In the realm of technology, there exists a dichotomy between proprietary software and open source alternatives. This has become increasingly apparent in recent years, with Twitter’s decline sparking interest in open source platforms, and the OpenAI power struggle shedding light on the concept of “open source” within the AI domain.
The world of consumer software has long offered open alternatives to established players like Microsoft Office, Photoshop, and Outlook. The appeal of open source lies in its transparency, security, and customizability, as well as its ethos of freedom and collaboration.
While open source software may have downsides such as lack of formal support or limited features, there are numerous options available to introduce more openness to your app stack without sacrificing productivity.
Below are some open source alternatives to popular productivity apps, catering to prosumers, freelancers, and small businesses looking to break free from Big Tech players.
Penpot: Design and Prototyping
Penpot is a web-based open source design tool offering various plans for individuals and enterprises. The platform gained traction following Adobe’s failed acquisition of Figma and has since raised $8 million.
Another noteworthy tool is Excalidraw, an open source whiteboarding tool with collaborative features.
Cal.com offers open source scheduling infrastructure for all users, with self-hosting or SaaS options and multiple pricing plans. The company secured a $25 million Series A funding round in 2022.
Screenity: Screen Recording
Loom rose to prominence during the shift to remote work, offering video communication features. An open source alternative to Loom is Screenity, available for Chrome browsers.
Jitsi: Video Conferencing
