Switching from Windows to Linux

alcand99List by alcand99, last updated 2018-09-15

A list based on software I use on Windows and alternatives that made sense to me in the switch to Linux

Ubuntu
Free • Open SourceLinux Ubuntu
Alternative to: Windows

Ubuntu is a rock solid OS and has a lot of useful resources that make it as good as or better than Windows.
Show full description ▾
ODrive
Free • Open SourceMac Windows Linux Electron / Atom Shell
Alternative to: Microsoft OneDrive

A GUI Linux client for Google Drive, alternative to OneDrive, that I currently use.
Show full description ▾
Google Chrome
Free • ProprietaryMac Windows Linux Android iPhone Chrome OS Android Tablet
Chrome browser is my main tool for using the internet and will keep on being it.
Show full description ▾
Standard Notes
Freemium • Open SourceMac Windows Linux Online Android iPhone Chrome OS
Alternative to: Google Keep, Apple Notes, Microsoft Onenote

Notes app that sync accross all my devices and has a nice end-to-end encryption to protect my thoughts from THEM. Also, it syncs via web, so, as good as it gets for note-taking, right?
Show full description ▾
Google Workspace
Paid • ProprietaryMac Windows Linux Online Chrome OS
Alternative to: Microsoft Office Online / OneDrive

G Suite is a great office suite and has lots and lots of useful features built-in. The free version (Google Docs) is just as incredible, and works offline too!
Show full description ▾
ONLYOFFICE
Free Personal • Open SourceMac Windows Linux Online Android iPhone Android Tablet
Alternative to: Microsoft Office 2016

I have two options for the office suite, this one, and G Suite. While G Suite is more complete, ONLYOFFICE works incredibly fast and best of all: 100% offline, for when I need it.
Show full description ▾
Foxit Reader
Free Personal • ProprietaryMac Windows Linux Android iPhone Windows S Android Tablet
Alternative to: Adobe Acrobat DC

Foxit Reader is a good and solid alternative to Adobe Acrobat DC as PDF Viewer.
Show full description ▾
Quire
Freemium • ProprietaryOnline Android iPhone Android Tablet iPad Google Chrome
Alternative to: Microsoft Project, Trello

Quire is a project management app that is so simple to use it made me let go of my Trello+Notes+Google Drive+Excel setup. It has everything I need and is free!
Show full description ▾
Samba
Free • Open SourceMac Linux BSD
Alternative to: Windows File Sharing

I have an old Ubuntu Server netbook with Samba enabled that has been turned off on my shelf for almost a year now, it is time to put it back to work!
Show full description ▾
Spotify
Freemium • ProprietaryWindows Linux Online Android Chrome OS Android Tablet Snapcraft
Alternative to: iTunes, Windows Media Player, Groove Music

I use iTunes to synchronize music with my phone, but iTunes doesn't work on any Linux distro, so instead I'll just use Spotify on the PC and on my phone to keep my library organized. All the music I listen to (and many more) are already there, I was just waiting for the right moment to switch.
Show full description ▾
VLC Media Player
Free • Open SourceMac Windows Linux Android iPhone Android Tablet BSD
Alternative to: Films & TV, Windows Media Player, MPC HC x64

It's simply the best media player out there. There's no discussion on this point.
Show full description ▾
Audacity
Free • Open SourceMac Windows Linux BSD PortableApps.com LAME
Good for basic recording and editing audio. Compatible with all available formats out there, also.
Show full description ▾
MusicBrainz Picard
Free • Open SourceMac Windows Linux Python PortableApps.com
Alternative to: MP3tag

Audio tagging tool, to replace MP3tag.
Show full description ▾
GIMP
Free • Open SourceMac Windows Linux BSD Snapcraft Flathub PortableApps.com
Alternative to: Adobe Photoshop

GIMP's new release has new tools and a better UI and UX and, for the uses I have, is a really really good alternative to Adobe Photoshop.
Show full description ▾
Kdenlive
Free • Open SourceMac Windows Linux BSD KDE Flathub Flatpak
Alternative to: Adobe Premiere Pro, Windows Video Editor

Good alternative with lots of features to use from basic to professional editing.
Show full description ▾
Visual Studio Code
Free • ProprietaryMac Windows Linux Online Chrome OS
Alternative to: Notepad++

For playing with coding and Python and bioinformatics
Show full description ▾
TeamViewer
Free Personal • ProprietaryMac Windows Linux Android iPhone Chrome OS Windows S
For remote connections and such
Show full description ▾
qBittorrent
Free • Open SourceMac Windows Linux BSD Snapcraft PortableApps.com Haiku
My favorite torrent app has a Linux version too!
Show full description ▾
Steam
Free • ProprietaryMac Windows Linux Online Android iPhone Android Tablet
Gaming plataform to relieve the stress :p
Show full description ▾