If I tell the truth, making a list of best Linux software is very tough task. And if you start writing about best software for Linux I’m sure that you can fill an entire book by listing various softwares in different categories. So to make the work easier, I decided to gather all the best Linux application under the same hood.
I visited lots of web forums, some online sources and took a help of lots of users and Linux expert to complete this list. I’m damn sure without their help I will not be able to make this list. I have categorized the best Linux Software Applications based on the performance, ease of use and quality. So without further ado, let us have a look at best Linux software for 2013
Antivirus Software for Linux
1. avast!
Its an amazing antivirus software for Linux which offering all scanning feature of Avast Antivirus.
Its an open source virus scanner and its tool-kit able to detect many types of malicious software, including viruses.
3. AVG
Its a Linux version of AVG which is well know as antivirus and anti-spyware security software.
4. BitDefender
Get the best real-time security for your Linux PC with this advanced software.
Firewall Software for Linux
1. GUFW
Gufw is a firewall powered by UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall).
2. Shorewall
Shorewall is a gateway/firewall configuration tool for GNU/Linux. Using this you can make managing iptables easier.
3. Firestarter
Its an amazing graphical interfaced Open Source firewall for Linux.
File Recovery Software for Linux
1. Mondo Rescue
It’s free disaster recovery software. It supports Linux (i386, x86-64, IA-64) and FreeBSD (i386).
2. TestDisk
Its an free and open source data recovery utility which you can use to recover lost partition.
3. safecopy
Data recovery tool which tries to extract data from damage area of floppy drives, hard disk partitions, CDs, tape device.
4. PhotoRec
File data recovery software which helps you to recover lost files including video, documents and archives from hard disks.
5. ddrescue
One of the simple and easy to use data recovery utility.
Backup Software for Linux
One of the best backup program for Linux which you can use to back up and store personal, business and enterprise data securely.
2. BackupPC
Free Disk-to-disk backup software suite with a web-based front-end.
3. Deja Dup
Its an simple and powerful backup tool for Linux.
4. LuckyBackup
Powerful, fast and reliable free backup application.
5. rsync
Fast and extraordinarily versatile file copying tool.
6. fwbackups
Its an feature-rich user backup program that allows you to backup your documents anytime, anywhere.
System Maintence Software for Linux
1. Ubuntu-Tweak
An application designed to config Ubuntu easier for everyone. Its featuring control panel to manage lots of features of Ubuntu.
Its a GNOME process viewer and system monitor with a nice easy-to-use interface.
Browsers for Linux
Its one of the best web browsers from Google.
2. Firefox
It’s another top most open source web browser.
3. Midori
Its a lightweight and fast web browser.
4. Opera
Its one of the most advances and fastest browser.
5. Epiphany
Epiphany is a simple yet powerful GNOME webbrowser targeted at non-technical users.
6. Links
Open source text and graphic web browser with a pull-down menu system.
7. reKonq
Its a web browser for KDE based on WebKit.
Email Clients for Linux
1. Thunderbird
Its an open source email client.
2. Claws Mail
An email client (and news reader) with plugin mechanism.
3. Evolution
It provides integrated mail, addressbook and calendaring functionality to users of the GNOME desktop.
4. KMail
KMail is a simple and safe way for kids and teens to email friends and family.
Communitcation Software for Linux
1. Kopete
Its a flexible and extendable multiple protocol instant messenger.
2. Pidgin
Free Pidgin universal chat client for Linux.
3. XChat
XChat is an IRC chat program for Linux.
4. Empathy
A messaging program that supports all the modern features just like Pidgin.
5. TeamSpeak 3
Its an multi-platform voice chat program.
6. Gwibber
Open source microblogging client for Linux..
7. Liferea
Free desktop news aggregator with support for Google Reader and Tiny Tiny RSS.
8. Emesene
Chat program using which you can connect to different networks like MSN, Gtalk, Facebook chat, Jabber and others.
9. Skype
Most popular VoIP desktop client for Linux.
Photo/Images Software for Linux
1. Inkscape
One of the best editor for editing SVG files.
2. Shotwell
Its simple and easy to use photo editor for GNOME.
