Free alternatives
94 free, community-built tools that replace popular paid subscriptions across 30 categories. Many can be self-hosted on a $5/month VPS — or run free on your own machine.
Licenses, stars and repository status last checked September 2026. Plain-text version
Every paid service on this page next to the open-source tool that can replace it.
Home & Entertainment
Work & Business
Privacy, Security & IT
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Add it to Subscription Incinerator and get a reminder before the next charge — free, no card needed. Switch to the open-source version whenever you're ready.
Replaces: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube Premium
These tools replace the streaming app, not the catalogue: Jellyfin, Invidious, and PeerTube play your own media files or public videos; they don't include Netflix-style shows and films.
Free media system that lets you stream your own movie, TV, and music collection from any device.
Alternative to: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
Self-host: Official Docker image: `docker run -d --name jellyfin -p 8096:8096 -v /path/to/config:/config -v /path/to/media:/media jellyfin/jellyfin:latest`. See jellyfin.org/docs/general/installation for reverse proxy and hardware transcoding setup.
Lightweight YouTube front-end with no ads, no tracking, and no Google account required.
Alternative to: YouTube Premium
Self-host: Ships an official `docker-compose.yml` (bundles Postgres) in the repo root — clone github.com/iv-org/invidious, copy `docker-compose.yml.example`, and run `docker compose up -d`. Full instructions at github.com/iv-org/invidious/wiki/Installation.
Decentralised, federated video platform — like a community-run YouTube.
Alternative to: YouTube Premium
Self-host: Officially deployed via Docker Compose: download the sample `docker-compose.yml` and `.env` from the `support/docker/production` directory of the PeerTube repo, fill in your domain/SMTP settings, then run `docker compose up -d`. See docs.joinpeertube.org/install/docker.
Replaces: Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, YouTube Music
These tools replace the streaming app, not the catalogue: you supply your own music files.
Modern, fast self-hosted music server compatible with Subsonic and Airsonic clients.
Alternative to: Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, YouTube Music
Self-host: Official Docker image: `docker run -d --name navidrome -p 4533:4533 -v /path/data:/data -v /path/music:/music:ro deluan/navidrome:latest`. See navidrome.org/docs/installation/docker for a Compose example.
Federated music streaming and sharing platform built for communities.
Alternative to: Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, YouTube Music
Self-host: Recommended install is Docker Compose (multiple services: api, celery worker, nginx, Postgres, Redis) — follow the step-by-step guide at docs.funkwhale.audio/administrator/installation/docker.html to generate your `.env` and `docker-compose.yml`.
Replaces: Duolingo Plus, Babbel, Rosetta Stone
Anki covers vocabulary and spaced-repetition study; it doesn't include guided lessons like Duolingo or Babbel.
Spaced-repetition flashcards — used by language learners and med students worldwide.
Alternative to: Duolingo Plus, Babbel, Rosetta Stone
Replaces: Google Photos, Amazon Photos, Flickr Pro
Self-hosted photo and video backup with mobile apps, face recognition, and shared albums — the closest Google Photos replacement.
Alternative to: Google Photos, Amazon Photos, Flickr Pro
Self-host: Official Docker Compose install guide: docs.immich.app/install/docker-compose.
AI-assisted photo library for browsing, searching, and organising large collections on your own server.
Alternative to: Google Photos, Amazon Photos, Flickr Pro
Self-host: Official Docker Compose install guide: docs.photoprism.app/getting-started/docker-compose.
End-to-end encrypted photo storage with open-source apps and server — self-host it or use their paid hosting.
Alternative to: Google Photos, Amazon Photos
Replaces: Audible, Kindle Unlimited, Scribd, Marvel Unlimited
These tools organise and read books you already own; they don't include a catalogue like Audible or Kindle Unlimited.
Self-hosted audiobook and podcast server with progress sync and mobile apps — for audiobooks you already own.
Alternative to: Audible
Self-host: Official install docs: audiobookshelf.org/docs.
Web interface for browsing, reading, and downloading ebooks from a Calibre library.
