Awesome Software
A collection of software, websites, and browser extensions that I frequently use or have used, mainly focusing on open-source and free options.
Guide
Legend:
- ๐ Open-source software
- ๐ธ Contains paid features
- ๐ฒ Paid software
- โ๏ธโ๐ฅ No longer actively maintained
- ๐ Web-based
- ๐ช Windows
- ๐ macOS
Basic
Web Browser
Image Viewer
- nomacs ๐๐ช Supports a variety of formats and can convert image formats.
- FlyPhotos ๐๐ช The UI is visually appealing, but it only supports image viewing.
- Honeyview โ๏ธโ๐ฅ๐ช Supports a variety of formats and can convert image formats. When used with Bandzip, it allows previewing images inside compressed files.
Screen Capture
- ShortX ๐๐ช Feature-rich with a high level of customization and OCR support.
- Snipaste ๐ธ๐ช๐ Available on the Microsoft Store.
Screen Recorder
- OBS Studio ๐๐ช๐
Media Player
- mpc-hc ๐๐ช
- mpc-be ๐๐ช
- VLC ๐๐ช๐
- K-Lite Codec Pack Full ๐ช Software bundle of audio codecs and video codecs, including MPC-HC, madVR and LAV.
- Potplayer ๐ช Offers the most functionality, though it has a bit of a checkered past.
File Archiver
- Peazip ๐๐ช๐ After double-clicking to extract, it can automatically open the extracted folder.
- 7-Zip ๐๐ช Compact in size and powerful in performance.
- Bandzip Upon extraction, it can open the folder automatically and delete the original compressed file.
- Keka ๐๐
Download Manager
Security & Password Manager
- ESET ๐ฒ๐ช๐ Low system resource usage, with powerful HIPS functionality. Recommended version: Internet Security.
- Huorong Internet Security ๐ช
- KeepassXC ๐๐ช๐ A password management tool that can sync databases via OneDrive; on iOS, itโs compatible with StrongBox/KeePassium.
- KnockKnock ๐๐ Monitor software behavior.
- LuLu ๐๐ Firewall.
Creative Design & Production
Image Editor
- Photopea ๐ธ๐
- GIMP ๐๐ช๐
- Paint.NET ๐ช
- Photoshop ๐ฒ๐ช๐
- webp-converter ๐๐ช Batch convert images to webp format.
Video Editor
- Kdenlive ๐๐ช๐
- OpenShot ๐๐ช๐
- Premiere Pro ๐ฒ๐ช๐
Audio Editor
- AudioMass ๐๐
3D Design & CAD
- Blender ๐ช๐
- FreeCAD ๐ช๐
- QCAD ๐๐ธ๐ช๐
- SolidWorks ๐ฒ๐ช
- AutoCAD ๐ฒ๐ช๐
- Rhinoceros 3D ๐ฒ๐ช๐
- SketchUp ๐ธ๐ช๐ Basic web version is free to use.
Text & Wrok
Office
- MS Office ๐ฒ๐ช๐
- Office Tool Plus Installation.
- Microsoft Activation Scripts (MAS) Activation.
- LibreOffice ๐๐ช๐
Note Taking
- Onenote ๐ช๐
- Obsidian ๐ธ๐ช๐ Operates on Markdown files, support plugins.
- Pangu ๐ Add space between Chinese Characters and English Alphabet.
- Advanced Tables ๐
- Excalidraw ๐
- Remotely Save ๐๐ธ Sync.
- Auto Link Title ๐
- Paste Image Rename ๐
E-book Reader
- Sumatra PDF ๐ช Fast and lightweight.
- Aquile Reader ๐ธ๐ช Available on the Microsoft Store.
- Kindle for PC ๐ช๐ Built-in dictionaries.
PDF Editor
- Stirling-PDF ๐๐ช Local Deployment, interaction in Browser.
- CleverPDF ๐
- PDFgear ๐ช๐
- Nitro PDF Pro ๐ฒ๐ช๐
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC ๐ฒ๐ช๐
Translation
- pot-desktop ๐๐ช๐ Text selection/OCR translation.
- Grammarly ๐ธ๐ช๐ Grammar correction with Word integration support.
- DeepL ๐ธ๐
- ๆฌง้่ฏๅ ธ ๐ธ๐ช๐
Diagram Drawing
- draw.io ๐ UML diagram creation.
- Excalidraw ๐๐ Hand-drawn style whiteboard.
Remote Conference
- Zoom ๐ธ๐ช๐
- Microsoft Teams ๐ธ๐ช๐
Academic Research
- LATEX ๐ช๐ Academic typesetting software with strong support for mathematical formulas.
- Zotero ๐ช๐ Literature viewing and organization.
- zotero-better-bibtex ๐ A plugin for automatic BibTeX file generation.
- Sci-Hub ๐ Free paper downloads.
- BibGuru ๐ Citation format management.
