How to find software made in Europe (without starting over)

Most people looking for European software are not on a mission. They need one replacement — analytics, email, project management, whatever broke or got too expensive — and they want options that are actually good, not just geographically convenient.

That is what EuroMakers is for. The software directory lists European tools by category. The Journal is where we write about how to pick between them. Comparisons, category notes, the stuff a feature table will not tell you.

Directory vs. Journal — what each one does

The directory answers: what exists? Filter by category, open a few listings, check pricing and where the company is based. Straightforward.

The Journal answers the messier questions: which two tools are worth a trial? What breaks when you switch? Where is Europe ahead, and where are you still better off with a global default?

A practical way to find your first European tool

You do not need to migrate everything. Pick the one category that is costing you money or annoyance right now.

1. Choose a category — analytics, productivity, security, whatever you use daily.
2. Open the software directory, filter, and pick two or three listings to compare.
3. Run a real task in each for a week. Spreadsheets lie. Your actual workflow does not.

If none of them stick, you have only lost a week — and you know more about what is out there. That is still useful.

Software is spread across the continent

European makers are not all in one hub. You will find strong analytics tools in Germany, design software in France, developer platforms in the Nordics — and plenty elsewhere. The map view on the directory shows where companies are based if geography matters to your team.

What we are publishing next

This is the first Journal post. Coming up: evaluation guides for specific categories, side-by-side comparisons, and notes on where European software is genuinely competitive. If there is a category you want covered, tell us.

Until then: open the directory, pick one category, and try something. That is the whole game.