Free alternatives to the Macheist bundle + more
Many people love the Macheist bundles because of the software. Others like the price. However, we're betting everyone will like some free alternatives to their latest collection -- despite the low price, there's always another, cheaper way.
In a list of freebies compiled by Lifehacker, matching the Macheist options, there are a few standouts: For money management online without the cash layout, try replacing Cha-Ching with the free Mint website. Getting your clipboard multiplier under control can be done at a cost by iClip or freely by Jumpcut.WriteRoom, the distraction-free word processor, is replaced by the web-based DarkCopy among several other options (including Freeverse's free attention-focus tool Think). See Adam Pash's excellent article for the full rundown.
Of course, the price of $49US for the Macheist bundle is pretty sweet, but many people already own or don't need several of the included applications.
Following the example of LH's list, here are a couple of alternative options for the current MacUpdate promo bundle:
For SoundStudio, check out the free & open source Audacity (of course, GarageBand may already be on your Mac)
DVDRemaster Pro's conversion and archiving chops can be met or matched by the lovely and talented (and free) HandBrake
Leap is quite cool and somewhat hard to replicate, but SpotInside is a free Spotlight enhancer that does a nice job too
For the Parallels headliner, you can find cheaper or free Windows emulation/virtualization tools at VirtualBox, iEmulator, and Q
Got other free suggestions for some of the bundled paid apps? Let us know.
Thanks Adam P.
