Expensive software alternatives that you can have free of charge

We heavily rely on PCs to do our jobs, get entertainment, and even organize our schedule. Almost every well-known software that we rely on comes at a price, which can be problematic if you are just starting and are yet to generate any income. Luckily, there are competitors that don’t offer exactly the same quality tools but will still suffice in many cases. So, if you are looking to save a few bucks, or if you don’t want to pay for an entire software that you won’t fully utilize, make sure you explore these free tools.  

Use Linux instead of Windows OS

There are many versions of Linux but the one that resembles Windows the most is called Linux Mint. If you don’t want to pay for Windows this is probably the best free alternative out there. The only problem is that documents with complex formatting (MS Office) might not run as you would expect, and Linux does not have wide support for video games like windows. But if you are just using your PC to go online, watch movies, and chat Linux Mint is definitely the way to go.   

Google Docs can replace MS Office 

As mentioned Linux does not have support for tools like MS Office or Excel, so if you need to create tables, presentations, or write something you can go with Google Docs. All you need is internet access, and you won’t even have to store those documents on your PC. Moreover, these are easier to navigate as they don’t have as many complex features as MS Office, so for casual users, they are a better option. Also, you don’t have to upload any docs when sending emails, all you do is share the link with a person who needs to review those documents.  

GIMP is a good alternative for Photoshop 

Photoshop is without a doubt a great and widely used tool for editing images. However, it costs over $200 per year, which can be an unnecessary expense if you don’t need the entire tool arsenal it packs. Amazing free software that has lots of functionalities for photo manipulation is called GIMP. This is not just a watered down version of Photoshop, GIMP really packs lots of tools, and some professionals even use it. 

Use Trello for project/task management instead of Asana or Basecamp 

Basecamp is a really polished and user-friendly task management tool, however, you can only use it for a limited time before you have to pay. Asana is also amazing and heavily marketed but once again it will add to your monthly costs. Trello is simple, easy to use and gets the job is done completely free, which is why it is the number one project management tool.