Linux Equivalents to Windows Software

Linux Equivalents to Windows Software
Source: www.linuxlinks.com at http://www.linuxlinks.com/article/20070701111340544/Equivalents.html

There are many articles written about the reasons why users may wish to convert to Linux. Frequently cited reasons include the favorable licensing terms, the freely distributable software (with source code), support from the Linux community, improved security, open file formats, the fact that Linux can run on a wide variety of platforms, etc. However, unless a desktop user is provided with real alternatives to the existing software he or she currently uses, migration to a different operating system is going to be very difficult.

This collection of articles aims to dispel the myth that Linux isn't ready for the desktop user to move away from the Microsoft world. If you are contemplating switching from Windows to Linux, please be assured that many of your favorite desktop applications have Linux equivalents, often with a comparable feature set.

For each Linux application, we have compiled a portal page providing an overview of the software, a screenshot of the application in action, a comprehensive list of its features, and links to sites offering information and support on the software such as forums, tutorials, and reviews.

Unlike their Window counterparts, the vast majority of the Linux applications listed below are available to download without charge (a few of the Linux equivalents are commercial, or released under a proprietory license). Popular Linux distributions conveniently include many of the software applications listed below (see our Linux Distribution Guide if you are unsure what is meant by the term distribution, or if you would like more information on what they offer).

We have also produced a more detailed compilation of the best Linux software in our Portal Pages & Features section.

Alternatively, we have also provided a large flat list of all the software included, which is in alphabetical order.


Windows Software
Category
Linux Equivalent

3D Studio Max
3D Computer Graphics
Art of IllusionBlenderK-3D

ACDSee
Graphics Viewer
CornicegThumbGwenviewImgv

Adobe Acrobat Pro
PDF editor
PDFedit

Adobe After Effects
Realtime Editing
Jahshaka

Adobe Flash Player
Multimedia
Gnash

Adobe Reader
Office Utility
Adobe ReaderEvinceKPDFokular

Abode InDesign
Desktop Publishing
Scribus

Adobe Illustrator
Graphics
InkscapeSkencilXara Xtreme

Adobe PhotoAlbum
Digital Camera
digiKam

Adobe Photoshop
Graphics
CinePaintGIMPGimpshopKritaPixel

AOL Instant Messenger
Communication
KopetePidgin

ArcGIS
Geographic Information Systems
GRASSQuantum GISuDig

AutoCAD
CAD
K-3DQCadBRL-CAD

Borland Delphi
Pascal Development
Lazarus

CDex
Multimedia
GripK3bRipOffSound Juicer

ChemDraw
Chemical Structures
XDrawChem

Citrix Presentation Server
Networking
NX Free ServerRealVNCVinagre

Copernic Tracker
Web site tracking
Specto

DigiGuide
TV Guide
Maxemum TV-Guide
Dreamweaver

Web Development
BluefishQuanta PlusKompoZerNvuScreem
Eviews

Econometrics
gretl

Filezilla
FTP Client
gFTPFilezillaFireFTPKFTPgrabber

Final Cut Pro
Multimedia Editor
AvidemuxCinelerraKinoRosegarden

FL Studio
Midi SequencerDrum Machine
EnergyXT2HydrogenLMMS
Forte Agent

Usenet newsreader
KNodePan
GetRight

Download Manager
Downloader for XGWGETKGet

Gmail Notifier
Email Tool
CheckGmailGmail NotifierMail Notification

Google Desktop Search
Search Tool
BeagleGoogle Desktop

Guitar Pro
Multitrack editor
TuxGuitar

Inspiration
Mind mapping
FreeMindSemantikView Your Mind

iTunes
Media Player
AmarokBansheeExailegtkpodRhythmboxSongbird

Launchy
Application Launcher
GNOME DoKatapult
Legacy

Genealogy
GRAMPS
Logos Bible Software

Bible studies
BibleTimeGnomeSword

MATLAB
Numerical computation
MATLABOctaveScilab

Mathematica
Computer algebra
MathematicaMaxima

Meal Master
Recipe Manager
Gourmet Recipe Manager

Microsoft Access
Database
KexiOpenOffice.orgPostgreSQL

Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
GnumericOpenOffice.org

Microsoft Internet Explorer
Web Browser
FirefoxKonquerorOpera
Microsoft HyperTerminal

