Awesome Free Software

“Free software” means software that respects users' freedom and community. Roughly, it means that the users have the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. Thus, “free software” is a matter of liberty, not price.

Learn more about free software

Find out why the term “open source” is different than “free software”

Contents

• Software
  • Audio
  • Command Line Tools
  • Communication
  • File Management
  • File Sharing
  • Graphics
  • IDEs
  • Office
  • Operating Systems
  • Other
  • Payments
  • Programming
  • Scientific Work
  • Screencasting
  • Text Editors
  • Utilities
  • Version Control
  • Video
  • Virtualization
  • Web Applications
  • Web Browsers
  • Web Servers
• Hardware
  • Companies
  • Hardware Resources
• Resources
  • Articles
  • Blogs
  • Businesses
  • Discovery
  • Events
  • Licensing
  • Organizations
  • Other Lists
  • People
  • Talks
• License

Software

Audio

• Audacity - Sound recording and post-processing. (GNU GPLv2+)
• Libre.fm - Stream, download, remix, and share music for free. (GNU AGPLv3)
• LMMS - Complete digital audio workstation. (GNU GPLv2+)
• mStream - Suite of software for syncing and streaming music across multiple devices. (GNU GPLv3)

Command Line Tools

• asciinema - Terminal session recorder. (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)

Communication

• Jitsi Meet - Secure video conferencing and desktop sharing using WebRTC. (Apache License 2.0)
• Mail-in-a-Box - Easy-to-deploy mail server package for cloud computers. (CC0)
• Matrix - Open standard for decentralised, persistent, and interoperable communications. (Apache License 2.0)
• Mattermost - Open source, private cloud alternative to Slack. (Licensing)
• ProtonMail - Secure web-based email service. (MIT)
• Ring - Telephone, teleconferencing, and media sharing through a distributed service. (GNU GPLv3)
• Signal - Private messaging and calling for desktop, Android, and iOS. (GNU GPLv3)
• Tox - Encrypted and distributed messaging platform with voice, video, and screen sharing. (GNU GPLv3)
• Tutanota - Encrypted email at no cost with support for business accounts. (GNU GPLv3)

File Management

• 7-Zip - File archiver for creating and opening compressed files. (GNU LGPLv2.1+)
• FileZilla - Universal FTP solution. (GNU GPLv2+)

File Sharing

• qBittorrent - Easy to use BitTorrent client. (GNU GPLv2+)

Graphics

• Blender - 3D creation suite for modeling, simulation, and animation. (GNU GPLv2+)
• GIMP - Image manipulation software. (GNU GPLv3)
• Inkscape - Professional vector graphics editor for all platforms. (GNU GPL)
• Krita - Painting program made by artists. (GNU GPLv3)
• Pinta - Gtk# clone of Paint.NET. (MIT)
• Piskel - Online sprite editor. (Apache License 2.0)

IDEs

• Eclipse - Integrated development environment for Java and more. (EPL)

Office

• LibreOffice - Office suite with word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation programs. (MPLv2)
• 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. (Custom)

Operating Systems

Desktop

• 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)

Mobile

• LineageOS - Android distribution for phones and tablets and successor of CyanogenMod. (Multiple licenses)
• Replicant - Fully free Android distribution that emphasizes freedom, security, and privacy. (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)

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)

Programming

• GNU Compiler Collection - Compiler for C, C++, Objective-C, Fortran, Ada, Go, and D. (GNU GPLv3)

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

• OBS Studio - Screen recorder and video streaming application for all platforms. (GNU GPLv2)
• SimpleScreenRecorder - Highly customisable GUI screencasting program. (GNU GPLv3)

Text Editors

• Atom - Hackable text and source code editor. (MIT)
• Emacs - An extensible, customizable, free/libre text editor — and more. (GNU GPL)
• GNU nano - Simple text editor for the command line. (GNU GPL)
• Notepad++ - Extensible text and source code editor. (GNU GPLv2+)

Utilities

• Sandman - Lets you know when to turn off the computer and sleep based on calculated sleep cycles. (MIT)
• Wireshark - Packet analyzer for network troubleshooting and analysis. (GNU GPLv2)

Version Control

• Git - Fast, distributed version control providing full project history without the need for a central server. (GNU GPLv2)

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)

