The best free alternatives to paid software

In times of ever-increasing subscription fees and licensing costs for software, many are looking for more cost-effective alternatives. Fortunately, there are a variety of powerful, free tools that can compete with the expensive market leaders in many areas. Here are the best free alternatives you can turn to.

Image editing & graphic design

Adobe Photoshop is considered the ultimate image editing software, but is 25.99 euros per month not exactly cheap. Here are three good Freeware alternatives for design and image processing purposes:

• GIMP: GIMP is one of the best-known alternatives to Photoshop and offers a similar range of image editing tools such as layers and masks, selection tools, cloning, filters and image adjustments. Although GIMP’s user interface is less intuitive and some advanced features are missing (such as Smart Objects and CMYK support), it is still a comparable solution to Photoshop and is completely free. See also: Gimp for beginners – the best tips for image improvement.
• Paint.NET: This Windows tool is not nearly as comprehensive and professional as Photoshop, but it is the fastest way to get to the finish line when it comes to simple image editing. Paint.NET supports layers, selection tools and image adjustments, an unlimited undo function and a number of other useful functions for editing graphics.
• Canva (free version): The free version of Canva offers a lot of potential for professional social media graphics and presentations. Thanks to the intuitive interface, creating graphics is child’s play even for laypeople, but editing images is reduced to the very basics. For more functions, templates and elements, you need the paid Pro version (11.99 euros per month). Canva is web-based and therefore platform-independent.

Adobe Creative Cloud complete for only 11 euros instead of 62 euros per month! Here’s how it works

GIMP

GIMP

GIMP

Another major player in the field of graphic design is CorelDRAW, which offers a comprehensive suite of tools that will make many a designer’s heart beat faster. However, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2024 costs 779 euros for the single license or 30.75 euros per month for an annual subscription – a significant investment. But it can also be done completely free of charge, for example with Inkscape.

Inkscape is a powerful Open source alternative to CorelDRAWespecially when it comes to loading. It offers extensive tools for creating and editing vector designs and is great for projects such as illustrations, technical drawings and diagrams. Although it can’t quite keep up with CorelDRAW in some areas (for example, it doesn’t offer native support for multi-page documents and has fewer plug-ins), Inkscape impresses with its versatility and the ability to produce impressive results without spending a lot of money.

Kristian Kask

Kristian Kask

Kristian Kask

Video editing software

Adobe Premiere Pro is an industry standard for professional video editing, but it also costs 25.99 euros per month. Two good free alternatives are:

• Kdenlive: Kdenlive is a comprehensive open source video editing software that offers many features found in more expensive programs. With multi-track timelines, effects, transitions and even keyframe animations, Kdenlive offers an impressive range of features that are more than sufficient for many projects. It is an excellent choice for Linux users in particular, but it is also available for Windows and macOS.
• Cut: Shotcut also offers a wide range of video editing tools and supports a variety of video formats. The software is cross-platform and – although its usability could be improved – it is a solid and powerful solution that you can try risk-free.

IDG

IDG

IDG

Live streaming software

For live streaming, you can use many paid tools such as Vimeo or Streamyard. If you want to save the subscription costs, it is better to use the open source tool OBS Studio.

This tool offers a variety of features for professional live streaming, including scene transitions, source management, and support for various platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook Live. OBS Studio is available across platforms and, despite being free, offers powerful options for customizing your live streams and broadcasting them in high quality.

OBS Studio

OBS Studio

OBS Studio

Office software

Microsoft 365 is the most widely used office suite worldwide and offers a wide range of applications that are essential for everyday office work, such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel. With a single license of 149 euros or 69 euros for an annual subscription However, the Office Suite quickly becomes expensive.

View Microsoft 365 Family on Amazon

A great offline alternative is LibreOffice. It may look a bit old-fashioned, but it combines all the essential office applications and also offers some additional features for editing PDFs.

PC World

PC World

PC World

For those who prefer to work online, there are also strong free alternatives. Microsoft itself offers a stripped-down online version of Word, Excel and PowerPoint that can be used for free as long as you are logged in with a Microsoft account. While these versions are not quite as feature-rich as the full versions, they offer sufficient tools for most everyday tasks.

Another excellent option is the Google Suite (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides). These online tools are free, available across platforms, and enable seamless real-time collaboration. All you need is a free Google account.

There are also free alternatives for editing PDFs that can prove useful. ONLYOFFICE PDF Editor (the free version), PDFgear and PDF24 Creator offer a solid basic set of features that are sufficient for many everyday tasks. With these tools, you can edit PDFs, comment on them, fill out forms and even convert documents – without paying a cent.

PC World

PC World

PC World

Antivirus software

Instead of paying for antivirus software like Norton or Avast Premium, there are also a few free alternatives that offer solid protection. One of these alternatives is Windows Defender. The tool is integrated into Windows and offers basic protection against viruses, malware and other threats. It is particularly user-friendly and uses very few system resources.

Another free option is Avast Free Antivirus, which offers protection against malware, viruses and phishing and is available for Windows, macOS and Android.

Chris Hoffman/IDG

Chris Hoffman/IDG

Chris Hoffman/IDG

Important NOTE: Free antivirus software offers good protection, but it can’t always keep up with the latest threats. If you want to be on the safe side, it’s better to go for a paid solution. When it comes to security, saving money shouldn’t be your main priority.

The best antivirus programs 2024 in the test: How to protect your Windows PC

Accounting and financial software

Lexoffice is probably one of the best-known and most comprehensive accounting tools on the market today, but only offers a 30-day trial version – after that, subscription fees are due. However, many free tools also cover basic tasks related to budget management and invoice creation, including:

• Paperwork: Paperwork Free offers a solid basis for small businesses and freelancers looking for a cost-effective accounting solution. The free version allows you to create unlimited invoices and quotes. Receipts can also be recorded and managed, with receipts being able to be imported via email and exported as a CSV file. A practical time tracking function allows you to accurately track working hours and incorporate them directly into invoices. However, you will need to upgrade for advanced features such as sending documents via the customer portal, customizing the layout or supporting e- or X-invoices.
• MonKey Office: The free basic version of MonKey Office offers basic accounting functions, such as managing customer and supplier addresses, recording open items and payments, and cash accounting. A particular advantage is the integrated DATEV export, which allows you to forward your data directly to your tax advisor. New business founders also benefit from being able to use the MonKey Office premium license free of charge for 12 months if they have founded a business within the last six months. One of the main limitations of the free version is that you cannot create and send offers and invoices directly.
• Tax pool mini: This tool is an entry-level version of the comprehensive Taxpool software and is available exclusively for Windows. With Taxpool Mini you can create invoices, offers and reminders as well as simple tax reports such as EÜR and BWA. However, the mini version also has its limitations: The user interface is outdated and relatively complex, which makes it difficult for beginners to use. In addition, the free version does not support ELSTER transfer, which makes it difficult to send tax data directly to the tax office. Many advanced functions such as graphical evaluations and data export are still missing.

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Papercram.de

Papercram.de