10 KiB
List of free,open source and privacy respecting services and alternatives to privative services.
- Search Engines
- Photo Storage
- Cloud Storage
- Maps / Navigation
- Social Networks
- Instant Messaging
- Video conferencing
- Operating Systems
- Uncategorized
Search Engines
AVOID
- Google Search
- Yahoo Search
- Bing
- Yandex
Instead use:
- Whoogle Search - A self-hosted, ad-free, privacy-respecting Google metasearch engine.
- Qwant - A privacy oriented search engine made in France with no tracking.
- SearX - Privacy-respecting metasearch engine.
Photo storage
AVOID
- Google Photos
- Amazon Photos
Instead use:
- Stingle Photos - Open source solution that provides strong security, privacy and encryption to backup your photos.
- Crypt.ee - A private and encrypted place for all your photos, documents, notes and more.
- Photoprism - Feature rich server-based application for browsing, organizing and sharing your personal photo collection. The most similar to Google Photos.
- Photostructure - Self-hosted photo library that makes browsing and sharing a lifetime of memories delightful.
- Nextcloud - The open source self-hosted productivity platform that keeps you in control. It has a Photos plugin to help you organize and visualize your photos.
Cloud Storage
AVOID
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- OneDrive
Instead use:
- Nextcloud - The open source self-hosted productivity platform that keeps you in control.
Other useful tools:
- Cryptomator - Cryptomator encrypts your data quickly and easily. Afterwards you upload them protected to your favorite cloud service.
- Syncthing - Continuous file synchronization program. It synchronizes files between two or more computers in real time, safely protected from prying eyes.
Maps / Navigation
AVOID:
- Google Maps
- Apple Maps
- Yandex Maps
- Bing Maps
- Waze
- Sygic
- HERE WeGo
Instead Use:
- Open Street Map (OSM) - OpenStreetMap is built by a community of mappers that contribute and maintain data about roads, trails, cafés, railway stations, and much more, all over the world.
- OSMAnd - Android/iOS Navigation app using OSM. It is a feature-rich app with all you expect.
Mail Services
Operating Systems
Android
Try to avoid using Google Android or any Android that has been modified and tuned by any manufacturer such as Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung, etc. Android is an Open Source project - AOSP - Android Open Source Project - and it has many versions that will respect the user privacy and data and won't share it with private servers from manufacturers or service providers.
Instead Use:
Android app compatibility
- GrapheneOS - GrapheneOS is an open source privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility.
- CalyxOS - CalyxOS lets you have your cake and eat it too, with "Privacy by Design".
- LineageOS - A free and open-source operating system for various devices, based on the Android mobile platform.
- Replicant - A free software mobile operating system putting the emphasis on freedom and privacy/security.
Based on Linux
- UBPorts - Ubuntu Touch is the touch-friendly mobile version of Ubuntu.
Smart TV
Don't use Android TV, LG WebOS or any other privacy-invasive common TV OS that comes preinstalled with your TV.
Instead Use:
- Kodi - It is an entertainment hub that brings all your digital media together into a beautiful and user friendly package. It is 100% free and open source, very customisable and runs on a wide variety of devices.
- Jellyfin - Jellyfin is the volunteer-built media solution that puts you in control of your media. Stream to any device from your own server, with no strings attached.
- OSMC - OSMC is a free and open source media center built for the people, by the people.
Social Networks
Don't use instagram (or at least the official client). Instagram is a very privacy-invasive app with biased results and feeds based on user profiles, it is also used as a manipulation tool and has a lot of censorship going against free speech. Lastly, it has an addictive and toxic ui-design.
Instead Use:
- Pixelfed - Decentralized, federated and Open Source alternative to Instagram with posts, videos, stories, tags, etc.
- Barinsta - The beautiful, open source, and privacy-friendly alternative Instagram client for Android.
Youtube
Don't use YouTube (or at least the official client). Youtube is very privacy invasive, it generates a very accurate profile based on your interests. Also it is a radicalization tool which shows biased content to users in order to get more engadgement and to get them to watch more and more content creating an adiction. It never shows you alternative opinions to your ideology/bias. Youtube censors a lot. Youtube collects a LOT of your data: interesnts, free time, ideology, likes, dislikes, music taste, etc...
Instead Use:
- Peertube - A free, open and decentralized alternative to video platforms.
- LBRY - LBRY is a secure, open, and community-run digital marketplace. Enjoy the latest content from your favorite creators - as a user, not a product.
Privacy respecting Youtube clients:
- Yotter - Youtube and Twitter with privacy. Never share any of your data to Youtube, yet be able to watch Youtube videos.
- Invidious - Alternative and privacy respecting Youtube frontend.
- NewPipe - Alternative android Youtube app. No account needed, privacy respecting. Shares IP with Youtube
Worth mentioning:
- Piped - Work in progress.
Instant Messaging
*Check out this site for comparisons
AVOID:
- Instagram DM
- Facebook Messenger
- Skype
- Zoom
- Google Hangouts / Chat
Instead use:
- Signal - Extreme focus on privacy, combined with all of the features you expect. Strong encryption by design.
- Molly - Signal-compatible fork client with some security enhancements.
- Element - All-in-one secure chat app for teams, friends and organisations. Keeps conversations in your control, safe from data-mining and ads. Talk to everyone through the open global Matrix network, protected by proper end-to-end encryption.
- Jabber / XMPP - The universal messaging standard. Tried and tested. Independent. Privacy-focused.
- Conversations - Jabber/XMPP client for Android 4.0+ smartphones that has been optimized to provide a unique mobile experience
- AstraChat - Another XMPP client.
- Session - Extreme focus on privacy. Blockchain technology.
- Status - Status is a secure messaging app, crypto wallet, and Web3 browser built with state of the art technology.
- Tox - Tox is easy-to-use software that connects you with friends and family without anyone else listening in.
- Briar - Peer-to-peer encrypted messaging and forums.
- DeltaChat - Chat over encrypted e-mail.
Worth mentioning
Video Conferencing
AVOID:
- ZOOM
- Skype
- Google Meet
- Discord
Instead use:
- Jitsi Meet - More secure, more flexible, and completely free video conferencing. No account needed, no installation needed
- Jami - P2P audio and video conferences.
- BigBlueButton - BigBlueButton is a web conferencing system designed for online learning.