lissy93/awesome-privacy🦄 A curated list of privacy & security-focused software and services
<p align="center" id="top"><a href="https://github.com/Lissy93/awesome-privacy"><img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/1cc9348b2e6f994a7ef035b29f0867cc2eb05b92fe9e1dcfe382b0a25c9d092f.png" /></a></p> <p align="center"><i>A curated list of privacy-respecting apps, software, and providers</i></p> <p align="center">🌐 <b><a href="https://awesome-privacy.xyz">awesome-privacy.xyz</a></b></p> <p align="center"> <sup> <a href="https://codeberg.org/alicia/awesome-privacy">[CodeBerg Mirror]</a> | <a href="https://github.com/Lissy93/awesome-privacy/blob/main/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md">[Submit an Addition]</a> | <a href="#the-api">[Raw data & API]</a> </sup> </p> ## Intro Large data-hungry corporations dominate the digital world but with little, or no respect for your privacy. Migrating to open-source applications with a strong emphasis on privacy and security will help stop corporations, governments, and hackers from logging, storing or selling your personal data. > [!CAUTION] > Remember that [no software is perfect](#important-considerations), and it is important to follow good [security practices](https://github.com/Lissy93/personal-security-checklist/blob/HEAD/CHECKLIST.md) <!-- awesome-privacy-start --> <blockquote><details open> <summary>📋 <b>Contents</b></summary> - **Essentials** - [Password Managers](#password-managers) (8) - [2-Factor Authentication](#2-factor-authentication) (12) - [File Encryption](#file-encryption) (3) - [Browsers](#browsers) (5) - [Search Engines](#search-engines) (6) - **Communication** - [Encrypted Messaging](#encrypted-messaging) (4) - [P2P Messaging](#p2p-messaging) (4) - [Encrypted Email](#encrypted-email) (4) - [Email Clients](#email-clients) (6) - [Mail Forwarding](#mail-forwarding) (4) - [Email Security Tools](#email-security-tools) (3) - [VOIP Clients](#voip-clients) (2) - [Virtual Phone Numbers](#virtual-phone-numbers) (8) - [Team Collaboration](#team-collaboration) (5) - **Security Tools** - [Browser Extensions](#browser-extensions) (21) - [Mobile Apps](#mobile-apps) (22) - [Online Tools](#online-tools) (17) - **Networking** - [Virtual Private Networks](#virtual-private-networks) (7) - [Self-Hosted Network Security](#self-hosted-network-security) (8) - [Anonymity Networks](#anonymity-networks) (3) - [Proxies](#proxies) (2) - [DNS Providers](#dns-providers) (3) - [DNS Clients](#dns-clients) (5) - [Firewalls](#firewalls) (14) - [Ad Blockers](#ad-blockers) (7) - [Host Block Lists](#host-block-lists) (6) - [Router Firmware](#router-firmware) (2) - [Network Analysis](#network-analysis) (3) - [Intrusion Detection](#intrusion-detection) (5) - [Cloud Hosting](#cloud-hosting) (4) - [Domain Registrars](#domain-registrars) (2) - [DNS Hosting](#dns-hosting) (1) - [Mail Servers](#mail-servers) (3) - **Productivity** - [Digital Notes](#digital-notes) (9) - [Calendar](#calendar) (5) - [Scheduling](#scheduling) (2) - [Task Management](#task-management) (3) - [Backup and Sync](#backup-and-sync) (4) - [Cloud Productivity Suites](#cloud-productivity-suites) (4) - [Encrypted Cloud Storage](#encrypted-cloud-storage) (6) - [Secret Sharing](#secret-sharing) (3) - [File Drop](#file-drop) (1) - [Browser Sync](#browser-sync) (4) - [Habit Trackers](#habit-trackers) (1) - [Secure Conference Calls](#secure-conference-calls) (2) - [Maps & Navigation](#maps--navigation) (1) - [Accessibility](#accessibility) (1) - [Office Suites](#office-suites) (3) - **Utilities** - [Virtual Machines](#virtual-machines) (3) - [PGP Managers](#pgp-managers) (8) - [Metadata Removal](#metadata-removal) (3) - [Data Erasers](#data-erasers) (8) - **Operating Systems** - [Mobile Operating Systems](#mobile-operating-systems) (3) - [Desktop Operating Systems](#desktop-operating-systems) (5) - [Linux Defenses](#linux-defenses) (7) - [Windows Defences](#windows-defences) (17) - [Mac OS Defences](#mac-os-defences) (2) - [Anti-Malware](#anti-malware) (2) - **Development** - [Code Hosting](#code-hosting) (5) - [IDEs](#ides) (1) - [Terminal Emulators](#terminal-emulators) (1) - [Developer Tools](#developer-tools) (3) - **Smart Home & IoT** - [Smart Home](#smart-home) (1) - [Security Cameras](#security-cameras) (1) - [Wearables & Health](#wearables--health) (1) - **Finance** - [Cryptocurrencies](#cryptocurrencies) (2) - [Crypto Wallets](#crypto-wallets) (6) - [Crypto Exchanges](#crypto-exchanges) (2) - [Crypto Tools](#crypto-tools) (1) - [Virtual Credit Cards](#virtual-credit-cards) (2) - [Other Payment Methods](#other-payment-methods) (3) - [Secure