The Top 100 Best Budget Buys: Tested Tech Recommended by Our Experts

Minimizing concessions and maximizing upside are key when choosing a cheap laptop, and the Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 successfully threads that needle. This low-cost detachable is ideal for students, younger users, and budget-conscious buyers thanks to its sharp screen and quality build. The performance will hardly wow you, but it’s capable for its intended purposes. This is a well-made and versatile entry point into the ChromeOS and Android app ecosystem for work and education.

We love Asus’ latest version of the Chromebook Plus CX34 because it delivers impressive performance and essential features at an unbeatable price. From the powerful processor and solid design to the AI features and great port selection, this machine handles everyday tasks with ease. It’s a great choice for students or anyone else who’s looking for a powerful, affordable Chromebook. This standout model also earned our Editors’ Choice award, reinforcing its position as the top pick in the budget Chromebook category.

For just under $200, the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G offers nearly all you need from a low-cost phone. Highlights include a large display with a quick 90Hz refresh rate, top-notch battery life, respectable 5G speeds, and a capable camera suite. Samsung promises six years of OS and security updates, meaning you can feel safe in using the phone for years. A fingerprint reader for biometric security and a microSD card slot for memory cards put the cap on this budget-friendly phone.

The iPhone 17e is the most affordable iPhone you can get. It’s got Face ID, a perky screen, and a quick A18 processor. It also has a second-generation, Apple-designed modem and excellent battery life. Add in the full capabilities of Apple Intelligence, a solid camera, and fast wireless performance, and you have a fine way to enter the iPhone ecosystem for $200 less than the next-best option.

This simple 8-inch slate isn’t a powerhouse, by any means, but it offers easy access to gobs of media at a price that most competing 8-inch tablets can’t match. A clear step up from Amazon’s extremely entry-level Fire 7, it’s an appealing option for Amazon Prime subscribers, first-time tablet buyers, or anyone seeking a robust spare slate to carry on adventures.

CyberPowerPC’s latest affordable gaming PC achieves a nigh-unrealistic loadout at its cost via an exclusive placement at Costco; it’s such a fantastic deal that it might be worth signing up for a club card just to get one. The Xtreme has double the memory and storage of rival gaming desktops in its price range, packing everything into a beautiful glass-panel case with ample RGB light effects and thermal management hardware. Given how RAM and SSD prices are spiking in 2026, it will be difficult to match the CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme on value, so it’s an Editors’ Choice winner among budget gaming rigs.

Dell’s mainstream 24-inch AIO presents an attractive design, wireless peripherals, and ample connectivity for everyday computing. We’d like a peppier processor and better audio, but it’s a decent deal when on sale. It hits the mark in several areas, including visual quality, port selection, webcam fidelity, and bundled wireless peripherals. This desktop is easily capable of day-to-day tasks and streaming. Dell’s sub-$1,000 configurations of this AIO PC are a decent value, and the version we tested has dropped to as low as $799.99.

Intel launched the Ultra 5 250K Plus at an aggressively competitive $199. It offers general-purpose processing power rivaling far more expensive processors, and it also delivers improved gaming performance thanks to design changes from the original Arrow Lake. The integrated graphics built into this processor are also quite capable and can be used for light gaming, so long as you stick to older titles or reduce the graphics settings. All together, the Ultra 5 250K Plus is exactly what we hope to see in a budget processor.

MicroATX is often the value sweet spot for motherboards and the PC cases that pair up with them, and NZXT’s H3 Flow epitomizes that. It earns a spot on this list by striking a fine balance between build-friendliness, practicality, and price. Compact without being cramped, it supports full-size GPUs and power supplies, serves up excellent airflow with its stock fans, and makes assembly a breeze—rare traits at its well-under-$100 price. It’s the best value we’ve seen lately for PC builders who want a no-fuss, just-right case that delivers where it counts. (It even supports reverse-connector MicroATX motherboards for a super-clean build, if you’re willing to go that route.)

Available at this writing at a sizable $200 discount off its $499.99 list price, the ASRock Z890 Taichi brings a true flagship motherboard to as close to the budget zone as possible. It’s rare to find a $300 motherboard with advanced features like these, such as a substantial power management design that exceeds what most boards at this price provide. ASRock bolsters that with PCI Express 5.0 support, six M.2 expansion slots, a top-tier PC audio system, and class-leading networking hardware. It’s a strong pick for a top-end Intel motherboard at a very attractive price…so long as the sale lasts.

