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This was initially a reply to a similar topic - but the confusion there inspired me to create a topic for "actual" Open Source software/apps - which i use along with paid and freeware - but i don't find it fitting to be mixed together (for the sake of longevity - since freeware or paid apps - despite being popular - they're sometimes killed by their devs). So here's my Top 10 list:
1) Firefox - which to this day is still the most modular browser, not that there's a need for introduction.
2) MPV - i use the mitzsch mpv-winbuild - a good option for those who find some pleasure in fine-tuning and tweaking the advanced video settings using a text editor - and i meant this quite literally: mpv.io - not to mention - the extra scripts and Shaders: GitHub - stax76/awesome-mpv: A curated list of awesome mpv resources. Tho, i'm well aware - the majority would prefer a GUI version - and here's the main advantage (or even the beauty) of Open Source: if a software is popular enough (or stands out for whatever reason) - some devs will take the code and make their own version in a way they prefer, such as: MPC-QT (inspired by MP-HC), MPV-EASY Player or integrate it in their own project like: SMPlayer - to name a few (you can find more in this list: GitHub - stax76/awesome-mpv: A curated list of awesome mpv resources. ).
On the other hand... freeware software - no matter how popular it gets - you're always stuck to its proprietary GUI and options (as intended by its devs) - even if there's rooms for improvement. Sometimes the project even dies and the devs will force it in an early grave unless.... they release the Source Code as Open Source - to be taken over by others. Such was the case with another popular player Home · MPC-HC (MPC-HC is not under development since 2017. Please switch to something else.). Tho, since the code was made available as Open Source - other devs took over and thus we have:
- Releases · clsid2/mpc-hc
- Releases · Aleksoid1978/MPC-BE
...both still developed and maintained in 2025 (even 2 weeks since last update).
Videolan too - can be on that list - as a popular Open Source video player.
3) UniGetUI - The main goal of this project is to create an intuitive GUI for the most common CLI package managers for Windows 10 and 11, such as WinGet, Scoop, Chocolatey, Pip, Npm, .NET Tool, PowerShell Gallery and more (Check out the package manager compatibility table)!.With this app, you can easily download, install, update, and uninstall any software published on the supported package managers — and much more!
4) Equalizer APO - Equalizer APO is a parametric / graphic equalizer for Windows. It is implemented
as an Audio Processing Object (APO) for the system effect infrastructure
introduced with Windows Vista. Probably the most advanced APO (or Audio Enhancement) - since it can also act as a Host for VST/2 Filters (you're able to turn your system in a professional audio station).
5) Double Commander - is a free cross platform open source file manager with two panels side by side. It is inspired by Total Commander and features new ideas. But i use the most recent snapshot -since it has black theme support: Double Commander Snapshots
6) Notepad++ - is a free (as in “free speech” and also as in “free beer”) source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several programming languages. Running in the MS Windows environment, its use is governed by GNU General Public License. Based on the powerful editing component Scintilla, Notepad++ is written in C++ and uses pure Win32 API and STL which ensures a higher execution speed and smaller program size. By optimizing as many routines as possible without losing user friendliness, Notepad++ is trying to reduce the world carbon dioxide emissions. When using less CPU power, the PC can throttle down and reduce power consumption, resulting in a greener environment.
7) GIMP - is a cross-platform image editor available for GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows and more operating systems. It is free software, you can change its source code and distribute your changes. Whether you are a graphic designer, photographer, illustrator, or scientist, GIMP provides you with sophisticated tools to get your job done. You can further enhance your productivity with GIMP thanks to many customization options and 3rd party plugins.
8) Audacity - Audacity is the world’s most popular free software for recording and editing audio. So if you're producing music, a podcast, or just playing around with audio, Audacity is for you.
9) ShareX - Screen capture, file sharing and productivity tool.
10) 7-Zip - 7-Zip is free software with open source. The most of the code is under the GNU LGPL license.Some parts of the code are under the BSD 3-clause License. Also there is unRAR license restriction for some parts of the code.Read 7-Zip License information.
PS. If you have a list of your own - add it as well - just make sure the apps in question "are actually Open Source".
1) Firefox - which to this day is still the most modular browser, not that there's a need for introduction.
