As important as digital technology is, it’s rarely cheap. Beyond the base system, we’re inundated with software increasingly asking us for large individual purchases and progressively more costly subscriptions. Being introduced so gradually has led us to think these are necessary, but what if we took another path? What is truly possible with tech if we try to go as free as possible, and what limitations would we eventually face?
The Low-Cost or Free Alternatives
While we might not fully appreciate it, practically all software we regularly use offers free alternatives to paid systems and services. Sometimes this comes directly from a service that already offers paid software or an app, other times it’s from different developers entirely.
For an example of the former, consider free bingo play on major international betting websites. While still featuring traditional paid play, this service also offers multiple free games a day with all the great prizes you can expect from classic bingo. This means you don’t have to miss out even if you don’t have a deposit ready, and the same can be true for many apps and software.
With paid apps that don’t offer free versions of their service, the alternative is most often found by changing your provider entirely. In entertainment, this is best illustrated by the likes of Tubi and Plex. While these are ad-supported and don’t quite have the range of shows like Netflix or Amazon TV, they still provide immense on-demand libraries that are far broader than standard broadcast systems.
Source: Pixabay
Anyone looking for software will usually find the best free alternatives in open-source solutions. Whether you’re looking for text editors for work or entire operating systems, in the case of Linux, if people need it and the paid systems are popular, odds are there’s a free open-source replacement. These can usually interface with common file types, too, so you’ll still be able to complete your tasks without being locked out of a specific ecosystem.
Unavoidable Expenses
Tech expenses that can’t be avoided will tend to revolve around the hardware. This is because while software can be developed and sent online with very little cost, the same isn’t true for electronic components. There’s always going to be building and shipping costs, so your best bet for cheap alternatives is buying mid-range or second-hand. Note that there are some alternatives here, like Telly’s free TV that pays for itself by using a second screen that always displays ads, but the security of these solutions is questionable.
It’s also important to note that for most uses, low-mid range hardware isn’t anywhere near as limited as it used to be. Processing power and display technology have come so far over the last couple of decades that even humble and low-cost devices are extremely capable, so a system being cheaper no longer guarantees it’s clunky to use.
Source: Pixabay
Constant advertising about hot new tech and services offering additions like AI might make you think you need to constantly upgrade or pay for the best, but this is rarely true. Free and cheaper alternatives today can cover your options easily, and save you hundreds or thousands over a single year. Even if it’s just for one piece of your tech subscription pie, it’s worth re-evaluating your ongoing costs to save you money in the long term.
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