Budgeting](#secure-budgeting) (7) - **Social** - [Social Networks](#social-networks) (4) - [Video Platforms](#video-platforms) (2) - [Blogging Platforms](#blogging-platforms) (6) - [News Readers](#news-readers) (1) - [Proxy Sites](#proxy-sites) (4) - **Media** - [Gaming](#gaming) (1) - [Media Servers](#media-servers) (3) - [Music Players](#music-players) (1) - [Video Players](#video-players) (1) - [Photo Management](#photo-management) (2) - [Podcast Players](#podcast-players) (1) - [Torrent Downloaders](#torrent-downloaders) (1) - [File Converters](#file-converters) (2) - **Creativity** - [Image Editors](#image-editors) (8) - [Video Editors](#video-editors) (7) - [Audio Editors & Recorders](#audio-editors--recorders) (1) - [Casting & Streaming](#casting--streaming) (1) - [Screenshot Tools](#screenshot-tools) (1) - [3D Graphics](#3d-graphics) (2) - [Animation](#animation) (1) </details></blockquote> ## Essentials ### Password Managers - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/a8d0e5a1b0c64eb1c2a0a743c2272fd0b17f617d274679125bd8e4ccb23c1074.png" width='14' alt='' /> Bitwarden](https://bitwarden.com)** - Fully-featured, open source password manager with cloud-sync. Bitwarden is easy-to-use with a clean UI and client apps for desktop, web and mobile. See also [Vaultwarden](https://github.com/dani-garcia/vaultwarden), a self-hosted, Rust implementa[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/password-managers/bitwarden "View full Bitwarden report") - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/8b1837384f16e1d27cb9f252b22c0e9c7d772b9ad45c07f2befaf89ebbae47b4.png" width='14' alt='' /> KeePass](https://keepass.info)** - Hardened, secure and offline password manager. Does not have cloud-sync baked in, deemed to be [gold standard](https://keepass.info/ratings.html) for secure password managers. KeePass clients: [Strongbox](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/strongbox-keepass-pwsafe/id897283731) *(Mac & iOS)*, [KeePassium](https://apps.apple.com/app/keepassium-keepass-passwords/id1435127111) *(Mac & iOS)*[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/password-managers/keepass "View full KeePass report") - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/19dbaf97f2de6522ca6847fabaa371b329811a6ab87386c2f9abbdfc4c59176c.png" width='14' alt='' /> LessPass](https://lesspass.com)** - LessPass is a little different, since it generates your passwords using a hash of the website name, your username and a single main-passphrase that you reuse. It omits the need for you to ever need to[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/password-managers/lesspass "View full LessPass report") - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/903407da142895890846b6bfa467f20c9edd43849f924e76e1926147f39be204.png" width='14' alt='' /> ProtonPass](https://proton.me/pass)** - From the creators of ProtonMail, ProtonPass is a new addition to their suite of services. They have a full collection of user-friendly native mobile and desktop apps. ProtonPass is one of the few "tru[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/password-managers/protonpass "View full ProtonPass report") - **[<img src="https://www.zx2c4.com/favicon.ico" width='14' alt='' /> Pass](https://www.passwordstore.org/)** - The Standard Unix Password Manager - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/401038d90d9eb3c24404cb135755038d8bda97692a8167e6bd62245ac16f9013.png" width='14' alt='' /> AliasVault](https://www.aliasvault.net)** - End-to-end encrypted open source password and alias manager with built-in email server. AliasVault protects your privacy by creating alternative identities, passwords and email addresses for every web[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/password-managers/aliasvault "View full AliasVault report") - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/88ee8afb093c5e3b967cb5d765d3b2ed1ae653adcc95c2ebb2b935d9fc37da39.png" width='14' alt='' /> PaperVault](https://papervault.xyz)** - Store secrets and passwords on encrypted paper with distributed keys. Designed to last generations. Open source, client-side only, works offline. - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/4ef0ad91bb12231224da41b0c809f5a144459b28e26b6435c1414a7bd7a4a3aa/c5cb8f07d7b7d85945e9d99c01526ca92f61c7da66fbfe824c921e902e1765b0-display-v1.webp" width='14' alt='' /> 2of3 by Ente](https://2of3.ente.com)** - Turn a recovery key, password, or other secret into 3 cards you can keep in different places. Open-source, client-side only, with an offline recovery page. <details> <summary>✳️ <b>Notable Mentions</b></summary> > - [Password Safe](https://www.pwsafe.org) - An