Recommended Tools
Every tool here has been tested and evaluated for privacy, security, and real-world usability. We only recommend tools we would use ourselves.
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15 tools
Mullvad VPN
Privacy-first VPN that requires no email or personal info to sign up. Pay with cash or crypto. Open source apps on all platforms.
+ Pros
- No account info required
- Accepts cash payments
- Open source apps
- Audited independently
- Cons
- Fewer server locations
- No free tier
ProtonVPN
Swiss-based VPN with a generous free tier. Part of the Proton privacy suite. Secure Core routes traffic through multiple countries.
+ Pros
- Free tier available
- Secure Core servers
- Swiss jurisdiction
- Integrated with Proton suite
- Cons
- Free tier is limited
- Slower than some competitors
IVPN
Privacy-focused VPN with multi-hop support and no email required for signup. Transparent, audited, and based in Gibraltar.
+ Pros
- No email required
- Multi-hop connections
- Transparent company
- Regular audits
- Cons
- Smaller server network
- Higher price point
Proton Mail
End-to-end encrypted email service based in Switzerland with zero-access encryption. Calendar, Drive, and VPN bundled.
+ Pros
- E2E encrypted by default
- Swiss jurisdiction
- Calendar and Drive included
- Bridge for desktop clients
- Cons
- Limited free storage
- Search limited to metadata
Tuta Mail
German-based encrypted email with its own encryption protocol. More affordable than Proton with encrypted calendar and contacts.
+ Pros
- Very affordable
- Encrypted calendar
- Custom domains
- Open source
- Cons
- No IMAP/SMTP support
- Smaller ecosystem
Bitwarden
Open-source password manager you can self-host. Full audit trail, passkey support, and enterprise features at a fraction of competitors.
+ Pros
- Open source
- Self-hostable
- Generous free tier
- Passkey support
- Cons
- UI less polished
- Autofill occasionally misses
KeePassXC
Fully offline, open-source password manager. Your vault is a local file you control. No cloud, no servers, no subscriptions.
+ Pros
- Fully offline
- No cloud dependency
- Mature project
- YubiKey support
- Cons
- No built-in sync
- Manual setup for mobile
Ollama
Run large language models locally with a single CLI command. Supports Llama 3, Mistral, Phi, and dozens more. Your data never leaves your machine.
+ Pros
- Completely free
- No data sent anywhere
- Supports many models
- Simple CLI
- Cons
- Requires decent hardware
- No GUI by default
GPT4All
Desktop application for running local LLMs with a clean graphical interface. Great for non-technical users who want local AI.
+ Pros
- Clean GUI
- Easy setup
- LocalDocs for RAG
- Cross-platform
- Cons
- Fewer models than Ollama
- Less flexible
Jan.ai
Open-source ChatGPT alternative that runs 100% offline. Beautiful interface with local model support and extension system.
+ Pros
- Beautiful UI
- 100% offline
- Extension system
- Active development
- Cons
- Newer project
- Some rough edges
Nextcloud
Self-hosted cloud platform with files, calendar, contacts, and collaborative editing. Full control over your data and infrastructure.
+ Pros
- Full data control
- Rich app ecosystem
- Collaborative editing
- E2E encryption option
- Cons
- Requires server management
- Can be resource-heavy
Proton Drive
Zero-access encrypted cloud storage from the Proton team. Swiss privacy laws and seamless integration with Proton Mail.
+ Pros
- Zero-access encryption
- Swiss jurisdiction
- Easy to use
- Proton ecosystem
- Cons
- Less storage than competitors
- Fewer features than Nextcloud
Firefox
The best mainstream browser for privacy when properly configured. Enhanced Tracking Protection, container tabs, and extensive about:config options.
+ Pros
- Extensive customization
- Container tabs
- Large extension library
- Non-Chromium engine
- Cons
- Needs manual hardening
- Some telemetry by default
Brave Browser
Chromium-based browser with built-in ad and tracker blocking. Good default privacy with Tor integration for private windows.
+ Pros
- Strong defaults
- Built-in ad blocking
- Tor private windows
- Fast performance
- Cons
- Chromium monoculture
- Crypto features controversial
LibreWolf
Privacy-hardened Firefox fork with telemetry removed, uBlock Origin pre-installed, and strict default settings.
+ Pros
- Pre-hardened Firefox
- No telemetry
- uBlock Origin included
- Community maintained
- Cons
- Manual updates
- Some sites may break
VPN Comparison
A side-by-side look at the VPNs we recommend. All three are privacy-respecting and independently audited.
Encrypted Email Comparison
End-to-end encrypted email providers compared on privacy, features, and jurisdiction. Your inbox is nobody else's business.
| Product | Price | E2E Encrypted | Zero-Access Encryption | Custom Domains | Calendar & Drive | Jurisdiction | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton Mail | Free / $4–8/mo | Yes — by default | Yes | Yes (paid) | Included | Switzerland | View Deal |
| Fastmail | $3–5/mo | No (TLS only) | No | Yes | Calendar + contacts | Australia | View Deal |
| Tutanota | Free / $1–8/mo | Yes — by default | Yes | Yes (paid) | Encrypted calendar | Germany | View Deal |
Encrypted Storage Comparison
Zero-knowledge cloud storage providers that keep your files private. All three encrypt before upload.
Password Manager Comparison
The best password managers for privacy-minded users. Open-source options, self-hosting, and passkey support compared.
| Product | Price | Open Source | Self-Hostable | Passkey Support | 2FA Built-In | Family Plan | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitwarden | Free / $3/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (TOTP, paid) | $3.33/mo (6 users) | View Deal |
| 1Password | $2.99–4.99/mo | Partial (clients) | No | Yes | Yes (Watchtower) | $4.99/mo (5 users) | View Deal |
| Proton Pass | Free / $1.99/mo | Yes | No | Yes | Yes (TOTP, free) | Included in Proton Family | View Deal |