Jun 17 2009
Free Web Apps & Web Design Tools
These days if you are just starting out as an internet marketer or graphic designer you will notice that some of the professional software programs for web/graphic design tend to be a little pricey. CS4 which includes dreamweaver, photoshop, in-design, and much more cost just over $2000.
Well what if I said you could get products very similar to CS4 for free? In this blog post I am going to show you free alternative software versions of some of the most expensive design products out there and where you can go about getting them.
List of Free WebApps and Tools
Adobe CS4 Design Software:
GIMP: An alternative to Adobe PhotoShop, basically all the same features PhotoShop, where you can edit photos, design graphics, logos and so much more. Only difference is that it is Free!
Click Here for helpful tutorials on how to use GIMP
Get Paint: Another alternative to PhotoShop, digital editing software that is very similar to GIMP, however many people find paint a little easier to use. Great tool to use to creating website headers.
Click Here for helpful Paint.Net tutorials
Inkscape: Alternative to Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw. This is an open source vector graphics editor
Click Here for helpful Inkscape tutorials
KompoZer: Alternative to Adobe Dreamweaver. This is a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) web page editor. You do not need to know HTML coding to use this software, however if you want you can edit HTML. KompoZer does not have as many features as Dreamweaver, but it will allow you to build a simple professional looking webpage.
Click Here for KompoZer turtorials
XSitePro: This is actually is another alternative to Dreamweaver, however you have to pay for it. This is an awesome web desgin program that is designed specifically for internet marketers. Very easy to use as compared to Dreamweaver and KompoZer. XSitePro has so many features it is well worth the price. If you are looking for a cheaper, easier to use alternative I highly recommend XSitePro.
AJAX Animator: Alternative to Adobe Flash, where you can create animations and embed them into your websites.
Click Here for AJAX Animator tutorials
PDF Escape: Alternative to Adobe Acrobat, which allows you to add text and edit PDF documents, fill out and design forms.
Scribus: Alternative to Adobe In-Design. A desktop publishing application, where you can create animated and interactive PDF files, such as posters, brochures, newsletters and newspapers
Click Here for Scribus tutorials
Picasa: Alternative to Adobe Lightroom, Picasa is a free photo editing software from Google, lets you organize, edit and share your photos through email, print or web.
Audacity: Alternative to Adobe Soundbooth, where you can record live audio and then edit it. You can also convert tapes and records to digital format and much more.
Click Here for Audacity tutorials
Blender: This is a free open source 3D content creation suite, where you can make 3D animations and pictures
Click Here for Blender tutorials
Jahshaka: Alternative to Adobe After Effects, where you can create and edit effects, animate, paint and design on moving video and create music. This is a cool video management software.
Click Here for Jahshaka tutorials
Microsoft Office Alternatives:
Open Office: Alternative to Microsoft Office, where you can create word documents, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, graphics, pdf files, and much more. You can do almost everything with open office that you can with microsoft office and even more. The best part is its FREE!
Mozilla Thunderbird: Alternative to Microsoft Outlook, full featured open source email client
Google Docs: Alternative to Microsoft Office, where you can make word docs, spreadsheets and presentations, also you are able to upload current docs into Google docs and edit them.
To use Google Docs just sign into your G-mail account and go to Google docs (you must have a G-mail account to access Google Docs)
Preezo: Alternative to Microsoft Powerpoint, which allows you to create presentations and save them to your computer, very similar to powerpoint
Other Alternative WebApps:
Meebo: Instant Messenger, allows you to sign in to any of your instant messager platforms, without having to download any of the applications.
Screentoaster: Alternative to Camtasia, where it records your desktop, microphone, web cam all in HD and then upload them directly to YouTube.
CamStudio: Another alternative to Camtasia, a screen recording open source software.
JayCut: Alternative to Windows Movie Maker, where you can make, edit, add effects and music to movies.
CdBurner XP: Alternative to Nero, where you can burn Cds, Dvds, Bluerays, HD-Dvds, you can also create ISOs
Filezilla: Alternative to SmartFTP, allows you to transfer files to and from your website, FTP client. Great application if you have your own website.