Sandisk’s WD Blue SN5100 delivers strong performance, achieving one of the best scores for a PCIe 4.0 drive on the PCMark 10 Overall Storage test. The SN5100 comes with a free download of Acronis backup and migration software, as well as the Sandisk Dashboard utility. It’s also designed for energy efficiency (note that it ships without a heatsink or heat spreader). As a DRAM-less internal SSD with QLC NAND and a PCI Express 4.0 drive, it was once an excellent budget option, starting at just $58 when it launched. But due to the RAM shortage, it now starts at $120. You might be able to find it slightly cheaper, since WD is rebranding the Blue family of drives.

A memory shortage that could last for years means that even relatively low-priced SSDs are no longer the great bargains we saw a year ago. One external SSD that stands out for quality while remaining somewhat reasonably priced is the Crucial X10, launched in mid-2025. The X10 set new high scores for write speed among the Gen 2×2 SSDs we have tested in both the CrystalDiskMark and Blackmagic tests, and did well in our other benchmarks. Available in five capacities up to 8TB, it makes a good scratch disk for creatives, or a home for game, photo, or media libraries. It was a good value when it launched, starting at $120, and with the 4TB version we tested going for $330. The 4TB is now $425, though you may be able to find it at a discount as inventory peters out due to Micron’s decision to kill the Crucial brand.

This low-cost all-in-one inkjet model is suitable for both homes and home offices, so long as your emphasis is on the printing side of things, not scanning or copying multipage documents. (It has a flatbed scan surface, but no automatic document feeder.) You get impressive output quality for just a bit over $100, and the printer itself is compact for what it is. We’d opt for this model over some closely matched, similarly priced competitors if your print jobs tend to include some photos in the mix.

If you don’t need a network connection, print infrequently, and never require color output, the HP LaserJet M209d is well worth its reasonable price. Its print text quality is top-notch compared with both mono lasers in its price range and in the broader segment. The lack of Ethernet and Wi-Fi support are downsides, but the printer’s low cost and solid performance make it very suitable for single users with light needs.

The Bambu Lab A1 mini is a top-notch 3D printer for beginners or hobbyists seeking an affordable option. It’s easy to get going, fast, and even capable of four-color printing. Most important, it makes great-looking prints. Priced at $249 but offered with an add-on module (bringing the price to $399) that can print with any or all of four different-colored filaments, the A1 mini makes multicolor creations easy. It’s the lowest-cost four-color fused deposition modeling (FDM) printer currently on the market. And with ease of use that rivals pricier models from other vendors, it’s a nearly perfect device for someone new to 3D printing.

If you seek a smartphone-companion photo printer but don’t want to be stuck with just rectangular business-card size or square Instagram-style prints, check out the Canon Selphy QX20. Unlike most competing models, which offer just one of the above formats, the QX20 can handle either. It also produces high-quality, long-lasting prints thanks to its dye-sub technology.

The Epson Perfection V39 II is an excellent budget flatbed photo scanner with robust software that makes it especially suitable for creative types and hobbyists. A high-resolution 4,800dpi scan engine, top-notch OCR accuracy, and streamlined task processes help it outclass the competition.

The N6 Pro, which is widely available for less than its list price, claims a staggering 700 ANSI lumens of brightness, and it’s unquestionably the brightest projector we’ve seen in the sub-$200 range. That high brightness means a larger usable image at any given level of ambient light. So if you’re looking for the truly cinematic effect that comes with a large image size, and you have a limited budget, the N6 Pro is a strong contender for the best bargain-basement projector you can buy. Built-in streaming and a gimbal mount sweeten the deal even more.

The Aurzen ZIP may not be especially cheap by budget-projector standards, but looked at within the larger picture of “worthy basic projectors,” it’s a star. This pocket-size square folds up for carrying, and it expands to a “Z” or “L” shape when in use. It connects to a variety of video sources wirelessly (a $99 dongle lets it connect to HDMI-output devices that lack wireless support, too), and the lens handles autofocus and auto keystone correction, vital for a projector that will likely be used in impromptu and challenging locations. Plus, this little projector is surprisingly bright for a device of its size. The MSRP is $399, but we’ve seen it on sale at times for as much as $100 less.

