75 Open Source Replacements for Popular Small Business Software: Page 4

Office Productivity

52. OpenOffice.org

Replaces: Microsoft Office

Managed by the Apache Foundation, OpenOffice.org provides Microsoft-compatible word processor (Writer), spreadsheet (Calc), presentation (Impress), database (Base) and graphics (Draw) software, as well as an application for creating mathematical expression and scientific formulas (Math). It's a good option for small businesses that want to avoid Microsoft's high licensing fees, but need to create documents that partners and clients can open with Microsoft Office. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

Replaces: Microsoft Office

A community-oriented fork of OpenOffice, LibreOffice contains the same applications as OpenOffice and also reads and writes Office-compatible files. The latest version includes features like an improved header/footer interface, Visio import, faster grammar checker and more. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

54. AbiWord

Replaces: Microsoft Word

Like OpenOffice and LibreOffice, AbiWord supports Microsoft Office file formats, but AbiWord is only a word processor, not a complete office productivity suite. The latest versions support a wide range of collaboration features, including an online collaboration service at AbiCollab.net. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

55. FreeMind

Replaces: MindJet MindManager

Perfect for brainstorming, organizing your thoughts, drawing diagrams and more, FreeMind makes it easy to create a visual representation of the connections between words. And it boasts faster operation and navigation than MindManager. Operating System: OS Independent.

56. Gnumeric

Replaces: Microsoft Excel

This open source spreadsheet has been praised as more accurate than its commercial competitors, and it include 154 functions that Excel doesn't have. It also imports files from Excel and some other popular spreadsheets. Operating System: Windows, Linux.

57.KOffice

Replaces: Microsoft Office

This office productivity suite currently includes word processing (KWord), spreadsheet (KCells) and presentation (Showcase) software. Two other apps for diagramming (Kivio) and painting (Artwork) are still works in progress. Operating System: Windows, Linux.

58.PDFCreator

Replaces: Adobe Acrobat

You don't need expensive software just to create PDF files. This app can create PDF files out of any printable document, and it includes features like digital signatures, encryption, password protection and more. Operating System: Windows.

Operating Systems

59. Ubuntu

Replaces: Windows

Used by 20 million people, Canonical's Ubuntu is one of the most popular distributions of Linux. It comes in desktop, server and cloud editions designed specifically for business use.

60. Debian

Replaces: Windows

Similar to Ubuntu, Debian also enjoys a large fanbase. It comes with a library of 29,000 free software packages precompiled for you to use.

61. Fedora

Replaces: Windows

If you'd like to try Red Hat Linux without paying the subscription fees, Fedora is a free community project based on the same code. It comes in several "spins" that are customized for the needs of gamers, engineers, designers or security professionals.

62. openSUSE

Replaces: Windows

A free, community version of Novell's SUSE, openSUSE describes itself as "Linux for open minds." It comes in desktop and server versions, and it includes 1,000 applications.

63. Linux Mint

Replaces: Windows

Linux Mint is the fourth most popular operating system for home users after Windows, OS X and Ubuntu. It's similar to Ubuntu and Debian, and it includes 30,000 software packages.

Point-of-Sale (POS)

64. Openbravo POS

Replaces: Epicor Retail Store, Retail STAR,

As you might expect, Openbravo's POS software integrates with its ERP software to provide a complete solution for retailers. It supports most touch screens, bar code scanners, receipt printers, scales, card readers, cash drawers and other POS hardware. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

65. Lemon POS

Replaces: QuickBooks Point of Sale, AccuPOS

While it probably wouldn't meet the needs of large, multi-store retailers, Lemon is just right for most small or very small businesses. Key features include an advanced search tool, price-checker, reporting, multiple terminal support, role-based permissions and more. Operating System: Linux.

66. Floreant POS

Replaces: POSitouch, QuickBooks Point of Sale, AccuPOS

Floreant addresses the unique needs of restaurants and food services, from fine dining to fast food and everything in between. It's capabilities include touchscreen support, kitchen print, order split and merge, tips payment, reporting and more. Operating System: OS Independent.

Project Management

67. OpenProj

Replaces: Microsoft Project, Oracle Primavera

OpenProj is very similar to Microsoft Project, and it opens Project and Primavera files. It supports Gantt and PERT charts, WBS and RBS charts, earned value costing and more. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

68. GanttProject

Replaces: Microsoft Project, Oracle Primavera

Also very similar to Project, GanttProject imports and exports Project files and supports Gantt charts and PERT charts. It also offers some collaboration features and plenty of online help, including some video tutorials. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

Server Software

69. Zentyal

Replaces: Windows Small Business Server

Zentyal offers businesses an all-in-one server that can handle gateway security, mail, infrastructure, file sharing and other responsibilities. The company also offers commercially supported versions of the software, add-ons, training and other services, which are detailed on the website. Operating System: Linux

70. ClearOS

Replaces: Windows Small Business Server

Another "all-in-one" option for small businesses and home networks, ClearOS offers networking, enterprise directory, security, groupware, and file and print services. The Core software is free, but the company also offers subscriptions, services, pre-configured hardware and paid technical support. Operating System: Linux.

71. SME Server

Replaces: Windows Small Business Server

Designed for small and medium-sized enterprises, SME Server includes file and print sharing, firewall, mail server and Web application server capabilities. It's more than a decade old, and the site offers plenty of help for both beginners and more advanced users. Operating System: Linux.

Time Tracking

72. TimeTrex

Replaces: Replicon, Tenrox Timesheet

TimeTrex manages scheduling, tracks employee attendance, creates job cost estimates and handles payroll tasks. You can install it on your own server or use the SaaS version for a very low monthly fee. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

73. eHour

Replaces: Replicon, Tenrox Timesheet

A good option for attorneys, designers, consultants, freelancers and other professionals who bill clients by the hour, eHour offers Web-based time and project tracking. It offers a great deal of flexibility with support for multiple clients, multiple projects per client, multiple rates, multiple users and more. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

Web Design

74. Kompozer

Replaces: Adobe Dreamweaver, Microsoft Expression Web

A good option for small business owners who maintain their own websites, Kompozer combines an easy-to-use WYSIWYG editor and file management. Key features include an FTP site manager, tabbed interface, CSS editor, forms and more. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

75. BlueGriffon

Replaces: Adobe Dreamweaver, Microsoft Expression Web

Just over a year old, BlueGriffon is a next-generation Web page editing tool based on the Gecko rendering engine that Firefox also uses. The easy-to-use interface also makes it a good choice for non-technical users, and it supports HTML5. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.