Free Alternatives to Paid Software
This database helps you find free or low-cost alternatives to popular paid tools and platforms, both for professional and for personal use. Search by name or browse categories to discover new tools. All prices listed, unless noted otherwise, assume monthly rather than annual billing.
Adobe Photoshop → GIMP
DesignPhotoshop Price: $34.49/mo ($22.99/mo if billed annually)
GIMP Price: $0
Pros: Open-source, powerful features, widely supported. Completely free.
Cons: UI less polished than Photoshop, learning curve.
Slack → Mattermost
CommunicationSlack Price: Pro: $8.25/user/mo | Business+: $18.00/user/mo | Free: $0
Mattermost Price: $0
Pros: Full control over your data. Extensive customization through open-source codebase. Enterprise-grade security. Offers both self-hosted and cloud-based options.
Cons: Requires more technical skill for setup and maintenance. Potentially less user-friendly to some.
Asana → OpenProject
Project ManagementPrice: Paid: $7.25/user/mo | Free (Community Edition): $0
Pros: Comprehensive set of features, including time-tracking, cost-tracking, and risk-management. Offers Gantt charts, work packages, and detailed reporting. Integration with GitLab and GitHub. Robust security and compliance with GDPR.
Cons: Steeper learning curve. Less user-friendly interface. Limited integrations. Installation required.
Notes: The Basic and Professional paid tiers require a minimum of 25 users. The Premium tier requires a minimum of 100 users. The Corporate tier requires a minimum of 1,000 users.
Salesforce → SuiteCRM
CRMPrice: Paid: $15.49/mo | Free: $0 (with ads)
Pros: Cost-effective. Highly customizable. Full control over the program. Strong community support.
Cons: Requires technical expertise to install, maintain, and customize. Hosting, supporting, and development can be pricey. May lack polish and user-friendliness. Updates and security patches must be implemented manually.
Mailchimp → Listmonk
EmailPrice: Paid: $15.49/mo | Free: $0 (with ads)
Pros: Self-hosted; full control of data. Scalable. Highly customizable. Developer-friendly with API, Go templating, and raw HTML support.
Cons: Technical knowledge required. No built-in sending infrastructure. Automation and analytics mor basic. Relies on community support over dedicated customer service.
Netflix → Pluto TV
StreamingPrice: Paid: $15.49/mo | Free: $0 (with ads)
Pros: No cost, live TV options, decent library.
Cons: No on-demand originals, ad-supported.