pfSense

The ultimate list of apps/services for better Security, Privacy & Anonymity; Defense against Surveillance. What sets this list apart is its commitment to authenticity: No Sponsorship: Choices are made without commercial bias. No Affiliate Links: Purely user-benefit-focused. No Brand Deals: Independent and unbiased evaluations. Strict criteria ensure the tools prioritize user welfare and software quality: Opensource Preference: Prioritizing transparent and community-driven software. Cross-Platform Availability: Emphasizing tools usable across multiple systems. Active Development and Security Updates: Selecting only actively maintained tools with regular security enhancements. Proven Track Record: Requiring a history of reliability and positive feedback.

I have noticed in general that the recommendation list for alternatives on this site is broken when it comes to Linux Distros. Often times when looking for a server distro or gaming distros, I will get generic recommendations. This list seeks to provide true alternatives based on use-cases for the most popular Linux distributions out there! Update: I've updated this list with new entries and categories for 2026 in a brand-new list:

This is a list that prefers open-source and lightweight Windows applications. A few partially open-source or proprietary applications may be added if there are no great alternatives. Read the descriptions, as I wrote most of them, which gives advice on similar apps or other things to take into account. Comment at the bottom if you believe anything should be updated or have any questions.