It’s time to switch to ethical tech
Here is a quick list of some more ethical tech alternatives to Google, Microsoft and Spotify.
This list is beginner-friendly, open-source, privacy-focused, non-corporate and as decolonial-aligned as possible.
Search Engines
DuckDuckGo
Startpage
SearXNG
Mojeek
Office Suites and Document Tools
CryptPad
LibreOffice
OnlyOffice
Etherpad
Cloud Storage and File Sync
Proton Drive
Nextcloud
Tresorit
Maps and Navigation
OpenStreetMap
Organic Maps
OsmAnd
Mobile Operating Systems
GrapheneOS
LineageOS
/e/OS
Desktop Operating Systems
Linux Mint
Ubuntu
Fedora
Debian
Trisquel
Messaging and Calls
Signal
Element (Matrix)
Session
Web Browsers
Firefox
Brave
LibreWolf
Music Streaming and Audio
Bandcamp
Resonate
Audius
Navidrome (self-hosted)
Jellyfin (self-hosted)
Notes, Tasks, Productivity
Standard Notes
Joplin
Nextcloud Notes and Deck
Photo Storage, Backup, and Sharing
PhotoPrism
LibrePhotos
Immich
Piwigo
Lychee
Pixelfed
Ente Photos
Social Media Alternatives
Federated / Decentralized Networks (Fediverse)
Mastodon – Twitter/X alternative; microblogging on decentralized servers (instances)
Pleroma – lightweight, decentralized microblogging platform
Pixelfed – Instagram alternative; photo-sharing on Fediverse
PeerTube – YouTube alternative; decentralized video hosting
Funkwhale – decentralized audio streaming and sharing
Community-Owned / Nonprofit Platforms
Diaspora* – Facebook-like social networking; privacy-first, decentralized
Friendica – social networking hub; connects with other Fediverse networks
Hubzilla – integrated social network, cloud storage, and publishing platform
Privacy-Focused Messaging / Social
Signal – end-to-end encrypted messaging, group chats, and status updates
Element (Matrix) – decentralized chat with public and private rooms
Session – privacy-first messaging with no phone number required
Beginner-Friendly Alternatives for Content Sharing
Minds – open-source social network; crypto optional, more control over ads and visibility
MeWe – ad-free, privacy-focused social network
About e-mail
Encrypted, Privacy-Focused Email (Beginner-Friendly) Self-hosted email gives maximum control and privacy but may require some technical setup. Services like Proton Mail and Tutanota are beginner-friendly while still providing strong encryption. Combine email with encrypted messaging apps (Signal, Element) for fully private communication.
Proton Mail – end-to-end encrypted, Swiss-based, easy to use.
Tutanota – fully encrypted, open-source, zero-knowledge storage.
Posteo – privacy-focused, sustainable email provider based in Germany.
Open-Source / Self-Hosted Email
Mailcow – self-hosted email suite with web interface, calendar, and contacts.
Mail-in-a-Box – easy setup for self-hosted email on your own server.
Modoboa – modular, open-source mail server solution.
Alternatives to Spotify
These platforms treat artists more fairly, avoid aggressive data harvesting, and reduce reliance on large tech monopolies. You can export your Spotify playlist using Spotify or pay 5 euro to use a service called Soundiiz.
TIDAL
Known for its higher artist payout rates compared with most mainstream services and for offering high-quality audio. It has a strong reputation for trying to address fair compensation in the industry. TIDAL (the streaming service) is majority-owned by Block, Inc. (formerly Square).
Qobuz
A French-owned service focused on high-resolution audio with a transparent business model. It positions itself as a platform for music lovers rather than an ad-tech company, with more respectful data practices and strong editorial curation.
Bandcamp
A widely respected ethical choice because artists keep a far larger percentage of revenue than on streaming platforms. Although it is not a traditional streaming service, it allows unlimited streaming of purchased music in the app and directly supports independent artists and labels. In 2023, Bandcamp was sold to Songtradr.
SoundCloud (paid tiers)
SoundCloud’s fan-powered royalties distribute revenue based on what each listener actually plays rather than a global pooled model. This can be more equitable for small and independent artists.
Resonate
A cooperative, community-owned music platform using a “stream-to-own” model so artists earn fairly as you listen. It emphasises transparency, artist control, and ethical technology.
IDAGIO (for classical music)
A specialist classical-music streaming platform that has worked to create a royalty system suited to classical performances, giving musicians and ensembles more appropriate credit and compensation.
And last but definately not least; Mideast Tunes
Mideast Tunes is an amazing non-profit music platform dedicated to amplifying underground and socially conscious musicians from the Middle East and North Africa who are often censored on other platforms. It focuses on artists who use music as a form of activism, giving space to voices often marginalised by mainstream media. The platform aims to build cultural understanding across the region and beyond, offering free access to diverse genres while supporting independent creators.