Last Updated on August 15, 2020
This is the largest set of Linux group tests available, and it is constantly being updated and new articles added. Almost all of the software featured in the group tests below is free to download (and open source).
This is the second of a five part article.
Part 1: Gaming, Internet & Networking, Office
Part 2: Health, Desktop & Productivity, Science, Backup, Finance
Part 3: Programming, Text Editors, Education, System Administration, Religion, Family History, Humor
Part 4: Graphics & Multimedia, Utilities, Web Applications
Part 5: Big Data, Cloud Computing, Documentation, Other Articles
| Desktop & Productivity |
| Desktop environments consist of icons, windows, toolbars, folders, wallpapers, and desktop widgets. |
| Best Linux Desktop Environments: Strong and Stable - The finest Linux desktops |
| More Desktop Environments - Make your desktop more productive |
| Lean Desktops - The finest candidates for older hardware |
| File Managers - Orthodox, navigational and spatial file managers |
| Orthodox File Managers - One of the older families of file managers |
| Alternative File Managers - Useful file managers that receive little coverage in Linux publications |
| Console File Managers - For anyone who wishes to revel in the power of the command-line |
| Window Managers - Compositing, stacking, tiling and dynamic window managers |
| Compositing Window Managers - Window manager that provides applications with an off-screen buffer for each window. |
| Stacking Window Managers - Type of window manager that draws all windows in a specific order, allowing them to overlap, using a technique called painter's algorithm |
| Tiling Window Managers - Automates the common task of arranging windows |
| Dynamic Window Managers - Tiling window manager where windows are tiled based on preset layouts |
| Application Launchers - Make your desktop more productive |
| Docks - Switch quickly between applications |
| Desktop Search Engines - Locate information with the minimum of fuss |
| Productivity Tools - Utilities to make your life a little bit easier |
| Essential Utilities to Boost Productivity - Very small utilities |
| Note-taking Apps - Keep track of information |
| Sticky Notes Apps - often known as a Post-it Note |
| OneNote Alternatives - Free-form information gathering and multi-user collaboration |
| Collection Managers - To keep track of stamps, multimedia, posters, comics and more |
| Task Managers - Help organise your day |
| Time Tracking - Type of computer software that records time spent on tasks |
| Task Management Tools - Create a list of tasks to be completed |
| Personal Information Managers - Help manage your life by offering personal organising functionality |
| Calculators - Compute difficult mathematical functions, plot 2D and 3D graphs |
| Clocks - Includes alarm clocks and timezone clocks |
| Diary - Flexible and useful diary tools |
| Terminal Emulators - Access a console and console based software |
| Screen Capture - Versatile open source screenshot programs |
| Plain Text Screencasting Tools - Explain and perform commands at the same time, providing a tutorial and showcase |
| e-book Tools - Best open source e-book tools available to download |
| Speed Reading - Read text without moving your eyes, and therefore rapidly increase your reading speed |
| Small Console Menu Utilities - Four tiny utilities that offer menu facilities |
| Scientific Software |
| Science really prospers and advances when individuals share the results of their experiments with others in the scientific community. There is a certain logic that scientific software should therefore be released in a freely distributable environment. |
| Scientific - Maths, biology, chemistry, physcis, electronics & engineering and more |
| Physics - The study of matter and energy applying laws that govern natural phenomena |
| Chemistry - The study of matter and the changes it undergoes |
| Biology - Concerned with the study of living things |
| Bioinformatics - The application of mathematics, computing and statistics to the analysis of biological information |
| Desktop Genome Browsers - Visualize and browse entire genomes with annotated data |
| Web Based Genome Browsers - Visualize and browse entire genomes with annotated data |
| Graphical User Interfaces for R - For statistical computing and graphics |
| Robotics Software - Branch of artificial intelligence concerned with the study of robots |
| Data Mining - Brings together the fields of computer science, statistics and artificial intelligence |
| Deep Learning - Python software for Deep Learning |
| Data Science Notebooks - Virtual collaborative environments |
| Python Tools for Data Science - Python is arguably the go-to programming language for data scientists |
| Plotting Tools - Helps to analyze and visualize data |
| Python Visualization Packages - explore data and share results with others |
| Python Data Analysis - inspect, clean, transform, and model data |
| Python Data Validation - perform data validation |
| Computer Algebra Systems - Manipulate mathematical formulae in a way similar to the traditional manual computations of mathematicians and scientists |
| Statistical Analysis - Helps scientists understand a concept or representation and make possible predictions |
| Geometry - Combines three branches of mathematics: geometry, calculus and algebra |
| Python Mathematics Tools - Useful for mathematicians working with Python |
| Earth Science - Wide range of fields such as geology, geography, geophysics, meteorology and oceanography |
| Virtual Globes - Alternatives to Google Earth |
| Weather - Includes both GUI and console tools |
| Astronomy - Deals with the study of celestial objects |
| Astronomical Data Analysis- Capable astronomical analysis systems |
| Electronic Design Automation - Design electronic systems such as printed circuit boards and integrated circuits |
| Laboratory Information Management System - Streamlined workflow automation and management |
| GPS - The Global Positioning System is a satellite-based navigation satellite system |
| Reference Management Tools - Software for academics and authors to use to record and use bibliographic citations |
| Backup Software |
| Backup software is used to perform a complete back up of a file, data, database, system or server. It enables users to make a duplicate of everything contained on the original source. This type of software is also used to perform a recovery of the data or system in the event of a disaster. |
| Backup Tools - Intuitive graphical interfaces, snapshot software, and command-line tools |
| Simple Backup - Keep data safe with the minimum of fuss |
| DeDuplicating Encryption Tools - Deduplicating encrypting backup software |
| Financial Software |
| Financial software covers a wide spectrum including personal finance, stock trading, investment analysis, accounting, business solutions and microfinance. |
| Financial - Keep track of stock market movements, analyse the markets, and more |
| More Financial Software - Picks of our favorite personal finance and stock market tools |
| Bitcoin Clients - Decentralized peer-to-peer payment system and digital currency |
| Cryptocurrencies - Monitor changes in the prices of cryptocurrencies |
| Econometrics - Statistical software that is specialised for econometric analysis |
Go to Part 1, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.