Privacy Protection Apps

Your privacy in today’s Internet connected and dependent world isn’t always a guarantee without the right software. From secure operating systems that respect your privacy such as many Linux distributions, to web browser add-ons that block cross-site tracking and advertising such as uBlock Origin, software focused on protecting your privacy when using the Internet today is arguably a must.

  1. Mozilla Firefox icon
    Mozilla Firefox icon

    Mozilla Firefox

     7346 likes

    Open-source browser with Gecko engine, supporting HTML add-ons and providing privacy features like Enhanced Tracking Protection and third-party cookie blocking.

    253 Mozilla Firefox alternatives
    Landing page

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Flatpak
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Gecko
    Startpage
    Private Browsing
    +4
    Customise panel

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Cloud Sync
    3.  Non profit
    4.  Tracking Protection
    5.  Privacy settings
    6.  AdBlock Friendly
    7.  Block Trackers
    8.  Picture in Picture
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Text to Speech
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Full-page Screenshot
  2. uBlock Origin icon
    uBlock Origin icon

    uBlock Origin

     1695 likes

    An efficient blocker for Chromium and Firefox. Fast and lean.

    112 uBlock Origin alternatives
    uBlock Origin screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Microsoft Edge
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Pale Moon
    • Thunderbird
    • Opera
    • Node.JS
    • Chromium
    • Mozilla Firefox
    uBlock Origin screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Element blocker
    2.  Custom filters
    3.  Browser extension
    4.  Block Trackers
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Website whitelisting
    7.  Disable JavaScript
    8.  Low CPU usage
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  No registration required
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  No Logs
  4. Signal icon
    Signal icon

    Signal

     1227 likes

    Signal is a messaging app with an unexpected focus on privacy, combined with all the features expected from a modern IM app. Signal has received a lot of praise from all around the world for its security and privacy-respecting technologies.

    222 Signal alternatives
    Signal screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    Signal screenshot 1
    Signal screenshot 2
    +4
    Signal screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Self Destructing Messages
    4.  Private messaging
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Encrypted Connection
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Mobile friendly
    9.  Desktop Application
    10.  Stickers
    11.  VoiP Calls
    12.  Support for MarkDown
  5. Brave icon
    Brave icon

    Brave

     1036 likes

    Fast, secure browser with built-in ad block, privacy controls, and global tracking protections. Optimizes data, speed, and battery life.

    237 Brave alternatives
    Brave screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    Brave screenshot 1
    Brave screenshot 2
    +4
    Brave screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Built-in Ad-blocker
    2. Tor icon  Support for TOR
    3.  Chromium-based Browsers
    4.  Block Trackers
    5.  Built-in Script Blocker
    6.  No Tracking
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    9.  Built-in VPN
    10.  Cloud Sync
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  No registration required
  6. Telegram icon
    Telegram icon

    Telegram

     2032 likes

    Telegram is a messaging app with a focus on speed and security. It’s superfast, simple, and free. It is like SMS, but more powerful.

    290 Telegram alternatives
    Telegram Desktop

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Linux Mobile
    • Android Wear
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD
    Telegram iOS #1
    Telegram iOS #2
    +17
    Telegram iOS #3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Stickers
    2.  Chat Bot
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  End-to-End Encryption
    5.  Multi Device Support
    6.  Channels
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Bots
    9.  VoiP Calls
    10.  Multiple Account support
    11.  Portable
    12.  Self Destructing Messages
  7. Ad
    Screenshot
    Opera icon

    Opera

    An advanced browser with a built-in VPN for privacy, ad blocker, Speed Dial, AI, cloud sync, and rich extensions, tailored for various devices.

    Learn More
  8. Tor Browser icon
    Tor Browser icon

    Tor Browser

     941 likes

    Enhance privacy with a secure, portable browser that hides your IP and encrypts connections on multiple platforms, maintaining anonymity.

    48 Tor Browser alternatives
    Tor Browser screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • OpenBSD
    Tor Browser 10.0.3 is now based on the new version of Firefox for Android.
    Tor browser for android alpha

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Online Anonymity
    2.  Anticensorship
    3.  Firefox-based Browsers
    4.  Tor
    5.  Built-in VPN
    6.  Block Trackers
    7.  No registration required
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Portable
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  AES-256 Encryption
  9. Proton Mail icon
    Proton Mail icon

    Proton Mail

     884 likes

    Secure Swiss-based email with end-to-end encryption and zero third-party access. Available across devices, offering a free version to promote privacy.

    94 Proton Mail alternatives
    Proton Mail screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Tor
    Proton Mail screenshot 1
    Proton Mail screenshot 2
    +6
    Proton Mail screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Encrypted Email
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Two-factor Authentication
    5.  Mobile friendly
    6.  No Tracking
    7.  Custom Domain
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  PGP Encryption
    10.  Anonymous Email
    11.  Self Destructing Messages
    12.  Calendar Integration
  10. DuckDuckGo icon
    DuckDuckGo icon

    DuckDuckGo

     1503 likes

    DuckDuckGo is an alternative search engine that has rich features, respects your privacy, and is built from free/open-source software.