Customizable features and an affordable price help Dell’s Wired Collaboration Keyboard deliver exceptional value for basic desktop productivity. This board features video-chat controls compatible with both Zoom and Microsoft Teams, a dedicated Microsoft Copilot button, and the option to connect via USB-A or USB-C. Even if you don’t use any of that, its affordability is an argument enough to recommend it if you’re in the market for a low-cost keyboard.

The HP 400 Quiet Wireless Mouse is a low-key, versatile peripheral. It’s powered by a single AA battery, which is uncommon among wireless models; most, these days, come with a built-in rechargeable battery. But HP says the mouse will run up to two years on that disposable cell, so replacing it will hardly be a burden. And otherwise, the HP 400 is a thoroughly modern mouse that’s hard to beat for the price. It supports both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connections, and it’s available in a handful of pleasing pastel colors, which can add a pop of color to your desk.

The TP-Link Archer BE230 is proof that you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to upgrade your network with Wi-Fi 7 technology. This reasonably priced dual-band router delivered solid throughput in our performance tests. It also includes multi-gig wired ports, parental controls, and network security software. Though it lacks features typically found on more expensive Wi-Fi 7 models (including a 6GHz band and support for 320MHz channels), you’d be hard-pressed to find these features on any $100 router.

An older but still plenty-capable version of eero’s easy-to-use Wi-Fi mesh system, the eero 6+ ($139 for one node, $239 for two nodes, or $299 for a three-pack) offers Wi-Fi 6 technology and 160MHz channel width to deliver speedy wireless networking throughout your home. It’s a snap to install, delivers excellent performance in our tests, and doubles as a home automation hub. With frequent sales, it can be a steal, too. (See more budget routers and mesh systems.)

With smartphone cameras as good as they are, there’s little reason for budding photographers to grab a compact. If you want to get started with a full-frame model, the same type of sensor format the pros use, we recommend starting with the Canon EOS RP. It’s the best way for beginners and price-sensitive shoppers to get started with a full-frame sensor, either for $999 as a body only or $1,299 with the RF 24-105mm STM kit lens. Additional lenses start at $199.99 if you want to expand your kit.

The DJI Neo drone is very compact and easy to use. It’s light enough to get around FAA registration and Remote ID requirements for recreational use, so you don’t have to fill out paperwork before you take it out for aerial selfies or landscape videos. The drone uses a stabilized 4K camera, includes propeller guards for palm launches and landings, and supports orbit, reveal, and tracking modes with full autopilot. A starting price of $199 gets you the drone and an 18-minute flight battery. A proper (but optional) remote control is available separately for $129.

The DJI Mic Mini is the best wireless mic system you’ll find for the price, now reduced from its $169 launch price to $99, and available for even less if you find it on sale. The kit comes with a transceiver that connects to your camera, plus two wireless omnidirectional lapel mics that capture clear, rich sound, elevating the quality of your YouTube videos. The kit comes with a charging case, so it’s easy to keep track of the mics in your gear bag and to recharge them when you’ve finished rolling.

Instant cameras are always a hit at parties, and a breath of fresh air from the smartphone photos that dominate our social feeds. The $80 Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is the latest in a long-running series that prints glossy, high-quality instant photos on either color ($7.50 for a 10-shot pack) or black-and-white ($8.25 for a 10-shot pack) Instax film. It couldn’t be easier to use—there’s just one button and a nifty twisting lens collar for mode selection.

The third iteration of the Echo Show 5 continues to be the best smart display available for less than $100. It’s loaded with useful features like Amazon Alexa support and a 5-inch touch screen, and it sounds good for the size. It’s ideal for nightstands and bookshelves.

A smart bulb that works with every major smart home platform, the Tapo L535E produced rich, well-saturated colors in testing. It’s also impressively bright with an output of 1,100 lumens. The setup process is simple, and the bulb works reliably, making it an easy choice if you want to add app-connected color to your home. A single bulb goes for $17.99, but you can save money by buying in bulk.

The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Max Plus robot vacuum uniquely offers LiDAR navigation and a self-emptying dustbin for an affordable price. Those features make a big difference in terms of convenience, and the RV30 Max Plus has a hybrid mop and vacuum mode as well. Competent cleaning performance and decent battery life round out the surprisingly compromise-free experience.

