It is essential to ensure our tools can get the job done when we need to work. For a long time, the use of low-cost or free software on a professional project was unheard of or looked down upon.
The thing with these types of software is that they take a while to become popular and stable. When we do find them, they can be buggy, slow, or not just quite there yet.
But, they have something very important, and that is potential.
When a tool has potential it gathers momentum faster and faster. People start to lend their support, whether that is through talent, money, skills, or word of mouth.
Over the years I have been incredibly impressed by the power of low-cost and free tools. Some of my favorite low-cost or free tools include Blender, WordPress, FFMPEG, Apple Motion, Vectornator, Figma, Auto-Editor, and many more.
I have also worked with tools that started as unknowns and grew into something hugely impactful, such as D-Vision, then Discreet Edit*, Final Cut Pro, Blender, Black Magic, and Red Cameras.
I advise you to take the time to seek out tools that have promise, support them, reach out to their developers, and keep an eye on them.
We never know how useful they may become. Or maybe they become your personal tool that gets work done in a fraction of the time. Allowing more time with the family, friends, or for yourself.
Some places I search for new tools are ProductHunt.com, GitHub.com, Open Source Builders, Web Catalog io, and Awesome Open Source.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. 🙂
What are your favorite free or low-cost tools?
Also, please remember, I am here to help.
If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Thank you, and I hope you have a fantastic day! 😊