3. F-Spot
Its another photo manager just liked Shotwell but with more features.
With the help of this software you can take pictures with different cool effects.
5. GIMP
One of the most popular open source image editor.
6. Scribus
One of the popular desktop publishing program with lots of features.
7. digiKam
Advanced digital photo management application, which makes importing and organizing digital photos a “snap”.
8. Darktable
Open-source photography workflow application and raw developer.
Audio Software for Linux
1. Banshee
Its one of the best music manager like iTunes.
2. Rhythmbox
Its an integrated music management application, originally inspired by Apple’s iTune.
3. MPlayer
Best movie player for Linux.
4. OggConvert
Open source utility for converting audio and video files.
5. Sound Juicer
Software helps you to extract audio from compact discs and convert it into audio files.
6. Amarok
Music player and manager with support for cover art, last.fm integration, and QtScript plugins.
7. Audacious
Audacious is a free and advanced audio player based on GTK+
8. Tomahawk
Using this you can play music for many different offline and online sources.
9. Audacity
Audio editor for recording, slicing, and mixing audio.
10. Clementine
Multiplatform music player which inspired by Amarok 1.4 with easy to use user interface.
11. Mixxx
Its an amazing audio mixing software for perfect DJ enviornment.
Video Software for Linux
Open-source cross-platform multimedia player using which. You can also stream audio and video in different formats.
2. Kdenlive
Free open-source video editor for GNU/Linux and FreeBSD
3. Openshot
Another Free open-source video editor for Linux but it’s very simple and powerful which focuses on usability, flexibility, and style.
4. Pitivi
Open source, non-linear video editor
5. Totem
One of the simple and easy to use media player for common formats.
6. Blender
Open source, cross platform suite of tools for 3D creation.
7. Xvidcap
Amazing software to capture activities that occur on your desk.
8. XBMC
Complete media center solution for Linux.
Files and Drives Software for Linux
1. DownGParted
Free partition editor for graphically managing your disk partitions.
2. Nautilus
Its a default file navigator for GNOME.
3. Dolphin
It’s a file navigator software for KDE with lots of social media features.
4. Thunar
New modern file manager for the Xfce Desktop Environment.
5. Krusader
Advanced twin panel (commander style) file manager for KDE
Its an graphical disk usage analyzer for GNOME
Its best file manager for free operating systems.
8. uCommander
Its a cross-platform file manager.
Document Software for Linux
1. LibreOffice
Free power-packed open source personal productivity suite.
2. OpenOffice
Its another open-source office productivity software suite.
3. Abiword
An open source (freeware) word processing program.
4. Gnumeric
A spreadsheet program that is part of the GNOME.
5. Xournal
Its notetaking application written for Linux and other GTK+ platforms.
6. PyRoom
Full-screen writing program for Linux.
7. Kate
Professional text editor by KDE.
8. DownCalligra
Calligra Suite is a graphic art and office suite.
Productivity Software for Linux
1. Tomboy
Desktop note-taking application
2. Gnote
Gnote is a port of Tomboy to C++
Use this software to track the time which you spend on projects.
4. Docky
One of the best docks software for Linux
Its cool alternative to Docky
6. Cairo
Software library used to provide a vector graphics-based. It’s also an alternative to Docky and Avant Window Navigator.
7. Shutter
Open-source screenshot program for Linux
8. Dropbox
File hosting and synchronization software for Linux
9. QuickSynergy
Application that allows the user to share his mouse and keyboard between two or more computers.
10. Gnome Tweak Tool
An application for changing the advanced settings of GNOME 3
11. Zim
Graphical text editor designed to maintain a collection of locally stored wiki-pages
12. Kupfer
Summoner/launcher in the style of Quicksilver or GNOME
13. Wunderlist
An amazing application to manage and share your daily to-do lists.
14. Nitro Tasks
Its one of the best to-do list application using which you can sync with Ubuntu One and Dropbox
15. Ubuntu One
Its cloud service for Ubuntu users with 5GB free.
Desktop Environment for Linux
1. GNOME
A graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system.
2. KDE
Powerful graphical desktop environment.
