What if you wan't to support Europe and be private, than you're at the right place! These are all FREE apps based in EUROPE. What my list makes different from all the other is that I focus on privacy for us users, I avoid the use of AI and most of the apps are open-source which means they can prove that they aren't spying on you.
(At the end of the list there are even more European alternatives)
App Store
Before you even start installing apps, think about the store where you're getting it from. On Android you don't need to install an app on the Google Play Store for now :( ---> https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/9/f-droid-warns-google-s-sideloading-rules-will-kill-the-project-and-several-open-source-apps/
Email
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
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- iPad
- Snapcraft
- Flathub
- OpenAPK
- Tor
+9
It is hard to switch another email address because all your contacts and accounts are linked to it. Luckily Proton Mail has a function called 'easy switch'. With this you can recieve emails from your old email address. This makes the switch easy.
Tuta is an all-in-one email, calendar and contacts app which protects your data with full end-to-end encryption and it requires zero personal information. Tuta is built with open source software so you can inspect every piece of code running on your devices so you can be sure...
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Flathub
- F-Droid
- OpenAPK
- Thunderbird
Aliasing
This way you don't need to give your real email address when signing up.
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
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- Microsoft Edge
- Google Chrome
- Safari
- F-Droid
- Mozilla Firefox
+1
From Proton but also usable for other email services, generous free plan of 10 aliases. You can also use Proton Pass which integrates those 10 free aliases.
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
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- Microsoft Edge
- Google Chrome
- Safari
- F-Droid
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Mozilla Firefox
+1
Guerrilla Mail gives you a disposable email address. You can give your email address to whomever you don't trust. You can read the email using Guerrilla Mail, click on any confirmation link, and even reply.
Cost / License
- Free
- Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Online
- Android
Calendar
Take your privacy to the next level with the secure Tuta Calendar app. This encrypted time-management tool is the most private way to organize your busy schedule – and it’s quick to navigate, comes with dark and light mode, plus, it’s perfectly integrated with the Tuta Mail app.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- F-Droid
- OpenAPK
- Thunderbird
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Android Auto
- Tor
+1
Suspiciously it is not open-source. If that is a concern for you, look for Tuta.
🎉 A beautiful Kotlin app to remember birthdays and events without having to open Facebook, set alarms or rely on Google Calendar.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Android
- F-Droid
Document Viewer
LibreOffice is the best free office suite on the desktop, and is now available on Android as a native application. The software is backed by a dynamic community, represented by The Document Foundation, a not for profit entity based in Germany.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Platforms
- Android
- F-Droid
- Meta Quest
Instant messengers
Fully end-to-end encrypted without ads like Whatsapp ---> Source: https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/6/whatsapp-is-officially-getting-ads-for-the-first-time-starting-with-status-and-channels/
Encrypted platform supporting private, identifier-free messaging, group conversations, file sharing, and audio/video calling, using a double-ratchet protocol.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- Self-Hosted
- Flathub
- F-Droid
- OpenAPK
- Flatpak
A secure collaboration app with end-to-end encryption and interoperability across web, desktop, and mobile. Includes chat, voice, and video calls.
Cost / License
- Free Personal
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Self-Hosted
- Snapcraft
- Matrix.org
- Flathub
- F-Droid
- OpenAPK
- Cloudron
+3
Censorship-resistant peer-to-peer messaging that bypasses centralized servers. Connect via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Tor, with privacy built-in.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- Flathub
- F-Droid
Briar is an open source project not legally incorporated in any jurisdiction, although it has received funding from European initiatives like NGI and the NLnet Foundation, and includes many Europeans in their voluntary board and team. Source: privacyguides.org
Mobile games
It is really hard to find open-source games.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- Flathub
+3
Luanti is a near-infinite-world block sandbox game and a game engine, inspired by InfiniMiner, Minecraft, and the like.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- Android Tablet
- BSD
- Self-Hosted
- Linux Mobile
- Flathub
- F-Droid
- OpenAPK
+6
Maps and navigation
Navigation app with offline and online OSM maps, turn-by-turn voice guidance, cycling and driving modes, GPX tracking, POI search, and monthly updates.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- iPad
- Android Auto
- F-Droid
- Kindle Fire
- Apple Car Play
- OpenAPK
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
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- iPad
- Android Auto
- Obtainium
- OpenStreetMap
- Flathub
- F-Droid
- OpenAPK
Sport tracking
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Android
- F-Droid
- OpenAPK
Password Manager
You cannot expect a human to make up 1000 difficult passwords and remember them. With these password managers you can let them remember your password and let them make very difficult passwords.
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
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Snapcraft
- Google Chrome
- Flathub
- Safari
- F-Droid
- Mozilla Firefox
- OpenAPK
+7
This one saves your passwords in the cloud so you can access them on all your devices.
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
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Android
- Android Tablet
- F-Droid
- OpenAPK
This one saves your passwords locally as an encrypted database for your Android device. Make sure you back them up! It is more technical than a cloud-based one. This is a fork of KeePass which is free to use, so if you want to export your passwords to another device you have to look for the compatible version of KeePass.
