There is immense power in being in control of your own data. As apps and online services consolidate under corporate giants, it’s worth considering alternatives that prioritize privacy and user control.

Fortunately, not every service is designed to monetize your personal data. Many open-source and privacy-focused options provide excellent functionality without tracking your every move.

Wallabag: Save Articles Privately

If you want to save articles for later, Wallabag is a strong alternative to Pocket. It lets you store and read articles without invasive tracking. You can self-host it or use a low-cost cloud option for convenience.

Signal: The Gold Standard for Secure Messaging

Unlike other messaging apps, Signal doesn’t store user data or metadata. It encrypts not just your messages but also who you contact, ensuring complete privacy. Signal is free and runs as a nonprofit.

Nextcloud: Take Control of Your Cloud Storage

Nextcloud is a self-hosted alternative to Dropbox, offering file storage, document editing, and sharing—all under your control. You can host it at home or use a privacy-respecting provider, avoiding corporate surveillance of your files.

Bitwarden: A Secure Password Manager

Bitwarden is an open-source password manager that encrypts and stores your credentials securely. Unlike some commercial alternatives, Bitwarden’s code is publicly audited for transparency and security.

Joplin & Notesnook: Private Note-Taking

For those wanting to move away from Google Docs or Microsoft OneNote, Joplin and Notesnook provide encrypted note-taking solutions. These apps ensure your notes remain private, unlike Big Tech services that scan data for AI and advertising purposes.

Ente: Secure Photo Backup

Ente.io is a privacy-first alternative to Google Photos, offering encrypted cloud storage. Unlike mainstream services that scan and categorize images, Ente ensures only you have access to your memories.

Pi-hole: Block Ads and Trackers on Your Entire Network

Ads don’t just clutter your screen; they track your behavior. A Pi-hole is a network-wide ad blocker that filters ads and trackers before they reach your devices. AdGuard Home is another user-friendly alternative for blocking intrusive ads.

Tailscale: Your Own Secure VPN

Instead of relying on commercial VPN providers that may log your data, Tailscale lets you create your own private VPN using the WireGuard protocol. This ensures your browsing remains truly private.

Home Assistant: Smart Home Without Corporate Spying

Home Assistant is an open-source platform that integrates and automates smart home devices without sending your data to the cloud. Unlike Google Home or Alexa, it runs locally for maximum privacy.

FreshRSS: A Private News Reader

RSS allows you to follow your favorite news sites without algorithms manipulating your feed. FreshRSS is a self-hosted RSS reader that keeps you in control of your news consumption.

Owncast: Livestream on Your Terms

Owncast lets you host your own livestreams without relying on corporate platforms like Twitch or YouTube. It’s a great alternative for those who want full ownership of their content.

Stirling PDF: A Private PDF Editor

For editing and managing PDFs without sending sensitive files to online services, Stirling PDF is a powerful open-source alternative.

Take Back Your Digital Privacy

Big Tech thrives on data collection, but you don’t have to participate. By switching to privacy-focused alternatives, you regain control of your digital life while supporting a more transparent and ethical internet.

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