Alternative to: Kindle Unlimited, Scribd
Fast, cross-platform reading server for manga, comics, and ebooks with a built-in reader.
Alternative to: Marvel Unlimited
Media server for comics, manga, and magazines with OPDS support and a web reader.
Alternative to: Marvel Unlimited
Replaces: Instapaper Premium, Feedly Pro, Inoreader Pro, Readwise Reader
Save web articles to read later, stripped of clutter, with browser extensions and mobile apps.
Alternative to: Instapaper Premium, Readwise Reader
Minimalist, fast RSS feed reader — a single Go binary backed by Postgres.
Alternative to: Feedly Pro, Inoreader Pro
Self-hosted RSS aggregator with multi-user support, extensions, and mobile-client API compatibility.
Alternative to: Feedly Pro, Inoreader Pro
Replaces: MyFitnessPal Premium, Strava, Fitbod, Yummly Pro, Mealime Pro
Self-hosted workout planner, exercise database, and nutrition tracker.
Alternative to: MyFitnessPal Premium, Fitbod
Self-hosted fitness tracking app for activities from Garmin and Strava-style GPS files. Younger project with a smaller community.
Alternative to: Strava
Recipe manager and meal planner that imports recipes from URLs and builds shopping lists.
Alternative to: Yummly Pro, Mealime Pro
Replaces: Ring Protect, Google Nest Aware, Arlo Secure, Wyze Cam Plus
Frigate works with cameras that expose a local RTSP or ONVIF stream. Many vendor cameras (including most Ring and Nest models) don't, so switching may mean new camera hardware.
Local-first home automation hub that controls thousands of devices without routing through a vendor cloud.
Self-host: Official installation guide: home-assistant.io/installation.
Local network video recorder with AI object detection for cameras that offer a local RTSP or ONVIF stream — no per-camera cloud plan.
Alternative to: Ring Protect, Google Nest Aware, Arlo Secure, Wyze Cam Plus
Replaces: Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva Pro, Figma, Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Autodesk Maya
Mature raster image editor — the open-source counterpart to Photoshop.
Alternative to: Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Photoshop
Professional vector graphics editor — an open alternative to Illustrator.
Alternative to: Adobe Creative Cloud
Non-linear video editor with multi-track timelines, effects, and proxy editing.
Alternative to: Adobe Creative Cloud
Open-source design and prototyping platform — the Figma replacement.
Alternative to: Figma, Canva Pro, Sketch
Self-host: Deployed via Docker Compose (frontend, backend, exporter, Postgres, Redis, MinIO/S3 services). Follow the official self-hosting guide at penpot.app/docs/self-hosting to fetch the `docker-compose.yaml` and run `docker compose up -d`.
RAW photo workflow and non-destructive editor — a Lightroom alternative.
Alternative to: Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Creative Cloud
Professional digital painting and illustration app with brush engines built for artists.
Alternative to: Adobe Photoshop
License note: The GitHub repo is a mirror of KDE's own repository.
Complete 3D creation suite: modelling, animation, rendering, and video editing.
Alternative to: Autodesk Maya
License note: The GitHub repo is an official mirror.
Replaces: Notion, Evernote, Todoist, Microsoft 365, Grammarly, Roam Research, Confluence, Obsidian Sync
Notion-style workspace for wikis, projects, and docs — all open source.
Alternative to: Notion, Evernote
Self-host: The AppFlowy app itself is a desktop client; for self-hosted sync, deploy AppFlowy Cloud via its official `docker-compose.yml` (see github.com/AppFlowy-IO/AppFlowy-Cloud) and point the desktop client at your server URL.
Fast, collaborative team knowledge base and wiki.
Alternative to: Notion, Confluence
License note: Source-available, not OSI open source: free to self-host for your own team, but you may not run it as a commercial document service for third parties. Converts to Apache-2.0 on 2030-09-09.