The TP-Link Tapo P110M compact smart plug works with Matter and IFTTT as well as Alexa, Google, and Siri. The easy-to-use app also offers detailed energy reports, making the device a feature-rich and informative way to add smarts to your older electronics. Since it worked flawlessly in testing and connects to all major smart home services, it’s an ideal option if you’re looking to build out your smart home. A pack of two plugs goes for just $29.99.

One of the best and most versatile video doorbells regardless of price, the Arlo Video Doorbell is a top value. It comes in the choice of HD and 2K models, both of which offer a clear, 180-degree, head-to-toe view of your porch. You can install it with existing wires or power it with batteries. The doorbell even works with many third-party smart home platforms and voice assistants.

The $49.99 Arlo Essential Pan Tilt Indoor uses built-in AI to recognize events and send notifications with descriptive captions. It can recognize faces, as well, and it captures sharp, colorful footage in 2K. The versatile cam works with all of the major smart home platforms, including Amazon’s and Google’s. It performed reliably in testing, even in low-light conditions, and the pan and tilt maneuverability helps get rid of blind spots. It’s a well-rounded, fully featured cam for an excellent price.

Most modern TVs have smart TV platforms and can stream whatever you want, but if you have an older HDTV, it might not be so well-equipped. The Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is the newest version of Amazon’s 1080p media streamer, and it can add streaming features to your dated TV for cheap. It has almost all of the features of the 4K Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, just in a lower resolution for about $15 less.

With long battery life, a color touch screen, and all the basic activity and sleep features you need, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is the best fitness tracker you can get for less than $100. The tracker’s simple interface and well-designed companion app make monitoring key fitness and health metrics easy, including your activity, blood oxygen saturation, breathing rate, sleep, and heart rate. Its Exercise app supports up to six activity shortcuts on the device at a time, and you can customize the list via the Fitbit app.

Just because the JLab JBuds Mini are tiny doesn’t mean they don’t offer a full set of capabilities. They sound punchy, include a highly effective transparency mode, work well for calls, and support a companion app with adjustable EQ. Best of all, they come in under $40 and are durable enough for workouts thanks to their IP55 rating.

With their combination of passive noise isolation and active noise cancellation, the iClever BTH20 headphones allow children to listen to music without needing to crank up the volume. They’re purpose-built to protect kids’ hearing and limit the maximum volume to 80dB. Moreover, the design is kid-friendly, featuring fun colors such as light blue, purple, or two-tone options. The headphones come with a carrying pouch, a charging cable, and a 3.5mm cable for unpowered listening, providing your child with everything they need to enjoy music on the go.

Graphics cards, fast monitors, $70 AAA games: PC gaming can get plenty expensive, and premium gaming keyboards can hit your wallet hard, too. But Corsair’s K55 RGB Pro can keep gamers competitive and their checkbooks in the black. With dedicated macro buttons, a detachable wrist rest, and RGB lighting, the K55 RGB Pro certainly looks the gamer part. It’s not a mechanical board, but it does offer comfortable-enough key action for typing, game mashing, or just surfing the web. Its plastic body signals its budget roots, but it’s a reliable gaming keyboard for just about any situation.

It’s rare to find an inexpensive gaming mouse that adopts the facade of a novelty item yet features hardware that’s actually no joke. But the 8BitDo Retro R8 is all of that and more. This is an excellent budget mouse that effectively balances its nostalgic inspiration with impressive specs. The Retro R8 features a cream-and-gray-colored shell with black trim, evoking the original NES console, and comes packaged with its own matching charging dock. The hardware inside is decidedly not retro, with a sensor capable of up to 26,000dpi and a polling rate of up to 4,000Hz when used in wireless mode. The R8 is our recommendation for the best budget wireless gaming mouse you can buy.

If you’re mining for a cheap gaming monitor worth buying, you’re probably unearthing more coal than gold. So stumbling across the affordably priced ViewSonic Omni VX2728J-2K will be a breath of fresh air. This QHD (2,560-by-1,440-pixel) display sports up to a 180Hz refresh rate, a rated 0.5ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium technology to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering. Sure, it’s missing the accoutrements that define premium gaming monitors, but it’s an excellent performer that pairs well with both budget and mainstream PC builds and gaming consoles.

