Linux is all about customization, whether you need the most basic, command-line-only operating system, or a full desktop ready to run with Windows and macOS. These are some of the best applications you can install on Linux.
AppImageLauncher
Make apps easier
Linux distributions can use a type of portable application called AppImage. Unlike normal applications, they are not installed on your PC; They are completely autonomous. Portable apps on Windows are very similar, if you’ve ever used one of them.
Also, because they do not install themselves on your system, which limits how you can run them. By default, that means you should find the AppImage file in the folder where you saved it and run it from there.
AppImageLauncher solves some of these problems. For one, it allows you to simply double-click an AppImage file without manually providing execution privileges. Second, it allows you to add AppImage to your list of programs, so you can access it like you would any other program on your Linux system.
It’s a minor improvement over the default behavior, but I’ve gotten so used to it that I couldn’t abandon it even if I wanted to.
KdenLive
An alternative to the Adobe suite
Adobe’s suite of programs, including Adobe Premiere, a video editing application, is not available natively on Linux.
However, KdenLivea video editor from the group that produces the rest of the KDE suite, it is a fantastic open source replacement.
I completely I migrated my laptop to Kubuntu It’s been a few months and I haven’t looked forward to the premiere even once.
Not only is Kdenlive a great substitute, it’s the closest thing to a peer you’re likely to find. And the best of all is that it’s free.
GIMP
The main alternative to Photoshop
Like Adobe Premiere, Photoshop is also not available on Linux.
GIMP is the most feature-rich alternative to Linux, and while the user interface is different enough that there is a significant learning curve, most of the features you might need for basic photo editing are present in GIMP.
HTOP
An advanced task manager
Any Linux distribution with a desktop environment will have a resource monitor, such as Task Manager on Windows or Activity Monitor on macOS, and almost all Linux distributions come with TOP, a basic command-line resource monitor.
I’ve always found TOP a bit basic, so I install HTOP on almost every Linux computer I touch.
The default color scheme not only makes it easier to digest, but also offers some additional controls that may be useful.
yakuake
Lift the terminal with just one key press
The Terminal is an integral part of every Linux operating system, and even the most user-friendly Linux distributions require you to interact with it at least occasionally.
yakuake allows you to link the Terminal to a shortcut so you can open it with just a few button presses.
It also turns the terminal into a gigantic drop-down menu from the top of the screen. It’s not a game-changer, but it’s one of those small customizations that make Linux worth it.
If you’ve ever played any games made with the Id Tech engines (like Quake or the Jedi Knight games), the layout will look very familiar.
OFFICE ONLY
Get rid of your Microsoft 365 subscription
There are many open source word processors that run on Linux, and most of them are pretty good. However, having recently migrated from the Windows ecosystem to Linux, I couldn’t tear myself away from the modern design of Word’s user interface.
Onlyoffice is the closest thing to Word you’ll find for Linux, and it’s pretty close in terms of features, too.
KDEConnect
Play well with all your devices
KDEConnect It’s the open source equivalent of Microsoft’s Phonelink, or the native integration you can get between iPhone and Mac.
KDEConnect allows you to send and receive text messages from your phone to your PC, move files, and remotely control one device from another.
It instantly became one of my favorites and I install it on every PC and phone I have, whether running Linux or Windows.
As an added bonus, it works over your Wi-Fi network instead of the Internet, meaning you can rest assured that the files you transfer will remain private.
Don’t just follow my suggestions, find some software for yourself!
Experimenting with Linux is half the fun, since you can do pretty much anything you want if you’re willing to take the time to do it. Just make sure you are make regular backupssince going crazy installing apps and modifying things could cause some things to break.