    127 DuckDuckGo alternatives
    DuckDuckGo Homepage

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • F-Droid
    • Yandex Browser
    • Tor
    • Opera
    • Mozilla Firefox
    DuckDuckGo screenshot 1
    DuckDuckGo screenshot 2
    +16
    DuckDuckGo screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  No Tracking
    2.  Bangs
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Online Anonymity
    5.  No filter bubble
    6.  Instant Answers
    7.  Browser extension
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Support for Let's Encrypt
    10.  Safari extension
    11.  Zero-click info
    12.  AI-Powered
  12. LibreWolf icon
    LibreWolf icon

    LibreWolf

     221 likes

    This project is an independent fork of Firefox, with the primary goals of privacy security and user freedom. It is the community run successor to LibreFox

    89 LibreWolf alternatives
    Homeage

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • AppImageHub
    • Linux Mint
    • Arch Linux
    • Gentoo
    • Flathub
    • Fedora
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • OpenBSD
    Settings
    LibreWolf screenshot 2

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Support for Themes
    3.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Firefox-based Browsers
    2.  Multiplatform
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Block Trackers
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    7.  Based on Gecko engine
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Picture in Picture
    10.  Flatpak
  13. Linux Mint icon
    Linux Mint icon

    Linux Mint

     1099 likes

    Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people. The purpose of Linux Mint is to produce a modern, elegant and comfortable operating system which is both powerful and easy to use. Latest: Wilma (22).

    185 Linux Mint alternatives
    Linux Mint screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Linux Mint screenshot 1
    Linux Mint screenshot 2
    +8
    Linux Mint screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Windows-like
    2.  Based on Ubuntu
    3.  Support for Nvidia drivers
    4.  Cinnamon Desktop
    5.  Debian package compatible
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Linux-based
    8.  Out Of The Box
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  No registration required
  14. Ubuntu icon
    Ubuntu icon

    Ubuntu

     2341 likes

    Ubuntu is a community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more.

    162 Ubuntu alternatives
    Ubuntu 24.04 with Gnome 46

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Ubuntu
    Ubuntu screenshot 1
    Ubuntu screenshot 2
    +1
    Ubuntu screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Support for Themes
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Linux-based
    2.  Based on Debian
    3.  APT package manager
    4.  Support for Unicode
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  OTA Updates
    10.  Support for scripting
    11.  Portable
    12.  Dark Mode
  15. Proton VPN icon
    Proton VPN icon

    Proton VPN

     392 likes

    Swiss-based VPN that ensures online privacy with a high-speed network, advanced encryption, and no-logs policy, offering a free version. Supports multiple platforms and unblocks content worldwide.

    232 Proton VPN alternatives
    Proton VPN screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Android TV
    • Flatpak
    • Fire TV
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Proton VPN screenshot 1
    Proton VPN screenshot 2
    +5
    Proton VPN screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Encrypted VPN
    2.  No Logs
    3.  WireGuard
    4. Tor icon  Support for TOR
    5.  VPN Kill Switch
    6.  End-to-End Encryption
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Unblock netflix
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Block Trackers
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Dns leak blockage
  16. Opera icon
    Opera icon

    Opera

     1814 likes

    An advanced browser with a built-in VPN for privacy, ad blocker, Speed Dial, AI, cloud sync, and rich extensions, tailored for various devices.

    237 Opera alternatives
    Opera screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Kindle Fire
    • Flatpak
    Opera screenshot 1
    Opera screenshot 2
    +13
    Opera screenshot 3

    Top Opera Features

    1.  Built-in VPN
    2.  Built-in Ad-blocker
    3.  Limit ram usage
    4.  Sidebar
    5.  Portable
    6.  Support for Chrome extensions
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  Picture in Picture
    9.  Currency Conversion
    10.  Support for Gestures
    11.  Cloud Sync
    12.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
  17. Mullvad icon
    Mullvad icon

    Mullvad

     180 likes

    Mullvad is a VPN service that helps keep your online activity, identity, and location private.

    223 Mullvad alternatives
    Mullvad screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    • WireGuard
    • Qubes OS
    • Tor
    • OpenWrt
    • Tomato
    • IPFire
    • pfSense
    • OpenVPN
    • DD-WRT
    Mullvad screenshot 1
    Mullvad screenshot 2
    +10
    Mullvad screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  No Logs
    2.  WireGuard
    3.  Cryptocurrency payment
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Encrypted VPN
    6.  VPN Kill Switch
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  SOCKS proxy client and server
    9.  No registration required
    10.  Split Tunneling
    11.  Custom DNS
    12.  AES-256 Encryption
  18. Tuta Mail icon
    Tuta Mail icon

    Tuta Mail

     464 likes

    End-to-end encrypted app for email, calendar, and contacts, requiring no personal data, with open source code and quantum-resistant security.

    93 Tuta Mail alternatives
    Mail View

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Calendar View
    Contacts View
    +6
    Search feature

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Encrypted Email
    2.  End-to-End Encryption
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Custom Domain
    5.  Encrypted calendar
    6.  Contacts
    7.  Integrated File Sharing
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  Multiple Account support
    10.  Email Organizer
    11.  Auto Responder
    12.  Recurring Tasks