The number of open source applications and tools that are available on today’s popular operating systems is simply mind-blowing. They come in all forms. Small scripts and console tools that can be easily integrated into large projects, feature-rich applications that offer everything a complete solution, well designed tools, games that encourage real participation, and eye catching candy.
Open source software holds many compelling advantages over proprietary software. Open source improves the quality of the code, keeps costs down, encourages innovation and collaboration, combined with superior security, freedom, flexibility, interoperability, business agility, and much more.
Open source’s popularity continues to bloom. There is a staggering volume of proven open source software available to download. This compilation selects the best-of-breed ranging from software coded by individual programmers, small teams of enthusiasts, extending to large multinational corporations. We mostly recommend cross-platform software, but, where appropriate, make some exceptions.
This is a living document. And it is not an exhaustive selection. There have been many difficult choices. The article has been divided into 7 pages.
You are welcome to recommend additions to this article (there is a form to complete on the final page) providing they meet the following requirements:
- Released under an open source license;
- Available for at least one of the following operating systems: Linux, Microsoft Windows or Apple OS X.
LibreOffice
LibreOffice is the most popular open source office suite. It comprises programs to do word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, drawing, math, and database management. For business users, it offers good compatibility with Microsoft file formats. It is fast, powerful, and the leading free desktop-style alternative to Microsoft Office.
In the last few years, the suite has become increasingly polished. We particularly like the user-friendly interface with no annoying ribbons.
We also admire its strong integration with remote servers. The supported servers include Alfresco, FTP servers, Google Drive, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft OneDrive, and WebDAV.
Calligra
A real alternative to LibreOffice, Calligra offers an excellent integrated set of applications for word processing, computations, presentations, planning, database creation and flowcharting.
It uses the OpenDocument format as its default file format for most applications and can import other formats, such as Microsoft Office formats.
The star of the suite was Krita, an award-winning digital painting application that has artists drooling. In Autumn 2015, Krita was split off into a project independent from Calligra.
Scribus
If you need to layout, typeset and prepare files for professional quality image setting equipment, Scribus is just the ticket. Scribus can also create animated and interactive PDF presentations and forms. Use Scribus to produce books, small newspapers, brochures, posters, and newsletters.
Scribus supports professional DTP features, such as CMYK color and a color management system to soft proof images for high quality color printing, flexible PDF creation options, Encapsulated PostScript import/export and creation of 4 color separations, import of EPS/PS and SVG as native vector graphics, Unicode text including right to left scripts such as Arabic and Hebrew via freetype. Graphic formats which can be placed in Scribus as images include PDF, Encapsulated Post Script (eps), TIFF, JPEG, PNG and XPixMap(xpm), and any bitmap type supported by QT4.
ProjectLibre
The open source replacement for Microsoft Project. Users will appreciate the familiar interface, compatibility with Project 2010, and its powerful charting capabilities. Deliver winning projects with ProjectLibre.
It is capable of sharing files with Microsoft Project and has very similar functionality (Gantt, PERT diagram, histogram, charts, reports, detailed usage), as well as tree views.