The 7 Apps I Use at Work Every Day on My Linux Computer

My workstation runs Ubuntu and I’ve been using it in production for two years now. I get a hiccup now and then, but overall, it works.

The system is stable, resource-friendly, and allows me to customize my setup just the way I like it. Despite the occasional glitch, I feel more in control compared to other operating systems I’ve used in the past.

Working on Linux isn’t just a passion for me — it’s my daily environment. Whether I’m managing projects, writing content, or tinkering with servers, Linux offers the flexibility and power I need.

Over time, I’ve built a reliable set of tools that help me stay productive. Here are the 7 apps I use every day on my Linux computer!

Thunderbird

The job does not require me to send tons of emails, but I need to monitor two accounts and so, Thunderbird does the job.

Email is still the backbone of professional communication, and Thunderbird remains my go-to client. It’s open-source, lightweight, and customizable.

I love the fact that it handles multiple accounts effortlessly, integrates with calendar extensions, and lets me keep control over my data without vendor lock-in.

VirtualBox

I use it a lot to manage and access different Linux virtual systems.

Testing software, running alternative distros, or isolating environments — VirtualBox handles it all. It’s an essential tool for any developer or sysadmin.

I can easily spin up virtual machines for testing without risking my main setup, and it works like a charm on Linux.

Vagrant

I use it side-by-side with Virtualbox, to configure my VMs.

Vagrant works hand-in-hand with VirtualBox. I use it to automate the setup of virtual machines, ensuring every environment is consistent and disposable.

Whether I’m testing configurations or building development environments, Vagrant saves me hours of manual setup.

Microsoft Visual Studio Code

I am not much of developer, but I use VSC to work my scripts.

VS Code is a no-brainer for development. It supports every language I need, has a massive extension ecosystem, and just runs smoothly on Linux.

Whether I’m writing scripts, working on Docker configs, or editing markdown files, Visual Studio Code is open on my desktop all day.

LibreOffice

For the boring tasks (like documenting) the LibreOffice suite is enough for my needs.

For spreadsheets, reports, or quick notes, LibreOffice is irreplaceable. I mostly use Writer and Calc for handling documents and data, and I love the fact that it plays nicely with Microsoft Office file formats while respecting the open-source spirit of Linux.

Midori Browser

My go-to browser for the day-to-day activities.

When browsing the web, I sometimes choose Midori for its lightweight design, simplicity, and focus on privacy. It uses fewer system resources compared to most browsers I’ve tried, making it ideal for older hardware or minimal setups — and it still delivers a clean, distraction-free experience for casual browsing.

Flameshot

I really use this screenshot tool intensively when responding to tickets and showing people things.

Flameshot is one of those small tools that make a big difference. I use it to quickly take and annotate screenshots for documentation, bug reports, or client feedback. It’s intuitive, fast, and highly customizable — exactly what I need for visual communication.

Final Thoughts

As open-source software is mostly enough for our day-to-day jobs, the company has decided that the technical department will run Ubuntu on their main workstations, instead of Windows like the rest of the departments. I really embrace this choice, as it aligns perfectly with both my workflow and my personal preferences.

Linux gives me the freedom to choose tools that actually fit my workflow — not ones forced by an operating system.

These seven apps are part of my daily routine and have earned their spot through reliability and efficiency. Whether you’re new to Linux or a long-time user, I highly recommend giving them a try!