Discord is an online platform that allows its users to easily join in voice or text chat servers populated by tens of thousands of friendly and engaging individuals from around the globe. In this blog post, we’ll share nine of our favorite Discord servers for making friends.

Although some servers are private, and you can join them only if you are invited by a host or other members, there are public Discord servers that you can use to make online friends. Some of them are relatively old and well-known, but some are new servers ready to take on new members. So start making friends in one of the most popular communities, and see where that takes you.

1. ChillZone

Tags: Social, Egirls, Gaming, Fun, Nitro, Anime, Emotes & Emojis.

Number of Members: 445,009

The sheer volume of this server guarantees you’ll find a friend or two here. There are over 445,000 people continuously chatting in this Discord Server and the topics vary from games to crafts, and even astronomy. Join this server and simply jump into the active chat. Since this server is imagined as a virtual chill zone, there’s no need for formal introductions.

There’s no age limit to join this server. People here range from very young to some old-timers. This is the best place where you can find entertainment if you’re bored, but also a place where you can learn something new. Just imagine the experiences all these people have. There are over 40,000 active users at any time.

2. Anime Soul Discord

Tags: Anime

Number of Members: 676,898

Anime Soul Discord is created for sharing all things Anime. If you’re into Anime, this is the place where you’ll meet people with the same interests and tastes as you. Join over half a million people who are discussing daily their favorite animated worlds and characters.

With so many active members you can’t fail to find several friends in Anime Soul Discord. This server took the shape of a social group where you can share anime-related pictures, videos, recipes, and more. If you’re also passionate about manga, don’t worry, there’s a channel dedicated to this form of art too.

3. The Choco Bar Server

Tags: None

Number of Members: 8,533

Choco bar is perhaps not as large as other Discord servers, but it is a perfect choice if you’re looking for a more intimate and tight-knit community. This chill server has no tags because it doesn’t have a main theme. Its goal is to gather different profiles of people and enable them to chat about just about anything.

Nevertheless, there are some topics that are extremely popular. Among them are art, science, fashion, literature, and politics. But the best part is that you don’t really have to be interested in any specific niche in order to make a lot of friends here. Join this server and chat about your daily troubles or the newest accessory you bought.

4. The Weeb Empire

Tags: Anime, Stickers, Memes, Emojis

Number of Members: 182,569

Another popular anime-tagged server is the Weeb Empire. It gathers gamers and anime lovers from all over the world, and all of them are your potential new friends. What’s so special about this server? Well, it’s one of the most active Discord communities out there. It has around 30,000 members online at any given moment, and they are all chatting and socializing.

This is the place where you’ll surely make some new friends. Just join an already flowing chat, or start your own topic and wait for the people to jump into the conversation. It doesn’t matter if it’s day or night, this Discord server always has someone online to talk to.

5. Daddy

Tags: Social, Egirls, Chill, Anime, Emotes, Emojis, Gaming, Nitro, Fun.

Number of Members: 517,527

If you’re looking to increase your social circle, or you’re looking for a new virtual space to hang out in, don’t skip joining the Daddy server. There are over half a million people here and more are joining every day. At any given time, you can find over 40,000 members online ready to make friends.

Although there are specific tags, this friendly server works as a social network and you can chat about anything that comes to your mind. The focus here is on many voice channels where you can join and live talk to a plethora of interesting people. These voice chats can host 60 people at a time. There are some Nitro perks as well for even more enjoyment.

6. Lofi Girl

Tags: None

Number of Members: 845,435

Lofi Girl is probably the perfect place where you can find some new Discord friends. It’s a massive community server that counts over 845,000 members. All these people chat about video games, science, mental health, travel, tech, pets, music, and so many more topics, on a daily basis. You can also find a great and detailed list of interesting YouTubers, Podcasts, and Twitch Streamers here.

There are approximately 100,000 members online at any given time. All gathered around the central figure of the famous Lofi Girl, which, by now, is certainly a pop-culture icon. If you need new friends to study with or simply to chill with, consider joining this extremely popular Discord server.

7. Roblox

Tags: None

Number of Members: 873,779

If you’re a fan of Roblox games, consider joining the Roblox Discord server. Here you can find people interested not only in playing video games but also in making them. Chat about the most recent developments and releases, or simply find fellow gamers to play with.

The Roblox server is a huge community and no doubt you’ll find some new friends here. There are over 120,000 members active at any moment, playing together, or discussing various gaming-related topics. Don’t be shy, simply join the conversation and see where it takes you.

8. Friendscord

Tags: Social, Chill, Adults, Anime, Gaming, Fun, Art.

Number of Members: 95,723

Friendscord is a Discord server truly dedicated to making friends. It may not be as big and popular as some servers on the list, but this is the place where you’ll meet some of the most fun and passionate people from all over the world. Join the chat and discuss anything that comes to your mind. But be polite and don’t interrupt other people’s conversations.

The chats and voice channels of Friendscord are active 24/7 and you can join them whenever you want. Here you’ll meet people who’ll game with you, organize movie nights, or simply listen to you venting. This server uses Discord bots to enhance the interaction between its members and the staff is online and available 24/7 if you need help with something.

9. Royal Weebs

Tags: Anime, Emojis, Kpop, Roblox, Genshin, LGBTQ, Egirls, Manhwa, Valorant.

Number of Members: 96,053

Royal Weebs is a very welcoming community, a safe space that’s also SFW. However, it does cater mostly to Anime fans, although you can find various topics to chat about such as art, media, memes, and games. In fact, you can find gaming partners here as many Royal Weeb members play Minecraft and Fortnite daily.

This Discord server has plenty of fun and colorful emojis and monthly Nitro giveaways. The moderators are always available, fun, and ready to help. The chat is active, and you can always opt to join a voice chat or a video call if you want. But be warned, most members of Royal Weebs are teenagers and young adults, although there is technically no age limit. This server won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.

All in all, joining a Discord server is great for meeting new people and expanding your social circle. Discord offers an array of different servers you can join to find others who share your interests in gaming, coding, art, or just general chatting. No matter what you’re looking for in your social life online, there’s sure to be a Discord server that fits the bill. So why wait? Find a group of like-minded folks today and make some good friends!

If you don’t have much programming experience, these beginner programs can help you understand what it takes to create a full-fledged game. Depending on what kind of game you want to make, different types of programs are available to help you. Below we have listed the best of these programs so you can get started on your very own video game.

1. GameMaker Studio

GameMaker Studio is terrific for creating 2D games, even if you have little game development knowledge. This program allows you to easily edit every aspect of your game, making it exactly as you envision. No coding knowledge is necessary. Don’t be fooled by the program’s simplicity, though– indie studios have used it to create games of great acclaim, such as Undertale, Hotline Miami, Forager, and more.

You can start using this program for free, with all features included. However, if you want to export your game to different platforms such as desktop, mobile, or even console, you’ll need to upgrade to a subscription, which runs anywhere from $4.99 to $79.99 monthly.

2. RPG Maker

RPG Maker has everything you need to create a 2D pixel RPG, even if you have zero programming or game development experience. Through this program, you’re provided with plenty of assets to create settings, characters, combat mechanics, and more. Plus, tons of DLC (Downloadable content) are available to further add to your creations. And, if you do have some programming knowledge, you can customize the code to alter RPG Maker’s functions as you wish. Games made through RPG Maker can even be distributed commercially, with no licenses needed.

The RPG Maker brand also has a product called Visual Novel Maker, which you can use to create Visual Novels if that’s more your speed. Either way, RPG Maker provides powerful resources to help make your games, regardless of skill level.

3. Construct 3

Construct 3 is a great program utilized by companies like Sega, Zynga, EA, and more. It’s mainly useful for creating mobile games for Android or iOS but can also be used to develop desktop apps. It can be used to create 2D games with absolutely no programming knowledge required. However, you can tinker around with JavaScript programming if you want to.

You can try Construct 3 for free. However, to use the whole program, you’ll need to buy it. You can pay $19.99 a month or $119.99 a year for a personal license.

4. Core

Core is one of the best programs for amateur game developers looking to make 3D games. It uses Unreal Engine to help beginners create beautiful graphics for their projects, providing many pre-rendered models, game frameworks, and more. You can publish your created games to the Core website, and even monetize it through in-game purchases.

The best part is that Core is free for anyone to use and provides plenty of instructional content to help you start making your game.

5. Stencyl

Stencyl is for amateur game developers to create their games for iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and HTML5. The game logic is developed through a drag-and-drop system of command blocks. However, you can also write code for your games too. Stencyl also provides a great graphics editor to get your game scenes just right.

Stencyl is free to use and publish games to the web; however, if you want to publish on other platforms, you’ll need to upgrade. The Indie tier is $99 a year and will allow you to publish to desktop, and the Studio tier is $199 a year and will grant you publishing to mobile app stores.

6. GDevelop

This program is unique as you can create games on your Android or iOS devices. You could potentially work on developing a game wherever you go. However, there’s also a desktop version if you prefer. GDevelop requires no coding knowledge and provides tons of 2D and 3D models for games. And when you’re done with your game, you can export it to many popular platforms, including Steam, Microsoft Store, Facebook Gaming, and more.

This open-source program is free to use, and you retain rights over any games you create. However, you can pay to access certain features of the program. $5.47 a month will get you the Silver tier, while $10.95 a month will get you the Gold tier. Both upgrade cloud space, provide more player experience features, access to the unlimited mobile app, and more.

Make a Game of Your Own With These Programs

Making a basic game doesn’t need to be hard, even if you have never tried any sort of game development before. These programs can become the stepping stones to jumpstart your knowledge and understanding what programming a game entails.

Are there any other programs you’ve used to make your games? Let us know about it in the comments.

In this article, we’ll cover the 10 best drawing apps for Android. Let’s take a look!

1. Infinite Painter

Infinite Painter is designed for painters. The app provides a decent selection of brushes, tools and textures that are designed to mimic real-life artistic tools.

Pros: Gradient maps and color palettes, PSD support, advanced brush engine for creating customizable brushes, and a lasso fill tool.

Cons: No text tools and a relatively steep learning curve.

Available on: Android and iPhone.

Price: $10 one-time payment. Has a 7-day free trial with full features.

2. Ibis Paint X

Ibis Paint X is the free version of Ibis Paint, with fewer features. It’s incredibly easy to use and offers several art tutorials which can help you learn how to use the app to generate high-quality digital art. If you need additional features, you can always upgrade to the paid version.

Pros: It’s free to use, has layer support, offers tutorials, and is easy to learn.

Cons: Fewer features than some of the paid options. It also presents ads which can be frustrating while you’re drawing.

Available on: Android devices and iOS devices.

