10 open source tools you can start using today

From browsers to office tools, discover free and powerful open source resources for work, privacy, and creativity.

Many people don’t realize the abundance of free and open source resources available online. Here are some of my favorite open source tools across different categories, designed to enhance your daily life, work, and digital experience.

Ten ways to use open source everyday

Enhance your security, productivity, and creativity with these free and powerful open source applications.

Web browsers

Firefox stands out as a privacy-conscious and open source browser. Chromium is another open source browser that was developed at Google.

Web privacy

To enhance your online privacy, consider using uBlock Origin, an open source browser extension that effectively blocks advertisements and neutralizes privacy invasion. Privacy Badger, maintained by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, is another excellent option that automatically learns to block invisible trackers.

Password management

Secure passwords are crucial for online safety. Bitwarden helps you generate strong, unique passwords for each website and securely store them in the cloud, accessible across various devices via browser plugins, desktop applications, and mobile apps.

Messaging

Signal is a highly recommended platform for secure messaging on Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS. It utilizes your existing mobile number and offers robust encryption to protect your communications.

Office tools

LibreOffice is a powerful and free open source office suite that serves as an excellent alternative to commercial options. Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows, it allows you to own your documents without needing expensive software.

Website & blog builder

WordPress is a versatile and popular open source blogging engine suitable for sharing opinions, creating low-cost writing platforms for students, or establishing a business web presence.

Media repository

When creating digital content, OpenClipart provides a wealth of images in various formats that you can quickly and legally share. Additionally, Creative Commons Search Portal helps you search CC-licensed works across multiple platforms and offers licensing options that simplify sharing while ensuring proper attribution.

Video conferencing

Jitsi and Big Blue Button have transformed online interaction and learning for virtual meetings and conferences.

Learning resources

Open educational resources (OER) such as OER Commons and MIT OpenCourseWare provide openly licensed content for various educational levels. OpenStax offers peer-reviewed textbooks that are openly licensed and available for free.

Podcast tools

If you’re interested in podcasting, Audacity is a free and open source, multi-track audio editor and recorder that is user-friendly. Audacity is available for Windows, MacOS, and Linux, and other operating systems. Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) is another great tool for live streaming and video recording. OBS works on Windows, MacOS or Linux.

Conclusion

Incorporating open-source software into your daily routine can be both empowering and rewarding. These tools provide powerful features and customization options while fostering community and collaboration. By embracing open source, you gain control over your digital experience, support innovation, and contribute to a global movement committed to making software free and accessible for all.

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This article is adapted from “Ten ways to use open source everyday” by Don Watkins, and is republished with permission from the author.