Recommended Software for the Average Joe and Jane

Criteria I look for are as follows: — Open source code: publicly audited — Privacy-focus: minimal data collection, encryption by default — Security-focus: 2FA available, encryption by default — End-to-end encryption (E2EE) when appropriate — Cross-platform or progressive web apps (PWAs) + cloud backup/sync — Freemium subscription model, so basic features are always available for free — Performance, functionality, and user experience — Oligarchy alternative

List will continually be updated periodically.

al
almondelf2List by almondelf2, last updated 
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  1. Web Browsers

  2. 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
  3. 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)
  4. Open-source privacy browser that blocks trackers, enforces encryption, and provides Privacy Grade ratings, focusing on control and user data security.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser screenshot 1
    DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser screenshot 1
    DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser screenshot 2
    +5
    DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser screenshot 3
  5. Extensions/Add-Ons for web browsers

  6. Block ads, cookies, popups & other trackers. Ghostery sets you up for a private, transparent, and fast internet.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Yandex Browser
    • Opera
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Ghostery Tracker & Ad Blocker screenshot 1
    Ghostery Tracker & Ad Blocker screenshot 1
    Ghostery Tracker & Ad Blocker screenshot 2
    +1
    Ghostery Tracker & Ad Blocker screenshot 3
  7. The Firefox Multi-Account Containers extension lets you carve out a separate box for each of your online lives – no more opening a different browser just to check your work email! Here is a quick video showing you how it works.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Firefox
    Firefox Multi-account Containers screenshot 1
    Firefox Multi-account Containers screenshot 1
    Firefox Multi-account Containers screenshot 2
  8. Bookmark Manager

  9. Bookmark Manager

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Yandex Browser
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Opera
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Raindrop.io interface with dark theme selected
    service description (Snapshot from homepage)
    (Snapshot from homepage)
    +5
    organize feature description (Snapshot from homepage)
  10. Virtual Private Networks (VPN)

  11. 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
  12. 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 1
    Windscribe screenshot 2
    +3
    Windscribe screenshot 3
  13. DNS

  14. Control D icon
     Like

    Control D is a modern and customizable DNS service that blocks threats, unwanted content and ads - on all devices. Onboard in minutes, and forget about it.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • Android
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    • Google Chrome
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Online
    Control D screenshot 1
    Control D screenshot 1
    Control D screenshot 2
    +2
    Control D screenshot 3
  15. NextDNS icon
     Like

    NextDNS protects you from all kinds of security threats, blocks ads and trackers on websites and in apps and provides a safe and supervised Internet for kids — on all devices and on all networks.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • UC Browser
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • UniFi Network
    • Safari
    • Yandex Browser
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • OpenWrt
    • Opera
    • Alpine Linux
    • pfSense
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • DD-WRT
    NextDNS screenshot 1
    NextDNS screenshot 1
    NextDNS screenshot 2
    +11
    NextDNS screenshot 3
  16. Password Managers

  17. 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
    • Docker
    • Opera
    • Chocolatey
    • Mono
    • Brave
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • AppImage
    Bitwarden screenshot 1
    Bitwarden screenshot 1
    Bitwarden screenshot 2
    +10
    Bitwarden screenshot 3
  18. 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
  19. End-to-end encrypted manager for passwords, aliases, and unique email addresses, offering local data encryption, alias creation, and optional cloud or self-hosting.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Docker
    • Mozilla Firefox
    AliasVault screenshot 1
    AliasVault screenshot 1
    AliasVault screenshot 2
    +1
    AliasVault screenshot 3
  20. Authenticators

  21. Ente Auth icon
     Like

    Generates, stores, and encrypts two-factor authentication tokens, enables secure backup, offers offline access, multi-device sync, and flexible import/export options.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    Ente Auth screenshot 1
    Ente Auth screenshot 1
    Ente Auth screenshot 2
    +6
    Ente Auth screenshot 3
  22. Bitwarden Authenticator generates verification codes for two-factor authentication, ensuring your identity is verified when you log into accounts.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Bitwarden Authenticator screenshot 1
    Bitwarden Authenticator screenshot 1
    Bitwarden Authenticator screenshot 2
    +1
    Bitwarden Authenticator screenshot 3
  23. Protect your accounts with Proton Authenticator, a private and secure cross-device two-factor authentication (2FA) that works offline. Created by Proton, the creators of Proton Mail, Proton VPN, Proton Drive, and Proton Pass.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    Proton Authenticator screenshot 1
    Proton Authenticator screenshot 1
    Proton Authenticator screenshot 2
    +3
    Proton Authenticator screenshot 3
  24. Maps/Navigation

  25. CoMaps icon
     Like

    CoMaps is a new community-driven map app project born out of the desire to create a truly open, transparent, and community-focused navigation app.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Android Auto
    • F-Droid
    • Apple Car Play
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Linux
    CoMaps screenshot 1
    CoMaps screenshot 1
    CoMaps screenshot 2
    +3
    CoMaps screenshot 3
  26. Privacy-focused GPS app with offline maps and community development, featuring real-time navigation, no location tracking, and open-source software.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • OpenStreetMap
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Organic Maps screenshot 1
    Organic Maps screenshot 1
    Organic Maps screenshot 2
    +4
    Organic Maps screenshot 3
  27. Team-Based Communication & Collaboration

  28. Go ahead, video chat with the whole team. In fact, invite everyone you know. Jitsi Meet is a fully encrypted, 100% open source video conferencing solution that you can use all day, every day, for free.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Apple Watch
    • F-Droid
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 1
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 1
    Jitsi Meet screenshot 2
  29. Zulip icon
     Like

    Threaded group chat with topics for live or async collaboration, open-source, supporting self-hosted or cloud use, suited for organized team discussions.