Price: Free with a $4.99 paid version as an in-app purchase.

3. Artflow: Paint Draw Sketchbook

Artflow is a fully featured artwork app that can help you produce highly detailed work. It’s also highly customizable, letting users generate what they need to create great art. Because it’s so easy to use, it’s perfect for quickly creating material to post on social media.

Pros: Over 80 brushes and other drawing tools, layer support (and blending modes), and exports to multiple formats including JPEG, PNG, or PSD for import into Adobe Photoshop.

Cons: Free version only includes 20 brushes and support for more than 16 layers is only available on some tablets.

Available on: Android and iPhone.

Price: Free drawing app with a $6 pro version. Also available as part of the Google Play Pass.

4. Clip Studio Paint

Clip Studio Paint is a near-professional-grade art app with over 40,000 brushes and hundreds of features to give you the edge when creating art. The app also supports raster and vector graphics and a wide range of 3D formats.

Pros: Android, iPhone and tablet apps act as companions to the desktop app, syncing your pieces so that you can work on them from anywhere. Has pressure and tilt recognition, blend modes, cloud storage, perspective tools, and more.

Cons: Only has a tiny 1 hour a day free trial and the monthly subscription payment can get expensive compared to similar apps. Also has a busy user interface with a steep learning curve.

Available on: Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows, Apple Mac, and more.

Price: $0.99 per month as a subscription. $49.99 one-time payment for Windows and MacOS.

5. Autodesk Sketchbook

Developed by Autodesk, Sketchbook is a popular digital drawing app for both desktops and smartphones. With a clean and uncluttered interface, it’s very easy to use. It also includes many features for professional and casual artists alike, bundled together in one of the best free drawing apps on the market.

Pros: Massive number of brushes, pressure responsiveness, color indicator, time-lapse feature, perspective tools, and layer support up to 10 layers.

Cons: The app doesn’t include many touch gestures and export resolution is limited to 72 dots per inch (DPI).

Available on: iOS devices, Android, MacOS, and Windows.

Price: Free with a premium bundle on iOS.

6. Artrage Vitae Mobile Painting

Artrage is one of the top Android drawing apps, providing a realistic painting experience with textures and paintbrushes that mimic real paint (including watercolors). This app is best used on Samsung and other Android tablets where the experience is amplified by a larger screen — especially if you use a stylus.

Pros: Layer support, Photoshop blending functionality, and 16 professional painting tool options.

Cons: Exports only to PNG and JPG formats.

Available on: Android and iOS.

Price: $4.99 one-time payment.

7. Krita

Krita is a free, open-source digital painting and sketching app that was designed originally as a desktop app. It’s since been redesigned for Android tablets and provides users with dozens of features, tools, and brushes.

Pros: S Pen gesture support, animation tools, supports most file formats.

Cons: Works best with a connected keyboard that lets you make use of shortcuts. Designed for tablets and can be cramped when using an ordinary Android phone.

Available on: Android and desktop.

Price: Free.

8. MediBang Paint

Another free drawing app, MediBang Paint is a great choice, especially if you’re looking for a solution with cross-platform and cloud support.

Pros: Cloud-saving lets you work from multiple devices at once. Plenty of tools, brushes, and other features for drawing all kinds of art. Especially good for comic and manga artists.

Cons: No keyboard support. In-app adverts often interrupt your workflow and cause the app to glitch, meaning you might lose progress if you don’t save often.

Available on: Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone.

Price: Free with ads. Offers MediBang Premium for $2.50 per month (20GB cloud storage), $4.50 per month (100GB cloud storage), or $9 per month (300GB cloud storage).

9. Concepts

Concepts offers a unique drawing experience because it has an infinite canvas. This means that you can experiment, generate ideas, or just doodle without worrying about running out of space. It’s also incredibly user-friendly and offers many preset brushes, tools, and effects.

With text tools including multiple fonts, custom brushes, and different erasers, you have everything you need to create your next vision board.

Pros: Great for brainstorming — add images, draw around them, and make notes. Includes a full Copic Color Wheel. Feels like it was designed for graphic designers.

Cons: Limited layers in the free version, no layer blending, and no customizable brushes.

Available on: Android and iPhone.

Price: Free. $5 per month for access to the full feature set (or $15 one-off to get the Essentials Pack, which offers some, but not all, of the available features).

10. dotpict

For our final pick, we’ve gone with something a bit more unique. dotpict specializes in pixel art. It provides a grid, letting you zoom in and fill in pixel boxes to create your own simple designs. This is awesome for designers working on indie games, or artists who just love pixel art.

Pros: Includes an auto-save feature, is easy to use, and is very simple and enjoyable to use.

Cons: It’s solely focused on pixel art — there’s no ability to create non-pixel-based artwork.

Available on: Android and iPhone.

Price: Free with a $4.49 paid version.

Create Your Best Artwork

The invention of smartphones has made it far easier to hone your skills as a digital artist. Whether you use an Android phone, iPhone, or drawing tablet, it’s now possible to create high-quality art from anywhere. Open your app, choose a background paper color, and get started!

This article covers some of the best music apps for Chromebooks—a mix of online streaming apps and media players for playing local media files.

1. YouTube Music

Many new-generation Chromebooks have YouTube Music pre-installed. Install YouTube Music from the app store if your device doesn’t have the app pre-installed. You don’t have to sign in or create an account after installing YouTube Music. The app automatically connects to the Google account linked to your Chromebook.

Using YouTube Music, you can play audio files (MP3, AAC, PCM, WAV, and FLAC) in your Chromebook’s local storage. But first, you need to configure the app to show audio files on your device.

Select your profile picture in the top-right corner, go to Settings > Downloads & storage, and toggle on Show device files.

Afterward, double-click or double-tap the Library tab and select Device files to access your local audio files.

By the way, you need a subscription to stream YouTube Music without ad interruptions during playback. Also, you can’t download songs for offline listening or play songs in the background without a subscription.

YouTube Music Premium is a good investment if you aren’t subscribed to any music streaming platform. The subscription extends to YouTube—the video streaming platform—allowing you to stream videos ad-free. Read our YouTube Premium review to learn more about the subscription and its benefits.

2. VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a music player, video player, and streaming media server. Regarding audio (and video) file format support, VLC Media Player is a cut above other media players.

It supports the following digital audio formats: MP3, WMA 3, DTS, DV Audio, MIDI, ALAC, APE, Real Audio, True Audio, LPCM, Speex, DV Audio, ADPCM, QCELP, MPC, and a lot more.

VLC also supports many video formats—MWV, XviD, MP4, Real Video, MJPEG, Cinepak, etc.

It’s the best media player to install if you often play media files in different formats. The app’s interface is easy to navigate—buttons are visibly labeled and media categories are on the bottom tab.

The “Browse” tab is a built-in file manager that allows you to access media files in your Chromebook’s storage.

VLC Media Player is free, open-source, and available in the Google Play Store. You don’t need to pay a subscription or deal with ad interruption.

3. Enjoy Music Player

Enjoy Music Player allows you to stream online and local music on your Chromebook. The Chrome extension is lightweight (less than 1 MB) and optimized for low-end Chromebooks or Chromebooks with low storage space.

You can access Enjoy Music Player in your Chromebook’s launcher after installing the extension from the Chrome Web Store. The simple interface is one thing we liked, plus the Google Drive integration and music equalizer. Also, the extension is free to use without in-app advert or interruption.

One major shortcoming, however, is that Enjoy Music Player doesn’t auto-sync or auto-detect local media files. You must point the app to the folder housing the audio file you want to play.

4. MX Player

MX Player is a music player, video player, WhatsApp Status downloader, and file downloader bundled into one app. Install MX Player from the Play Store, allow access to your Chromebook’s storage, and that’s it!

Like VLC, MX Player supports various audio and video file formats. The Network Stream tool lets you stream online videos or download them to your Chromebook. There’s also an equalizer to adjust audio output to your preference.

Although MX Player is free, it occasionally displays ads before playing your audio or video files. Install the paid version—MX Player Pro ($5.99)—for uninterrupted media play and online streaming.

5. Spotify

If you have a Spotify account, you can stream your favorite songs, podcast, or playlist on your Chromebook. You can also download songs for offline listening and play local audio files. However, you can’t play music simultaneously on your Chromebook and other devices unless you have a Spotify Premium Family or Spotify Duo subscription.

Install the Android version of Spotify from the Play Store and sign in to your Spotify account. Create a new account instead if it’s your first time using Spotify. Your Spotify playlists, podcast shows, albums, and downloaded songs are in the Library tab.

In the same tab, you’ll find all audio devices in your Chromebook’s storage in the Local Files folder.

If Spotify doesn’t display local audio files, open the app settings, and toggle on Show audio files from this device.

To play an audio file on your local storage using Spotify, right-click the file, select Open with, and choose Spotify.

Like YouTube Music, the Spotify Android app supports MP3, AAC, PCM, WAV, and FLAC audio file formats.

6. Apple Music

If you have an Apple Music subscription, you can access your playlist and music library on your Chromebook. The Android version of the Apple Music app is compatible with the Chrome operating system.

Install Apple Music from the Play Store, sign in to your Apple ID account, and wait for the app to sync your music library.

The app’s interface, features, and functionality is similar to the Apple Music iOS app version. You can play songs, add albums to your playlist, and even create or manage your Apple Music profile in the app.

The Best Chromebook Music Apps

Other notable music apps include SoundCloud, AIMP, Deezer, and Amazon Music. Any Android music streaming app or media player should work on your Chromebook. If your preferred music app isn’t available in the Play Store, download and install its APK file instead.

Ridesharing took a downturn during the pandemic, but since that’s over, it’s on a steep rise again. So let’s take a closer look at what exactly Uber One is, how it works, and whether or not it’s worth your investment.

What Is Uber One?

Simply put, Uber One is a subscription service recently launched by Uber. This membership allows you to access exclusive ride and delivery perks, services, and discounts. If you choose to subscribe to Uber One, you’ll get benefits on all the Uber-related services, including food delivery, grocery orders, and Uber rides. It’s the only service program that combines deliveries and rides.

You should know that Uber One membership is completely separate from the free Uber Rewards loyalty program. Instead, it has its own reward system. That means that on top of the perks you get with the membership, you’ll earn points that’ll allow you access to exclusive benefits. In time, you’ll get Uber credits, access to best-rated drivers, priority pickups, and more.

Uber One is similar to the discontinued Uber Pass and Eats Pass services. In fact, it’s their replacement. If you were already subscribed to one of these programs, your membership will automatically be upgraded to Uber One at no additional cost.