Self-host: Runs via Docker Compose (needs Postgres, Redis, and S3-compatible storage). Copy the repo's `docker-compose.yml` and `.env.sample`, fill in the required secrets, then run `docker compose up`. Full guide at docs.getoutline.com/s/hosting.
Cross-platform note-taking app with end-to-end encryption and sync.
Alternative to: Evernote
License note: Joplin apps are AGPL-3.0-or-later; Joplin Server (`packages/server`) ships under its own separate license.
Self-host: For synced notes across devices, self-host Joplin Server via the official image: `docker run -d -p 22300:22300 joplin/server:latest` (requires a Postgres database, configured via env vars). See joplinapp.org/help/apps/sync/joplin_server.
To-do app with kanban boards, CalDAV sync, and team collaboration.
Alternative to: Todoist
Self-host: Official Docker image: `docker run -d -p 3456:3456 -v /path/data:/app/vikunja/files vikunja/vikunja`. See vikunja.io/docs/installing for database configuration (SQLite by default, Postgres/MySQL supported).
Full office suite — Writer, Calc, Impress — compatible with MS Office files.
Alternative to: Microsoft 365
Multilingual grammar, style, and spell checker — supports 30+ languages.
Alternative to: Grammarly
Self-host: LanguageTool doesn't publish an official Docker image, but the standalone HTTP server can be self-hosted by running `java -cp languagetool-server.jar org.languagetool.server.HTTPServer --port 8081` from the downloadable server package, or via the widely-used community image `erikvl87/languagetool`. See dev.languagetool.org/http-server.
Privacy-first outliner and knowledge base that stores plain local files — a Roam Research and Obsidian alternative.
Alternative to: Roam Research, Obsidian Sync
Privacy-first personal knowledge manager with block-level references and a Notion-style editor.
Alternative to: Notion, Roam Research
Modern wiki engine for team documentation — a Confluence alternative.
Alternative to: Confluence
Replaces: Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams
Open-source Slack alternative built for secure team collaboration.
Alternative to: Slack, Microsoft Teams
License note: Source is AGPL-3.0 (with exceptions); Mattermost-built binaries are MIT. Enterprise features live under a separate commercial license.
Self-host: Quick single-container trial: `docker run --name mattermost -d --publish 8065:8065 mattermost/mattermost-team-edition`. For production, use the official Docker Compose setup (with Postgres) at docs.mattermost.com/install/install-docker.html.
Fully customisable team chat platform with high data-protection standards.
Alternative to: Slack, Microsoft Teams
License note: Open core: MIT except the `ee/` directories, which carry a separate enterprise license.
Self-host: Officially deployed with Docker Compose (Rocket.Chat + MongoDB replica set). Download the official `docker-compose.yml` from docs.rocket.chat/docs/deploy-with-docker-docker-compose and run `docker compose up -d`.
Secure, fully-featured video conferencing — no account required.
Alternative to: Zoom, Microsoft Teams
Self-host: Official install method is docker-jitsi-meet: clone github.com/jitsi/docker-jitsi-meet, copy `env.example` to `.env`, run `./gen-passwords.sh` to generate secrets, then `docker compose up -d`.
Team chat that organises every conversation into topics — a Slack alternative for busy channels.
Alternative to: Slack
Client for the federated, end-to-end encrypted Matrix network — run your own homeserver or use a hosted one.
Alternative to: Slack, Microsoft Teams
Replaces: ChatGPT Plus, Claude Pro, GitHub Copilot, Midjourney, Otter.ai, DeepL Pro
Local models need a capable computer or GPU, and quality varies by model compared with hosted services like ChatGPT Plus or Claude Pro.
Run Llama, Mistral, and other LLMs locally with a single command.
Alternative to: ChatGPT Plus, Claude Pro
Self-host: Official Docker image: `docker run -d -v ollama:/root/.ollama -p 11434:11434 --name ollama ollama/ollama`. Then pull a model with `docker exec -it ollama ollama run llama3`. See github.com/ollama/ollama for GPU passthrough options.
ChatGPT-style web interface for Ollama and other local models.
