A curated list of awesome tools, services, and resources to help you protect your personal privacy online. This list includes software, services, and guides to help you maintain control over your data. I've tried to keep it FOSS-only.

Table of Contents

Operating Systems

  • Tails - Live operating system that preserves privacy and anonymity.
  • Qubes OS - Security-focused desktop operating system that uses virtualization.
  • Whonix - Anonymous operating system based on Tor and virtualization.
  • PureOS - Privacy-focused, open-source operating system endorsed by the Free Software Foundation.

Mobile Operating Systems

  • LineageOS - A free and open-source operating system for smartphones and tablets, based on Android. It offers regular updates and supports a wide range of devices.

  • GrapheneOS - A privacy and security-focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility. Ideal for Pixel devices.

  • CalyxOS - An Android mobile OS that puts privacy and security into the hands of everyday users.

  • Ubuntu Touch - A mobile version of the Ubuntu operating system, focusing on convergence and privacy.

  • postmarketOS - A real Linux distribution for phones, focusing on long-term maintenance.

Mobile Browsers

  • Fennec F-Droid - A privacy-friendly version of Firefox for Android, available on F-Droid without proprietary bits.

  • Tor Browser for Android - Browse the web anonymously through the Tor network.

  • Bromite - A Chromium fork with ad blocking and enhanced privacy; no Google binaries.

  • DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser - A browser that blocks trackers and offers private search; the Android app is open-source.

Privacy-Focused Apps

Messaging Apps

  • Signal - End-to-end encrypted messaging app with voice and video calls.

  • Element - Secure messaging app based on the Matrix protocol; supports end-to-end encryption.

  • Conversations - An open-source XMPP/Jabber client for Android with OTR and OMEMO encryption.

  • Session - Decentralized messenger that uses a blockchain-based network; no phone numbers required.

Email Clients

  • K-9 Mail - An open-source email client for Android with support for multiple accounts and encryption via OpenPGP.

  • FairEmail - A privacy-focused email app for Android that is fully open-source.

VPN Apps

Password Managers

  • KeePassDX - An open-source password manager compatible with KeePass databases.

  • Bitwarden (FOSS Edition) - Open-source password manager that syncs across devices.

  • Password Store - Android client for pass, the standard Unix password manager.

Ad Blockers and Anti-Tracking

  • Blokada v5 (FOSS Edition) - Blocks ads, trackers, and malware; available for Android.

  • AdAway - Open-source ad blocker that uses hosts files; requires root access.

  • TrackerControl - Allows users to monitor and control hidden data collection in apps.

Secure File Storage

  • Cryptomator - Encrypts files in the cloud; client-side encryption for your cloud storage.

  • Nextcloud - Self-hosted file sync and share platform with mobile clients.

  • Seafile - Open-source file sync and share solution with encryption support.

Camera and Microphone Blockers

Financial Privacy

Protecting your financial information is crucial for overall privacy. The following FOSS tools and resources help enhance financial privacy on mobile devices.

Privacy-Focused Financial Apps

  • Monero - Monero is a secure, private, and untraceable cryptocurrency that uses advanced cryptography to protect transactions and balances from being publicly visible.

  • GNU Taler - An electronic payment system that ensures customer privacy while allowing regulatory oversight for merchants.

Cryptocurrency Wallets

  • Monerujo - An open-source Monero wallet for Android, focusing on privacy and anonymity in transactions.

  • Cake Wallet - A fully open-source Monero wallet available for Android and iOS, allowing for secure and private transactions.

  • Electrum Monero - A lightweight Monero wallet for Android that doesn't require downloading the entire blockchain.

  • BlueWallet - An open-source Bitcoin wallet for Android and iOS with support for the Lightning Network.

Expense Tracking

  • MoneyWallet - An open-source expense tracker and budget manager with support for multiple accounts and currencies.

  • Firefly III Mobile - Mobile client for Firefly III, a self-hosted personal finance manager.

  • GNUCash Android - Mobile companion application for the desktop finance software GNUCash.

App Stores and Repositories

  • F-Droid - An installable catalogue of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) applications for the Android platform.

  • Aurora Store - An open-source Google Play Store client that allows anonymous downloads.

  • IzzyOnDroid Repository - An F-Droid compatible repository with additional apps.

Privacy Tools and Resources

  • Exodus Privacy - Analyzes Android applications to list embedded trackers.

  • AFWall+ - A front-end application for the powerful iptables Linux firewall.

  • NetGuard - A no-root firewall for Android that can block internet access per application.

  • Orbot - Tor for Android; routes your internet traffic through the Tor network.

  • Briar - Peer-to-peer messaging app that works without internet access; ideal for secure communications.

  • OpenKeychain - Easy encryption and digital signatures for Android.

