Bored Panda
“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)

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Even as a child, I heard the wonderful phrase “Free cheese only comes in a mousetrap,” and almost with every passing year, I became more and more convinced of the correctness of these wise words. And indeed, for almost everything really good in this life, you have to pay. Unless it’s friendship, love, or free software...
In fact, among the tons of freeware on the internet, there are genuine masterpieces that are not only comparable in interface and capabilities to the best examples of commercial applications but sometimes even surpass them.
If you’re looking for expert-picked resources, this list of top web app development companies from Brainhub highlights firms that actually deliver on performance and innovation.
This collection from Bored Panda, based on this viral online thread, is dedicated specifically to such apps and programs.
More info: Reddit

#1

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
Nobody on here talking about Audacity? Really solid audio editing with a billion plug-ins for formats, opening videos, new filters, etc.
98points

#2

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
Ublock origin.
95points

#3

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
7-Zip, VLC Media Player, Vocal Pitch Monitor and Calculator.
69points

Some of the programs presented here work exclusively on a freeware basis, some provide only part of their functionality for free (but quite enough for convenient and effective work). But they all have one thing in common - these are truly decent tools, and people in the original thread are really surprised. What is the reason for such selflessness and altruism?

In a nutshell, why do you have to fork out some hefty money for sometimes less functional and ergonomic programs, when these are available completely for free?

#4

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
Firefox.
67points

#5

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
Notepad++.
58points

#6

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
Blender. It became an insane 3D modeling tool, that can also handle animation, rigging etc..
There is a big community always ready to help, create plug-ins etc.. After using 3ds Max and Maya for years i've switched to Blender and it feels so much better(maybe not for riging, Maya is still the goat here ^^).
52points

Well, in fact, there are many nuances that explain how developers have the opportunity to release free software. Some programs come with built-in advertising, some during installation additionally offer to install 'affiliate' software, and for the opportunity to use others for free, we actually pay by providing our own personal data. As the saying goes, 'if you don't pay for the product, you may be the product yourself...'

#7

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
Calibre.
50points

#8

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
Krita - Best alternative to photoshop.
Report
45points

However, many people honestly believe that software should be free - simply based on philanthropy and strong principles. For example, back in 1983, the GNU Project was launched, the goal of which is “to give computer users freedom and control in their use of their computers and computing devices by collaboratively developing and publishing software that gives everyone the rights to freely run the software, copy and distribute it, study it, and modify it." And some of the programs and apps presented in this list are distributed under the free GNU license.

#10

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
Paint.net.
41points

#11

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
Visual Studio Code. I use it on my Mac - and while I have a full blown paid for version of Visual Studio on my work PC, the fact that I have almost all of the same features of an IDE for free makes me so happy. I'm always waiting for them to start charging me for it - because methinks one day they will. Till then I'll keep using this wonderfully free bit of software. Thanks Microsoft.
39points

#12

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
Rom emulators. Imagine having all the nintendo games, even the rare stuff that wasnt imported.
37points

Be that as it may, there is always strength in variety and diversity, and as long as there are free options for performing this or that task, this will also encourage commercial developers to release more effective solutions and not raise the prices of their products to the skies. At least that's what we believe. And we also believe that this collection may come in handy to you - after all who knows, maybe one of the programs listed here will be a real useful find for you?

By the way, if you know of an application that is also useful, convenient and free, but is not listed in this selection, why not share your wholesome find in the comments below? Because as long as we cooperate, we are almost invincible.

#13

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
Shazam.
37points

#14

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
Winamp, it really whips the llama's a*s.
34points

#15

DaVinci Resolve video editing, free tier.
33points

#16

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
QGIS. So this is massively nerdy, but for most imagery, mapping and geospatial analysis tasks, it s***s on its thousands-of-dollars-per-year competitors, and comes with a global community of users and plugin-makers.
33points

#17

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
Ubuntu
Gimp
Inkscape
Wikipedia.
30points

#18

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
Wireshark. Insane what it can it do to analyze network traffic. Best packet sniffer out there.
29points

#19

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
Cutlist Optimizer. Sets up optimal cuts for plywood and other sheet goods. Saves me so much headache trying to figure out the best and most economical ways to cut pieces for cabinetry while keeping waste to a minimum. It can even account for blade kerf which is a huge plus, and the cut diagrams are labeled and color coded in a way that’s very easy to read.
28points

#20

“What Free Software Is So Good You Can’t Believe It’s Actually Available For Free” (34 Responses)
OBS and inkscape.
27points
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