OPEN OFFICE (Office Suite Software)

Open Office is the answer to Microsoft Office (MO), and the leading open-source office suite software available on the market. It has everything and more to offer that MO has, such as word processing, graphics, databases, spreadsheets, and presentations. On top, it’s completely free for life!

KRITA (Illustration Software)

Graphic designers, illustrators, 2D & 3D designers, and artists, will find Krita a cost-saving alternative to Adobe Illustrator. Krita is open source and a leading free painting software that can be used by amateurs and professionals alike for illustrations, concept design, visual effect creation, and texture rendering.

BLENDER (3D Creation Suite)

If you are looking for an alternative to 3DS MAX, have a look at Blender. This completely open-source, 3D creation software is free – forever! It boasts fantastic features such as modeling, sculpting, grease penciling, rendering, animation & rigging, video editing, VFX, scripting, and simulation.

GIMP (Image Manipulation Software)

One of the longest standing free, open-source image manipulation software suites is the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP). It’s an excellent alternative to Photoshop for photographers, illustrators, scientists, and graphic designers. GIMP can be used on various platforms such as Linux, Windows, and OS X. Other image editing alternatives is PixIr, Canva (beginners), Paint.NET (Photoshop alternative) and Seashore for Mac users.

INKSCAPE (Vector Graphic Editor)

Inscape open source software might be free, but is packed with powerful pro tools most illustrators, artists and graphic & website designers will find useful. Inkscape is perfect for creating vector imagery and boasts features such as flexible drawing tools, a text editor, Bezier and Spiro cures, as well as various file format compatibility.

APACHE (Operating System & Server)

Do you need an alternative to Windows or OS X? Or do you want to create your own home server? Apache is fantastic! Flexible, completely open-source, and packed with powerful tools suitable to both beginner, intermediate, and advanced level computer users.

Interesting Fact: Apache software powers more than 46% of websites around the world.

SCRIBUS (Publishing Software)

An alternative to Adobe InDesign is Scribus. Not easy to learn for newbies, but a good alternative to consider if you are an intermediate to senior level designer. If not, there are many helpful guides, free YouTube videos, and a manual to consult.

Create your own magazine, interior book design, brochure layouts, or any publishing project with Scribus. It is a full-feature, free, open-source, pro desktop publishing application that helps create professional publications.

Your Recommendations?

Do you use any other free, open-source alternatives? We would love to hear from you. Contact us at [email protected] with your suggestions, or comment directly online if you are an FDN Annual / Exclusive member by commentating on the post here.