Best Open-Source Software for Linux
This ranking highlights 12 open-source Linux tools ordered by GitHub popularity. The top entry, scrcpy, has over 145,000 stars and mirrors Android screens to desktops. Other notable apps include Neovim for text editing, LocalSend for cross-platform file sharing, and OBS Studio for screen recording.
All listed tools support Linux alongside macOS or Windows. Licenses vary from permissive MIT/Apache to copyleft AGPL-3.0. Versions range from scrcpy’s v4.0 to AFFiNE’s development build. Several apps like code-server and Lazygit cater specifically to developers.
| # | App | Stars | License |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | scrcpy | 145.5k | Apache-2.0 |
| 2 | frp | 107.9k | Apache-2.0 |
| 3 | Neovim | 101.1k | NOASSERTION |
| 4 | Stirling-PDF | 86.9k | NOASSERTION |
| 5 | zed | 86.8k | NOASSERTION |
| 6 | LocalSend | 85.1k | Apache-2.0 |
| 7 | Lazygit | 80.3k | MIT |
| 8 | lobehub | 79.8k | NOASSERTION |
| 9 | code-server | 78.4k | MIT |
| 10 | caddy | 73.9k | Apache-2.0 |
| 11 | OBS Studio | 73.8k | GPL-2.0 |
| 12 | AppFlowy | 73.7k | AGPL-3.0 |
Scrcpy mirrors and controls Android devices from a computer. It works without root access and supports basic input like keyboard and mouse.
frp is a fast reverse proxy that enables exposing local servers behind NAT or firewalls to the internet. It facilitates secure remote access to internal network services.
Neovim is a fork of Vim focused on improved extensibility and usability. It maintains compatibility with Vim while offering modern features like embedded terminal support and a built-in LSP client. The project emphasizes maintainability and encourages community contributions.
Stirling-PDF is a web-based PDF editor accessible from any device. It offers tools for editing PDF documents directly in the browser without requiring installation.
Zed is a high-performance code editor designed for speed and collaboration, developed by the creators of Atom and Tree-sitter. It supports multiplayer functionality for real-time coding with others.
LocalSend is a cross-platform file-sharing tool that works offline over a local network. It provides a simple, open-source alternative to proprietary solutions like AirDrop. The tool supports direct device-to-device transfers without requiring internet access.
Lazygit provides a terminal-based interface for managing Git repositories. It simplifies common Git operations with an interactive UI.
LobeHub is a productivity tool designed to manage AI agents by handling their hiring, scheduling, and reporting for continuous operations. It organizes agents into efficient workflows to ensure seamless 24/7 functionality.
Code-server enables running Visual Studio Code directly in a web browser. It provides a browser-based development environment with VS Code's core features and extensions. The tool allows developers to code remotely through a browser interface.
Caddy is a fast, extensible web server that supports HTTP/1, HTTP/2, and HTTP/3 across multiple platforms. It automatically handles HTTPS configuration with built-in certificate management.
OBS Studio is a free, open-source application for live streaming and screen recording. It supports multiple sources and real-time mixing for professional-quality broadcasts. The software is widely used for content creation and streaming across various platforms.
AppFlowy is an open-source productivity tool designed as a collaborative workspace with AI integration. It functions as an alternative to Notion, combining projects, wikis, and team management while prioritizing user data control. The platform supports organization and workflow without proprietary lock-in.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the top pick in “Best Open-Source Software for Linux”?
- scrcpy currently leads this list, which is ordered by GitHub stars among the 12 open-source options we track.
- Are these apps free?
- Yes. Every app on this list is free and open-source. Download links point to each project's official release.
- How is this ranking decided?
- The order reflects GitHub stars, a public measure of popularity. Data is pulled from official sources and last refreshed on Jul 6, 2026. We don't accept payment for placement.
How we rank:entries are ordered by GitHub stars, a public popularity signal. Versions, licenses and platform support are read from official release feeds. We don't accept payment for inclusion or position. Supported platforms reflect the latest release (macOS, Windows, Linux, Android).