Today, having the right software on your new PC is essential for a seamless computing experience. While there are plenty of expensive options out there, this yearly roundup aims to introduce you to the best free alternatives available across various categories.
Highlights:
- Browse the web seamlessly with Vivaldi, a highly customizable browser with ad and tracker blockers.
- VLC Media Player offers a hassle-free experience, supporting various audio and video formats without compromising your privacy.
- LibreOffice is your free alternative to Microsoft Office, featuring compatibility with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more.
- Safeguard your PC with Bitdefender Antivirus Free, providing real-time protection against viruses, ransomware, and more.
- GIMP, a Photoshop alternative, and Inkscape, a versatile vector graphics editor, both offering professional-quality features without the price tag.
Must Have Softwares for New PC
Whether you’re a Windows, Mac OS, or Linux user, Let’s dive into the must-have software for your new PC.
1. Internet Browser – Vivaldi
- Highly customizable with various productivity features.
- Built-in ad blocker and tracker blocker.
- Tab stacking and tab tiling for efficient browsing.
- Available on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and soon on iOS.
Your internet browser is your gateway to the online world. With several options available, it’s crucial to choose one that suits your needs.
While Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox are popular choices, our top recommendation is Vivaldi.
This highly customizable browser offers features like ad blockers, tab stacking, and tab tiling, making it the perfect choice for your daily browsing needs.
2. Media Player – VLC Media Player
- Supports a wide range of audio and video formats.
- No ads, spyware, or user tracking.
- Customizable and lightweight media player.
- Available on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android.
For playing audio and video files, VLC Media Player stands out as the best free and open-source option.
It supports many file formats without compromising your privacy with ads or spyware, ensuring a smooth media playback experience.
3. Office Suite – LibreOffice
- Compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher.
- Regular updates and improvements.
- Includes templates and extensions for enhanced functionality.
- Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Instead of investing in Microsoft Office, consider LibreOffice. This free and open-source office suite is compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher.
With regular updates and a range of templates and extensions, it’s a powerful alternative for all your office-related tasks.
4. Antivirus – Bitdefender Antivirus Free
- Real-time threat protection against viruses and malware.
- Prevents ransomware, cryptojacking, and zero-day exploits.
- Lightweight on system resources.
- Available for both Windows and Mac.
Protecting your PC from viruses and malware is crucial. Bitdefender Antivirus Free offers advanced security features, real-time threat protection, and safeguards against ransomware and cryptojacking.
It’s lightweight on system resources and available for both Windows and Mac platforms.
5. Password Manager – Bitwarden
- Fully encrypted passwords for maximum security.
- Cross-platform compatibility for easy access on any device.
- Free plan includes unlimited passwords on unlimited devices.
- Available on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android.
In the era of data breaches, a reliable password manager is necessary. Bitwarden offers top-notch encryption, cross-platform compatibility, and unlimited passwords on unlimited devices.
It ensures your sensitive data remains secure across all your devices.
6. Screen Capture – ShareX (Windows) / Flameshot (Cross-platform)
- ShareX (Windows): Offers a variety of capture methods and annotation tools.
- Flameshot (Cross-platform): Easy-to-use interface with essential capture features.
- ShareX is available for Windows only, while Flameshot is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
For capturing screenshots, ShareX (Windows) and Flameshot (cross-platform) are excellent choices.
ShareX provides many capture methods and annotation tools, while Flameshot offers ease of use and is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
7. Screen Recorder – OBS Studio
- Allows seamless screen recording and live streaming to platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
- Feature-packed with unlimited scenes and customizable audio settings.
- No time limits or watermarks.
- Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
When it comes to screen recording, OBS Studio is unmatched. This free and open-source software not only allows seamless screen recording but also supports live streaming to platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
It’s feature-packed and customizable, making it the go-to choice for content creators.
8. Video Editor – DaVinci Resolve (Standard Free Version) / Shotcut (Easier Learning Curve)
- DaVinci Resolve: Professional-quality video editing with multi-track timeline and various effects.
- Shotcut: User-friendly interface with basic editing tools for beginners.
- DaVinci Resolve is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, while Shotcut is available on all major platforms.
DaVinci Resolve offers professional-quality video editing tools without the hefty price tag. Many industry professionals utilize it, and it provides multi-track editing, various trimming tools, transitions, and effects.
For beginners, Shotcut is a user-friendly alternative with a less steep learning curve.
9. Image Editor – GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
- Supports layers, transformations, advanced filters, and effects.
- Comparable to Photoshop for photo editing and graphic design.
- Free and open-source software.
- Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a high-quality, free, and open-source image editor comparable to Photoshop.
It supports layers, transformations, advanced filters, and effects, making it an excellent choice for photo editing and graphic design projects.
10. Vector Graphics Editor – Inkscape
- Supports the SVG file format for scalable vector graphics.
- Multiple object manipulation tools and layer support.
- Ideal for creating illustrations and vector graphics.
- Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Inkscape is the go-to free vector graphics editor, ideal for creating scalable graphics and illustrations.
With support for the SVG file format, multiple object manipulation tools, and layer support, it’s a powerful alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
11. 3D Computer Graphics Toolset – Blender
- Feature-packed with 3D modeling, digital sculpting, and video effects tools.
- Used by professionals for creating animations, video games, and more.
- Free and open-source software.
- Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Blender, a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software, is widely used by professionals for creating animations, video games, and more.
Despite its steep learning curve, Blender offers a comprehensive set of tools for digital sculpting, 3D modeling, and video effects.
12. Torrent Client – qBittorrent
- Free and open-source torrent client with no ads.
- Includes a search engine and media player for convenience.
- Efficient for downloading large files through torrents.
- Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
For efficient file downloads, consider using qBittorrent, a free and open-source torrent client. It includes a search engine and media player, making it a convenient choice for downloading large files.
13. Virtualization Software – VirtualBox
- Allows running multiple operating systems simultaneously.
- User-friendly interface for setting up virtual machines.
- Ideal for testing software or experimenting with different operating systems.
- Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
VirtualBox allows you to run multiple operating systems on your PC simultaneously.
Whether you want to experiment with different OS environments or test software compatibility, VirtualBox offers a user-friendly interface and excellent performance.
Conclusion
Equipping your new PC with these essential free programs ensures a productive, secure, and enjoyable computing experience.
Stay efficient, creative, and protected with these top-notch software choices tailored for users across all major platforms.
