Best Free Software Tools for Windows & Mac in 2025
Best Free Software Tools for Windows & Mac
Finding powerful software without paying a subscription is possible — if you know where to look. In 2025, many free tools offer professional-level features for productivity, security, design, and daily computer use.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected the best free software tools for Windows and Mac, tested for performance, usability, and safety.
Whether you’re a student, freelancer, creator, or office user, this list will help you choose the right tools without spending money.
Quick Overview (2025)
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100% free software
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Compatible with Windows & macOS
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Safe and widely trusted
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No hidden costs
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Useful for everyday tasks
1. LibreOffice – Best Free Office Suite
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Best for: Documents, spreadsheets, presentations
LibreOffice is the best free alternative to Microsoft Office. It includes Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, and more.
🔸 Key Features
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Supports Word, Excel, PowerPoint files
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Offline use (no internet required)
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Regular security updates
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Open-source and privacy-friendly
Why we recommend it:
If you need a complete office suite without subscriptions, LibreOffice is unbeatable.
2. GIMP – Free Image Editing Software
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Best for: Photo editing, graphic design
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a powerful Photoshop alternative used by designers worldwide.
🔸 Key Features
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Advanced photo editing tools
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Layer support and plugins
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Custom brushes and filters
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No watermark
Why we recommend it:
Perfect for users who want professional-level image editing without paying for Adobe Photoshop.
3. VLC Media Player – Best Free Media Player
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Best for: Playing any video or audio format
VLC is one of the most trusted free media players ever created.
🔸 Key Features
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Plays almost all formats (MP4, MKV, AVI, MP3)
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No ads
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No codec installation required
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Lightweight and fast
Why we recommend it:
Install it once — you’ll never need another media player.
4. Bitwarden – Free Password Manager
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Browser Extensions
Best for: Password security
Bitwarden is one of the best free password managers with strong encryption.
🔸 Key Features
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End-to-end encryption
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Sync passwords across devices
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Secure password generator
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Open-source
Why we recommend it:
Strong security, simple interface, and generous free plan.
5. Visual Studio Code – Best Free Code Editor
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Best for: Programming and development
Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a favorite among developers.
🔸 Key Features
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Supports multiple languages
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Extensions marketplace
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Fast and lightweight
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Built-in Git support
Why we recommend it:
Even non-developers can use VS Code for editing text, scripts, and configuration files.
6. Audacity – Free Audio Editing Tool
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Best for: Audio recording and editing
Audacity is a powerful free audio editor used by podcasters and musicians.
🔸 Key Features
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Multi-track audio editing
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Noise reduction
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Audio effects
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Free and open-source
Why we recommend it:
Ideal for podcasts, voice-overs, and audio projects.
7. Malwarebytes (Free Version) – Malware Scanner
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Best for: Malware detection
Malwarebytes Free helps detect and remove malware.
🔸 Key Features
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On-demand malware scanning
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Removes spyware and adware
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Lightweight
Why we recommend it:
Great as a second-opinion security tool.
Comparison Table
| Software | Category | Windows | Mac | Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LibreOffice | Office Suite | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| GIMP | Image Editing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| VLC | Media Player | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bitwarden | Password Manager | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| VS Code | Code Editor | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Audacity | Audio Editing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Malwarebytes | Security | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
How We Selected These Tools
At Spyder.Wiki, we evaluate software based on:
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Performance
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Security
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Ease of use
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Real-world usefulness
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Community trust
Only tools that passed these checks made it into this list.
Final Thoughts
Free software has improved significantly in recent years. Many tools now offer features that rival paid alternatives — without compromising quality.
If you’re building a powerful setup in 2025, these best free software tools for Windows & Mac are a great place to start.
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