Many top software companies, renowned for their premium products, also offer surprisingly powerful free tools. Yes, even giants like Adobe and Microsoft! This article unveils these hidden gems, offering valuable functionalities without breaking the bank.
Note: Free programs from Adobe and Ashampoo are best downloaded via their respective platforms—Adobe Creative Cloud and Ashampoo Connect—which require account creation for access. For even more free software options, explore our comprehensive guide to the best free software for your PC.
Adobe Fresco: Unleash Your Inner Artist
Adobe Fresco
Adobe Fresco provides a user-friendly platform for digital painting and drawing. Three customizable brush types—pixel, live, and vector—offer diverse creative possibilities.
Pixel brushes mimic traditional media like charcoal and ink, with options for different textures and styles. Live brushes simulate the blending and flow of oil and watercolor paints. Vector brushes create scalable, sharp-edged artwork suitable for graphic design and illustration. Each brush stroke is layered for easy editing. Numerous tutorials assist beginners in mastering the software. Note that some specialized brushes require a paid subscription.
Adobe Photoshop Express: Quick Photo Edits On-the-Go
Adobe Photoshop Express
While the full-fledged Adobe Photoshop comes with a hefty price tag, Photoshop Express offers a free, streamlined alternative. Available for both desktop and mobile, it provides essential editing tools and filters.
Apply filters from categories like “Simple,” “Charm,” “Black and White,” and more, each with further customizable options. Adjust light, color, detail, and blur using intuitive sliders. A spot repair tool allows for precise corrections.
Adobe Premiere Rush: Effortless Video Editing
Adobe Premiere Rush
Adobe Premiere Rush simplifies video editing, enabling users to combine clips, add transitions, effects, and audio tracks. Cloud storage facilitates cross-platform access and editing.
Import clips, rearrange them via drag-and-drop, and trim using the intuitive timeline. Add transitions like wipes and slides, adjust color, playback speed, and audio. Even re-recording audio is possible.
Aiseesoft Free Media Player: Versatile Media Playback
Aiseesoft Free Media Player
Aiseesoft Free Media Player supports a wide range of audio and video formats, including 4K and 3D video, DVDs, and Blu-rays (with appropriate codecs). Play MP4, AVI, MKV, MP3, FLAC, and more.
Beyond basic playback, it offers editing tools to adjust color tone, brightness, and contrast during playback (without altering the original file). Customize picture format, audio channels, and capture screenshots.
Aiseesoft Free Video Converter: Streamline Video Conversions
Aiseesoft Free Video Converter
Aiseesoft Free Video Converter simplifies video format conversions for compatibility with various devices, including smartphones and game consoles. Merge multiple clips into one video.
Choose from a wide range of output formats like AVI, MPEG-2, MOV, or device-specific presets like Samsung, Nokia, and PS3. Adjust resolution and audio settings. Create 3D videos with anaglyph or split-screen effects. Add opening and closing credits with customizable templates.
Aiseesoft Free Video Editor: Basic Video Editing Made Easy
Aiseesoft Free Video Editor
Aiseesoft Free Video Editor provides fundamental video editing functionalities. Rotate, crop, trim, and merge video clips. Add watermarks (text or image) with adjustable position and transparency.
Enhance videos with effects and adjustments to sound, brightness, contrast, saturation, and hue. Automatic enhancements optimize resolution, brightness, and reduce noise and blur. Preview edits in real-time and undo any step.
Ascomp Concenturio: Your Task Management Centurion
Ascomp Concenturio
Ascomp Concenturio helps manage appointments and tasks. Set one-time or recurring reminders with custom alerts (message windows and sound notifications).
For one-time tasks, specify the event, due date and time, and choose the alarm type. Recurring reminders allow setting frequency (daily, weekly, etc.) and notification preferences. Choose from preset warning tones or select a custom audio file. (Registration required for free use).
Ascomp Photo Anonymizer: Protect Your Privacy
Ascomp Photo Anonymizer
Ascomp Photo Anonymizer removes EXIF data from photos, safeguarding your privacy when sharing online. Remove all metadata, including timestamps, camera model, GPS coordinates, or selectively remove only GPS data. Options for preserving timestamps and customizing file names and storage locations are available. (Registration required for free use).
Ashampoo Audio Recorder Free: Simple Audio Recording
Audio Recorder Free
Ashampoo Audio Recorder Free provides a straightforward audio recording solution. Configure input device, output format (MP3, WMA, WAV, etc.), audio quality (adjustable frequency and bit rate), and storage location. Cut recorded audio segments and access saved files via the Media Library.
Ashampoo Taskbar Customizer: Personalize Your Windows Taskbar
Ashampoo Taskbar Customizer
Ashampoo Taskbar Customizer allows customizing the color and transparency of your Windows taskbar. Choose color tones, adjust brightness, and set transparency levels. Preview changes in real-time. A quick transparency option is also available through the system tray icon.
Audials Play: Your Multimedia Hub
Audials Play
Audials Play offers a free multimedia playback experience for audio and video. Browse and play local content or explore online suggestions. Access radio stations sorted by genre or country. Record select content for offline enjoyment. Configure subtitles, equalizer settings, and integrate streaming subscriptions (Amazon Music, Spotify, Netflix, etc.). (Note: Audials Play doesn’t create a desktop icon; pin it to the taskbar from the application interface).