offline, open source password manager designed by [Bruce Schneier](https://www.schneier.com/academic/passsafe/), with native applications for Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android and iOS, and support for YubiKey. The UI is a little dated, and there is no official browser extension, making is slightly less convenient to use compared with other options > - [PassBolt](https://www.passbolt.com) - A good option for teams. It is free, open source, self-hosted, extensible and OpenPGP based. It is specifically good for development and DevOps usage, with integrations for the terminal, browser and chat, and can be easily extended for custom usage, and deployed quickly with Docker > - [1Password](https://1password.com) - (proprietary) A fully-featured cross-platform password manager with sync. Free for self-hosted data (or $3/ month hosted). Be aware that 1Password is not fully open source, but they do regularly publish results of their independent [security audits](https://support.1password.com/security-assessments), and they have a solid reputation for transparently disclosing and fixing vulnerabilities </details> <details> <summary>ℹ️ <b>Further Info</b></summary> > **Other Open Source PM**: [Buttercup](https://buttercup.pw), [Clipperz](https://clipperz.is), [Pass](https://www.passwordstore.org), [Padloc](https://padloc.app), [TeamPass](https://teampass.net), [PSONO](https://psono.com), [UPM](http://upm.sourceforge.net), [Gorilla](https://github.com/zdia/gorilla/wiki), [Seahorse](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/seahorse) (for GNOME), [GNOME Keyring](https://wiki.gnome.org/Projects/GnomeKeyring), [KDE Wallet Manager](https://userbase.kde.org/KDE_Wallet_Manager). <br /><br /> If you are using a deprecated PM, you should migrate to something actively maintained. This includes: [Firefox Lockwise](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/lockwise), [Encryptr](https://spideroak.com/personal/encryptr?ref=awesome-privacyr), [Mitro](https://www.mitro.co), [Rattic](https://spideroak.com/encryptr), [JPasswords](http://jpws.sourceforge.net/jpasswords.html), [Passopolis](https://passopolis.com), [KYPS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KYPS), [Factotum](http://man.9front.org/4/factotum). </details> <p align="right"><sup><a href="#top">⬆️ [Back to Top]</a></sub></p> --- ### 2-Factor Authentication - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/b36fed0fa09b559078bf622b204c372c8d2122b386b1000161a34dc4fc143358.png" width='14' alt='' /> 2FAS](https://2fas.com/)** - Free, secure and open source authenticator app for both iOS and Android. Supports creating encrypted backups and syncing between devices without the need for an account. - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/dfad7e07b0a596480eaf29969383b41033535bc2e61770ac2cb5baa65392b411.png" width='14' alt='' /> Aegis](https://getaegis.app)** - Free, secure and open source authenticator app for Android. Has a backup/ restore feature and a customisable UI with dark mode - **[<img src="https://stratumauth.com/img/icon.svg" width='14' alt='' /> Stratum](https://stratumauth.com/)** - Free and open-source two factor authentication app for Android. It features encrypted backups, icons, categories and a high level of customisation. It also has a Wear OS companion app - **[<img src="https://www.tofuauth.com/images/icon.svg" width='14' alt='' /> Tofu](https://www.tofuauth.com)** - An easy-to-use, open-source two-factor authentication app designed specifically for iOS - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/28172001c8f2741dfd846daa279a152cf5ebdd812f7207f94c996b59fdc7e2ca.png" width='14' alt='' /> Authenticator](https://mattrubin.me/authenticator)** - Simple, native, open source 2-FA Client for iOS, which never connects to the internet - built by @mattrubin.me - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/067ac07a6f1937680cc2b2bc84cdb826371e28c1bb4486b328bbca22a890b442.png" width='14' alt='' /> Authenticator GNOME](https://gitlab.gnome.org/World/Authenticator)** - Rust-based OTP authenticator. Has native With GNOME Shell integration. Also available through [flathub](https://flathub.org/apps/details/com.belmoussaoui.Authenticator). - **[<img src="https://authenticator.cc/assets/logo/logo.svg" width='14' alt='' /> Authenticator CC](https://authenticator.cc)** - Authenticator Extension is an in-browser One-Time Password (OTP) client, supports both Time-Based One-Time Password (TOTP, specified in [RFC 6238](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6238)) and HMAC-Based One-Time Password (HOTP, specified in [RFC 