Open-source software is used extensively throughout the Linux operating system. A majority of the applications, utilities, and core components in Linux Ubuntu are open-source.

These open-source applications closely resemble their closed-source/proprietary counterparts often found in Windows or macOS. In fact, Ubuntu comes pre-installed with several useful applications such as:

• a document editor
• an email client
• a music player
• a web browser.

For example, a standard install of Ubuntu will contain an office suite application called LibreOffice. This contains a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation component that will be very familiar to users of Microsoft Word, Excel, or Powerpoint.

Many other open-source alternatives are available to install on Ubuntu. A few of these are: