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Software recommendations for privacy conscious people

1 min read min read

Moving away from BigTech is not an easy task. However, in these days, there are plenty polished alternatives out there. Over the years I tried out many different services and software. I will present what worked best for me here.

An encompassing resource I am recommending is PrivacyGuides. However, their recommendations are at times rather purist. Everyone should use whatever works best for them. Privacy is not a black-and-white game. Every bit of big-tech helps to minimize your digital footprint and puts you into a position to decide what people find about you online.

Utilities

NameDescriptionCostSelfhostable
BitwardenPassword managerfree✅
SimpleLoginEmail aliasesfree for students✅
Mailbox.orgEmail hosting1 € / m❌
ElementInstant messengingfree✅
OpenStreetMapGlobal mapfree❌
BaïkalLightweight calendar synchronisationfree✅
FilebrowserLightweight file organisation in the browserfree✅
xBrowserSyncBookmark syncfree✅

PC Software

NameDescriptionCostSelfhostable
Ungoogled ChromiumBrowserfree-
KDE Software SuiteDesktop environmentfree-
i3wmDesktop environmentfree-
VSCodiumNo telemetry VSCodefree-
Xournal++PDF annotation and creationfree-
IstilldontcareaboutcookiesNo more nasty cookie bannersfree-

Android Apps

NameDescriptionCostSelfhostable
Aurora StoreAnonymized access to the PlayStorefree-
Aurora DroidFront-end for F-Droidfree-
InfinityReddit clientfree-
Aegis2FA Managerfree-
FindMyDeviceRemote phone controlfree✅
AdAwayAdblocking with hosts filefree-
OsmAnd+Global mapfree❌
StreetCompleteImprove OpenStreetMapfree-
NewPipeYoutube clientfree-
FinampMusic client for Jellyfinfree-
K-9 MailMail client with PGPfree-
Ice BoxFreeze Magisk to make certain banking apps cough DKB runfree-
ElementInstant messengingfree✅