How to Boycott Bill Gates' Enterprises and Move Away from Adobe Subscription Services

It’s no secret that many of us are tired of paying for bloated software and expensive subscription-based services. For years, Microsoft and Adobe have dominated the market, locking users into increasingly exploitative ecosystems. I decided it was time to break free. If you’re in the same boat, here’s a guide to ditching these tech giants for good while maintaining (or enhancing) your productivity.

1. Say Goodbye to Microsoft Office

The Microsoft Office suite has long been a staple for many, but it’s far from your only option. Here’s what I recommend:

• LibreOffice: A free, open-source suite that rivals Microsoft Office in features. It includes replacements for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and seamlessly supports .docx and .xlsx file formats. It also covers Visio alternatives with LibreOffice Draw, which is perfect for creating diagrams and technical schematics.
• OnlyOffice: Another free option that’s sleek, modern, and works seamlessly with collaborative tools. Its compatibility with Microsoft file formats is stellar.
• Google Workspace (Free Tier): If you don’t mind being tied to the cloud, Google Docs, Sheets and Slides offer excellent alternatives for everyday productivity.

2. Operating Systems Without Microsoft

Windows is the bread and butter of Microsoft. But there are compelling, user-friendly alternatives:

• Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora): Linux distributions (distros) like Ubuntu or Linux Mint are easy for beginners and highly customisable for advanced users. They’re entirely free and come with extensive software repositories.
• Zorin OS: A Linux distro designed for former Windows users, making the transition painless.
• Pop!_OS: A polished Linux distro for developers, gamers, and creators.

3. Free or One-Time Payment Replacements for Adobe Products

Adobe’s subscription model has driven many to seek alternatives. Here’s what you can use instead:

• Adobe Photoshop → GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program): Free, open-source, and powerful enough for professional image editing. For an easier learning curve, try Photopea (browser-based and free).
• Adobe Illustrator → Inkscape: A vector graphic editor that’s open-source and perfect for professional design work.
• Adobe Premiere Pro → DaVinci Resolve (Free Tier): A top-tier video editor with a powerful free version used by professionals.
• Adobe Acrobat → PDF-XChange Editor: A robust free PDF viewer and editor, or try LibreOffice Draw for PDF editing.

4. Microsoft Edge → Privacy-Focused Browsers

Switching from Microsoft Edge to a browser that respects your privacy is a no-brainer. Here are some excellent alternatives:

• Brave: I don’t understand why more people don’t use Brave. You get paid for browsing the web with a Basic Attention Token (BAT) and the experience is seamless. It’s like a more advanced DuckDuckGo browser but with additional features. The browser funds itself through integrated, privacy-respecting ads, but you can opt-out entirely. Its speed, built-in ad blocker and respect for user privacy make it a no-brainer. To me, Brave is one of the most underrepresented tools out there.
• Firefox: A strong contender in the privacy space, open-source and highly customisable.
• Vivaldi: Built for power users, with endless customisation options.

5. Microsoft Teams → Decentralised or Free Communication Tools

Microsoft Teams has become popular, but it’s not your only option:

• Matrix/Element: A decentralised communication platform that’s free and privacy-focused.
• SimpleX: Ideal for secure messaging and file sharing.
• Slack (Free Tier): Works well for collaboration and is free for small teams.

6. Azure → Decentralised or Alternative Hosting

If you’re using Azure for cloud hosting, explore these alternatives:

• DigitalOcean: Affordable cloud hosting with transparent pricing.
• Linode: Cost-effective and highly scalable for developers.
• NextCloud: A self-hosted cloud storage and collaboration solution, replacing OneDrive and Teams in one go.

Why This Matters

Boycotting Microsoft and Adobe isn’t just about saving money; it’s about taking back control. These alternatives free you from unnecessary subscriptions and align with decentralisation, open-source technology and privacy principles.

By making the switch, you’re not just opting out of a system that profits from locked ecosystems—you’re contributing to a world of free and open technology.