These are a few of the highlights of our webinar Free & Low-Cost Software Recommendations and how to take advantage of them in the digital age.
These are the 3 main precautions you should consider in evaluating free software:
- Consider the source. Ensure that you are downloading the software from a reputable source and always read the fine print!
- Run antivirus and antimalware scans. Use these safeguard tools to ensure the validity of the download.
- Pay attention to options during installation. Often with “free” software, the developer has included additional options that enable add-ins or other third-party vendor actions you may not need or want.
The free or low-cost software solutions featured are classified in the following 3 groups:
- Design & Creativity:
- Gimp is a free and open-source raster graphics editor used for image editing.
- Pixlr is a photo editor that lets you edit photos right in your browser for free.
- Scribus is free open-source desktop publishing software.
- PicMonkey is a low-cost online photo editing and design service.
- Prezi is low-cost virtual presentation software.
- PowToon is low-cost video and animation software.
- Audacity is a free and open-source digital audio editor and recording application software.
- Lightworks is a free and open-source editor for editing and mastering digital video.
- Productivity:
- Foxit is a low-cost (free trial) PDF editor for document generation and management.
- LibreOffice is a free and open-source office productivity suite.
- WPS Office is a free (personal) office productivity suite.
- Evernote is a free app designed for note taking, organizing, task management, and archiving.
- Google Keep is a free and open-source note-taking service.
- GnuCash is free personal and small-business financial accounting software.
- Mint is a free online budget and money management tool.
- Security & Privacy:
- AVG offers free antivirus software.
- Avast offers free antivirus software.
- Comodo is cloud-native cybersecurity software (free trial).
- ZoneAlarm offers free protection from phishing attacks, malicious downloads, and dangerous websites.
- LastPass is a free password manager that stores encrypted passwords online.
- Prey is a free online platform for device tracking, management, and protection.
This and a lot more was covered in our Free & Low-Cost Software Recommendations webinar: