# Cutting Google out of your life (2019) (Updated: Jan 2020)
### *I don't have anything to hide, but I don't have anything to show you either.*
# Introduction
@ -7,27 +7,18 @@
Before reading this guide, I highly recommend reading through [Privacy Tools](https://www.privacytools.io/) and [ethical.net](https://ethical.net/) (thanks u/yieldingTemporarily).
# Contributing
If you want to help out with the project, here are some ideas:
If you want to help out with the project, here are some ideas (submitting Issues/Pull Requests on the [GitHub page](https://github.com/tycrek/degoogle)):
- **iOS app alternatives!** I don't have an iOS device to find alternatives with. I would highly appreciate any help with this.
- Clean up and improve the Markdown
- Provide more information on services with little info
- Suggest new services
- Hosting a mirror or cloning the [repo](https://github.com/tycrek/degoogle)
- Literally anything relating to any part of this guide, whether it's Google related or not
You can do these by:
- Submitting Issues/Pull Requests on the [GitHub page](https://github.com/tycrek/degoogle)
- (Removed contact info, please only use GitHub)
Please specifiy if you wish to remain anonymous or if you want your Reddit username added to a contributors list.
If you host a mirror, let me know and I can add it to a mirrors list on GitHub or Pastebin.
- Clean up and improve the Markdown.
- Provide more information on services with little info or where *help requested!* is shown.
- Suggest new services or provide info for removing existing services.
- Hosting a mirror or cloning the [repo](https://github.com/tycrek/degoogle). If you host a mirror, let me know and I can add it to the mirrors list.
- Anything else relating to any part of this guide, whether it's Google related or not.
**Want to help out in another way?**
- **Share** this guide with your friends, family, and coworkers. Let them know *why* privacy matters and *why* they should care about it. Don't force it on them, but carefully ease them into it and don't scare them away from staying secure.
- **Donate** to non-profit organizations that support online privacy and security (see the r/privacy sidebar)
- **Share** this guide with everyone you know. Let them know why privacy matters and why they should care about it. Don't force it on them, but carefully ease them into it and don't scare them away from staying secure.
- **Donate** to non-profit organizations that support online privacy and security (see the [r/privacy](https://reddit.com/r/privacy) sidebar)
# Browser extensions
These Firefox extensions can help prevent connections to Google domains and also improve your privacy/security online.
@ -78,11 +69,10 @@ These Firefox extensions can help prevent connections to Google domains and also
- Search (web, images)
- [DuckDuckGo](https://duckduckgo.com/) - **5-eyes** - One of the best privacy-focused search engines. Domain is hosted in USA which could potentially be problematic for some. *Editor note: I've used this for the past ~5 months and haven't had any major issues. Instant Answers are incredibly helpful for programming).*
- [Startpage](https://www.startpage.com/) - **9-eyes** - Another privacy search engine that claims to not track any of your data. They operate servers in both USA and Europe.
- [Startpage](https://www.startpage.com/) - **9-eyes** - Another privacy search engine that claims to not track any of your data. They operate servers in both USA and Europe. Note: Startpage was recently acquired. See [Issue #12](https://github.com/tycrek/degoogle/issues/12). Thanks @pydo, @ThijsRay, and @DatAres37.
- [searx.me](https://searx.me/) - [Open-source](https://github.com/asciimoo/searx) (thanks for clarification u/Sheezdudeln) privacy search engine. Domain hosted in Germany.
- [Qwant](https://www.qwant.com/) - Major improvements since 2018's guide.
- [Swisscows](https://swisscows.ch/) - A Swiss search engine that offers a unique search experience for the web, images, videos, music, and more. They are currently funding a mail service. Read through their [datacenter](https://swisscows.ch/en/datacenter) about page, it's really interesting.
- [Ecosia](https://www.ecosia.org/) - **14-eyes** - Search engine that plants trees.
- [Mojeek](https://www.mojeek.com/) - **5-eyes** - Unlike other privacy search engines which act as a "middle man" between you and Google/Bing/Yahoo, Mojeek has their own crawler and index. The results aren't as complete as some of the others, but it is still impressive and they are actively building their index to include more results with better accuracy.