Like many subscription services, an Uber One subscription has an auto-renew policy. That means your subscription will be automatically billed each month or year, depending on your type of subscription. But you can cancel the membership anytime, up to 48 hours before the next billing cycle starts. There are no cancelation fees, and you can activate your membership later.

Note that there’s a free trial option that lasts for 30 days, and once you subscribe, your billing period starts after the free trial expires. When you cancel the subscription, you’ll be able to continue using it until the end of the billing term.

How Much Does Uber One Cost?

There are two subscription plans within Uber One, and the cost will depend on your choice. The benefits are the same for both plans, but the difference is in how long you’ll commit. You can opt to pay your membership every month or yearly. Be warned that a yearly plan means you’re committing to the 12-month service, and you’ll pay for it only once at the start of the plan.

You can try the Uber One service with a 30-day free trial program, and only then decide which subscription plan to go with. A free trial can help you see how often you would use Uber One and if it’s worth committing for a year.

If you choose not to continue with the subscription after your free trial ends, make sure to cancel it in time. Uber keeps your payment information and will automatically charge the first month if you don’t cancel it.

The payment plans are:

• Monthly: You’ll be charged $9.99 every month.
• Yearly: you’ll be charged a $99.99 annual fee as an upfront payment. If you break down this price, it comes down to $8.33 per month. The Uber One annual membership is cheaper than the monthly plan.

What Are the Benefits of Uber One?

As mentioned earlier, Uber One also comes with various benefits and perks that help you save money. Here’s what you’re going to get.

1. Unlimited $0 Delivery Fee

Uber One users appreciate this benefit the most. If you meet the minimum basket subtotal, you’ll get a $0 delivery fee on all orders for food, groceries, or alcohol with Uber Eats or Cornershop. The minimum purchase amount for food and alcohol is $15, and for grocery orders, it’s $30.

However, not all restaurants and stores are eligible for free delivery. Even among those that are eligible, some refused to be part of the Uber One program. Take a look at the app and check which restaurants and shops are Uber One partners. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the Uber Eats app and enter your address.
2. Check the list of suggested restaurants and see which ones participate in the membership program.

That said, even if you find the restaurant that suits you, there is no such thing as completely free delivery. You’ll still have to pay service fees, even as an Uber One member.

2. Priority Service with Best-Rated Drivers

With Uber One, you’ll get premium member support. You’ll be eligible for priority service with top-rated drivers. That means you’ll jump the ride queue and you’ll be treated as a priority.

3. Cheaper Rides

Uber One Pass gives you an extra discount on some of the rides. But not all rides are eligible for this perk. You’ll get 10% off for UberX and Uber Green rides, and 15% off on Confort, Berline, and Van rides.

If you book a ride 30 minutes or more in advance, you won’t be eligible for the discount. Shared rides are also not covered by the discounts.

4. Uber One Promise

If your delivery arrives after the latest arrival estimate, you’ll receive a $5 Uber Cash credit as compensation. This perk signifies that Uber Eats is committed to speedy delivery to satisfy its customers.

5. Guaranteed Member Pricing, Special Offers, and Promotions

Guaranteed member pricing means that you’ll receive 5% off on all eligible rides and pickup orders. Also, all Uber One subscribers have access to special offers and promos so you’ll save more money on other services.

How to Subscribe to Uber One

You can easily sign up for Uber One through their website, or through the Uber app or Uber Eats app. If you’re signing up for the first time, you’ll also be eligible for the 30-day free trial. Follow these steps to sign up for Uber One through the website:

1. Go to the Uber One web page and click on the Sign up now button.

2. Enter your email or phone number, or choose an already existing Google, Apple, or Facebook account. Click Continue.

3. Uber will send you a code to your phone or email you provided. Enter it in a designated box.

4. Once you are signed up for Uber, click the Join Uber One button at the top of the page.

5. First-time users receive a one month trial, but still have to add a payment method.

Now, you’ve signed up for Uber One. Signing up through the Uber or Uber Eats app is very similar. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner of the page and then tap the Uber One banner. Follow the instructions on the screen to sign up. They’re very straightforward.

How to Cancel Uber One

You can cancel your Uber One subscription through the mobile app or through the web page.

To do it through the Uber app:

1. Open the app on your mobile device.
2. Tap your profile icon and go to the Uber One section.

3. Select Manage Membership.
4. Select End Membership and confirm.

To do it on the Uber website you’ll need to contact Uber Customer Support. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Uber account on the web page.
2. Go to the information page and find a section about canceling Uber One membership.
3. Select the Chat With Us option.

A Customer service operator will guide you through the process of canceling your membership.

Uber One is a new subscription service that offers customers flat rates and other benefits. While it may be worth it for some users, it ultimately depends on your individual needs and circumstances. If you frequently use Uber and want to save money, signing up for Uber One could be a good option. However, if you only occasionally use the app or are happy with the current pricing structure, there’s no need to switch to the new subscription service.

In this article, we’ll discuss Lightroom vs. Photoshop, their similarities and differences, and when it’s best to use either program.

Lightroom vs. Photoshop: The Rundown

Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop are powerful photo editing programs that share many of the same post-processing functions. However, while they have similarities, they are designed to meet different needs and offer a range of distinct tool sets to get these jobs done.

Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom is designed for photographers to manage and develop their photos. It allows users to manage image libraries, edit RAW files, and post-process many images simultaneously.

It features many tools that let you add information to your images, like specific keywords, flags, or star ratings that help you sort through thousands of photos and edit them in batches. It also enables you to export straight from Lightroom to social media websites like Flickr and Instagram.

Lightroom has two versions: Lightroom Classic and Lightroom (formerly Lightroom CC).

Lightroom Classic has additional functions but is only available on desktop PC (and is the most-used version).

The Adobe Creative Cloud version of Lightroom is a cloud-based, cross-platform version meant for beginners, and you can use it across desktops, web, mobile, and tablets like iPads.

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a specialized image editing program that goes far beyond the editing tools available in Lightroom. While Lightroom is designed for photographers specifically, Photoshop is made to accommodate not only photographers but also graphic designers, architects, illustrators, 3D artists, and more.

Photoshop’s capabilities are too extensive to list, but it enables users to create more detailed, in-depth edits than Lightroom. Photoshop on its own cannot open RAW files (instead, you need other file types like JPEG or PNG), but it does feature the Adobe Camera Raw plugin, which doubles as the photo editing software for RAW images.

Another difference is in destructive versus non-destructive editing. While Lightroom lets you do non-destructive editing (meaning the original image isn’t affected), Photoshop requires you to use layers to ensure that you don’t alter the original file.

It’s important to note that many professional photographers use Lightroom and Photoshop in combination. For example, they might use Lightroom for their daily workflows and switch to Photoshop when more detailed edits are required.

When to Use Lightroom

Whether you’re a beginner or a professional photographer, Lightroom is a one-stop digital studio offering more than enough functionality to organize and edit your photos.

Lightroom is most suitable for photographers who:

1. Need image organization software. Lightroom is a powerful image management tool. You can easily organize your photos into image libraries, rate your photos to identify the best shots, and add keywording and metadata to find the exact images you want to edit next.

2. Want to do basic to intermediate image edits. Lightroom’s Develop module lets you alter every aspect of your photos. Using simple sliders, you can easily apply presets or manually adjust the lighting, white balance, color, sharpness, and noise. You can also whiten teeth, remove red-eye, and eliminate dust spots and other blemishes using the healing brush.

3. Need to do batch edits. Lightroom presets let you apply settings across a batch of photos with a single click. This helps you save tons of time for catalogs of similar photos (say you just shot a wedding, and all the photos are in similar lighting).
4. Are beginners. Lightroom is more beginner-friendly and will enable you to learn the photo editing process if you’re new to it. Its interface is much simpler, and the Develop module is laid out linearly, making it easy to work through each image. Adobe also offers a set of Lightroom tutorials to help you to get to know the program.

5. Are working on the go. Lightroom (the Creative Cloud version) is available on desktop, mobile, and web, meaning you can access your cloud-stored photos and edit them wherever you are. For added functionality, you can use the desktop-focused Lightroom Classic.

In summary, you should choose Lightroom if you’re a photographer who takes many images and needs a tool to organize and retouch them.

When to Use Photoshop

Photoshop is best for the images you want to dive right into, performing detailed enhancement or image manipulation.

Photoshop is most suitable for creators who:

1. Want to do detailed retouching. Photoshop contains hundreds of image manipulation tools that let you change the look and content of a photo to a greater extent than in Lightroom. For example, you can replace backgrounds, combine multiple photos, or create art from several digital assets. However, this comes at the cost of a much steeper learning curve than Lightroom.

2. Create digital art or vector images. Photoshop has a suite of tools designed to help artists and designers create surreal imagery and digital assets.
3. Want to alter images at the pixel level. Photoshop lets you zoom right in and change your images at the level of a single pixel. Lightroom doesn’t provide this resolution, instead focusing more on global edits.
4. Want to create composite images. Photoshop lets you add countless adjustment layers that affect different parts of the image and can be combined for greater control over the final product (like creating HDR images or panoramas from hundreds of separate photos).

5. Removing unwanted objects. While Lightroom does provide the basic healing tool, it isn’t as powerful as Photoshop’s cloning capabilities. Photoshop lets you create clean edits, removing entire objects, people, and backgrounds using their advanced content-aware software.

Note: Adobe now also offers Photoshop Elements 2023, a slimmed-down photo editor version of Photoshop designed for beginners and is available as a one-time purchase (rather than as a subscription).

Photoshop vs. Lightroom: Pricing

Regarding pricing, Adobe offers several subscription options for its image editing software. Interestingly, if cloud storage doesn’t matter to you that much, you’re better off getting Lightroom and Photoshop together since they cost the same amount as Lightroom on its own.

1. Lightroom: The single-app Lightroom subscription costs $9.99 monthly and comes with 1TB of cloud storage.
2. Photoshop: The single-app Photoshop subscription costs $20.99 per month and includes Adobe Fresco.
3. Photography plan: The Adobe Photography plan costs $9.99 per month and includes both Lightroom and Photoshop. However, it only includes 20GB of cloud storage. This can be updated to 1TB of cloud storage for $19.99 per month.

The Verdict

Lightroom is probably the best choice for photographers — it’s easier to learn and has more than enough post-production features. However, if you want to take your edits further or dabble in more creative editing or artistic work, Photoshop is likely better for you.

Additionally, since Adobe sells both in an affordable package, it might be worthwhile to use both. The two programs work seamlessly together (with the help of Adobe Bridge) and can take your photo editing chops to the next level.

