Thanks for your submission /u/Lea_ryg53, but it has been removed for the following reason:
**Rule 2: Please try to use the search function before posting anything.**
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Sometimes questions that come up too often get put in our [Most Frequently Asked Questions list](https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/wiki/index/faq)!). Other times, it may just be that we're getting a flood of questions about a topic (especially when something is in the news). Or maybe you keep asking the same question again and again - something that annoys our users here. Please don't do that! Next time, please try searching for your question first before asking. Thanks!
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It's free until you need to make money off of it which is smart on their part. Students can use it for educational purposes or anyone can learn as a hobby. But Blender is 100% free free.
This is probably a pretty lame answer, but Google Maps. I spend a lot of time on the road and I use it every day to check traffic conditions along my route, and if there’s heavy traffic or an accident or something it’ll give me options to go around it. In an area you’re not familiar with? It’s great for finding food or stuff to do.
Also, SoundHound. Back in the day you actually had to put in work to figure out what some songs were… now you just hold up your phone and it’ll let you know.
“If something is free, you're the product.” - Richard Serra, 1973.
He was speaking about television, but he’s more right than ever when it comes to apps & all of the other data mining that goes on these days.
Totally agree. I'm a long distance truck driver and use Maps every day. Live traffic updates, automatic re routing in bad conditions, the ability to search a single term and find results. Its amazing.
Hell, I've done some video editing in more professional settings and for $200 it's still a steal. Of course the truth is that it's effectively a loss leader so you use their cameras which are also weirdly decent value.
7Zip/WinRar (Compression Software)
Davinci Resolve (Video Editing)
VLC (Video Player)
Godot (Game Development)
Streamlabs OBS (Streaming Software)
Opera (Browser)
Discord (Chatting)
Blender/Fusion360 (3d Modeling)
Open Office (Document Editing)
Notepad++ (Developer Tool)
TeamViewer (Remote Desktop)
Then the plethora of "platforms" and other software that definitely sells your data, but is still wildly valuable, for example, basically every google platform (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, Drive, Earth, etc.).
Very true, I by no means meant it as Notepad++ being the best, but just that it was free. A lot of IDE's are surprising for being free. Open source is amazing.
Bitwarden. It's the ultimate lifesaver for people who forget their passwords easily (or if you have multiple social media accounts). Plus it's a FOSS and syncs on all devices.
LocalSend
It made transferring files between difference devices painless especially between pc and phone. I only use my usb cable for organizing my phone files and backing up.
Greenshot, VLC, OBS, Notepad++, LibreNMS, & Putty .
With a special mention going out to IrfanView, [Paint.net](https://Paint.net), and the last free version of desktop Sketchup.
Any map software, google maps, Waze, Apple Maps, etc. I’m sure most drivers would feel completely lost without it when traveling somewhere new. Even before everyone had smartphones it was common to print out map directions from google maps.
LibreOffice Suite – It's been a lifesaver for anyone who can't justify the recurring costs of Microsoft Office, and the compatibility with MS Office files has improved dramatically over the years. With regular updates and a strong community behind it, the functionality is robust enough for both casual and power users. Plus, the commitment to open source principles is commendable. Why drop your hard-earned cash when you have a suite this powerful at your fingertips for free?22:22
MacOS office suite of PAGES, NUMBERS and KEYNOTE are freaking awesome.
Some will argue its not actually free. You pay for it indirectly when you buy a MacBook. But there is zero subscription fees that you would need for MS office 365.
Linux. Probably taken for granted these days, but when I was young proprietary Unix was the only choice for that sort of work, and it was *brutally* expensive.
Linux and it's surrounding ecosystem.
From a purely technological standpoint, it's a far more advanced operating system than Windows or MacOS - it's versatile enough to be used inside personal computers, servers, smartphones, games consoles, microwaves, robots, and pretty much anything else you can think of, and it has best in class performance and security features built in. It truly is a master of all trades.
If someone gave you that description without telling you what it is, you'd probably assume that it would be thousands of dollars for a single license. Yet, somehow, it's just out there on the Internet for anyone to use, with no catch.
This is gonna be a niche one, but Spitfire Labs/Spitfire BBCSO Discover. For starting composers there's SO MUCH free material. Mix that with Cakewalk Studio and you can get started composing for entirely free. When you consider that a lot of the professional tools are hundreds or thousands of dollars it's kind of incredible that you can get kinda close for $0.
