Some apps on Windows have become the default choice for many of us. Many people stick to services like Microsoft Office, Google Chrome, Adobe Photoshop, and similar apps, which puts us at their mercy. These apps often come with hefty price tags simply because they are used by millions, if not billions, of users. They also lack transparency about how they handle your data and offer little flexibility.

For almost every app you use on Windows, there is an open-source alternative, and you won’t be settling for less by choosing them. We’ve put together a list of seven open-source alternatives to Windows essentials that are actually worth using.

7 Logseq

It's as good as Notion

There are plenty of open-source alternatives to popular note-taking apps like OneNote, Keep, Evernote, and Notion. One of my personal favorites is Logseq, which puts a strong emphasis on privacy. Unlike most note-taking apps, which rely on cloud storage, Logseq follows a local-first approach. This means all your notes are stored as plain text files directly on your device. Being open source, its code is transparent, so you can verify its privacy claims yourself.

What really sets Logseq apart is its outliner-inspired design. Instead of a traditional layout, it organizes information in a nested, tree-like structure. This makes it easy to visualize relationships between ideas and even rearrange items within the outline by simply dragging and dropping.

Another excellent option is CherryTree, a hierarchical note-taking app with rich text formatting and syntax highlighting. It lets you store your data in a single file (either XML or SQLite) or across multiple files and directories.

6 OnlyOffice

One of the best alternatives to Microsoft Office

I think OnlyOffice is the best open-source alternative to Microsoft Office. Before we dive into why, let’s clear up two common misconceptions.

First, LibreOffice isn’t as great as it’s often made out to be. The interface is far from user-friendly, even after making customizations. Second, WPS Office is not open-source. Many people confuse it with open-source software, but that’s simply not true.

Now, let’s talk about why OnlyOffice stands out. One of its biggest strengths is its ability to handle a wide range of third-party file formats. These include Microsoft Office formats, Open Document Format (ODF), Rich Text Format (RTF), Adobe Acrobat (PDF), XML-formatted files, and more. This works exceptionally well with Word files as long as the required fonts are installed on your system.

OnlyOffice also has a built-in PDF viewer that goes beyond simple viewing. You can use it to make markups, add comments, and even save PDFs as DOCX files for further editing. This makes it an excellent tool for working with simple letters, longer documents, or other text-heavy files. Plus, the comments and markups you add can be read and edited in other programs.

5 NextCloud

You won't need OneDrive or Google Drive

Cloud storage services like OneDrive and Google Drive are great for quick backups, accessing important documents from anywhere, and sharing files with family and friends. However, by using these services, you’re essentially handing over all your files to another company and trusting them to handle your data responsibly.

If privacy is a concern, you might want to consider Nextcloud. It is a free, open-source cloud storage platform that you can host yourself on your own domain. This means you have full control over your data. You can store personal files, media, and documents on a server of your choice — whether it’s a home computer, a rented server, or a trusted provider.

What’s great about Nextcloud is that you don’t need to create an account or provide personal or payment details (apart from the cost of a hosting plan, if applicable). Plus, there are no restrictions on sharing the service with friends, colleagues, or anyone else.

4 Pulsar

Atom resurrected

There are plenty of code editors for developers on Windows, but the options narrow if you’re specifically looking for open-source solutions. One standout choice is Pulsar, a community-led “hyper-hackable” text editor. It’s a fork of Atom, the popular code editor originally created by GitHub in 2011 and built on Electron, the same framework powering Microsoft VS Code.

What sets Pulsar apart is its innovative design. It functions as a full-fledged web application that runs locally (offline) inside a dedicated browser window. It even features a robust plugin system known as "packages," with over 10,000 community-developed, easily installable extensions. These packages allow users to add new features and tailor the editor to their specific needs.

While Pulsar is already packed with features and is highly powerful out of the box, the extensive package ecosystem lets developers fine-tune their workflow to maximize productivity.

3 Audacity

The best audio editing tool

Audacity is one of the most popular open-source audio editing tools available today. It’s a free, cross-platform application designed for recording, editing, and processing audio files. The app can record live audio, convert tapes and records into digital formats, and easily import, edit, or combine sound files.

Audacity supports multitrack editing and offers a wide range of effects, including noise reduction, equalization, and compression. It’s compatible with several audio file formats, such as WAV, AIFF, MP3, and OGG, making it a versatile choice for different needs.

Recently, Audacity introduced AI-powered filters to help reduce noise and enhance audio quality. These features complement the extensive collection of filters and plug-ins already available.

2 Tribler

It's better than BitTorrent

Tribler is an open-source, decentralized peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing platform that takes privacy and anonymity seriously. Unlike traditional torrent clients, Tribler includes a built-in onion routing system, similar to Tor, which anonymizes your activity by routing your traffic through multiple nodes in the network.

One of Tribler’s standout features is its self-sustaining ecosystem. It doesn’t rely on external websites to find torrents. Instead, it has a built-in search engine and content discovery tools. Users can browse and share files directly within the platform. Tribler also supports streaming, allowing you to watch or listen to content while it downloads.

1 Thunderbird

If you’re ready to move on from Outlook

If you’re ready to move on from Outlook, Thunderbird is an excellent alternative. Developed by the Mozilla Foundation (the team behind Firefox), Thunderbird is a free and open-source email client with plenty to offer. It allows you to control where your emails are stored locally, schedule backups, and connect to virtually any email account. On top of that, it includes built-in security features like native OpenPGP encryption, which aren’t commonly found in other email clients.

While Thunderbird isn’t the most modern-looking app, its functionality makes up for it. The interface is modeled after Firefox and uses a tab system for navigation. Thunderbird does offer plenty of customization options. You can tweak the app’s appearance, adjust privacy settings, and access essential features like email composition tools.

To give your inbox a fresh look, you can choose from themes like Suave, Dark Fox, or Two Little Birds. It is available on Windows, Linux, and Mac. The company recently launched its mobile app on Android as well.

There’s an open-source app for everything

I’ve only scratched the surface with this small selection of open-source apps that can replace Windows defaults. The world of open-source software is vast, offering a solution for almost every need. If you’re interested in exploring further, we’ve put together a more detailed list of open-source alternatives to popular Windows software.