Cnet Downloads Classroom Design Tool

For those who aren't able to get Microsoft's Office suite for free, the package is a costly proposition with the single-user subscription costing £59.99/year (or £48ish on Amazon* at the time of writing).

Yet you can furnish your machine with equivalents to most of its applications for nothing, thanks to open source alternatives.

LibreOffice

Just like MS Office

LibreOffice is an open source project which includes six word-processing programs. It's compatible with many Microsoft documents.

The newest version, 6.3.2, is now out, and it looks and feels much more like its Microsoft counterparts. The programs included in LibreOffice are:

Writer: A word processor, it's the equivalent of Microsoft Word.Calc: A spreadsheet program, its equivalent of Excel.Impress: Presentation software, it's the equivalent of Microsoft PowerPoint.Base: A database, it's the equivalent of Microsoft Access.Draw: A design program, especially useful for flowcharts.Math:A simple tool for equations.Charts: A program for creating and embedding charts and graphs.

Combined, they make for a powerful suite of programs. It also works with Microsoft's 'docx' standard, which most free office software isn't compatible with.

Download:

OxygenOffice

OpenOffice with extras

Based on the source code of OpenOffice (which is a good alternative if you've a Mac) and similar to LibreOffice, OxygenOffice adds a wealth of templates, clip art and photos.

Over 3,400 graphics are included, and you also get more than 90 new fonts and a more detailed help guide. For some people, these extra features will seem like unnecessary bloat, but if you'll use them, it's well worth considering.

Download:

iWork

Similar to Office, but for Macs, iPhones and iPads

iWork is Apple's answer to the Microsoft Office suite of programs, only for Mac computers and iOS devices. It consists of Pages (like Word), Numbers (like Excel) and Keynote (like Powerpoint). Handily, iWork programs can access files created in Office programs, and you can save iWork files to work vice versa.

Some prefer the look and feel of the iWork programs, especially if they work across multiple Apple devices. If you've a newer Mac, iPhone or iPad you might find the programs are already installed. If not you can download them for free via the links below or by searching the App Store.

You'll need to be running macOS Mojave on your Mac, or iOS 12 on your iPhone/iPad, to install iWork. You can update your operating system for free (though some older machines may not be compatible).

Download (Mac):

Free online office alternatives

The alternative to downloading an office suite is to use one of the many online options. With these, there's no installation to worry about, you can store your work online, and easily collaborate with others. The obvious flipside is you must be online for them to work.

Here are the best:

Microsoft Office for the web

Online MS programs

Microsoft's stripped-down Office for the web includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, which operate through your browser. Anyone with a free Microsoft account can use them, along with 5GB of online storage with OneDrive, which you can use to store documents.

If you're used to the Microsoft packages, they're worth a try, but bear in mind these are hobbled versions of the software. After all, Microsoft doesn't want to cannibalise its profitable business of selling the full versions of Office.

Try it:

Google Docs, Sheets, Slides & Forms

Good for file collaboration

Google's suite of online tools places more of an emphasis on collaboration than others. You can select a few people to work with you on the same document, spreadsheet, presentation or form, and they can all see it and make changes in real time.

It includes plenty of useful document, spreadsheet, and presentation templates which you can use to get going. You can even set-up offline access when using Chrome.

It's also the most web-oriented, since if you publish one of your Google Docs, you can use all manner of Google's whizzy analytics tools to track its progress too. Google Docs works in conjunction with Google Drive, so you'll have 15GB of free storage (if you need more, see our Free Online Storage guide).

Try it:

iWork for iCloud

Apple's office software - also works on Windows

Anyone can use the online version of Apple's iWork suite of programs via their browser, so even Windows users can benefit from Pages, Numbers and Keynote, if they've a preference for Apple's software.

The online versions aren't as feature-rich as the full downloads and will probably appeal more to Mac users carrying out collaborative work and sharing documents, but anyone with Chrome, Safari or Internet Explorer can access them.

Try it:

Here's a list of all the top free software for PCs, Macs and Linux, sorted by category.

Improve computer performance
Utilities
Image & photo editing/storage
Desktop publishing
Audio & video
Communication tools

Improve computer performance for free

The longer you use any computer for, the slower it'll get, since operating systems leave a trail of hard drive-clogging mess behind. Thankfully, there are plenty of freeware options to help you spring clean your PC, keeping it powerful.

Double-check it's suitable for your system before downloading.

CCleaner

Dump the junk

This super-fast program cleans up unused files in around a second, getting rid of all the crap (that's what the first "c" stands for – honest) as it goes. CCleaner doesn't run all the time, just have it give your machine a quick spruce-up each week to keep it shipshape.

Download:

Ultimate Windows Tweaker

Windows 7, 8, 8.1 & 10

Allows you to control all your Windows settings in one place, letting you customise your computer's interface as much or little as you want.

Great for those that like modifying their software, but aren't into coding.

Download:

Defraggler

Speed up your hard drive

From Piriform, the same stable as CCleaner, Defraggler is a defragmenting tool. Fragments are made when your computer splits up files because there's not enough space in the place they were originally saved. It has a significant effect on performance, since when re-opening these files, your PC has to find two (or more) pieces instead of one. Defragmenters join the pieces together again, thus speeding up the computer.

Windows has its own Disk Defragmenter, which can be found in the System Tools menu, but it takes ages, as it'll only go through your entire hard disk at one go. Defraggler can be used to do the job on a smaller scale: just choose the files and it'll process them in a few seconds.

The free version doesn't come with product support, or the paid-for version for £19.95 does.

Download:

StuffIt Expander

Compression tool for Macs

While OSX is perfectly capable of packing/unpacking .zip files, if you want to open or use the wealth of other compressed file types out there, you'll need a third-party expander.

Smith Micro's free version of StuffIt fills this void perfectly, and offers a simple drag-and-drop interface which works just as well as any paid-for version, so you can focus on more exciting things, like, erm, anything.

Download:

Quicksilver

Speed up your Mac's productivity

If you've got the time to learn it, Quicksilver is a clever productivity tool which'll allow you to launch applications, files and folders without taking your hands off the keyboard.

Many more advanced features mean it can totally change the way you use your computer for the better (and faster), and plug-ins extend its capability yet further. Read Mac.AppStorm's Beginner's Guide to see if it's for you.

Download:

SuperCal

Improve your Mac's display for free

It's worth trying out SuperCal even if you think your display looks fine. It's a display calibrator which can clean up the image you see on screen by tailoring your computer's output to the characteristics of the monitor you're using.

The results should be better tonal colour gradients, clearer text, and better long-term eyesight for you.

Download:

Free utilities

It can be a nightmare when you're having trouble opening certain file types or trying to get them to work on the right device. Solutions for those fiddly little tasks can be a life saver, and fortunately more often than not it's possible to find free tools online to get the job done.

Zamzar

Free file converter

This is a nifty, user-friendly site which can convert over 1,100 types of media file formats between each other. So, if you've a CV document from Word, and you'd like to make it a PDF instead, you simply put in your email address, upload the file to convert, and choose '.pdf' in the dropdown box.

Zamzar will do the hard work, and then email you a link to download the new file. One thing though, since it stores your files online before conversion, it's not advisable to use it to convert sensitive documents.

For non-paying users, you can upload a maximum of 100MB of data split between up to five different files. But if you sign up for a paid account you can upload files up to 2GB in size.

Try it:

Free image & photo editing – downloads

Go top end on graphics software and you can easily spend £1,000s, so it's good to see that capable freebie programs exist. As the majority of photos are now digital, there are some great free photo editing programs emerging too.

Paint.net

Probably all you'll need

The beauty of basic-yet-surprisingly-powerful Paint.net is if you've used the simple Paint program that comes with Windows, then you'll be able to navigate it with no problems.

It's the most straightforward program to use for basic image cropping and editing, and will optimise images for quick loading on the web too. In short, if you only need the basics, Paint.net should be your first port of call.

Download:

Gimp

Advanced image editing

If you're looking for a free Photoshop equivalent, oddly named Gimp is probably the closest you'll get.

Now in version 2.8.16, it offers powerful editing and filtering tools for photos and graphics, and is further boosted by a range of free add-ons.

For an insight into its capabilities and how it works, check out the screenshots hosted on its site.

Download:

Inkscape

Fun with vectors

Inkscape is a free program similar in operation to Adobe Illustrator or Corel Xara.

It's made for building "scalable vector graphics" – the ones which remain perfectly sharp no matter how much you zoom in or out – making it ideal for serious design work.

Download:

Sketchup

3D modelling

If you're planning an extension to your house, or are simply redecorating, the free Sketchup tool makes it relatively easy to build an accurate 3D model to work from.

There are plenty of video tutorials to set you on the right track. Once you've used it a few times, you'll be impressing everybody with your designs.

Download:

Pro AutoDesk software

Free for students

Students can get AutoDesk's computer-aided design software free for three years simply by registering.

The package includes over 40 AutoDesk products, including AutoCAD which retails at £1,506 for a year's subscription! These are the most common computer-aided design packages used for everything from mechanical engineering design to urban planning.

You get full functionality for three years, provided you're not using the software for commercial purposes.

Any student or teacher with an ac.uk email address can sign up to the AutoDesk Education Community where you download the software, as well as access forums, support and content sharing. It doesn't matter if you are part-time or about to graduate.

Please note, some of this software will come with built-in features to prevent it being used commercially, such as a stamp on any printouts.

Download:

Free image & photo storage/editing – online

There are a few free options out there for photo storage and basic editing online. Although you must be internet-connected to use them, operating via the web means you can store your work online and easily collaborate with others – plus there's no need to install anything.

Google Photos

Feature-rich photo manager

Replacing the photo organiser Picasa, which was retired in 2016, Google Photos offers basic photo editing, though its strengths lie in storing and sorting your collection. It makes navigating ill-organised photos scattered around your computer more straightforward.