Alternative to: ChatGPT Plus, Claude Pro
License note: BSD-3-Clause-based license with a branding-preservation clause — source is public and free to self-host, but it is not an OSI-approved open source license.
Self-host: Official Docker image: `docker run -d -p 3000:8080 -v open-webui:/app/backend/data --name open-webui ghcr.io/open-webui/open-webui:main`. Point it at an existing Ollama instance via the `OLLAMA_BASE_URL` env var. See docs.openwebui.com/getting-started.
Open-source AI code assistant for VS Code and JetBrains, works with local models.
Alternative to: GitHub Copilot
Node-based interface for running Stable Diffusion and other image-generation models locally — a Midjourney alternative if you have a capable GPU.
Alternative to: Midjourney
Speech-to-text model that runs locally — the engine behind many free transcription apps, and the basis for an Otter.ai-style workflow.
Alternative to: Otter.ai
Self-hosted machine translation API — a DeepL alternative, with quality that varies by language pair.
Alternative to: DeepL Pro
Replaces: Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Substack, Bitly
Self-hosted newsletter and mailing list manager — fast and free.
Alternative to: Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Substack
Self-host: Official Docker image `listmonk/listmonk` requires a Postgres database. Easiest path is the sample `docker-compose.yml` from the repo (bundles Postgres), then run the one-time `--install` step to set up the schema. See listmonk.app/docs/installation.
Modern publishing platform for newsletters and blogs — open source core.
Alternative to: Substack
Self-host: Official Docker image: `docker run -d --name ghost -e url=https://yourdomain.com -p 2368:2368 ghost:5-alpine`. For production, pair with a MySQL container instead of the built-in SQLite. See ghost.org/docs/install/docker.
Self-hosted URL shortener with click analytics and a REST API — a Bitly alternative.
Alternative to: Bitly
Replaces: GitHub, GitLab Premium, Bitbucket
Lightweight, painless self-hosted Git service — the easiest GitHub replacement.
Alternative to: GitHub, Bitbucket
Self-host: Official Docker image: `docker run -d --name gitea -p 3000:3000 -p 222:22 -v /path/data:/data gitea/gitea:latest`. See docs.gitea.com/installation/install-with-docker for a Compose file with Postgres.
Community-led fork of Gitea — fully featured Git forge, run yours in minutes.
Alternative to: GitHub, Bitbucket
Self-host: Official Docker image: `docker run -d --name forgejo -p 3000:3000 -p 222:22 -v /path/data:/data codeberg.org/forgejo/forgejo:latest`. See forgejo.org/docs/latest/admin/installation-docker for Compose setup.
Complete DevOps platform — Git hosting, CI/CD, issue tracking, container registry.
Alternative to: GitLab Premium, GitHub, Bitbucket
Self-host: Official Docker image: `docker run --detach --hostname gitlab.example.com --publish 443:443 --publish 80:80 --publish 22:22 --name gitlab --volume /srv/gitlab/config:/etc/gitlab --volume /srv/gitlab/logs:/var/log/gitlab --volume /srv/gitlab/data:/var/opt/gitlab gitlab/gitlab-ce:latest`. Needs at least 4GB RAM. See docs.gitlab.com/install/docker.
Replaces: Loom, Camtasia, Streamlabs, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Audition
Open-source screen recorder with instant shareable links — a Loom alternative.
Alternative to: Loom
License note: AGPL-3.0, except the `cap-camera*` and `scap-*` crates, which are MIT.
Free software for screen recording and live streaming with scenes, sources, and plugins.
Alternative to: Loom, Streamlabs, Camtasia
Cross-platform video editor with a wide format range — a Premiere Pro alternative for everyday editing.
Alternative to: Adobe Premiere Pro, Camtasia
Multi-track audio editor and recorder for podcasts, voiceovers, and music.
Alternative to: Adobe Audition
Replaces: Trello, Asana, Jira, Monday.com, ClickUp
Open-source project management with issues, cycles, modules, and views — a Jira and Linear alternative.
