Linux and Open Source for decades has contributed immensely to software and hardware development in many ways. Here are some Softwares, Services and Phenomenon we enjoy today thanks to the movement.
- Bitcoin
A lot of people do not know that the most popular Crypto currency today is open source and started out as an alternative payment option to cash. Today, it is the most expensive currency for transaction globally.
Bitcoin (BTC) is the first decentralized, peer-to-peer digital currency, launched in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto. It operates without banks or central authorities, using blockchain technology for secure, transparent transactions. With a capped supply of 21 million coins, it is often viewed as a digital, deflationary store of value.
2. VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is by far the most popular media Player for both Mobile and PC users alike. It has so many features one wonders how free it can be. The media player has put a lot of competition out of business like Quicktime Player, Windows Media Player, Real Player and a Host of them.
VLC Media Player is a free, open-source, and cross-platform multimedia player developed by the VideoLAN project. It is highly versatile, capable of playing almost any video, audio, disc, device, or streaming protocol without needing additional codec packs. It is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, featuring advanced features like subtitle synchronization, video/audio filters, and file conversion.
3. Android OS
Yes! Android is Open Source and runs on Linux. This of it as Java on Linux Kernel. There are different versions or forks of Linux today but the functionality remains the same for most of it.
The Android operating system is a dominant, open-source mobile platform based on a modified Linux kernel, developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance. Designed primarily for touchscreens, it powers billions of smartphones, tablets, wearables, and car systems, offering extensive customization, app compatibility via Google Play, and frequent updates.
4. Mozilla Firefox and more
Mozilla, the company behind the world’s most popular web browser (in my opinion) is open source yes!
Besides Firefox, Mozilla owns ThunderBird (an email client software) and a host of other services.
Mozilla Firefox is a free, open-source web browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation, known for its strong focus on user privacy, security, and customization. Released in 2004, it utilizes the Gecko rendering engine to display web pages across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It offers features like enhanced tracking protection, tabbed browsing, and extensive add-on support.
5. LibreOffice
LibreOffice is a Fork of Popular Open Source Office Suite OpenOffice. After its acquisition by Oracle in January 2010, the Open Source Community thought it wise to continue development of the Office suite independently in other not to make it commercial or proprietary as its new owners could not be trusted.
LibreOffice is a free, open-source, and powerful office productivity suite developed by The Document Foundation. As a, it is compatible with Microsoft Office/365, utilizing Open Document Format (ODF) as its native standard while supporting .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files. It features applications for word processing (Writer), spreadsheets (Calc), presentations (Impress), vector graphics (Draw), formulas (Math), and database management (Base).
6. GIMP
If you are a Graphic or Image Designer/Editor then here is an amazing software for you. GIMP is a very powerful tool too good to be free and is often likened to Adobe Photoshop.
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open-source raster graphics editor used for photo retouching, image composition, and image authoring. Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, it serves as a powerful, free alternative to Adobe Photoshop, offering tools for layers, filters, and advanced image editing.
7. Ardour
Music Producers love this powerful Open Source digital workstation and is used for both recording and mixing. Plugins are readily available and stable be it on Windows, Linux or Mac.
Ardour is a powerful, open-source digital audio workstation (DAW) designed for professional recording, editing, mixing, and mastering, running on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Developed by Paul Davis, it features unlimited audio/MIDI tracks, non-destructive editing, and extensive plugin support (VST, LV2, AU). It is ideal for musicians, producers, and podcasters.
We also have Mixers and Sound Editors like Audacity if you wish to use Linux/Open Source Software for Music production.
8. Shotcut
An Amazing Video editing software with features similar to proprietary versions. Shotcut makes life easy especially for Linux users and seems to support vast visual effects and plugins.
Shotcut is a free, open-source, and cross-platform video editor supporting Windows, Mac, and Linux, ideal for beginners to advanced users. It supports wide-ranging formats (up to 8K resolution), features native timeline editing (no import needed), and includes, but is not limited to, GPU acceleration, keyframes, and 360-degree video filters.
It is light weight Video Editor that does magic meaning less RAM or Video Cards, No problem.
9. FileZilla
By far the best FTP client available today regardless of what operating system you’re on.
FileZilla is a free, open-source, and cross-platform FTP, SFTP, and FTPS client used to transfer files between a local computer and a remote server, such as web hosting. It features an intuitive, drag-and-drop interface, site manager, and file queue management. Available for Windows, Linux, and macOS, it supports large file transfers and secure connections.
10. OBS Studio
OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) is a free, open-source, and cross-platform software designed for screen recording and live streaming. It allows users to capture high-quality video/audio in real-time, mix multiple sources (gameplay, webcams, images), and broadcast to platforms like YouTube and Twitch.