2FA
Make your accounts extra secure by adding an extra layer. Again like the password managers their is an option to save the code locally on your device or store them in the cloud.
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
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- F-Droid
- OpenAPK
+3
This one is cloud-based that also works offline. It will work on all of your devices.
Aegis Authenticator is a free, secure and open source app to manage your 2-step verification tokens for your online services.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Android
- Android Tablet
- F-Droid
- OpenAPK
This one is locally on your device and is only available for an Android device.
DNS
You've come at my favourite part: surfing on the internet the way you want it. With a custom DNS you can choose which (sort of) websites are available for you. This can be sites with malware but also all social media apps if you want to detox.
This is the best way to set it up on Android:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Network & internet ? Private DNS.
- Select the Private DNS provider hostname option.
- Enter the name of the DNS (for example kids.dns0.eu) and press Save.
This protects your DNS queries from being snooped on by third parties when not connected to our VPN service as your DNS queries are encrypted between your device and our DNS server.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Online
It can block ads, trackers, malware, adult, gambling and social media. You can choose which one of these to block by checking the DNS specifications on their website.
Quad9 is a free, recursive, anycast DNS platform that provides end users robust security protections, high-performance, and privacy.
Cost / License
- Free
- Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Online
- Android
- Android Tablet
- F-Droid
It is very good at blocking but isn't customisable. So no ad-blocker for example.
Join DNS4EU, an EU initiative providing secure, private, and reliable DNS services for users across Europe.
Cost / License
- Free
- Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Online
Not the best dns from my experience but the kids version is very suggestable for children to keep them safe on the internet. Before this I very much suggested dns0.eu but they discontinued the project. :(
VPN
A VPN uses its own DNS but some VPNs have support for a custom DNS.
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 typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Google Chrome
- Apple TV
- Flathub
- F-Droid
- Android TV
- OpenAPK
- Flatpak
- Fire TV
- Mozilla Firefox
- Kindle Fire
+7
The best free option from a company that is well trusted. The free version doesn't let you chose the country to proxy and you have to pay for choosing a custom DNS. This VPN is in my opinion meant for hiding your IP-address if needed.
Firewall
Prevent apps from connecting to the internet while they do not need it. Your calculator app doesn't need access to the internet!
Web Browser and extensions
The best European browser is in my opinion the Mullvad Browser but that is only available on desktop.
Waterfox is an open-source, privacy-focused browser based on the popular open source browser with a red panda as a mascot. It is designed to be a drop-in replacement for said browser that offers enhanced privacy features, performance improvements, and customizability while...
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- Android Tablet
- Flathub
This is a browser based on Gecko which means it looks like Firefox. They say that they are privacy focussed. However they are owned by System1 (like Startpage). For the best security and privacy on an Android you should look at a Chromium based browsers which has NO Google implementations. Important: for security, I wouldn't suggest this browser. They are a fork of Firefox which isn't the best on mobile and Waterfox is even later with security updates.
AdGuard is the best way to get rid of intrusive ads and online tracking, and to protect your computer from malware. Make your web surfing faster, safer and more comfortable with AdGuard!.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- iPad
- Microsoft Edge
- Vivaldi
- Google Chrome
- Samsung Galaxy Store
- Safari
- F-Droid
- Android TV
- Yandex Browser
- Opera
- Mozilla Firefox
+4
This is a great alternative to uBlock Origin. To get the best out of it you have to pay.
The NoScript Firefox extension provides extra protection for Firefox, Seamonkey and other mozilla-based browsers: this free, open source add-on allows JavaScript, Java, Flash and other plugins to be executed only by trusted web sites of your choice (e.g. your online bank).
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- Google Chrome
- SeaMonkey
- Mozilla Firefox
Search engine
STOP using google!
Search engine donating over 80% of profits to global reforestation, supporting millions of trees planted, funded by ad revenue, with mobile and web access.
Cost / License
- Free
- Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- iPad
- Microsoft Edge
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
Not the most private search enginge but better than google and they plant trees!
Privacy-focused search engine using Google results without trackers, storing no personal data, and offering Anonymous View for private browsing.
Cost / License
- Free
- Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Google Chrome
- Safari
- Tor
- Mozilla Firefox
+1
A complete search engine (indexes Google results without AI) with a focus on privacy. :-) Note that they are partially owned by an american, advertising company: System1. :-(
xPrivo Search is a 100% European, privacy-focused search engine that operates on a fully independent european index instead of relying on US Big Tech like Bing. Choose between classic web results or AI enhanced results with full European data sovereignty & privacy.
Cost / License
- Free
- Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Online
- iPhone
- iPad
Very new search engine but gives pretty good results. Because it is new, it has some limitations: for example you can't view images.
Cloud
First of all, make sure you have offline back-ups. Second, did you know that if you put your data in a cloud without encrypting that data, it is technically not your data but from that cloud company?
I hope you like my list. Let's go Europe!
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