Top 8 Free Apps for New Linux Users

Linux is a Unix-like kernel that powers one of the most popular operating systems in the world. GNU/Linux distributions are undoubtedly the favorite choice for beginners who want to step into the Linux ecosystem.

As a result, knowing which applications to use for the best experience is crucial, given the numerous free Linux distributions available. This article lists the 10 most prominent Linux apps beginners can install.

8 Linux Apps You Should Try in 2022

Are you frustrated with the tiresomely lengthy and sudden Windows auto-update? Then it is high time that you install a beginner-friendly GNU/Linux distribution to get more control over your system. Many of the top Linux applications are open source and free to use. They also offer better functionality for your personal computing requirements.

Firefox: Everyone’s Favorite Open-Source Browser

Firefox, a free and open-source web browser created by Mozilla, offers all the modern browser features you will ever need. The versatility that Firefox offers, along with its outstanding security features, shows why it is so celebrated in the Linux community. 

Moreover, the browser offers outstanding syncing support for features like bookmarks and browsing history, while you can do a lot more using extensions. For example, configuring a private proxy from a different country, such as Indonesia, is very straightforward in Firefox. All you have to do is order Indonesia proxies from your favorite provider and set it up under the Network Proxy section. It’s quick and easy.

LibreOffice: A Complete Office Suite

LibreOffice is a free and open-source software (FOSS) suite of applications that includes several powerful office software, such as a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation software, and more. It is nothing less than a full-fledged free office suite. Although LibreOffice, by default, uses the ODF (Open Document Format), it can also open, edit, and save files that are compatible with Microsoft Office. You can begin using LibreOffice in Windows to get accustomed to the workflow if you want a smooth transition from MS Office.

VLC: The Only Media Player You Need

Another essential application you must have on your Linux distro is VLC Media Player, which goes far beyond just being a simple multimedia player. When installed, it downloads codecs for almost every type of audio or video file, so playback issues are most unlikely to occur. With this powerful app, you can play DVDs, convert files (e.g., AVI to MP4), and stream media from a URL on your device.

ClamAV: The Linux Antivirus

Although Linux systems offer better security against virus attacks than Windows systems, you may need protection from malware targeted at Linux systems. Because ClamAV can scan your system for a wide variety of malware, it offers a great sense of safety. ClamAV boasts a substantial virus database that comes up with regular updates. By default, ClamAV is a command line, but you can install clamtk and clamtk-nautilus via the default package manager to use a graphical interface.

Virtualbox: An Experience of Other Distros

Oracle’s Virtualbox is a free virtualization tool that enables users to run multiple guest Linux OSs on the same machine simultaneously. You can use this app to test out new Linux distributions and learn more about Linux if you’re new to the ecosystem. Additionally, you can run other operating systems, including DOS, BSD, Solaris, Linux, Windows, and even macOS, on it.

BleachBit: An Effective System Cleaner

A free and simple-to-use program called BleachBit is all you need in your Linux distro to clean the operating system of residual, redundant, and junk files. You can manually configure the cleaning categories and press the corresponding button to permanently delete all associated files. Also, BleachBit gives an extra layer of protection against rash user actions to ensure safety.

GIMP: A Great Photoshop Alternative

Free software developers offer an application called GIMP, which has one of the largest communities. This app is a go-to for Linux users that is no less than a flagship image manipulator in terms of performance. Moreover, GIMP has various exciting features, some of which you might not be able to find in its Adobe Photoshop alternative.

Summing Up

Switching to Linux from Windows may feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You can conveniently recreate a familiar workflow experience on your Linux system as you had on your Windows desktop by using the right set of applications. The default Linux repository comprises a wide variety of application package types. For other apps, you can use Flatpak or visit the official websites of specific applications to install their DEB/RPM packages.

Photo by Gabriel Heinzer on Unsplash

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