Chapter 1: Introduction

In my previous article titled “The 7 Monthly Subscriptions I Can’t Live Without,” I received numerous suggestions and feedback regarding free alternatives that rival the paid services I rely on. This piece will delve into the options that I find most effective and how they stack up against their paid counterparts.

Chapter 2: Music Streaming Options

Paid Service: Tidal

Free Alternative: Spotify

Spotify offers both a premium and a free version. While the free version is available indefinitely, users experience a drop in service quality. You can access the entire music and podcast library, but expect interruptions from advertisements that can disrupt your listening experience.

Another drawback is the inability to download music, which forces users to rely on mobile data when not connected to Wi-Fi. This can be particularly frustrating if you're traveling or in a location where internet access is limited. Additionally, the free version restricts users to skipping only six songs per hour, which can hinder your listening enjoyment.

Chapter 3: Photo Storage Solutions

Paid Service: Google Photos

Free Alternative: Shutterfly

Google Photos is a widely recognized platform for photo storage, allowing users with a Google account to store up to 15GB for free. However, exceeding this limit requires a costly subscription.

A great free alternative is Shutterfly, mainly known for personalized printing services. Shutterfly also provides a cloud storage service that supports uploads in original quality without storage limits.

However, there are caveats. While uploads are free and maintain original quality, downloading them may result in some loss of quality. To retrieve photos in their original format, purchasing a physical copy is required. Additionally, there's no smartphone app for automatic uploads, which can limit convenience.

Chapter 4: Document Editing Tools

Paid Service: Microsoft Office 365

Free Alternatives: Google Docs/Sheets/Slides, LibreOffice, Office Online

Among my subscriptions, Microsoft Office 365 has many equally capable or even superior free alternatives. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are entirely online, though desktop applications are available. Minor compatibility issues may arise with Microsoft files, but they are typically easy to resolve.

LibreOffice resembles Microsoft Office but has an older interface reminiscent of Office 1997. Mac users can utilize Pages, Keynote, and Numbers, which are visually appealing and compatible with Microsoft formats.

If you prefer Microsoft Office but wish to avoid the subscription fee, Office Online is an option. It offers similar applications to Office 365, albeit with limited features and online access only.

Chapter 5: Streaming Services Comparison

Paid Service: Netflix

Free Alternative: YouTube

I find myself watching YouTube more often than Netflix. YouTube is a rich platform filled with educational content, movies, tutorials, and more. However, I see YouTube as a distinct service rather than a direct alternative to Netflix.

In Portugal, for those in the US or UK, Peacock is another option, although it features ads at inconvenient times and has limited content availability for free users.

As of March 29, 2022, Peacock is accessible in the UK only for Sky TV subscribers.

If you have additional free streaming options, please share! I appreciate your feedback and suggestions for this list. Don’t forget to subscribe for updates on future articles.

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