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Every five years or so, I make an inventory of the apps I use most frequently. It's always fascinating to see how the list has changed over time, and it usually says something about the computing landscape. When I did that exercise this year, I was astonished at the changes.
Half of the apps I used five years ago are no longer on my list at all in 2025. They've been replaced, in most cases, by apps that are tightly linked with web-based services and cloud storage and can run on any desktop, laptop, or mobile device.
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Seven of the 10 apps I use every day offer fully functional free versions, often with paid options to unlock additional features or to remove some usage limits. Of the eight apps I pay for, none still offer a traditional perpetual license, favoring a subscription model instead. I know that's a hot-button issue for some readers, who are adamant about their distaste for paying monthly or annual fees. I prefer the predictability of those arrangements instead of the big jolt to the budget that comes with major upgrades. And I'm also happy to support independent developers.
The biggest surprise for me is how much less I use the Microsoft 365 desktop apps (formerly known as Microsoft Office). If it weren't for Excel, I'm not sure that I would still be willing to pay for my Microsoft 365 subscription. I've stopped using OneNote completely, and I use Word a lot less than I used to. I finally got tired of Quicken, Spotify, and Adobe Acrobat, all of which had easy replacements.
Of course, this selection reflects my work habits and my personal preferences. Your needs are undoubtedly different, so your list won't be the same as mine. I encourage you to share your favorites in the comments section below.
1. Microsoft Edge
Purpose: Browsing the internet
Browsing the internet Price: Free
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