Alternative to: Jira, Asana, Monday.com, ClickUp, Trello
Self-host: Official self-hosting docs: docs.plane.so/self-hosting/overview.
Minimal, no-frills kanban board that runs on almost any PHP host.
Alternative to: Trello
Replaces: Miro, Lucidchart, FigJam
Hand-drawn-style virtual whiteboard with real-time collaboration and end-to-end encrypted sharing.
Alternative to: Miro, FigJam
Full-featured diagramming tool for flowcharts, UML, network diagrams, and more — runs in the browser or offline.
Alternative to: Lucidchart
Replaces: Calendly, Acuity Scheduling, Typeform, SurveyMonkey, DocuSign
MIT-licensed community edition of Cal.com for self-hosted booking pages — a Calendly alternative.
Alternative to: Calendly, Acuity Scheduling
License note: A fork of Cal.com with all enterprise code removed. The maintainers recommend it for personal, non-production use; commercial deployments are pointed to Cal.com.
Survey and form platform for in-product feedback and forms — a Typeform and Qualtrics alternative.
Alternative to: Typeform, SurveyMonkey
License note: Open core: AGPL-3.0 except the `ee` directories, which carry a separate enterprise license.
Open-source document signing — a DocuSign alternative you can self-host.
Alternative to: DocuSign
Replaces: HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Intercom, Zendesk
Modern open-source CRM with customisable objects and views — a Salesforce and HubSpot alternative.
Alternative to: Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive
License note: Open core: mostly AGPL-3.0, but files marked `@license Enterprise` are under a commercial license.
Open-source customer support desk with live chat, email, and social inboxes — an Intercom and Zendesk alternative.
Alternative to: Intercom, Zendesk
License note: Open core: MIT except the `enterprise/` directory, which carries a separate license.
Long-running open-source CRM for sales, marketing, and support workflows.
Alternative to: Salesforce, HubSpot
Replaces: YNAB, Monarch Money, Quicken, Copilot Money
Local-first envelope-budgeting app with optional self-hosted sync — a YNAB alternative.
Alternative to: YNAB, Monarch Money, Copilot Money
Self-host: Official install docs: actualbudget.org/docs/install.
Self-hosted personal finance manager with budgets, rules, recurring transactions, and reports.
Alternative to: Quicken, YNAB, Monarch Money
Self-host: Official Docker install guide: docs.firefly-iii.org/how-to/firefly-iii/installation/docker.
Replaces: Zapier, IFTTT, Make
No-code workflow automation with hundreds of integrations — a Zapier alternative.
Alternative to: Zapier, Make, IFTTT
License note: Open core: MIT except the `ee` packages, which carry a separate enterprise license.
Visual workflow automation with hundreds of integrations, code steps, and AI agent nodes — the most popular self-hostable Zapier alternative.
Alternative to: Zapier, Make, IFTTT
License note: Source-available (fair-code), not OSI open source: free to self-host for your own internal business or personal use, but you may not sell it or offer it to others as a hosted service. Files with `.ee.` in the name or directory are under a separate enterprise license.
Self-host: Official self-hosting docs: docs.n8n.io/hosting.
Flow-based visual programming tool for wiring together APIs, devices, and online services.
Alternative to: Zapier, IFTTT
Replaces: Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, Webflow
The most widely used website and blog platform, with a huge plugin and theme ecosystem.
Alternative to: Squarespace, Wix, Webflow
License note: The GitHub repo is a read-only mirror of the official Subversion repository.
Headless commerce platform for building custom online stores — a Shopify alternative for developers.
Alternative to: Shopify
License note: Open core: MIT except the Enterprise Edition materials listed in `ENTERPRISE-LICENSE.md`.
GraphQL-first headless commerce platform for multi-channel storefronts.
Alternative to: Shopify
Replaces: Fathom Analytics, Simple Analytics, Google Analytics 360
Simple, privacy-focused web analytics with a cookieless tracker.
Alternative to: Fathom Analytics, Simple Analytics
Self-host: Official install docs: umami.is/docs/install.
