Find secure alternatives to mainstream apps that respect your privacy and protect your personal information.
Find out how private your digital habits are with our Privacy Score Checker.
Check how strong and guess‑resistant your passwords are.
simple quiz
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Why VPNs Are Essential for Privacy: Protect your online privacy with VPNs
❌ Avoid: Free VPNs, services from surveillance-heavy countries, VPNs without no-logs policies
Learn More →💬
Why Secure Messaging Is Essential: Discover why end-to-end encryption is crucial for your communications and learn about messaging apps that truly protect your privacy.
❌ Avoid: WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, SMS, iMessage (for sensitive communications)
Learn More →🌐
Why Browser Privacy Is Critical: Your browser knows everything about you. Learn why privacy browsers are essential and discover alternatives that respect your digital rights.
❌ Avoid: Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, browsers with tracking enabled
Learn More →📧
Why Email Privacy Is Critical: Your email contains your most sensitive information. Learn why secure email providers are essential and discover alternatives that respect your privacy.
❌ Avoid: Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, free email for sensitive communications
Learn More →🔍
Why Search Privacy Is Critical: Your search history reveals everything about you. Learn why private search engines are essential and discover alternatives that don't track your queries.
❌ Avoid: Google Search, Bing, Yahoo Search, search engines that track queries
Learn More →🔑
Why Password Security Is Critical: Your passwords are the keys to your digital life. Learn why secure password managers are essential and discover alternatives that protect your credentials.
❌ Avoid: Browser password managers, weak passwords, password reuse across sites
Learn More →The country where an app is based determines which privacy laws apply to your data.
Privacy-Friendly
Countries with strong privacy laws and independent oversight.
Examples: Switzerland 🇨🇭, Germany 🇩🇪, Netherlands 🇳🇱
Mixed Privacy
Countries with some privacy protections but surveillance concerns.
Examples: USA 🇺🇸, UK 🇬🇧, Canada 🇨🇦
Privacy Concerns
Countries with limited privacy protections and extensive surveillance.
Examples: China 🇨🇳, Russia 🇷🇺
Important Note
Jurisdiction is just one factor. Also consider the app's technical implementation, transparency reports, and independent audits when evaluating privacy.
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Signal is the gold standard in private messaging. Endorsed by journalists and privacy advocates, it offers end-to-end encryption by default for messages, voice, and video calls. Signal collects virtually no metadata and is funded by donations—not ads or data harvesting.
🇺🇸
the United States
Session is a private messaging app that doesn't require a phone number or email. It uses the Oxen blockchain for enhanced privacy and security.
Element is a secure messaging app based on the Matrix protocol. It offers end-to-end encryption and supports group chats, voice calls, and video calls.
🇬🇧
the United Kingdom
SimpleX Chat is a protocol and app that delivers private messaging without user IDs or phone numbers. It uses temporary anonymous identifiers and routing via servers you can run yourself. It's perfect for the most privacy-conscious users.
🇬🇧
the United Kingdom
Briar is a peer-to-peer messaging app for Android that works without internet access by syncing over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It's designed for activists, protesters, and anyone who needs resilient communication in hostile environments.
🇩🇪
Germany
Threema is a privacy-respecting messenger that collects no data and operates under Swiss privacy laws. It is a paid app, so it doesn't rely on ads or tracking. No phone number or email required—users are identified by a random ID.
🇨🇭
Switzerland
ProtonMail is an end-to-end encrypted email service based in Switzerland. It offers privacy by default, no ads, and is protected by Swiss privacy laws.
🇨🇭
Switzerland
Tutanota is a German email service with automatic end-to-end encryption. It's open source, based in Germany, and offers complete privacy.
🇩🇪
Germany
StartMail is a private email service run by the makers of Startpage (private search). Based in the Netherlands, it offers strong encryption, aliases, and no ads. Unlike Proton or Tutanota, it's not free—but it's easy to use and highly private.
🇳🇱
the Netherlands
Posteo is a German email provider that focuses on privacy and sustainability. It offers anonymous registration, strong encryption, and is powered by green energy.
🇩🇪
Germany
Mailbox.org is a German email and groupware provider that offers business-friendly privacy features. It provides email, calendar, contacts, and cloud storage with strong encryption.
