I ditched 4 expensive desktop apps for free open-source alternatives, and I wish I'd done it sooner

In recent years, the trend of subscribing to third-party apps for various tasks has become commonplace. From video editing to document management and security measures, these paid subscriptions have become a significant part of our monthly expenses. After spending a considerable amount on subscriptions over the past few years, I decided to give open-source alternatives a serious try.

To my surprise, the transition was surprisingly smooth, and I found myself using free apps for a majority of my work, hobbies, and security needs.

Initially, my online activity was deeply intertwined with Google's Password Manager, which was convenient and seamless for an Android and Chrome user. However, I felt it was limiting and restrictive. I migrated to 1Password, which cost around $30–$40 a year, but its auto password generation, autofill capability, and cross-platform support made it worth the investment. Bitwarden, an open-source alternative, offered all the features I needed at no cost, and I never looked back.

Microsoft Office, a staple in many of our lives, has been a significant expense for businesses and individuals alike. When Microsoft increased prices, I searched for a free alternative that could satisfy my document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs. LibreOffice, an open-source suite, proved to be the perfect solution, offering all the features I needed without the hefty price tag. With its cross-platform compatibility and support for Microsoft Office formats, LibreOffice was a sensible choice for me.

Video editing, a task that remains integral to our digital lives, led me to explore open-source alternatives to Adobe Premiere Pro. Kdenlive, a popular tool among my peers, offered features such as multi-track editing, non-destructive editing, color correction, and hardware acceleration. Its proxy editing capability allowed me to work with heavy files, and wide format support made it a versatile choice for my occasional video editing needs.

Adobe Photoshop, another component of the Creative Cloud suite, was a significant factor in my decision to explore open-source alternatives. When news about AI-created clones of Adobe's popular apps emerged, I was intrigued by PhotoCraft, a Photoshop alternative that offers many of the same features. As a work in progress, PhotoCraft has already impressed me with its seamless layout and support for PSD files.

While advanced tools like Generative Fill and Generative Expand are still in development, PhotoCraft is a valuable free option for those seeking an alternative to Adobe Photoshop.