Programming
- Git ๐๐ช๐
- Powershell7 ๐๐ช
- Windows Terminal ๐๐ช
- iTerm2 ๐
- p10k theme ๐
- syntax highlight ๐
- auto suggestions ๐
- MinGW-w64 ๐๐ช๐ C/C++
- Java JDK ๐ช๐
- Anaconda ๐๐ช๐
- Python ๐๐ช๐
- Node.js ๐๐ช๐
- VSCode ๐๐ช๐
- Visual Studio ๐ช๐
- PyCharm ๐ช๐
- IntelliJ IDEA ๐ช๐
- CodeBlocks ๐๐ช๐
- XShell ๐ช
- Unity ๐ช๐
- Trello ๐
- XCode ๐
- Sourcetree ๐ช๐
- Mono Framework ๐๐ช๐ Cross-platform .NET Framework
Game
- Steam ๐ช๐
Efficiency & Tools
Launcher
- Flow.Launcher ๐๐ช
- PowerToys Run ๐๐ช
- utools ๐ธ๐ช๐ The most feature-rich.
- rubick ๐๐ช๐ A high-quality imitation of utools.
Remote Control
- Parsec ๐ธ๐ช๐ Free within the local network; allows Windows PC remote access to a Mac with high-quality visuals but also high resource usage.
- Sunlogin ๐ธ๐ช๐ Contains ads.
- VNC Viewer ๐ช๐
- Mouse Without Borders ๐ช Local network only.
Network Tools
- Clash Verge Rev ๐๐ช๐ Fight against with the Great Firewall.
- V2RayN ๐๐ช๐ Fight against with the Great Firewall.
- Wireshark ๐ช๐ Network protocol analyzer.
Mouse Enhancement
- WGestures ๐ธ๐ช๐ Mouse gesture control.
- SnipDo ๐ช Floating text toolโwhen text is selected, a floating box appears for quick actions like copy and paste, and custom automation tasks are supported.
- MOS ๐โ๏ธโ๐ฅ๐ Smooth scroll simulation to eliminate mouse wheel stuttering.
File Management & Transfer
- Everything ๐ช Quick file search.
- QuickLook ๐โ๏ธโ๐ฅ๐ช Quick file preview with the spacebar.
- LocalSend ๐๐ช๐ LAN file transfer and sharing.
- Apple่ฎพๅค ๐ช File transfer between iOS devices and Windows.
- Onedrive ๐ช๐
- SpaceSniffer ๐ช Visualize disk space usage per file.
- Duplicate Cleaner ๐ฒ๐ช Locate and delete duplicate files.
- File Converter ๐๐ช Convert/Compress files using the context menu of windows explorer.
Desktop Customization.
- Rainmeter ๐๐ช
- Wallpaper Engine ๐ฒ๐ช Dynamic wallpapers.
- TranslucentTB ๐๐ช Transparent taskbar.
- MacType ๐๐ช Better font rendering for Windows.
- Context Menu Manager ๐๐ช
System Tools
- Microsoft PowerToys ๐๐ช Windows system optimization and feature extension.
- Traffic Monitor ๐โ๏ธโ๐ฅ๐ช Floating window for monitoring system status.
- DISM++ ๐โ๏ธโ๐ฅ๐ช System optimization toolkit.
- AIDA64 ๐ฒ๐ช Detailed inspection and testing of system parameters.
- Rufus ๐๐ช Tool for creating a system installation disk.
- DDU ๐ช Complete uninstallation of graphics card drivers.
- Tuba Toolbox ๐ช Collection of various system testing tools.
- iGlance ๐โ๏ธโ๐ฅ๐ Display system information (such as CPU temperature, memory usage, and network speed) in the menu bar.
- CheatSheet ๐ Hold down the command key to view current app shortcuts.
- Rectangle ๐๐ Move and resize windows in macOS.
Virtual Machine
- VMWare ๐ช๐ Now free after acquisition by Broadcom.
- VirtualBox ๐๐ช๐
Hardware Control
- EarTrumpet ๐๐ช Independently control volume levels for different applications.
- Twinkle Tray ๐๐ช Adjust monitor brightness.
- BetterDisplay ๐ธ๐ Enable HiDPI on 2K external monitors.
- AlDente ๐ธ๐ Set battery charge limits to extend battery life.
- AI Suite3 ๐ช ASUS motherboard fan speed control.
- Logitech G Hub ๐ช๐ Logitech mouse configuration.
- Trident Z Console ๐ช G.Skill Trident Z lighting effects control.
- OpenRGB ๐๐ช
- Armoury Crate ๐ช ASUS motherboard control softwareโflashy interface but too buggy.
- Aura Sync ๐ช ASUS Aura Sync lighting control softwareโsimpler but more stable.
Drivers
- AMD RX6500XT ๐ช
- ROG B460i Audio ๐ช
- Dell Display Manager & ICC Profile ๐ช
Browser Extensions
- Saladict ๐๐ Webpage text translation.
- Dark Reader ๐๐ธ๐ Enable night mode on web pages.
- uBlock Origin ๐๐ Ad blocker.