Paying for software is stupid. 10 free and open-source SaaS replacements
Years ago, before most people were born, obtaining software was straightforward. You'd stroll into a store, purchase a box containing a CD or floppy disc, and the program would be yours to keep forever. However, this simplicity was shattered when the concept of Software as a Service (SaaS) developed. SaaS offered a concept in which users rented software rather than owning it entirely. This development dramatically increased earnings for businesses, and the trend has only grown over time.
Today, firms such as Peloton charge a $95 reactivation fee for used bikes, and Logitech is considering pay-as-you-go models for their hardware, giving a new meaning to "pay-per-click." Even Adobe has come under fire for concealing early termination costs. While these developments have irritated many consumers, the truth is that in a free market, no one forces you to purchase these things. The greatest approach to prevent being locked in endless subscriptions is to look into free and open-source software alternatives that large corporations would prefer you didn't know about.
Microsoft Office is one of the most profitable software products ever, and it is thoroughly embedded in our educational systems, guaranteeing that children become dependant on it as they grow older. Fortunately, there is a solid, free alternative known as LibreOffice, which provides similar functionality to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint while supporting a wide range of file formats. While it misses some of Microsoft Office's capabilities, such as cloud connection and AI technologies, it makes up for them with more privacy and internet independence.
Other paid solutions, such as Airtable, may continue hold teams behind after they have transitioned away from Microsoft Office. Airtable is a fantastic tool, but it comes at a high monthly cost of $45 per user. An open-source option known as NocoDB allows you to support hundreds of users on your own server for a fraction of the cost. It converts your SQL database tables into rich spreadsheets that are perfect for collaboration. AppFlowy, an open-source note-taking app created in Rust and Flutter, is an alternative to Notion. It includes tools like note-taking, kanban boards, and calendars, as well as AI integration that allows you to select your own language model provider.
Discovering these open-source tools may appear difficult, but resources such as Daily Dot Dev make it easy. This community-driven website curates the greatest developer resources available online and is an open-source effort. It's a wonderful area for developers to interact, learn, and share ideas, allowing them to keep up to date on the latest technological developments.
Salesforce is another software industry behemoth, well known for its customer relationship management (CRM) software. ERPNext is a viable open-source option. It not only handles CRM activities but also provides enterprise resource planning (ERP) skills like accounting and quality control. ERPNext is developed in Python and can be instantly installed via Docker, allowing you to terminate those costly Salesforce contracts.
Salesforce also owns Slack, a popular messaging app that does not require payment if you choose Mattermost instead. Mattermost is written in Go and TypeScript, has a simple deployment process, and includes integrated voice and video chat as well as front-end clients for a variety of platforms. Most significantly, it provides complete control over your data, as opposed to Slack, which might shut you out.
Zoom became widely used for video conferencing, particularly during the pandemic. However, an open-source alternative like Jitsi provides similar functionality such as mobile apps, virtual backdrops, and polling, all without the requirement for data storage on third-party servers.
Finally, engineers are frequently caught in platforms like Jira, which enforce strict project management frameworks. Plane is a free and open-source solution that brings similar functionalities to developers without the high cost. Back-end developers can use Firebase, or they can look into open-source options that provide more control and flexibility.
To summarise, while the change to SaaS has made software more accessible in certain respects, it has also resulted in a world where users are increasingly renting rather than purchasing their tools. Fortunately, the open-source community has powerful options that can help you recover control of your software environment while remaining cost-effective.
