Last Updated on May 22, 2022
Media Player
In Windows the default media player is Windows Media Player. It can play audio, video and view images. It’s not available under Ubuntu. But that’s a good thing as Windows Media Player is so egregious many Windows users install a third party app.
VLC
VLC is a great open source choice for watching video under Ubuntu. It’s much more flexible than Windows Media Player, and supports all types of formats and versions at large. There is almost nothing video (or music) related that VLC doesn’t do well, although it’s still missing gapless playback.
You can install VLC from the Ubuntu Software app. If you don’t like snaps, there’s also an Ubuntu package available (click the Source dropdown box; the Ubuntu package is the one listed at the bottom of the dropdown).
Tauon Music Box
Ubuntu comes supplied with Rhythmbox. It’s a very good music player, but we recommend installing Tauon Music Box.
Tauon Music Box is designed to be streamlined but powerful while putting the user in control of their music collection. It’s jam packed with great features even if its interface is idiosyncratic.
Tauon Music Box is also easy to install with the Ubuntu Software app, but there’s only a snap available to install via this method. There is a flatpak available, but you can’t install a flatpak with the Ubuntu Software app. Like snap, flatpak is a system for distributing Linux apps.
Pages in this article:
Page 1 – Introduction / Office Suite
Page 2 – Web Browser
Page 3 – Media Player
Page 4 – Email Client
Page 5 – Image Viewer
Page 6 – Photo and Image Editor
Page 7 – Audio Editor
Page 8 – Video Editor
Page 9 – PDF Viewer
All articles in this series:
 Read our complete collection of recommended free and open source software. Our curated compilation covers all categories of software. The software collection forms part of our series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. There are hundreds of in-depth reviews, open source alternatives to proprietary software from large corporations like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. There are also fun things to try, hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. |
Thanks for the open source recommendations. I’m keen on moving away from all proprietary software, including no charge software which is closed source. I’m interested in a few more areas covering such as communication tools, instant messaging, and desktops.
But we recommend you explore LibreOffice. You’ll probably find it meets all your needs and more besides.
You may find it an almost usable alternative, but a long way from being a realistic alternative.
Probably the single biggest reason than Linux will NEVER replace Windows.
I use Linux as my desktop OS, and have done so for many years, but I have Windows on my laptop for the programmes that just don’t cut it on Linux.
Everyone uses Linux whether they know it or not. BTW, it’s programs not programmes.
Umm, no Gabby, the English spelling is ‘programmes’.
Gabbling is correct. The British use programmes for TV/radio but programs for computer related.
OnlyOffice is another that’s number 1 goal is MS Office compatibility. WPS Office is nearly a perfect MS Office clone with added tabbed browsing and an integrated cloud. Finally, if you really need microsoft, you can access the web-based versions of office.
The biggest thing you need for a successful transition to Linux is an open mind. Linux is NOT A WINDOWS CLONE. If you think it is you will fail. You have to accept things are done a bit differently. If you can keep an open mind you will love the transition, if you are looking for a Windows clone you will fail.
I am perfectly happy with my Linux system. I’ve made it so it looks identical to Windows; with a few tweaks and additions. The open source software I used on Windows runs sweetly on Linux.
It doesn’t matter to me that Linux is very different under the bonnet. In the same way I don’t care what programming language is used to write a program. Nor do I care whether a program is licensed under MIT, GNU GPL, Apache etc. What matters is that I have things to do. My Linux system does everything I need to do. At the end of the day that’s what’s important.
The Gimp is fine for those who simply take pictures with their phones or compact cameras.
For those whose photography is at the higher end (and who tend to shoot in raw mode), it isn’t the best program. For these, the better alternatives to Adobe programs are Darktable or Rawtherapee.
We cover the best RAW Processing Tools in this roundup.