Privacy First List

These alternatives, often open-source and decentralized, provide similar functionalities to Big Tech software but with a strong emphasis on minimizing data collection and safeguarding user information. Reviewed every week Feel free to message me for questions

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L4sTLaughList by L4sTLaugh, last updated 
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  1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  2. An open-source AI chatbot for tasks like code writing, email drafting in a privacy-friendly, ad-free interface, often requiring no sign-up.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Online
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    HuggingChat screenshot 1
    HuggingChat screenshot 1
    HuggingChat screenshot 2
  3. Conversational point leveraging Mistral's models with educational, fun exploration, customization options, and unmatched latency across infrastructures.

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Mistral Le Chat screenshot 1
    Mistral Le Chat screenshot 1
    Mistral Le Chat screenshot 2
    +1
    Mistral Le Chat screenshot 3
  4. Venice icon
     Like

    Venice is a private, permissionless generative AI app offering text, code, and image generation without storing user data.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Venice screenshot 1
    Venice screenshot 1
    Venice screenshot 2
  5. Brave Leo icon
     Like

    Leo is an AI-powered intelligent assistant, built right into the browser. Leo can answer questions, help accomplish tasks, and more.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Brave
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Brave Leo screenshot 1
  6. Browser

  7. Brave icon
     Like

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

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    Brave screenshot 1
    Brave screenshot 1
    Brave screenshot 2
    +4
    Brave screenshot 3
  8. LibreWolf icon
     Like

    Privacy-focused browser with over 500 settings for enhanced security and performance, independent of Firefox, and not affiliated with Mozilla.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • AppImageHub
    • Linux Mint
    • Arch Linux
    • Gentoo
    • Flathub
    • Fedora
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • OpenBSD
    Homeage
    Settings
  9. The Mullvad Browser is a privacy-focused web browser developed in a collaboration between Mullvad VPN and the Tor Project. It’s designed to minimize tracking and fingerprinting. You could say it’s a Tor Browser to use without the Tor Network.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Mullvad Browser screenshot 1
    Mullvad Browser screenshot 1
    Mullvad Browser screenshot 2
    +1
    Mullvad Browser screenshot 3
  10. Privacy-centric, open-source browser with unique UI features like vertical tabs, Split View, and Zen Glance, focusing on security and tranquility.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zen Browser screenshot 1
    Zen Browser screenshot 1
    Zen Browser screenshot 2
    +8
    Zen Browser screenshot 3
  11. Open-source browser with Gecko engine, supporting HTML add-ons and providing privacy features like Enhanced Tracking Protection and third-party cookie blocking.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Flatpak
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Gecko
    Firefox Desktop (Light Theme)
    Firefox Desktop (Dark Theme)
    Firefox iOS (Light Theme)
    +7
    Firefox iOS (Dark Theme)
  12. Firefox Focus is the Mozilla-made browser that considers your privacy first and foremost. By default, it blocks ad-trackers and it helps keep things secure by providing easy ways to clear your browsing history, including passwords and cookies.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    Firefox Focus screenshot 1
    Firefox Focus screenshot 2
    Firefox Focus screenshot 3
  13. Cromite icon
     Like

    Cromite is a Chromium fork based on Bromite with privacy-focused features, built-in ad-blocking, user agent switching, and DNS modification to improve security.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    new tab page
    settings page
  14. IronFox icon
     Like

    IronFox is a fork of DivestOS's Mull Browser based on Firefox. Our goal is to continue the legacy of Mull to provide a secure, hardened and privacy-oriented browser for daily use.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    IronFox screenshot 1
    IronFox screenshot 2
    IronFox screenshot 3
  15. Enhance privacy with a secure, portable browser that hides your IP and encrypts connections on multiple platforms, maintaining anonymity.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Tor
    • OpenBSD
    • Flathub
    Tor Browser screenshot 1
    Tor Browser 10.0.3 is now based on the new version of Firefox for Android.
    Tor browser for android alpha
  16. Search Engine