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

• Etherpad - Collaborative document editing in real-time. (Apache License 2.0)
• Ghost - Hackable platform for building and running online publications. (MIT)
• GitLab - Git repository manager for the entire code lifecycle. (MIT)
• GNU social - Microblogging server written in PHP. (GNU GPLv3)
• Gogs - Lightweight, cross-platform, self-hosted Git service. (MIT)
• Inventaire - Share books with friends and communities. (GNU AGPLv3)
• Lobsters - Link aggregation and discussion with downvote explanations. (BSD 3-clause)
• Mastodon - Decentralized social network server. (GNU AGPLv3)
• MediaGoblin - Publishing platform for all types of media. (GNU AGPLv3)
• MediaWiki - Wiki software that can organize and serve large amounts of frequently accessed data. (GNU GPLv2+)
• MetaGer - Private search engine created by a non-profit that uses green electricity for its servers. (GNU AGPLv3)
• Neocities - GeoCities for the modern world. (BSD 2-clause)
• NotABug.org - Collaboration platform for freely licensed projects. (MIT)
• OpenStreetMap - Map of the world created by users and released under an open license. (GNU GPLv2)
• PeerTube - Decentralized video streaming service. (GNU AGPLv3)
• Phabricator - Code management platform (similar to GitLab) built with PHP. (Apache License 2.0)
• Weblate - Translation management system with version control integration. (GNU GPLv3)
• WordPress - Blog publishing platform and content management system. (GNU GPLv2+)

Web Browsers

• Chromium - The open source version of the world's most popular web browser. (BSD license)
• Firefox - Web browser with a large collection of add-ons available. It is backed by Mozilla, a non-profit organization that supports innovation, freedom, and an open Web. (MPL 2.0)
• IceCat - A fork of Firefox that is composed entirely of free software. (MPL 2.0)
• Waterfox - Fork of Firefox that is focused on performance, 64-bit systems, and data privacy. (MPL 2.0)

Web Servers

• Apache HTTP Server - Secure, efficient, and extensible web server. (Apache License 2.0)
• lighttpd - Optimized for speed-critical environments while remaining standards-compliant, secure and flexible. (Revised BSD license)
• nginx - HTTP and reverse proxy server, a mail proxy server, and a generic TCP/UDP proxy server. (2-clause BSD-like license)

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.
• Respects Your Freedom Hardware Certification - Requirements to qualify for the Free Software Foundation's RYF certification.

Resources

Articles

• Free Software - Wikipedia entry on the topic of free software.
• 'Libre' Software: Turning Fads into Institutions? - Academic article presenting an economic analysis of libre software and its sustainability.
• Proprietary Software is Often Malware
• Software Freedom - Short, simple explanation of why free software is important.
• Why Open Source Misses the Point of Free Software

Blogs

• BrainBlasted's Privacy and Free Software Blog - Practical look at issues involving free software and privacy.

Businesses

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

Discovery

• Free Software Directory - Over 15,000 free software packages.
• Free GNU/Linux Distributions - Entirely free distributions.
• freepost - Everything related to free culture.

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

• FOSSology - License compliance toolkit for software projects.
• gplenforced.org - Community-oriented GPL enforcement.

Organizations

• April - Promouvoir et défendre le logiciel libre.
• Digital Freedom Foundation - Promotes access to knowledge via technology.
• Framasoft - Network dedicated to globally promoting free software, innovative projects, and a world of sharing and cooperation.
• Free Software Foundation - Nonprofit with a worldwide mission to promote computer user freedom.
• Free Software Movement Karnataka - Group in Bengaluru, India that spreads awareness about free software.
• Free Software Movement of India - Coalition of free software organizations in India.
• FSF India - Indian sister site for the FSF.
• FSFE - European sister site for the FSF.
• FSFLA - Latin American sister site for the FSF.
• GNU - Home of the GNU/Linux operating system.
• Open Source Hardware Association - Promotes hardware that respects user freedom.
• Outreachy - Helps people from underrepresented backgrounds find internships with FOSS software companies.
• Peers - Community that helps support and grow free projects.
• Software Freedom Conservancy - Charity that helps promote, improve, develop, and defend free, libre, and open source software projects.
• Software Freedom Law Center - Provider of no-cost legal services to free, libre, and open source software creators.
• Snowdrift.coop - Crowdmatching for public goods.
• TuxFamily - No cost hosting and other services for libre projects.

Other Lists

• Awesome Humane Tech - List of projects focusing on ethics, transparency, and privacy.
• Awesome Self-Hosted - List of FLOSS network services and web applications which can be hosted locally.
• Awesome Sysadmin - List of free software sysadmin tools.

People

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

Talks

• Agustín Benito: Free Software, Beyond Software (TEDxLaLaguna) (Español)
• Eben Moglen: How I Discovered Free Software
• Prof. Nagarjuna G: Free Software for Digital India
• Richard Stallman: A Free Digital Society
• Richard Stallman: Free Software, Free Society (TEDxGeneva 2014)
• Richard Stallman: Reclaim Your Freedom with Free Libre Software Now (Web Summit)
• Stephen Fry: Free Software
• Wrishiraj Kaushik: I Am Not a Free Software Guy

License

CC0 1.0