The best free alternatives to expensive Windows software

In times of ever-increasing subscription fees and licensing costs for software, many people are looking for affordable alternatives. Fortunately, there are a variety of powerful free tools that can compete with expensive market leaders in many areas. Here are the best free alternatives you can apply.

Image editing and graphic design

Adobe Photoshop It’s considered the ultimate in image editing software, but at $19.99 per month it’s not exactly cheap. Three good free software alternatives for design and image editing purposes:

• GIMP: GIMP It is one of the most popular alternatives to Photoshop and offers a similar set of image editing tools such as layers and masks, selection tools, cloning, filters and image adjustments. Although GIMP’s user interface is less intuitive and lacks some advanced features (like Smart Objects and CMYK support), it’s still a comparable solution to Photoshop and is completely free. See also: GIMP basics: Best tips and tricks for beginners.
• Paint.NET: Although this Windows tool is not as comprehensive and professional as Photoshop, it is the fastest way to achieve your goals when it comes to simple image editing. Paint.NET It supports layers, selection tools and image adjustments, unlimited undo functionality and a number of other practical functions for editing graphics.
• Canva (free version): Canva free version offers so much potential for professional social media graphics and presentations. Creating graphics is child’s play even for non-professionals thanks to the intuitive interface, but editing images is stripped down to the basics of all the basics. For more functions, templates and elements, you need the paid Pro version ($10 per month). Canva is web-based and therefore platform independent.

Another favorite company in the field of graphic design is CorelDRAWoffers a comprehensive suite of tools that will make many designers’ hearts beat faster. However, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2024 costs $549 for a single license or $22.42 per month for an annual subscription; This is a significant investment. For example, it is also possible to use Inkscape completely free of charge.

inkscape It is a powerful open source alternative to CorelDRAW, especially when it comes to vector graphics. It offers comprehensive tools for creating and editing vector designs and is perfect for projects like illustrations, technical drawings, and diagrams. While it can’t quite compete with CorelDRAW in some areas (for example, it doesn’t offer native support for multi-page documents and has fewer plug-ins), Inkscape’s versatility and ability to produce impressive results without high costs is impressive.

video editing software

Adobe Premiere Pro It’s the industry standard for professional video editing, but it also costs $22.99 per month. Two good free alternatives are:

• Kdenlive: Kdenlive It is a comprehensive open source video editing software that offers many features found in more expensive programs. With multi-track timelines, effects, transitions, and even keyframe animations, Kdenlive offers an impressive range of functions that are more than enough for most projects. It’s a great choice especially for Linux users, but it’s also available for Windows and macOS.
• Abbreviation: Cut It also offers a wide range of video editing tools and supports various video formats. The software is cross-platform and although it is not user-friendly, it is a robust and powerful solution that you can test without risk.

live broadcast software

Many people rely on paid tools such as: Vimeo or stream field for live broadcast. If you want to save on subscription costs it is better to use open source tool OBS Studio.

This tool offers a wide range of functions for professional live streaming, including scene transitions, resource management, and support for various platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook Live. OBS Studio is available on all platforms, and although it’s free, it offers powerful options to personalize your live streams and deliver them in high quality.

office software

Microsoft 365 It is the most widely used Office suite in the world and offers a wide range of applications that are indispensable for daily office work, such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. However, the Office suite adds up quickly, with the individual license costing $69.99 for an annual subscription.

A great offline alternative LibreOffice. It may seem a little old-fashioned, but it combines all the core Office applications and also offers some additional features for editing PDFs.

There are also powerful free alternatives available for those who prefer to work online. Microsoft itself makes an offer Minimized online version of Word, Excel and PowerPoint You can use it for free as long as you sign in with a Microsoft account. While these versions are not as feature-rich as the full versions, they offer enough tools for most daily tasks.

Another great option is Google Suite (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides). These online tools are free, available on all platforms, and enable seamless collaboration in real time. All you need is one free Google account.

There are also free alternatives that can be useful for editing PDFs. ONLYOFFICE PDF Editor (free version), PDF hardwareAnd PDF24 Creator It offers a solid set of basic features that are sufficient for many daily tasks. With these tools, you can edit PDFs, comment, fill out forms, and even convert documents without paying a penny.

antivirus software

Instead of paid antivirus software Norton or Avast PremiumThere are also several free alternatives that offer solid protection. One of these alternatives is Windows Defender. The tool is integrated into Windows and provides basic protection against viruses, malware and other threats. It is particularly user-friendly and uses very few system resources.

Another free option is Avast Free AntivirusIt’s available on Windows, macOS, and Android, providing protection against malware, viruses, and phishing.

Important note: While free antivirus software offers good protection, it can’t always keep up with the latest threats. If you want to be on the safe side, it is better to opt for a paid solution. When it comes to security, the saving factor should not be at the forefront.

Further reading: Best antivirus software for Windows PCs