  17. Brave Search is built on top of a completely independent index, and doesn’t track users, their searches, or their clicks.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Tor
    • Brave
    Brave Search screenshot 1
    Brave Search screenshot 1
    Brave Search screenshot 2
    +2
    Brave Search screenshot 3
  18. Startpage icon
     Like

    Privacy-focused search engine using Google results without trackers, storing no personal data, and offering Anonymous View for private browsing.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Tor
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Dark theme
    Light theme
    Startpage screenshot 2
    +1
    Startpage screenshot 3
  19. Privacy-focused search engine offering Zero-click Info, instant answers, and more, built from open-source software for a user-friendly experience.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

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

    SearXNG is a free internet metasearch engine which aggregates results from various search services and databases. Users are neither tracked nor profiled.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Arch Linux
    • Fedora
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Docker
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
    • Cloudron
    SearXNG screenshot 1
    SearXNG screenshot 1
    SearXNG screenshot 2
  21. MetaGer icon
     Like

    MetaGer is an open source metasearch engine focused on protecting users' privacy. Based in Germany, and hosted as a cooperation between the German NGO 'SUMA-EV - Association for Free Access to Knowledge' and the University of Hannover, the system is built on 24...

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • F-Droid
    • Tor
    Homepage. With dark mode.
    Setting for web. With dark mode.
    MetaGer screenshot 2
    +3
    MetaGer screenshot 3
  22. Qwant icon
     Like

    Qwant is a European web search engine, launched in July 2013 and operated from Paris. It uses Bing in order to provide people with web search results. It claims not to employ user tracking and doesn't personalize search results in order to avoid trapping users in a filter...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    Qwant screenshot 1
    Qwant screenshot 1
    Qwant screenshot 2
    +5
    Qwant screenshot 3
  23. Waterfox Private Search is a meta-search engine whose goal is to eventually serve as the default search option for Waterfox icon Waterfox, reducing our dependency on Microsoft and other intermediaries who typically serve as gatekeepers between you and...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    Waterfox Private Search screenshot 1
    Waterfox Private Search screenshot 1
    Waterfox Private Search screenshot 2
  24. VPN

  25. Mullvad icon
     Like

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

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    • WireGuard
    • Tor
    • OpenWrt
    • Tomato
    • pfSense
    • DD-WRT
    Mullvad screenshot 1
    Mullvad screenshot 1
    Mullvad screenshot 2
    +10
    Mullvad screenshot 3
  26. 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.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Apple TV
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Android TV
    • Flatpak
    • Fire TV
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Proton VPN screenshot 1
    Proton VPN on Fedora
    Proton VPN screenshot 2
    +6
    Proton VPN screenshot 3
  27. IVPN icon
     Like

    IVPN is a commercial VPN service focused on multihop VPN connections and that does not log any data relating to their customers activities.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    • WireGuard
    • OPNsense
    • OpenWrt
    • Tomato
    • pfSense
    • OpenVPN
    • DD-WRT
    • Snapcraft
    IVPN screenshot 1
    IVPN screenshot 2
    IVPN screenshot 3
  28. Windscribe is a desktop application and browser extension that work together to block ads and trackers, restore access to blocked content and help you safeguard your privacy online.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Apple TV
    • F-Droid
    • Android TV
    • Fire TV
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    Windscribe screenshot 1
    Windscribe screenshot 2
    Windscribe screenshot 3
  29. Email

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

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Tor
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    Proton Mail screenshot 1
    Proton Mail screenshot 1
    Proton Mail screenshot 2
    +9
    Proton Mail screenshot 3
  31. Tuta Mail icon
     Like

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

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Tuta Mail screenshot 1
    Tuta Mail screenshot 1
    Tuta Mail screenshot 2
    +1
    Tuta Mail screenshot 3
  32. StartMail icon
     Like

    Privacy-focused email service with one-click PGP encryption. Dutch privacy ensures strong data protection. Offers disposable email addresses.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    StartMail screenshot 1
    StartMail screenshot 1
  33. mailbox icon
     Like

    E-mail inbox, online office, cloud storage, and video conferencing. Business or personal plans. From 1 € /month (1.10 USD).

