Reclaiming your independence and freedom by breaking free from big tech is easier than ever. Here is a simple list of top alternatives that you can start using today.
Threads
X
Threads (USA) is part of the Meta ecosystem that tracks and monetizes your personal data across platforms. Their algorithms amplify harmful content and disinformation to maximize user engagement and profit.
X (USA) is a social network controlled by Elon Musk, threatening democracy through political interference and the spread of disinformation.
Mastodon is a decentralized, open-source social network connected to the Fediverse. It offers federated servers that locally enforce rules, without ads or abusive algorithms. The main disadvantage is a smaller user base compared to centralized social media.
X (USA) is a social network controlled by Elon Musk, threatening democracy through political interference and the spread of disinformation.
Mastodon is a decentralized, open-source social network connected to the Fediverse. It offers federated servers that locally enforce rules, without ads or abusive algorithms. The main disadvantage is a smaller user base compared to centralized social media.
Mastodon
Instagram
Instagram (USA) is part of the Meta ecosystem that tracks and monetizes your personal data across platforms. Its addictive algorithm is linked to depression, anxiety and other mental health problems.
Pixelfed is a decentralized, open-source media sharing network connected to the Fediverse. It offers privacy, community management, and an ad-free experience. The main disadvantage is a smaller user base compared to centralized social media.
Pixelfed is a decentralized, open-source media sharing network connected to the Fediverse. It offers privacy, community management, and an ad-free experience. The main disadvantage is a smaller user base compared to centralized social media.
Pixelfed
Reddit
Reddit (USA) is a centralized discussion platform. It had security breaches in the past, exposing private user data that Reddit collects.
Lemmy is a decentralized, open-source discussion platform connected to the Fediverse. It provides free speech, censorship resistance, and an ad-free experience. The main disadvantage is a smaller user base compared to centralized social media.
Lemmy is a decentralized, open-source discussion platform connected to the Fediverse. It provides free speech, censorship resistance, and an ad-free experience. The main disadvantage is a smaller user base compared to centralized social media.
Lemmy
All messaging apps
All messaging apps most widely used today are centrally controlled by companies. Those proprietary, closed-source platforms limit interoperability, collect personal data, and lack security features to keep the messages secure.
Element is an open-source messaging app built on the open standard Matrix protocol. It offers privacy, encrypted communication, and interoperability with other platforms. You can self-host your messages and contacts, or use the servers of a provider you trust. The main disadvantage is a smaller user base compared to other messengers.
You can use Beeper to communicate on different siloed messaging platforms from a single app that uses Matrix bridges.
Signal is a popular encrypted messaging alternative, but is less secure than Matrix, as the non-profit entity controlling Signal stores data on centralized Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure servers.
Element is an open-source messaging app built on the open standard Matrix protocol. It offers privacy, encrypted communication, and interoperability with other platforms. You can self-host your messages and contacts, or use the servers of a provider you trust. The main disadvantage is a smaller user base compared to other messengers.
You can use Beeper to communicate on different siloed messaging platforms from a single app that uses Matrix bridges.
Signal is a popular encrypted messaging alternative, but is less secure than Matrix, as the non-profit entity controlling Signal stores data on centralized Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure servers.
Element (Matrix)
Windows
macOS
Windows (USA) is a monopoly operating system. It uses anti-competitive tactics to dominate the market and exploit user data for profit.
MacOS (USA) is an operating system for Apple computers. It promotes a closed, difficult-to-repair design that contributes to e-waste and planned obsolescence, pushing users to buy new devices sooner.
Linux Mint is an open-source operating system based on the Linux kernel. It provides a stable, privacy-respecting alternative to Windows and macOS, with a familiar interface and strong community support. The main disadvantage is that not all hardware is fully compatible with Linux yet.
MacOS (USA) is an operating system for Apple computers. It promotes a closed, difficult-to-repair design that contributes to e-waste and planned obsolescence, pushing users to buy new devices sooner.
Linux Mint is an open-source operating system based on the Linux kernel. It provides a stable, privacy-respecting alternative to Windows and macOS, with a familiar interface and strong community support. The main disadvantage is that not all hardware is fully compatible with Linux yet.
