‍

‍

Five free apps developers still rely on every day

‍

‍

Every developer reaches a point where too many tools start slowing things down instead of helping. Heavy software, complicated setups, endless subscriptions. But some of the most useful tools in web development are still free, open-source, and surprisingly simple.

‍

Here are five tools that many developers rely on every day. They work across different operating systems, fit into almost any workflow, and solve real problems without adding complexity.

‍

‍

‍

‍

Geany — The editor that stays out of your way

Some code editors feel like full operating systems. They take time to load, eat up memory, and distract you with too many features.

‍

Geany takes a different path. It opens fast, runs smoothly, and gives you exactly what you need to write and edit code. It supports many programming languages, offers useful plugins, and works well even on older machines.

‍

It’s the kind of tool you install once and forget about — because it never becomes a problem.

‍

GitKraken — A clear view of your Git workflow

Git is powerful, but not everyone enjoys using it through the terminal. When projects grow and branches multiply, things can quickly become confusing.

‍

GitKraken gives you a visual timeline of your code. You can see branches, merges, and commits in a simple interface. It helps you understand what’s happening in the project without digging through commands.

‍

For teams working together, that clarity can save time and prevent costly mistakes.

‍

FileZilla — Still the easiest way to move files

Deployment tools are more advanced than ever, but sometimes you just need to upload a file quickly.

‍

FileZilla remains one of the simplest ways to connect to a server and transfer files. It’s fast, stable, and familiar to almost every developer. You open it, connect, drag your files, and you’re done.

‍

No learning curve. No surprises.

‍

XAMPP — Your local server, ready in minutes

Uploading every small change to a live server is slow and risky. A local environment lets you test everything safely on your own computer.

‍

XAMPP gives you a full server setup with just a few clicks. You can run PHP, connect to databases, and build or test websites without touching a live project.

‍

For beginners and professionals alike, it removes a lot of unnecessary steps.

‍

Docker — The end of “works on my machine”

Few phrases are more frustrating in development than: “It works on my machine.”

‍

Docker fixes that by packaging your app and its environment into a container. That container runs the same way everywhere — on any system, for any team member.

‍

You can launch a complete environment in seconds, test different setups, and share exact configurations with others. It turns complicated setups into simple, repeatable steps.

‍

Why developers keep coming back to these tools

Technology changes fast, but good tools last. The ones above have stayed relevant because they solve real problems without adding extra complexity.

‍

They’re free, stable, and work almost anywhere. And in a world full of new software every week, that reliability matters more than ever.

‍

‍