Over the past few decades, I’ve watched many people spend huge amounts of money keeping their computers running or up to speed with modern technology. I’ve seen friends take their computers to support specialists to rid them of malware (spending more money than they’d prefer) and, lately, been privy to countless users faced with buying new machines to replace those running Windows 10.
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Every time I see or hear of such things, the first thing that comes to mind is that they could save money if they migrated to Linux. If you don’t believe me, read on, because I have a list of reasons why Linux can save you money.
1. Linux costs nothing
The Linux operating system costs $0.00.
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Yes, there are some distributions that offer Pro versions (such as ZorinOS) and include extra features (like different desktop layouts), but the vast majority of Linux distributions cost nothing to download and install on as many machines as you like. I cannot tell you how many Linux distributions I’ve used over the years and never spent a penny on the operating system. If you need to curtail your tech spending, Linux is the perfect option.
2. Open-source software costs nothing
At the same time, open-source software will not cost you a single cent. Yes, there are some applications that have an associated cost, but those are generally proprietary. If you’re talking open-source, the fees are zero. And before you think it, you’ll find Linux software to fill just about any need you have.
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I will say this, however: if you do find a Linux app that you need or want and it’s not free, consider paying for it anyway because those developers need to put food on the table as well. On top of that, it’s a good way to give back.
3. Local cloud installations
I pay $10 per month for extra space on Google Drive. I also have a Nextcloud deployment on my local LAN, which I could use to replace Google Drive. One of these days, that’s going to happen, especially as Google continues to lean more and more into artificial intelligence. I’m not totally opposed to AI, but I certainly don’t want it laying its digital hands on what I’ve written.
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For me, the best option for this is Nextcloud. Not only is Nextcloud easy to install, but it also has all the features you need for a local cloud storage option.
4. Fewer security issues
In the years since I’ve been using Linux, I’ve only had one issue with security, and that was on a server installation I took charge of that was poorly configured. Other than that, I haven’t had a single issue. Linux is far more secure than the operating system you’re using, so you don’t have to worry about paying for anti-malware, antivirus software, or third-party firewalls.
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You install Linux, and you’re good to go, so migrate from Windows 10 and enjoy the security.
5. Community support
Have you ever had to pay for Windows support? Have you ever had to spend a dime calling someone or having a technician remote into your machine to solve a problem?
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One of the nice things about Linux is that there is a huge community available to help you solve these issues. There are forums, groups, mailing lists, websites, and more… all ready to help you with whatever problem ails your operating system.
6. Low maintenance
Speaking of support, one thing you’ll be glad to hear is that Linux is a very low-maintenance operating system. Once installed, the chances of having a problem are slim. I’ve gone years without a single issue on Linux, and it doesn’t take a seasoned user to experience such reliability. You might have been told at some point that Linux is hard to use and maintain, but that’s just not true.
7. Reviving older hardware
If you have an old PC lying around — one that Windows will no longer run on — install Linux on it to give it new life. You can install Linux on a desktop PC or a laptop. There are plenty of Linux distributions that can revive an aging computer, such as Bodhi Linux.
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So many distributions will work wonderfully on those older PCs and laptops, which will save you money because you won’t have to upgrade to the latest hardware just to support the newest version of Windows.
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