The Ultimate Guide to Free & Open-Source Alternatives
Stop paying for software you can replace: the best open-source alternatives to Photoshop, 1Password, Zapier, Firebase and more.
AlternativeHub Team
Aug 26, 2026 · 1 min read
Subscription fatigue is real. For almost every paid tool, a credible open-source alternative exists — here are the ones actually worth switching to.
Design & photos
GIMP covers most Photoshop workflows for free. It won't win beauty contests, but the capability is there.
Passwords
Bitwarden offers unlimited passwords on unlimited devices, free, with open-source code anyone can audit. The premium tier costs less than a coffee.
Automation
n8n gives you Zapier-style workflows you can self-host with no per-task pricing.
Backend
Supabase is the open-source Firebase alternative built on real Postgres — self-host it or use the generous cloud free tier.
Messaging
Signal proves private messaging can be free, open and easy enough for your family group chat.
The pattern: open-source tools trade a little polish for freedom, privacy and zero lock-in. For most people, that trade is worth it.
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