Big Tech Software Alternatives let users replace the default apps bundled with devices and operating systems with other options that can offer different features, stronger privacy protections, or lower cost. Fact-Checked by Irfan Ahmad.
Big Tech Software Alternatives: Browsers
Many people stick with the browser that came with their phone or laptop—Chrome, Safari or Edge—but several alternatives focus on privacy and usability out of the box. Brave, DuckDuckGo, Firefox and Vivaldi are cited as privacy-focused choices, and the Tor Browser is recommended to keep on hand even if it is not used daily. Switching typically requires only transferring bookmarks, and most browsers provide import/export tools. Extensions such as Privacy Badger can also help block trackers that follow activity across sites. The piece notes that it can be useful to install multiple browsers and use different ones for work and personal use.
Web Search
Alternatives to Google Search can be more privacy-preserving, less ad-ridden and offer different controls over AI features. DuckDuckGo is described as the most popular privacy-preserving alternative; Brave Search and Startpage are also mentioned. Kagi is listed as a paid subscription option. The article advises changing the default search option in your browser to your chosen engine.
Gmail is not the only major email provider, and alternatives may offer stronger privacy, optional AI features and different automation tools. Proton Mail, Tuta and Mailbox are noted for offering some level of end-to-end encryption at least for messages between users of the same service, and for claiming additional privacy protections such as tracker blocking and no ads. Fastmail is given as an example of a non–big tech provider that offers powerful email tools without the same ecosystem ties.
Office Suites
The article presents free and cheaper alternatives to Microsoft Office. LibreOffice and OnlyOffice are highlighted as popular free and open-source options that work similarly to Microsoft Office. For collaborative document work with greater privacy, Proton and CryptPad are suggested. Ellipsus is mentioned as attempting to replicate the Google Docs experience without built-in AI features or big-tech surveillance. For focused writing, paid options like Scrivener and Ulysses are listed, while iA Writer and Calmly are given as minimalist alternatives. For note-taking, Obsidian is recommended as a comprehensive replacement for apps like OneNote; other options include end-to-end encrypted apps such as Standard Notes, NotesNook and Joplin, and minimalist apps like Simplenote and Bear.
Design Software
Replacing Adobe Creative Suite is described as challenging but feasible with several free and open-source tools. GIMP and Krita are offered as alternatives to Photoshop, Inkscape as an alternative to Illustrator, Darktable to replace Lightroom and Scribus as an alternative to InDesign. Davinci Resolve (Premier) and Fusion (After Effects) are listed as free but not open-source options. The article also suggests the Affinity Suite (Canva) as a non-open-source, free option for replacing a large chunk of a software collection. The piece notes these alternatives can be rough around the edges but often get the job done.
The list is presented as a starting point rather than exhaustive; readers are directed to sites and roundup resources for more options and to explore other available replacements.
