We all know about, and many of us use, popular office suites like Microsoft Office, and although they’re great tools, there’s just so much more out there. The Internet is full of free web applications that offer similar or superior features and performance, plus the ability to work from anywhere in the world with Internet access. Take some of these applications for a spin and see if they’ll make a good alternative for you.

Suites

Get full-service office functionality with any of these suites.

1. FlySuite: FlySuite offers a full-featured suite of office products that you can use both on and offline.
2. Scrybe: Get a calendar, thoughtpad, collaboration and more from Scrybe.
3. Google Docs: Google’s suite offers documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and even PDFs, all shareable in real time.
4. Zoho: Zoho has an amazing range of offerings, including documents, CRM, databases, and a lot more.
5. ThinkFree Online: Get office apps, plus web space and synchronization with ThinkFree.
6. Peepel: This collaborative online office suite has great features for communication, organization, and document creation.
7. eDesk Online: eDesk is a free "online operating system" that you can use to manage your office, finances, personal information, and more.

Communication & Organization

Replace applications like Outlook and harness the power of the Internet as a communication tool with these web apps.

8. Meebo: Meebo replaces popular IM apps like AIM and Trillian.
9. Campfire: Campfire is an awesome online chat tool made just for groups.
10. ProjectStat.us: Avoid using lots of emails to send updates to clients and coworkers-use this service that keeps everyone updated at once.
11. Stikkit: Stikkit’s post it notes make a great online alternative to Microsoft OneNote.
12. iOrganize: iOrganize is great for keeping notes and other important documents together online.
13. 9cays: Manage group email in an efficient way with 9cays.
14. MyHomePoint: Your entire family can stay organized with this suite of organization tools.
15. mynoteIT: Track your to do list, take notes, and share everything using this web app.
16. MeetingWizard: Cut down on phone tag with this meeting scheduling service.
17. NoteSake: Check out this clean, simple note app.
18. 14dayz: Track and manage your time with this web app.
19. Ta-da List: Don’t use reminders in Microsoft Office-set up a super easy, shareable Ta-da List.
20. Spongecell: With this online calendar app, you can send yourself test message reminders, RSS, and more.
21. 30 Boxes: 30 Boxes is an incredibly simple calendar app.
22. Ubikuo: Keep notes that are shareable and accessible online and on your mobile device with Ubikuo.
23. Mindomo: With this free mind mapping software, you can plan projects, brainstorm, and more.
24. The Online CEO: Turn your to do list into a game with point values using this app.
25. Remember the Milk: Manage multiple task lists using this simple application. You can even use it offline.
26. Bubbl.us: Replace your Apple MindManager with this online mind mapping tool.
27. Sproutit: Manage your email with this online helpdesk app.
28. Xing: Xing is a great alternative to desktop contact management services.
29. Jott: Instead of using desktop transcription software, just call Jott and have your notes emailed to you.
30. ebuddy: This site makes it easy to connect to your IM contacts online.
31. WordFast: Get this translation tool to work with online clients.
32. Oovoo: Oovoo offers users a chance to communicate with free text or video chat.
33. Yugma: Use this web conferencing system to connect with clients, coworkers, and other people online.
34. Highrise: The Highrise contact manager system is a full-featured app, including contact interaction, cases, and the ability to share with others.

Word Processing

Forget about Word and enjoy these word processors that range from simple to full-featured.

35. J2E: Just 2 Easy is a great word processor for students, offering free accounts and a unique URL for sharing documents.
36. Buzzword: This word processor has a really slick interface.
37. Solodox: Solodox makes it easy for you to write, edit, and collaborate on documents online.
38. Writeboard: Writeboard is a full-featured word processor, with great features like collaboration capability and versioning.
39. GreenDoc: GreenDoc offers an incredibly simple way to write online.
40. FCKeditor: Use this HTML editor to enjoy the power of MS Word online.
41. Nevercode Docs: You can use Nevercode online, then download and store your files on their servers to access them later.
42. Writer: With this tool from BigHugeLabs, you can write simple documents and save them online.
43. TheOpenDoc: TheOpenDoc is great for collaboration, offering word processing with change tracking.
44. iNetWord: With this word processor, you can perform document tasks as well as edit web documents.
45. FlySuite: This app has a lot to offer, serving up offline capability as well as a gigabyte of file storage.

Spreadsheets

Crunch your numbers in these Excel alternatives.

46. ChartAll: With this service, you can create customizable charts from your data sources.
47. Numbler: If you’re looking for a simple way to do spreadsheets online, check out Numbler.
48. Sheetster: This online spreadsheet has lots of great features, including the ability to embed spreadsheets in a blog.
49. iRows: iRows offers an easy way to do spreadsheets online, plus you can display your work on any website.
50. EditGrid: Create, share, and collaborate on spreadsheets with this app.
51. Simple Spreadsheet: This online app is a simple piece of open source software.
52. NumSum: NumSum is ideal for collaborators, as you can leave your work open and allow others to comment on it.