A VPN is a great way to get around geo-blocks and content restrictions, and in this article, we’ll cover the best ones for streaming movies and TV shows. So whether you’re looking to unblock Netflix from another country or just want to ensure your browsing is safe and anonymous, read on to find the best VPN for streaming!

1. ExpressVPN

Best streaming VPN service provider.

• 3000+ VPN servers in 94 countries
• Unblocks Hulu, Netflix, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Sling TV, Kodi, Paramount+, DAZN, and more
• Streams on all major operating systems and any device, including Xbox.
• Native Amazon Fire TV app
• User-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and other devices.
• 30-day money-back guarantee

ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPN services, and it truly is the best for streaming overall. It offers fast download speeds, so you can even stream 4K and HDR without major issues and have the perfect streaming experience.

ExpressVPN is safe to use. It has a privacy-first logging policy, meaning there are no identifiable logs left behind and no IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks. In addition, with more than 3000 servers worldwide, you will be able to access popular streaming libraries in most countries.

ExpressVPN also supports MediaStreamer, its own smart DNS feature that allows you to stream even if you use a device that doesn’t natively support VPN apps.

2. NordVPN

Fastest VPN for streaming.

• High streaming speeds of up to 83.80 Mbps
• 5500+ servers in 59 countries
• Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Kodi, and other popular streaming platforms
• Smart DNS
• Streams on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux
• 30-day money-back guarantee

NordVPN uses Nordlynx, the VPN protocol of the newest generation. Thanks to it, NordVPN can offer its users the best VPN connection speeds. Speed tests show that you can get a download speed of 83.82 Mbps on a 100 Mbps internet connection. You can play HDR, 4K movies, and your favorite shows without buffering.

Another great feature that makes this VPN service so popular is its security. It offers CyberSec, Nordlynx, a kill switch, and AES 256-bit encryption that will ensure anonymous browsing and data encryption. There are no DNS, IP, or WebRTC leaks.

NordVPN is excellent for streaming content from most Netflix libraries. It has a SmartPlay feature that automatically accesses the US Netflix library when you pick a server. It is compatible with various devices, including routers, phones, tablets, and Smart TVs. Also, NordVPN can bypass BBC’s VPN protection protocols and is the best for streaming BBC iPlay. It also features a FireTV Stick app.

3. Surfshark

Most budget-friendly VPN service provider.

• 3200+ servers in 100 countries
• Great speeds of up to 81 Mbps
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• Unblocks Disney Plus, Hulu, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Crackle, and many more
• Smart DNS
• 30-day money-back guarantee

With Surfshark, you’ll never have to worry about streaming slowdowns or interruptions. This VPN service has an extensive network of 3200+ servers in over 100 countries which are all optimized for your entertainment needs. The only downside here is that Surfshark won’t let you know which of these servers are particularly optimized for streaming. You will have to ask their customer support.

This VPN service works on all major operating systems, and its Smart DNS feature enables you to also connect it to Roku, Firestick, Kodi, and different Smart TVs. One of the greatest features of Surfshark is that you can connect as many devices as you want on a single account. You can share this VPN service with your friends and family freely.

Even though Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN, it doesn’t back down on security features. It boasts MultiHop, CleanWeb, a no-logs policy, split tunneling, AES 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and many more security protocols to keep you safe and anonymous.

4. CyberGhost VPN

A VPN service with the largest number of servers dedicated to streaming.

• High streaming speeds and unlimited bandwidth
• Amazon Fire TV Stick app and Smart DNS
• User-friendly apps for up to 7 simultaneously connected devices
• 9000+ servers in 90+ countries
• Unblocks Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, SlingTV, and other popular streaming services
• 45-day money-back guarantee

CyberGhost VPN boasts a comprehensive suite of features designed to give you a secure and private browsing experience. One of the advantages is that you can access geo-blocked sites, like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, from anywhere in the world and connect to servers located in 90+ countries around the globe.

The CyberGhost VPN app is easy to use, especially when choosing servers dedicated to streaming. It will highlight the server locations of all the streaming-optimized servers. Its download speed is at around 75 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, which is not as good as some other VPNs on this list but still more than enough for all your streaming requirements.

An additional advantage of using Cyberghost is its military-grade encryption protocols. The 256-bit AES encryption ensures your data remains safe and secure so that no one else can intercept your traffic or eavesdrop on your online activities. Plus, you don’t have to worry about data logging, either. Cyberghost has a strict no-logs policy meaning none of your information will be tracked or stored.

And finally, this VPN can accommodate up to seven simultaneous connections with one account. So if you’re looking for reliable streaming with enhanced security features for your entire household, CyberGhost VPN is one of your best options.

5. ProtonVPN

Best services with a free VPN version.

• Fast and reliable 1800+ servers in 60+ countries
• Free plan with access to 100+ servers
• Unblocks Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Netflix, and many more
• Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices
• Supports up to 10 devices
• 30-day money-back guarantee

This Swiss VPN provider is one of the most secure on the market and comes with a free version. Moreover, this free version doesn’t come with many ads, and the Proton VPN promises they don’t log your browsing history. But that doesn’t mean that the free version is the same as the paid one. In fact, it comes at a lower connection speed, and it has fewer features.

It is important to note that ProtonVPN was created primarily for journalists. The streaming feature is locked behind the monthly subscription you need to pay, and ProtonVPN’s subscriptions are one of the most expensive. A month of their service is $9.99, but it comes down to $4.99 if you opt for a 2-year plan.

ProtonVPN gives you access to risk-free servers in countries with good data privacy laws. Other security features include an extra encryption layer with a MultiHop VPN function, an effective Kill Switch feature, and the ad-blocker Netshield, which blocks malware and trackers.

6. PrivateVPN

Cheapest reliable VPN service.

• A 2-year subscription plan comes to only $2.00/month
• Custom app for Amazon Fire TV
• 200+ servers in 63 countries
• Unblocks Netflix, Disney Plus, SlingTV, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, and other popular streaming platforms
• Streaming-friendly speeds of around 72Mbps
• 30-day money-back guarantee

If you’re looking for a cheap but reliable streaming VPN, PrivateVPN is the best choice. It has a decent server network, fast speeds, and solid privacy and data protection features. Although it has only 200+ servers, it does unblock all the most sought-out streaming platforms.

PrivateVPN can achieve a download speed of 72.38 Mbps. You can be sure your streaming will be without annoying buffering issues. Also, you can have six simultaneous connections on a single account, so you stream on any device. PrivateVPN is compatible with all popular operating systems and devices, including Apple TV and FireStick.

PrivateVPN offers military-grade encryption with split tunneling and effective DNS leak protection. It boasts a powerful kill switch feature as well as a stealth blocker. Stream worry-free even on public Wi-Fi networks, without anyone snooping around for your data.

7. IPVanish

Top VPN for Firestick users.

• Available on most smart devices, computers, tablets, smartphones, and routers
• Allows secure torrenting
• Excellent for heavy bandwidth activity
• Unblocks Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Disney Plus, Netflix, and many more streaming platforms
• 2000+ servers in 50+ countries
• 30-day money-back guarantee

IPVanish is the perfect choice for streaming purposes. Its lightning-fast connection speeds and over 2000+ servers across 75+ locations ensure that buffering times are kept to a minimum while you watch your favorite movies and shows. The app also offers automatic server switching, so you can be sure you have the most reliable connection available at any time. Plus, with unlimited data usage on up to 10 devices at once, everyone in your household can enjoy seamless streaming without compromising their privacy or safety.

Additionally, IPVanish allows users to stream geo-restricted content, a must-have feature if you want to check out international films or TV shows without jumping through hoops. With high speeds and a secure streaming experience, IPVanish is hard to beat.

8. VyprVPN

Best VPN for large households.

• Allows 30 simultaneous connections
• Unblocks Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other platforms (except Disney Plus)
• 24/7 live chat support is available
• Strong encryption and excellent security features
• 700 servers in 60+ countries
• 30-day money-back guarantee

VyprVPN excels in reaching out into Asia, where countries with the best VPN protections are. The obfuscation feature, known as the Chameleon protocol, allows this VPN service to easily unblock streaming sites from China, Japan, and Iran. But it is also useful for its servers in the USA and Canada, where it can hit an internet speed of up to 300 Mbps. Unfortunately, the speed drastically drops down the further away the server’s location is.

The company manages all servers VyprVPN uses. That means you won’t rely on third-party web hosts for safe and continuous connection. It uses the WireGuard communication protocol for optimized performance, P2P support, and 24/7 customer support chat. As a result, their service runs smoothly even if you use it on various devices across your household. It can support up to 30 devices, from smartphones, computers, and routers, to gaming consoles, tablets, and MacBooks.

Get Access to Your Favorite Streaming Content

The bottom line is that a VPN can help you remove content geo-blocks so you can enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows from anywhere in the world. If you’re looking for a reliable VPN with high-speed streaming servers, we recommend any VPNs on our list. Remember: not all streaming services are available in every country, so check before you connect to a server.

Each of these virtual whiteboards is web-based and perfect for team collaboration. Beyond brainstorming, use one for project planning, displaying a workflow, or getting input from your remote team members. If you work alone and don’t have a physical whiteboard, you’ll enjoy the ease-of-use and pleasant interactive whiteboard experience.

Miro

Miro is one of the most popular and full-featured online whiteboards. You get the exact tools you need with a pen, highlighter, and eraser plus sticky notes, shapes, text boxes, lines, and arrows. However, Miro goes the extra mile with its standout features.

Notable features:

• Templates for flowcharts, brainstorming, roadmaps, and more.
• Smart drawings that turn your sketches into perfect shapes.
• Integrations with apps like Slack, Asana, Jira, and Microsoft Teams.
• Collaboration with comments, voting, video chat, reactions, and a timer.
• Simple sharing of your whiteboard with a link.

You can use Miro Lite and create a whiteboard without an account that expires in 24 hours. You can also sign up for free and get three whiteboards, more templates, and basic integrations. If you want additional boards and features, check out Miro’s paid plans.

Canva

You may have used Canva for creating invitations, infographics, or social media banners. Canva also offers an online whiteboard that you can use with or without an account.

Notable features:

• Templates for timelines, mind maps, flowcharts, and more.
• Upload your own image, video, or audio file.
• Select whiteboard graphics, stickers, photos, audio, charts, tables, and collections.
• A notes section for capturing thoughts for Presenter View.
• Sharing with a link to download, view-only, present, or to the template with optional restrictions.

To save your whiteboard, sign in or create a free account with Canva. If you want to use Canva’s other features or get premium content, you can look at Canva Pro which offers a 30-day free trial.

Whiteboard Team

For a hassle-free way to capture and share ideas, give Whiteboard Team a try. This online whiteboard tool stays free and doesn’t require an account. This makes it ideal for a quick brainstorming session with collaborators using the in-app messaging feature.