4226](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc4226)[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/2-factor-authentication/authenticator-cc "View full Authenticator CC report") - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/993d9384aaee1f1b97a2d20efce2678fd8e8211f249b156c92c0f79d1bc4cfd7/55581c5b23de95f2be778903d9d3221466016daf79b88829d2c022629f7464c1-display-v1.webp" width='14' alt='' /> Ente Auth](https://ente.com/auth/)** - Free, open source TOTP authenticator for mobile, desktop and web. Works fully offline, or with an Ente account to sync codes across devices with end-to-end encrypted backups. Codes can be imported fro[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/2-factor-authentication/ente-auth "View full Ente Auth report") - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/8acab0166542ac216732c152212290ccc8c3b94d5a530612da7d318aa711539e.png" width='14' alt='' /> Bitwarden Authenticator](https://bitwarden.com/products/authenticator/)** - Bitwarden Authenticator is a free and open-source app which stores and generates time-based codes for multi-factor authentication. It can be used with an online account to backup and sync your tokens[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/2-factor-authentication/bitwarden-authenticator "View full Bitwarden Authenticator report") - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/9968f652f50c4d8b7bd86788ebc4f77ceba05ea30582956503d0e537c1da9ba0.png" width='14' alt='' /> Proton Authenticator](https://proton.me/authenticator)** - Proton Authenticator is free, open source, and available for both iOS and Android. A Proton account is required to use Proton Authenticator. Existing 2FA codes can be imported from other popular apps[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/2-factor-authentication/proton-authenticator "View full Proton Authenticator report") - **[<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/joeldavidw/Chronos/main/.github/assets/logo.png" width='14' alt='' /> Chronos Authenticator](https://chronosauth.com)** - Chronos Authenticator is a free, open-source two-factor authentication app for iOS, designed to provide robust security and reliable backup options. - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/55a1ff5909cebd3918d5f3cffdefbfb14d97d39777d6cf8b91334243ffc444af/7fe27565252cfe6385f1b583c3aa5a777db3a51ebdd3aec39593a70fa84823b2-display-v1.webp" width='14' alt='' /> Autheris](https://autheris.app)** - Open-source 2FA authenticator for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. Secrets stay in the device Keychain, with no account, no analytics and optional iCloud Sync <details> <summary>✳️ <b>Notable Mentions</b></summary> > [OTPClient](https://github.com/paolostivanin/OTPClient) *(Linux)*, [gauth](https://github.com/gbraadnl/gauth) *(Self-Hosted, Web-based)*, [Etopa](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.ltheinrich.etopa) *(Android)*<br> For KeePass users, [TrayTop](https://keepass.info/plugins.html#traytotp) is a plugin for managing TOTP's - offline and compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux. > </details> <details> <summary>ℹ️ <b>Further Info</b></summary> > Check which websites support multi-factor authentication: [2fa.directory](https://2fa.directory/) </details> <p align="right"><sup><a href="#top">⬆️ [Back to Top]</a></sub></p> --- ### File Encryption - **[<img src="https://veracrypt.fr/favicon.ico" width='14' alt='' /> VeraCrypt](https://www.veracrypt.fr)** - VeraCrypt is open source cross-platform disk encryption software. You can use it to either encrypt a specific file or directory, or an entire disk or partition. VeraCrypt is incredibly feature-rich, w[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/file-encryption/veracrypt "View full VeraCrypt report") - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/f7784ee33505a87da0198d0c199d0f90d8bc92fb9c6c4bfd9928bec06d312afc.png" width='14' alt='' /> Cryptomator](https://cryptomator.org)** - Open source client-side encryption for cloud files - Cryptomator is geared towards using alongside cloud-backup solutions, and hence preserves individual file structure, so that they can be uploaded.[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/file-encryption/cryptomator "View full Cryptomator report") - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/8648ea2058e6427b7443cfb3f7b3b3ff94971809f0cdce31c04d79311ba83476.png" width='14' alt='' /> age](https://age-encryption.org)** - `age` is a simple, modern and secure CLI file encryption tool and Go library. It features small explicit keys, no config options, and UNIX-style composability <details> <summary>⚠️ <b>Word of Warning</b></summary> > Where possible, choose a cross-platform and well established encryption method, so that you are never faced with not being able to access your files using your current system.