Ask Slashdot: Which Apps Aren't Available on Linux?
8 242Have you ever needed a Linux application which only exists in the Windows world? Long-time Slashdot reader BrendaEM writes: Windows does have a lot of useful app (but smaller than "power apps"). Some of these are closed source, some are open, but they're not all available in Linux yet.
My list would have to contain Gimp Tookit versions of: IrfanView image manager, which I think is unequaled in Linux (though it does work to some extent under Wine). I also miss the full version of 7-Zip, because of its better compression settings, which File-Roller does not provide, though the Linux port p7zip is available (though unnoticed by common distributions). Lastly, I think that Notepad++ would be a good addition to Linux.
That last one drew some pushback from long-time Slashdot reader jesco. "If there's one area where Linux shines, then it's the availability of high-quality text editors. Last time I looked Kate was still pretty nice, and there's Emacs, Vim and Neovim" if you're partial to command lines. But are there any daily-drive apps you still find yourself needing? Share your own thoughts in the comments.
Which apps aren't available on Linux?
8 comments
Re:Video editor? (Score: 5, Informative)
by echo123 ( 1266692 ) on Sunday July 05, 2026 @04:26PM (#66223720)
Da Vinci Resolve [blackmagicdesign.com] runs on all platforms, is free, and will do everything a non-professional could ever dream of doing. Da Vinci Studio is the $300 one-time payment for the pro version that dominates Hollywood.
Pro-tip: If you think you need Da Vinci Resolve Studio ask yourself if you need new photo gear too, then see if there's anything in Black Magic's product line that suits you. Buying a Black Magic camera gives you Da Vinci Studio for free -- or $300 off your new camera if you look at it that way.
The latest version of Resolve can even replace Adobe Lightroom [xda-developers.com].
Re:Video editor? (Score: 5, Informative)
by Casandro ( 751346 ) on Sunday July 05, 2026 @04:42PM (#66223750)
There's kdenlive which works very decently.
CLI (Score: 5, Informative)
by Hentes ( 2461350 ) on Sunday July 05, 2026 @04:17PM (#66223708)
One of the hardest parts when switching to Linux was learning to use the command line and shellscripts instead of relying on "power tools" for everything. It's a very different mindset from the Windows world, but once you adjust it's a lot more pleasant. I feel like telling people that "Linux is exactly like Windows now" is counterproductive. Sure, you can try to use Linux like Windows, but it's a miserable experience.
I hate to say it... (Score: 5, Interesting)
by Anonymous Coward ( None ) on Sunday July 05, 2026 @04:18PM (#66223712)
... but Microsoft Word and Powerpoint really have no FOSS equivalent, if you actually know how to use them to make things that look nice and need to interoperate with the commercial and government sectors.
Second that for IrfanView (Score: 5, Informative)
by williamyf ( 227051 ) on Sunday July 05, 2026 @04:22PM (#66223716)
I have two anecdotes from my use of IrfanView, and why it is so well regarded to this day:
1.) In 2006 I was using a Pentium 1 300Mhz (in not a type, there was a mobile versions of the P1 that reached 300Mhz) with Win2000. Windows media player would take close to 100% of the processor to play an MP3, Clasic Media player would tale 50%, IrfanView + an MP3 player Plug-in would take only 30%, a true lifesaver.
2.) In 2022 I fell of a roof and broke my scapula. IrfanView 32 bit with a suitable plug-in was the only SW that could see the DICOM medical images of my Rx and CAT CDs. Alas, the medical Images plug-in is not available in the 64 bit version...
Plenty small, plenty fast, plenty fleible. Hurray for IrfanView.
Geany is similar to Notepad++ (Score: 5, Informative)
by parityshrimp ( 6342140 ) on Sunday July 05, 2026 @04:22PM (#66223718)
Geany is a nice text editor with similar functionality to Notepad++. https://www.geany.org/ [geany.org]
Photoshop (Score: 5, Insightful)
by Arnonyrnous Covvard ( 7286638 ) on Sunday July 05, 2026 @04:54PM (#66223774)
GIMP is a serious case of not-invented-here leading to abysmal usability. It can't even compete with Photoshop from more than a decade ago. It's embarrassing. Copy the good stuff.
Re:Too many to list (Score: 5, Insightful)
by thegarbz ( 1787294 ) on Monday July 06, 2026 @03:35AM (#66224428)
When any game that runs natively on Windows can also be
run -natively- ( read that: no emulators ) on Linux, then we can consider this problem
to be solved.
I'm curious as to why you put this requirement in there? Especially given that we have plenty of examples of games running under the Proton layer *BETTER* than they do on Windows natively. What do you do with games other than play them?