5 Websites So Useful You’ll Wish You Knew Them Earlier
Let’s be honest — most websites are forgettable. But once in a while, you come across a digital gem that makes life so much easier, you wonder how you ever lived without it.
From productivity powerhouses to hidden problem-solvers, here are 5 websites so useful you’ll wish you had discovered them years ago.
🔧 1. TinyWow – Solve Everyday Digital Problems (Fast & Free)
Website: tinywow.com
Have a PDF you need to split? Need to remove background noise from an audio clip? TinyWow is a free online Swiss army knife for everyday file tasks.
What it offers:
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PDF to Word conversion
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Video & image compression
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Background remover for images
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Text summarizer, paraphraser & AI tools
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Meme generator, QR creator, and more
Why it’s useful:
You don’t need to install any software or even create an account. It’s quick, effective, and free.
Real-life use: You can compress a large resume PDF before emailing it to HR — all in under 10 seconds.
✍️ 2. Scribbr – Advanced Grammar & Plagiarism Detection
Website: scribbr.com
While tools like Grammarly catch simple grammar issues, Scribbr goes deeper — especially for academic or professional writing.
Key features:
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Checks for accidental plagiarism
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Academic citation generator (APA, MLA, Chicago)
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Style improvement recommendations
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Human editing (paid option)
Why it’s useful:
It helps students, researchers, and blog writers sound credible. Plus, the plagiarism checker is more accurate than most free options.
📰 3. 12ft.io – Climb Over Paywalls
Website: 12ft.io
Sick of hitting paywalls every time you click an article from Google or Reddit?
12ft.io lets you view many blocked articles for free by removing the paywall content structure.
“Show me a 12ft ladder so I can climb over this paywall.”
Pros:
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Free and easy to use
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Works on many popular news sites
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No extensions needed
Caution:
Doesn’t work everywhere (e.g., NYT, WSJ). Use ethically and for personal reading only.
🎨 4. Remove.bg – Remove Backgrounds Instantly
Website: remove.bg
Background removal used to require Photoshop skills — not anymore. Upload an image, and this tool will instantly give you a transparent background.
Ideal for:
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Profile pics
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Product photography
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Design mockups
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Creating transparent stickers
Why it’s useful:
The AI is incredibly accurate, and results are ready in seconds.
📚 5. Z-Library – Access Millions of Free Books
Website: z-lib.io or mirrors
Zlibrary is a massive online archive of ebooks, academic papers, research materials, and more. While some mirror sites are blocked in certain countries, it’s one of the largest free book databases online.
What you’ll find:
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Academic textbooks
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Fiction & non-fiction
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Technical manuals
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Historical archives
Disclaimer: Depending on your location, access to Zlibrary may be restricted. Always comply with your local laws.
🆕 6. AlternativeTo.net – Find the Best Software Alternatives
Website: alternativeto.net
Looking for a free alternative to Photoshop? Want a Gmail alternative with privacy?
AlternativeTo helps you find better or cheaper versions of tools you already use.
Why it’s amazing:
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User-ranked recommendations
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Filters by platform (Windows, Mac, Android, etc.)
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Community reviews and pros/cons
Example: Instead of using Adobe Premiere, you may discover DaVinci Resolve — and fall in love.
🔄 Bonus Gems You Should Bookmark
Even though the above six sites are game-changers, here are more websites so useful that deserve honorable mentions:
1. PDF Candy
All-in-one PDF editing suite — edit, merge, split, and convert PDFs.
2. Radio Garden
Explore and listen to radio stations around the world in real time — via a globe interface!
3. Ninite
Install or update multiple Windows apps in one go. Great after formatting a PC.
4. CamelCamelCamel
Track Amazon product price history and get alerts when the price drops.
5. Notion.so
A powerful productivity platform to organize notes, tasks, wikis, and databases in one place.
📊 Comparison Table
| Website | Core Function | Why It’s Useful |
|---|---|---|
| TinyWow | Free file editing & AI tools | Solves dozens of small problems instantly |
| Scribbr | Grammar & citation checker | Ideal for academic & professional writing |
| 12ft.io | Paywall bypass tool | Helps access content without subscriptions |
| Remove.bg | Image background removal | Fast, clean, and great for creators |
| Zlibrary | Free ebook archive | Great for reading, research, and studying |
| AlternativeTo | Software alternative finder | Discover better tools for your workflow |
🔗 External Source
👉 MakeUseOf: Best Underrated Websites
✨ Closing Line
Want more powerful digital tools like these? Explore our blog for weekly tips and website discoveries.
