12 Open Source software for a better productivity

12 Open Source software for a better productivity

🕑 Article from : 06 06 2019 - Last update : 27 06 2025

His article was originally published in 2022 and updated in June 2025 to include the latest software versions and features.

According to the Free Software Foundation, a software is said to be "Open Source" when it is provided with its source code and its use, distribution, modification, and distribution of modified versions are permitted. We are talking about copyleft instead of copyright.

Some technical terms may put off. But do not be afraid, these programs are mostly accessible. Then you can try them, you risk nothing ;)

1 - LibreOffice The free Office Suite.

This Office Suite can compete with Microsoft Office. In beginning StarOffice (1985) from Sun Microsystem and Oracle, then OpenOffice (2002), and finally LibreOffice (2011), In 2013 IBM also bring his contribution with Lotus Symphony code. It is therefore a mature software that has proven itself. It has powerful tools available in the toolbar and on his side panel. LibreOffice uses the international ISO/IEC standard OpenDocument file format (ODF), but can manage many more formats. FYI it can also export natively to the PDF format. 

In 2025, it reached version 24.2, with notable improvements to the interface and compatibility.

It's include : 

• A word processor "Writer" who is compatible with the Microsoft Office Word file format and the PDF format. 
• A spreadsheet "Calc" spreadsheet supporting macros, pivot tables, it's compatible with the Microsoft Excel file format. 
• A presentation tool "Impress" compatible with the Microsoft PowerPoint format. 
• A vecto draw editor "Draw" who can also open Microsoft Publisher files and create complex diagrams.
• A data bases editor "Base" who can communicate and manage many data bases format like MySQL or Microsoft Access for example.
• A mathematical formula editor "Math" for equations and technical documents.

LibreOffice is available in more than 114 languages for Windows, MacOS, Linux and other Unix systems.

2 - GIMP images and photos editor.

Powerful images and photos editor, with GIMP you have a high-end infographic tools to create your images, edit your photos, icons, and any graphic for your web page or your blog. Its tools are similar to what we can find on PhotoShop for example. It will also create animated images of GIF or MPEG type and many other things by adding plugins. It can handle layers and layer folders and can import Photoshop layers (depending on the versions), it manages brushes and it's compatible with Photoshop ABR brush format. 

Since version 3.0 released in 2025, GIMP features a modernized interface, improved HiDPI support, GPU acceleration, and a smart selection tool powered by AI.

Gimp is born in 1995, it's available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Unix, FreeBSB, AmigaOS with 80 languages available. 

3 - Blender for 3D pictures and animations.

Blender, it is an ultra complete software that will allow the 3D realization of professional quality, while remaining accessible to the greatest number. 3D modeling, computer graphics, but also 3D animation, Blender is a powerful and extensible tool. He also knows how to communicate with other tools to further improve his possibilities.

Blender can export in many kinds of formats compatible with the main standards, include : 3DMax (.3ds), Autodesk (.dxf .fbx .xsi), and many more. Since version 4.0, the interface has been redesigned with better tool hierarchy, smoother node management, and improved performance thanks to Vulkan. Virtual reality support (via OpenXR) is more complete. Blender now also supports USD (Universal Scene Description) for interoperable workflows (especially in professional studios).

Blender was launch in 1998, it is available for Windows, MacOS, Linux and other Unix system. Version 4.1 was released in March 2025 

4 - Freeplane for manage your mind.

Freeplane is a Mind-mapping software, it is a note-taking method that allows you to organize information, even complex ones, and to find them more easily. Mind-mapping keeps track of small details while keeping an overview. This software is from the Freemind project. It supports enhanced import/export to Markdown, OPML, CSV, and FreeMind formats.

Freeplane was launched in 2009, it run on a Java platform available for Windows, MacOS and Linux. The latest version was released in May 2025.

5 - Mozilla Thunderbird for manage yours emails

Thunderbird is an email client. It can help you to manage your emails accounts easier, that these accounts are on your own hosting (if it is an email address with your own domain name and hosted) or on a third party platform (Gmail, Hotmail or other). It also offers several other features such as: calendar management and contacts management. Other functionalities can be added as plug-in.

