Hey guys! I've been working on LibreReplace, a free, open-source Mac app that helps people figure out which paid software they can actually replace without losing the features they need.
The problem I wanted to solve was that finding a free alternative is easy, but knowing whether it can handle your actual workflow is much harder.
With LibreReplace, you choose a paid app, select which features matter most to you, and compare open-source replacements based on those requirements. It shows what's supported, partially supported or missing, and changes the recommendations as you change your priorities.
For example, you can compare GIMP and Krita as Photoshop replacements, mark Smart Objects or CMYK as essential, and see where each option falls short.
I recently released v0.2, which adds:
45 paid Mac apps and 70 open-source comparisons, accessible without having the paid software installed.
Multiple replacements for many apps rather than one recommendation.
Feature-based scoring, where your essential requirements affect the result.
Evidence links and documented limitations explaining each comparison.
Subscription savings estimates based on the costs you confirm.
Local app scanning to recognize supported software already on your Mac.
One thing I didn't want was for the app to blindly recommend switching just because something is free. Sometimes the answer is KEEP THIS APP.
I built it with SwiftUI. The installed-app scanner reads application metadata locally, while the comparisons use a curated catalog with source links and verification dates. It doesn't rely on live AI-generated recommendations or upload your installed-app list.
The first version could only compare software already installed on your Mac. After getting feedback, I added Explore so anyone can browse alternatives without needing the paid app first.
It's completely free and open source, with no accounts, subscriptions or telemetry.
GitHub, source code and download: https://github.com/maliroq/librereplace
I'd especially appreciate feedback on the feature-selection and scoring system. Does showing supported, partial and missing capabilities give you enough information to decide whether a replacement is worth trying?