Notable features:

• Templates for brainstorming, calendars, business models, and more.
• Export the board as an image, the sticky notes, or the comments.
• Upload items from your device or with a URL.
• Lock items to prevent editing.
• Share by inviting collaborators via email or link with access control.

You can create a whiteboard without a Whiteboard Team account that is removed in 30 days or sign up for a free account to hold onto your board for as long as you like.

Browserboard

For another option similar to Whiteboard Team, look at Browserboard. You can make a board without an account, use the basic tools you need like a pen, marker, and sticky notes, and draw shapes, lines, and arrows.

Notable features:

• Upload images from your device with a free account.
• Lock the whiteboard to prevent editing.
• Zoom in and out or pan the width of your board.
• Download an image of the board and choose the scale and a transparent background.
• Share your board with custom links for view-only, editing ability, and owner access.

You can create a whiteboard that expires in seven days without signing up. To save your board, create more, and get additional features like custom templates, sign up for a free Browserboard account.

Explain Everything

While geared towards teachers, Explain Everything gives you features that the other boards either don’t offer or don’t offer for free.

Notable features:

• Add media like photos, screenshots, images, videos, files, clipart, or GIFs.
• Lock, arrange, group, and ungroup objects.
• Record video and audio with editing options.
• Create a web video link, export your board, or use the broadcast feature.
• Choose from different workspace layouts including a custom option.

You can try Explain Everything to see if you like it by selecting Try It Now on the main page. Then, sign up for a free plan with three projects, one-minute videos, and collaboration up to 15 minutes. You can then view pricing for the paid plans to get additional features.

Google Jamboard

While Google Jamboard may not have as many bonus features as the other whiteboards on this list, it is a convenient option. If you use the Google Meet whiteboard feature, Jamboard is the tool you’ll see. Plus, your boards are saved automatically with your Google account and accessible via the Jamboard site or Google Drive.

Notable features:

• Choose a background image to make your notations stand out.
• Create separate frames on the same board and switch between them easily.
• Add images from your device, a URL, a webcam, or Google Images, Drive, or Photos.
• Download your board as a PDF or a frame as an image.
• Share with the same options as other Google apps, with email addresses or a link and restrict access.

Google Jamboard is free and offers real-time collaboration via the web, mobile app, or a Jamboard device. Check out our how-to for complete details on using Google Jamboard.

Pick Your Free Whiteboard

If you’re looking for the best free online whiteboards for your project or brainstorming session, these options are top-notch. They have you covered with the basic tools you need and those extras you’ll appreciate.

Simply open your favorite web browser, warm up your cursor, and create your own whiteboard.

For more, look at how to use the Windows 10 Whiteboard app.

In this article, we’ll explain the primary differences between Bixby and Google Assistant and see how they measure up.

What’s the Difference?

Below, we’ll take a look at how Bixby and Google Assistant compare when it comes to features, device integration, performance, and supported languages.

Activation

Both digital assistants are similar in how they’re activated.

You can wake up Bixby Voice by:

1. Pressing and holding the Bixby button (on Samsung phones).
2. Saying, “Hey, Bixby.”

Google Assistant is activated by:

1. Saying “Hey, Google” or “OK, Google.”
2. Pressing and holding the Home button.
3. Swiping up from the bottom corner of your screen (on an iPhone or Android phone).

Accessibility and Cross-Platform Availability

Samsung’s Bixby voice assistant is tightly integrated with the Samsung SmartThings platform, but that’s as far as it goes—you can’t use it on non-Samsung devices. The SmartThings app lets you control various devices, integrating through the Samsung Galaxy Home speaker.

If you use only Samsung devices, this isn’t a problem. But if you have a more varied digital ecosystem, or multiple users with different non-Samsung Android devices, using Bixby can introduce limitations.

Google Assistant, on the other hand, is available in far more places and comes installed on all Android devices with Version 6.0 or higher. It integrates with devices via Google Home, including some from other brands, like Apple (with limited functionality).

Google Assistant is also compatible with many top media services and embedded in the hands-free Android Auto for driving.

Features and Abilities

Google Home and Bixby are comparable in most ways, but Google Assistant generally has greater accuracy, more functions, and faster results.

Google Assistant and Bixby can do similar tasks, including controlling smart home devices, operating the phone, reading and sending text messages, and providing information based on online searches. However, Google Assistant can do more than Bixby, primarily due to the increased number of devices with which it can integrate.

Google Assistant is generally considered one of the best (if not the best) voice assistants in recognizing voice commands and performing actions. While Bixby is no slouch, it doesn’t yet have the same level of accuracy and speed that Google Assistant provides.

This is mainly obvious with online search functions.

Google Assistant excels in online searches and integrates with more third-party apps (like WhatsApp), enabling users to do more things hands-free.

In comparison, Bixby’s primary strength is in offline tasks like optimizing Samsung device settings in different environments (for example, saying “I’m driving” will turn off Wi-Fi, turn on Bluetooth, and start a playlist).

Bixby also has several unique capabilities, most of which are only available on later Android models like the Galaxy S9 and S10. For example, Bixby Vision is a Bixby-powered app that enables users to identify items from photos, translate languages, scan QR codes, and provide assistance to the visually impaired.

Supported Languages

Both Bixby and Google Assistant work with most major languages worldwide.

1. Google Assistant supports English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Hindi, Chinese (Traditional), Korean, Portuguese (Brazilian), Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish. In addition, Google Assistant supports six English dialects, two French dialects, and two Spanish dialects.
2. Bixby supports English, Korean, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazilian), and Chinese (Mandarin).

Overall Comparison

The Final Verdict

Google Assistant is the superior smart assistant. It outstrips most other digital assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri. It has enhanced functionality, more compatibility with third-party apps and gadgets, and a more established ecosystem.

But that doesn’t mean Bixby isn’t worth using. If you own a stack of Samsung devices, you might find that Bixby is the voice assistant you’re looking for. Even better, Bixby is rapidly expanding, introducing new and unique features to compete with Google Assistant—so if you’re starting with Samsung’s ecosystem, it might be worth sticking around.

In this PrivadoVPN review, we’ll outline the strength of this VPN service and its weaknesses and help you understand whether PrivadoVPN is a suitable VPN for you.

PrivadoVPN: Overview & Features

Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick overview and a list of the pros and cons of using the PrivadoVPN service.

Pros:

• Excellent free plan
• Reasonably-priced paid subscription
• Up to 10 simultaneous connections (with paid subscription)
• Zero-logs policy
• Split Tunneling
• Unblocks most geo-blocked content and streaming services like Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video
• Many supported platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Fire TV, Android TV, + router support available

Cons:

• Slow download speeds
• Lack of additional features
• No third-party audit
• Kill switch is only available on desktop apps

The main point of using a VPN is to secure your online activity by rerouting your web traffic to a server provided by the VPN company. Aside from getting your online privacy back, you can also use a VPN to access geo-blocked content, bypass your school or work firewalls, and even find the lowest prices for products and services.

PrivadoVPN offers an easy and quick way to protect your online activity across all your devices: your smartphone, tablet, computer, and more. With the paid subscription, you can simultaneously use PrivadoVPN on up to 10 devices. The free version is also impressive, mainly because it allows unlimited (or almost unlimited) browsing. This Swiss VPN service is also one of the strongest VPN providers when it comes to unblocking content.

For best performance, we recommend connecting to the closest PrivadoVPN server. Otherwise, you might experience slowdowns in the upload and download speeds and an increase in latency. When performing speed tests on a Mac, we didn’t notice a massive drop in upload speed, only a slight decrease in download speed. While VPN speeds are important, they shouldn’t be your primary choice criterion. The speeds will differ depending on the time of day, the speed of your internet connection, as well as which VPN server you’re connected to.

Bypass Geoblocks

PrivadoVPN is an excellent choice for anyone looking to use a VPN to bypass geoblocks and unblock streaming services unavailable in their region.

We tested PrivadoVPN in Russia, where several services are blocked now on a government level. With the VPN connection, we could open and use Instagram and Facebook. Unlike other VPN services we tested in Russia, PrivadoVPN didn’t cause a massive drop in upload/download speeds, and we could watch and upload videos on these networks without any frustration. PrivadoVPN also gave us access to LinkedIn, which is blocked in Russia, just like Instagram and Facebook.

Then we tried accessing streaming services like Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video from abroad. All three worked effortlessly. According to VPN reviews from other VPN users, you can also access Disney+ with PrivadoVPN. However, we couldn’t get it to work and can’t testify.

Aside from streaming, you can use PrivadoVPN for secure torrenting. The service offers P2P support and comes with a SOCKS5 proxy that maximizes torrenting speeds and helps you access large files much more quickly.

Interface & Ease of Use

PrivadoVPN has apps for different devices. The Mac and Windows apps seem to be the strongest, as they’re the only ones with the kill switch function. Kill switch protects your online activity in case you lose your connection to the VPN servers.

The interface of the PrivadoVPN app is minimalistic and straightforward. On the main screen, you’ll find the Connect / Disconnect button. Below, you’ll see your Selected Location, which you can change by opening up the available locations.

There are over 200 servers, with 63 locations to choose from. The On / Off switch below the location box belongs to the Kill Switch function. On the same screen, you’ll also see your IP address displayed together with the current location.

On the left side of the app, you’ll find the Settings icon that opens app Preferences. In settings, you get complete control over the Kill Switch and Auto-Connect features, and you can also choose which VPN protocol to use: IKEv2, Wireguard, or OpenVPN protocol.

You won’t find much else on the app. In settings, you can view your account information and get help with any issues with the app. When you select Contact Support, you’ll be transferred to the Support section of the PrivadoVPN site. You can get 24/7 customer support with online tickets or find out how to fix your issue using FAQs.

Privacy & Security

According to the PrivadoVPN website, the company only uses physical servers located in the jurisdiction they represent. This is better than using virtual servers located anywhere in the world and providing you with an IP address of a particular country. Physical servers come with better security and offer a more stable connection.

Another feature that makes PrivadoVPN stand out is its zero-log policy. They claim to be a “no-log policy VPN based in Switzerland.” That means two things: First, there can be no tracking of your online activity, and second, you’re protected by Swiss privacy laws, which are some of the best in the world. However, we should mention that the company never went through any external audit, so there aren’t any third-party audit results to support these claims.

If you used a VPN before, you probably noticed that some apps don’t work with VPN as well as others. With PrivadoVPN, that shouldn’t be an issue, as this VPN supports split tunneling. This feature allows you to decide which apps send their traffic through the VPN connection and which send their data through your ISP. Split tunneling is helpful for a high-bandwidth online activity like streaming or playing video games.

