European alternatives
to Big Tech: A privacy guide
Many of the tools you rely on every day are owned and governed by a handful of companies subject to US laws, warrantless surveillance, and business models built around data monetization — all within a geopolitical landscape that can shift quickly and unpredictably.
In fact, 8 out of 10 consumers in the UK, Germany, and France believe their countries are too dependent on US tech companies.
Europe offers stronger privacy laws, independent oversight, and tech companies built around digital rights.
European search engine options
Search engines like Google or Bing are widely used to find information online. However, they collect large amounts of personal data, including search history, location, and browsing behavior, to build advertising profiles. Here are some European alternatives you can try:
Mojeek
Based: Brighton, United Kingdom
An independent, no-tracking search engine that runs its own crawler and index.
- Runs its own search engine, so it’s not powered by Google or Bing.
- No tracking, profiling, or personalizing search results.
- No IP address(nowe okno) recording. It replaces IPs with country codes in logs.
- Aligns with GDPR.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Qwant
Based: Paris, France
A privacy-first search engine striving for European search independence.
- Does not store search data or build personalized profiles.
- No sharing or selling of personal data with third parties.
- Aligns with GDPR.
- Co-building a European web index with Ecosia.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Ecosia
Based: Berlin, Germany
A secure and private search engine, best known for its climate mission.
- Searches may go through Bing or Google, which requires your data.
- Does not build personalized profiles across platforms.
- Tailored results and ads can be disabled.
- Co-building a European web index with Qwant.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
European browser alternatives
The same companies that operate the world’s most popular search engines also develop browsers that use those same search engines by default. What’s more, their business models rely heavily on advertising, data collection, and tracking. If you’re looking for stronger privacy protections and more control over your browsing experience, try these:
LibreWolf
Based: International (Germany-led)
A privacy-hardened Firefox fork with no telemetry and stronger protections.
- Telemetry and user data collection removed from the Firefox base code.
- Anti-tracking and anti-fingerprinting protections enabled by default.
- Fully open source, allowing independent audits of privacy features.
- No experiments or sponsored content.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vivaldi
Based: Oslo, Norway
A highly customizable browser built by former Opera developers.
- Built-in tracker, ad blocker(nowe okno), and encrypted DNS(nowe okno) to reduce tracking.
- Minimal telemetry, with no profiling or behavioral data collection.
- End-to-end encryption protects sync data in transit and on the sync server.
- Aligned with GDPR.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Waterfox
Based: London, United Kingdom
A fast and private browser based on Firefox, with minimal telemetry.
- Telemetry disabled by default.
- Minimal data sharing with external services.
- Supports privacy extensions and customization for stronger protection.
- Fully open source, available for independent auditing.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Mastodon
Based: Berlin, Germany
A decentralized, no-ads microblogging social network similar to X.
- Choose or run your own server, with full control over your data and moderation.
- Follow and interact with others across other decentralized platforms.
- No ads or algorithmic feeds, so you decide what appears on your timeline.
- Free and open source.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lemmy
Based: International (European)
A decentralized platform for link sharing and discussion forums similar to Reddit.
- Choose or run your own server, with full control over your data and moderation.
- Interact with communities across other decentralized platforms.
- No ads or tracking, removing incentives for behavioral profiling.
- Free and open source.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Friendica
Based: International (European)
A decentralized, privacy-friendly social network similar to Facebook.
- Choose or run your own server, with full control over your data and moderation.
- Works with other decentralized platforms.
- Granular privacy controls, including access lists and private conversation groups.
- Free and open source.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
European email providers
If you’re looking for a European alternative to email services like Gmail or Outlook, we naturally recommend our own: Proton Mail. We built it specifically to meet some of the most rigorous privacy and security standards, as part of the broader Proton ecosystem of end-to-end encrypted services.
Proton Mail
Based: Geneva, Switzerland
A privacy-first email service designed around user control and Swiss privacy protections.
- Emails are end-to-end encrypted when sent to other Proton users (and to others, if you use password protection). All emails protected by zero-access encryption.