Presentation

Use these presentation tools instead of PowerPoint.

53. Empressr: Empressr offers slick presentations that can be shared and voted on publicly.
54. Qlipboard: Use this tool to create online slide presentations and even record your own voice over it.
55. Spresent: With this Flash presentation generator, you can create documents and embed them anywhere.
56. SlideRocket: SlideRocket makes it easy to create professional quality presentations online.
57. Preezo: Using this web application, you’ll be able to create and share presentations online.
58. Vcasmo: Vcasmo supports multiple file formates, embedding, and more.
59. BrinkPad: You can use this presentation tool to create awesome online documents.
60. Thumbstacks: Build presentations in your browser and easily share your work with a unique URL.
61. PreZentit: Show your presentations online as HTML with this tool.

Money

Stay on top of your money online with these alternatives to Money and other desktop financial software.

62. Invotrak: Keep track of your invoices and determine what you’re owed with this tool.
63. Wesabe: Wesabe’s social finance site blows Microsoft Money out of the water.
64. Mint: With Mint you can see where all of your money goes and create plans for it.
65. SimplifyThis: Small businesses, freelancers, and independent contractors can use this payment management system for invoices and more.
66. XE: This currency converter offers accurate, up-to-the-minute currency rates.
67. Side Job Track: Stay on top of your time and billing using Side Job Track.
68. NetworthIQ: Track your net worth with this social personal finance manager.
69. Invoices Made Easy: This free online invoicing service is great for small businesses that are service oriented.

Collaboration

Instead of using desktop applications to connect, check out these tools.

70. Sosius: Take advantage of awesome collaborative tools, including a group manager, custom workspace, and discussion threads on Sosius.
71. Taskbin: This online to do list is great for groups to share.
72. Vyew: Vyew makes it easy to do real time collaboration and conferencing.
73. Approver: Share your documents and get them approved in one place using Approver.
74. OfficeZilla: OfficeZilla is touted as a web based intranet, where you can share calendars, files, forms and more securely online.
75. cyn.in: With this online content management service, teams can create and keep tabs on all sorts of data.
76. Monkey On Your Back: Send this monkey to do the dirty work of reminding others to get stuff done.
77. Backpack: Organize your team online with this ultra-useful collaboration suite.

Productivity

Get project management, time tracking, and more with these apps.

78. Clocking IT: Clocking IT features time tracking, reports, milestones, and lots more.
79. Devshop: This hosted project management application is made just for software projects. Single user accounts are free.
80. Projjex: Projjex’s project management and collaboration system allows timeline and dashboard capabilities, plus a number of other useful features.
81. timeXchange: With this free online timesheet tool, you can track time for multiple individuals and teams.
82. Unfuddle: With a free account on Unfuddle, you can get access to simple project management tools for software development teams.
83. Trackslife: With this database, you can keep track of your profession on items like budgeting, exercise, and other important items.
84. Wrike: This full featured project management service offers task assignment, Gantt charts, and lots more. Single user plans are free, and you can invite other team members to access it.
85. WhoDoes: Stay on top of your organization’s activities with this useful tool.
86. Track Issue: Use this bug tracking software to stay on top of tasks online.

Utilities

Upgrade your computer’s accessories and utilities with these resources.

87. Instacalc: Instacalc has great features, including built-in calculations and easy sharing.
88. Online Alarm Clock: Use the online alarm clock to keep track of time.
89. Dictionary.com: Look up spelling and definitions on this online dictionary.
90. Thesaurus.com: You won’t need Word’s thesaurus feature with this site.
91. Zamzar: The Zamzar app offers free online file conversion.
92. Krunch: Instead of WinZip, use this online tool that will zip and unzip files.

Miscellaneous

Replace even more desktop office applications with these resources.

93. Google Maps: If you’re still using a program like Microsoft Streets & Trips, make the switch to Google Maps to enjoy online access and lots of mashups.
94. MapQuest: MapQuest is another great alternative to desktop mapping programs.
95. Omnidrive: Get all of your files stored in one place online using Omnidrive’s service.
96. eSnips: This online storage site offers users 5 gigabytes.
97. Splashup: This online image editing application has a lot of the same capabilities as Photoshop.
98. Scanr: Instead of using your scanner and desktop software, just take a photo of the item and upload it with this service.
99. Gliffy: Gliffy’s online diagramming software makes it easy to create flowcharts, technical drawings, and more.
100. blist: This super-easy database is like a powerful spreadsheet that can be shared with anyone.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 at 10:50 am and is filed under Internet hacks, Web Tools. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.