Lists of Privacy Focused Sites, Services, & Products
Here are some lists of various apps, services, sites, etc that respect privacy and free-speech.
Need a new email address? Check the list for the best providers. Want to get a VPN service? Look here first to see which ones are actually worth having. These lists are being updated constantly so keep checking back for more suggestions of good apps and services.
3D Modeling and CAD Software
Cloud Storage Providers
Code/Text Editors
DNS Services
Digital Note Apps
Email Providers
File Sharing Services
Google Suite/MS Office alternatives
Home Automation Software
Messaging Apps
Mobile Operating Systems
Odysee channels - Tech
Online Privacy Tools
Online Retailers for Laptops
Other Privacy Websites
PC/Laptop Operating Systems
Password Managers
Search Engines
Smart Watches
Social Media Frontends
Social Networks
Social News Aggregators (think Reddit)
Team Messaging & Collboration
VPN Services
Video Streaming Platforms
Voice Assistants
Web Browsers
Windows Antivirus
means this is something I use.
means I use this and like it a lot!
3D Modeling and CAD Software
Some free, open-source 3D Modeling/CAD choices that aren't collecting mountains of data
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blender | https://www.blender.org/ | Blender is the free and open source 3D creation suite | ||
| FreeCAD | http://www.freecadweb.org/ | Your own 3D parametric modeler | ||
| OpenSCAD | https://www.openscad.org/ | The Programmers Solid 3D CAD Modeller | ||
| BRL-CAD | https://brlcad.org/ | A powerful open source cross-platform solid modeling system | ||
| Wings 3D | http://www.wings3d.com/?page_id=22 | An advanced subdivision modeler that is both powerful and easy to use |
Blender
FreeCAD
OpenSCAD
BRL-CAD
Cloud Storage Providers
A few cloud storage providers that let your files be YOUR files
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sync.com | https://www.sync.com/ | Sync protects your privacy with end-to-end encryption — ensuring that your data in the cloud is safe, secure and 100% private. | ||
| Icedrive | https://icedrive.net/ | The next generation of cloud storage | ||
| Tresori | https://tresorit.com/ | Secure cloud collaboration, made easy | ||
| MEGA | https://mega.io/ | Secure Cloud Storage and Communication. Privacy by Design | ||
| pCloud | https://www.pcloud.com/ | Secure and simple to use cloud storage | ||
| iDrive | https://www.idrive.com/ | Switch to the best backup and cloud storage. | ||
| SpiderOak | https://spideroak.com/one/ | Secure, Reliable Backup to Protect Your Most Important Files from Data Loss and Ransomware | ||
| Syncthing | https://syncthing.net/ | Syncthing is a continuous file synchronization program |
Sync.com
Icedrive
Tresori
MEGA
pCloud
iDrive
SpiderOak
Syncthing
Code/Text Editors
Write some code, take notes, whatever...but do it in a FOSS app!
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VSCodium | https://vscodium.com/ | Free/Libre Open Source Software Binaries of VSCode | ||
| Atom | https://atom.io/ | A hackable text editor for the 21st Century | ||
| Bluefish | http://bluefish.openoffice.nl/index.html | Bluefish is a powerful editor targeted towards programmers and webdevelopers | ||
| GNU Emacs | https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/ | An extensible, customizable, free/libre text editor — and more. | ||
| Geany | https://www.geany.org/ | The Flyweight IDE | ||
| Howl | https://howl.io/ | A general purpose, fast and lightweight editor with a keyboard-centric minimalistic user interface. |
VSCodium
Atom
GNU Emacs
Howl
DNS Services
Use one of these DNS services to gain more privacy and protect from malicious sites
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quad9 | https://www.quad9.net/ | An open DNS recursive service for free security and high privacy | ||
| BlahDNS | https://blahdns.com/ | A hobby Adblock DNS project with DoH, DoT, DoQ, DNSCryptv2 support | ||
| NextDNS | https://nextdns.io/ | The new firewall for the modern Internet | ||
| OpenDNS | https://www.opendns.com/ | DNS services for your home or small business |
BlahDNS
NextDNS
OpenDNS
Digital Note Apps
A selection of privacy-focused, consumer friendly note apps
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turtl | https://turtlapp.com/ | The secure, collaborative notebook | ||
