Privacy Tools to Escape Big Tech
Pick the apps you use today, we'll show you private alternatives that actually work.
Private Alternatives
Replace the apps that track you. Pick one you use every day and get a private alternative that respects your data.
Editor's Top Picks |2026
Twelve tools we'd install on a fresh machine.
Similar look and feel of WhatsApp and other commonly used messaging apps, makes switching easy. Signal requires your phone number as an personal identifier.
Ad · Free and paid plans include all security features, including end-to-end encryption, zero-access encryption, anti-phishing, anti-spam and 2FA. Own Android, iOS Apps and web…
A modified version of Firefox designed to increase protection against tracking and fingerprinting techniques, while also including security improvements.
Ad · Based in The Netherlands. Operating since 2018. Obfuscated, RAM-only servers. Audited by a reputable German cybersecurity firm Cure53. Currently 3 months FREE. Unlimited devices.
Securely store passwords using industry standard encryption, quickly auto-type them into desktop applications, and use browser extension to log into websites. KeePassDX for…
Ad · The major advantage of NextDNS over AdGuard DNS is to be able to configure the service to your needs via parental controls, website restrictions or block whole categories of…
Organic Maps is an Android & iOS offline maps app for travelers, tourists, hikers, and cyclists based on top of crowd-sourced OpenStreetMap data and curated with love by…
Ad · Based in Switzerland. Operating since 2016. Subscription covers 10 devices.
Blog post about the new Brave Search beta . Based in the US. Launched in June 2021.
A free, fully client-side file encryptor that runs in your browser. Drop in any file, set or generate a passphrase, and it seals the result into its own .vrn format. Nothing is ever uploaded, and it works offline.
Ad · Hundreds of companies trade your personal data without you knowing. Incogni gets it deleted for you. US, UK, CA, CH and EU.
Zero-knowledge notes, tasks, and journal secured by a single 12-word recovery phrase, with no email or password required. The crypto core and database schema are published for audit.
Trending on GitHub
The open-source privacy tools picking up the most stars this week. Updated daily.
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What are privacy tools?
What they do, why they matter, and how we choose what to recommend.
Privacy tools are the apps, browsers, and services that put you back in control of your personal data: what you share, who can read it, and what gets tracked. They replace the mainstream software that quietly collects your browsing history, messages, location, and purchases. Most are free, many are open-source, and the best ones protect you by design rather than by promise, through end-to-end encryption, on-device processing, and code anyone can inspect.
Why use them?
Almost everything you do online leaves a trail. Search queries, messages, video views, card payments, and your phone's location all feed data brokers, advertisers, and anyone who buys from them. A good set of privacy tools breaks that trail without breaking your day.
How we pick them
We have reviewed privacy tools since 2015. We favor open-source software that has been independently audited, run by teams with a clear track record, and built so your data stays yours even if the company is compromised. Every tool here is sorted by what you want to protect, so you can swap one piece at a time instead of overhauling everything at once.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about choosing and switching to privacy tools.
Are privacy tools free?
Many are. A lot of the strongest options are free and open-source, including private browsers, encrypted messengers, and password managers. Some services, like VPNs or encrypted email, charge a subscription to cover hosting and audits, and we flag which is which on every list.
Are open-source privacy tools safer?
Open-source means anyone can inspect the code for flaws or hidden data collection, so problems get caught and fixed in the open. It is not a guarantee on its own, which is why we weigh independent audits and track record too, but it is a strong starting point.
Do I need privacy tools if I have nothing to hide?
Privacy is not about hiding, it is about choosing who sees your data. You lock your front door without having something to hide. The same logic applies to your messages, location, and search history, which are valuable to advertisers and data brokers whether or not you have done anything wrong.
Are privacy tools legal?
Yes, in nearly every country. Encryption, private browsers, VPNs, and password managers are everyday, lawful software used by businesses and individuals alike. A small number of countries restrict VPNs or specific apps, so check local rules if you travel.
Do I need a VPN?
A VPN hides your traffic from your network and internet provider and changes your apparent location. It does not make you anonymous on its own, and it shifts trust to the VPN company, so the provider matters more than the feature. Useful for some threats, oversold for others.
How is this different from incognito mode?
Incognito only stops your browser from saving local history. Websites, advertisers, your internet provider, and Google can still see what you do. Real privacy tools change what those parties can collect in the first place.
What is the single most important change I can make?
Switch your browser and search engine, then turn on a password manager. Those three cover the widest surface for the least effort and make every other step easier.