Just so everyone is aware of who owns what, and what alternatives exist:
What US Tech Giants Own
| Meta | Alphabet | Microsoft | Amazon | SpaceX & Tesla |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Threads | Google, Gmail, Gemini, Android | Activision/Blizzard, Xbox, LinkedIn | Amazon, AWS, Whole Foods | Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink, X (Twitter) |
| Oculus, Giphy, Confirm.io, Friend.ly, Karma | Chrome/OS, Google Photos, Pixel | GitHub, Skype, Azure, MS Office, Windows | Audible, Goodreads, Twitch, MGM, IMDB | SolarCity, xAI, Grok, Cursor |
| Fitbit, Nest, Waze, reCaptcha | iRobot, Ring, Wag, Blink, Kuiper | |||
| Kaggle, Looker, Tenor, Blogger, YouTube | ||||
| More Meta | More Google | More MS | More Amazon | More X/Tesla |
Alternatives to Big Tech
Maps
- OpenStreetMap (OSM): Free, crowdsourced, open-source alternative powering many independent apps. Not controlled by tech giants.
- Organic Maps: Open-source mobile app using OSM data. Excellent for offline navigation without a cellular data plan.
- Note on MapQuest: MapQuest is owned by System1 (a US ad-tech broker that also owns Startpage). Their ToS explicitly tracks behavioral data across third-party sites—they’re just an ad broker trying to stay relevant, not an anti-monopoly alternative.
Cloud Storage
- Nextcloud: Open-source platform for files, calendars, and contacts. Host it yourself or use independent Swiss/EU-hosted providers.
- Proton Drive: Swiss-based, end-to-end encrypted cloud file storage.
- Tresorit: Swiss/Hungarian zero-knowledge encrypted cloud storage designed for high-privacy sharing.
Office Suite
- LibreOffice: Free and open-source. Highly improved in recent years, and good for general daily use.
- Proton Mail: EU-based, privacy-focused email with a free tier. Supports custom domain hosting, too, AFAIK.
- Tuta: German-based, open-source, fully encrypted email service.
Password Managers
- 1Password: Canada-based cross-platform password manager. Proprietary, but highly secure and well-regarded.
- Bitwarden: Open-source, end-to-end encrypted password manager. Offers free cloud sync across platforms and can also be self-hosted.
- KeePassXC: Completely open-source and offline. Password vault stays stored locally on your device, but does not have native sync.
Web Browsers
- Firefox (and forks like LibreWolf, Waterfox, Zen, Floorp): The only major browser engine not controlled by Google or Apple. Recommended add-ons: uBlock Origin, SponsorBlock, LocalCDN, and Facebook Container.
- Avoid Chromium-based forks: Brave and Vivaldi use Google’s engine (limiting privacy ad-blockers under Manifest V3). Brave also has a history of crypto-mining/affiliate link controversies and questionable leadership. Use Vivaldi for when you need a Chrome-based browser.
YouTube Clients
- Android: PipePipe, NewPipe, and Grayjay allow channel following, ad-blocking, and SponsorBlock skipping without a Google account.
- Linux/Desktop: FreeTube and NewPipe.
Search Engines
- DuckDuckGo & Ecosia: Privacy-focused portals (powered by Bing; Ecosia plants trees) that provide cleaner results than Google.
- Mojeek: UK-based search engine with its own independent web index (completely independent of Google and Bing).
- Qwant: French search engine hosted in Europe adhering strictly to EU privacy law.
- Kagi: A paid, ad-free alternative. US-based, but it being a small, paid, privacy-focused service means user data isn’t monetized or tracked.
Social Media
Open-source, federated social sites based in Canada:
- Reddit Alternatives: lemmy.ca, sh.itjust.works, and piefed.ca (operated by Fedecan, a Canadian non-profit).
- Instagram Alternative: pixelfed.ca (photo sharing run by Fedecan).
- Twitter/Microblogging (Mastodon): Free Canadian hubs include thecanadian.social, ottawa.place, and oceanplayground.social. Paid/co-op options include cosocial.ca and tenforward.social.
- Forums: NodeBB is Canadian open-source forum software that networks via ActivityPub. (I also host a federated TTRPG forum if anyone wants an invite!).
- Yellow Flag on Bluesky: AT Proto/Bluesky funnels traffic through US-based systems backed by the same VC investors funding major technocrats.
Book Reviews
- Rambling Readers: UK-based Goodreads alternative built on the federated, open-source BookWyrm platform.
Chat & Messaging
- Signal: E2E encrypted messaging (requires a phone number for registration).
- Delta Chat: Decentralized, encrypted messenger using invite codes/QR codes.
- XMPP: Federated chat network with client flexibility; can be self-hosted.
- Matrix: Modern, decentralized channel/room-based protocol (like an upgraded IRC with rich mobile/desktop clients).
Operating Systems
Linux has matured significantly—even non-technical users and older family members can navigate modern distributions cleanly:
- Linux Mint: The best desktop transition for Windows users; interface feels very similar to Windows 10.
- Ubuntu: Popular, widely supported OS with a macOS-like UI. Runs well on older hardware.
- Kubuntu: Ubuntu base with a familiar Windows-style layout, but slightly more feature-heavy.
Android App Repositories
- F-Droid: An open-source “store” focused entirely on free, privacy-friendly, local-first apps.