Web Browsers

  • Mozilla Firefox - A free and open-source browser focused on privacy and customization.
  • Tor Browser - A browser that anonymizes your web traffic using the Tor network.
  • Brave Browser - Privacy-focused browser with built-in ad and tracker blocking.
  • LibreWolf - A fork of Firefox with enhanced privacy settings and removed telemetry.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

  • ProtonVPN - Secure and privacy-focused VPN service from the makers of ProtonMail.
  • Mullvad VPN - No-logs VPN service that doesn't require personal information to sign up.
  • IVPN - Privacy-focused VPN with strong encryption and no-logs policy.
  • NordVPN - Popular VPN service with a large network and robust security features.

Email Services

  • ProtonMail - End-to-end encrypted email service based in Switzerland.
  • Tutanota - Secure email service with end-to-end encryption and open-source code.
  • Mailfence - Encrypted email with digital signatures and secure calendars.
  • Posteo - Privacy-oriented email service that is ad-free and powered by green energy.

Messaging Apps

  • Signal - End-to-end encrypted messaging app with voice and video calls.
  • Wire - Secure collaboration platform with encrypted messaging and file sharing.
  • Threema - Privacy-focused messaging app that doesn't require a phone number.
  • Session - Decentralized messenger that uses a blockchain-based network.
  • SimpleX - A username-less chat, great for anonimity, a bit of a pain for spam.

Search Engines

  • DuckDuckGo - Search engine that doesn't track you.
  • Startpage - Privacy-friendly search engine that uses Google results.
  • Searx - Open-source, privacy-respecting metasearch engine.
  • Qwant - European search engine that respects user privacy.

Password Managers

  • Bitwarden - Open-source password manager with cross-platform support.
  • KeePassXC - Community-maintained fork of the KeePass password manager.
  • LessPass - Stateless password manager that generates passwords on the fly.
  • Pass - Unix-based password manager that uses GPG and Git.

Browser Extensions

  • uBlock Origin - Efficient blocker for ads and trackers.
  • Privacy Badger - Blocks invisible trackers automatically.
  • HTTPS Everywhere - Forces websites to use secure connections.
  • NoScript - Allows control over JavaScript, Java, Flash, and other plugins.
  • Decentraleyes - Local emulation of CDN resources to improve privacy.

Secure Cloud Storage

  • Nextcloud - Self-hosted file sync and share platform.
  • SpiderOak One Backup - Secure cloud backup with zero-knowledge encryption.
  • Tresorit - Encrypted cloud storage service with end-to-end encryption.
  • Sync.com - Secure cloud storage with privacy in mind.

Privacy-Focused Social Networks

  • Mastodon - Decentralized social network with open-source servers.
  • Diaspora* - Decentralized social network where you own your data.
  • Minds - Open-source social network focused on privacy and free speech.
  • PixelFed - Decentralized, privacy-focused photo-sharing platform.

Privacy Tools and Resources

Firewalls and Network Security

  • pfSense - Open-source firewall and router software.
  • OpenWrt - Custom firmware for routers to enhance security.
  • OPNsense - Easy-to-use open-source firewall and routing platform.
  • Pi-hole - Network-wide ad and tracker blocking via DNS sinkhole.
  • [THOR Router] - A tor-based hardware router that forces all of yoru traffic through Tor.

Anti-Tracking Tools

  • Ghostery - Blocks trackers to speed up page loads.
  • Disconnect - Blocks invisible tracking and malware.
  • Lightbeam - Visualizes the websites that track you.
  • Trace - Browser extension to protect against fingerprinting.

Privacy-Focused DNS Providers

  • Quad9 - DNS service that blocks malicious domains.
  • Cloudflare DNS - Privacy-first DNS resolver with no logging.
  • OpenNIC - Non-profit, user-owned DNS network.
  • UncensoredDNS - Free, uncensored, and privacy-aware DNS.

Secure VoIP and Video Conferencing

  • Jitsi Meet - Open-source video conferencing that you can host yourself.
  • Linphone - Open-source VoIP softphone with end-to-end encryption.
  • Mumble - Low-latency, secure voice chat software.
  • Element - Secure communication platform based on Matrix protocol.

Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware

Ad Blockers

  • AdGuard - Blocks ads and trackers across your system.
  • Blokada - Open-source ad blocker for Android and iOS.
  • AdAway - Open-source ad blocker for Android (requires root).
  • NextDNS - DNS-based ad and tracker blocking service.

Data Encryption Tools

  • VeraCrypt - Disk encryption software for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • GnuPG - Complete implementation of OpenPGP standard for encrypting data.
  • Cryptomator - Encrypts files in the cloud transparently.
  • Age - Simple, modern, and secure file encryption tool.

Maintaining privacy online is a continuous effort. This list aims to provide resources to help you protect your personal data and maintain your privacy in the digital age.

Contributions are welcome! If you have suggestions for additions or improvements, please feel free to contribute.