Part 1 of 3 in Series: lists will continually be updated periodically.
Criteria I look for universally for my lists are as follows: — Open source code: publicly audited — Privacy-focus: minimal data collection, encryption by default — Security-focus: 2FA available, encryption by default — Zero Knowledge 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 — Oligarchy / Big Tech alternative — Absence of “dark” or deceptive patterns
Criteria specifically for this list: — Established companies with a strong reputation — Provides a “it just works” experience for the user: minimal configuration, user friendly — Features available can easily replace Big Tech’s popular apps
Not only do these browsers provide cross platform syncing, but they are also privacy and security focused while being user friendly.
Fast, secure browser with built-in ad block, privacy controls, and global tracking protections. Optimizes data, speed, and battery life.
Open-source browser with Gecko engine, supporting HTML add-ons and providing privacy features like Enhanced Tracking Protection and third-party cookie blocking.
Open-source privacy browser that blocks trackers, enforces encryption, and provides Privacy Grade ratings, focusing on control and user data security.
Block ads, cookies, popups & other trackers. Ghostery sets you up for a private, transparent, and fast internet.
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.
Also known as favorites.
Store bookmarks with related content, organize thematically with real-time collaboration and privacy focus, offering web clipper and cloud sync.
These VPNs provide a free tier as well as all the other must have features, including but not limited to being open source and having a no logs policy.
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.
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.
These DNS service providers have apps that make configuring your DNS settings easy. Using them also encrypts your DNS traffic and provides enhanced protection against malicious and intrusive activity.
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.
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.
These password managers provide free cloud sync, so you don’t have to worry about self-hosting. I recommend using different service providers for your passwords and authenticator codes.
Open-source password manager with AES-256 encryption and device sync. Store and access encrypted logins across platforms like iOS and Android.
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.
If you use the same service provider for both your passwords and authenticator codes you need to at least use the standalone apps for each and not integrate your codes into your password manager.
Generates, stores, and encrypts two-factor authentication tokens, enables secure backup, offers offline access, multi-device sync, and flexible import/export options.
Bitwarden Authenticator generates verification codes for two-factor authentication, ensuring your identity is verified when you log into accounts.
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.
You won’t get traffic updates with these navigation apps, but you will be free from ads and data mining.
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.
Privacy-focused GPS app with offline maps and community development, featuring real-time navigation, no location tracking, and open-source software.
I have a separate “business software” list if you are interested. This short “teams” section on this list is more focused on personal use.
Free, open-source conferencing with end-to-end encryption, group chat, screen sharing, Etherpad integration, customizable setup, and privacy by default.
The challenge with messaging apps is getting your peers to all use the same service or protocol. Text messaging doesn’t have this problem, but is also extremely insecure.
An encrypted messaging app focused on privacy, supporting texts, calls, photos, videos, files, and group chats, with no ads or trackers.
These are applications to enhance your email experience.
DuckDuckGo Email Protection is a free email forwarding service that removes multiple types of hidden email trackers and lets you create unlimited unique private email addresses on the fly.
Open-source client enhancing Thunderbird with more features and bug fixes. Offers security patches and multi-row descriptions like Outlook.
Cross-platform, free media player supports multimedia files, DVDs, streaming, offers hardware acceleration, 4K, lossless audio, and more.
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.
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.
You can also use the word processor in your office suite to open and edit PDFs most of the time. Additionally, you can use you web browser to view PDFs.
Multi-platform document viewer supporting PDF, comics, EPUB, images, and Markdown with annotation tools, sidebar navigation, and text-to-speech features.
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.
Each recommendation has a different style or approach to note taking.
Fully open-source, end-to-end encrypted notes with device-based security, secure sync, offline access, powerful editor, vault, backups, and exports.
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.
Open-source workspace with full data ownership, offline access, multi-platform support, and deep customization through themes, plugins, and templates.
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.
Open source and cross platform
Open-source suite for editing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, forms, and PDF files with co-editing modes, plugin support, AI assistant, and integration across 40+ platforms.
Zero Knowledge and E2EE
Emphasizes privacy with end-to-end encryption, Proton Drive safely stores, synchronizes, and shares files across devices via web and mobile applications.
PIMs or personal information managers are essentially the combination of email, calendar, and contacts. Tasks and notes are sometimes included as well. These recommendations have encryption features.
End-to-end encrypted app for email, calendar, and contacts, requiring no personal data, with open source code and quantum-resistant security.
Think I’m missing something? Maybe it’s on my list: “Software for the tech-savvy power user [2/3]” or “Software for the advanced administrator [3/3]”.
