Best Free and Open Source Software: September 2025 Updates

Here are the latest updates to our compilation of recommended software. We’ve increased the number of roundups this month despite focusing again on hardware reviews. And we’ve got a new hardware series starting next week.

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 September 2025.

September 2025CategoryArticle
Document ManagementDocumentsTools for Novelists
System AdministrationSystem AdminJournaling File Systems
Genome Browsers - Web BasedScienceMapping Tools
Object Relational MappingCodingPerl Linter Tools
System AdministrationSystem AdminConsole Log File Analyzers
Internet RadioAudioGraphical MPD Clients
System AdministrationSystem AdminDisk Encryption Tools
Web DeliveryWeb AppsPHP Static Site Generators
Object Relational MappingCodingUnified Modeling Language Tools
Genome Browsers - Web BasedScienceGPS Tools
Object Relational MappingCodingRuby Linter Tools
Internet RadioAudioScrobbler Tools
Document ManagementDocumentsebook Readers
Document ManagementDocumentsPDF Viewers
Document ManagementDocumentsConsole Hex Editors
Object Relational MappingCodingGeneral Purpose Linter Tools
Object Relational MappingCodingGraphical Git Clients
ProductivityProductivityGraphical Task Managers
ProductivityProductivityTerminal-Based Task Managers
Genome Browsers - Web BasedScienceChemistry Tools
ProductivityProductivityCLI Linux Time Trackers
Replacements for duUtilitiesCommand Line Navigation Tools
Internet RadioAudioGuitar Tools
Replacements for duUtilitiesGUI Password Managers
YouTube ToolsVideoIPTV Players
ProductivityProductivityGUI Time Tracking Software
Web BrowsersInternetDistrobox GUI Tools
Replacements for duUtilitiesDictionary Tools
System AdministrationSystem Adminsystemd CLI/TUI Configuration Tools
Web BrowsersInternetNews Aggregators
Web BrowsersInternetDNS Servers
YouTube ToolsVideoTerminal Session Recording
CraftingOtherComic Book Viewers
System AdministrationSystem Adminsystemd GUI Configuration Tools
Genome Browsers - Web BasedSciencePeriodic Table Tools
Vulnerability detectionSecurityGraphical Port Scanners
Replacements for duUtilitiesZsh Plugin Managers
Web BrowsersInternetWhatsApp Clients
GraphicsCommand-Line Image Compression Tools
Object Relational MappingCodingGit Tools
ProductivityProductivityGraphical Calculators
Replacements for duUtilitiesCharacter Map Tools

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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