Lightweight, privacy-friendly analytics dashboard — a Google Analytics alternative.
Alternative to: Fathom Analytics, Simple Analytics
Self-host: Official self-hosting docs: plausible.io/docs/self-hosting.
Full-featured web analytics platform that gives you 100% data ownership.
Alternative to: Google Analytics 360
Replaces: Circle, Mighty Networks, Teachable, Kajabi, Thinkific
Modern forum and community platform used by thousands of communities.
Alternative to: Circle, Mighty Networks
The most widely used open-source learning management system for courses and training.
Alternative to: Teachable, Kajabi, Thinkific
Simple, modern learning platform for creating and selling courses. Smaller community than Moodle.
Alternative to: Teachable, Kajabi, Thinkific
Replaces: Dropbox, Google One, iCloud+, OneDrive
Full Dropbox/Google Workspace replacement — files, calendar, contacts, notes, video calls.
Alternative to: Dropbox, Google One, iCloud+, OneDrive
Self-host: Official Docker image: `docker run -d -p 8080:80 -v /path/nextcloud:/var/www/html nextcloud:latest`. For production use, pair it with a separate database container (MariaDB/Postgres) as shown in the docs at hub.docker.com/_/nextcloud.
Continuous, peer-to-peer file sync between your devices. No cloud middleman.
Alternative to: Dropbox, OneDrive
Self-host: Official Docker image: `docker run -d --name syncthing -p 8384:8384 -p 22000:22000/tcp -p 22000:22000/udp -p 21027:21027/udp -v /path/config:/var/syncthing syncthing/syncthing`. See docs.syncthing.net/users/docker.html.
Replaces: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, 1Password, LastPass, Dashlane
Fast, modern VPN protocol — pair with a cheap VPS for your own private VPN.
Alternative to: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark
Self-host: Not a typical containerized web app — install the `wireguard-tools` package on a VPS and configure `wg-quick` per the official quickstart at wireguard.com/quickstart, or use the popular community image `linuxserver/wireguard` for a Docker-based setup.
Lightweight Bitwarden-compatible password server in Rust — self-hosted in minutes.
Alternative to: 1Password, LastPass, Dashlane
Self-host: Official Docker image: `docker run -d --name vaultwarden -p 80:80 -v /path/vw-data:/data vaultwarden/server:latest`. Put it behind HTTPS (reverse proxy) before connecting real Bitwarden clients — see github.com/dani-garcia/vaultwarden/wiki.
Local-first password manager with browser integration. No subscription, ever.
Alternative to: 1Password, LastPass, Dashlane
Replaces: NextDNS, AdGuard Premium
Network-wide ad and tracker blocking via a local DNS sinkhole.
Alternative to: NextDNS
Self-host: Official install docs: docs.pi-hole.net/main/basic-install.
Network-wide ad blocker and DNS server with a polished web UI and DNS-over-HTTPS support.
Alternative to: NextDNS, AdGuard Premium
Replaces: Backblaze, Carbonite, iDrive, Acronis
These are backup programs, not storage. You still need somewhere to put the backups — a spare drive, a NAS, or low-cost object storage.
Fast, encrypted, deduplicated backups to local disks, SFTP, or S3-compatible storage.
Alternative to: Backblaze, Carbonite, iDrive, Acronis
Cross-platform backup tool with a GUI, encryption, and deduplication.
Alternative to: Backblaze, Carbonite, iDrive, Acronis
Encrypted, incremental backups to cloud storage services and remote file servers.
Alternative to: Backblaze, Carbonite, iDrive, Acronis
License note: Open core: MIT except the `proprietary/` directory, which carries a separate license.
Replaces: TeamViewer, AnyDesk, LogMeIn, Splashtop
Open-source remote desktop with a self-hostable relay server — a TeamViewer and AnyDesk alternative.
Alternative to: TeamViewer, AnyDesk, LogMeIn, Splashtop
Self-host: Official self-hosting docs: rustdesk.com/docs/en/self-host.
