Apps Recommended on Privacy Guides

Privacy Guides is a socially motivated website that provides information for protecting your data security and privacy. Their mission is to inform the public about the value of digital privacy, and global government initiatives which aim to monitor your online activity. We are a non-profit collective operated entirely by volunteer team members and contributors. The website is free of advertisements and not affiliated with any of the listed providers.

This list includes many of the apps recommended on the website.

JA
Jonah AragonList by Jonah Aragon, last updated 
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  1. Privacy Guides is the source of information on this list, updated as of March 27, 2023. It also has lots of useful resources on privacy and how to protect your personal information online, so be sure to check it out directly!

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    Privacy Guides Homepage
    Desktop browser recommendation listings
    VPN provider recommendation listings
    +1
    Privacy knowledgebase example
  2. Web Browsers

  3. 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
    • OpenBSD
    • Tor
    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
  4. 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
  5. 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

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • 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)
  6. 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
    Brave screenshot 1
    Brave screenshot 1
    Brave screenshot 2
    +4
    Brave screenshot 3
  7. Android Operating Systems

  8. GrapheneOS is a privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility developed as a non-profit open source project. It's focused on the research and development of privacy and security technology including substantial improvements to sandboxing, exploit...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    GrapheneOS screenshot 1
    GrapheneOS screenshot 1
    GrapheneOS screenshot 2
  9. Desktop Operating Systems

  10. Qubes OS icon
     Like

    Qubes is an open source operating system designed to provide strong security for desktop computing.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Fedora
    • Xen
    Qubes OS screenshot 1
    Qubes OS screenshot 1
    Qubes OS screenshot 2
    +9
    Qubes OS screenshot 3
  11. Fedora icon
     Like

    Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Fedora 38
    Fedora screenshot 1
    Fedora screenshot 2
    +9
    XFCE spin
  12. openSUSE icon
     Like

    openSUSE is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    GNOME desktop in openSUSE Leap 15.2.
    KDE Plasma desktop in openSUSE Leap 15.2.
    XFCE desktop in openSUSE Leap 15.2.
  13. Arch Linux is an independently developed, x86_64 optimized GNU/Linux distribution targeted at competent Linux users. It uses pacman, its home-grown package manager, to provide updates to the latest software applications with full dependency tracking.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    arch with KDE 4.4 desktop
    another arch with KDE 4.3 desktop
    arch for console addict
    +1
    arch with openbox window manager
  14. NixOS icon
     Like

    NixOS is a GNU/Linux distribution that aims to improve the state of the art in system configuration management. In existing distributions, actions such as upgrades are dangerous: upgrading a package can cause other packages to break, upgrading an entire system is much less...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    NixOS screenshot 1
    NixOS screenshot 1
  15. Whonix icon
     Like

    Whonix is a desktop operating system designed for advanced security and privacy. Whonix mitigates the threat of common attack vectors while maintaining usability. Online anonymity is realized via fail-safe, automatic, and desktop-wide use of the Tor network.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Whonix Desktop Environment
    Whonix Workstation running on Ubuntu
    Whonix Gateway running on XFCE
  16. Tails icon
     Like

    The Amnesic Incognito Live System (Tails) is a Debian icon Debian 9 based live CD/USB with the goal of providing complete Internet anonymity for the user. The product ships with several Internet applications, including web browser, IRC client, mail client...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Tor Browser
    • GNOME
    • Tor
    • Thunderbird
    Tails screenshot 1
    Tails screenshot 1
  17. Router Firmware

  18. OpenWrt icon
     Like

    OpenWrt Project is a Linux operating system targeting embedded devices. Instead of trying to create a single, static firmware, OpenWrt provides a fully writable filesystem with package management. This frees you from the application selection and configuration provided by the...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    OpenWrt screenshot 1
    OpenWrt screenshot 1
    OpenWrt screenshot 2
    +6
    OpenWrt screenshot 3
  19. OPNsense icon
     Like

    OPNsense includes most of the features available in expensive commercial firewalls, and more in many cases. It brings the rich feature set of commercial offerings with the benefits of open and verifiable sources.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    OPNsense screenshot 1
    Login
    Dashboard
    +5
    System Logs
  20. Cloud Storage

  21. Emphasizes privacy with end-to-end encryption, Proton Drive safely stores, synchronizes, and shares files across devices via web and mobile applications.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Tor
    Proton Drive screenshot 1
    Proton Drive screenshot 1
    Proton Drive screenshot 2
    +7
    Proton Drive screenshot 3
  22. Tresorit icon
     Like

    End-to-end encrypted file sync and sharing with secure workspace, robust permission management, two-factor authentication, and mobile offline access.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Access encrypted documents from any device and stay in sync with your team.
    Securely share anything within the company, or with clients and contractors.
    Replace attachments with encrypted links. Send files even directly from Outlook with download limit, expiry data and password protection.
    +5
    Keep track of changes and stay safe and productive. Users can roll back to any previous version of a document.
  23. Email Services

  24. 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
    Proton Mail screenshot 1
    Proton Mail screenshot 1
    Proton Mail screenshot 2
    +9
    Proton Mail screenshot 3
  25. 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
  26. 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
  27. 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
  28. Financial Services

  29. Make a unique debit card number for every single purchase online with just 1 click. Never worry again about credit card breaches, shady merchants, or sneaky subscription billing.

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • iPad
    Privacy.com screenshot 1
    Privacy.com screenshot 1
    Privacy.com screenshot 2
    +1
    Privacy.com screenshot 3
  30. MySudo icon
     Like

    Send private messages, manage multiple phone numbers and email addresses, and create custom personal identities that last as long as you need them.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    MySudo screenshot 1
    MySudo screenshot 2
    MySudo screenshot 3
  31. CakePay icon
     Like

    Cake Pay makes it easy to buy gift cards and related products with virtual assets for use at millions of merchants worldwide!.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    CakePay screenshot 1
  32. Coincards icon
     Like

    Bridging The Gap Between Retail And Crypto Consumers.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
  33. Search Engines

  34. 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
  35. 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
  36. 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
  37. 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
  38. VPN Services

  39. 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
    • Tomato
    • pfSense
    • DD-WRT
    • OpenVPN
    • WireGuard
    • OpenWrt
    • OPNsense
    IVPN screenshot 1
    IVPN screenshot 2
    IVPN screenshot 3
  40. 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
  41. 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
  42. Calendar Sync

  43. 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
  44. Cryptocurrency

  45. Monero icon
     Like

    Monero is a digital currency that is secure, private, and untraceable. It is open-source and freely available to all. With Monero, you are your own bank. Only you control and are responsible for your funds, and your accounts and transactions are kept private from prying eyes.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    Monero screenshot 1
    Monero screenshot 1
    Monero screenshot 2
  46. Data Redaction

  47. mat2 icon
     Like

    mat2 is a metadata removal tool, supporting a wide range of commonly used file formats, written in python3: at its core, it's a library, used by an eponymous command-line interface, as well as several file manager extensions.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Python
  48. ExifEraser is a modern, permissionless image metadata erasing application for Android 6.0+.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    Exif Eraser screenshot 1
    Exif Eraser screenshot 2
    Exif Eraser screenshot 3
  49. Metapho icon
     Like

    Check and Edit EXIF Metadata.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Metapho screenshot 1
    Metapho screenshot 2
    Metapho screenshot 3
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