Razer’s Barracuda X gaming headset produces enjoyable sound, has a clear boom mic, and feels comfortable to use for long gaming sessions. We also like that it lets you choose among three kinds of connections: 3.5mm jack and cable, Bluetooth wireless, or a USB-C transmitter. Pricier alternatives might offer a more accurate surround sound mix or premium accessories, but the Barracuda X nails the basics for any gamer who doesn’t want to spend more than $100.

It’s easy to find a low-cost gaming chair, but more often than not, it won’t be a good one. We’ve tested many under-$300 chairs that were flimsy, uncomfortable, and/or squeaky. AndaSeat’s Novis avoids all that and feels surprisingly nice to sit in, thanks to its well-designed build. Despite lacking a tilt mechanism, the AndaSeat Novis is one of the best affordable chairs we’ve tested, and it comes with a longer-than-usual warranty, too.

The latest entry in the legendary Shinobi series reinvigorates the long-dormant franchise with a gorgeous new art style, an electric soundtrack, and fast-paced beat-‘em-up action that pays homage to other classic series entries. With expertly crafted levels and controls, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance merges its arcade roots with refreshingly modern game design. It’s one of the best action titles of the year and, for $29.99, one of the best deals in video games.

The original Hades was one of the greatest games of its era, further proof that indie games can easily trounce their big-budget AAA counterparts. Hades II is even bigger and better. It builds upon the endlessly customizable roguelike combat with new magic systems and resource gathering. It has a new story, tone, and cast of characters, too, as ancient Greek gods collide with shadowy witches. With two campaigns, Hades II delivers more than twice as much to do, too. And at only $29.99 for the digital version ($49.99 for the Switch 2 physical version), it’s plenty affordable.

Historically, the 3D platformer is a video game staple. Although its heyday has arguably passed, the genre still shines bright thanks to Big Hops, a title that recalls classic Mario releases. The platformer features tight controls, well-crafted environments, charming presentation, and physics-driven shenanigans that deliver creative gameplay highs as you navigate a frog through challenging levels. It’s available on PC, PS5, Switch, and Switch 2.

In Cairn, you play as Aava, a mountaineer on a mission to be the first human to reach the top of the fictional Mount Kami. But you must plan your trip thoughtfully. That means not only rationing your supplies and managing grip strength, hunger, and thirst, but also knowing where to place your character’s hands and feet. Featuring limb-based climbing mechanics, rewarding gameplay, and an emotional story, Cairn is more than a game about climbing a mountain—it’s about pushing yourself to the brink.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 offers an eclectic selection of fighting games that hit all the right spots, from party-game antics (Power Stone) to highly technical contests (Capcom vs. SNK 2). Priced at $39.99, this bundle’s eight Dreamcast-era titles are a dream deal, considering that many of its titles have been out of print for years. Excellent rollback netcode, numerous display options, and useful training modes round out the package and make Capcom Fighting Collection 2 a can’t-miss bundle for fighting game fans.

The mobile gaming market is overrun by low-quality, exploitative, free-to-play titles. Not Apple Arcade. For slightly more than a cup of coffee, it offers a curated catalog of premium, microtransaction-free iOS games, including megapopular titles (NBA 2K Arcade Edition) and niche darlings (Sayonara Wild Hearts).

Like a relic plucked from a 1990s arcade, Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a colorful, comic-book-style romp that features heroes like Black Panther, Silver Surfer, and Storm uniting to defeat Annihilus and his endless waves of evil space bugs. Taking a cue from fighting games, Marvel Cosmic Invasion lets you swap characters in the middle of a combo to continue your offense in stylish fashion.

At $60 per year, Sophos Home Premium doesn’t sound like a cheap antivirus solution—until you realize that that subscription lets you install and manage protection on up to 10 PCs or Macs. That brings the price per device down to $6, undercutting even K7 Antivirus Premium’s discounted price. Only one of the testing labs we follow includes Sophos in its regular reports, but that lab awards it AAA certification. And the program earned an excellent score in our own hands-on malware protection test. Best of all, you can manage your installations remotely, even from your smartphone. No more driving across town to sort out a relative’s antivirus woes.

Bitdefender Total Security has all the security features you get from Bitdefender’s excellent antivirus software, plus firewall protection, system optimization, parental control, laptop anti-theft, and more. This Editors’ Choice-winning cross-platform suite includes protection for devices running Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. A 25-license family subscription goes for $139.99, which pencils out to just $5.60 per protected device.