- Images
- *See above. All provide some form of image search.*
@ -94,9 +84,8 @@ These Firefox extensions can help prevent connections to Google domains and also
- [Invidious](https://invidio.us/) - An [open-source](https://github.com/omarroth/invidious) front-end alternative to YouTube. Seems to work pretty well from my experience so far, and it hasn't triggered *anything* on my adblocker/privacy extensions. Also offers downloads in many formats for videos (including `.vtt` subtitles).
- [Hooktube](https://hooktube.com/) - A slightly better way to use actual YouTube. (Use as a "last resort")
- News
- r/news - Includes both USA and International.
- r/worldnews - International news. Typically excludes news specific to the USA.
- *Most country/state/provine subreddit's act as local news hubs as well.*
- Removed Reddit news as they are typically *extremely* biased to the general populace.
- *Use other forum sites relating to specific topics. This is a very broad service.*
@ -107,7 +96,8 @@ These Firefox extensions can help prevent connections to Google domains and also
- Google Ads/AdMob/AdSense
- *Help requested!*
- G Suite
- [Zoho](https://www.zoho.com/) - Zoho was included in 2018's thread as well, and they've only improved since then. They offer a full enterprise business suite that can easily rival G Suite or MS Office 365.
- *Help requested!*
- Note: Zoho has been removed as per issue #53. See [this link](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18056723). Thanks @ribtoks
- Blogger/Sites
- [Joomla](https://www.joomla.org/) - Self-hosted and open-source content management system (CMS).
- [Write.as](https://write.as/) - Self-advertised as privacy-focused.
@ -122,56 +112,62 @@ These Firefox extensions can help prevent connections to Google domains and also
- *Help requested!*
- Calendar
- [Lightning Calendar](https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/calendar/) (Thunderbird)- Developed by Mozilla Foundation and open-source. Integrates into Thunderbird and SeaMonkey.
- [Tutanota Calendar](https://tutanota.com/calendar/) - Developed by Tutanota. Free cross-platform encrypted calendar. Allows importing of other Calendar files.
- [Fruux](https://fruux.com/) - **14-eyes** - Open-source calendar using "sabre/dav" (open-source WebDAV, CardDAV, and CalDAV). They mention privacy quite a bit on their site. Very large number of features, and supports nearly every device: Windows, iOS, Linux, Android, BlackBerry, SailFish, and also a Webapp for browsers.
- Docs/Sheets/Slides (cloud collaboration)
- [Zoho](https://www.zoho.com/) - I mentioned Zoho above for G Suite, so here they are again.
- [CryptPad](https://cryptpad.fr/) - **9-eyes** - Open-source "zero knowledge" collaborative cloud editor. They offer Rich Text, Code, Presentation, Sheet (beta), Poll, Kanban, Whiteboard, and CryptDrive. 100% Client side encryption. Tons of useful features.
- [Etherpad](https://etherpad.org/) - Self-hosted collaborative editor. Does not use the browser. Not the greatest interface, but it's open-source and you have full control over who can see your data.
- [Cryptee](https://crypt.ee/) - Open-source and privacy focused photo and document storage/editing. Based in Estonia, so your files are outside the reach of any 14-eyes country. They don't even require an email address to sign up.
- Note: Zoho has been removed as per issue #53. See [this link](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18056723). Thanks @ribtoks
- Docs/Sheets/Slides (offline)
- [LibreOffice](https://www.libreoffice.org/) and [Apache OpenOffice](https://www.openoffice.org/) - Both are open-source offline document suites.
- [LibreOffice Online](https://www.libreoffice.org/download/libreoffice-online/) - Self-hosted instance of LibreOffice that you can run in your browser. Thanks @flubberding
- Domains
- [Njalla](https://njal.la/) - **14-eyes** - Privacy-focused domain registration. Competitive pricing and a large list of available domain extensions. They also offer VPS hosting. Built by people who built The Pirate Bay among others. (thanks u/brais33 and u/HumbleBasis6)
- Drive
- [ownCloud](https://owncloud.org/) - **14-eyes** - Open-source and self-hosted. Provide your own storage.
