You can replace almost every Windows app on Linux — except these 4
You can replace almost every Windows app on Linux — except these 4
https://www.makeuseof.com/you-can-replace-almost-every-windows-app-on-linux-except-these-4/
Publish Date: 2026-06-11 14:00:00
Source Domain: www.makeuseof.com
Linux powers a large percentage of enterprise servers, but hasn’t been as successful with consumer computers. It holds about 5% of the desktop market. Windows still dominates here. Thanks to Valve’s Proton and many web apps offering alternatives to Windows applications, the barrier to entry for Windows users has been lowered.
That said, for certain professionals whose entire careers or competitive edge rely on these four specific Windows powerhouses, the barrier to entry still feels impassable because there are no adequate Linux alternatives. This is a gap the Linux community needs to address, but the challenge is more structural than technical.
AutoCAD
The tool isn’t the problem; the industry built itself around it
Shaun Cichacki/MUO
When Linux users want to demonstrate that CAD software isn’t a Windows-only conversation, they cite FreeCAD, LibreCAD, Onshape, and BricsCAD. This makes sense in many ways, especially with BricsCAD, which comes close to meeting the needs of professionals in their daily work.
The examples, however, miss the point that the dominance of AutoCAD wasn’t just about features. DWG files are the common business language in architecture, engineering, and construction. They get passed around a lot from architects to structural engineers, down to contractors, and this chain simply assumes that the files will always open as intended without fail.
This is…