🇩🇪
Germany
Brave is a fast, privacy-first browser that blocks trackers, ads, and fingerprinting by default. Built on Chromium, it supports all Chrome extensions while removing Google spying. It also offers private tabs with Tor integration for anonymous browsing.
🇺🇸
the United States
Tor Browser is the ultimate tool for anonymous browsing. It routes all traffic through the Tor network to hide your IP address and block trackers. It's essential for activists, journalists, or anyone under surveillance.
🇺🇸
the United States
Firefox is a mainstream open-source browser with powerful privacy controls. Its Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks ads, fingerprinting, and third-party cookies. With privacy-focused add-ons like uBlock Origin and HTTPS Everywhere, Firefox can be one of the safest browsers available.
🇺🇸
the United States
Mull is a hardened version of Firefox for Android that disables telemetry, integrates anti-fingerprinting patches, and supports add-ons. Built by the DivestOS team, it's one of the best mobile browsers for serious privacy advocates.
🇺🇸
the United States
LibreWolf is a privacy-focused Firefox fork that removes all telemetry, tracking, and anti-freedom features. It comes with privacy-enhancing settings enabled by default, making it one of the most private browsers available without any configuration needed.
Mullvad Browser is a privacy-focused browser developed by Mullvad VPN and the Tor Project. It provides anti-fingerprinting protection without routing traffic through Tor, making it faster while still protecting your privacy.
🇸🇪
Sweden
Bitwarden is an open source password manager that offers end-to-end encryption for all your passwords. It's available on all platforms and offers a generous free tier.
🇺🇸
the United States
KeePassXC is a local password manager that stores your passwords in an encrypted database file. It's open-source and doesn't require an internet connection.
🇩🇪
Germany
Mullvad is the most private VPN on the market. You don't even need an email to sign up — just a random account number. It's open source, doesn't log anything, and has passed multiple independent audits.
🇸🇪
Sweden
Proton VPN is built by the team behind Proton Mail and offers a free plan with no logs, no ads, and no bandwidth limits. It supports Tor over VPN and Secure Core routing.
IVPN is a high-trust VPN provider that offers anonymous sign-up, no logs, and supports open-source clients. Based in Gibraltar and independently audited.
🇨🇭
Switzerland
Riseup VPN is run by the Riseup collective, an activist tech group offering privacy tools for dissidents and journalists. It doesn't require signup, keeps no logs, and runs on donations.
🇺🇸
the United States
Mastodon is a decentralized social network similar to Twitter/X. Instead of a central server, it runs on a network of independently hosted instances that communicate with each other. No ads, no tracking, no algorithm deciding what you see.
🇩🇪
Germany
Pixelfed is a privacy-focused photo sharing platform, an alternative to Instagram. It's decentralized, ad-free, and doesn't track your activity or sell your data to advertisers.
🇩🇪
Germany
PeerTube is a decentralized video platform, an alternative to YouTube. Videos are hosted across multiple servers, making it resistant to censorship and giving creators more control over their content.
🇫🇷
France
Lemmy is a decentralized link aggregator and discussion platform, an alternative to Reddit. It's federated, meaning multiple communities can interact with each other while remaining independent.
🇩🇪
Germany
CryptPad is a fully end-to-end encrypted alternative to Google Docs, offering real-time collaboration on rich text documents, spreadsheets, kanban boards, forms, and more. You can use it anonymously, and even without creating an account.
🇫🇷
France
Etherpad is a real-time collaborative editor that you can host yourself. It’s not encrypted out-of-the-box, but gives total control when paired with secure hosting and HTTPS. Perfect for privacy-aware teams that want to manage their own infrastructure.
🇩🇪
Germany
The Librem 5 is a Linux-based smartphone that prioritizes privacy and security. It features hardware kill switches and runs PureOS, a privacy-focused Linux distribution.
🇺🇸
the United States
NextDNS is a privacy-focused DNS service that blocks ads, trackers, and malware. It offers customizable filtering and detailed analytics.
🇨🇭
Switzerland
AdGuard Home is a network-wide ad and tracker blocking solution. It's open-source and can be self-hosted on your network.
🇨🇾
Cyprus
Pi-hole is a network-wide ad blocking solution that runs on a Raspberry Pi or other Linux device. It's open-source and highly customizable.
🇺🇸
the United States
Quad9 is a nonprofit DNS service that provides privacy protection and security filtering. It's operated by the Quad9 Foundation and offers free DNS resolution with built-in security features.
🇨🇭
Switzerland
Proton is a comprehensive privacy suite that includes email, VPN, cloud storage, and calendar services. All services are end-to-end encrypted and based in Switzerland.
🇨🇭
Switzerland
Tuta (formerly Tutanota) is a privacy-focused email and calendar service with end-to-end encryption. It's open-source and based in Germany.
🇩🇪
Germany
Kagi is a premium, ad-free, privacy-first search engine. It offers fast, human-friendly results with zero tracking. It includes a built-in AI assistant, 'FastGPT', for chat-based responses — all without selling your data or injecting ads.
🇺🇸
the United States
You.com is an AI-powered search engine with private and non-private modes. Its private mode claims to disable history, logs, and tracking while still providing AI assistant features. Note: Privacy claims should be verified independently.
🇺🇸
the United States
Andi is a new kind of search engine with a chat-style interface that explains answers using generative AI. It's private by default — no ads, no tracking, and no creepy profiling. Super visual, mobile-first, and human-friendly.
🇺🇸
the United States
Wormhole offers simple, end-to-end encrypted file sharing in your browser. Files self-destruct after 24 hours or after the first download. Great for quick sharing with no account, no ads, and no file logging.
🇺🇸
the United States
FilePizza is a peer-to-peer file sharing tool that uses WebRTC to send files directly between devices — no server storage involved. As soon as the receiver connects, the file streams straight from your device.
🇺🇸
the United States
Startpage delivers Google search results — without the tracking. It strips identifying info from your queries and doesn't log or store any data. It even lets you open results in a private proxy view to avoid hitting the website directly.
🇳🇱
the Netherlands
DuckDuckGo is the most well-known private search engine. It doesn't track your searches or create personal profiles. It also powers private browsing features in their browser and browser extension, which blocks trackers on websites.
🇺🇸
the United States
Brave Search is built by the makers of the Brave browser. It uses its **own independent index** (unlike DuckDuckGo, which relies on Bing) and doesn't track or profile users. It can be used inside or outside the Brave browser.
🇺🇸
the United States
SearxNG is a powerful open-source meta-search engine you can self-host or use via public instances. It aggregates results from many engines (Google, Bing, Qwant, etc.) while stripping all tracking. The ultimate DIY option for search privacy.
🇩🇪
Germany
Ecosia is a search engine that plants trees with its profits. It uses Bing's search results but adds privacy protections and donates 80% of its profits to tree planting projects. A great choice for environmentally conscious users who want privacy.
🇩🇪
Germany
Qwant is a European search engine focused on privacy and user control. It doesn't track users, doesn't use cookies for profiling, and provides search results from multiple sources. Based in France with strong EU privacy protections.
🇫🇷
France
/e/OS is a privacy-focused Android distribution that replaces Google services with its own alternatives. It's designed to be user-friendly and privacy-focused.
🇫🇷
France
Nextcloud is an open-source cloud storage platform that you can self-host or use through a provider. It offers file sharing, collaboration tools, and end-to-end encryption.
🇩🇪
Germany
Proton Drive is an end-to-end encrypted cloud storage service from the makers of ProtonMail. It offers zero-knowledge encryption and strong privacy features.
🇨🇭
Switzerland
Internxt is a decentralized cloud storage service that uses blockchain technology for enhanced privacy and security. It offers zero-knowledge encryption.
🇪🇸
Spain
Filen is a zero-knowledge encrypted cloud storage service that offers end-to-end encryption for all your files. It's open-source and privacy-focused.
🇩🇪
Germany
Tresorit is a business-focused cloud storage service with end-to-end encryption. It offers strong security features and compliance with various regulations.
🇨🇭
Switzerland
MEGA is a cloud storage service that offers end-to-end encryption and a generous free storage quota. It's based in New Zealand and provides strong privacy protection for your files.
Sync.com is a Canadian cloud storage service that offers zero-knowledge encryption and strong privacy protection. It's based in Canada, which has strong privacy laws.
🇨🇦
Canada
Cryptomator is an open-source client-side encryption tool that allows you to encrypt files before uploading them to any cloud storage service. It creates encrypted vaults that work with Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and other cloud providers.