<br> Although well-established encryption methods are usually very secure, if the password is not strong, then an adversary may be able to gain access to your files, with a powerful enough GPU. If your system is compromised, then the password may also be able to be skimmed with a keylogger or other similar malware, so take care to follow good basic security practices </details> <details> <summary>✳️ <b>Notable Mentions</b></summary> > - [AES Crypt](https://www.aescrypt.com/) - A light-weight and easy file encryption utility. It includes applications for Windows, Mac OS, BSD and Linux, all of which can be interacted with either through the GUI, CLI or programatically though an API (available for Java, C, C# and Python). Although it is well established, with an overall positive reputation, there have been some [security issues](https://www.reddit.com/r/privacytoolsIO/comments/b7riov/aes_crypt_security_audit_1_serious_issue_found/) raised recently. > - [CryptSetup](https://gitlab.com/cryptsetup/cryptsetup) - is a convenient layer for use on top of [dm-crypt](https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Dm-crypt). [EncFS](https://github.com/vgough/encfs) is a cross-platform file-based encryption module, for use within user local directories. [geli](https://www.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=geli&sektion=8) is a disk encryption subsystem included with FreeBSD. > - [BitLocker](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/information-protection/bitlocker/bitlocker-overview) - is popular among Microsoft Windows and enterprise users, and provides fast, efficient and (if correctly configured) reasonably secure full drive encryption. However it is not open source, has poor compatibility with other operating systems, and has some very dodgy [defaults](https://www.diskcryptor.org/why-not-bitlocker/), which could lead to your system being compromised. Similarly, Apple's [FileVault](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204837) on MacOS is easy and secure, but again, the source code is proprietary. > - [DiskCryptor](https://www.diskcryptor.org/) - Windows-only, open source, file and volume encryption solution, that makes a good alternative to BitLocker. </details> <p align="right"><sup><a href="#top">⬆️ [Back to Top]</a></sub></p> --- ### Browsers - **[<img src="https://librewolf.net/icon.svg" width='14' alt='' /> LibreWolf](https://librewolf.net)** - An independent fork of Firefox hardened for privacy by default. No telemetry, uBlock Origin bundled, anti-fingerprinting, strict settings - **[<img src="https://brave.com/static-assets/images/brave-logo-sans-text.svg" width='14' alt='' /> Brave Browser](https://brave.com)** - Chromium-based browser with strong built-in ad, tracker and fingerprint blocking, and timely Chromium security updates. Note that Brave does bundle potentially unwanted features, like crypto, rewards[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/browsers/brave-browser "View full Brave Browser report") - **[<img src="https://www.mozilla.org/media/protocol/img/logos/firefox/logo.fedb52c912d6.svg" width='14' alt='' /> Firefox](https://www.firefox.com/)** - The main independent browser, on Mozilla's own Gecko engine rather than Chromium. Reliable, long-standing, with frequent security updates, broad extension support and strong customization. However tel[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/browsers/firefox "View full Firefox report") - **[<img src="https://www.torproject.org/static/images/favicon/favicon.ico" width='14' alt='' /> Tor Browser](https://www.torproject.org/)** - Tor provides an extra layer of anonymity, by encrypting each of your requests, then routing it through several nodes, making it near-impossible for you to be tracked by your ISP. While excellent for a[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/browsers/tor-browser "View full Tor Browser report") - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/ac27fc6f20515afa7691d317dc2170ec87853834ac7e689829491a89d421bf6b.png" width='14' alt='' /> Mullvad Browser](https://mullvad.net/browser)** - A Firefox-based browser maintained in collaboration between the Tor Project and Mullvad. With strong anti-fingerprinting (so users look alike), no telemetry and uBlock Origin bundled <details> <summary>⚠️ <b>Word of Warning</b></summary> > New vulnerabilities are being discovered and patched all the time - use a browser that is being actively maintained, in order to receive these security-critical updates.