Essential Free Software

Listing the perfect tools for the job

This page lists the best free alternatives for commercial software. In recent years, many of these applications have become so efficient they should even be preferred over their (often expensive) counterparts. So if you're looking for free antivirus software, free dvd burning software or a freeware registry cleaner that will actually do the job ánd do it well: read on.

All tools have been carefully selected and re-evaluated throughout the years, based on personal experience and opinion. They're grouped by their general field of use, so you'll find multiple tools (each for a different specific purpose) in every area. Furthermore, tools for basic usage are listed seperately from advanced tools.

Basic

Advanced

Categories

Traditionally used for browsing and emailing,
but it can offer so much more
with the right tools...

Internet

Many new services and technologies are emerging on the net. Wireless applications are becoming commonplace and an increasing number of people have access to broadband. Chatting and filesharing are just two ways to enhance your internet experience. How about podcasting, news feeds and web monitoring? Instead of surfing to a website to check for new stuff, these tools will notify you whenever there's an update available. Another cool new technology is Voice Over IP (VOIP), which lets you use your computer as a phone. Read on...

Basic

Advanced


Multimedia

Not only has the volume of multimedia content risen spectacularly the last couple of years, it's never been more available. Also, people are getting used to digital media, meaning they want to see (or listen to) whatever they want, whenever they please. Using decent multimedia software will save you from having to troubleshoot at the annoying moments. Like when your dinner is getting cold and your girlfriend is staring at you, her left eyebrow raised and her mouth open for that first bite... Read on...

Basic

Advanced


Text

Text viewing/editing is a task everyone has to deal with one way or another. Word processors and text editors are two obvious examples. And most anyone should be using a decent spell checker and a thesaurus, but there's more to it than that. In many cases, you're better off using a specalized tool. Businesses have a need for office suites and PDF generators, for example, while programmers couldn't go without programming editors. And did you know you should view those .nfo files you sometimes get when downloading from the internet with special software? Read on...

Spread the Word

Digg it  Digg It!
del.icio.us  del.icio.us
YahooMyWeb  YahooMyWeb
Blinklist  Blinklist
Furl  Furl
Reddit  Reddit
Simpy  Simpy
Mister Wong  Mister Wong
Spurl  Spurl

If you think you've found free software that should be on this page, feel free to drop me an email at webmasterxtoolslisting.com (replace x by @).

Best Tool Resources

Tools Listing
Or what did you expect? ;-)
www.toolslisting.com
List of Lists
This one's been around for a long time, but has been kept perfectly up to date and is one of the most comprehensive resources out there.
www.thedatalist.com
Pricelessware
The communities from the alt.comp.freeware newsgroups compile a new list of "the best of the best" every year. Started in 2000, I've been following it ever since and it became one of my all-time favorite resources.
www.pricelesswarehome.com
No Nags
The folks at Nonags put together a large collection of 32-bit Windows software that has no disabled features, nags, time limits, or any other tricks. I usually check this one if the others come up empty.
www.nonags.com

This website is a work in progress. Many more categories - such as Multimedia, Text, Desktop and Security - will be appearing soon, totalling about 50 different tools. So be sure to bookmark this page and check back often! Chatting and filesharing are just two ways to enhance your internet experience. How about podcasting, news feeds and web monitoring? Instead of surfing to a website to check for new stuff, these tools will notify you whenever there's an update available.

Buy Acrobat 8 Professional together with Photoshop Elements 5.0 and save $20 instantly.

Basic

Advanced

Categories

Traditionally used for browsing and emailing,
but it can offer so much more
with the right tools...

Desktop

Desktop utilities are meant to make life easier while using and navigating your computer. While most of the apps out there aren't useful enough to have a long-term purpose, they're always fun to check out and some of them turn out to be real gems! Most software listed here is typically Windows-only, since it's tailored to the Windows Desktop. Read on...

Basic

Advanced


Security

Many new services and technologies are emerging on the net. Wireless applications are becoming commonplace and an increasing number of people have access to broadband. Chatting and filesharing are just two ways to enhance your internet experience. How about podcasting, news feeds and web monitoring? Instead of surfing to a website to check for new stuff, these tools will notify you whenever there's an update available. Another cool new technology is Voice Over IP (VOIP), which lets you use your computer as a phone. Read on...

Basic

Advanced


System & File Utilities

Many new services and technologies are emerging on the net. Wireless applications are becoming commonplace and an increasing number of people have access to broadband. Chatting and filesharing are just two ways to enhance your internet experience. How about podcasting, news feeds and web monitoring? Instead of surfing to a website to check for new stuff, these tools will notify you whenever there's an update available. Another cool new technology is Voice Over IP (VOIP), which lets you use your computer as a phone. Read on...

Basic

Advanced


Programming & Design

Programming & Design Tools

Many new services and technologies are emerging on the net. Wireless applications are becoming commonplace and an increasing number of people have access to broadband. Chatting and filesharing are just two ways to enhance your internet experience. How about podcasting, news feeds and web monitoring? Instead of surfing to a website to check for new stuff, these tools will notify you whenever there's an update available. Another cool new technology is Voice Over IP (VOIP), which lets you use your computer as a phone. Read on...

As a side note, incorporating different functionalities in a "software suite" is only a good thing when they're compatible. A backup tool shouldn't try to be a DVD burner, for instance. Or as they say in the Unix world: Do one thing - and do it well.

This website is a work in progress. Many more categories - such as Multimedia, Text, Desktop and Security - will be appearing soon, totalling about 50 different tools. So be sure to bookmark this page and check back often!