We want every listing on LibreAlts to be useful, current and verifiable. Here is how the catalog is built.
1. Sources
We start from curated open source collections (community-maintained lists of self-hostable and desktop software) and add projects suggested by readers.
2. Quality gate
Before a program enters the catalog, it must pass a few checks:
- a working official project page (repository or site);
- a meaningful description — at least a few words describing what the program does;
- an identifiable open source license (MIT, GPL, Apache, BSD, MPL or similar).
Programs that fail the gate are skipped rather than published half-empty.
3. Descriptions
Descriptions are rewritten by our editors (with AI assistance, checked by humans) for clarity and consistency. Facts, features and links from the original project pages are preserved. If we cannot produce a readable description, the program is not published.
4. Updates
Listings are re-checked periodically: dead project pages, changed licenses and abandoned projects are fixed or removed. Spotted an error? Tell us.
5. What we never do
We never modify the programs we list, bundle installers with extras, or hide the official project page — it is linked on every listing.