- [Nextcloud](https://nextcloud.com/) - **14-eyes** - Also self-hosted. Spin-off of ownCloud.
- [Nextcloud](https://nextcloud.com/) - **14-eyes** - Also self-hosted. Spin-off of ownCloud.**Also offers Calendar and Contacts** (thanks @chribre)
- [Syncthing](https://syncthing.net/) - **9-eyes** - An interesting take on cloud storage: decentralized. Peer-to-peer between only your devices. Software is open-source and available on GitHub.
- [Tresorit](https://tresorit.com/) - Primarily meant for businesses, but offeres a free version for individuals as well. (thanks u/xNick26)
- *Editor note: I'm not including MEGA. I do not recommend MEGA. It's far too controversial and far too difficult to figure out who actually owns the service. Also, it's a 5-eyes.*
- Hangouts
- [Telegram](https://telegram.org/) - Telegram is one of the biggest names out there for secure communication. Previously based in Russia, the company has since moved to Dubai.
- Hangouts (instant messaging)
- [Signal](https://signal.org/) - Whistleblower and privacy advocate Edward Snowden recommends Signal.
- [Tox](https://tox.chat/) - Tox is unique as it uses P2P technology to ensure the network *never* goes down, as long as there are users to keep it alive. They specifically say on the website "Tox has no central servers that can be raided, shut down, or forced to turn over data".
- [Wire](https://wire.com/en/) - **14-eyes** - Uses end-to-end encryption. Looks to be more of a corporate service with tiered plans.
- [Riot](https://about.riot.im/) - Open-source privacy-focused chat service with end-to-end encryption. They offer webapps, desktop apps, iOS, and Android (Play Store and F-Droid). Uses the "Matrix" protocol for decentralized communication. It is 100% free and open-source with no paid plans.
- [Threema](https://threema.ch/en) - Swiss-based GDPR-compliant instant messenger. Has apps for both iOS and Android. Unlike Signal, no phone number is required (nor is an email) to sign up. End-to-end encrypted. Thanks to @nathanvogel
- *Editor note: See [this article](https://outline.com/BK8f7h) for why I didn't include WhatsApp and why you should NOT use it (if someone has a better Outline link, that would be much appreciated).*
- I have also **removed** Telegram. See [Issue #29](https://github.com/tycrek/degoogle/issues/29) from @arsv.
- Gmail
- [Protonmail](https://protonmail.com/) - One of the top privacy-focused email providers. Servers are in Switzerland in an underground guarded bunker that they claim can "survive a nuclear attack". I've used this frequently and it's pretty good.
- [Protonmail](https://protonmail.com/) - One of the top privacy-focused email providers. Servers are in Switzerland in an underground guarded bunker that they claim can "survive a nuclear attack".
- [Tutanota](https://tutanota.com/) - **14-eyes** - Open-source. Also one of the top privacy-focused email providers. Located in Germany.
- [Zoho Mail](https://www.zoho.com/mail/) - Zoho comes back yet again with a mail solution.
- [Posteo](https://posteo.de/en) - **14-eyes** - Completely anonymous mail provider located in Germany.
- [mailbox.org](https://mailbox.org/en/) - **14-eyes** - Paid email provider, also located in Germany.
- [nextCloud](https://help.nextcloud.com/t/nextcloud-mail-server/157) - Now also provides an email service (self-hosted). Thanks @je-vv
- *This is just for the Gmail service, not a client*
- Note: Zoho has been removed as per issue #53. See [this link](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18056723). Thanks @ribtoks
- Keep
- [Joplin](https://joplinapp.org/) - Open-source notes/todo app. Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Also offers a terminal version. It can import Evernote `.enex` files if you use that. It can also sync with Nextcloud (mentioned above).
- [Standard Notes](https://standardnotes.org/) - Encrypted note storage with loads of features. Offers a web app as well as downloads for most operating systems. Has a paid plan, but the free tier has many useful features as well.
- [Zoho Notebook](https://www.zoho.com/notebook/) - A notebook from Zoho. Also available on Android.