7-Zip: Alternative to WinZip, where you can compress files to send or save on your computer so that they take up less room on your hard drive.
AVG: Alternative to Symantec Norton Virus protection, AVG is one of the most popular anit virus solutions available and it does not cost any money! Pretty much the same features norton has, I actually like AVG better than Norton anyway.
Ad-Aware: Another alternative to Norton, protects your computer against adware and spyware attacks. Download the free version that is all you will need!
FaxZero: Allows you to send 2 free faxes a day, great application if you still use fax.
UnFreez: Windows applications where you can take different images save them as GIF and then create single animated GIFs from those files and post them to your website.
Skype: Skype is an application you can download where you can chat with others for free skype to skype, allows for video chat, Instant messaging , file transfers, and much more great app to keep in touch with others. Free PC to PC calling!
I hope this information helps you save a little bit of money, if you have any questions feel free to ask me:)
If anyone has any Free web applications they would like to add feel free to make a comment on the post and share your information!
Till Next Post,
Krista
***If You Like What You Read Feel Free To Share It!
Great info. http://www.GotFreeFax.com is probably worth mentioning in the list as it’s the only free fax website that does insert ads to user’s fax.
Hi,
very nice post.Maximum time i used the Dreamweaver.I used maximum of them.
Thanks for the sharing.
aditya@Sunshine coast web design´s last blog ..Sunshine Coast Web Design for Interior Designer
A useful list. Some of these I use myself alright. Others I can think of people that might be interested in them
My Goodness! This has to be the best list of softwares that one can ever have, to get all his designing and computing needs fulfilled satisfactorily. Bookmarked already! You rock mate. Thanks a ton.
I often use Skype to chat with my friends, relatives and keeps me close with them.
Wow, that’s great list. Thank you very much! I will save alot of money by using these apps.
What a great list of useful free stuff.. thanks for list – hours of fun!
Cheap Banner Stands´s last blog ..Roller Banners Fast Turnaround Time
Really Nice List of tools , very handy for every designer i think who can’t afford CS4 , Great share
I didn’t know about CDBurner XP, I use DeepBurner for my ISO burning needs, anyways will give it a try. There are few apps which I’ve already used and know about but didn’t know about the alternative to Adobe Dreamweaver, will give it a try. Thanks a ton!
This is really amazing and helpful! Thank you soooo much for sharing this! Can’t wait to try these all out!
This is a great list of free resources. I need to check out all this stuff. Thanks for the informative post on them.
your tips are up to the mark i used some of your tips and i got good results.please keep posting these type of informations
i was searching for these tool since last month finally i got it thanks to you for posting these useful tools i will use in my site and let you know the results thanks.
great post. this was some great information.
Web design is a kind of graphic design intended for development and styling of objects of the Internets information environment to provide them with high-end consumer features and aesthetic qualities.i really appreciate your work.these tools seems very useful hope my website will become more attractive after using them.
that’s wonderful to see links here thanks for providing links here and really useful for me !.
wow! nice list.
i like PDF escape. I just hate paying for adobe products…
thanks for sharing.
Ina@DesktopTube´s last blog ..Land page
Very cool bunch of freebies thanks for the great list!
Chloe´s last blog ..All She Wants To Do Is Dance by Don Henley
Thanks for the list
Fantastic, I will definitely use these tools. thanks for this
Fantastic, I will definitely use these tools. thanks for this. I am looking forward to using thes
Wow! I’ve become an instant fan of Skype. Thanks so much for sharing these options. Will be more glad to reciprocally pass back onto you others.
checks by phone´s last blog ..Demonstration of Electronic Signature Capture Technology
This is a great resource for anyone interesting in web design and furthering their skills.
Gimp is one thing I am loving in this kind of free thing…
I love it…
Nice share!
i think this tools really help us in order to make good and attractive web design. hopefully it will give better result to all. i always interested in such type of information , good work keep posting.
I am curious about Inkscape, thnx for making this wonderfull list
Thumbed up!
This a great list to get anyone started in web design. There are plenty of applications here for those who have some knowledge but would like to improve in a few ways and understand more about how the internet works and how to have a successful online business. These will work to do some serious experimenting.