in monetization options and tools for growth.

Vimeo

Vimeo is a video hosting platform focused on high-quality content for creators, businesses, and professionals. It offers ad-free viewing, customizable video players, advanced privacy options, and analytics tools. Users can choose from free or premium plans with varying storage and features. Vimeo is widely used for showcasing professional content and enabling collaboration on video projects.

Video Transcoder

Open Source

Handbrake

HandBrake is a free and open-source video transcoder available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It allows users to convert video files from one format to another, making it useful for video compression, changing formats for compatibility, or optimizing for specific devices.

Proprietary

Movavi Video Converter

Movavi Video Converter is a user-friendly software designed to convert, compress, and edit video, audio, and image files. It is available for Windows and macOS and caters to both casual and professional users with an intuitive interface and a wide range of features.

Adobe Media Encoder

Adobe Media Encoder is a proprietary software application from Adobe Systems, used for encoding and exporting video and audio content. It is primarily designed for professionals in video production, post-production, and multimedia. It integrates seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications, such as Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Audition.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Open Source

Headscale

Headscale is an open-source implementation of a Tailscale-compatible coordination server. It enables users to create private networks using the WireGuard protocol while maintaining full control over the server infrastructure.

Proprietary

Tailscale

Tailscale is a commercial service that simplifies the creation of secure virtual private networks (VPNs) using the WireGuard protocol. It is designed for ease of use, enabling users to create private, encrypted connections between devices without complex configurations.

Web Analytics

Open Source

Matomo

Matomo (formerly known as Piwik) is an open-source web analytics platform that provides detailed insights into website traffic and user behavior. It is often used as an alternative to Google Analytics, offering features focused on data privacy and control, especially for organizations looking to host their own analytics.

GoAccess

GoAccess is an open-source, real-time web log analyzer and interactive viewer designed to provide quick insights into web server logs. It is primarily used for analyzing Apache, Nginx, and other web server log files to visualize traffic, identify trends, and monitor web performance directly from the terminal or via a browser-based interface.

Proprietary

Yandex Webmaster

Yandex Webmaster is a free tool offered by Yandex, a leading Russian search engine, to help website owners, webmasters, and SEO professionals monitor, manage, and optimize their website’s performance on Yandex search results. It provides detailed analytics and tools to improve visibility and address any technical issues affecting a site’s performance.

Google Search Console

Google Search Console is a free tool provided by Google that helps website owners, webmasters, and SEO professionals monitor and maintain their site's presence in Google Search results. It provides insights into how a website is performing in search rankings and offers tools to optimize its visibility.

Bing Webmaster

Bing Webmaster Tools is a free service offered by Microsoft to help webmasters, SEO professionals, and website owners monitor and manage their site's presence on Bing search engine results. It provides valuable insights, tools, and data to optimize your website’s performance and visibility on Bing.

Web Browser

Open Source

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox is a free and open-source web browser developed by Mozilla. Known for its speed, privacy features, and extensive customizability, Firefox is a popular choice among users who prioritize security, performance, and open web standards. It is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Brave

Brave is a free and open-source web browser that focuses on privacy, security, and performance. It is built on Chromium, the same open-source engine that powers Google Chrome, but with significant enhancements aimed at improving user privacy by blocking ads and trackers by default. Brave also introduces a unique model for supporting content creators through cryptocurrency-based rewards.

Proprietary

Google Chrome

Google Chrome is a widely used web browser developed by Google. Known for its speed, simplicity, and wide support for web standards, Chrome is one of the most popular browsers in the world. It is built on the open-source Chromium project and is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge is a web browser developed by Microsoft, and it's built on the same open-source Chromium engine that powers Google Chrome. The browser is designed to offer improved performance, security, and integration with Microsoft services, particularly with its search engine Bing.

Web Development Frameworks

Open Source

Django

Django is a high-level Python web framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design. It is open-source and designed for building secure and scalable web applications.

Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails, or Rails, is a proprietary web application framework written in Ruby that emphasizes convention over configuration and is designed to make web development faster and easier.

Laravel

Laravel is a free and open-source PHP framework designed to make web development faster and easier. It provides a rich set of tools and libraries for building modern web applications.

Proprietary

Adobe ColdFusion

Adobe ColdFusion is a commercial web application development platform used to build dynamic websites and applications. It is designed to simplify the development of complex applications using a tag-based scripting language.

Microsoft ASP.NET

ASP.NET is a proprietary framework developed by Microsoft for building dynamic web applications. It is designed to work with the .NET framework and allows for scalable and secure web applications.

Web Hosting & Content Management

Open Source

Wordpress

WordPress is a widely used open-source content management system (CMS) that allows users to create websites, blogs, and even e-commerce platforms. With its flexibility and an extensive ecosystem of themes and plugins, WordPress powers over 40% of websites on the internet, ranging from personal blogs to large corporate sites.

Joomla

Joomla is a popular open-source content management system (CMS) used for building websites and web applications. It is known for its flexibility, ease of use, and ability to scale for small to large websites.

Drupal

Drupal is a free, open-source content management system (CMS) used for building websites and web applications. It is known for its flexibility, scalability, and robustness, making it suitable for both simple and complex sites, from blogs to large enterprise-level platforms.

Ghost

Ghost is an open-source content management system (CMS) designed primarily for professional blogging and publishing. Known for its minimalist interface and focus on speed, Ghost is ideal for creators, businesses, and publishers looking for a lightweight platform to manage and distribute content.

Jekyll

Jekyll is a static site generator designed for building simple, fast, and secure websites. It takes text files written in formats like Markdown or HTML, combines them with templates, and produces a complete static website. Jekyll is often used for blogs, documentation, and other content-focused sites, and it integrates seamlessly with GitHub Pages.

Proprietary

Google Sites

Google Sites (formerly Google Pages) is a free, user-friendly website builder developed by Google. It allows users to create and host websites without requiring advanced technical skills. It's part of Google Workspace, integrating seamlessly with other Google services like Drive, Docs, and Calendar.

Github Pages

GitHub Pages is a static site hosting service provided by GitHub, allowing users to publish websites directly from a GitHub repository. It is commonly used for personal blogs, project documentation, and portfolios, offering a simple way to host and manage static content.

Collaborate

If you would like to add something to this list, send an email to the editor.

Acknowledgement

iuvi@mastodon.social suggested an alternative for VPN.

Author

Anurag Gupta is an M.S. graduate in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University. He also holds an M.Tech degree in Systems and Control Engineering and a B.Tech degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

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