- [Jellyfin](https://jellyfin.github.io/) - Open-source alternative to the Play media services. You do need to provide your own content, however. In active development with frequent updates (to the source, that is).
- [Funkwhale](https://funkwhale.audio/) - Self hosted, decentralized music service. Provide your own audio. (thanks u/DashEquals)
- [Airsonic](https://airsonic.github.io/) - **Music only** - Self-hosted open-source media streamer. Has features for transcoding audio on-the-fly for "virtually any audio format". You can also set bandwidth limits if you need to. Looks very powerful.
- [Music Player Daemon](https://www.musicpd.org/) - A "flexible, powerful, server-side application for playing music".
- [Popcorn Time](https://popcorntime.sh/faq) - Open source software for desktop and mobile that let you easily stream movie/TV torrents. **Be careful if your country or ISP has policies against torrenting, a VPN is recommended.** Thanks @je-vv
- *Editor note: I can no longer recommend [Emby](https://emby.media/) as they are [no longer open-source](https://www.linuxuprising.com/2018/12/jellyfin-free-software-emby-media.html).*
- Thanks to u/eA8KESARaW6iqCpHsbE4 for suggesting Jellyfin and pointing out that Emby isn't open-source.
- Fonts
- [Open Font Library](https://fontlibrary.org/) - **5-eyes** - Lots of Serif and Sans-Serif fonts that can be directly embedded into a website.
- Classroom
- [Canvas](https://www.instructure.com/canvas) Paid service by Instructure. Also avaliable as a [self hosted, open source option] (https://github.com/instructure/canvas-lms)
- *Help requested!*
- [Moodle](https://moodle.org/) - Self-hosted Classroom software for schools. Very powerful. Thanks @jankapunkt
- [ILIAS](https://www.ilias.de/en/) - Another self-hosted open source classroom software. Thanks again to @jankapunkt
- [Canvas](https://www.instructure.com/canvas) Paid service by Instructure. Also avaliable as a [self hosted, open source option](https://github.com/instructure/canvas-lms). To ensure privacy, use the self-hosted option.
- Maps/Street View
- [OpenStreetMaps](https://www.openstreetmap.org/) **9-eyes** - Collaborative project to create a free, editable map of the world (from Wikipedia). Completely crowdsources. Very strong alternative to Maps.
- *Editor note: I've seen OsmAnd: it's a mobile app. I've seen HERE WeGo: It's on malvertising filter lists.*
@ -189,9 +185,9 @@ These Firefox extensions can help prevent connections to Google domains and also
- ~~[CopperheadOS](https://copperhead.co/android/) - **5-eyes** - A "secure" version of Android from Canada.~~
- u/poto-tomato pointed out that CopperheadOS is [no longer active](https://old.reddit.com/r/CopperheadOS/comments/8qdnn3/goodbye/). It has now evolved into a [new project](https://old.reddit.com/r/CopperheadOS/comments/b6muvh/androidhardening_project_renamed_to_grapheneos/) under the name [GrapheneOS](https://github.com/GrapheneOS).
- [Plasma Mobile](https://www.plasma-mobile.org/) - **5-eyes** - Looks a bit like older versions of Android (before 7.0). Open-source and runs Linux. Very dedicated team, definitely worth trying out.
- [postmarketOS](https://postmarketos.org/) - Open-source mobile Linux OS. Can install different user interfaces such as [Plasma Mobile](https://www.plasma-mobile.org/). Thanks @okias
- [Replicant](https://replicant.us/) - **5-eyes** - Free Android distribution. Puts the emphasis on "freedom and privacy/security".
- [/e/](https://e.foundation/) - **9-eyes** - A new open-source, privacy-focused operating system for Android devices. Looks very promising (thanks u/itsec_ho). **Note: u/steamport shared [this link](https://ewwlo.xyz/evil.html).
- Note: Removed /e/ due to controversies. Look through the GitHub Issues to see for yourself.
- Chrome OS
- [Qubes OS](https://www.qubes-os.org/) - "A reasonably secure operating system", at least according to their website. Edward Snowden recommends it.
- [Tails](https://tails.boum.org/) - For the uber-paranoid. Runs live and the entire OS is routed through Tor right from boot. Built on Debian.
