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.
This is not a sponsored article, nor is it a personal endorsement of any particular product or company, so I encourage you to do your own research, as technology and security standards change rapidly.
Now, let’s dive in and see what’s on offer.
1. Gmail → Proton Mail
Proton has emerged as a serious contender to the Google Workspace suite recently with a series of useful applications ranging from cloud storage to private calendars. Their Proton Mail app is end-to-end encrypted, meaning Proton themselves cannot read what’s in your messages.
Try Proton Mail out here: proton.me/mail
Alternatively you can try:
- Tuta Mail: tuta.com/secure-email
2. Google Keep → Standard Notes
I used to rely on Google Keep until syncing issues between my phone and desktop led to lost data. After that, I searched for a privacy-focused note-taking app and found Standard Notes, which is open-source and offers end-to-end encryption.
The free version is sufficient for basic needs, though the paid version unlocks more features like markdown, rich text, and spreadsheets.
Try Standard Notes out here: standardnotes.com
Other options to look at include:
- Notesnook: notesnook.com
- CryptPad: cryptpad.fr/pad
3. Google Chrome → Brave Browser
Brave Browser, built on Chromium, offers a familiar interface that’s similar to Google Chrome but with a strong emphasis on privacy. Brave blocks ads and trackers by default and even allows background audio playback, meaning you can listen to YouTube with your screen off.
Speaking of YouTube, here’s a neat trick: On mobile, open YouTube in Brave, switch to desktop mode, and add it to your home screen as a Progressive Web App (PWA). Now go back to the browser and toggle off desktop mode. Your PWA will look and feel like a regular app, but without those pesky ads. You can even block those awful YouTube Shorts if you wish.
Get started with Brave here: brave.com
Other options to look at include:
- Tor Browser: torproject.org/download
- Mullvad Brower: mullvad.net
4. Google Search → Presearch
Presearch is a decentralised search engine that rewards users with $PRE cryptocurrency tokens for using their service. Presearch aims to protect user privacy by not tracking searches or personal data.
You can access Presearch using any browser, and it should be possible to set it up as your browser’s default search engine.
Get paid to Presearch here: presearch.com
Other options to look at include:
- Brave Search: search.brave.com
- DuckDuckGo: duckduckgo.com
5. Google Drive → Proton Drive
Proton Drive is a secure cloud storage service that keeps your files encrypted. You can store and share access to important documents without worrying about anyone accessing them without your consent. Proton also released a document editor as part of Proton Drive, which in itself as an alternative to Google Docs.
If you already have a Proton Mail account then you have immediate access to Proton Drive. If not, you can create a new account for Proton Drive here: proton.me/drive
Other options to look at include:
- Nextcloud: nextcloud.com
- MEGA: mega.io/storage
6. Google Password Manager → Bitwarden
It’s said that the average person now manages over 100 passwords. With so many secrets to keep track of, it’s no wonder password fatigue is a growing issue. A reliable password manager is the key to staying sane in the digital world. This is especially true if you’re working as a freelancer and supporting multiple clients and projects in parallel.
Bitwarden is an open-source solution that encrypts your data and provides a user-friendly interface. As it is an open source platform, it’s also possible to run your own self-hosted password manager and keep your sensitive data off their servers.
Try Bitwarden here: bitwarden.com
Other options to look at include:
- KeePass: keepass.info
- Proton Pass: proton.me/pass
7. Google Authenticator → Aegis Authenticator
You know by now you should be using two-factor authentication, right? 2FA is critical for online security, but using an authenticator app without password protection can be risky. Anyone who gets inside your phone can access the second step keys to all your logins if the app itself is not secure.
Aegis Authenticator is a free, open-source 2FA solution that’s password protected. It’s Android-only software however, so you may want to take a look at the options below for support on other devices.
Try Aegis here: getaegis.app
Other options to look at include:
- Ente Auth: ente.io/auth
- Bitwarden Authenticator: bitwarden.com/products/authenticator
8. Google Calendar → Tuta Calendar
Tuta (previously Tutanota) offers its users a secure, private calendar that integrates seamlessly with their email service. Not only is it automatically end-to-end encrypted, it’s quantum-safe too.
Try Tuta Calendar here: tuta.com/calendar
Alternatively you can try:
- Proton Calendar: proton.me/calendar
9. Google Sheets → CryptPad Sheet
CryptPad is an open-source project that offers multiple encrypted workspace solutions like forms, slides, and text editors. Their Sheets function looks and feels more like Excel, but is certainly a powerful solution for those looking for spreadsheet privacy.
As the CryptPad code is open-source, numerous instances exist online. The best place to start is at cryptpad.fr which is hosted and maintained by CryptPad’s creators in France.
Try CryptPad Sheet here: cryptpad.fr/sheet
Alternatively you can try:
- LibreOffice: libreoffice.org
10. Google Meet → Brave Talk
If you’re looking for a privacy-focused videoconference app, Brave Talk is definitely worth checking out. It’s a free, secure videoconferencing tool built by the same team behind the Brave Browser.
Brave Talk runs directly in the browser and can even be used without an account, just start a new session and share the meeting link with 3 other participants (more callers can be added in their paid service).
Try Brave Talk here: brave.com/talk
Alternatively you can try:
- Jitsi Meet: jitsi.org/jitsi-meet
The Bottom Line
Removing dependencies from giant corporations doesn’t stop at the surface level. If anything, it propels you down a never-ending rabbit hole of epiphanies and further research.
What about that keyboard on your Android phone, can you trust your inputs aren’t being tracked and stored? Do you know who owns the largest public DNS service in the world? How can Google pay for all those cars and drivers, while Maps and Street View remains free for everyone?
If you have similar thoughts, or are looking for more specific solutions, then consider joining up with likeminded people. There are plenty of dedicated and welcoming communities building safe and secure alternative tools for our digital lifestyles.
And remember, none of these suggestions are sponsored or to be seen as a personal endorsement. If I missed your favourite app, or got a technicality wrong, don’t get mad. Help out some fellow readers instead by commenting your suggestions and alternatives below. A more informed userbase is the key to growing a safer and more respectful internet.
Talk to you next time.
Jason
As a Technical Content Writer, I support projects in Crypto, Web3, DePIN, and AI with research articles, strategy, copywriting, newsletters, white papers and more.
If that’s something you could benefit from, get in touch at: jasonglynn.carrd.co.
