Freeware & open-source software that saved the Windows desktop
Web browser based on Google's
Chromium. Supports multiple accounts, syncs across devices, features an integrated password manager, dark mode, and real-time website translation.License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- PortableApps.com
+8
Open-source browser with Gecko engine, supporting HTML add-ons and providing privacy features like Enhanced Tracking Protection and third-party cookie blocking.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- BSD
- iPad
- AppImageHub
- Snapcraft
- Flathub
- PortableApps.com
- Haiku
- Flatpak
- Homebrew
- Chocolatey
- Gecko
+7
Cross-platform, free media player supports multimedia files, DVDs, streaming, offers hardware acceleration, 4K, lossless audio, and more.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- iPad
- AppImageHub
- Apple Watch
- Snapcraft
- Google Chrome
- Apple TV
- Flathub
- PortableApps.com
- F-Droid
- Kindle Fire
- Haiku
- Android TV
- Homebrew
- Chocolatey
+4
Efficient file archiver offering superior compression and encryption. Supports multiple formats such as TAR, ZIP, with a unique self-extracting feature.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
- ReactOS
Advanced open-source torrent client with search engine, ad-free interface, OS compatibility, magnet link support, and remote control through Web UI.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- AppImageHub
- Snapcraft
- Flathub
- PortableApps.com
- Haiku
+6
Free open-source code editor and Notepad replacement supporting multiple languages, featuring high speed, low resource usage, privacy focus, and plugin extensibility.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Windows
- PortableApps.com
+10
Open-source FTP client supporting FTP, FTPS, and SFTP with features like large file transfers, site management, and cross-platform because of FileZilla Server.
License model
- Freemium • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
- ReactOS
Advanced audio player supporting MP3, FLAC, and more. Features gapless playback, customizable UI, audio CD ripping, ReplayGain, and plugin support.
License model
- Free Personal • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
+3
Free image editor for Windows, offering layer support, plugins, special effects, and portable use without installation. Lightweight and ad-free.
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Windows
- .NET Framework
A versatile client for SFTP, FTP, and other protocols for file transfer. It offers GUI choice, and supports automation and key authentication.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Windows
- PortableApps.com
- Wine
+7
A free, open-source viewer for Windows, supports PDFs, eBooks, Comics, with a simple, fast, and portable design prioritized for ease of use.
+3
Fast and powerful image viewer, editor, and converter for beginners and pros. Supports various formats, batch processing, and many extensions.
License model
- Free Personal • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Windows
- PortableApps.com
+33
Free and open-source tool for screen capture and recording; enables file uploads, annotation, dark mode, 4K support, and customizable themes.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Windows
- PortableApps.com
- Steam
+29
WinMerge is an open source differencing and merging tool for Windows. WinMerge can compare both folders and files, presenting differences in a visual text format that is easy to understand and handle.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Windows
- PortableApps.com
- Wine
+4
Locate files and folders by filename on Windows instantly, displaying all items on NTFS volumes and mapped network drives. Supports 19 languages.
HexChat is an IRC client based on
XChat for Linux , but unlike XChat it’s completely free for both Windows and Unix-like systems.License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- PortableApps.com
- MacPorts
- XQuartz
An open-source Windows scripting language enabling task automation through hotkeys, macros, and keystrokes, useful for creating custom forms and automating data entry.
+1
Cygwin is a Unix-like environment and command-line interface for Microsoft Windows. Cygwin provides native integration of Windows-based applications, data, and other system resources with applications, software tools, and data of the Unix-like environment.
The Sysinternals Troubleshooting Utilities have been rolled up into a single Suite of tools. This file contains the individual troubleshooting tools and help files. It does not contain non-troubleshooting tools like the BSOD Screen Saver or NotMyFault.
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Windows
NirLauncher is a package of more than 200 portable freeware utilities for Windows, all of them developed for NirSoft Web site during the last few years. You can easily add SysInternals Suite into NirLauncher.
See discussion in https://www.reddit.com/r/windows/comments/81wxwv/freeware_opensource_software_that_saved_the/