Communications
GtkTermminicom

Microsoft Money
Money Management
GnuCash

Microsoft NetMeeting
VoIP and videoconferencing
Ekiga

Microsoft Office
Office Suite
Google Docs & SpreadsheetsKOfficeOpenOffice.org

Microsoft Office OneNote
Notetaking
BasKet Note PadsTomboy

Microsoft Outlook
Email Client
BalsaEvolutionKMailSylpheedThunderbird

Microsoft Powerpoint
Presentation
KPresenterOpenOffice Impress

Microsoft Project
Project Management
KOffice KPlatoGanttProjectTaskJuggler

Microsoft Word
Wordprocessor
AbiWordKwordOpenOffice.org

Microsoft Visio
Office Drawing
ArgoUMLDiaKivio

Microsoft Visual Basic
Programming Language
Gambas

Microsoft Visual Studio
Development Environment
AnjutaCode::BlocksEclipseGeanyKDevelopNetBeans IDE

Microsoft .NET Framework
.NET Development
Mono

mIRC
IRC Client
KonversationXChat

MegaStar
Astronomy
CelestiaStellarium

Movie Collector
DVD Cataloging
GCstarGriffithTellicovMovieDB

Nero Burning Rom
CD/DVD Burning
BraseroGnomeBakerK3bNero Linux

Nero Recode
MPEG-4 encoder
HandBrake

Nero Vision Express
DVD Authoring
KMediaFactoryQ DVD-Author

NewsBin Pro
Usenet Binary Downloader
KLibidoPan

NewzCrawler
News Aggregator
AkregatorBlogBridgeLifereaRSSOwlThunderbird

Notepad
Simple Text Editor
CreamgeditKateSciTEScribes

OmniPage
Text Recognition (OCR)
Kooka

Palm Desktop
Personal InformationManager
ChandlerEvolutionJ-PilotKontactKPilotqOrganizerSpicebird

Parasoft Insure++
Debugging
Valgrind

Partition Magic
System Utility
GParted

Picasa
Photo Management
blueMarineF-SpotPicasa

PowerDVD
DVD Player
MPlayerVLC

Quicken
Personal Finance
GnuCashGrisbikMyMoneyMoneydance

Quick Books
Financial / Taxation
MyBooks Professional

Scientific Word
Typesetting
KileLyXTeXmacs

Skype
Internet Telephony
SkypeWengoPhone

Soundrec
Audio Recorder
AudacityJokosherTraverso DAW

SPSS
Statistical Analysis
PSPPRSPSS

Symantec Ghost
Backup
ClonezillaPartition ImagePING
Symantec Veritas NetBackup
Backup
AmandaBaculaKeep

Traktor DJ
Disc Jockey Tool
Mixxx

µTorrent
BitTorrent client
DelugeKTorrentTransmissionVuze

Videora
iPod Video Conversion
thin liquid film

VideoReDo
Video Editing
AvidemuxKdenliveLives

VMware Workstation
Virtualization
VirtualBoxVMware Workstation

Winamp
Multimedia Player
AudaciousAmarokBansheeHelix Player

Windows Calculator
Calculator
SpeedCrunch

Windows File Explorer
File Management
Endeavour Mark IIKonquerorKrusaderNautilusPCMan File ManagerThunarXfe

Windows Live Messenger
Communication
aMSNemeseneKopeteMercury MessengerPidgin

Windows Media Center
Home Media Box
Elisa Media CenterFreevoLinuxMCEMythTV

Windows Media Player
Multimedia Player
KaffeineKPlayerMPlayerTotemxine

WinIso
CD Image File Utility
KIso

WinZip
Compression Utility
File Roller

ZoneAlarm
Firewall
GuarddogFirestarter