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    mailbox screenshot 1
    mailbox screenshot 1
    mailbox screenshot 2
    +3
    mailbox screenshot 3
  34. Posteo icon
     Like

    Web- and IMAP-based email service. 2GB cost 1€/month. Information is hosted on encrypted hard drives. Electricity from renewable resources is used.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    Drag and drop
    Conversion view
    WYSIWYG
    +10
    Contact page
  35. Email Aliasing

  36. Open source solution to protect your personal email address. Generous free plan with uncapped bandwidth and infinite sends/replies, self-hostable, lot of powerful features, open roadmap, you can count on SimpleLogin to guard your email inbox.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • F-Droid
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Open source solution to protect your email address.
    Create alias quickly with SimpleLogin Chrome & Firefox extension.
    Alias management dashboard.
    +1
    Visualize all emails sent to or replied from an alias.
  37. addy.io icon
     Like

    Open-source service offering unlimited anonymous email aliases, encrypted forwarding, spam protection, and anonymous replies to keep your identity private.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Manage aliases from the dashboard
    The main interface for the Firefox extension
    Settings for the extension
    +1
    Generate Random Chars alias using the extension.
  38. Calendar

  39. Your calendar is a record of your life. Proton Calendar helps keep it private.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • Tor
    • iPad
    Proton Calendar screenshot 1
    Proton Calendar screenshot 1
    Proton Calendar screenshot 2
    +2
    Proton Calendar screenshot 3
  40. Organize events with encrypted privacy, zero-knowledge and no tracking. Features include multi-device sync, multiple views, and offline support.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    Tuta Calendar screenshot 1
    Tuta Calendar screenshot 1
    Tuta Calendar screenshot 2
    +4
    Tuta Calendar screenshot 3
  41. Password Manager

  42. Bitwarden icon
     Like

    Open-source password manager with AES-256 encryption and device sync. Store and access encrypted logins across platforms like iOS and Android.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Apple Watch
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Microsoft SQL Server
    • Tor Browser
    • Safari
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    • Cloudron
    • Opera
    • Chocolatey
    • Mono
    • Brave
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Docker
    Bitwarden screenshot 1
    Bitwarden screenshot 1
    Bitwarden screenshot 2
    +10
    Bitwarden screenshot 3
  43. 1Password icon
     Like

    Securely manage passwords across devices with auto-fill and vulnerability alerts, organizing passwords and notes for quick access and synchronization.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Yandex Browser
    • Opera
    • Brave
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Snapcraft
    Desktop & Mobile Apps
    1Password screenshot 1
    1Password screenshot 2
    +2
    1Password screenshot 3
  44. A password manager that ensures identity and password security with rigorous, end-to-end encryption, built by scientists from CERN, and recommended by the United Nations.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Safari
    • F-Droid
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Snapcraft
    Proton Pass screenshot 1
    Proton Pass screenshot 1
    Proton Pass screenshot 2
    +3
    Proton Pass screenshot 3
  45. KeePassXC icon
     Like

    KeePassXC is a modern, secure, and open-source password manager that stores and manages your most sensitive information.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Welcome Screen
    Unlock Database
    New Database Wizard
    +13
    New Database Wizard
  46. KeePassDX icon
     Like

    KeePassDX is a material design KeePass client for managing keys and passwords in an encrypted database for your Android device.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    KeePassDX screenshot 1
    KeePassDX screenshot 2
    KeePassDX screenshot 3
  47. Strongbox icon
     Like

    Securely stores passwords with Touch ID and YubiKey protection. Compatible with KeePass and Password Safe, offers military-grade security.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Strongbox screenshot 1
    Strongbox screenshot 2
    Strongbox screenshot 3
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Comments

Myrano
1

Great list! I would only replace Mull, which is a discontinued project, with its fork Ironfox.

youlk1234
1

You should definitely add Zen to the browsers! Execpt that, your list is very good!

Gu