Pricing & Plans

PrivadoVPN doesn’t have a free trial period, but you can use the PrivadoVPN free plan to check whether this service works for you before buying the paid subscription.

On the free plan, you get access to 12 server locations in different cities and can use the VPN on unlimited devices but only one connection at a time. There’s a limit of 10GB of data that gets renewed automatically every 30 days. However, the cool part is that even PrivadoVPN’s free plan technically comes with unlimited data. After the initial 10GB runs out, you can still use the VPN to browse, only at a lower speed.

If you want to take advantage of the complete list of benefits of PrivadoVPN, you can choose between their one-month plan for $7.99 billed monthly or the 12-month plan for $59.88 billed annually. The longer-term plan is a bargain compared to similar VPN clients, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you change your mind about buying the subscription.

Both paid PrivadoVPN plans provide access to their entire server network in 63 locations, unlimited data, and the ability to use VPN on up to 10 devices simultaneously.

PrivadoVPN supports many payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrency.

Should You Use PrivadoVPN?

PrivadoVPN is an excellent VPN service for those who want a simple, straightforward protection service for their online activity. It’s affordable and great for streaming and torrenting, and the benefits of PrivadoVPN compensate for the lack of extra features.

At the same time, it’s better to seek other options if you’re after extra functionality like DNS leak protection, AES-256 encryption, or something that exceeds the standard protocols.

Either way, before you make a choice, try the free VPN plan that Privado offers to see if it has what you’re looking for.

But that’s not to say it’s impossible. With the right framework, even a solo developer can create a game of their own. And that’s exactly what Roblox Studio is all about.

It’s a development framework, asset package, and publishing tool all rolled into one. With Roblox Studio, you can have a game developed and ready for release in weeks. But how exactly does Roblox Studio work? How do you get started with it?

Here is a quick guide.

What Is Roblox Studio?

Roblox Studio is a framework for creating games that can be published on Roblox. Called experiences, these games can be played for free on both PCs and smartphones, including both Android and iOS devices.

The key selling point of Roblox Studio is its ease of use. By default, the application includes a variety of templates and free art assets to help you get started. You only have to dabble with code or modeling if you really want to break out of the mold.

Better yet, building an experience with Roblox Studio gives you an instant platform to start publishing on. You can get your game on Roblox’s extensive network with just a few clicks, requiring no payment for hosting or other services.

What Kinds of Games Can Be Made in Roblox Studio?

Technically, you can make any kind of game in Roblox Studio. But the platform is geared toward certain kinds of experiences, and trying to implement something completely different from that can be tricky.

Roblox games are multiplayer, online experiences. Each player is represented by a three-dimensional, customizable virtual avatar that can freely move in a 3D game world. Often compared to Minecraft, Roblox games have a similar aesthetic.

As a result, most games made in Roblox Studio are obstacle courses or team games, giving multiple players the option to play together. All you need to do in Roblox Studio is to build the game world and program the rules, as the multiplayer aspect is handled by the platform.

Does Roblox Studio Require Coding Skills?

For most people, the biggest barrier to entering game development is the lack of programming skills. Whether it is C++ or Java, Python or Ruby, most game development frameworks require knowledge of at least one programming language.

Is it the same for Roblox Studio? Yes and no.

Roblox Studio uses a modified version of Lua as a scripting language to control the behavior of any aspect of a game. That being said, it isn’t strictly necessary to use.

Most common game types on Roblox like an obby (obstacle course) or a racing game are represented by templates in the Studio. You can make a basic game of any of these types without writing a single line of code, as pre-scripted assets are available to use in your game directly.

But if you’re looking to implement something different, you would need to get your hands dirty. And it is easier than you think – most functions in Roblox Studio utilize only a limited subset of Lua, so even beginners have an easy time picking it up.

How Are Roblox Games Monetized?

On the surface, there appears to be no way to make money off Roblox games. After all, the experiences themselves are free, and Roblox doesn’t charge players a monthly subscription fee (unless they use Roblox Premium) to keep playing.

But then there are microtransactions. Players can use Robux, the platform’s virtual currency, to buy upgrades and cosmetic items from any game. Since Robux itself is bought using real-world money, this creates an indirect form of revenue for game developers.

Of course, Roblox takes a cut from every transaction taking place on its platform, but anything that remains is yours to take home – and convert into USD. Depending on how popular your game is, this can be a significant amount.

Can You Make Money by Creating Games for Roblox?

When it comes to making money off any creative pursuit, you must keep in mind that luck – or rather, visibility – plays a big role. Thousands of games are made and published using Roblox Studio, but only a very small fraction of these games end up making it to the front page.

For the most part, people make games on Roblox Studio as a hobby, to learn game development, and show their creations to their family and friends. Of course, there are overnight success stories on Roblox – just as in any other big platform like YouTube. But that doesn’t mean your game is guaranteed to reach that point.

It’s better to focus on Roblox game development as a hobby and a learning experience. And if your game does get popular, you can always take it to the next level.

Installing Roblox Studio and Setting It Up

Getting started with Roblox Studio is simple. Here are the steps to set things up:

1. Head to the official website and hit the Start Creating button.

2. After checking if your PC already has Roblox Studio installed, you will be presented with a Download Studio option.

3. Run the downloaded setup to install Roblox Studio on your computer.

4. Upon opening Roblox Studio for the first time, you will be required to log in to your Roblox account.

5. If this is your first time doing this, use the Signup option to create an account first. All you need to make a Roblox account is a username and password, though it might take a few tries to find a username that’s not taken yet.

6. After logging in you will finally be able to the main screen of Roblox Studio, displaying all the templates to help you get started.

7. Switching to the Gameplay tab shows you only the gameplay templates, which have most of the code already written. That’s the best place to begin building a quick game.

How Do You Make a Game in Roblox Studio?

Learning to use Roblox Studio is easy. Thanks to its immense popularity, there is a wealth of educational resources available online.

The best place to begin is the official website, which offers a bunch of tutorials to help you get started with your first game. There are even Udemy courses for learning Roblox game development, although free resources and experimentation should be more than enough.

Is Roblox Studio Easy to Get Started With?

Learning any new thing requires some work and dedication. And while Roblox Studio is easier to work with than most other game development tools, the principle still holds true.

That being said, Roblox Studio is a great way to get your feet wet with game development. With its beginner-friendly learning curve and a plethora of pre-made assets, even kids can start putting together their own experiences.

The biggest advantage is the platform it gives you. Where game engines like Unity only help you build your game, Roblox also provides a community of players to share it with. If your game does well you can even monetize it, potentially bringing in a nice stream of revenue.

But what other alternative is there? Sure, you can get a premium subscription, but unless you are willing to shell out a few bucks every month, there are very few reliable ways of watching YouTube videos without ads.

Enter NewPipe. It is an open-source Android application that offers an ad-free experience of watching YouTube, all without paying a single penny.

But is NewPipe safe to use? How does it work? Is it even worth using? Here is a review.

Introduction to NewPipe

The concept of an alternative YouTube client is nothing new. Community developers have long tried to make apps that interface with the YouTube API to play videos without having to show ads.

YouTube Vanced was the most popular of these ad-free clients, at least until it was abruptly shut down by Google earlier this year. This left the market wide open for a competitor, and NewPipe has been quickly gathering steam.

While it started as a YouTube video client, it has since become capable of playing SoundCloud, PeerTube, and Bandcamp content as well. Powering it all is a user-friendly interface that is smooth and responsive, and thankfully free of intrusive ads.

How Does NewPipe Work?

When playing videos from a service like PeerTube, NewPipe just leverages the official PeerTube API to source the content. But that isn’t possible for proprietary platforms like YouTube, as the API is heavily restricted.

Even so, YouTube videos – along with their metadata and captions – are publicly accessible. NewPipe works by parsing this content and presenting it with its own polished frontend, giving you an ad-free experience of watching YouTube.

You still get all of the features normally associated with YouTube – playlists, bookmarks, comments, etc. And as the app does not rely on Google Play services, you can download and install it on any Android device, even custom ROMS without Google Play Store.

Is NewPipe Safe?

Many people have doubts about using a little-known third-party application that isn’t even available in the Google Playstore. After all, malicious apps that steal user data do exist, often masquerading as useful tools.

But NewPipe suffers from no such issues. It is an open-source application hosted on Github, which means that its codebase has been verified by thousands of developers across the globe, who actively work on updating and maintaining the app.

It is not available on Google Play Store as it competes directly with YouTube, not because it is unsafe. It is actually more secure, since it also safeguards your data and privacy, instead of selling your information to advertisers.

How to Install NewPipe on an Android Phone

As the NewPipe app is not available on Google Play Store, you need to install it using a different method. If you use F-Droid (an alternative mobile app store) you can download it from there. Otherwise, you will have to install directly using the NewPipe apk.

Note that while we will be demonstrating the process for Android phones, it is possible to install NewPipe on Android TV as well. The app works very well on TVs; you even get a button to share the video with Kodi. You will just need to sideload the apk after downloading it from NewPipe.net.

1. Head to the official website to download NewPipe. Tap the Get NewPipe button to navigate to the download page.

2. Here you can choose between the latest version and the legacy version for old android devices. For most users, the new version of NewPipe will work just fine.

3. The browser will caution you about the risks of downloading an APK file. Select Download anyway to continue.

4. To actually install NewPipe from this apk file, open the Files app on your phone (or any other File manager app that you like to use).

5. Navigate to the directory containing the NewPipe apk (usually the Downloads folder) and tap the three dots by its name. Select Install.

6. By default, Android phones do not allow installation from apk files. This is to ensure your security, preventing you from accidentally installing malware. Tap on Settings to change the permission and allow the installation to proceed.

7. Enable the Allow from this source toggle. If you are concerned about the security risks, you can always disable it again after installing NewPipe.

8. You will now be prompted about installing the application. Select Install to continue.

Navigating NewPipe’s Interface

NewPipe is a very intuitive app to use. Most features you expect from YouTube are already implemented, along with a couple of extra functionalities as well. Still, here is a step-by-step walkthrough exploring the application.

1. There are three main tabs in NewPipe. When you open the app for the first time, you will be greeted by the trending page. This page includes suggestions influenced by your watch history, so give it some time to learn your patterns.

2. The second tab is for your subscriptions. Content from any channels you subscribe to will show up here. You can also categorize the subscribed channels into groups, which is very useful for separating different types of videos.

3. Finally, there is the bookmarks tab. You can bookmark playlists for watching later, and they all appear in this tab.

4. The hamburger menu shows all these tabs along with a few other options, including Downloads, History, and Settings.

5. Settings give you a list of submenus, each of which contains options to configure a particular aspect of NewPipe. You can modify things like the appearance of the app, location for downloaded videos, privacy settings, etc.

