A card
What it says.
Browser:
Alternatives to Chrome
- Brave
- Cromite (technical)
Alternatives to Firefox
- Mullvad Browser
- LibreWolf
- IronFox
Search Engine:
Alternatives to Google
- SearXNG (technical)
- Startpage
- Brave Search
- DuckDuckGo
VPN (definitely a must these days):
- NymVPN (paid)
- Mullvad VPN (paid)
- InviZible (free, technical)
- Proton VPN (free)
- 1.1.1.1 / WARP (free)
VPN client if needed :
- WG Tunnel
DNS:
- DNSCrypt (technical)
- DNS over HTTPS + ECH
- DNS over TLS (minimum; never send unencrypted requests unless a VPN is active)
Mullvad DNS
(Will be discontinued November 2)
- dns.mullvad.net (DoT)
- https://dns.mullvad.net/dns-query (DoH)
ControlD DNS
- p0.freedns.controld.com (DoT)
- https://freedns.controld.com/p0 (DoH)
Quad9 DNS
- dns.quad9.net (DoT)
- https://dns11.quad9.net/dns-query
(DoH)
Email:
Alternatives to Gmail/Other
- Nostrmail (free, technical)
- Startmail (paid)
- Proton Mail (free/paid)
- Onionmail (free/paid)
- Tutamail (free/paid)
File sharing :
Replace Dropbox/Other
- LocalSend / PairDrop
- OnionShare
- SkySend
- Swiss Transfer
Messaging:
Alternatives to WhatsApp
No phone number
- Ghostly
- CarrierPony
- Nostr (Vector / Amethyst)
- Session
- SimpleX Chat
Linked phone number
- Signal / Signal-FOSS / Molly
No internet ?
- Meshtastic
- Bitchat
Note regarding Telegram and any other messaging apps that collect your messages and/or cooperate with authorities:
Although both I, the author of this guide and you, the reader, are currently using Telegram, I encourage all readers who administer a channel or community to also set one up on a more secure alternative messaging service listed here to facilitate a future transition and provide your subscribers with a choice. You have nothing to lose except having to post in one additional place.
Replaces Discord
- Nostr (Armada)
- Fluxer
Replaces Twitter (if in doubt)
- Nostr (Amethyst, favorite)
- Mastodon
If you want PGP
- PGPony
- OpenKeychain
- Gpg4win
- GpgFrontend
Profile
Replace Linktree :
- LinkStack
- Wonderlink
- LittleLink
- Singlelink
Dating
(Yes, FOSS exists here too lol):
Replaces Tinder
- Duolicious
- Alovoa
- Compassmeet
Store:
Replaces the Play Store
- Aurora Store
- F-droid
- Obtainium (technical)
Replaces Google Apps (Phone, Contacts, Notes, etc.)
- Fossify Apps
Maps:
Replaces Google Maps
- Comaps
- Vela
- OsmAnd
- OpenStreetMaps
Wallet:
Replaces Google Wallet
- FossWallet
- Waltis
YouTube:
Replaces YouTube clients
- NewPipe / PipePipe
- LibreTube
- YouTube ReVanced
- Invidious
- YouTube in Brave
- YTLite (iOS)
Replaces YouTube
- Odysee
- PeerTube
- Bitchute
- Rumble
Crypto-money:
- Bitcoin
- Monero (even better if you run your own node, but that’s technical, or Monero.com by Cake Labs)
Operating System:
Windows
- GNU/Linux
Linux
- Qubes (technical)
- Tails (technical)
- Fedora (KDE Plasma rather than Workstation)
- Mint
Android
- GrapheneOS (for Google Pixel devices)
- Trusted ROM (requires an unlocked bootloader)
Unique to your phone—do your own research
- Trusted GSI (DSU sideloader or unlocked bootloader)
List of GSIs
BIOS/UEFI :
- Coreboot
- Libreboot
Backup/Synchronization:
Files auto-sort (Phone)
- FilePipe
- FileFlow
Files (Phone/PC)
- Syncthing (BasicSync)
Files (PC/Backup Drive)
- FreeFileSync
Software (PC)
- UnigetUI (Windows)
- Built-in package manager (Linux)
Saves you from having to manually reinstall all software by exporting a list
Apps (Phone)
- Obtainium + AuroraStore (compatible everywhere)
- SwiftBackup (root required)
- Seedvault (requires compatible ROM/GSI)
Saves you from having to manually reinstall all apps by exporting a list or archive
Password managers:
- KeepassXC (free)
- Proton Pass (free/paid)
- Bitwarden (free/paid)
- 2FAS Pass (free/paid)
NEVER use your browser’s default password manager—it’s an R.A.T. infostealer, and that’s it
- At the very least, avoid using any GAFAM apps or ecosystems, and opt for FOSS (free and open-source) apps instead
- Use an email address that isn’t linked to anything in real life on social media, and avoid including your phone number (remove it if possible)
- Also, avoid leaving phone numbers, first and last names, addresses, or ID numbers lying around, and don’t give this information to just anyone if you don’t want it to fall into the hands of the “glowies” or end up being resold on the dark web—especially if you’re a political dissident. If you don’t follow this advice, you’ll surely get a “Gilbert wake-up call.”
Other alternatives:
https://alternativeto.net
To keep Android open-source ♥️:
https://keepandroidopen.org/
A few YouTube channels from my collection to learn more:
- Reject Convenience
- Naomi Brockwell
- Mental Outlaw
- The PC Security Channel
- Eric Murphy
- Proton
- Léo - TechMaker (french)
Guide version:
October 2026
My others adresses on LinkStack
Feel free to share this if it can help others, and ask me any questions you might have 👍
Lately