This is a list of free and open source internet software (Internet browsers, e-mail clients, File sharing, FTP, remote access, messengers...).

 

- Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox, or simply Firefox, is a free and open-source web browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation and its subsidiary, Mozilla Corporation. Firefox uses the Gecko layout engine to render web pages, which implements current and anticipated web standards. In 2017, Firefox began incorporating new technology under the code name Quantum to promote parallelism and a more intuitive user interface. Firefox is officially available for Windows 7 or newer, macOS, and Linux. Its unofficial ports are available for various Unix and Unix-like operating systems including FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, illumos, and Solaris Unix. Firefox is also available for Android and iOS, however the iOS version uses the WebKit layout engine instead of Gecko due to platform limitations, as with all other iOS web browsers.

Features include tabbed browsing, spell checking, incremental search, live bookmarking, Smart Bookmarks, a download manager, private browsing, location-aware browsing (also known as "geolocation") based on a Google service, and an integrated search system, which uses Google by default in most markets. Additionally, Firefox provides an environment for web developers in which they can use built-in tools, such as the Error Console or the DOM Inspector, or extensions, such as Firebug and more recently there has been an integration feature with Pocket. Firefox Hello was an implementation of WebRTC, added in October 2014, which allows users of Firefox and other compatible systems to have a video call, with the extra feature of screen and file sharing by sending a link to each other. Firefox Hello was scheduled to be removed in September 2016.

Functions can be added through add-ons created by third-party developers. Add-ons are primarily coded using an HTML and JavaScript API known as WebExtensions, which is designed to be similar to the Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge extension systems.

 

- Google Chrome

Google Chrome is a cross-platform web browser developed by Google. It was first released in 2008 for Microsoft Windows, and was later ported to Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android. The browser is also the main component of Chrome OS, where it serves as the platform for web apps.

Most of Chrome's source code comes from Google's open-source Chromium project, but Chrome is licensed as proprietary freeware. WebKit was the original rendering engine, but Google eventually forked it to create the Blink engine; all Chrome variants except iOS now use Blink.

Google Chrome features a minimalistic user interface, with its user-interface principles later being implemented into other browsers. For example, the merging of the address bar and search bar into the omnibox. Chrome also has a reputation for strong browser performance.

Chrome allows users to synchronize their bookmarks, history, and settings across all devices with the browser installed by sending and receiving data through a chosen Google Account, which in turn updates all signed-in instances of Chrome.

 

- Yandex

Yandex Browser is a freeware web browser developed by the Russian web search corporation Yandex that uses the Blink web browser engine and is based on the Chromium open source project. The browser checks webpage security with the Yandex security system and checks downloaded files with Kaspersky anti-virus. The browser also uses Opera Software's Turbo technology to speed web browsing on slow connections.

The browser is available for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. In October 2014 a Linux beta version was introduced.

Yandex is facing web search competition in Russia from Google Search. Google Chrome, Russia's most popular web browser, uses Google Search as its default search engine. In June 2012, Mozilla Firefox, the world's third most popular web browser, signed a deal to replace its default search engine Yandex Search with Google Search. As Yandex Browser's "Smartbox" uses Yandex Search as its default search engine, the browser will help Yandex compete for Russian search market share.

Distinguishing features of the Yandex Browser include the following:

  • Different "new tab" screen with a Windows 8-style interface and specialized widgets for popular services (e.g., the gmail widget shows number of unread messages).

  • Accept browser extensions from the Opera add-ons website.

 

- Opera

Opera is a freeware web browser for Microsoft Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux operating systems, developed by Opera Software. Opera is a Chromium-based browser using the Blink layout engine. It differentiates itself because of a distinct user interface and other features.

There are also three mobile versions called Opera Mobile, Opera Touch,[12] and Opera Mini. 

Opera has originated features later adopted by other web browsers, including: Speed Dial, pop-up blocking, re-opening recently closed pages, private browsing, and tabbed browsing. Opera includes a bookmarks bar and a download manager. Opera also has "Speed Dial", which allows the user to add an unlimited number of pages shown in thumbnail form in a page displayed when a new tab is opened. Speed Dial allows the user to more easily navigate to the selected web pages.