@ -211,8 +207,8 @@ These Firefox extensions can help prevent connections to Google domains and also
- Android Auto
- *Help requested!*
- Google TV/Android TV
- [Kodi](https://kodi.tv/) - It's incredibly powerful. Backed by one of the strongest communities around. Tons of plugins to do nearly anything you want.
- [OSMC](https://osmc.tv/) - Free, open source media center. Strongest competitor to Kodi.
- [Kodi](https://kodi.tv/) - It's incredibly powerful and backed by one of the strongest communities around. Tons of plugins to do nearly anything you want. Software installs on nearly any platform.
- [OSMC](https://osmc.tv/) - Free, open source media center OS. Kodi is pre-installed. Thanks to @g4rret and @lgiard for clarifying the difference between Kodi and OSMC!
## Desktop applications
@ -225,7 +221,7 @@ These Firefox extensions can help prevent connections to Google domains and also
- [Tor Browser](https://www.torproject.org/download/) - Firefox-based browser routed through the onion network. Automatically has a few privacy extensions installed (such as HTTPS Everywhere). Be careful using it in public though, as it *can* look like a pretty suspicious piece of software. Available for Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android.
- Earth
- Different from Maps Satellite in the sense that Earth has tons of complex features that require desktop software to be installed.
- *Help requested!*
- [KDE Marble](https://kde.org/applications/education/org.kde.marble) - Strong alternative for G Earth. Currently only on Linux, but is being ported to other platforms. Thanks to @PopeRigby
- Android Studio (not specifically for Android development, just in general)
- [VSCodium](https://github.com/VSCodium/vscodium) - VSCodium is VSCode but without all the Microsoft telemetry and branding.
- *Help requested!*
@ -239,7 +235,7 @@ When searching for replacements, check the alternative stores (such as F-Droid)
- [Aptoide](https://www.aptoide.com/) - Marketplace for Android apps. Publishers/developers manage their own stores rather than a centralized market such as Google Play Store.
- [Yalp Store](https://github.com/yeriomin/YalpStore) - Yalp downloads Play Store apps as APK files. Helpful if you want to stay away from the Play Store, but require an app that is only available there.
- [APKMirror](https://www.apkmirror.com/) - An online library of user-uploaded APK files. Helpful if you need a specific older version of an app or don't want to download it through Google Play.
- [Aurora Store](https://gitlab.com/AuroraOSS/AuroraStore) - Aurora Store is simply a fork of the Yalp Store, but with an updated, cleaner UI. It can also utilize [microG](https://microg.org/) if you wish to use *very minimal* Google Play services.
- [Aurora Store](https://gitlab.com/AuroraOSS/AuroraStore) - Aurora Store is ~~simply a fork of the Yalp Store~~ no longer a fork of Yalp, but is now its own project (see their [readme](https://gitlab.com/AuroraOSS/AuroraStore/blob/master/README.md)). It can also utilize [microG](https://microg.org/) if you wish to use *very minimal* Google Play services. Thanks @RefexHD for clarifying.
- [Fossdroid](https://fossdroid.com/) - Uses the same library as F-Droid, but with a modern UI similar to that of the Play Store and the ability to view apps by popularity.
- [G-Droid](https://gitlab.com/gdroid/gdroidclient/) - Also uses the F-Droid repo but with a different UI.
- [APKGrabber](https://github.com/hemker/apkgrabber) - Fork of [APKUpdater](https://github.com/rumboalla/apkupdater). Both are great tools for avoiding app stores (on Android).
@ -252,7 +248,9 @@ When searching for replacements, check the alternative stores (such as F-Droid)
- [Calculator N+](https://github.com/tranleduy2000/ncalc) (or NCalc+) - Open-source feature-rich calculator. App itself is no longer in development, but the developer does [encourage pull requests](https://github.com/tranleduy2000/ncalc#calculator-n---powerful-calculator-for-android). I've used it frequently and it works great. Not on F-Droid, but a 3rd party play store can probably find it; or the APK's are available as releases on GitHub. You can also compile from source.
- Calendar
- [Fruux (mobile app)](https://fruux.com/) - Same service from above provides an Android app.