Linux Mint
Android
iOS
Android (USA) is a mobile operating system developed by Google. Proprietary services added on top of the open-source Android Open Source Project (AOSP) collect personal data to improve targeted advertising.
iOS (USA) is a mobile operating system for iPhones. It uses software lock-in, proprietary formats, and dependencies to limit competition and lock people into Apple’s walled garden ecosystem, among other issues with Apple.
LineageOS is an open-source mobile operating system based on Android (AOSP). It removes Google tracking, extends device lifespan, and allows deep customization. The main disadvantage is that official support is limited to select devices.
LineageOS cannot be installed on iPhones, so upgrade when you are replacing your phone with a more open alternative, like the Fairphone.
If your specific device is supported, you should also consider privacy-focused /e/OS or GrapheneOS.
iOS (USA) is a mobile operating system for iPhones. It uses software lock-in, proprietary formats, and dependencies to limit competition and lock people into Apple’s walled garden ecosystem, among other issues with Apple.
LineageOS is an open-source mobile operating system based on Android (AOSP). It removes Google tracking, extends device lifespan, and allows deep customization. The main disadvantage is that official support is limited to select devices.
LineageOS cannot be installed on iPhones, so upgrade when you are replacing your phone with a more open alternative, like the Fairphone.
If your specific device is supported, you should also consider privacy-focused /e/OS or GrapheneOS.
LineageOS
Play Store
Play Store (USA) is an app marketplace for Android devices. It forces high fees on developers, censors content, and collects personal data to improve targeted advertising.
Droid-ify is an open-source app store for Android, based on F-Droid. It provides access to open-source apps without relying on Google Play services. The main disadvantage is limited app choice. Alternative:
Droid-ify is an open-source app store for Android, based on F-Droid. It provides access to open-source apps without relying on Google Play services. The main disadvantage is limited app choice. Alternative:
Droid-ify
App Store
App Store (USA) is an app marketplace for iOS devices. It forces high fees on developers, censors content, and collects personal data to improve targeted advertising.
AltStore is an open-source app store for sideloading apps on iOS. It allows you to install third-party apps without needing to jailbreak your iPhone or iPad. The main disadvantage is that apps need to be refreshed every 7 days due to Apple's certificate restrictions.
AltStore is an open-source app store for sideloading apps on iOS. It allows you to install third-party apps without needing to jailbreak your iPhone or iPad. The main disadvantage is that apps need to be refreshed every 7 days due to Apple's certificate restrictions.
AltStore
All streaming apps
All streaming apps most widely used today are centrally controlled by companies. The addictive algorithms of these proprietary, closed-source platforms encourage continuous content consumption to maximize engagement for profit, leading to depression, insomnia, anxiety, stress, and other health problems.
Stremio (Bulgaria) is an entertainment platform for streaming movies and TV shows from multiple sources. It has a simple, less addictive interface, supports community add-ons, and aggregates content from multiple providers in one place. The main disadvantage is that it's not fully open-source.
Stremio can be used to access peer-to-peer content, so make sure to use a VPN if you don't live in a torrent-friendly country.
Stremio (Bulgaria) is an entertainment platform for streaming movies and TV shows from multiple sources. It has a simple, less addictive interface, supports community add-ons, and aggregates content from multiple providers in one place. The main disadvantage is that it's not fully open-source.
Stremio can be used to access peer-to-peer content, so make sure to use a VPN if you don't live in a torrent-friendly country.
Stremio
Google Chrome
Google Chrome (USA) is a web browser. It tracks user behavior across sites and collects personal data to improve targeted advertising.
LibreWolf is a privacy-focused, open-source web browser. It is based on Firefox, with added privacy and security features. The main disadvantage is the lack of a mobile app, for which you can use Firefox browser.
LibreWolf is a privacy-focused, open-source web browser. It is based on Firefox, with added privacy and security features. The main disadvantage is the lack of a mobile app, for which you can use Firefox browser.
LibreWolf
Google Drive
Google Drive (USA) is a cloud storage service. It scans users' files and collects personal data to improve targeted advertising.
