Paid vs free programs

I thought it would be nice to have a list where people would recommend their software where the opposite really doesnt suffice.

Like for me,

Adobe Photoshop is far superior to other free software like GIMP, albeit very pricy. (but well worth the buck for me)
Comodo Firewall is superior any paid software from what Ive seen in comparisons.

Anyone else have thoughts or recommendations?

 

Well what other type of programs do you need recommendations for?

For AV programs, the free versions are pretty good already. Though a ESSET NOD32 AV paid subscription works out even better for some.

All the general tools and utilities for windows that are open source/free are pretty good.

Its only the more advanced programs like video, photoshop that require a specialized and funded company.

 

I know that there are many extremely good free programs out there, in fact I use countless free programs on my computer but there are some programs out there where there isnt really a comparable free version and many are very expensive. I would just like peoples opinion about what software is worth the buck

 

Office 03 > Open Office
Outlook > Thunderbird
Nero 8 > ImgBurn/cdXPburner

Cant think of anything else so far. Most of my programs are free aswell.

 

Sandboxie is a good program that costs some money. ($30)

I don't know of any free alternative to it.

Gparted & PartImage > Acronis (Though Acronis is easier to use)

 

I still am puzzled why anyone uses anything but 7zip for their archiving needs. On one PC I use at work, I have 7zip installed, and it's right there on the right-click menu, and someone STILL installed the trial of WinRAR. Huh?

 

WinRAR is shareware but you don't have to register ever as will only prompt you to do that, but it's fully functional after 30 days .

 

7-zip > winrar. Free, no time limit.

 

Windows > Lunix.

 

I'm gonna have to disagree with most of y'all here. The GIMP is better than Photoshop for the stuff I do (multiple monitors, the GIMP wins hands-down).

And Linux > Windows for people who actually want to get things done Windows > Linux if (and only if) Games > real work.

 

What are you talking about? Sandboxie is freeware.

 

Only for the first 30 days. Then it starts popping up annoying messages to buy it. It still allows you use, but you miss out on the two features not included in the free use. Those are multiple sandboxes at a time & forced programs or folders into the sandbox. I just started getting those messages, so time for me to pay up.

 

here come the flame wars...

cant we just accept that some people prefer one over the other? there are great things about windows and great things about linux. i prefer the headaches you get in linux over the headaches in windows, and i also just dont like doing actual work in windows. that being said i still have it for games and for when i bork my linux from messing around with it too much (although nowadays that doesnt really happen anymore )

i personally believe that in almost all aspects (except for vista's aesthetics) linux is better than windows, but im not going to beat people over the head about it

 

The best thing about Lunix is, you can break it's DVD in two, and feel nothing (but a great sense of pride ).

 

Shall I bring up the fact that now you can run many Linux apps native-ly on Windows? Not the perfect solution, but still handy.

Whoops too late.

 

On the internet, everything is "free." :wink:

Anyway, GIMP is a very nice alternative if you do not want to throwdown $1000 for Photoshop.

ZoneAlarm has a free version of their firewall software that does everything I need.

There are tons of amazing free text editors, but there are also amazing IDE's that cost money such as phpDesigner.

It really all depends on how much you're going to use/take advantage of the application. If you're just the common dude changing the color of some pictures on your computer for your mom, use GIMP. If you're a professional photographer/web designer that needs high-end applications to do work, purchase Adobe products.

Same goes for all software.

 

Agree. I just installed 7zip a week ago, and it work great

 

Change is bad. Leave me alone