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Free Software

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Software in this list is distributed under terms that allow anyone to use, modify, and share the software for any purpose. The two most popular licenses are the MIT License and the GNU GPL, but there are many other licenses which grant these permissions.

Software

Audio

Command Line Tools

  • asciinema - Terminal session recorder. (GNU GPLv3)
  • Clipboard - Cut, copy, and paste anything, anywhere, all from the command line. (GNU GPLv3)
  • Cygwin - Unix-like environment for Windows, providing access to a number of tools commonly found on Linux systems. (GNU GPLv3)
  • Logdissect - CLI utility and Python API for analyzing log files and other data. (MIT)
  • PuTTY - Remote terminal emulator that connects over SSH, Telnet, SCP, and rlogin protocols as well as raw socket connections. (MIT)
  • ranger - Minimal, lightweight, and aesthetically pleasing file explorer for GNU/Linux. It runs in the terminal window, so it fits in well with window managers such as i3. vi key bindings allow for quick operations to be performed, including rename and delete. (GNU GPLv3)
  • GNU stow - GNU Stow is a symlink farm manager which takes distinct packages of software and/or data located in separate directories on the filesystem, and makes them appear to be installed in the same place. (GNU GPLv3)
  • SimpleLocalize - Open source tool for managing i18n keys in software projects.

Communication

File Management

File Sharing

  • qBittorrent - Easy to use BitTorrent client. (GNU GPLv2+)
  • Sharry - Convinient file sharing web application that allows you to upload files and get a url back that can then be shared. (GNU GPLv3+)

Graphics

IDEs

Office

  • LibreOffice - Office suite with word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation programs. (MPLv2)
  • Open Office - Provides a full featured office productivity suite based on open standards. (Apache License 2.0)
  • Zathura - Highly customizable and functional document viewer. It provides a minimalistic and space saving interface as well as an easy usage that mainly focuses on keyboard interaction. (zlib License)

Operating Systems

  • Debian - One of the earliest UNIX-like operating systems with a commitment to keeping nonfree software out of its system. (DFSG)
  • Devuan - Fork of Debian without systemd. (Licenses)
  • PureOS - FSF endorsed derivative of Debian. (Multiple licenses)
  • LineageOS - Android distribution for phones and tablets and successor of CyanogenMod. (Multiple licenses)

Other

  • Disroot - Hosted versions of many of the services on this list. (Multiple licenses)
  • OpenMapTiles - Set of open-source tools for self-hosting of OpenStreetMap maps in more than 50 languages. It provides both raster as well as vector tiles, WMS and WMTS services for GIS programs, support for JavaScript viewers and mobile SDK. (BSD)
  • ZeroNet - Decentralized websites using Bitcoin cryptography and the BitTorrent network. (GNU GPLv2)
  • Simple Mobile Tools - Android apps with customizable widgets, without annoying ads and unnecessary permissions.
  • IP2Trace - A traceroute tools that displaying geolocation information using IP2Location database. (MIT)

Payments

  • Electrum - Lightweight Bitcoin client that provides wallet recovery, decentralized servers, and offline storage. (MIT)
  • GNU Taler - Cash-like system for online payments. (GNU GPL)

Scientific Work

  • DocEar - Literature management using mind mapping technology. (GNU GPLv2+)
  • JabRef - Manages references and attached PDFs using BibTeX/BibLaTeX. Includes support for LibreOffice. (MIT)

Screencasting

Text Editors

  • Atom - Hackable text and source code editor. (Archived) (MIT)
  • Pulsar - A Community-led Hyper-Hackable Text Editor. Forked from Atom. (MIT)
  • Emacs - An extensible, customizable, free/libre text editor — and more. (GNU GPL)
  • GNU nano - Simple text editor for the command line. (GNU GPL)
  • vim - Vim is a highly configurable text editor built to make creating and changing any kind of text very efficient. (GNU GPL compatible)
  • VS Code - A source-code editor made by Microsoft (MIT)
  • Notepad++ - Extensible text and source code editor. (GNU GPLv2+)

Utilities

  • Grayscale Mode - An open source macOS app that lets you quickly toggle grayscale filter right from your menu bar or using a keyboard shortcut (⌥⌘G). (MIT)
  • Markdownify - A minimal Markdown editor. (MIT)
  • Sandman - Lets you know when to turn off the computer and sleep based on calculated sleep cycles. (MIT)
  • Search Deflector - A small program that redirects searches made from the Windows Start Menu or Cortana to whatever browser and search engine you prefer. (MIT)
  • Wireshark - Packet analyzer for network troubleshooting and analysis. (GNU GPLv2)
  • Espanso - A cross-playform text expander (GNU GPLv3)

Video

  • NewPipe - Lightweight YouTube frontend for Android. (GNU GPLv3)
  • Kodi - Home Theater software and entertainment hub. (GNU GPLv2)
  • VLC - Multimedia player that supports a variety of audio and video formats. (GNU GPLv3)
  • youtube-dl - Feature-rich command line program to download videos from YouTube and other video sites. (Unlicense)
  • MPV - Customizable multimedia player with scripting support. (GNU GPLv2)

Virtualization

  • QEMU - QEMU is a generic and open source machine emulator and virtualizer. (GNU GPLv2)
  • VirtualBox - Feature rich virtualization tools with support for many operating systems. (GNU GPLv2)

Web Applications

Web Servers

Hardware

Companies

  • Aleph Objects - Respects Your Freedom (RYF) certified 3D printer built with libre hardware and software.
  • Libiquity - Designs and develops embedded software and firmware systems.
  • Purism - Privacy, security, and freedom focused computers and software.
  • Raptor Computing Systems - Desktops, motherboards, and other parts utilizing the IBM POWER9 processor and OpenBMC firmware.
  • Technoethical - Laptops, adapters, and mobile devices compatible with free operating systems.
  • ThinkPenguin - Modern laptops, desktops, and printers that contain no proprietary software.
  • Vikings - Hosting company powered by Libreboot firmware, libre software, and green energy that also sells hardware.

Hardware Resources

  • disaster.radio - Off-grid, solar-powered, long-range mesh network built on free software and affordable, open hardware.
  • h-node - Database of hardware that works with a fully free operating system.
  • Linux Preloaded - Hand-picked list of vendors from many regions that sell computers preinstalled with free software.
  • Respects Your Freedom Hardware Certification - Requirements to qualify for the Free Software Foundation's RYF certification.

Resources

Articles

Blogs

Businesses

  • Bytemark - Transparent UK hosting company that offers a 50% discount for anyone publishing free software.

Discovery

Events

  • LibrePlanet - Annual conference on free software.
  • Software Freedom Day - Annual worldwide celebration of free software with the aim of increasing awareness of free software and its virtues.

Licensing

Organizations

Other Lists

People

  • Maxime Lathuilière - Reorganizing information and resources through libre software to enable a free society.

Talks

Documentaries

License

CC0 1.0