- No ads or tracking.
- Email tracker protection.
- Open source and audited.
- Aligns with GDPR.
- Part of a privacy-first ecosystem.
Tuta
Based: Hanover, Germany
An encrypted email provider focused on secure communication.
- Emails are end-to-end encrypted when sent to other Tuta users (and to others, if you use password protection).
- No ads or tracking.
- Open source and audited.
- Aligns with GDPR.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Mailbox
Based: Berlin, Germany
A secure email service focused on productivity tools.
- Encrypted email support using OpenPGP for secure communications (not by default).
- No ads or tracking.
- Aligns with GDPR.
- Part of a productivity suite.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
European chat and messaging apps
Many people communicate via apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. While these services support end-to-end encryption, other aspects (such as AI integrations, data collection, and advertising) raise privacy concerns for some users who prefer safer European alternatives.
Threema
Based: Pfäffikon, Switzerland
A privacy-first messaging app for individuals and businesses.
- End-to-end encryption for messages, calls, files, and group chats.
- No phone number or email required to create an account.
- Minimal metadata collection; messages deleted from servers after delivery.
- Open source and audited.
- Aligns with GDPR.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Olvid
Based: Paris, France
A secure messaging app, where even the server cannot see who is talking to whom.
- End-to-end encryption with identity-based key exchange.
- No phone number, email, or personal identifier required.
- The server cannot see user identities or message content.
- Open source and audited.
- Aligns with GDPR.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Session
Based: Zug, Switzerland (originally Australia)
A decentralized messaging app designed for private, anonymous chats.
- End-to-end encryption with onion-routed messaging, including for metadata.
- No phone number or email required; accounts are created using random identifiers.
- No logging, including your IP address or user agent.
- Open source and audited.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
European cloud storage providers
Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud are widely used to store and share files, but they are part of larger ecosystems that may analyze your file contents, metadata, and other sensitive data to serve their own purposes.
If you’re looking for a safer European alternative, we recommend Proton Drive, which we built to keep files private using end-to-end encryption for storage, sharing, and collaboration.
Proton Drive
Based: Geneva, Switzerland
A private cloud storage app that keeps files between you and recipients.
- Files, metadata, and links protected by end-to-end encryption.
- Secure sharing with password protection and expiration dates.
- Free, open source, and audited.
- Aligns with GDPR.
- Includes encrypted editors for documents and spreadsheets.
- Part of a privacy-first ecosystem.
pCloud
Based: Baar, Switzerland
A secure cloud storage app with flexible file sharing.
- TLS encryption for data transfers and AES-256 encryption for stored files.
- End-to-end encryption available as as a paid add-on.
- Secure sharing with password protection and expiration dates.
- Free plan available.
WeTransfer
Based: Amsterdam, Netherlands
A popular file transfer service for quickly sending large files without an account.
- Simple transfer links for large files.
- Temporary storage; files are automatically deleted after a set period.
- TLS encryption for data transfers and AES-256 encryption for stored files.
- Free plan available.
European video calling platforms
For video conferencing tools like Zoom or Google Meet, we recommend Proton Meet as a privacy-focused European alternative. We built it to provide secure video calls with end-to-end encryption as part of the Proton privacy ecosystem.
Proton Meet
Based: Geneva, Switzerland
A privacy-first video calling service built within the Proton ecosystem.
- End-to-end encrypted video calls and chat messages.
- Can be used without an account.
- No ads, tracking, profiling, or analytics.
- Hosted within Proton’s privacy-first infrastructure.
- Protected under strong Swiss privacy laws.
- Aligns with GDPR.
- Free, open source, and audited.
Proton Meet is currently in closed beta.
Whereby
Based: Oslo, Norway
A browser-based video conferencing app focused on simplicity and privacy.
- End-to-end encryption for small meetings, with encrypted media in transit for larger calls.
- No downloads or accounts required for guests.
- Aligns with GDPR.
- Designed to minimize the collection of personal data.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Jitsi
Based: European open-source project (originally France)
A video conferencing app for self-hosted meetings.
