Open source versus freeware
Freeware costs nothing, but the company keeps the code to itself and decides alone what happens next. Open source goes further: the code is public and the license lets you use, change and share it. The Open Source Definition of the Open Source Initiative sets ten criteria. Among them, the source code must be included or obtainable, changes must be allowed, and a license "may not restrict the program from being used in a business".
Every license in this list, from the GPL and AGPL to MPL 2.0, Apache 2.0 and MIT, appears on the list of OSI-approved licenses. For everyday use the details rarely matter. The MPL FAQ, for example, says MPL software is available "for anyone (including individuals and companies) to use for any purpose", and that the license only creates obligations if you distribute the software outside your organization. Licenses start to matter when you change the program and give copies to others.
How to judge a project before you switch
A free program is only a good choice if someone still looks after it. Before you move your files, spend five minutes on the official repository or website:
- Last release: look at the releases or download page. A release in the last year is a good sign; several years of silence is a warning.
- Recent activity: commits and answered issues in the past weeks show that bugs get fixed.
- The real home: some projects keep read-only copies elsewhere. The digiKam repository on GitHub, for example, is archived as a mirror, while development happens on KDE's own server.
- Your system: check that your operating system version is still supported, and test with a few real files before you delete the old app.
Download only from the project's own site or your system's app store, not from a search ad or a download portal.
Common traps
- Paid cloud services around free apps. Joplin is free, but Joplin Cloud sync starts at 2.99 euros a month, per its plans page. The sync help also lists Nextcloud, WebDAV, Dropbox, OneDrive, S3 and the local file system.
- Accounts on hosted services. The public Jitsi Meet server needs a Google, Facebook or GitHub account to start a meeting, per the Jitsi Meet repository. Hosting it yourself avoids that.
- Extensions. VSCodium uses the Open VSX registry instead of Microsoft's marketplace, and its README warns that some extensions may not work.
- Console only. The 7-Zip download page offers only a console version for Linux and macOS. PeaZip lists Windows, macOS, Linux and BSD.
- Older systems. OBS Studio needs Windows 10 or 11 or macOS 13 or newer, per obsproject.com.
Small jobs without installing anything
You do not need a desktop program for every task. To combine a few files, use Merge PDF, and to shrink a scan for email, try Compress PDF. A new master password for your password manager comes from the password generator, which works locally and stores nothing. The video compressor makes a clip smaller in your browser without uploading it, and the screen recorder captures a screen, window or tab when a full streaming setup is more than you need.
How we checked
For every program we opened its own license page, COPYING file or official code repository on the date shown and wrote down the license exactly as the project names it. Platforms come from the official download page or repository. We did not use reviews, roundups or Wikipedia. File format and compatibility claims appear only where the project states them. A few projects we considered were left out, either because their pages did not name a license clearly or to keep the list focused. Programs change, so open the source link before you rely on a detail. For design programs see our free design software list, and for templates see our freebies.
Frequently asked questions
Is open-source software really free to use for work?
The Open Source Definition says an open source license may not restrict the program from being used in a business. Some projects say it directly: 7-Zip can be used on any computer, including one in a commercial organization, and PeaZip is free for private and professional use.
What is the difference between open source and freeware?
Freeware is free to use, but the company keeps the source code and sets the terms alone. Open source software publishes its code under a license that lets anyone use, change and share it, and others are allowed to build on it.
Do I have to share anything if I just use an open-source program?
For ordinary use, no. The MPL FAQ, for example, says the license only creates obligations if you distribute the software outside your organization. Licenses like the GPL and AGPL set rules for people who change the program and pass it on.
Which of these programs work offline?
KeePassXC keeps your passwords in an offline, encrypted file and states that no data is stored on remote servers. LocalSend sends files between devices on your local network without an internet connection or third-party servers.
Can I host my own cloud storage or video calls?
Yes. Nextcloud lets you store files, contacts and calendars on a server of your choosing, and Jitsi Meet provides Debian packages and a Docker setup for your own video call server. You then look after updates, backups and security yourself.
Are open-source programs safe to download?
The code is public, so others can review it, but that does not protect you from fake download sites. Install only from the project's own website, its official repository or your system's app store, and keep the program updated.