| Joplin | https://joplinapp.org/ | An open source note taking and to-do application with synchronisation capabilities | ||
| Standard Notes | https://standardnotes.org/ | A free, open-source, and completely encrypted notes app | ||
| Paperwork | https://paperwork.cloud/ | Paperwork is an open-source, self-hosted alternative to services like Evernote, Microsoft OneNote or Google Keep | ||
| Etherpad | https://etherpad.org/ | Etherpad is a highly customizable open source online editor providing collaborative editing in really real-time | ||
| Laverna | https://laverna.cc/ | Keep your notes private | ||
| HedgeDoc | https://hedgedoc.org/ | The best platform to write and share markdown | ||
| SilentNotes | https://www.martinstoeckli.ch/silentnotes/ | SilentNotes is note taking app which respects your privacy | ||
| NoteRiot | https://note.riot.ai/ | Easy to use note taking |
Joplin
Standard Notes
Paperwork
Etherpad
Laverna
HedgeDoc
SilentNotes
NoteRiot
Email Providers
Here's a few privacy-focused email providers worth checking out
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTemplar | https://ctemplar.com/ | Secure, anonymous email provider based in Iceland | ||
| Tutanota | https://tutanota.com/ | Secure email for everyone | ||
| Disroot | https://disroot.org/en/services/email | Use your favorite email client for this secure email provider | ||
| Countermail | https://countermail.com/ | The secure email provider | ||
| Hushmail | https://www.hushmail.com/ | Send and recieve private email | ||
| Posteo | https://posteo.de/en | Secure, ad-free email |
CTemplar
Tutanota
Countermail
Hushmail
Posteo
File Sharing Services
Share files with friends and family using one of these secure, private services
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OnionShare | https://onionshare.org/ | Privacy + Productivity | ||
| Lufi | https://upload.disroot.org/ | Disroot file uploader | ||
| Keybase | https://keybase.io/ | End-to-end encryption for things that matter. | ||
| Datash | https://datash.co/ | Datash helps you to send or receive text or file from one device to another one through browser. | ||
| Tresorit Send | https://send.tresorit.com/ | Truly Safe. Truly Free. | ||
| SafeNote | https://safenote.co/upload-file | Upload files for secure file sharing. | ||
| FilePizza | https://file.pizza/ | Free peer-to-peer file transfers in your browser. | ||
| ToffeeShare | https://toffeeshare.com/ | Private file sharing without size limit |
OnionShare
Keybase
Datash
Tresorit Send
SafeNote
FilePizza
ToffeeShare
Google Suite/MS Office alternatives
Here are some alternatives to GSuite and MS Office that are MUCH better for privacy
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LibreOffice | https://www.libreoffice.org/ | Do more - easier, quicker, smarter | ||
| Skiff | https://www.skiff.org/ | Skiff is a privacy-first collaboration platform with expiring links, secure workspaces, and password protection. | ||
| OpenOffice | https://www.openoffice.org/ | The Free and Open Productivity Suite | ||
| Cryptpad | https://cryptpad.fr/ | Collaboration suite that has end-to-end encrypted and is open-source | ||
| FreeOffice | https://www.freeoffice.com/ | The best free alternative to Microsoft Office. |
LibreOffice
OpenOffice
Cryptpad
FreeOffice
Home Automation Software
Open source home automation suites you can install and configure yourself
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenHAB | https://www.openhab.org/ | Empowering the smart home | ||
| Home Assistant | https://www.home-assistant.io/ | Awaken your home | ||
| ioBroker | https://www.iobroker.net/ | Open source automation platform |
OpenHAB
Home Assistant
ioBroker
Messaging Apps
Have a chat with total privacy using one of these messaging apps
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session | https://getsession.org/ | Send messages, not metadata | ||
| Element | https://element.io/ | Own your conversations | ||
| Briar | https://briarproject.org/ | Secure messaging, anywhere | ||
| Jami | https://jami.net/a | Share, freely and privately | ||
| Status.im | https://status.im/ | Private, Secure Communication | ||
| Snikket | https://snikket.org/ | Chat that is simple, secure, and private |
Session
Element
Status.im
Snikket
Mobile Operating Systems
A list of mobile operating systems that can help you put an end to big tech tracking your every move.
