Introduction
Linux and the open-source community offer more than just an operating system. They also represent a different approach to computing. Instead of being completely dependent on large technology companies, users can choose services, applications and devices that place greater emphasis on privacy, openness, sustainability and freedom of choice.
Many users are looking for alternatives to services provided by Google, Microsoft, Meta and other large technology companies. This page presents open-source, European and privacy-friendly solutions for everyday use.
Contents
1️⃣ European and Privacy-Friendly Services
📧 Email, Calendar and Privacy
- Proton – a Swiss provider offering email, VPN, calendar, password management and cloud storage with a strong focus on privacy.
- Tuta – a German encrypted email and calendar service.
- Mailbox.org – a German email service with additional office and collaboration features.
- Posteo – a German privacy-focused email service.
- Infomaniak – a Swiss provider offering cloud storage, email, video conferencing and other online services.
☁️ Cloud Storage, Files and Documents
- Nextcloud – an open-source solution for files, calendars, contacts and team collaboration.
- kDrive – a European option for cloud file storage.
- Proton Drive – privacy-focused cloud storage.
- Filen – a European encrypted cloud storage service.
- Ente Photos – a privacy-focused alternative to Google Photos.
- CryptPad – encrypted online documents and collaboration tools.
- office.eu – a European cloud-based office solution.
🔎 Search Engines
- Qwant – a European search engine with a focus on privacy.
- Startpage – a search engine focused on protecting user privacy.
- Ecosia – a search engine known for its environmental focus.
- MetaGer – an open and privacy-friendly metasearch engine.
- DuckDuckGo – a well-known search engine focused on reducing user tracking.
🌐 Web Browsers
- Vivaldi – an independent European web browser developed by a company based in Norway and Iceland. It focuses on customisation and privacy and does not profile users for advertising.
🌍 Translation and Language Tools
- DeepL – a German machine translation and language service that can serve as an alternative to larger global translation platforms.
💬 Messaging and Video Calls
- Threema – a Swiss privacy-focused messaging service.
- Whereby – a Norwegian browser-based video meeting service with a focus on privacy and simplicity.
💳 Payments
- Wero – a European payment solution designed for direct bank-account payments, sending and receiving money, and online payments. It represents an emerging European alternative to global payment services such as PayPal. Availability depends on the country and participating bank.
📋 Project Management
- OpenProject – a European open-source solution for traditional, agile and hybrid project management. It is available for self-hosting or as a hosted service and can serve as an alternative to solutions such as Jira, Asana or Trello.
2️⃣ Alternatives to Google, Microsoft and Other Major Online Services
The table below shows several commonly used services and possible open-source or more privacy-friendly alternatives.
| Well-known service | Possible alternatives |
|---|---|
| Gmail | Proton Mail, Tuta, Mailbox.org, Posteo, Infomaniak Mail |
| Google Drive | Nextcloud, Proton Drive, kDrive, Filen, CryptPad, Tresorit |
| Google Docs / Microsoft 365 | LibreOffice, OnlyOffice, Collabora Online, CryptPad, office.eu |
| Google Photos | Ente Photos, Immich |
| Google Search | Qwant, Startpage, Ecosia, MetaGer, Swisscows, DuckDuckGo |
| Google Maps | OpenStreetMap, Organic Maps, OsmAnd |
| Google Meet / Zoom / Teams | Jitsi Meet, BigBlueButton, Element Call, Whereby |
| YouTube | PeerTube |
| Chrome | Firefox, LibreWolf, Chromium, Brave |
| Outlook | Thunderbird, Evolution, KMail, Kontact |
3️⃣ Software Alternatives
- Microsoft Office → LibreOffice, OnlyOffice, Collabora Office
- Adobe Photoshop → GIMP, Krita
- Adobe Illustrator → Inkscape
- Adobe Premiere → Kdenlive, Shotcut, OpenShot
- Adobe Audition → Audacity, Ardour
- AutoCAD → FreeCAD, LibreCAD
- Dropbox → Nextcloud, Syncthing, Filen
- Google Photos → Ente Photos, Immich
- Spotify → Clementine, Strawberry Music Player
- Notepad++ → Geany, Kate, VSCodium
4️⃣ European and Open Artificial Intelligence
In addition to the largest US-based artificial intelligence providers, there are also European companies and open projects. This field is developing rapidly, so it is useful to follow several different sources.
- Mistral AI – a European artificial intelligence company.
- Le Chat – Mistral's conversational AI assistant.
- OpenEuroLLM – a European initiative focused on open language models.
- Aleph Alpha – a German artificial intelligence company.
- LightOn – a French artificial intelligence company.
- Ollama – a tool for running AI models locally.
- Open WebUI – a web interface for using AI models locally.
- LM Studio – a graphical application for running language models locally.
When using artificial intelligence, it is advisable to verify its answers, especially when dealing with important technical, legal, medical or financial information.
5️⃣ Hardware Alternatives
💻 Computers with Linux
- System76 – a US manufacturer of Linux computers and the developer of Pop!_OS.
- TUXEDO Computers – a German manufacturer of laptops and desktop computers with Linux.
- Slimbook – a European manufacturer of computers with Linux.
- Star Labs – a manufacturer of laptops designed for Linux.
- Purism – computers and phones with a strong focus on privacy.
- Dell XPS Developer Edition – laptops with official Ubuntu support.
- Framework Laptop – modular and repairable laptops.
6️⃣ Mobile Alternatives
📱 Phones and Mobile Operating Systems
- Fairphone – sustainable smartphones designed with repairability in mind.
- Murena /e/OS – an Android-based system designed to reduce dependence on Google services.
- Volla Phone – a smartphone that supports alternative operating systems.
- PinePhone – an open Linux phone aimed primarily at enthusiasts.
- Purism Librem 5 – a Linux phone with physical privacy switches.
- LineageOS – an open-source mobile operating system.
- GrapheneOS – a security-focused Android operating system for Google Pixel phones.
- F-Droid – an app store for open-source Android applications.
7️⃣ Other Open-Source Alternatives
- OpenStreetMap – an open, community-maintained map of the world.
- Organic Maps – maps without tracking that can also be used offline.
- OsmAnd – navigation and maps based on OpenStreetMap.
- Signal – secure encrypted messaging.
- Element / Matrix – an open-source communication platform.
- PeerTube – a decentralised alternative to YouTube.
- Mastodon – an open social networking alternative to X/Twitter.
- Joplin – an open-source application for notes and organisation.
- Immich – a self-hosted open-source alternative to Google Photos.
- Bitwarden – a password manager.
- KeePassXC – a local password manager.
- Mullvad VPN – a VPN service with a strong focus on privacy.
8️⃣ Useful Links
- European Alternatives – a collection of European alternatives across different categories.
- European Alternatives – desktop operating systems – European alternatives for desktop operating systems.
- European Alternatives Cloud – European cloud services.
- office.eu – a European office solution.
- AlternativeTo – a search service for finding alternative software and online services.
- Privacy Guides – recommendations for privacy and safer use of the internet.
- Prism Break – a collection of privacy-friendly software and services.
Conclusion
Open-source and European alternatives are not simply replacements for individual applications. They represent a different approach, where privacy, transparency, sustainability, repairability and user control over personal data play a greater role.
Beginners do not need to replace everything at once. It is enough to start with one area, such as a web browser, email service, cloud storage, office suite or an open-source application used for everyday tasks.