A Short Guide to Anonymity

Browser:

Replaces Chrome

• Brave
• Ungoogled Chromium
• Cromite

Replaces Firefox

• Mullvad Browser
• LibreWolf
• IronFox

Search Engine:
Replaces Google

• 4get (technical)
• SearXNG (technical)
• Startpage
• Brave Search
• DuckDuckGo

VPN (definitely a must these days):

• NymVPN (paid)
• Mullvad VPN (paid)
• InviZible (free, technical)
• Proton VPN (free)
• 1.1.1.1 / WARP (free)

VPN client if needed :

• WG Tunnel

DNS:

• DNSCrypt (technical)
• DNS over HTTPS + ECH
• DNS over TLS (minimum; never send unencrypted requests unless a VPN is active)

Mullvad DNS
(Will be discontinued November 2)

• dns.mullvad.net (DoT)
• https://dns.mullvad.net/dns-query (DoH)

ControlD DNS

• p0.freedns.controld.com (DoT)
• https://freedns.controld.com/p0 (DoH)

Quad9 DNS

• dns.quad9.net (DoT)
• https://dns11.quad9.net/dns-query
  (DoH)

Encryption:
AGE
In development

• AgePony

PGP

• PGPony
• OpenKeychain
• Gpg4win
• GpgFrontend

Replaces Bitlocker/Other

• Vault Explorer (Téléphone)
• VeraCrypt (PC)
• Cryptomator (PC/Téléphone)

Meta-data:

• ScrubPony
• Scrambled Exif

Email:
Replaces Gmail/Other

• Nostrmail (free, technical)
• Startmail (paid)
• Proton Mail (free/paid)
• Onionmail (free/paid)
• Tutamail (free/paid)

File sharing:
Replaces Dropbox/Other

• LocalSend / PairDrop
• OnionShare
• SkySend
• Swiss Transfer

Video-conferencing:
Replaces Google Meet/Other

• Jitsi Meet
• kMeet
• Jami
• HiveTalk
• Proton Meet

Messaging:
Replaces WhatsApp/Other
In development

• Ghostly
• CarrierPony

No phone number

• SimpleX
• Session
• Nostr (Vector / Amethyst)

Linked phone number

• Signal / Signal-FOSS / Molly

No internet ?

• Meshtastic
• Bitchat

Note regarding Telegram and any other messaging apps that collect your messages and/or cooperate with authorities:
Although both I, the author of this guide and you, the reader, are currently using Telegram, I encourage all readers who administer a channel or community to also set one up on a more secure alternative messaging service listed here to facilitate a future transition and provide your subscribers with a choice. You have nothing to lose except having to post in one additional place.

Replaces Discord/Telegram

• Nostr (Vector / Armada)
• Fluxer

Replaces Twitter (if in doubt)

• Nostr (Amethyst, favorite)
• Mastodon

Profile:
Replaces Linktree :

• LinkStack
• Wonderlink
• LittleLink
• Singlelink

Dating:
(Yes, FOSS exists here too lol):
Replaces Tinder

• Duolicious
• Alovoa
• Compassmeet

Store:
Replaces Play Store

• Aurora Store
• Zapstore
• F-droid
• Obtainium (technical)

General:
Replaces Google Apps (Phone, Contacts, Notes, etc.)

• Fossify Apps

Maps:
Replaces Google Maps

• Comaps
• Vela
• OsmAnd
• OpenStreetMaps

Wallet:
Replaces Google Wallet

• Catima
• FossWallet
• Waltis

YouTube:
Replaces YouTube clients

• NewPipe / PipePipe
• LibreTube
• YouTube ReVanced
• Invidious
• YouTube in Brave
• YTLite (iOS)

Replaces YouTube

• Odysee
• PeerTube
• Bitchute
• Rumble

Crypto-money:

• Bitcoin
• Monero (even better if you run your own node, but that’s technical, or Monero.com by Cake Labs)

LLM / AI :

• xPrivo
• Lumo AI
• Brave AI
• Duck AI

Operating System:
Windows

• GNU/Linux

GNU/Linux

• Qubes (technical)
• Tails (technical)
• Fedora (KDE Plasma rather than Workstation)
• Mint

Android

• GrapheneOS (for Google Pixel devices)

• Trusted ROM (requires an unlocked bootloader)
  Unique to your phone—do your own research

• Trusted GSI (DSU sideloader or unlocked bootloader)
  List of GSIs

BIOS/UEFI:

• Coreboot
• Libreboot

Backup/Synchronization:
Files auto-sort

• FilePipe (Phone)
• FileFlow (Phone)
• Mouzi (PC)

Files (PC <-> Phone)

• BasicSync (Phone)
• Syncthing (PC)

Files (PC <-> Backup Drive)

• FreeFileSync

Software (PC)

• UnigetUI (Windows)
• Built-in package manager (Linux)
  Saves you from having to manually reinstall all software by exporting a list

Apps (Phone)

• Obtainium + AuroraStore (compatible everywhere)
• SwiftBackup (root required)
• Seedvault (requires compatible ROM/GSI)
  Saves you from having to manually reinstall all apps by exporting a list or archive

Password managers:

• KeepassXC (free)
• Proton Pass (free/paid)
• Bitwarden (free/paid)
• 2FAS Pass (free/paid)

NEVER use your browser’s default password manager, one R.A.T. infostealer, and that’s it

• At the very least, avoid using any GAFAM apps or ecosystems, and opt for FOSS (free and open-source) apps instead

• Use an email address that isn’t linked to anything in real life on social media, and avoid including your phone number (remove it if possible)

• Also, avoid leaving phone numbers, first and last names, addresses, or ID numbers lying around, and don’t give this information to just anyone if you don’t want it to fall into the hands of the “glowies” or end up being resold on the dark web—especially if you’re a political dissident. If you don’t follow this advice, you’ll surely get a “Gilbert wake-up call.”

Other alternatives:
https://alternativeto.net

To keep Android open-source ♥️:
https://keepandroidopen.org

A few YouTube channels from my collection to learn more:

• Reject Convenience
• Naomi Brockwell
• Mental Outlaw
• The PC Security Channel
• Eric Murphy
• Proton
• Léo - TechMaker (french)

Guide version:
November 2026

My others adresses on LinkStack

Feel free to share this if it can help others, and ask me any questions you might have 👍