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LineageOS | https://lineageos.org/ | A free and open-source operating system for various devices, based on the Android mobile platform | ||
| CalyxOS | https://calyxinstitute.org/projects/calyx-os | A mobile OS built with privacy and security as its primary concern | ||
| Graphene | https://grapheneos.org/ | GrapheneOS is a privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility developed as a non-profit open source project | ||
| /e/ | https://e.foundation/ | Your data is YOUR data | ||
| Sailfish OS | https://sailfishos.org/ | The mobile OS with built-in privacy | ||
| Replicant | https://www.replicant.us/ | A free software mobile operating system putting the emphasis on freedom and privacy/security | ||
| Mobile Linux | https://ubuntu-touch.io/ | There are a handful of phones that run mobile Linux and there are several distros from which to choose. |
LineageOS
Graphene
Sailfish OS
Replicant
Mobile Linux
Odysee channels - Tech
Here are some good tech channels to follow on Odysee
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Nerd/Mental Outlaw | https://odysee.com/@AlphaNerd:8 | videos about FOSS, PCs, Linux, privacy, and more | ||
| DASGeek | https://odysee.com/@dasgeek:b | videos about Linux, gaming, and PC hardware | ||
| DistroTube | https://odysee.com/@DistroTube:2 | In depth videos about all things Linux | ||
| Hardware Unboxed | https://odysee.com/@HardwareUnboxed:2 | videos about PC hardware, especially gaming PC components | ||
| Rob Braxman Tech | https://odysee.com/@RobBraxmanTech:6 | videos about privacy and security with technology | ||
| Techlore | https://odysee.com/@techlore:3 | videos about privacy and security with technology |
Alpha Nerd/Mental Outlaw
DistroTube
Hardware Unboxed
Rob Braxman Tech
Techlore
Online Privacy Tools
Some tools for checking privacy and gaining a little more privacy.
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cover Your Tracks | https://coveryourtracks.eff.org/ | See how trackers view your browser | ||
| Am I FLoCed | https://amifloced.org/ | Google is testing FLoC on Chrome users worldwide. Find out if you're one of them. | ||
| DNS Leak Test | https://www.dnsleaktest.com/ | If you aren't using your default DNS service, see if your traffic is still leaking to your ISP. | ||
| Just Delete Me | https://justdeleteme.xyz/ | A directory of direct links to delete your account from web services. | ||
| Forget | https://forget.codl.fr/about/ | Automatically delete old posts from Twitter or Mastodon. | ||
| Blacklight | https://themarkup.org/blacklight | A real-time website privacy inspector. |
Cover Your Tracks
Am I FLoCed
DNS Leak Test
Just Delete Me
Blacklight
Online Retailers for Laptops
A Linux laptop is your best choice for privacy and security
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| System76 | https://system76.com/laptops | The most well known place to buy well made Linux laptop | ||
| Purism | https://puri.sm/ | Purism is home of the Librem laptops | ||
| Pine64 | https://www.pine64.org/ | One of the most popular Linux phone makers also makes laptops | ||
| Juno Computers | https://junocomputers.com/ | Juno sells laptops and desktops that come with Ubuntu pre-installed | ||
| Laptop with Linux | https://laptopwithlinux.com/ | Go for freedom, safety, reliability and happiness, choose Open Source! | ||
| Slimbook | https://slimbook.es/en/ | SLIMBOOK was born in 2015 with the idea of being the best brand in the computer market with GNU / Linux | ||
| RetroFreedom | https://retrofreedom.com/ | RetroFreedom sells secure, privacy-respecting laptops that give you freedom | ||
| Entroware | https://www.entroware.com/store/ | From aluminum ultrabooks to full desktop replacements, Entroware has you covered | ||
| Libiquity | https://shop.libiquity.com/ | Libiquity sells electronics and services that respect their owners’ freedom and privacy | ||
| Star Labs | https://starlabs.systems/ | Star Labs offer a range of laptops designed and built specifically for Linux |
System76
Purism
Pine64
Juno Computers
Laptop with Linux
Slimbook
RetroFreedom
Entroware
Libiquity
Star Labs
Other Privacy Websites
There is a lot of info out there about privacy and I can't cover all of it. Here are some more good sites like this one.
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy Tools | https://fried.com/privacy | The Ultimate Guide to Online Privacy | ||
| PrivacyTools | https://privacytools.io/ | PrivacyTools provides services, tools and knowledge to protect your privacy against global mass surveillance. | ||
| Techlore | https://techlore.tech/ | Spreading privacy & security to the masses | ||
| Awesome Privacy | https://github.com/pluja/awesome-privacy | Friends don't spy. | ||
| Decentralization Central | https://decentralizationcentral.com/ | Everything here is based on varying degrees of decentralized technologies. | ||
| Restore Privacy | https://restoreprivacy.com/ | Breaking privacy news, original research, and helpful resources |
Privacy Tools
PrivacyTools
Techlore
Awesome Privacy
Decentralization Central
Restore Privacy
PC/Laptop Operating Systems
Linux is really your only option if you care about privacy, but it has really become a darned good option!
