The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →After a month of avoiding paid software wherever possible, tech writer Parth Shah kept five apps in his everyday setup: Obsidian, Flow Launcher, ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, PDFgear, and Affinity. They cover notes, Windows navigation, office documents, PDFs, and creative work. This is one person’s account of what fit his workflow—not a benchmark, a ranking, or proof that every reader will save money.
What “free” means in this app list
Free to use does not necessarily mean open-source, account-free, or free of optional paid features. The account and upgrade details below are reported in a republication of Shah’s article; they should not be read as a complete or independently verified statement of current product terms. In particular, no measured savings or performance comparison was reported.
The five apps he kept
Obsidian for notes
Shah stores notes as local Markdown files and uses Google Drive to sync his vault rather than paying for Obsidian Sync. He says a recent mobile redesign made the app good enough for his needs, while he still prefers the desktop experience. That is his setup, not a guarantee that a generic cloud folder offers the same merging, version history, or end-to-end encryption as a dedicated sync service. Before syncing, decide where your notes will be stored and whether that arrangement meets your privacy and recovery needs.
Flow Launcher for Windows navigation
Flow Launcher gives Shah a keyboard-driven way to launch apps, find files, run calculations, and search the web. Some functions may depend on plugins or settings, so expect to configure it for your preferred workflow. The republication describes Flow Launcher as MIT-licensed open-source software and reports Windows support; the evidence does not establish a comparative speed or reliability advantage.
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#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors for office documents
Shah found the interface familiar and says his existing documents worked well for day-to-day tasks. He still considers Microsoft Office more capable for advanced Excel and PowerPoint work. ONLYOFFICE describes Desktop Editors as a free desktop suite for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, fillable forms, and PDFs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, with formats including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX. The vendor’s migration guidance flags macros, legacy formats, and font compatibility as issues to consider.
Before moving important work, open copies of your real files in the suite. Check formulas, macros, tracked changes, fonts, and complex layouts—not just a simple document. Keep originals and a backup until you have confirmed the files behave as needed.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
PDFgear for PDF tasks
Shah says he uses PDFgear for text edits, page operations, merging and splitting files, signatures, and document organization. That describes the tasks it covered for him; it does not establish that every feature or platform has the same capabilities. Browser-based PDF tools can handle files differently from desktop apps, and the available information does not establish that sensitive documents are processed locally. For confidential files, check the specific app’s data-handling terms and workflow before uploading or editing them.
Affinity for creative work
Shah uses Affinity for images, graphics, and thumbnails, citing layers, masks, typography, selections, and RAW handling as sufficient for his work. A republication reports that Canva announced an all-new Affinity in 2025 as free to use, with a free Canva account required for new users and some AI features reserved for paid plans. Those terms were not independently verified against an official Canva source here, so check current requirements before relying on them.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Apps he tried but did not keep
Shah also tried Joplin, Bitwarden, LibreOffice, and GIMP, but did not keep them because they did not suit his workflow. That is a personal fit decision, not evidence that those alternatives are inferior or unsuitable for other people.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to decide whether these apps fit your setup
- Match the task: The five picks address different needs, so judge each against the work you actually do rather than treating them as a single package.
- Test real files: For office software, use copies of your own documents, especially complex spreadsheets, presentations, and files with macros or unusual fonts.
- Check storage and privacy: Understand where synced notes and PDF files are stored or processed, and do not assume cloud-folder sync behaves like a dedicated service.
- Account for setup: A free app may still take configuration, plugin installation, or an account to use the way you want.
- Keep a fallback: Back up important documents before migrating, and retain access to the original tools until compatibility is confirmed.
The month-long experiment is useful as a set of workflow examples: one person found free or free-to-use tools that covered these everyday tasks well enough to keep. It does not establish a universal replacement for paid software, a measured cost reduction, or a ranking by speed or reliability.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
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