What is the best piece of free software you use regularly? - your experience

[Outlaw]

This felt like the right place to ask.

I am especially interested in what people would avoid as well as what they recommend.

I have seen conflicting advice elsewhere and wanted to get a more grounded take on it.

A lot of these topics get flattened into yes or no answers when the reality is usually messier.

Curious how others are approaching it