All VPNs do essentially the same thing: They encrypt your web traffic so your ISP can’t see what you’re up to, and they make it harder for snoops to track you as you move around the web. Mullvad is no different. It uses a privacy-protecting account system and accepts cash deliveries if you don’t want to use an online payment method. Mullvad also takes a strong stance on privacy and transparency. This VPN service stands apart with its flat, cheap pricing: Five euros ($5.48) per month gets you access to all the service’s features, including multi-hop connections. It’s close to half the price of what most competitors charge while offering most, if not all, of the same functionality.

Photopea is a surprisingly capable online clone of Adobe Photoshop. The free version is quite usable, though a mere $5 per month gets you online storage, generative AI tools, and no ads. It doesn’t offer the most advanced features from Photoshop or other expensive photo editing apps, but it includes vector editing and works right within your web browser.

Digital audio workstations (DAWs), which let you record, edit, mix, and master music, tend to cost hundreds of dollars. And although Apple’s GarageBand is free, it works only on Macs, and it lacks a proper mixing board (among other things). Enter Cockos Reaper, a full-blown, cross-platform DAW with multichannel recording, mixing, music notation, scoring for video, plenty of customization options, and other facilities normally associated with software that costs much more than its paltry $60. For that price, Reaper offers nearly all of the features and flexibility, if not the ease of use or visual appeal, of powerhouse digital audio workstations like Avid Pro Tools and Apple Logic Pro.

A free download for macOS and Windows, the Affinity suite combines layout, photo editing, and vector illustration tools in one place. Its user experience is extremely intuitive, and most of its capabilities are good enough for hobbyists and students who are developing their creative skills. The brush and layer features are particular highlights. Paying for a premium Canva subscription (starting at $15 per month) unlocks advanced AI features for generating content and upsizing content losslessly.

IDrive is one of the fastest and most full-featured online backup players around. It’s also among the cheapest. Clear interfaces in the IDrive apps for all major platforms let you store, sync, and share cloud files easily. You also get a significantly higher storage quota than any major competitor, with plans starting at 5TB for under $80 per year (and that’s frequently discounted). IDrive also offers full disk-cloning software and remote web-based backup management.

The free League of Legends combines role-playing stat progression, tower defense, and real-time strategy to produce one of the most revered games in the genre. Every playable champion is rich and varied, and new ones get added regularly to shake up the meta. To top it off, the League’s competitive ranking system is perfectly designed to fire up your tier-climbing addiction.

Featuring fantastic combat, great visuals, and expansive endgame content, Lost Ark will fuel your loot-grinding obsession for months to come. The game launched in other regions in 2019, so the Western release comes with years’ worth of polish, content updates, and balance adjustments. The game uses a top-down, Diablo-esque camera perspective that’s different from other MMO titles, but once you get used to the look, there’s no shortage of brawl-heavy gameplay. And it’s free, unlike the $9.99 Black Desert Online.

A free mobile multiplayer card game based on Marvel superheroes sounds like something most serious gamers can safely ignore. However, the designers behind Hearthstone turned Marvel Snap into a deckbuilding masterpiece thanks to sublime strategy mechanics. Once you annihilate your opponent with Hulk or ruin their day with Hobgoblin, you’ll be ready to dive into another matchup. You can battle for free and unlock cards at a steady clip, too. Of course, you can turbocharge the experience by purchasing a battle pass that lets you quickly receive cards and bonus goodies.

For many years, Avast has been a mainstay of free antivirus protection. With Avast One Basic, you get Avast’s powerful antivirus protection, along with some elements of the Avast One security suite. All the testing labs we follow test Avast, and it regularly posts perfect or near-perfect scores. This free tool extends protection to macOS, Android, and iOS devices, though not at the same level as its Windows protection. It earns excellent scores in our own hands-on tests, and its features include ransomware protection, a simple firewall, and a bandwidth-limited VPN.

Sending a message using traditional email is about as private as sending a postcard or thumb-tacking it to a community bulletin board. (Even when your email travels over HTTPS channels, it’s still exposed to the email provider.) With PreVeil, you get full-scale, business-grade email encryption at a cost of exactly zero. You don’t have to spin up a new email address, and the service integrates automatically with Apple Mail, Gmail, and Outlook. Forgot your all-important encryption password? A unique and sophisticated key-recovery system lets you get it back with a little help from your friends.