It also offers unlimited photo storage for free (with a some limitations). See the Free Online Storage guide for more info on Google Photos.

Try it:

OneDrive

Photo organiser

Microsoft's OneDrive suite includes a function for photo storage and organisation. It's very similar to Google Photos above, though without the editing features.

One thing it does have over its Google counterpart is the ability to group screenshots of Pokémon, snapped by players of the recently released Pokémon Go game, by name – undoubtedly a dealbreaker for many.

Which you choose is likely to depend mostly on whether you've a Hotmail or Gmail account, and which of the tech behemoths you like most.

See the Free Online Storage guide for more info on OneDrive's file storage capabilities and limitations.

Try it:

Free desktop publishing – downloads

Desktop publishing software is often pricey, but there are some free programs you can download that can provide a professional touch without having to shell out a fortune.

PagePlus

Easy to use - but no longer supported

PagePlus is no longer being supported by its developer Serif (meaning no future updates or tech support for it). But you can still download the 'Starter Edition' for free.

That's good news, because it's one of the most user-friendly desktop-publishing programs we've come across, with professional-looking results.

You can spend £20 on the full version, which has extra features, though as we've said, it's no longer being updated or supported.

Download:

Scribus

More complex and powerful

An acclaimed open source desktop publishing program, Scribus offers features usually only found on more expensive suites like MS Publisher or InDesign, such as CYMK colour and ICC colour management.

If that means nothing to you, but you want to make a professional magazine, then download this and read some of the detailed free tutorials. Also available for Linux.

Download:

Free audio & video – downloads

As well as a free sound recording program to banish Windows' Sound Recorder forever, there are ways to organise your MP3 collection, an alternative media player which'll play almost any format, and a clever converter which lets you play any video you like on your iPhone (or iPod, if you've still got one of those...).

GarageBand

A basic music-making studio

GarageBand for Macs and iOS devices is a great introduction to the world of music production, with a sound library of software instruments and the ability to record real instruments and assemble tracks.

It's free via the links below, or you can search the Mac or iOS App Store. You'll need a Mac running OS X 10.12 or later and/or iOS 12.1 or later to install it (if it isn't already on your device).

Download:

ImgBurn

Perfect for making DVDs, CDs, etc.

If you need to burn disk images on DVDs, Blu-rays and the like but don't want to be besieged by millions of options, ImgBurn is a good bet. Skip its advanced mode and you've a fairly foolproof tool which seldom wastes your CDs.

Download:

Audacity

Pro wave editing

Audacity is a proper wave editing and recording program. It lets you record audio, add effects, and even create your own soundscapes from scratch.

It's not the most user-friendly tool, but its power more than makes up for this.

Download:

MusicBrainz Picard

Organise pesky unknown MP3s

If you've got hundreds of untitled MP3 tracks on your machine, MusicBrainz Picard will analyse them and add all the relevant artist/title info for those that match tracks in its database.

It also offers a wealth of other options for keeping your collection organised.

Download:

MediaMonkey

Sidestep iTunes for MP3s

The sheer number of features iTunes now offers means there are more streamlined music library options available, especially for Windows machines, on which iTunes is especially slow.

MediaMonkey offers the ability to manage your music without iTunes, and some find it far more useful (and less salesy) than Apple's offering.

Download:

iMovie

Video fun for Mac and iPhone/iPad users

You can use iMovie to create trailers and short films from your own video clips, on your Mac, iPhone or iPad. It's filled with all sorts of fun things like filters, sound effects and voice-overs, and special effects such as green-screen backdrops and split screen.

You can get it via the links below, or by searching the Mac or iOS App Store. You'll need a Mac running macOS 10.13.6 or later and/or an iPhone or iPad running iOS 13.0 or later to install it (if it isn't already on your machine).

Download:

VLC Media Player

Plays everything

Another of the free software greats, VLC Media Player is the most widely compatible player available.

It seems no matter how esoteric a music or video format you throw at it is, it's got it covered. Plus, nowadays it's using more and more hardware acceleration to make proceedings more snappy too.

Download:

Flip4Mac Player

Upgrade Quicktime on your Mac

Like it or not, if you watch video content online, you may come across Windows Media .wmv files, which Quicktime doesn't support.

The previous solution was to download Microsoft's basic Windows Media Player for Mac, but thankfully you can now just get Flip4Mac, a plug-in for Quicktime which allows it to play these files.

Download:

Videora Converter

For video on mobile devices

Videora Converter converts a range of formats, including the ever-popular DivX, into files playable by iPhones, iPads and other devices, such as iPods, PSPs and even Zunes - remember them?.

Several versions are available, so make sure you find the right one for your player.

Download:

HandBrake

DVD to MP4 converter

Like the Videora converter for Windows, in essence HandBrake DVD to MP4 converter which makes files playable on a laptop, tablet or smartphone.

It's better than Videora in its support for the likes of Dolby Digital and multi-track audio, and also runs really rather fast.

Download:

Free audio – online

There are also free audio tools available to use online, if you prefer not have to download and install programs – ideal if you only need something for occasional use.