Freely Available/Open Source Software
This page contains lists of software that either have a free use options or are open source. Free use options are generally offered by companies that have an available alternative paid option. Unfortunately, free versions will normally have reduced functionality which may place limits on your ability to create your project. For example, a free version of video editing software will allow you to make basic edits and potentially offer simple colour correction and sound manipulation; however, the free version would most likely restrict your ability to make complex alterations to the sound or image. Complex alternations could include functionality like the creation of special effects and motion graphics. Conversely, open source software is software that is free to use, provides access to the source code, and can be shared. For more information on open source software, click here.
3D
- Autodesk Fusion 360 - Free 3D modelling and rendering software. Best used for models that need to be 3D printed.
- Autodesk Tinkercad - Free and easy to use online 3D modelling software. Best used for the creation of simple 3D models, experimentation with Arduinos/simple electronic circuits, and for learning 3D.
- Blender - Open source advanced 3D software used for animation, rendering and 3D modelling/texturing/lighting. Best used for the creation of game assets, 3D animated videos, or organic 3D objects (e.g., people, animals, trees, etc.).
Audio
- Audacity - Open source multi-track audio editor and recording software. Best used for recording and editing podcasts, music, and sound effects.
Extended Reality
- Meta Spark Studio - Free augmented reality (AR) software. Best used for sharing AR experiences on Facebook and Instagram as well as getting exposed to professional grade AR technology.
- Metaverse Studio- Free and easy to use augmented reality (AR) software. Best used for creating AR experiences such as scavenger hunts, quizzes, storytelling, and more. The Metaverse - Augmented Reality app will need to be downloaded on mobile devices to view and share AR experiences.
Gaming
- Godot - Open source game engine software. Best used if you are a beginner with game engines and are interested in creating either 2D or 3D games.
- Twine - Open source nonlinear storytelling software. Best used for creating interactive stories that can be shared online. Can be modified with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Unity - Professional grade game engine software. Best used for getting exposure to professional grade software while still learning to create games. Free for both student and professional use so long as revenue or funding is less that $100K over the last 12 months.
- Unreal Engine - Professional grade game engine software. Best used if you are wanting to create video games with enhanced graphics. Free for use unless your game makes over $1 million USD at which point a 5% royalty fee is applied.
File Compression
- 7-Zip - Open source file compression software. Best used for packing large groups of files to reduce computer storage requirements or for unpacking compressed ("zipped") files.
Image
- Adobe Express - Free online all-in-one design application. Best used for individuals looking for a professional grade version of Canva. Adobe Express can be used to create images, simple videos, and websites in addition to providing quick design tasks such as file conversions, resizing dimensions, and creating QR codes.
- Canva- Free online all-in-one design application. Best used for individuals looking for an easy to use and intuitive all-in-one design option. Canva can be used to create images, simple videos, and multi-page documents.
- GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) - Open source raster graphics editor software. Best used for image manipulation/editing, image file format conversion, and for those looking for a free version of Adobe Photoshop.
- Inkscape - Open source vector graphic editor software. Best used for digital drawing, creating graphics that need to be scaled (e.g., logos), and for those looking for a free version of Adobe Illustrator.
- Piskel - Open source online animated sprites and pixel art application. Best used for the creation of animated pixel art that could be used as GIFs or 2D video game elements.
Programming
- Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) - Open source text editor for Arduino microcontrollers. Best used for writing and uploading code to Arduino-based hardware as well as reading data collected by them.
- FileZilla - Open source file transfer protocol (FTP) software. Best used for transferring files to or from a server or remote site.
- Mu - Open source code editor for Python. Best used to write and execute Python code using a beginner-friendly, simple interface.
- OzoBlockly - Free block-based visual programming language software for Ozobots. Best used for programming Ozobots and learning the fundamentals of programming languages. Can also be used with Python.
- Python - Open source interpreter for running Python code. Best used for executing code written in the Python coding language.
- Scratch - Free online block-based visual programming language application. Best used for creating digital stories, games, animations, and learning the fundamentals of programming languages.
Video
- DaVinci Resolve - Free professional grade video editing software. Best used for editing, colour grading, adding titles, and manipulating sound for video.
- Handbrake - Open source video transcoder software. Best used for converting video file formats. For example, converting a video with an AVI file format into an MP4.
- OBS Studio - Open source video streaming and recording software. Best used for the creation of streams and recordings by mixing multiple sources such as desktop screens, webcams, and USB microphones.
- OpenShot Video Editor - Open source video editing software. Best used for a simplified video editing experience without paywalls.
Web
- Wix - Free online website builder. Best used for easily creating websites without the use of coding languages.