Proton Pass looks great, works smoothly, and is open-source, meaning the code is under constant review. The robust free plan includes password health monitoring, along with storage and syncing for unlimited passwords across all of your devices. You can also create up to 10 email aliases, so say goodbye to spam forever. Proton Pass has browser extensions for Brave, Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, a web-based vault, and apps for Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows.

It’s hard to beat free, and if you’re looking to start a podcast or record music, or just need a tool to assemble and convert some audio samples, Audacity is your program. Now owned by Muse Group, this venerable software started life as an open-source, two-channel stereo editor, but it has grown and expanded to include multitrack recording, many effects, and spectral and spectrogram views for sample-level editing. Despite unlimited undos and redos and a new clip editor, Audacity is destructive at heart, with no support for VSTs or other real-time plug-ins. But if you’re careful with your edits, Audacity will get you where you need to go with no money down—or ever, in fact.

If you need a place to store your photos online for free, use Google Photos. It’s a complete consumer photo workflow app for mobile and web that lets you automatically back up, organize, edit, and share your images. It no longer gives you unlimited storage (free users get a respectable 15GB), but its capabilities remain impressive. And if you want more storage, a $1.99-per-month Google One subscription includes 100GB.

If you intend to learn a language for free, Duolingo is your best option. It might not make you proficient, but it supplements live classes well and can help you get the basics down. Duolingo impressively presents learning material for more than 30 languages in a clear structure and places you at the appropriate difficulty level, given your existing knowledge. The interface is top-notch, and we enjoy the engaging podcasts that accompany more traditional exercises. If you want an ad-free experience and personalized instruction, consider paying for a Super Duolingo subscription.

If you want to dip your toes into the world of AI chatbots, Gemini offers not only excellent response quality but an impressive range of free luxuries, such as access to its most advanced models, cloud storage, deep research, and video generation. You can also use Gemini’s top-notch Nano Banana image editing and generation model, which won our Technical Excellence award, entirely for free.

Considering that to-do list apps are a dime a dozen, it’s downright shocking that so few of them are truly helpful, well designed, and affordable. Todoist, however, is all that. Whether you use the wonderful free version or pay to upgrade to an inexpensive Premium account, Todoist is clearly the best to-do list app on the market. It works on all your devices, tracks your productivity, and lets you geek out on organizing and analyzing your life. If you need an app to organize your tasks, either by yourself or in collaboration with others, you need Todoist.

Tired of shopping using cash or cards? Apple Pay lets you purchase nearly anything by holding your iPhone over an NFC terminal at a store. It has other cool functionalities, too, including peer-to-peer money transfers and the ability to house commuter passes, digital tickets, and ID cards. Don’t have an iPhone? The excellent Google Wallet provides many similar features on Android phones.

A dating app like Tinder, which prioritizes fast hook-ups over drawn-out relationship analysis, needs to have as many users as possible. That’s why it costs you nothing to sign up and instantly start swiping to let people know whether you find them hot or not. If you want to pay money for perks such as profile boosts and Super Likes, you can do that, too. Still, free Tinder promises plenty of potential romantic rewards, unlike eHarmony’s no-cost tier.

Wix is an excellent website builder—and unlike many of its competitors such as Gator or Squarespace, you can use it for free. You won’t get a custom domain, and you’ll need to be okay with ads appearing on your site, but in return you’ll enjoy powerful tools for building fantastic desktop and mobile sites. Besides, there’s nothing stopping you from upgrading later on.

An extension of Google’s entertainment arm and an offshoot of the enormous YouTube platform, YouTube Music lets you enjoy its many ad-supported offerings without spending a dime (though you can upgrade to a premium account to ditch the ads). YouTube Music’s community uploads, music videos, podcasts, scrolling lyrics, and recently added Samples (a music discovery tool) all make for an excellent package. It lacks hi-res audio, but YouTube Music is hard to beat for recommendation-based listening.

Tubi doesn’t offer a limited free tier that simply acts as a teaser for a premium video streaming plan. Instead, it serves up its entire library of major studio releases—for free! Sure, it has ads, and certain movies and TV shows may come and go without warning. Still, Tubi proves you can enjoy great streaming video content without paying for a subscription.