In 2025, it offers improved integration with cloud services such as Nextcloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox, especially for handling attachments. It also includes support for Matrix, a secure messaging protocol

Thunderbird is available for Windows, MacOS and Linux with 60 languages. This software is developed since 2003. The next major version is scheduled for July 2025.

6 - OpenShot Video Editor 

The project started in August 2008 with the aim of providing a stable, free, enjoyable, powerful and easy-to-use video editor. It can manage several formats of videos, and edit it to several tracks. You can insert images, titles, sounds, animations and realize special effects very easily. You can then export your videos in several formats or publish them on your blog, your website or on platforms like Youtube or Dailymotion. 

In 2025, it includes a built-in subtitle editor and support for new video formats.

OpenShot is available for Windows, MacOs and Linux. It's available in more than 70 languages. The current version was released in May 2025.

7 - Inkscape for vectorial draw

Inkscape is a professional vector drawing software just like CorelDRAW or Adobe Illustrator.It manages files that comply with the XML, SVG and CSS standards that are the official standards on the Internet (W3C). All Inkscape projects can be exported in formats supported by web browsers or commercial print rooms.

In 2025, notable additions include enriched dynamic shapes (gears, arrows, hearts, etc.), a “Shape Builder” tool (introduced in version 1.3) for easily merging and splitting shapes, similar to Illustrator, improved support for SVG 2.0 files, and enhanced import/export to PDF, EPS, and PNG, with simplified web optimization.

Inkscape is available for Windows, MacOs and Linux. His development was started in 2003. Inscape is available in more than 75 languages.

8 - Scribus for print publishing

Scribus is powerful desktop publishing software. It allows to set up your documents (texts, photos, or others) to realize your brochures, leaflets, booklets, books, magazines or any type of documents for the printing or to be visualized numerically. Scribus can exporting files to many formats like RTF, XTG (QuarkXPress), IDML and IDXML (Adobe InDesign), PUB (Microsoft Publisher) and VSD, VXD, VSDX (Microsoft Visio). Scribus can also manage the PDF format.

In 2025, it offers better support for PDF/X-4, improved import of ODT, SVG, and vector PDF files, and a slightly modernized interface.

Scribus is available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Unix and OS/2. It was launch in 2003 and it's available in more than 40 languages. The last version April 2025.

9 - Task Coach more than only a to do list

Learn to organize yourself with a powerful personal assistant. It allows you to follow multiple complex tasks. You can prioritize tasks, rank them, evaluate them financially and in time. You can import and export tasks in different formats and synchronize them with a smartphone. In 2019, it offers better support for local synchronization or via WebDAV, improving compatibility with cloud services.

Task Coach as launched in 2005. it's available in more than 50 languages for Windows, MacOs and Linux. 

10 - Jami / Ring for communicate

It is a communication software compatible with market standards. You can use it with a SIP account (standard telephony, which will allow you to call someone on his phone number for example). They offer very complete features.

Jami is available since 2017 for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android and iOS. The latest version was released in February 2025.

11 - Audacity

This software will allow you to edit your sounds files on several tracks. It is possible to retouch the sounds and create effects. It supports many formats.

In 2025, it offers easier export to platforms like YouTube Music and Spotify, with support for metadata.

Audacity was launched in 2000 for Windows, MacOS, Linux and Unix. it is available in around 50 languages. The latest version was released in May 2025.

12 - FileZilla

FTP file transfer software, it also supports FTP with TLS (FTPS) and SFTP.

In 2025, users will notice a more reliable “automatic interrupted transfer resume” option and improved support for SFTP, FTPS, and WebDAV servers.

FileZilla was launched in 2001 for Windows, MacOS and Linux. it's available in around 50 languages. The latest version was released in June 2025.

More with flexisite

If you didn't find the software suit to you or if you have specifics needs, you can contact us. We are ready to help you, advices, training or developping. 

Summary Table (June 2025)