Here's a list of the best applications I found as free, sometimes open-source, alternative to commercial applications. None of these applications are average, they are good applications that I have used for months or years, and you can use them. If you use Linux or *BSD, you can truely have a desktop 100% free of charge; if you have a Windows desktop, you basically only have to pay your Windows license (at least until ReactOS stable is released), you can have a very good desktop with no need to pay for costly (and sometimes bloated) updates. This list can change a bit over time, if you have suggestions, feel free to write me. Some applications require that you read the documentation, especially the GIMP, but you also have to read the docs for Photoshop anyway. I'm aware there are other lists on the web, this is just a more simple list that you can read in a minute, with a limited choice, with the best applications only, it's not an exhaustive list. I hope this saves you a few bucks. Spread the word, tell your friends and coworkers about this great software :)
| Category | Commercial Application | Free Alternative | |
| Windows | Unix | ||
| Office Suite | MS Office | OpenOffice.org | |
| Compression Utility | WinZIP | 7-Zip, Zip, Unzip, UnRAR | |
| jZip | |||
| Antivirus | NOD32, Kaspersky | ClamWin, AVG, Comodo AntiVirus, BitDefender Free Edition, Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic | (ClamAv) |
| Antispyware | Spyware Doctor | Spyware Terminator, Comodo BOClean, Ad-Aware, Spyware Blaster | (not necessary) |
| Backup Utility | Backup Magic | Comodo Backup | rsync, Kbackup |
| Image Editing | Photoshop, PaintShop Pro | GIMP | |
| Instant Messaging | Trillian, MSN Messenger, Gtalk, AIM | Pidgin | |
| Firewall | Windows Firewall | Comodo Firewall Pro | (built-in) |
| FTP Client | WS_FTP Professional | WinSCP (SSH), SmartFTP | gFTP, Nautilus, Konqueror |
| Filezilla | |||
| Web Editor | Dreamweaver | Amaya, Seamonkey's Composer, nVu, Eclipse, KompoZer, Maguma Open Studio | |
| Aptana, Trellian WebPage, HAPedit, tsWebEditor | Bluefish, Scream, KPHPDev | ||
| Web browser | Internet Explorer | Opera, Seamonkey, Firefox | |
| Safari | Konqueror | ||
| Text Editor | TextPad, EditPad Pro | ConTEXT, Crimson Editor | gedit, Kate |
| IDE | PHPDesigner, Zend Studio | Eclipse PDT (PHP Development Tools) | |
| Notepad++, Dev-C++, Dev-PHP IDE, PHP Coder | |||
| CD/DVD-burning | Nero | burnatonce, CDBurnerXP | GnomeBaker, K3B |
| Vector graphics | Corel Draw, Illustrator | Inkscape | |
| Stream Ripping | Web Stream Recorder Pro | mplayer | |
| Audio Edition | Soundforge | Audacity | |
| Email Client | Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Mail | Opera M2, Seamonkey, Thunderbird | |
| Evolution, Kmail | |||