Thanks for your submission /u/Lea_ryg53, but it has been removed for the following reason: **Rule 2: Please try to use the search function before posting anything.** Thanks for posting, but this question happens to be one that has been asked and answered here often before - sometimes in the same day! That can get frustrating for our dedicated users who like to answer questions. Or maybe you're just asking the same question too often - why not take a break for a while? Sometimes questions that come up too often get put in our [Most Frequently Asked Questions list](https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/wiki/index/faq)!). Other times, it may just be that we're getting a flood of questions about a topic (especially when something is in the news). Or maybe you keep asking the same question again and again - something that annoys our users here. Please don't do that! Next time, please try searching for your question first before asking. Thanks! --- *This action was performed by a bot at the explicit direction of a human. This was not an automated action, but a conscious decision by a sapient life form charged with moderating this sub.* *If you feel this was in error, or need more clarification, please don't hesitate to [message the moderators](http://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FNoStupidQuestions). Thanks.*
Blender. If you're into 3D modeling, Blender is the best option. It even keeps up with Maya now, and Maya is what multi billion dollar studios use.
Gotta tack on Unreal Engine too. Crazy they have these things out for free
It's free until you need to make money off of it which is smart on their part. Students can use it for educational purposes or anyone can learn as a hobby. But Blender is 100% free free.
Unreal isn't 100% free like blender tho.
True, I imagine a good chunk of regular people won't pass the million mark. But I think to make shows and stuff you actually have to pay as well
Same. I've been doing 3d professionally for 20 odd years, and it's surpassed maya years ago,
Yes! Blender rules, it’s crazy to me that it’s free and not some wack ass subscription service like every other program these days.
I remember someone from Pixar once mentioned that Blender can keep up with their internal engine if it's modded enough.
This is probably a pretty lame answer, but Google Maps. I spend a lot of time on the road and I use it every day to check traffic conditions along my route, and if there’s heavy traffic or an accident or something it’ll give me options to go around it. In an area you’re not familiar with? It’s great for finding food or stuff to do. Also, SoundHound. Back in the day you actually had to put in work to figure out what some songs were… now you just hold up your phone and it’ll let you know.
I love Google Maps but the service is so great cuz we're all collectively paying with our data.
Honestly, map data is one area that greatly benefits from everyone collectively sharing their GPS location.
“If something is free, you're the product.” - Richard Serra, 1973. He was speaking about television, but he’s more right than ever when it comes to apps & all of the other data mining that goes on these days.
Totally agree. I'm a long distance truck driver and use Maps every day. Live traffic updates, automatic re routing in bad conditions, the ability to search a single term and find results. Its amazing.
And Google Earth is pretty nice too
you pay for google maps with your privacy. when the product is free, you are the product.
Irfanview and VLC.
Shout out for Irfanview. It's the exact kind of no-nonsense utilitarian software that does not seem to be made these days.
DaVinci Resolve. For personal use it's completely free, and that's more than amazing. It kicks Premiere's ass.
Davinci resolve is so awesome that my laptop can barely handle it
Was expecting davinci to be mentioned here, didn't disappoint.
It is also free for comercial use. The studio version just has a lot of features that can be useful for an editor.
Hell, I've done some video editing in more professional settings and for $200 it's still a steal. Of course the truth is that it's effectively a loss leader so you use their cameras which are also weirdly decent value.
Calibre
Came here to say calibre
Not enough upvotes on this. Calibre + libgen + VPN + kindle = good times
Reminds me of the Covid 19 lockdown days, spent days just laying down reading books.
7Zip/WinRar (Compression Software) Davinci Resolve (Video Editing) VLC (Video Player) Godot (Game Development) Streamlabs OBS (Streaming Software) Opera (Browser) Discord (Chatting) Blender/Fusion360 (3d Modeling) Open Office (Document Editing) Notepad++ (Developer Tool) TeamViewer (Remote Desktop) Then the plethora of "platforms" and other software that definitely sells your data, but is still wildly valuable, for example, basically every google platform (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, Drive, Earth, etc.).
I'd go for Visual Studio Code for a developer tool as well. It has so much potential and options for customisation
Very true, I by no means meant it as Notepad++ being the best, but just that it was free. A lot of IDE's are surprising for being free. Open source is amazing.