It is possible to control some aspects of the browser using the keyboard shortcuts. Page zooming allows text, images and other content such as Adobe Flash Player, Java platform and Scalable Vector Graphics to be increased or decreased in size to help those with impaired vision.

Opera Software claims that when the Opera Turbo mode is enabled, the compression servers compress requested web pages (except HTTPS pages) by up to 50%, depending upon the content, before sending them to the users.

One security feature is the option to delete private data, such as HTTP cookies, browsing history, items in cache and passwords with the click of a button. This lets users erase personal data after browsing from a shared computer.

 

- Mozilla Thunderbird

Mozilla Thunderbird is a free and open-source, cross-platform email client, news client, RSS, and chat client developed by the Mozilla Foundation. The project strategy was modeled after that of the Mozilla Firefox web browser. It is installed by default on Ubuntu desktop systems.

Thunderbird is an email, newsgroup, news feed, and chat (XMPP, IRC, Twitter) client. The vanilla version was not originally a personal information manager (PIM), although the Mozilla Lightning extension, which is now installed by default, adds PIM functionality. Additional features, if needed, are often available via other extensions.

Thunderbird can manage multiple email, newsgroup, and news feed accounts and supports multiple identities within accounts. Features such as quick search, saved search folders ("virtual folders"), advanced message filtering, message grouping, and labels help manage and find messages.

Thunderbird incorporates a Bayesian spam filter, a whitelist based on the included address book, and can also understand classifications by server-based filters such as SpamAssassin.

Extensions allow the addition of features through the installation of XPInstall modules (known as "XPI" or "zippy" installation) via the add-ons website that also features an update functionality to update the extensions.

Thunderbird runs on a variety of platforms. Releases available on the primary distribution site support the following operating systems: Linux, Windows, macOS.

 

- Claws Mail

Claws Mail is an email client (and news reader), based on GTK+, featuring Quick response, Graceful and sophisticated interface, Easy configuration, intuitive operation, Abundant features, Extensibility, Robustness and stability...

The appearance and interface are designed to be familiar to new users coming from other popular email clients, as well as experienced users. Almost all commands are accessible with the keyboard.

The messages are managed in the standard MH format, which features fast access and data security. You'll be able to import your emails from almost any other email client, and export them just as easily.

Lots of extra functionality, like an RSS aggregator, calendar, or laptop LED handling, are provided by extra plugins.

Claws Mail is distributed under the GPL.

 

- FileZilla

Welcome to the homepage of FileZilla®, the free FTP solution. The FileZilla Client not only supports FTP, but also FTP over TLS (FTPS) and SFTP. It is open source software distributed free of charge under the terms of the GNU General Public License.

Support is available through our forums, the wiki and the bug and feature request trackers.

Features:

  • Easy to use

  • Supports FTP, FTP over SSL/TLS (FTPS) and SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)

  • Cross-platform. Runs on Windows, Linux, *BSD, Mac OS X and more

  • IPv6 support

  • Available in many languages

  • Supports resume and transfer of large files >4GB

  • Tabbed user interface

  • Powerful Site Manager and transfer queue

  • Bookmarks

  • Drag & drop support

  • Configurable transfer speed limits

  • Filename filters

  • Directory comparison

  • Network configuration wizard

  • Remote file editing

  • Keep-alive

  • HTTP/1.1, SOCKS5 and FTP-Proxy support

  • Logging to file

  • Synchronized directory browsing

  • Remote file search

 

- Bitvise SSH

Bitvise SSH Client: Graphical and command-line file transfer, terminal, and tunneling

Our free and flexible SSH Client for Windows includes state of the art terminal emulation, graphical as well as command-line SFTP support, an FTP-to-SFTP bridge, powerful tunneling features including dynamic port forwarding through integrated proxy, and remote administration for our SSH Server.

You are looking for an SSH client if you wish to initiate connections or file transfers to someone else's computer. If you are looking to receive connections, you are looking for an SSH server.

Bitvise SSH Client can be used free of charge in environments of any type.

 

- TeamViewer

TeamViewer helps you remotely connect to desktop computers, mobile devices, and IoT devices from anywhere at any time. This is the only tool you will ever need to keep all your computers, servers, and devices at your fingertips.

User and connection security are critical in remote access tools. Protecting you is our top priority: 256-bit AES Encryption, Two-Factor Authentication, SOC2 Certified and Compliant...