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu | https://ubuntu.com/ | The easiest to learn and use Linux distro with great support | ||
| Linux Mint | https://linuxmint.com/ | Another easy to learn and use version of Linux | ||
| Manjaro Linux | https://manjaro.org/ | Free operating system for everyone! | ||
| Arch Linux | https://archlinux.org/ | Linux for the person who already knows Linux and wants to FULLY customize their experience | ||
| Tails | https://tails.boum.org/ | Tails is a portable operating system that protects against surveillance and censorship | ||
| Whonix | https://www.whonix.org/ | Software That Can Anonymize Everything You Do Online | ||
| Quobes OS | https://www.qubes-os.org/ | A reasonably secure operating system | ||
| Mofo Linux | https://mofolinux.com/ | Linux designed to defeat state censorship and surveillance | ||
| Kodachi Linux | https://www.digi77.com/linux-kodachi/ | The secure OS | ||
| Septor | https://septor.sourceforge.io/ | Septor Linux is a operating system that provides users with a perfect computing environment for surfing the Internet anonymously | ||
| TENS | http://gettens.online/ | Trusted End Node Security (TENS) creates a secure computing environment from trusted read-only media on almost any Intel-based computer |
Ubuntu
Linux Mint
Manjaro Linux
Arch Linux
Whonix
Quobes OS
Mofo Linux
Kodachi Linux
Password Managers
Use a password manager so you can have a different password for every site
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KeePassXC | https://keepassxc.org/ | Never forget a password again | ||
| Bitwarden | https://bitwarden.com/ | Bitwarden offers the easiest and safest way for teams and individuals to store and share sensitive data from any device | ||
| LessPass | https://lesspass.com/#/ | Stateless Password Manager | ||
| Master Password | https://masterpassword.app/ | Master Password is a completely new way of thinking about passwords | ||
| Psono | https://psono.com/ | Open Source Password Manager |
KeePassXC
Bitwarden
LessPass
Master Password
Psono
Search Engines
Search engines that don't track your every move
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qwant | https://www.qwant.com/ | The search engine that respects your privacy | ||
| Searx | https://searx.me/ | Privacy-respecting metasearch engine | ||
| StartPage | https://www.startpage.com/ | Don't be tracked online. Protect your personal data. | ||
| Brave Search | https://search.brave.com/ | Search the web privately... | ||
| MetaGer | https://metager.org/ | An open-source, meta-search engine run by a German non-profit | ||
| Presearch | https://presearch.org/ | Presearch is a Decentralized Search Engine | ||
| Swisscows | https://swisscows.com/ | Privacy safe WEB-search; based out of Switzerland | ||
| Gibiru | https://gibiru.com/ | Protecting Your Privacy Since 2009 | ||
| Disconnect Search | https://search.disconnect.me/ | Anonymous VPN service for popular search engines |
Searx
StartPage
Brave Search
MetaGer
Presearch
Swisscows
Gibiru
Disconnect Search
Smart Watches
Open-source and DIY watches that won't track your every move
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PineTime | https://www.pine64.org/pinetime/ | An Open Source Smartwatch For Your Favorite Devices. Low Cost, High Fidelity. | ||
| Bangle.js Smart Watch | https://shop.espruino.com/banglejs | Bangle.js is an open, hackable smartwatch. | ||
| Open-SmartWatch | https://open-smartwatch.github.io/ | A completely DIY smart watch | ||
| Watchy | https://watchy.sqfmi.com/ | Open-source e-paper watch | ||
| WatchX | https://www.watchx.io/product/watchx | It's a smartwatch that, anyone can build & code | ||
| Lilygo TTGO T-Watch | http://www.lilygo.cn/prod_view.aspx?TypeId=50053&Id=1290&FId=t3:50053:3 | A programmable, wearable, & interactive development device. | ||
| AsteroidOS | https://asteroidos.org/ | AsteroidOS is an open-source operating system for smartwatches. |
PineTime
Bangle.js Smart Watch
Open-SmartWatch
Lilygo TTGO T-Watch
AsteroidOS
Social Networks
Most social networks censor or track you. I can't point you to many here as lots CLAIM to be for free-speech but aren't.