2) MPV - i use the mitzsch mpv-winbuild - a good option for those who find some pleasure in fine-tuning and tweaking the advanced video settings using a text editor - and i meant this quite literally: mpv.io - not to mention - the extra scripts and Shaders: GitHub - stax76/awesome-mpv: A curated list of awesome mpv resources. Tho, i'm well aware - the majority would prefer a GUI version - and here's the main advantage (or even the beauty) of Open Source: if a software is popular enough (or stands out for whatever reason) - some devs will take the code and make their own version in a way they prefer, such as: MPC-QT (inspired by MP-HC), MPV-EASY Player or integrate it in their own project like: SMPlayer - to name a few (you can find more in this list: GitHub - stax76/awesome-mpv: A curated list of awesome mpv resources. ).
On the other hand... freeware software - no matter how popular it gets - you're always stuck to its proprietary GUI and options (as intended by its devs) - even if there's rooms for improvement. Sometimes the project even dies and the devs will force it in an early grave unless.... they release the Source Code as Open Source - to be taken over by others. Such was the case with another popular player Home · MPC-HC (MPC-HC is not under development since 2017. Please switch to something else.). Tho, since the code was made available as Open Source - other devs took over and thus we have:
- Releases · clsid2/mpc-hc
- Releases · Aleksoid1978/MPC-BE
...both still developed and maintained in 2025 (even 2 weeks since last update).
Videolan too - can be on that list - as a popular Open Source video player.
3) UniGetUI - The main goal of this project is to create an intuitive GUI for the most common CLI package managers for Windows 10 and 11, such as WinGet, Scoop, Chocolatey, Pip, Npm, .NET Tool, PowerShell Gallery and more (Check out the package manager compatibility table)!.With this app, you can easily download, install, update, and uninstall any software published on the supported package managers — and much more!
4) Equalizer APO - Equalizer APO is a parametric / graphic equalizer for Windows. It is implemented
as an Audio Processing Object (APO) for the system effect infrastructure
introduced with Windows Vista. Probably the most advanced APO (or Audio Enhancement) - since it can also act as a Host for VST/2 Filters (you're able to turn your system in a professional audio station).
5) Double Commander - is a free cross platform open source file manager with two panels side by side. It is inspired by Total Commander and features new ideas. But i use the most recent snapshot -since it has black theme support: Double Commander Snapshots
6) Notepad++ - is a free (as in “free speech” and also as in “free beer”) source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several programming languages. Running in the MS Windows environment, its use is governed by GNU General Public License. Based on the powerful editing component Scintilla, Notepad++ is written in C++ and uses pure Win32 API and STL which ensures a higher execution speed and smaller program size. By optimizing as many routines as possible without losing user friendliness, Notepad++ is trying to reduce the world carbon dioxide emissions. When using less CPU power, the PC can throttle down and reduce power consumption, resulting in a greener environment.
7) GIMP - is a cross-platform image editor available for GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows and more operating systems. It is free software, you can change its source code and distribute your changes. Whether you are a graphic designer, photographer, illustrator, or scientist, GIMP provides you with sophisticated tools to get your job done. You can further enhance your productivity with GIMP thanks to many customization options and 3rd party plugins.
8) Audacity - Audacity is the world’s most popular free software for recording and editing audio. So if you're producing music, a podcast, or just playing around with audio, Audacity is for you.
9) ShareX - Screen capture, file sharing and productivity tool.
10) 7-Zip - 7-Zip is free software with open source. The most of the code is under the GNU LGPL license.Some parts of the code are under the BSD 3-clause License. Also there is unRAR license restriction for some parts of the code.Read 7-Zip License information.
PS. If you have a list of your own - add it as well - just make sure the apps in question "are actually Open Source".
My Computer
At a glance
WinDOS 25H2Intel & AMDSO-DIMM SK Hynix 15.8 GB Dual-Channel DDR4-26...nVidia RTX 2060 6GB Mobile GPU (TU106M)
- OS
- WinDOS 25H2
- Computer type
- Laptop
- CPU
- Intel & AMD
- Memory
- SO-DIMM SK Hynix 15.8 GB Dual-Channel DDR4-2666 (2 x 8 GB) 1329MHz (19-19-19-43)
- Graphics Card(s)
- nVidia RTX 2060 6GB Mobile GPU (TU106M)
- Sound Card
- Onbord Realtek ALC1220
- Screen Resolution
- 1920 x 1080
- Hard Drives
- 1x Samsung PM981 NVMe PCIe M.2 512GB / 1x Seagate Expansion ST1000LM035 1TB