Replaces: UptimeRobot, Pingdom, StatusCake, Better Stack
Self-hosted monitoring tool with a clean dashboard, status pages, and dozens of notification channels.
Alternative to: UptimeRobot, Pingdom, StatusCake, Better Stack
Self-host: Official install guide: github.com/louislam/uptime-kuma/wiki/🔧-How-to-Install.
This page lists 94 open-source and source-available tools across 30 categories, each mapped to the paid subscriptions it can replace — for example Immich for Google Photos, Nextcloud for Dropbox, Vaultwarden for 1Password, Actual Budget for YNAB, Plane for Jira, and Umami for Fathom Analytics.
Free alternatives to Google Photos: Immich (AGPL-3.0, 115k GitHub stars); PhotoPrism (AGPL-3.0, 40k GitHub stars); Ente (AGPL-3.0, 29k GitHub stars). Install notes and details are on the cards below.
Free alternatives to Dropbox: Nextcloud (AGPL-3.0, 37k GitHub stars); Syncthing (MPL-2.0, 89k GitHub stars). Install notes and details are on the cards below.
Free alternatives to Notion: AppFlowy (AGPL-3.0, 77k GitHub stars); Outline (BSL-1.1, 41k GitHub stars); SiYuan (AGPL-3.0, 47k GitHub stars). Some carry license caveats (open core or source-available), noted on their cards. Install notes and details are on the cards below.
Free alternatives to Slack: Mattermost (AGPL-3.0, 39k GitHub stars); Rocket.Chat (MIT, 46k GitHub stars); Zulip (Apache-2.0, 26k GitHub stars); Element (Matrix) (AGPL-3.0, 14k GitHub stars). Some carry license caveats (open core or source-available), noted on their cards. Install notes and details are on the cards below.
Free alternatives to 1Password: Vaultwarden (AGPL-3.0, 68k GitHub stars); KeePassXC (GPL-3.0, 29k GitHub stars). Install notes and details are on the cards below.
Free alternatives to Adobe Creative Cloud: GIMP (GPL-3.0, 1.8k GitHub stars); Inkscape (GPL-2.0, 2.2k GitHub stars); Kdenlive (GPL-3.0, 3.1k GitHub stars); Darktable (GPL-3.0, 13k GitHub stars). Install notes and details are on the cards below.
Free alternatives to ChatGPT Plus: Ollama (MIT, 182k GitHub stars); Open WebUI (Open WebUI License, 153k GitHub stars). Some carry license caveats (open core or source-available), noted on their cards. Install notes and details are on the cards below.
Free alternatives to YNAB: Actual Budget (MIT, 29k GitHub stars); Firefly III (AGPL-3.0, 25k GitHub stars). Install notes and details are on the cards below.
Free alternatives to Calendly: Cal.diy (Cal.com community edition) (MIT, 49k GitHub stars). Some carry license caveats (open core or source-available), noted on their cards. Install notes and details are on the cards below.
Free alternatives to Trello: Plane (AGPL-3.0, 60k GitHub stars); Kanboard (MIT, 9.9k GitHub stars). Install notes and details are on the cards below.
No. Tools like Jellyfin, Navidrome, and Audiobookshelf replace the app, not the catalogue: you supply your own media files. If you cancel Netflix or Spotify you lose their content library.
The software is free, but self-hosting costs time and usually a server (from about $5 a month for a small VPS, or your own hardware). Several projects also sell optional hosted plans. Desktop apps such as GIMP, Krita, and OBS Studio just run on your computer.
Open-source licenses (MIT, Apache-2.0, GPL, AGPL) let anyone use, modify, and redistribute the code. "Open core" projects keep most code open but reserve some features under a separate commercial license. "Source-available" licenses, such as BSL-1.1, publish the code but restrict some uses. Any such carve-out is noted on the tool's card.
GitHub star counts, licenses, and repository status were last checked in September 2026. Projects hosted outside GitHub keep their previously recorded figures.
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