<br> Even privacy-respecting browsers, often do not have the best privacy options enabled by default. After installing, check the privacy & security settings, and update the configuration to something that you are comfortable with. 12Bytes maintains a comprehensive guide on [Firefox Configuration for Privacy and Performance](https://codeberg.org/12bytes/firefox-config-guide) </details> <details> <summary>✳️ <b>Notable Mentions</b></summary> > - [Cromite](https://www.cromite.org/) - Chromium fork and successor of Bromite. Adds built-in ad and tracker blocking, removes Google service calls, and disables several fingerprinting vectors. Note that patches often lag several weeks behind upstream> - [WaterFox](https://www.waterfox.net) - Firefox fork with telemetry, studies and data collection removed. The legacy Classic line retains support for XUL/NPAPI extensions; the current Quantum-based release does not.> - [PaleMoon](https://www.palemoon.org) - Independent Firefox-derived browser using its own Goanna engine. Disables telemetry and retains support for legacy XUL extensions. Lagging support for modern web-platform features (e.g. CSP) has led to incidents of Cloudflare blocking the browser.> - [Iridium](https://iridiumbrowser.de/) - Chromium fork with telemetry, background pings and most Google service integrations stripped out or made opt-in.> - [SeaMonkey](https://www.seamonkey-project.org/) - All-in-one internet suite (browser, mail, IRC, HTML editor) derived from the Mozilla Application Suite. Receives security fixes but lags upstream Firefox on features.> - [Ungoogled-Chromium](https://github.com/ungoogled-software/ungoogled-chromium) - Chromium with all Google web service integrations, binary blobs and background calls removed. Tries to retain the default Chromium experience as closely as possible. No built-in auto-updates; relies on third-party rebuilds for security patches.> - [Basilisk Browser](https://www.basilisk-browser.org/) - Firefox/UXP-based fork originally created by Moonchild Productions and independently maintained since 2022. Retains NPAPI plugin and XUL extension support dropped by mainline Firefox.> - [IceCat](https://www.gnu.org/software/gnuzilla/) - GNU's fully-free Firefox fork. Removes proprietary components such as DRM and EME, and bundles LibreJS to block non-free JavaScript. Tracks Firefox ESR, but release cadence lags upstream and can delay security fixes.</details> <details> <summary>ℹ️ <b>Further Info</b></summary> > 12Bytes maintains a list of privacy & security [extensions](https://12bytes.org/articles/tech/firefox/firefox-extensions-my-picks/). </details> <p align="right"><sup><a href="#top">⬆️ [Back to Top]</a></sub></p> --- ### Search Engines - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/a785a09b9623e64d6ccc7e7db0949093242778e125216ebcee9f52297709ec29.png" width='14' alt='' /> DuckDuckGo](https://duckduckgo.com)** - DuckDuckGo is a user-friendly and fast secure search engine. While it doesn't use trackers or cookies, there are search-related ads. It's also highly customisable, with theming, languages, bangs and p[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/search-engines/duckduckgo "View full DuckDuckGo report") - **[<img src="https://www.startpage.com/favicon.ico" width='14' alt='' /> Startpage](https://www.startpage.com)** - Dutch search engine returning primarily Google results, proxied to strip IP and identifiers. Includes an "Anonymous View" proxy for previewing results privately. No third-party tracking or cookies, bu[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/search-engines/startpage "View full Startpage report") - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/cd25ab9632f7de63cc8e1e2ce2a5046741c5a433f0519b2052c2655e55b49a5e.png" width='14' alt='' /> Brave Search](https://search.brave.com/)** - Brave Search is a privacy-focused search engine that does not track users or their searches, does not use secret algorithms or user profiling, and is based on its own search index. - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/e5c29acd6cde41d87253e7936ef2ca03697d27f46e391cdbcc5d3e2f7b793cc2.png" width='14' alt='' /> Mojeek](https://mojeek.com)** - British search engine providing independent and unbiased search results using its own crawler. Has a zero tracking policy (it is not open source) - **[<img src="https://uruky.com/public/images/favicon.svg" width='14' alt='' /> Uruky](https://uruky.com)** - Uruky is an ad-free, private search engine focused on personalization. It uses, among other providers, Mojeek and Marginalia. It is