Best Privacy Apps 🛡️

Messaging

Signal is the gold standard in private messaging. Endorsed by journalists and privacy advocates, it offers end-to-end encryption by default for messages, voice, and video calls. Signal collects virtually no metadata and is funded by donations—not ads or data harvesting.

🔐 Private communication with zero metadata

Messaging

Session is a privacy-focused messenger that doesn’t require a phone number to use. It routes messages through a decentralized onion routing network, similar to Tor, making your metadata and IP address nearly impossible to trace.

🔐 Truly anonymous messaging with no central servers

Messaging

SimpleX Chat is a protocol and app that delivers private messaging without user IDs or phone numbers. It uses temporary anonymous identifiers and routing via servers you can run yourself. It's perfect for the most privacy-conscious users.

🔐 The most metadata-resistant chat protocol available

Messaging

Briar is a peer-to-peer messaging app for Android that works without internet access by syncing over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It’s designed for activists, protesters, and anyone who needs resilient communication in hostile environments.

🔐 Offline peer-to-peer messaging for crisis situations

Messaging

Threema is a privacy-respecting messenger that collects no data and operates under Swiss privacy laws. It is a paid app, so it doesn't rely on ads or tracking. No phone number or email required—users are identified by a random ID.

🔐 Private messaging backed by Swiss privacy laws

Email

Proton Mail is a privacy-first email service based in Switzerland. All emails are encrypted with zero-access encryption, meaning even Proton can’t read them. It supports custom domains, calendar, and full integration with Proton’s secure ecosystem.

🔐 Email that’s private by design — even Proton can’t read it

Email

Tutanota is a secure, end-to-end encrypted email provider based in Germany. It does not log IP addresses, doesn’t show ads, and offers strong encryption even for subject lines. Ideal for individuals and organizations needing private communications.

🔐 Private, ad-free email without compromise

Email

Skiff was a modern, end-to-end encrypted email platform with a focus on decentralization and privacy. It was acquired by Notion in 2024, so active development is paused, but many still consider it a great privacy app for now.

🔐 Forward-thinking email with end-to-end encryption

Email

StartMail is a private email service run by the makers of Startpage (private search). Based in the Netherlands, it offers strong encryption, aliases, and no ads. Unlike Proton or Tutanota, it’s not free—but it’s easy to use and highly private.

🔐 Email privacy without the learning curve

Browser

Brave is a fast, privacy-first browser that blocks trackers, ads, and fingerprinting by default. Built on Chromium, it supports all Chrome extensions while removing Google spying. It also offers private tabs with Tor integration for anonymous browsing.

🔐 A modern browser that protects your privacy without slowing you down

Browser

Tor Browser is the ultimate tool for anonymous browsing. It routes all traffic through the Tor network to hide your IP address and block trackers. It's essential for activists, journalists, or anyone under surveillance.

🔐 The gold standard for anonymity online

Browser

Firefox is a mainstream open-source browser with powerful privacy controls. Its Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks ads, fingerprinting, and third-party cookies. With privacy-focused add-ons like uBlock Origin and HTTPS Everywhere, Firefox can be one of the safest browsers available.

🔐 A privacy-friendly browser you can fully customize

Browser

Mull is a hardened version of Firefox for Android that disables telemetry, integrates anti-fingerprinting patches, and supports add-ons. Built by the DivestOS team, it's one of the best mobile browsers for serious privacy advocates.

🔐 A private Firefox fork built for Android privacy nerds

Password Manager

Bitwarden is one of the most trusted open-source password managers. It offers end-to-end encryption, secure password sharing, vault health reports, and the ability to self-host. It’s easy to use and works across all devices.

🔐 A secure, open-source password manager for everyone

Password Manager

Proton Pass is a secure password manager by the makers of Proton Mail. It offers end-to-end encrypted storage for passwords, notes, and 2FA codes, and includes email aliases via SimpleLogin integration. Built with privacy-first principles.

🔐 Password manager from one of the most trusted names in privacy

Password Manager

KeePassXC is a fully offline, open-source password manager. It stores your credentials locally in an encrypted file, with no cloud sync by default. Ideal for advanced users who want complete control over their password data.

