Software Recommendations #

This is a list of software and tools that I personally use and recommend. This list is compiled by me, and descriptions were written with assistance from various authors and ChatGPT to condense information.

Archival and Compression #

7-Zip #

(Download) 7-Zip is a free, open-source file archiver that supports various compression formats, including its own 7z format. It can be used through a graphical interface, command line, or on POSIX systems, making it versatile for different user needs. https://www.7-zip.org/

Clipboard Management #

Ditto #

(Download) Ditto is an extension to the Windows clipboard that saves every item copied, allowing you to access and paste them later. It supports text, images, HTML, and custom formats, with features like clipboard syncing between computers, encrypted data transfer, and a user-friendly interface. You can easily search, paste, and manage clipboard history via hotkeys or tray icon access. https://ditto-cp.sourceforge.io/

E-mail #

Thunderbird #

(Download) Thunderbird is an email, newsgroup, and instant messaging client that includes personal information manager (PIM) features. https://www.thunderbird.net/

Mailbox.org #

(Website) mailbox.org is an encrypted email service provider based in Germany. The encryption system uses PGP like most other encrypted email providers.

Encryption #

GnuPG #

(Download) GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG or GPG) is a hybrid encryption tool combining symmetric-key cryptography for speed with public-key cryptography for secure key exchange. It supports features like message encryption, digital signatures, and compatibility with OpenPGP standards, including elliptic-curve cryptography in modern versions. GnuPG avoids patented algorithms and uses AES as its default symmetric cipher while supporting various other non-restricted cryptographic methods. https://gnupg.org/

Veracrypt #

(Download) VeraCrypt is a free, open-source encryption tool that creates virtual encrypted disks or encrypts partitions and entire storage devices, with support for pre-boot authentication on Windows. As a fork of the discontinued TrueCrypt project, it enhances security and performance with updates to cryptographic functions and ciphers optimized for modern CPUs. https://www.veracrypt.fr/en/Home.html

Games #

Minecraft #

Prism Launcher #

(Download) Prism Launcher is an open-source Minecraft launcher that simplifies managing multiple game instances, accounts, and mods. It streamlines modpack installation, updates, and customization by integrating with platforms like Modrinth and CurseForge. Each instance has its own folder, ensuring separate settings and resources, while its lightweight design and customizable interface offer flexibility without heavy system resource usage. https://prismlauncher.org/

Password Managers #

Bitwarden #

(Download) Bitwarden is a password manager for securely storing and managing sensitive data like passwords, passkeys, and credit cards. It offers unlimited password storage across devices, cross-platform access, and advanced security features like secure generation and autofill. Bitwarden is easy to set up and supports individuals, families, and businesses with a user-friendly, multilingual interface. https://bitwarden.com/

KeePass #

(Download) KeePass Password Safe is a free, open-source password manager that securely stores credentials in an encrypted local database. It supports plugins for extended functionality, auto-type for login automation, and a built-in password generator. KeePass works across Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile platforms via unofficial ports, with features like two-factor authentication, clipboard management, and support for importing/exporting data in various formats. https://keepass.info/

Text Editors #

Notepad++ #

(Download) Notepad++ is a free, open-source text and source code editor for Windows, offering features like tabbed editing for managing multiple files in one window. It supports a wide range of programming languages and uses the Scintilla editor component for efficient text processing. https://notepad-plus-plus.org/

Sublime Text #

(Download) Sublime Text is a versatile, proprietary text and source code editor known for its minimal interface and powerful features like syntax highlighting, code folding, and regular expression-based search and replace. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, with extensive customizability and functionality extensions via Python-based plugins and a built-in Package Control system. Sublime Text is free to use in an evaluation mode without time limits. https://www.sublimetext.com/

Visual Studio Code #

(Download) Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a lightweight, cross-platform integrated development environment (IDE) with features like debugging, syntax highlighting, intelligent code completion, and built-in Git version control. Highly customizable with themes, keyboard shortcuts, and extensions, it supports a wide range of programming tasks. While proprietary under the Microsoft Software License, an open-source version is available through the VSCodium project, excluding telemetry. https://code.visualstudio.com/

VSCodium #

(Download) VSCodium is a community-driven, freely-licensed binary distribution of Microsoft’s editor VS Code. https://vscodium.com/

Web Browsers #

Firefox #

(Download) Mozilla Firefox is a free, open-source web browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation. It uses the Gecko engine to render web pages and supports modern web standards. The browser is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, with additional versions for devices like the Amazon Fire TV. https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/

Tor Browser #

(Download) The Tor Browser is a privacy-focused web browser designed to anonymize online activity and bypass censorship. It routes internet traffic through the Tor network, using layered encryption to conceal users’ IP addresses and protect against tracking or surveillance. Built on Mozilla Firefox, Tor Browser blocks third-party trackers, resists fingerprinting, and supports accessing “.onion” sites for greater anonymity. https://www.torproject.org/

Virtual Private Networks #

Wireguard #

(Install) WireGuard is a lightweight, high-performance VPN solution that uses advanced cryptographic protocols to ensure security and efficiency. It is designed to be simpler and faster than traditional options like IPsec and OpenVPN, with minimal overhead. WireGuard is cross-platform, running on Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, iOS, and Android, making it versatile for both embedded systems and larger-scale deployments. Its focus on simplicity and performance has positioned it as a leading choice for secure networking. https://www.wireguard.com/