10 Free Apps to Try Instead of Google’s Popular Tools
Enjoy peace of mind and a more secure digital life with these privacy-focused solutions
If you’re uncomfortable with Google snooping through your private business, it’s high time to explore some alternatives. This article highlights privacy-preserving apps you can use for free, with many of them being encrypted and open-source. Open-source software allows you to inspect the code, ensuring the app is as secure and private as it claims to be.
While Google offers a broad suite of smart and convenient services, their dominance has raised multiple privacy concerns over the years, including hefty fines and countless court orders. By using these alternatives, you can begin taking back control of your personal information without sacrificing functionality. Think of it as the digital equivalent of supporting small, local businesses over giant corporations.
Unlike Google’s data harvest model, these apps are mostly supported by donations or operate on freemium models. The free versions are sufficient for most users, but advanced features come at a cost. I use several of these tools in my professional workflow, while encountering others on my quest to support small businesses that value transparency, security and user privacy.