🔐 Maximum control, no cloud — you own your data

Password Manager

LessPass is a unique, stateless password manager. It doesn’t store any data. Instead, it generates your passwords on the fly using your master password and a consistent formula. You can use it via browser extension, CLI, or web.

🔐 Never store passwords — generate them when you need them

VPN

Mullvad is the most private VPN on the market. You don’t even need an email to sign up — just a random account number. It’s open source, doesn’t log anything, and has passed multiple independent audits. Based in Sweden and privacy-respecting since day one.

🔐 The most anonymous VPN — no account details needed

VPN

IVPN is a high-trust VPN provider that offers anonymous sign-up, no logs, and supports open-source clients. Based in Gibraltar and independently audited, IVPN is perfect for users who want maximum transparency and ethical business practices.

🔐 Transparent and ethical VPN with zero logging

VPN

Proton VPN is built by the team behind Proton Mail and offers a free plan with no logs, no ads, and no bandwidth limits. It supports Tor over VPN, Secure Core routing, and is based in Switzerland for strong legal protections.

🔐 Free and trustworthy VPN from the makers of Proton Mail

VPN

Riseup VPN is run by the Riseup collective, an activist tech group offering privacy tools for dissidents and journalists. It doesn’t require signup, keeps no logs, and runs on donations. Simple and fast, but intended more for social justice use than mass adoption.

🔐 Free, no-login VPN built for activists and whistleblowers

Social

Mastodon is a decentralized, open-source alternative to Twitter/X. Instead of one central server, it runs on a network of independently hosted 'instances' that communicate with each other. There are no ads, no tracking, and no algorithm deciding what you see.

🔐 Twitter-like social media — but without the surveillance and central control

Social

Pixelfed is a decentralized alternative to Instagram. It’s part of the Fediverse and allows users to share photos with full control over their content and data. No ads, no tracking, and no algorithm. Just open-source photo sharing.

🔐 Instagram-style photo sharing with real privacy

Social

PeerTube is a decentralized video platform — like YouTube, but federated. Anyone can host their own PeerTube instance, and videos can be shared across the network without relying on centralized servers or ad algorithms.

🔐 A privacy-respecting alternative to YouTube

Social

Lemmy is a federated alternative to Reddit. It works like traditional forums or subreddits, but across decentralized servers. You can subscribe to communities across the entire network — with no tracking, ads, or content manipulation.

🔐 The Reddit alternative built for privacy and freedom

Cloud Storage

Proton Drive offers encrypted cloud storage from the same team behind Proton Mail. Files are encrypted at rest and in transit with zero-access encryption. It’s hosted in Switzerland and is tightly integrated into the Proton privacy ecosystem.

🔐 Encrypted cloud storage where even Proton can’t access your files

Cloud Storage

Internxt is a zero-knowledge cloud storage service based in the EU. It uses AES-256 encryption to store files in a distributed network. With Web, mobile, and desktop apps, it’s a solid alternative to Big Tech cloud providers.

🔐 Decentralized and encrypted storage based in Europe

Cloud Storage

Filen is a German-based, end-to-end encrypted cloud storage provider with a focus on security and simplicity. It offers file sharing, encrypted metadata, and generous free storage. Everything is encrypted client-side — Filen sees nothing.

🔐 Encrypted storage with no metadata leaks

Cloud Storage

Tresorit is a Swiss-Hungarian cloud storage service built for teams and professionals. It offers enterprise-grade end-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge architecture. It’s more expensive but ideal for businesses needing GDPR and HIPAA compliance.

🔐 Enterprise-grade secure storage for professionals

Collaboration

CryptPad is a fully end-to-end encrypted alternative to Google Docs, offering real-time collaboration on rich text documents, spreadsheets, kanban boards, forms, and more. You can use it anonymously, and even without creating an account.

🔐 Google Docs-style collaboration — but private and encrypted

Collaboration

Standard Notes is a secure note-taking app that uses end-to-end encryption by default. It supports rich text, markdown, to-do lists, and encrypted file attachments. Perfect for journaling, personal notes, and team documentation — all private by design.

🔐 Your thoughts, tasks, and docs — encrypted from end to end

Collaboration

Etherpad is a real-time collaborative editor that you can host yourself. It’s not encrypted out-of-the-box, but gives total control when paired with secure hosting and HTTPS. Perfect for privacy-aware teams that want to manage their own infrastructure.

