MY DEFAULTS [2025 Edition]
My go-to programs and software.
Inspired by The Frugal Gamer, who was originally inspired by Robb Knight and the Hemispheric Views podcast.
2025 Note: I'm in the middle of de-Googling my life, so I expect this list to change in 2026.
| Purpose | App/Software |
|---|---|
| Mail client | Mimestream1 (Mac), eM Client (Android) |
| Mail server | |
| Notes | Google Keep2, paper planner |
| To-Dos | TickTick, paper planner |
| Photo shooting | Samsung default |
| Photo management | Samsung gallery default |
| Calendar | Google Calendar |
| Cloud file storage | Google Drive2 |
| RSS | Readrops (Android) |
| Contacts | Google Contacts2 |
| Browser | Zen (Mac), Firefox (Android) |
| Chat | N/A |
| Bookmarks | Firefox |
| Read It Later | Add to TickTick |
| Word processing | Microsoft Word 2021 |
| Spreadsheets | Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel 2021 |
| Presentations | Microsoft Powerpoint 2021 |
| Shopping lists | AnyList |
| Meal planning | AnyList |
| Budgeting and Personal Finance | YNAB, Google Sheets |
| News | Mimestream1 3 (Mac), eM Client3 (Android) |
| Music | Spotify, Musicolet (Android) |
| Podcasts | Spotify4 |
| Password management | Bitwarden |
Footnotes
1] I love this client for my Macbook, and I like supporting small creators. But I can't justify the price at all with my current budget ($49.99 yearly), even though I get a beta program discount. I'll likely switch to something else by 2026.
2] I want to self-host these things, so this is a project on my list this year.
3] I keep up with my local newspapers by email, but I'll move this to RSS by 2026.
4] I used a separate app when I was actually listening to podcasts. I don't listen to them anymore, so the few podcast episodes I might listen to are typically through Spotify.