EU-based and does not keep or track any personal data (it is not 100[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/essentials/search-engines/uruky "View full Uruky report") - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/placeholders/f0fc86cfe65f76d40e15aaec61704ec8220a56dc89d4be03c46f67cb31b9fa8c.svg" width='14' alt='' /> PriEco](https://prieco.net)** - PriEco is an independent web search engine with growing index. It is EU-based and 100% open source. It allows customization via Goggles. <details> <summary>✳️ <b>Notable Mentions</b></summary> > - [Qwant](https://www.qwant.com) - French search engine, running on Bing results and the new European Search Perspective. Contains contextual, non-tracking ads. Privacy policy is out-dated, and Qwant does track users despite claiming not to. See [full review](https://github.com/Lissy93/awesome-privacy/issues/45) for more info. > - [MetaGear](https://metager.org) > - [YaCy](https://yacy.net) > - [Searx](https://github.com/searxng/searxng) - Self-hostable search engines that use the results of multiple other engines (such as Google and Bing) at the same time. They're open source and self-hostable, although using a [public instance](https://searx.space) has the benefit of not singling out your queries to the engines used. A fork of the original [Searx](https://searx.github.io/searx/). </details> <p align="right"><sup><a href="#top">⬆️ [Back to Top]</a></sub></p> --- ## Communication ### Encrypted Messaging - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/886371e370a9d4bb2404038f085ce1425e618ab0441cb2420b26e2d6c91aceaa.png" width='14' alt='' /> Signal](https://signal.org)** - Probably one of the most popular, secure private messaging apps that combines strong encryption (see [Signal Protocol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_Protocol)) with a simple UI and plenty of features. It's widely used across the world, and ea[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/communication/encrypted-messaging/signal "View full Signal report") - **[<img src="https://simplex.chat/img/new/logo-symbol-light.svg" width='14' alt='' /> SimpleX](https://simplex.chat/)** - Simplex is gaining popularity as a secure and private messaging app renowned for its robust encryption protocol without user IDs or phone numbers and this improves your privacy. Simplex offers instant[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/communication/encrypted-messaging/simplex "View full SimpleX report") - **[<img src="https://assets.kitploit.com/production/public/readmes/13097/ecd1e2abffb785960c8015b44cbe288dcb9167f283d70d23135edeb2a6d7d267.png" width='14' alt='' /> XMPP](https://xmpp.org)** - XMPP, also known as Jabber, is an open standard for decentralized messaging that has been widely used for decades. It has actually been the basis upon which WhatsApp, Facebook's Chat and Google's Talk[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/communication/encrypted-messaging/xmpp "View full XMPP report") - **[<img src="https://matrix.org/assets/favicon.ico" width='14' alt='' /> Matrix](https://matrix.org)** - Matrix is a decentralized open network for secure communications, with E2E encryption with Olm and Megolm. Along with the [Element](https://element.io/) client, it supports VOIP + video calling and IM + group chats. Note th[…](https://awesome-privacy.xyz/communication/encrypted-messaging/matrix "View full Matrix report") <details> <summary>⚠️ <b>Word of Warning</b></summary> > Many messaging apps claim to be secure, but if they are not open source, then this cannot be verified - and they **should not be trusted**. This applies to [Telegram](https://telegram.org), [Cypher](https://www.goldenfrog.com/cyphr), [Wickr](https://wickr.com/), [Silent Phone](https://www.silentcircle.com/products-and-solutions/silent-phone/) and [Viber](https://www.viber.com/), to name a few - these apps should not be used to communicate any sensitive data. [Wire](https://wire.com/) has also been removed, due to a [recent acquisition](https://blog.privacytools.io/delisting-wire/) </details> <details> <summary>✳️ <b>Notable Mentions</b></summary> > - [Chat Secure](https://chatsecure.org) > - [KeyBase](https://keybase.io/) - Allows encrypted real-time chat, group chats, and public and private file sharing. It also has some nice features around cryptographically proving social identities, and makes PGP signing, encrypting and decrypting messages easy. However, since it was [acquired by Zoom](https://keybase.io/blog/keybase-joins-zoom) in 2020, it has no longer been receiving regular updates. --- [Read more](https://github.com/lissy93/awesome-privacy)
