Best Free and Open Source Software: October 2025 Updates

Here are the latest updates to our compilation of recommended software. We’ve agai increased the number of roundups this month despite focusing on hardware reviews. And we’ve got additional hardware series starting soon.

Only free and open source software is eligible for inclusion. Open source software at its finest.

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The table below shows all of our software roundups published in October 2025.

October 2025CategoryArticle
Web BrowsersInternetEmail Servers
Object Relational MappingCodingHaskell Linter Tools
Internet RadioAudioAudio Analyzers
ProductivityProductivityDiary
ProductivityProductivityGUI Time Tracking
Replacements for duUtilitiesQR Code Tools
Replacements for duUtilitiesSerial Terminals
GraphicsPixel Art Editors
Genome Browsers - Web BasedScienceEye Care
Web BrowsersInternetGraphical FTP Clients
Web DeliveryWeb AppsContent Control
GraphicsImage Upscaling Tools
Web BrowsersInternetRemote Desktop Clients
EducationEducationTerminal-Based Flashcard Tools
Object Relational MappingCodingJavaScript Linter Tools
Object Relational MappingCodingDebuggers
Replacements for duUtilitiesCompression Tools
Web BrowsersInternetDNS Tools
Vulnerability detectionSecurityGUI File Encryption Tools
GraphicsPhoto Metadata Editors
Genome Browsers - Web BasedScienceWeb Based Genome Browsers
GraphicsRAW Processing Tools
Web DeliveryWeb AppsJava Static Site Generators
Replacements for duUtilitiesFood and Drink Software
GraphicsCamera Tools
Object Relational MappingCodingOpenAPI Linter Tools
Web DeliveryWeb AppsWeb-Based Food and Drink Software
Replacements for duUtilitiesTerminal-Based Password Managers
Web BrowsersInternetFile Synchronization Tools
Object Relational MappingCodingMarkdown Linter Tools
Web BrowsersInternetGraphical SSH Frontends
GamesGamesChess Apps
GraphicsTerminal-Based Image Viewers
Web BrowsersInternetSelf-Hosted News Aggregators
Internet RadioAudioSoftware-Defined Radio
ProductivityProductivityCLI ebook Readers
EducationEducationBibliography Tools
Web BrowsersInternetLightweight GUI Email Clients
Object Relational MappingCodingGo Linter Tools
Replacements for duUtilitiesGraphical Linux Diff Tools
Web DeliveryWeb AppsWeb-Based Linux File Managers
Web BrowsersInternetSelf-Hosted Cloud Storage Tools
StockmarketFinancePersonal Finance Software
Object Relational MappingCodingPython Linter Tools
EducationEducationGUI Flashcard Software
Replacements for duUtilitiesTerminal-Based Diff Tools
System AdministrationSystem AdminGUI System Profilers
System AdministrationSystem AdminTerminal-Based Linux System Profilers
Web BrowsersInternetContainer Managers
Replacements for duUtilitiesWallpaper Setters
Object Relational MappingCodingHTML Linter Tools
Document ManagementDocumentsSimple GUI Based Linux Text Editors
Internet RadioAudioMPRIS Tools
Web BrowsersInternetConsole Based Network ‘top’ Tools
Web BrowsersInternetLDAP Solutions
Genome Browsers - Web BasedScienceRobotics
GraphicsColor Scheme Generators

For our entire collection, check out the categories below. This is the largest compilation of recommended software. The collection includes hundreds of articles, with comprehensive sections on internet, graphics, games, programming, science, office, utilities, and more. Almost all of the software is free and open source.

Document Management Systems
Documents - Explore our recommended software for businesses including office suites, databases, and business intelligence tools. There's also comprehensive coverage of text editors.
Web Browsers
Internet - A huge section looking at all the essential internet and networking software. Areas covered include as web browsers, email clients and servers, instant messaging, remote desktop, network servers, VoIP and more.
Education
Education - Linux makes a stable and reliable platform for educational purposes. There's software here perfectly crafted for students, teachers, and educational institutions.
Internet Radio
Audio - We cover everything audio related here such as music players, music servers, internet radio, synthesizers, scorewriters, Digital Audio Workstations, and audio editors.
YouTube Tools
Video - Another field where open source is particularly strong. We examine video players, editors, and converters. YouTube tools feature together with subtitle downloaders and editors.
Paint Palette
Graphics - Creative people will be in their element here. Explore great open source image viewers, camera tools, animation, HDR imaging, photo management, ray tracing, fractals, and much more.
System Administration
System Admin - The software featured here plays an essential role in the maintenance and operation of Linux computer systems and networks. Backup software is also explored in detail.
Docks
Desktop - Explore the best desktop environments, as well as extensions/widgets which extend GNOME and KDE, the gamut of window managers, application launchers, and docks.
Productivity
Productivity - Improve your workflow with sublime file managers, diary, e-book, collection managers, clocks, calendars, calculators, mind-mapping, note-taking, sticky notes, task managers, terminal emulators, and more.
Genome Browsers - Web Based
Science - Linux is the top choice for data scientists worldwide. Explore the finest software in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Astronomy, and more.
Games
Games - Play great free and open source games spanning all the different types of games including first-person shooters, 2D shooters, educational, racing, simulation, and much more.
Vulnerability detection
Security - Security has always been a cornerstone of Linux but no operating system is totally secure. Look to harden your system with a firewall, use encryption, as well as monitoring networks, detect anti-malware, and more.
Replacements for du
Utilities - A kind of system software designed to help analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer. Review this section in conjunction with the System Admin section.
Object Relational Mapping
Coding - Linux provides everything a developer could want in the coding department. We feature the finest compilers, debuggers, CD/CI, IDEs, prototyping, object-relational mapping, web frameworks, and more.
Stockmarket
Finance - Explore a wide spectrum of financial software including personal finance, stock trading, investment analysis, accounting, stock market, economics, business solutions, and microfinance.
Web Delivery
Web Apps - Learn about the finest free and open source applications that are accessed via a web browser over a network. We also cover software that's reliant on a web browser to run.
Crafting
Other - There's something here if you're looking for help in tracing your ancestry, or help with handicraft. We also explore the lighter side of Linux with candy and humor. Raise a smile!
Programming Books
Books - Do you want to master a programming language? We cover all bases here. Learn C, C++, Java, Python, R, or whatever takes your fancy with awesome free books and tutorials.

Click the icons above to view each section.

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