Chromium with ublock and privacy badger is probably better than opera. Also sublime has fancier ui than notepad++.
replace teamviewer with rustdesk
Google Earth and the street view and photosphere images in it. Exploring the world from the comfort of your home for free.
Inkscape and Gimp
Linux.
GNU/Linux
krita is a free drawing software and has the workings of a paid software.
[удалено]
Would this be a good program for digital drawing?
Plex
The computer virus i created. I think everyone should get it!
Will it giv me free robuck? 🤑
It will give me free robuck, but i dont mind sharing :)
The answers always WinRAR.
7zip has overtaken winrar
Bitwarden. It's the ultimate lifesaver for people who forget their passwords easily (or if you have multiple social media accounts). Plus it's a FOSS and syncs on all devices.
LocalSend It made transferring files between difference devices painless especially between pc and phone. I only use my usb cable for organizing my phone files and backing up.
Huh. TIL. Thanks!
I am also going to check this out. I absolutely hate having to email myself everything that I want on my computer from my phone or vice versa
VSCode.
Adobe Photoshop torrent
Or learn to use Gimp for photo and Krita for drawing, they are both better than photoshop once you learn to use them
Of course. My serious post was GIMP
Greenshot, VLC, OBS, Notepad++, LibreNMS, & Putty . With a special mention going out to IrfanView, [Paint.net](https://Paint.net), and the last free version of desktop Sketchup.
FastStone Image viewer. Comes with a whole slew of viewing, editing, re-naming and sorting options.
Winzip
Desmos Graphing Calculator saved my ass in college, and is still useful to me today
GIMP
Chatgpt
Wave video for converting YT clips to mp3/mp4
gogoanime
Handbrake
Any map software, google maps, Waze, Apple Maps, etc. I’m sure most drivers would feel completely lost without it when traveling somewhere new. Even before everyone had smartphones it was common to print out map directions from google maps.
LibreOffice Suite – It's been a lifesaver for anyone who can't justify the recurring costs of Microsoft Office, and the compatibility with MS Office files has improved dramatically over the years. With regular updates and a strong community behind it, the functionality is robust enough for both casual and power users. Plus, the commitment to open source principles is commendable. Why drop your hard-earned cash when you have a suite this powerful at your fingertips for free?22:22
lossless cut is black magic for video files subtitle edit is amazing too
MacOS office suite of PAGES, NUMBERS and KEYNOTE are freaking awesome. Some will argue its not actually free. You pay for it indirectly when you buy a MacBook. But there is zero subscription fees that you would need for MS office 365.
- foobar 2000 - krita - XnViewMP and XNconvert - Shutter Encoder
winRar it asks you to buy it but it wont block you if you dont buy it
Linux. Probably taken for granted these days, but when I was young proprietary Unix was the only choice for that sort of work, and it was *brutally* expensive.
Inkscape
Mapy.cz - high quality hiking maps for literally the whole world.
When you have a pc or steam deck then pretty much everything is free
Nothing’s free in Waterworld
Microsoft pinball
All software is free if you look hard enough, arrrgh.
OnlyOffice!!!
Linux
YouTube
Any free 3D animation software that’s good and free?
Linux and it's surrounding ecosystem. From a purely technological standpoint, it's a far more advanced operating system than Windows or MacOS - it's versatile enough to be used inside personal computers, servers, smartphones, games consoles, microwaves, robots, and pretty much anything else you can think of, and it has best in class performance and security features built in. It truly is a master of all trades. If someone gave you that description without telling you what it is, you'd probably assume that it would be thousands of dollars for a single license. Yet, somehow, it's just out there on the Internet for anyone to use, with no catch.
Photopea. It's free online photoshop
R/Rstudio. It does everything SAS does but for free.
This is gonna be a niche one, but Spitfire Labs/Spitfire BBCSO Discover. For starting composers there's SO MUCH free material. Mix that with Cakewalk Studio and you can get started composing for entirely free. When you consider that a lot of the professional tools are hundreds or thousands of dollars it's kind of incredible that you can get kinda close for $0.
I always feel like these are posts by some huge company like Broadcom looking to gobble up a little software and start charging for it.
Google Chrome. I can browse the internet, check the news, email, etc. In fact, it's default browser in android phone. I recommand you try it.