- Self-hosting features, allowing organizations to control infrastructure and data.
- No account required for many deployments.
- End-to-end encryption is optional and limited.
- Free and open source.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
OsmAnd
Based: Amstelveen, Netherlands
A privacy-first, complex navigation app built for power users.
- Fully offline navigation, based on OpenStreeMap data.
- Extremely feature-rich and customizable.
- No ads or tracking; does not collect your data.
- Free and open source.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Organic Maps
Based: Tallinn, Estonia
A private, simple navigation app built by former Maps.me developers.
- Powered by OpenStreetMap.
- Built specifically to remove ads, tracking, analytics, or profiling.
- Fully offline navigation.
- Clean, minimal interface.
- Free and open source.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Magic Earth
Based: Amsterdam, Netherlands
A private navigation app for a Google Maps-like experience without Google
- Does not store, track, or sale your personal data.
- Uses OpenStreetMap data.
- Online and offline modes.
- Free to use for end users; paid SDK available for businesses.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
European phone providers
Mobile operating systems like Android and iOS dominate the smartphone market. While they include some privacy protections, concerns about data collection, tracking, and platform control remain. Here are some options you can try:
Volla Phone
Based: Remscheid, Germany
A privacy-oriented smartphone seeking independence from Google.
- Ships with Volla OS or Ubuntu Touch, which can run without Google services.
- Minimal data collection.
- A security mode designed to block surveillance, malware, and data thieves.
- Long-term software support.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Fairphone
Based: Amsterdam, Netherlands
A sustainable and repairable smartphone designed around user control.
- Modular design so users can easily replace parts (battery, screen, camera),
- Long-term software support.
- Transparent and ethical supply chain.
- Can run alternative operating systems like /e/OS.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Nothing Phone
Based: London, United Kingdom
An Android-based phone focused on design and user experience.
- Distinctive transparent hardware design.
- Runs Nothing OS, a closed-source, customized version of Android.
- Limited preinstalled third-party apps.
- Compatible with alternative Android privacy tools.
Proton privacy score: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Why choose a European alternative to Big Tech?
Governments can request Big Tech data
In the US and Europe, law enforcement agencies make hundreds of thousands of data requests to Big Tech each year, and certain national security authorities can compel access with limited transparency. The more data companies collect, the more there is to hand over.
Europe’s tech sovereignty is at risk
Over 74% of publicly listed European companies depend on US-based services. As a result, sensitive business data, from executive communications to intellectual property, is exposed to foreign pressure, AI training, and warantless surveillance.
Big Tech can tilt the market
When a handful of companies control app stores, search engines, and mobile platforms, they tend to favor their own services, impose high commissions, and restrict competitors. In 2025, we joined a class-action lawsuit against Apple, alleging that its App Store policies harm developers, limit user choice, and inflate prices.
Huge fines don’t change anything
Big Tech is regularly fined billions of dollars for privacy violations and anti-competitive practices. But for companies generating tens of billions each year, those penalties are just a cost of doing business. In 2025 alone, Google, Apple, Meta, and Amazon could collectively pay off their annual fines in weeks using existing cash flow.
AI without guardrails risks privacy
If the US blocks states from regulating AI without putting strong federal protections in place, powerful AI systems could end up operating with few real guardrails. They are free to collect more data, keep conversation logs, and prioritize rapid growth over user protection.
Warrantless surveillance goes beyond the US
Under US surveillance laws like Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, intelligence agencies can collect large amounts of communications without individual warrants. Because many major tech companies are based in the US, this system can sweep up the data of people worldwide.
Jurisdiction matters for your data
A company’s location determines which laws govern government data requests. Switzerland is outside US jurisdiction and offers strong constitutional privacy protections, political neutrality, and safeguards against foreign government pressure. While not an EU member, it aligns with European legal standards, including the GDPR.
European social media apps
The megacorporations behind social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X control the algorithms, moderation systems, and data that influences what you see. These European alternatives are decentralized, which means they are made up of independent servers operated by different communities rather than a single company.