 

- qBittorrent

The qBittorrent project aims to provide an open-source software alternative to µTorrent. Additionally, qBittorrent runs and provides the same features on all major platforms (FreeBSD, Linux, macOS, OS/2, Windows).

qBittorrent is developed by volunteers in their spare time.

qBittorrent Features

  • Polished µTorrent-like User Interface

  • No Ads

  • Well-integrated and extensible Search Engine

  • Simultaneous search in many Torrent search sites

  • Category-specific search requests (e.g. Books, Music, Software)

  • RSS feed support with advanced download filters (incl. regex)

  • Many Bittorrent extensions supported:

  • Magnet links

  • Distributed hash table (DHT), peer exchange protocol (PEX), local peer discovery (LSD)

  • Private torrents

  • Encrypted connections

  • and many more...

  • Remote control through Web user interface, written with AJAX

  • Nearly identical to the regular GUI

  • Sequential downloading (Download in order)

  • Advanced control over torrents, trackers and peers

  • Torrents queueing and prioritizing

  • Torrent content selection and prioritizing

  • Bandwidth scheduler

  • Torrent creation tool

  • IP Filtering (eMule & PeerGuardian format compatible)

  • IPv6 compliant

  • UPnP / NAT-PMP port forwarding support

  • Available on all platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, OS/2

  • Available in ~70 languages

 

- Skype

Skype (/skaɪp/) is a telecommunications application that specializes in providing video chat and voice calls between computers, tablets, mobile devices, the Xbox One console, and smartwatches via the Internet. Skype also provides instant messaging services. Users may transmit text, video, audio and images. Skype allows video conference calls.

Skype allows users to communicate over the Internet by voice, using a microphone, by video using a webcam, and by instant messaging. Skype implements a freemium business model. Skype-to-Skype calls are free of charge, while calls to landline telephones and mobile phones (over traditional telephone networks) are charged via a debit-based user account system called Skype Credit. Some network administrators have banned Skype on corporate, government, home, and education networks, citing such reasons as inappropriate usage of resources, excessive bandwidth usage and security concerns.

 

- Tox - Open source Skype alternative

Whether it's corporations or governments, digital surveillance today is widespread. Tox is easy-to-use software that connects you with friends and family without anyone else listening in. While other big-name services require you to pay for features, Tox is completely free and comes without advertising — forever.

Tox began a few years ago, in the wake of Edward Snowden's leaks regarding NSA spying activity. The idea was to create an instant messaging application that ran without requiring the use of central servers. The system would be distributed, peer-to-peer, and end-to-end encrypted, with no way to disable any of the encryption features; at the same time, the application would be easily usable by the layperson with no practical knowledge of cryptography or distributed systems. During the Summer of 2013 a small group of developers from all around the globe formed and began working on a library implementing the Tox protocol. The library provides all of the messaging and encryption facilities, and is completely decoupled from any user-interface; for an end-user to make use of Tox, they need a Tox client. Fast-forward a few years to today, and there exist several independent Tox client projects, and the original Tox core library implementation continues to improve. Tox (both core library and clients) has thousands of users, hundreds of contributors, and the project shows no sign of slowing down.

Tox is a FOSS (Free and Open Source) project. All Tox code is open source and all development occurs in the open. Tox is developed by volunteer developers who spend their free time on it, believing in the idea of the project. Tox is not a company or any other legal organization. Currently we don't accept donations as a project, but you are welcome to reach out to developers individually.

 

- Riot - Open source Skype alternative

Communicate the way you want with Riot - a universal secure chat app entirely under your control. Riot is for everyone, from casual chat to high powered collaboration

Complete Communication - Chat, exchange files, make voice or video calls and conferences, add bots. Enjoy classic chat app features, plus embed apps to share and collaborate in both a private or business context.

Own your own data - With Riot, you’re in control of your own information. Riot is built on Matrix, and like email, multiple services can talk to each other, and like email you can use services you trust or host your own.

Privacy - Private conversations can be end-to-end encrypted, so that only you and the other participant(s) can read them. No one else can read, monetise or compromise your data — secured by the best encryption methods available.

Transparency - Riot is open source, meaning that anyone can audit it, and customise it. You know what you get. It also means that you can move away from the server on which you are registered and