10 free software alternatives for everyday computer jobs

In short: Start with the job you need to do. Try GIMP for photo retouching, Krita for painting, Shotcut for editing video or OBS Studio for recording it. Before switching from a paid app, test a copy of your own file and check the exported result.

This selection guide uses documentation, with two browser examples. The screenshots show our fictional Photopea poster and draw.io diagram.

1. Write documents with LibreOffice

LibreOffice (opens in a new tab) includes Writer for documents, Calc for spreadsheets and Impress for presentations.

1. Open its official download page and check your operating system.
2. Try a copy of a document you normally share. Check layout, then export and reopen it.

Choose by file compatibility. An office suite's feature list cannot prove your particular template will look the same.

2. Retouch pictures with GIMP

GIMP (opens in a new tab) is a free image editor for GNU/Linux, macOS and Windows. Consider it for photo retouching and combining images, jobs you might otherwise do in Photoshop.

If you exchange editable PSD files, check them carefully: support for Photoshop layer effects and adjustment layers is still incomplete. Keep the original and compare a sample in both apps before switching. See GIMP's compatibility roadmap (opens in a new tab).

1. Download from the official site.
2. Practise with a copy of one photo and export the result for your destination.

3. Draw vector artwork with Inkscape

Inkscape (opens in a new tab) is a free vector editor. Consider it for SVG artwork.

1. Read its official getting-started guide.
2. Create one simple shape, save an editable SVG and check an exported copy.

4. Paint digitally with Krita

Krita (opens in a new tab) is a free painting program. Consider it when your main job is drawing or painting with brushes, rather than retouching photos.

It can open and save PSD files, but that does not guarantee every Photoshop feature will survive the exchange. If someone needs an editable PSD, test a small sample with them first. See Krita's PSD guidance (opens in a new tab).

1. Check the official download requirements.
2. Try your brush or tablet on a small drawing before planning a larger project.

5. Edit audio with Audacity

Audacity (opens in a new tab) is free desktop audio software for Windows, macOS and Linux.

1. Choose the standalone download if you do not want the optional Muse Hub.
2. Practise on a copy of a short recording, then export and listen to it.

Optional cloud storage can cost extra. Check the offer you are selecting.

6. Edit videos with Shotcut

Shotcut (opens in a new tab) is a free video editor for Windows, Mac and Linux. Consider it for cutting clips and making a finished video without a paid editor.

Higher-resolution footage needs more computing power, so test your own clips before a long project. Saving creates an editable MLT project; use Export to make the video you will share. See the Shotcut FAQ (opens in a new tab).

1. Check Shotcut's download page to see whether it supports your computer.
2. Import a short clip, make one cut and export a trial before starting a long edit.

7. Record your screen with OBS Studio

OBS Studio (opens in a new tab) offers free video recording and streaming. Consider it for recording a tutorial with your screen, microphone and optional webcam. If your editing app cannot open an MKV recording, check its supported formats and OBS's recording-format guidance (opens in a new tab) before recording a longer session.

1. Follow its official setup instructions for your system.
2. Make a short recording, then play it back to check the picture and audio.

Close private messages and account pages before recording.

8. Start a 3D project with Blender

Blender (opens in a new tab) is free software for 3D creation.

1. Check the official hardware requirements.
2. Complete a small introductory exercise. If you need to exchange files with another 3D app, test that exact import and export before committing to a complex scene.

9. Draw a process with draw.io

draw.io (opens in a new tab) gives you shapes and connectors in a browser.

1. Start with a rectangle and label one action.
2. Use File → Save as to keep an editable .drawio copy.

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draw.io save dialog showing demo-flow.drawio, XML File and Download as the destination

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10. Make a quick image edit with Photopea

Photopea (opens in a new tab) offers a free browser editor.

1. Choose File → Open and work on a copy.
2. Keep a PSD for editable layers, then use File → Export as for the image you will share.

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Photopea showing a fictional DEMO WORKSHOP text layer and a separate Background layer

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See the browser-tasks guide for the exact image and diagram controls.

If an alternative cannot handle your file

Keep the original. Check the tool's current format support, then export a sample file in a format the receiving app accepts. Open the exported file in that app and check it before cancelling a paid tool.

Sources: the official sites linked above, Inkscape's project information (opens in a new tab), Blender's introduction (opens in a new tab), draw.io save formats (opens in a new tab) and Photopea's save instructions (opens in a new tab).