Do you pay for software or always look for a free alternative?

ajf · 27 Dec 2017 at 15:42

Pay if the price is sensible.
I use Adobe Photo subscription, Office 365 as I like Outlook and use Kaspersky.*
The last two are multi user as well which is good for family to use.
Also pay for Evernote, although not strictly software.

* something like Fortigate is fine, if a little expensive, but doesn’t really mitigate internal intrusions such as memory stocks etc does it, or even some malicious web attacks.
Even at work we as AV and Malwarebytes as a back up on all PCs.

Mr Blonde · 27 Dec 2017 at 17:33

No, I don't pay for software.

Feek · 27 Dec 2017 at 18:24

When I was much younger, I'd do anything I could to avoid paying for software but nowadays I have no problems buying it. Someone went to the time and effort of creating the software and supporting them is the least I can do. I guess it's one of the things that happens as one grows up.

mrochester · 27 Dec 2017 at 21:22

It’s quite interesting how for a lot of people software has no value whatsoever.

The_Abyss · 27 Dec 2017 at 21:28

I pay for a few things - Adobe Lightroom, Office 365, FCPX.

dowie · 27 Dec 2017 at 21:30

Feek said:
When I was much younger, I'd do anything I could to avoid paying for software but nowadays I have no problems buying it. Someone went to the time and effort of creating the software and supporting them is the least I can do. I guess it's one of the things that happens as one grows up.

not sure how that is relevant, unless you're talking about piracy - plenty of legit reasons to use open source solutions and plenty of models by which the creators can earn revenue without needing to charge for the product itself

SexyGreyFox · 27 Dec 2017 at 22:22

At one time I used to 'pirate' everything but over the last few years I've paid for stuff if it's at a price I agree with or find alternative freeware programs (eg Paint.Net).
I also send a donation to some software such as Filebot.

What does upset me is I paid for Movavi Suite and then the upgrade to v16 was quite huge so I paid around £25 to upgrade but now they want the same for v17 - I think we who already paid should get it for £10 or less. I can get my hands on a cracked version but v16 does me for what I want.

I also pay for my Android software even though I can get everything hacked, for the price of most stuff it's well worth it.

Agent_Smith357 · 27 Dec 2017 at 22:27

mrochester said:
It’s quite interesting how for a lot of people software has no value whatsoever.

It's interesting how you associate paying for something with value.

LOAM · 28 Dec 2017 at 00:37

I have an office 365 subscription, autocad lt subscription and sketchup pro subscription, oh and vray.

FoxEye · 28 Dec 2017 at 01:11

mrochester said:
It’s quite interesting how for a lot of people software has no value whatsoever.

I pay for all the games I play. Unless they're demos

Official demos, not Pirate Bay demos

On the productivity side, for what little I do, there are a wealth of free options that are more than good enough.

I don't think software has no value as you suggest. What I do think is that there exists incredibly powerful free software to do most jobs.

Linux et al, GIMP, yadda, yadda. Even MS today is giving away software, or putting out free editions which are "good enough" for non-pros.

To flip the question back at you, why pay for software when a free product does what you need? Why pay for WinZIP/WinRAR when 7-zip exists?

m@rty · 28 Dec 2017 at 01:17

adolf hamster · 28 Dec 2017 at 02:45

office pretty much, although most software i use comes currently via academic licenses and if i need to use it later on through a work licence.

craptakular · 28 Dec 2017 at 10:02

I have an office 365 subscription, buy the latest windows version when I upgrade the PC.

I just cancelled my lightroom/photoshop subscription and will buy on1 PHOTO RAW 2018 as it is supposed to be very good for the Fuji XT-1 i just bought.

Devrij · 28 Dec 2017 at 11:36

Ayahuasca said:
With me it came down to being able to afford to, looking all over for free or sketchy alternatives started getting tedious for some software, so I'll just pay now if I need it in a hurry.

This. I used to scrabble around for free apps but it got frustrating dealing with all these gimped trial versions, adware etc, so now I just stump up the cash if it's not a one off use.

Atari · 28 Dec 2017 at 13:23

Windows, AV, and Office I'll always pay for. Usually everything else I'll find a free alternative if possible, but I'm happy to buy if none exists.

I needed some fan monitoring software after Speedfan didn't work with my new board, I ended up buying Argus Monitor for about $15.

I also buy all of my games.

Raumarik · 28 Dec 2017 at 14:25

Windows, video editing (bought from MM on here) and that's about it other than games. Most of the rest is free like Audacity, OpenOffice / Google Docs, OpenHW monitor etc.

I did at one point pay for Aida64 but have found OpenHW monitor did everything I needed and could interface with GOVerlay.

~Dockie · 28 Dec 2017 at 14:53

Free alternatives as they do everything i need, only exception is True Image.

WantoN · 28 Dec 2017 at 16:41

AntiVirus - whatever's going on sale that is viewed favourably.

Glasswire Firewall - I just really like it, and it gives me significantly more control over what windows services are permitted to access the internet.

Games and operating system.

That's all I'll pay for really. I too fall into the camp of 'used to hunt for free stuff, now stump up the cash,.

Ninco! · 28 Dec 2017 at 20:55

I always purchase software nowadays. Professional software for personal use is prohibitively expensive (for example, in my case, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator) although in the cold light of day, entirely overkill for my needs. I have considered the rental price for CS versions but cannot justify. There may be days/weeks where I would never even open or start the program - It just makes no sense. If used as a pro or serial hobbyist; worth the outlay.

However, with a bit of research there are much cheaper alternatives which give some heavy weights a run for their money:

Affinity Designer (about to purchase Affinity Photo) I recalled the days when Serif products were given away free with PC magazines. Very impressed.
Clip Studio Paint - Heavily marketed as a drawing program for Manga. If you ignore the heavy manga marketing, this is a serious drawing program whatever your discipline - especially if you use a Wacom or similar tablet. I am only scratching the surface, there is literally thousands of brushes and the interface not for the faint of heart! Constantly supported.

MS Office Professional - One of the few benefits I get near enough free through work (£10).
Meta X - A great little program for downloading cover art for films.
Malwarebytes - I like this AV. None intrusive and purchased for second layer and peace of mind.

I hope I did not misinterpret but hazily recall a rumour that Macromedia Director will be released via ScummVM - I love Director as it takes me back to my Uni days (making silly programs such as pong and general animated multimedia stuff) and would happily purchase (as long as its not silly expensive)

miceormen · 28 Dec 2017 at 20:58

+1 for MBAM. That was worth paying for.

Everything else bar Office and Windows is free. I dabble with Ubuntu.

Office can be had so inexpensively (2013 on that well known auction site is £10 ish) that its not worth bothering with OpenOffice.