Nextcloud is an open-source cloud storage platform. You can self-host or choose a trusted hosting provider to securely centralize your files, docs, calendar, contacts, mail, conferencing, and more. The main disadvantage is that self-hosting can be difficult for users with limited technical knowledge.
Nextcloud is an open-source cloud storage platform. You can self-host or choose a trusted hosting provider to securely centralize your files, docs, calendar, contacts, mail, conferencing, and more. The main disadvantage is that self-hosting can be difficult for users with limited technical knowledge.
Nextcloud
Google Search
Google Search (USA) is a search engine. It manipulates search results, influences user behavior, and collects personal data to improve targeted advertising.
SearXNGis a decentralized, open-source search aggregator. It uses the data of multiple web search engines to produce its own results. You can privately search on free public instances, or self-host your SearXNG instance. The main disadvantage is a lack of advanced features offered by AI-powered centralized search engines.
SearXNGis a decentralized, open-source search aggregator. It uses the data of multiple web search engines to produce its own results. You can privately search on free public instances, or self-host your SearXNG instance. The main disadvantage is a lack of advanced features offered by AI-powered centralized search engines.
SearXNG
Google Maps
Google Maps (USA) is a navigation service. It tracks users' location and habit data to improve targeted advertising.
OsmAnd is an open-source offline navigation app. It uses community-built OpenStreetMap data to offer detailed maps, navigation guidance, and hiking routes. The main disadvantage is the lack of real-time traffic updates.
OsmAnd is an open-source offline navigation app. It uses community-built OpenStreetMap data to offer detailed maps, navigation guidance, and hiking routes. The main disadvantage is the lack of real-time traffic updates.
OsmAnd
Gmail
Gmail (USA) is an email service by Google. It reads users' private email content and collects personal data to improve targeted advertising.
Thunderbird is an open-source email client developed by Mozilla. You can connect it to your self-hosted email (IMAP) server or use the servers of a provider you trust. Consider Nextcloud Mail, Mailbox, Posteo, or Tuta. The main disadvantage is that self-hosting an email server can be difficult for users with limited technical knowledge.
Thunderbird is an open-source email client developed by Mozilla. You can connect it to your self-hosted email (IMAP) server or use the servers of a provider you trust. Consider Nextcloud Mail, Mailbox, Posteo, or Tuta. The main disadvantage is that self-hosting an email server can be difficult for users with limited technical knowledge.
Thunderbird
YouTube
YouTube (USA) is a video-sharing platform by Google. It encourages continuous content consumption to maximize engagement for profit.
PeerTube is a decentralized, open-source video-sharing platform connected to the Fediverse. It allows users to host and federate videos without corporate censorship. The main disadvantage is that there is less content available than on YouTube.
Alternative: You can watch YouTube content privately and ad-free with FreeTube on desktop, YouTube ReVanced on Android, or YTLitePlus on iOS.
PeerTube is a decentralized, open-source video-sharing platform connected to the Fediverse. It allows users to host and federate videos without corporate censorship. The main disadvantage is that there is less content available than on YouTube.
Alternative: You can watch YouTube content privately and ad-free with FreeTube on desktop, YouTube ReVanced on Android, or YTLitePlus on iOS.
PeerTube
Google Meet
Zoom
Google Meet (USA) is a video conferencing platform. It collects personal user data from private meetings to improve targeted advertising and monetize user data.
Zoom (USA) is a video conferencing platform. It collects personal user data from private meetings, which has been exposed to security breaches in the past.
Jitsi Meet is an open-source video conferencing platform. It offers secure, encrypted, high-quality meetings that you can access with a free public-use server or by self-hosting. The main disadvantage is the lack of integration with other apps.
Zoom (USA) is a video conferencing platform. It collects personal user data from private meetings, which has been exposed to security breaches in the past.
Jitsi Meet is an open-source video conferencing platform. It offers secure, encrypted, high-quality meetings that you can access with a free public-use server or by self-hosting. The main disadvantage is the lack of integration with other apps.
Jitsi Meet
Google Docs
Google Docs (USA) is a cloud document editing service. It tracks user activity and scans private documents to improve targeted advertising.