3. LXDE
Extremely fast-performing and energy-saving desktop environment
One of the best Desktop Environment which is light weight and good looking.
5. Xmonad
Best Windows manger which provide great customization
6. Openbox
Highly configurable, next generation window manager with extensive standards support.
7. Xfce
Lightweight desktop environment
8. Razor-qt
Free and open source lightweight desktop environment, it’s the same technology which KDE uses.
9. Cinnamon
Its desktop software which provides advanced innovative features and a traditional user experience.
Archive Manager for Linux
1. File Roller
Its default archive manager for GNOME
2. Ark
Its another archive manger with lots of features
3. Tar
Using this you can create a Tar archives and lot more
CD/DVD Software for Linux
1. Brasero
Application to burn CD/DVD for the Gnome Desktop
2. Gmount ISO
Small tool written using PyGTK and Glade which allow you to easily mount your CD images
3. K3b
Comfortable CD/DVD writing suite for Linux/KDE
Download Manager for Linux
1. Transmission
Using this you can download torrent files.
2. Deluge
Its an cross platform BitTorrent client.
3. Miro
Another download manager to download torrents and online videos.
4. Uget
One of the best, free and open soExtreme Tux Racerurce download manager.
5. Wget
A free software package for retrieving files using HTTP, HTTPS and FTP.
Best Games for Linux
1. Urban Terror
A free multiplayer first person shooter video game by Frozen Sand.
2. Alien Arena
Its a fast, fun, and free FPS deathmatch game!
3. Warzone 2100
Open source real-time strategy and real-time tactics game
4. FlightGear
Free, open source multi-platform flight simulator
Open-source downhill racing game starring Tux, the Linux mascot
6. Nexuiz
Extremely competitive fast paced Arena First Person shooter
7. Supertuxkart
Free 3D kart racing game, with many tracks, characters and items
The Mana World is a free MMORPG game for Linux
9. openBVE
A free, open source train simulator for Linux
10. Pingus
Open source computer game inspired by Lemmings, but in this game penguine is replaced with Lemmings
11. Red Eclipse
Its a fast-paced, fun futuristic shooter
12. Lincity-NG
Its replacement of sims city. In the game your have to built and maintain your own cities
13. OpenTTD
A fantastic transportation tycoon game.
14. Steam
Its not game but a game content delivery system and social media where you can find games which are compatible with Linux other operating system.
Editor Software for Linux
1. Emacs
Highly customizable open source text editor and software
2. Vim
Its a more complex editor for the terminal with plenty of features.
3. Nano
A small, free and friendly editor which aims to replace Pico
4. Gedit
Lightweight editing tool for the GNOME desktop
5. Bluefish
A powerful editor targeted towards programmers and webdesigners
6. Leafpad
Open source text editor for Linux, BSD, and Maemo
7. Geany
A lightweight cross-platform GTK+ text editor based on Scintilla
8. DraftSight
Freeware 2D computer-aided design (CAD) software application for Linux
Password Manger for Linux
1. LastPass
Password manager and form filler that makes web browsing easier and more secure.
2. KeePassX
A multi-platform open-source KeePass clone for Linux which stores passwords locally and encrypted.
Some Other Popular Software for Linux
1. TrueCrypt
Free open-source disk encryption software
2. GnuCash
Personal and small-business financial-accounting software, help you to manage multiple accounts and currencies
3. Redshift
It changes the color temperature of your screen to prevent tired eyes just like f.lux do for Windows OS
4. WINE
A compatibility layer capable of running Windows applications in Linux
5. Compiz
Add visual effects that make the Linux desktop easier to use, more powerful and intuitive
6. Eclipse
Its a multi-language Integrated development environment (IDE)
7. KMyMoney
A personal finance manager for KDE
8. Kwin
Window manager that will bring new life and special effects to your desktop
9. BleachBit
BleachBit quickly frees disk space and tirelessly guards your privacy.
10. GRAMPS
Its a free and open source genealogy software.
So these are some of the best Linux Software which you might love to try. So give a try to these software and share your opinion with us. Also if you have any software suggestion which you think deserve name in this list, feel free to share with us.