🇩🇪
Germany
VeraCrypt is an open-source disk encryption software that creates encrypted containers and can encrypt entire drives. It's the successor to TrueCrypt and provides strong encryption for sensitive data.
🇫🇷
France
Magic Wormhole is a secure peer-to-peer file transfer tool that uses short codes to establish connections. It's simple to use and provides end-to-end encryption for secure file sharing.
🇺🇸
the United States
OnionShare is a secure file sharing tool that uses the Tor network to create temporary websites for sharing files, sites, and chat. It's completely private and doesn't require any servers.
🇺🇸
the United States
Organic Maps is a privacy-focused offline map application based on OpenStreetMap data. It works completely offline, doesn't track users, and provides detailed maps for navigation without any data collection.
🇪🇪
Estonia
Cryptee is an end-to-end encrypted document and photo storage service based in Estonia. It provides a secure alternative to Google Docs and Google Photos with strong privacy protection.
🇪🇪
Estonia
Joplin is an open-source note-taking and to-do application with end-to-end encryption. It can sync across devices and supports markdown formatting, making it perfect for both personal and professional use.
🇫🇷
France
Standard Notes is a simple, private notes app with end-to-end encryption. It's now part of the Proton family and offers a clean, distraction-free writing experience with strong privacy protection.
🇨🇭
Switzerland
/e/OS is a de-Googled version of Android that removes all Google services and replaces them with privacy-focused alternatives. It's developed by Murena and provides a complete Android experience without Google tracking.
🇫🇷
France
CalyxOS is a privacy-focused Android distribution developed by The Calyx Institute. It provides enhanced privacy features, microG support, and works on select Android devices with strong security hardening.
🇺🇸
the United States
GrapheneOS is a privacy and security-focused Android distribution that provides enhanced security features and privacy protection. It's designed for Pixel phones and offers the highest level of Android security.
🇨🇦
Canada
Qubes OS is a security-focused desktop operating system that uses virtualization to compartmentalize different activities. It provides strong isolation between applications and is designed for users who need maximum security.
🇨🇭
Switzerland
Tails is an amnesic live operating system that you can start on almost any computer from a USB stick or a DVD. It's designed to leave no trace of your activity and routes all connections through Tor for anonymity.
🇫🇷
France
Ente Photos is an end-to-end encrypted photo and file backup service that provides secure cloud storage for your memories. It offers automatic backup, sharing features, and strong privacy protection.
Immich is a high-performance, self-hosted photo and video backup solution. It provides automatic backup, sharing, and management features similar to Google Photos but with complete privacy control.
Miniflux is a minimalist, fast RSS reader that you can self-host. It provides a clean interface for reading RSS feeds and supports various feed formats. It's designed to be lightweight and privacy-focused.
🇫🇷
France
NetNewsWire is an open-source RSS reader designed specifically for Apple platforms. It provides a native experience on macOS and iOS with support for various feed formats and sync services.
🇺🇸
the United States
Fathom Analytics is a privacy-focused web analytics service that provides simple, GDPR-compliant website analytics without tracking personal data. It's based in Canada and offers both hosted and self-hosted options.
🇨🇦
Canada
Matomo is a comprehensive web analytics platform that you can self-host or use as a cloud service. It's GDPR-friendly and provides detailed analytics while respecting user privacy. Formerly known as Piwik.
Plausible Analytics is a lightweight, privacy-focused web analytics service that provides simple, GDPR-compliant website statistics. It's designed to be a privacy-friendly alternative to Google Analytics.
🇪🇪
Estonia
DuckDuckGo Email Protection is a free email forwarding service that removes trackers from emails and provides private email addresses. It's integrated with DuckDuckGo's privacy-focused ecosystem.
🇺🇸
the United States
SimpleLogin is an open-source email aliasing service that allows you to create unlimited email aliases. It's now part of the Proton family and provides strong privacy protection for your email addresses.
🇨🇭
Switzerland
AnonAddy is an open-source email aliasing service that allows you to create unlimited email aliases. You can self-host it or use the hosted service, providing complete control over your email privacy.
🇬🇧
the United Kingdom
Thunderbird is an open-source email client developed by Mozilla. It provides a full-featured email experience with support for multiple accounts, calendar integration, and extensive customization options.
🇺🇸
the United States