Ultimate Open Source Always Free Applications

SourceForge is an incredible and possibly the ultimate source for Open Source (which means free) software. The main reason SourceForge is so great is that they are a centralized resource for hosting Open Source projects… According to the website they are now over 100,000 projects.

Below are some of my favorites which I use on a semi-daily basis. Of course, since MakeUseOf is a free applications directory there have been several projects already discussed. These will be linked accordingly.

  • Azureus – Torrent application that is multi-platform that is light on memory and heavy on functionality. Frequent updates keep Azureus fast, secure and highly functional.
  • GIMP Installers – Why pay the high price for Photoshop when you can just use GIMP, same features, none of the price (Windows only). To replicate Photoshop for GIMP see previously reviewed GIMPShop.
  • 7-Zip – Similar to Universal Extractor that Mark reviewed earlier, but this is just as great and heavily supported file archiver with the high compression ratio. Supports 15 formats (despite the name 7-Zip)
  • Audacity – Multi-format, multi-track and multi-platform audio editor and recorder with all the bells and whistles. Previous review by Mark…
  • FileZilla – The best FTP client for Windows. Trust me, I’ve tried everything else, including paid versions, now this is the only FTP client to use. Once again, see Mark’s FileZilla review.
  • PDFCreator – Another great example of “Why pay the high price…” application. Simple Windows print to PDF with a few extra functions. Simple and light-weight. Be sure to read Aibek’s Cool PDF Tools post.
  • Pidgin – Windows and Unix instant-messaging unifying application that supports 15 instant messaging platforms.
  • Notepad++ – Windows only application that is Notepad but with tens , if not hundreds more features (with plugins) and it integrates with your shell. Must use for generic editor editing any code (HTML, PHP, CSS, etc). Also, ever open up a README file and have it all jumbled and word-wrap doesn’t help… this is the answer.
  • Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition – Firefox that’s portable, simple as that. If you like Portable Apps, also check out “How to Turn USB Device into Almost Full-Scale PC“.
  • TightVNC – Bandwidth-friendly, multi-platform remote desktop application.
  • PortableApps.com – While not a utility, it is SourceForge’s collection of Open Source Portable (smaller file-size versions that fits on a USB Drive) Applications. Aibek did an amazing post awhile back with a great Collection of 100 Portable Apps. So check that out too.

(By) Posted by Makeuseof guest-writer Adam Hirsch

Tagged: • • •

Adam Hirsch

Similar Stuff

The comments were closed because the article is more than 90 days old.

If you have any questions related to stuff mentioned in the article or need help with any computer issue, just ask it on MakeUseOf Answers.

  • Brainiac

    Thanks, GimpShop is awesome.

  • http://www.proxynetworks.com Remote control software

    Really a good collection of programs, but you can include more open source software, I am agree with Brainiac GimpShop is necessary.

  • http://www.insegment.com SEM

    Great list, but why is GIMP only for windows? I’d really love a photoshop replacement program for my mac…

    And I tried Azureus about two years ago… worked well for a month or two then just stopped (yes I updated it.) Deleted and forgot. But if it’s still around I’ll have to try it again- I liked it while it worked.