One of the biggest worries when switching to Linux is wondering what happens to all the everyday programs you rely on. The reassuring answer is that most popular software either has an official Linux version, a very close free equivalent, or works fine through a web browser. This guide runs through the everyday essentials.
Key takeaway: Nearly every everyday Windows program — browsers, email, photo tools, and chat apps — has a genuinely good Linux equivalent, and many popular services simply work through a browser exactly as before.
Web browsers
Firefox comes pre-installed on most Linux distros, including Linux Mint, and works identically to the Windows version, syncing bookmarks and passwords via a Firefox account. Google Chrome is also available as an official download for Linux, alongside Chromium-based alternatives like Brave and Microsoft's own Edge browser, which now also has an official Linux build. Whatever browser you're used to, there's very likely a genuine Linux version available.
Thunderbird, a free and polished email client from the makers of Firefox, comes pre-installed on most distros and supports Gmail, Outlook.com, iCloud, and virtually any other email provider through standard IMAP settings. If you prefer webmail, Gmail and Outlook.com both work perfectly through any Linux browser, exactly as they do on Windows.
Photos and image editing
For viewing and organising photos, most distros include a simple, capable image viewer by default. For editing, GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is the standard free, open-source alternative to Photoshop, with genuinely powerful layer-based editing, filters, and retouching tools, available free from the Software Manager. It has a steeper learning curve than Photoshop for advanced users, but handles everyday photo editing — cropping, colour adjustment, resizing — very comfortably.
Chat and video calling
WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal all have official Linux desktop apps, or work through their web versions in a browser. Microsoft Teams and Zoom both offer official Linux versions for video calling, and Discord has a native Linux app too. Skype also maintains an official Linux client. In short, the major chat and video platforms are well supported.
| Windows program | Linux equivalent |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Edge / Chrome | Firefox, Chrome, Brave (all available) |
| Outlook | Thunderbird |
| Photoshop | GIMP |
| Windows Photos | Default image viewer (varies by distro) |
| WhatsApp / Teams / Zoom | Official native Linux apps or web versions |
Tip: Before switching, make a short list of the specific programs you use every week, and search "[program name] Linux" to confirm compatibility. Most mainstream software passes this check easily; it's mainly niche or highly specialised Windows-only tools that occasionally don't.
What genuinely doesn't transfer well
To be honest, a handful of categories remain tricky: some specialist accounting or tax software, certain professional CAD or engineering tools, and games with kernel-level anti-cheat systems generally don't work on Linux, even through compatibility layers. If any of these are central to your daily use, it's worth checking carefully, or keeping a dual-boot Windows option available, before committing to a full switch.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I keep using Gmail and Outlook.com normally?
- Yes, both work perfectly through any Linux browser, and Thunderbird can also connect to either account directly if you prefer a dedicated email app.
- Is GIMP as good as Photoshop?
- For everyday and even fairly advanced photo editing, yes, though its interface differs and some very specific professional workflows built around Photoshop-specific plugins may not translate directly.
- Will WhatsApp and video calling apps work the same as on Windows?
- Yes, WhatsApp, Zoom, Teams, and Discord all offer genuine native Linux apps or fully functional web versions, so video calling and messaging work much as you're used to.