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minds | https://www.minds.com | The leading alternative social network | ||
| Gab | https://gab.com | Unbiased social media | ||
| Mastodon | https://joinmastodon.org/ | A platform that is community-owned and ad-free | ||
| Pixelfed | https://pixelfed.org/ | A free and ethical photo sharing platform | ||
| Diaspora | https://diasporafoundation.org/ | The online social world where you are in control | ||
| AKASHA Reloaded | https://akasha.world/ | A decentralized social network that is censorship-resistant by design | ||
| Friendica | https://friendi.ca/ | A Decentralized Social Network |
Mastodon
Pixelfed
Diaspora
AKASHA Reloaded
Friendica
Social News Aggregators (think Reddit)
skip the censorship and tracking on Reddit and get news and memes from these sites instead
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aether | https://getaether.net/ | Peer-to-peer ephemeral public communities | ||
| Tildes | https://tildes.net/ | A non-profit community site driven by its users' interests | ||
| Lemmy | https://lemmy.ml/ | An Open-Source Federated Reddit Alternative | ||
| Saidit | https://saidit.net/ | A community focused on respectful communication and a variety of perspectives. |
Aether
Tildes
Lemmy
Saidit
Team Messaging & Collboration
Chat, share files, and work as a team with these FOSS apps
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mattermost | https://mattermost.com/ | The Only Open Source Collaboration Platform for Developers | ||
| Wire | https://wire.com/ | Modern day collaboration meets the most advanced security and superior user experience. | ||
| Zulip | https://zulip.com/ | Chat for distributed teams. | ||
| Jitsi | https://jitsi.org/ | More secure, more flexible, and completely free video conferencing |
Mattermost
Zulip
Jitsi
VPN Services
Some secure VPN services based in countries with good privacy laws
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mullvad | https://mullvad.net/en/ | In a society increasingly determined to erode that right, a fast, trustworthy and easy-to-use VPN is a good first step toward reclaiming it. | ||
| ProtonVPN | https://protonvpn.com/ | High-speed Swiss VPN that safeguards your privacy | ||
| IVPN | https://www.ivpn.net/ | A Gibraltar based open-source, no-log VPN provider. |
Video Streaming Platforms
Skip the censorship on YouTube by using one of these platforms instead
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odysee | https://odysee.com/ | A video platform built on LBRY aiming to be the successor to YouTube | ||
| Bitchute | https://www.bitchute.com/ | BitChute aims to put creators first and provide them with a service that they can use to flourish and express their ideas freely. | ||
| Rumble | https://rumble.com/ | Rumble is your rights management video platform. Host, distribute and monetize all your professional, social and viral video. | ||
| D.Tube | https://d.tube/ | DTube is a community powered video sharing platform where users vote on videos to reward creators, curators, influencers and viewers in cryptocurrency. | ||
| PeerTube | https://joinpeertube.org/ | Free software to take back control of your videos | ||
| BitTube.tv | https://bittube.tv/ | A brand new social network for content creators and streamers | ||
| Streemie | https://streemie.com/ | Blockchain based video sharing platform |
Odysee
Bitchute
Rumble
D.Tube
PeerTube
BitTube.tv
Streemie
Voice Assistants
These voice assistants won't constantly send everything you say to a big tech overlord like Siri, Alexa, Bixby, or Google Assistant
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mycroft | https://mycroft.ai/ | An open and private voice assistant | ||
| Open Assistant | https://openassistant.org/ | Open source voice assistant | ||
| Jasper | https://jasperproject.github.io/ | Control everything with your voice |
Mycroft
Open Assistant
Web Browsers
A handful of web browsers that won't spy on your every move
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brave | https://brave.com/ | A fast, private browser that allows you to earn crypto for viewing ads | ||
| Iridium | https://iridiumbrowser.de/ | A browser securing your privacy. That's it. | ||
| Tor Browser | https://www.torproject.org/ | An insanely private browser that routes your traffic through the Tor network | ||
| Vivaldi | https://vivaldi.com/ | A private browser with a ton of customization possibilities | ||
| Dissenter | https://dissenter.com/download | A private browser that values free-speech and has a built in comments system | ||
| Ungoogled Chromium | https://github.com/Eloston/ungoogled-chromium | A lightweight approach to removing Google web service dependency | ||
| LibreWolf | https://librewolf-community.gitlab.io/ | A fork of Firefox, focused on privacy, security and freedom. |
Brave
Iridium
Tor Browser
Vivaldi
Dissenter
Ungoogled Chromium
Windows Antivirus
If you HAVE to use Windows, these antivirus companies send less data and respect your privacy a bit more than others
| Icon | Site/Service | Link | Tagline or Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emsisoft | https://www.emsisoft.com/ | We aim to make the most powerful yet light-weight protection | ||
| ClamAV | https://www.clamav.net/ | ClamAV® is an open source antivirus engine for detecting trojans, viruses, malware & other malicious threats. | ||
| Windows Defender | https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/comprehensive-security | It is already installed, it does an ok job, and you won't be giving your data to yet another third party |
Emsisoft
ClamAV
Windows Defender
Social Media Frontends
If you HAVE to use mainstream social media, consider using a private frontend