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Zulip screenshot 1
    Zulip screenshot 1
    Zulip screenshot 2
    +4
    Zulip screenshot 3
  30. Excalidraw is an open-source whiteboard tool that lets you easily sketch diagrams that have a hand-drawn feel to them. Available directly online as a web app and also through CodeSandbox to easily see how the code works, and the app is available for self-hosting.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Excalidraw screenshot 1
    Excalidraw screenshot 1
    Excalidraw screenshot 2
    +1
    Excalidraw screenshot 3
  31. Private Messengers + Group Chat

  32. Signal icon
     Like

    An encrypted messaging app focused on privacy, supporting texts, calls, photos, videos, files, and group chats, with no ads or trackers.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

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

  34. 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.
  35. Open-source client enhancing Thunderbird with more features and bug fixes. Offers security patches and multi-row descriptions like Outlook.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Chocolatey
    Betterbird screenshot 1
    Betterbird screenshot 1
    Calendar view with custom thundirbird dark theme
    +10
    System tray (systray) for Linux
  36. Media

  37. Cross-platform, free media player supports multimedia files, DVDs, streaming, offers hardware acceleration, 4K, lossless audio, and more.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • AppImageHub
    • Apple Watch
    • Snapcraft
    • Google Chrome
    • Apple TV
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Kindle Fire
    • Haiku
    • Android TV
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    VLC Media Player screenshot 1
    VLC Media Player screenshot 1
    VLC Media Player screenshot 2
    +4
    VLC Media Player screenshot 3
  38. Ad-free and privacy-focused downloader for videos, music, and media from major social and media platforms, supporting direct sharing link downloads and open API integration.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker
    Media Downloader - Page (Home)
    Remux - Page
  39. NeoDLP icon
     Like

    NeoDLP is a versatile desktop application designed for downloading videos and audio from various online sources. With a modern user interface, it provides seamless integration with browsers, making it easy for users to capture content directly from the web.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
    Downloader
    Completed Downloads
    Ongoing Downloads
    +1
    Settings
  40. VERT.sh icon
     Like

    VERT.sh is an online file converter that processes files on your device instead of the cloud. It's blazingly fast, ad-free, and open source.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Landing page (light mode)
    Conversion page (dark mode)
    Conversion page (light mode)
    +1
    Conversion page, many files (light mode)
  41. PDFs

  42. Sioyek icon
     Like

    Sioyek is a PDF viewer with minimal interface optimized for reading research papers and technical books.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Main view
    You can search in the table of contents
    Portals show relevant figures to the current location in a separate window
    +2
    Middle clicking on the name of a figure takes you to the figure, event if the PDF doesn't have links
  43. Okular icon
     Like

    Multi-platform document viewer supporting PDF, comics, EPUB, images, and Markdown with annotation tools, sidebar navigation, and text-to-speech features.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • KDE Plasma
    • Snapcraft
    • Linux Mobile
    • Flathub
    • Haiku
    Okular screenshot 1
    Okular screenshot 1
    Okular screenshot 2
    +2
    Okular screenshot 3
  44. BentoPDF icon
     Like

    BentoPDF is a PDF Toolkit that works fully offline with no sign ups. It's fast, secure and forever free. In an era where data is a commodity, we take a different approach. All processing for BentoPDF tools happens locally in your browser.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    BentoPDF screenshot 1
    BentoPDF screenshot 1
    BentoPDF screenshot 2
  45. Encrypted Notes

  46. Notesnook icon
     Like

    Fully open-source, end-to-end encrypted notes with device-based security, secure sync, offline access, powerful editor, vault, backups, and exports.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    Notesnook screenshot 1
    Notesnook screenshot 1
    Notesnook screenshot 2
    +6
    Notesnook screenshot 3
  47. DeepNotes icon
     Like

    DeepNotes is an open source, end-to-end encrypted visual note-taking app with deep page navigation and live collaboration. Create mind maps, diagrams, kanban boards, among others. Infinite nesting of infinite canvases.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Family tree
    Diagram
    Kanban
    +5
    History
  48. AppFlowy icon
     Like

    Open-source workspace with full data ownership, offline access, multi-platform support, and deep customization through themes, plugins, and templates.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • Rust
    • Flathub
    AppFlowy screenshot 1
    AppFlowy screenshot 1
    AppFlowy screenshot 2
    +2
    AppFlowy screenshot 3
  49. Lockbook icon
     Like

    End-to-end encrypted notes, sketches, and files synced across devices with no personal info collected, using open-source, native apps for privacy and security.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Self-Hosted
    Lockbook screenshot 1
    Lockbook screenshot 1
    Lockbook screenshot 2
    +8
    Lockbook screenshot 3
  50. Office Suites

Page 1 of 2

Think I’m missing something? Maybe it’s on my list: “Software for the tech-savvy power user” or “Software for the advanced administrator”.

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