Etherpad is an open-source, real-time collaborative text editor. It allows multiple users to edit documents simultaneously while maintaining full control over data. You can self-host your documents or choose one of the free public servers. The main disadvantage is the lack of integration with other apps.
Etherpad is an open-source, real-time collaborative text editor. It allows multiple users to edit documents simultaneously while maintaining full control over data. You can self-host your documents or choose one of the free public servers. The main disadvantage is the lack of integration with other apps.
Etherpad
Google Photos
iCloud
Google Photos (USA) is a cloud photo storage service. It analyzes users' images and collects personal data to improve targeted advertising.
iCloud (USA) is a cloud storage service. It collects and stores data across Apple devices, creating a walled ecosystem that's hard to escape, while providing limited privacy and security control to users.
Immich is an open-source, self-hosted photo storage platform. It provides automatic photo and video backups, sharing, facial recognition, cross-device sync, and end-to-end encryption. The main disadvantage is that self-hosting can be difficult for users with limited technical knowledge.
iCloud (USA) is a cloud storage service. It collects and stores data across Apple devices, creating a walled ecosystem that's hard to escape, while providing limited privacy and security control to users.
Immich is an open-source, self-hosted photo storage platform. It provides automatic photo and video backups, sharing, facial recognition, cross-device sync, and end-to-end encryption. The main disadvantage is that self-hosting can be difficult for users with limited technical knowledge.
Immich
Google Home
Alexa
Google Home (USA) is a smart home service. It collects voice and behavior data to improve targeted advertising. In the past, it has removed features and services users rely on.
Alexa (USA) is a smart home service by Amazon. It collects voice and behavior data to improve Amazon's advertising and sell it to data brokers for credit risk assessment or market research.
Home Assistant is an open-source smart home platform. It provides local control over smart devices, ensuring privacy and customization without relying on cloud services. The main disadvantage is that self-hosting can be difficult for users with limited technical knowledge.
Alexa (USA) is a smart home service by Amazon. It collects voice and behavior data to improve Amazon's advertising and sell it to data brokers for credit risk assessment or market research.
Home Assistant is an open-source smart home platform. It provides local control over smart devices, ensuring privacy and customization without relying on cloud services. The main disadvantage is that self-hosting can be difficult for users with limited technical knowledge.
Home Assistant
Goals of this project
We will either end up living in a world controlled by big tech corporations, or a world where people preserve their independence. We decide, with the small steps we take today. The main goal of this project to help you make the first one.
Instead of overwhelming you with choices, you are presented with the single best alternative for each platform, based on community feedback.
To help you make an informed decision, descriptions include concise features disadvantages of all platforms. If you are interested, you are welcome to learn more on each individual website.
Why are big tech platforms a problem?
What was meant to be a decentralized internet is now dominated by a few big corporations. Our world’s security, finances, productivity, communication, education, politics, and entertainment all depend on closed software controlled by these corporations.
By design, these entities must prioritize shareholder profits over the well-being of people. The world’s top psychologists, analysts, and data scientists work to collect as much personal data as possible to keep us as engaged, dependent, and profitable as possible.
As a side effect, their private algorithms are making us lonelier, more depressed, more dependent, and more divided than ever.
Why is open-source software the solution?
With access to the full source code, users can ensure they are not being tracked or manipulated.
The incentive behind developing open-source software is not to maximize profits but to make the software work as efficiently as possible. Profits, if any, come from donations or by selling services built around that software.
Since the code is available, you can self-compile or self-host any open-source software. This gives you full independence from anyone - but you pay with a little bit of your time.
If you don’t have the time or technical knowledge, you can choose a third-party hosted option. Some online instances are free and supported by donations. Others offer to set up and host your software - but you pay with a little bit of your money.
Both options are better than paying with your private data and independence.
How can I support the idea?
The best way to support digital independnece is to start practicing it. Start small, change just one app, then another. Tell your friends about the benefits, and share this simple list with them.
This movement is decentralized, so improve this list as you wish, then share it! I’m Luka and I’d love to hear your suggestions and questions.
This digital independence list is also available as an image (184KB PNG).