🔐 Collaborative editing on your own terms

Mobile OS

GrapheneOS is a hardened, privacy-focused version of Android, designed for Pixel phones. It includes exploit mitigations, sandboxing, and zero Google apps or services by default. You can run apps in isolated sandboxes, including sandboxed Play Store if needed.

🔐 The most secure and private mobile OS available today

Mobile OS

CalyxOS is a privacy-focused Android alternative that balances usability and security. It includes microG (an open-source replacement for Google services), encrypted backups, and comes preloaded with privacy tools like Signal, Tor, and F-Droid.

🔐 Private and user-friendly Android for everyone

Mobile OS

/e/OS (formerly Eelo) is a de-Googled Android operating system that includes its own cloud service, app store, and services like maps, email, and calendar. A great option for people looking to move completely away from Big Tech ecosystems.

🔐 A full de-Googled mobile experience with its own private ecosystem

Privacy Phone

The Librem 5 is a fully Linux-based smartphone built from the ground up for privacy. It runs PureOS (not Android), and features hardware kill switches for microphone, camera, Wi-Fi, and baseband. Ideal for security-conscious users, though still in early adoption.

🔐 The phone that lets you physically shut down your sensors

DNS / Firewall

NextDNS is a privacy-first DNS resolver and customizable firewall. It lets you block ads, trackers, telemetry, malware domains, and even filter content — all on the DNS level. You can use it on any device and even set it up at the router level.

🔐 The Pi-hole of the cloud — powerful DNS-based tracking protection

DNS / Firewall

Blokada is a free and open-source ad blocker and tracker blocker for Android and iOS. It creates a local VPN on your device to block traffic from known ad/tracking domains across all apps — not just your browser.

🔐 Block ads and trackers across your entire phone

DNS / Firewall

RethinkDNS is an advanced open-source DNS-based firewall for Android. It lets you block trackers per app, monitor outgoing connections, and route DNS through encrypted resolvers like NextDNS or custom setups.

🔐 Fine-grained network control without root access

DNS / Firewall

DNSCrypt is a flexible tool to encrypt and secure DNS queries, protecting them from snooping and tampering. It supports DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS, with features like blacklist/whitelist filtering and anonymized relays.

🔐 Advanced DNS encryption for privacy nerds and sysadmins

Privacy Suite

Proton offers the most complete privacy suite available today. Based in Switzerland, it includes Proton Mail (secure email), Proton Drive (encrypted cloud storage), Proton VPN, Proton Calendar, and Proton Pass — all built with end-to-end encryption and zero-access architecture.

🔐 The most trusted full privacy ecosystem for daily use

Privacy Suite

Tuta is a secure German alternative offering encrypted email, calendar, and contact management. It focuses on privacy by default, blocking IP logs, metadata leaks, and trackers. No ads, no Google scripts, and completely open source.

🔐 A clean and focused alternative to Gmail, with full encryption

Privacy Suite

Mailbox.org is a secure, ad-free email provider based in Germany with a full productivity suite. It includes email, calendar, tasks, drive, video calls, and even Office compatibility — all run on open standards and encrypted systems.

🔐 A powerful productivity suite with full privacy compliance

Search Engine

Kagi is a premium, ad-free, privacy-first search engine. It offers fast, human-friendly results with zero tracking. It includes a built-in AI assistant, 'FastGPT', for chat-based responses — all without selling your data or injecting ads.

🔐 AI-powered private search — without selling your soul

Search Engine

You.com is an AI-powered search engine with private and non-private modes. Its private mode disables history, logs, and tracking — and still lets you use its powerful AI assistant, summarizer, code tools, and chat.

🔐 An AI assistant with a privacy switch

Search Engine

Brave Search now includes AI-generated summaries with its own independent search index. Unlike most tools, Brave doesn’t rely on Google or Bing — and doesn’t track you. AI summaries work directly in your search results, not as a chatbot.

🔐 Private AI-enhanced search — no Google, no Bing

Search Engine

Andi is a new kind of search engine with a chat-style interface that explains answers using generative AI. It’s private by default — no ads, no tracking, and no creepy profiling. Super visual, mobile-first, and human-friendly.

🔐 A Gen Z-style search engine that respects your privacy