These days if you are just starting out as an internet marketer or graphic designer you will notice that some of the professional software programs for web/graphic design tend to be a little pricey. CS4 which includes dreamweaver, photoshop, in-design, and much more cost just over $2000.
Well what if I said you could get products very similar to CS4 for free? In this blog post I am going to show you free alternative software versions of some of the most expensive design products out there and where you can go about getting them.
List of Free WebApps and Tools
Adobe CS4 Design Software:
GIMP: An alternative to Adobe PhotoShop, basically all the same features PhotoShop, where you can edit photos, design graphics, logos and so much more. Only difference is that it is Free!
Click Here for helpful tutorials on how to use GIMP
Get Paint: Another alternative to PhotoShop, digital editing software that is very similar to GIMP, however many people find paint a little easier to use. Great tool to use to creating website headers.
Click Here for helpful Paint.Net tutorials
Inkscape: Alternative to Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw. This is an open source vector graphics editor
Click Here for helpful Inkscape tutorials
KompoZer: Alternative to Adobe Dreamweaver. This is a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) web page editor. You do not need to know HTML coding to use this software, however if you want you can edit HTML. KompoZer does not have as many features as Dreamweaver, but it will allow you to build a simple professional looking webpage.
Click Here for KompoZer turtorials
XSitePro: This is actually is another alternative to Dreamweaver, however you have to pay for it. This is an awesome web desgin program that is designed specifically for internet marketers. Very easy to use as compared to Dreamweaver and KompoZer. XSitePro has so many features it is well worth the price. If you are looking for a cheaper, easier to use alternative I highly recommend XSitePro.
AJAX Animator: Alternative to Adobe Flash, where you can create animations and embed them into your websites.
Click Here for AJAX Animator tutorials
PDF Escape: Alternative to Adobe Acrobat, which allows you to add text and edit PDF documents, fill out and design forms.
Scribus: Alternative to Adobe In-Design. A desktop publishing application, where you can create animated and interactive PDF files, such as posters, brochures, newsletters and newspapers
Click Here for Scribus tutorials
Picasa: Alternative to Adobe Lightroom, Picasa is a free photo editing software from Google, lets you organize, edit and share your photos through email, print or web.
Audacity: Alternative to Adobe Soundbooth, where you can record live audio and then edit it. You can also convert tapes and records to digital format and much more.
Click Here for Audacity tutorials
Blender: This is a free open source 3D content creation suite, where you can make 3D animations and pictures
Click Here for Blender tutorials
Jahshaka: Alternative to Adobe After Effects, where you can create and edit effects, animate, paint and design on moving video and create music. This is a cool video management software.
Click Here for Jahshaka tutorials
Microsoft Office Alternatives:
Open Office: Alternative to Microsoft Office, where you can create word documents, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, graphics, pdf files, and much more. You can do almost everything with open office that you can with microsoft office and even more. The best part is its FREE!
Mozilla Thunderbird: Alternative to Microsoft Outlook, full featured open source email client
Google Docs: Alternative to Microsoft Office, where you can make word docs, spreadsheets and presentations, also you are able to upload current docs into Google docs and edit them.
To use Google Docs just sign into your G-mail account and go to Google docs (you must have a G-mail account to access Google Docs)
Preezo: Alternative to Microsoft Powerpoint, which allows you to create presentations and save them to your computer, very similar to powerpoint
Other Alternative WebApps:
Meebo: Instant Messenger, allows you to sign in to any of your instant messager platforms, without having to download any of the applications.
Screentoaster: Alternative to Camtasia, where it records your desktop, microphone, web cam all in HD and then upload them directly to YouTube.
CamStudio: Another alternative to Camtasia, a screen recording open source software.
JayCut: Alternative to Windows Movie Maker, where you can make, edit, add effects and music to movies.
CdBurner XP: Alternative to Nero, where you can burn Cds, Dvds, Bluerays, HD-Dvds, you can also create ISOs
Filezilla: Alternative to SmartFTP, allows you to transfer files to and from your website, FTP client. Great application if you have your own website.
7-Zip: Alternative to WinZip, where you can compress files to send or save on your computer so that they take up less room on your hard drive.
AVG: Alternative to Symantec Norton Virus protection, AVG is one of the most popular anit virus solutions available and it does not cost any money! Pretty much the same features norton has, I actually like AVG better than Norton anyway.
Ad-Aware: Another alternative to Norton, protects your computer against adware and spyware attacks. Download the free version that is all you will need!
FaxZero: Allows you to send 2 free faxes a day, great application if you still use fax.
UnFreez: Windows applications where you can take different images save them as GIF and then create single animated GIFs from those files and post them to your website.
Skype: Skype is an application you can download where you can chat with others for free skype to skype, allows for video chat, Instant messaging , file transfers, and much more great app to keep in touch with others. Free PC to PC calling!
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