Watching and Downloading a YouTube Video on NewPipe

NewPipe doesn’t just let you watch YouTube videos without ads, but also download them to your device in a format of your choice. Here is a short overview.

1. Search for a YouTube video or channel by tapping on the search icon on the top right of the app.

2. Select the video from the search results.

3. The video will open in a familiar interface. You can maximize the video to full screen, or tap the headphone icon to play it in the background. The video resolution can also be selected from the top, where it displays the current video quality.

4. Just beside the video quality option is the icon for chapters. Tapping it will drop down a list of chapters created for the video, allowing you to skip ahead to the relevant section.

5. At the bottom of the screen are three icons. The first one is for comments and is selected by default. Switching to the middle icon shows the recommended videos that will autoplay after this one.

6. The third option at the bottom is for the video description.

7. Now just below the video are a few useful options. The Add To button is for adding the video to a playlist, accessible from the bookmarks tab.

8. And then of course there is the Download button. Selecting the icon brings up a small window where you can specify a filename and choose the download format (both video and audio files can be downloaded). Tap OK to start the download.

9. Navigate to the Downloads tab from the hamburger menu on the main screen to see all downloaded videos. You can view their progress, pause the download, or delete the videos you don’t want to keep anymore.

The great thing about NewPipe’s download feature is that the videos are not attached to the app itself. This means that, unlike YouTube premium’s download function, you can copy these videos and play them on any device without needing to have NewPipe installed. This makes NewPipe an excellent YouTube downloader, even if you are not interested in the rest of its features.

How Do You Stream Other Services on NewPipe?

YouTube isn’t the only platform supported by NewPipe. Other leading video and audio streaming services like PeerTube, Bandcamp, and SoundCloud can also be accessed by the client.

To switch to another service, bring down the hamburger menu, and then tap the arrow next to YouTube. You can now select any of the platforms supported by NewPipe.

Should You Switch to NewPipe for Watching YouTube Videos?

NewPipe is an incredible client for YouTube. As it blocks ads naturally, you don’t have to worry about ads interrupting your video playback ever again. Better yet, it blocks the intrusive data collection of YouTube, protecting your privacy.

And while the app started a bit barebones, it has gradually evolved into a fully functional YouTube client. You can even search for YouTube music in NewPipe and play it in the background, which wasn’t possible with YouTube Vanced.

NewPipe also works quite well as a YouTube video downloader, giving you an MP4 or MP3 file of the desired quality from any YouTube video. This makes it a wonderful free alternative to all those poorly designed YouTube downloader websites.

Luckily numerous online tools make life as a distance learning educator easier. You don’t need to be an expert technologist or media maven to be an effective online teacher, just the right online learning tools to do the job right from your laptop.

Generic Tools Online Educators Should Know

This article is about the best tools specifically designed for online learning, but most of the tools used in remote education are generic. It’s a long-standing tradition to repurpose tools with business or entertainment functionality into potent teaching tools. There are several stalwart digital tools that online teaching simply wouldn’t be possible without:

• Video conferencing and webinar apps. E.g., Zoom, Skype, Teams, etc.
• Video editing apps: E.g., LumaFusion, Adobe Rush, Adobe Premiere, etc.
• Screen recording tools: E.g., Nvidia Experience, Open Broadcast Software, etc.
• Social media platforms: E.g., Facebook, Twitter, messaging apps, etc.

Online teachers should never disregard a tool or app because it’s not explicitly designed for educational use. Try to think a little out of the box, and you may find software that enhances the online learning experience for your students.

Google Suite Apps

Even if you’re only an individual Google account holder, you have access to many online tools that make it easy to create, collaborate, and disseminate content. For example, Google Docs is the primary word processor, and it’s a quick way to generate documentation in collaboration with other team members. Learners can also use these Google apps to collaborate and even submit work for comment or editing.

Google Drive makes it easy to store and share files with your students. The Google suite of apps has excellent access control settings, so you won’t accidentally give students access to your private documents or allow them to edit what they shouldn’t.

Google Classroom

While the Google suite of online apps is perfect for educators who need a few informal tools to augment their online teaching practices, Google Classroom offers a purpose-built learning environment that integrates many existing Google tools (such as Google Calendar) into something meant for students and teacher use.

Available as a website and a mobile app, Google Classroom provides all of the following to online educators:

• General classroom management.
• Create class templates by copying a class.
• Hold video meetings.
• Track student progress and feedback.
• Create and share learning materials and lesson plans.
• Creating virtual courses, assignments, and assessments.

Classroom can be used to supplement in-person classes (the hybrid classroom model), or it can act as a streamlined LMS (Learning Management System) for fully online teaching and learning.

Google Jamboard

Digital whiteboards are an essential tool for live video lectures and pre-recorded content. It’s an excellent way for teachers to illustrate lessons in real-time using the natural whiteboard skills.

There are many paid and free options, but we think that Google’s Jamboard is the best. This free tool allows for real-time collaboration and works on any device through a browser or mobile app.

Khan Academy for Teachers

Khan Academy is a free online learning resource that covers the entirety of public schooling up to high school and some college-level subjects. Subjects are taught uniquely, progress is recorded using a gamified system, and learners choose to walk unique paths through subjects such as mathematics to learn only what they need for specific purposes.

Khan Academy for Teachers lets you sign up your students and act as their online teacher using the brilliant content developed by Khan Academy. This is the most impressive personalized learning tool available today, especially considering that it’s free to use.

The Open Textbook Library

OERs (Open Educational Resources) are learning resources that are openly licensed so that anyone can use them in their curricula. Depending on the exact license, you can use them for commercial purposes, but not in the case where (for example) it’s licensed under Creative Commons Noncommercial.

Finding high-quality OERs can be daunting, but the Open TextBook Library lets you quickly find the best open textbooks for any subject you care to imagine.

Libretexts

If you don’t find what you need in the Open Textbook Library, your next stop should be LibreTexts. This is an exciting project backed by several major institutions to provide quality OER textbooks in subjects ranging from social studies to business or engineering.

Edpuzzle

Edpuzzle takes the modern pivot to online video and allows online educators to add their educational layer on top of that video content. You pick a video clip that you’d like to assign as learning content and then add questions to that video using Edpuzzle.

You can then track how students engage with the video and perform the questions. Edpuzzle can integrate with mainstream LMS products such as Moodle, Backboard, Canvas, Google Classroom, etc.

SmartBuilder

SmartBuilder is an eLearning authoring tool that lets teachers rapidly build rich, engaging, and interactive scenarios without any programming knowledge or media skills. Check out their examples page to see the fantastic stuff you can make using SmartBuilder. You can also sign up for a free trial to see if you get along with their tools.

Udemy

You may have heard of MOOCs or Massive Open Online Courses, but you know you can easily create your own? Udemy is one of many platforms to offer MOOCs, but what sets it apart is that virtually anyone with something valuable to teach can author and upload a course and make some money to boot! Whether you want to create something meant for school districts or wish to sell professional development courses, Udemy is a top choice.

EdModo

EdModo is a platform like an LMS and sort of like a classroom management system, with some social media platform aspects thrown in. It also includes all the tools you’ll need to create curricula, lessons, and assessments and have engaging remote conversations with your students. If you’re not keen on the bric a brac approach to building your remote teaching arsenal, EdModo is an excellent one-stop-shop.

Flipgrid

Flipgrid is a clever video discussion tool by Microsoft. What sets it apart from the likes of Zoom or Skype? The idea is to create an open video discussion platform appropriate for Pre-K to Ph.D. Most importantly, it isn’t a live video tool but one where students can pre-record their responses.

The role of teachers in Flipgrid is to act as facilitators. Students can be organized into groups and given specific topics to discuss. Students then use Flipgrid to record and edit their responses to the case. The reaction can be recorded as many times as the student likes before submission, removing any pressure to answer in a live situation.

Kahoot

You may have heard about terms like “gamification” or “game-based” learning, but using game elements or building game-like educational experiences is a formidable technical challenge unless you have a tool like Kahoot. Kahoot is designed to let you author quizzes and let students tackle them as a form of learning through play.

Moodle & MoodleCloud

There’s hot competition in the LMS industry to be the platform of choice. But even there, Moodle stands out as both a cutting-edge eLearning solution and a free and open-source product.

Moodle is a full-fledged online learning platform used by some of the largest institutions in the world. According to Moodle itself, 25% of the top 200 world universities are on the forum.

So it’s amazing to consider that you can set up your server, install Moodle on it, and run it like your own college or university. If you aren’t technically inclined or can’t afford to set up your infrastructure, you can pay for a managed instance through third parties or the official MoodleCloud service. MoodleCloud comes with a 45-day free trial, so you can safely evaluate the LMS to see if it will work for you.

Pear Deck for Google Slides

Pear Deck is a neat add-on for Google Slides (a PowerPoint alternative) that lets you use Google’s cloud app to build instructional content from within the Google Slides interface. You can drop formative assessments directly from Pear Deck’s sidebar. You can create custom questions, add audio, and more. They also have an excellent onboarding tutorial, so you can hit the ground running.

Near, Far, Wherever You Are!

Armed with these distance learning tools, no student is beyond your reach. This is the most exciting time for education since Socrates came up with his method!

Like many problems in this day and age, there are apps available to help you figure it all out. The apps in this list can help you identify what types of plants you have or find, and many of them can tell you when and how to care for them. Some of these apps can even identify issues with your plant. Here are the best apps to help you identify and care for houseplants.

NatureID

This app is an all-in-one houseplant care app, that allows you to quickly identify plants as well as notify you of what problems your plant may be facing. The identification features work quickly and very well, even in low-light conditions.

If the app notices there is a problem with your plant, you’ll receive possible causes and some information about it. The app also includes plant care guides to help you on your journey. You can also add plants to a database and get reminders to care for them. The free version of the app has a good amount of features available, or you can pay $14.99 a year to get access to the full app.

Download Nature ID for iOS

Download Nature ID for Android

PictureThis

This app excels at giving you detailed information on the plants you scan for identification. You’ll receive images, plant descriptions, gardening tips, condition requirements, care guides, uses and even poems. You can save each plant you scan to a database, and use the entry to add reminders or a diary of your plant’s progress.

The app also features a section to diagnose problems with your plant by taking pictures of the problem areas. You can also get expert consultation through the app if needed. PictureThis has tons of features for free, but you can pay $29.99 a year to get everything it offers.

