Comments on: Free Alternatives to 10 Popular Commercial Mac Applications

By: Adrian

Adrian — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:16:32 +0000

“why would you spend a fortune on a Mac when the PC has a much wider range of free software available?”

1. You don’t have to cypher through 5,000 freeware or shareware apps that perform the same function.
2. Most of which are about as helpful in a professional workflow as the backend of a donkey.
3. You run a high risk of malware intrusion. ESPECIALLY with PC freeware. Choose wisely.
4. Developer support is slim to none.

With a Mac those issues are VERY rare.

“Mac is just a pleasure to use.” +1

By: megapixel

megapixel — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 03:33:49 +0000

So happy to have found this page. It is always great to know that there are free alternatives instead of having to pay for apps.

By: Pete

Pete — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:00:43 +0000

Superb post – greatly appreciated, thanks

By: gÃ¼ney servis

gÃ¼ney servis — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:51:19 +0000

thanks very good.

By: Simon Elliott

Simon Elliott — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:26:36 +0000

Nice list and I will be sure to give VirtualBox a go.

I have a few hundred more apps on the homepage of my site – thefreemac.com and thought you might like to check it out.

Simon@thefreemac

By: Goobi

Goobi — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:01:20 +0000

Good list. But Gimp and NeoOffice, a serious no no. I’m too comfortable with Photoshop and iWork to even think of those.

And you forgot another free application to uninstall applications. The OS X trashbin!

By: woko

woko — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:38:20 +0000

Seashore is a GIMP port without the X11 shenanigans. Quick and fast. I am a NeoOffice user, but the current Open Office 3.0 release candidate is a direct port to OS X. Pretty snappy. NetNewsWire is great for RSS as is Cyberduck for FTP.

By: Leandro

Leandro — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 04:31:14 +0000

Of course.

I’ve just made the switch to mac and I found your post very useful!
And why not an Essential Mac Software post. :)

By: Jackson

Jackson — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:42:54 +0000

Part 2? Really?

By: Leandro

Leandro — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:30:48 +0000

Awesome list. Just installed VirtualBox that I didn’t knew that it allows seamless windows.

We want second part! :)
Thank you!

By: Jackson

Jackson — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:58:14 +0000

For me, Mac is just a pleasure to use.

By: alternapop.com

alternapop.com — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:36:50 +0000

for itunes control, i like SizzlingKeys

By: Jackson

Jackson — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:56:59 +0000

Ah, another hidden gem. Great!

By: Jackson

Jackson — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:55:45 +0000

Hey Travis! Welcome to the family. How’s your Mac experience going? I’m sure that there are *some* frustrations. That comes with the territory. You’ll learn to embrace them :)

By: Billco

Billco — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:07:38 +0000

Maybe I’m just stubborn but if you want to save money, why would you spend a fortune on a Mac when the PC has a much wider range of free software available AND the hardware is several times cheaper ? Particularly if you use Ubuntu Linux as your OS, you can have all of these features plus a very stylish appearance using Compiz Fusion, and it’s all very easy to use.

The Mac is a high-end platform, with high-end costs.