If you’re starting a new small business or already run an existing one, you’re probably looking for ways to save money. Open-source software can be a great place to start saving. With the options of open-source software continuing to increase, many small business owners find that they can “almost” run their business entirely from free open-source software. I personally use open-source software on a daily basis. For email, office documents, browsing the web and FTP’ing to servers… all of these I use free open-source software.

Here are some of my favorite free open-source software programs:

1. OpenOffice – OpenOffice is a great alternative to Microsoft Office or other Office type software. You can use OpenOffice for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. If you’re use to MS Office, then you’ll have no problem getting use to OpenOffice. I find myself using OpenOffice more than I do MS Office.
2. Mozilla FireFox – Firefox is a open-source internet browser. If you’ve never heard of Firefox or never tried it before, download it now. You’ll probably never go back to your other browser. There are hundreds of add-ons, extensions and plug-ins available. Firefox is in my opinion the best browser available.
3. Mozilla Thunderbird – Thunderbird is a open-source email client. I personally use Thunderbird because of it’s superior filtering, layout and functionality compared to other email clients I’ve used. As with FireFox, Thunderbird has free add-ons that are available which expand its functionality and can do all types of things to help you run your small business.
4. FileZilla – FileZilla is an open-source free FTP client. While the Firefox browser has a free extension called FireFTP, I’ve found that there are rare situations which I can’t use FireFTP. For these rare occurrences (which have to do with server settings), I use FileZilla. It’s very easy to use and set-up.
5. GIMP – Gimp is a free open-source alternative to PhotoShop. You can use GIMP for any type of image editing similar to what you would do with Paint, Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop. However, this is one area that I would recommend spending the money on Photoshop if you plan on doing any type of image editing on a regular basis. It’s hard to beat the power of a program like Photoshop.
6. ClamWin – ClamWin is a free Antivirus program for Microsoft Windows 7 / Vista / XP / Me / 2000 / 98 and Windows Server 2008 and 2003. While I’ve never personally tried ClamWin, the ratings for it seem respectable.
7. GnuCash  – GnuCash is personal and small-business financial-accounting software, freely licensed under the GNU GPL and available for GNU/Linux, BSD, Solaris, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. Designed to be easy to use, yet powerful and flexible, GnuCash allows you to track bank accounts, stocks, income and expenses. I’ve never personally used this software either, but I’ve read many good things about it.
8. 7-Zip – 7-Zip is an open-source file archiver. Easy to use and free.
9. FreeMind – FreeMind is a free open-source app for making mind maps. Mind maps are an excellent way to brainstorm new projects and ideas. You’ll be amazed at how much easier new ideas will come to you when you lay them out on a mind map.
10. Open Web Analytics – Open Web Analytics (OWA) is open source web analytics software that you can use to track and analyze how people use your web sites and applications.
11. Piwik – Piwik is a PHP MySQL downloadable, open source (GPL licensed) real time web analytics software program that provides you with detailed reports on your website visitors.

Do you have a free open-source software favorite that you use? Share it below in a comment.

Or share how you run your business with open-source software. Your personal experience may be helpful to another small business owner.