Download PictureThis for iOS

Download PictureThis for Android

PlantSnap

PlantSnap, besides being an identification app, also has some interesting social media and exploration features. These allow you to post pictures of plants you’ve identified, ask others for advice with plants, or see others pictures. With the explore feature, you can also look around your area, or anywhere in the world, to see collections of plant pictures from that area.

The app also has a database of plants you can search by name to find info such as a description, care information, and even where to buy the plants. The app allows you to use most features free, but you can get premium for $2.99 a month, $19.99 a year, or $39.99 for permanent access.

Download PlantSnap for iOS

Download PlantSnap for Android

PlantIn

For indoor plant lovers, PlantIn is a great app for identifying and managing your house plants. You can add each plant you have either by photo identification, or by searching them by name. From there, you can get a care schedule for each plant to ensure they all get what they need to thrive. You can also get information for caring for plants during each respective season.

There is also a blog section where you can find information on plants and caring for them. Even more features available on this app include disease diagnosis, botanist help, app customization, moon calendar, and more. Many of these features can be accessed for free, but you can get premium for $7.99 a week or $49.99 a month.

Download PlantIn for iOS

Download PlantIn for Android

Plant Identification

This app provides lots of information for each plant you take a picture of to identify. After taking or uploading a picture, you’ll receive a list of possible species from most to least likely. When you tap on a species, you can see information such as how to care for it, reviews of the plant by others, description, taxonomy, and more. The app will also let you know whether your plant is healthy or not.

You can also see pictures others have taken of the plant to better determine if yours is looking the way it should and which species it fits into. Once you identify a plant, it will be added to your collection on the app. You can use much of the app for free, but premium gives you full access and it costs $1.49 a week, $3.99 a month, or $29.99 for the year.

Download Plant Identification on iOS

Planty

Planty is a beautifully designed and helpful app for plant owners. When you first start the app, it will ask you some questions to better determine how to help you. From there, you can add plants by uploading or taking a picture. You can then enter some information about what help you’d like with this plant, and then add it to your My Garden page.

Planty will help you with water reminders, and it even has a function to measure light levels around your plant to make sure it’s getting adequate sunlight. These are all amazing things to have if you’re just starting out with plant care. Best of all, every feature in this app is free.

Download Planty for iOS

Planta

Planta is an extremely good app for taking care of all your plants. You can set up groups of “sites” where your plants are grown, and add each plant within each site. So, for example, you could have “windowsill,” “porch,” and “garden” plants grouped separately, making keeping up with their needs much easier. The app also provides disease diagnosis, so if any of your plants are having issues you can determine what needs to be done.

Of course, the app also helps identify plants by taking a photo. You can also search for plants by name to find information about them. Planta allows you to use many features for free, but some of the more in-depth features will need a premium subscription of $35.99 a year, $17.99 for three months, or $7.99 for one month.

Download Planta for iOS

Download Planta for Android

Take Care of Your Plants With These Plant Apps

Each of these apps can help you a tremendous amount, whether you’re just starting to take on the task of caring for plants or are a skilled gardener and just need some help keeping everything in order. Many of these app’s features can be used entirely for free, as well. These are also great apps to use if you ever want to identify plants in the wild or that someone else is planting.

Are there any apps you like using to identify or care for plants? Let us know in the comments below.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at the best Slack alternatives to help you determine which team communication app suits your needs. We hand-picked each chat software based on its team collaboration features, price, and availability of mobile apps. Also, make sure to check out our article on the best coordination tools like Asana and Trello to boost productivity.

1. Microsoft Teams

Microsoft developed a business chat tool that targets enterprise companies as well as small teams. Microsoft Teams is already available to all who subscribe to one of the Microsoft Office 365 plans. You can get a freemium version of Microsoft Teams if you don’t have one of these plans. All the chat features will be available to you for free. Among them are instant chat, audio, video calls, and various integrations.

Free Microsoft Teams version allows up to 100 video chat participants and up to 500k internal and external users. If your company needs more than this, the premium plan for this chat tool starts at $5 per month/per user. It is available for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Web users.

Microsoft Teams integrations are somewhat like separate apps you can add to your chat tool to personalize it. They will help you organize your business better, share the files, or track your business intelligence.

2. Google Chat

Google Chat is a built-in feature of the Gmail service, designed to replace Google Hangouts. You can use it to chat with anyone who has a Gmail account. It doesn’t matter if you or your contact uses a free plan or paid Gmail account, the chat tool is available to everyone.

To be able to have video and audio chats, you will have to use Google Meet alongside Google Chat. It is an excellent solution and SLack alternative for all the corporate teams out there, especially the ones that already use G Suite.

Google Chat is completely free for all Gmail users and it is supported by Android, iOS, and Windows.

3. Discord

For all the companies that are looking for an open-source alternative to Slack, Discord might be the right solution. Although this app was designed as a gamers’ chat app, it proved to be so much more. It has unlimited chat and screen sharing functions that are very handy for corporate communications.

The primary function of Discord is video and audio calls with API Integrations. If you want unlimited chat history, unlimited storage, high-quality file sharing, and an unlimited number of participants in one channel, you will have to pay $9.99/month for Discord Nitro.

Discord is used not only by gamers and corporations but also by schools, communities, friends, and family. This is why its developers made sure that Discord is available on all web browsers, iOS, and Android, as well as Windows, Linux, and macOS.

4. Rocket.Chat

The companies that are searching for self-hosted options, and don’t mind more elaborate and tech-demanding alternatives to Slack, should look into Rocket.Chat. This is another open-source chat tool and it will allow you complete customization of the omnichannel platform.

The Rocket.Chat gives its users full access to their code. This means that you as a company can change this communication tool to serve your needs. You can add or remove some of its features, and improve it the way you see fit. It also has end-to-end encryption which makes your corporate conversations safe.

The hosted plan of Rochet.Chat is not free. It comes at the price of $3 per user/per month. But their open-source code allows you to have all the available features for free, as long as you host it internally only, within your company.

Rocket.Chat is available on all devices that use iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux. It also has a Web version.

5. Fleep

Fleep is a communication platform that emphasizes task management. Besides the usual chat feature, it offers possibilities for assigning and coordinating work. There is also a pinboard where you and your coworkers can pin important messages and reminders. The whole concept of Fleep chat is built on the idea of conversations on certain topics that everyone is welcome to discuss.

The Freemium version of this conversation platform has unlimited one-on-one chat options. But it will support only three group conversations at a time. It also allows up to 10GB of storage space. But if you need more, you will have to pay for the premium version. The pricing will be done annually, although the plan is $5/per month per person. The premium version will give you access to 100GB of storage space.

Fleep is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS

6. Chanty

Chanty is a collaboration software managed by an AI, designed to increase productivity and team organization in your company. It is also price friendly. Small teams with up to 10 members can use it for free. But if you have more people in your team and you need some extra features this conversation platform has to offer, then you need a premium version. However, even premium Chanty is very affordable at $3/per user per month.

Chanty offers many of the same features as Slack, for half the price. But it also comes with an integrated task management system that will help you create and assign tasks to different team members. A feature called Teambook will let you neatly organize the tasks, chats, and files into folders, and your workspace will always be orderly.

Available for Android smartphones, iPhones, and iPad, as well as for Windows and macOS users.

7. Mattermost

Mattermost is an open-source chat tool, perfect for small business teams that need extra security, but without paying too much. This platform is free for up to 10 users, but for distributed organizations, it is $10/per user per month.

Mattermost developers invested in the privacy and security features of their chat tool, which made it an amazing platform suitable for government, healthcare, and finance agencies.

The interface of this chat platform is familiar as it resembles the one Slack has. This makes the transition from Slack to Mattermost easy. But Mattermost has one additional feature. It will let its users manage their workflow from within the software. Its open-source code means it is customizable, and tech-savvy users can make Mattermost a personalized tool.

Mattermost is available to all Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, macOS, and Web users.

8. Flock

If your company is looking for a hosted instant messaging app, Flock should be your choice. It also features audio and video calls, file sharing, and company productivity tools, and supports direct messages as well as group messaging. Flock has it all. Their video platform is similar to Skype and Zoom, and your team will be familiar with it.

The free version of Flock allows up to 20 users. But the paid version, which comes for only $4.50 per user per month, raises this number to 100. Not only that! The paid version also brings many additional features that will help you manage tasks and your team members more easily. If you are not sure if you need these additional features, you can always opt to try Premium Flock with a 30-day trial period for free.

Flock is available for Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, macOS, and the Web.

9. Ryver

Companies that want all of their communication in one place should consider Ryver. It is a collaboration app designed not only for communication but also for task management and overall workflow. Ryver has integration with Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box which makes file sharing extremely easy. Audio and video calls can support up to 5 people.

Ryver is a hosted tool with unlimited chat, file sharing, and a very well-designed message history search option. This and its task management feature makes it not only a good communication platform but also a project management tool.

Ryver can be a bit pricey for new start-up companies. But if you are willing to try it out, there is a 14-day trial that will help you decide if it is worth paying $49 per month. Available for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS devices, and the Web.

10. Glip

Glip is an amazing alternative to Slack for all those companies that require better security features built into their communication platform. Glip is free for the first 100 users, but the advanced features and more participants allowed come for the price of $14.99 per user per month.

Acquired by RingCentral, Glip is more than a team chat platform, it is a team collaboration tool. It comes with built-in features such as tasks, calendar, notes, audio and video conferencing, and more. Glip can be connected to other apps through Zapier, which will allow you to automate some of the tasks of your team.

Glip is available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and the Web.

11. Twist

If you work with an international team you probably understand how hard it can be to synchronize your workflows. Team meetings and conversations can be very problematic if everyone works at different hours. This is where Twist comes into play. This is a communication software designed for teams that can’t rely on real-time calls, chats, and conferences.

The private chat and public channels are structured in Threads, which helps immensely with long-term communication. Also, Twist combines emails and chats storing them in the same place. This, and the unlimited history search, makes your communication easy to track.

Although Twist is free for an unlimited number of users, if you want additional features, integrations, and unlimited chat history storage, you will have to pay $5 per user per month. Available on Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, and Web.

12. Ring Central

Ring Central is a cloud-based business phone system, excellent for both small and large corporations that rely on voice calls. It also features messaging and video conferencing systems to ensure your team will always stay connected. But it works the best when paired with other communication apps. Its open API ensures Ring Central integration with over 2000 business apps and tools.

Virtual conference rooms and data center geodiversity make sure that international work teams are always able to communicate and synchronize their workflows. Moreover, Ring Central is an excellent Slack alternative for companies that need enterprise-grade security.

Ring Central has multiple paid plans, but it all comes to $4.99 per user, per month. Ring Central is available for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. A web browser version also exists.