- [Etar](https://github.com/xsoh/Etar-Calendar) - Open-source material design Calendar that integrates with the Android Calendar API. If you have a CalDAV/CardDAV server, I recommend using [DAVx5](https://www.davx5.com/) to sync with it. Available from F-Droid. *Editor note: this is the one I am using*
- [Etar](https://github.com/xsoh/Etar-Calendar) - Open-source material design Calendar that integrates with the Android Calendar API. If you have a CalDAV/CardDAV server, I recommend using [DAVx5](https://www.davx5.com/) to sync with it. Available from F-Droid. Also look at [ICSx5](https://icsx5.bitfire.at/), another WebDav/CalDav client that can integrate with calendar apps. Also available from F-Droid. Thanks @je-vv for ICSx5.
- Camera
- [Open Camera](https://opencamera.sourceforge.io/) - Open source camera for Android. Thanks @je-vv
- Clock
- [Clock +](https://github.com/philliphsu/ClockPlus) - Open-source Alarm clock, timer, and stop watch. Available from F-Droid.
- [Simple Alarm Clock](https://github.com/yuriykulikov/AlarmClock) - Exactly as it's name says; simple alarm clock yet adds many improvements over other apps. No dock mode or world clock.
@ -279,9 +277,8 @@ When searching for replacements, check the alternative stores (such as F-Droid)
- Gmail
- [Protonmail](https://protonmail.com/support/knowledge-base/android/) - Can be downloaded from the Play Store, but may work with one of the store replacements above (such as Yalp).
- [Tutanota](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/de.tutao.tutanota/) - Client available from F-Droid.
- [Zoho Mail](https://www.zoho.com/mail/ios-android-apps.html) - Also on the Play Store but other stores may work too.
- Posteo - Any open-source mail client. I use [K-9 Mail](https://k9mail.github.io/) and have previously used [FairEmail](https://email.faircode.eu/). Both are available on F-Droid.
- Mailbox.org - *Help requested*
- Posteo - Any **open-source mail client** such as: [K-9 Mail](https://k9mail.github.io/) and [FairEmail](https://email.faircode.eu/). Both are available on F-Droid.
- Mailbox.org - Mailbox.org provides IMAP settings for Android/iOS and an iOS profile. Thanks @avasts Issue #45
- [Disroot](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.disroot.disrootapp/) - Available from F-Droid.
- Keep (or any stock note-taking app)
- [Notepad](https://github.com/farmerbb/Notepad) - Open-source and available from F-Droid. Supports Markdown and HTML. Very clean and feature-rich. *Offline only*.
@ -295,6 +292,8 @@ When searching for replacements, check the alternative stores (such as F-Droid)
- Don't use Waze. It's owned by Google.
- [Maps](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.github.axet.maps/) - Available from F-Droid. Open-source navigation app based on MAPS.ME. Searching for addresses doesn't always work and finding businesses can be a slight hassle, but overall one of the better apps I've used.
- [OsmAnd](https://osmand.net/) - OpenStreeMaps for Android. (thanks u/masao77)
- [Transportr](https://transportr.app/) - Primarily European, this is an open-source public transport app. Thanks to @lgiard
- [Offi or Oeffi](https://oeffi.schildbach.de/) - Another recommendation from @lgiard, this app is also for public transport.
- News
- [Flym](https://github.com/FredJul/Flym) - Open-source materian design RSS reader. Available from F-Droid.
- Photos
@ -328,6 +327,7 @@ Android launchers:
- Nexus/Pixel
- [This list](https://www.oneclickroot.com/rootable/) shows compatibility for rooting Android devices.
- [Purism Librem 5](https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/) - From the company that makes Purism laptops. Runs PureOS. Thanks @brandonnodnarb
- Chromebook
- Literally any other laptop with some form of Linux, *or*
- [TUXEDO](https://www.tuxedocomputers.com/) - **14-eyes** - Privacy-focused laptop maker out of Germany. Tech specs are very competent and can easily compete with other modern systems. Fully Linux compatible. They also offer desktops. (thanks u/itsec_ho)
Joshua Moore
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