Privacy Tools

Tools for protecting your digital privacy and personal data

5 tools

ProtonMail

Freemium

Swiss-based encrypted email service with zero-access encryption, meaning Proton cannot read your emails.

web ios android

Pros

  • + Zero-access encryption
  • + Swiss privacy jurisdiction
  • + No personal info required

Cons

  • - E2EE only with other Proton users by default
  • - Search is limited due to encryption
  • - Storage limits on free tier
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Signal

Free

End-to-end encrypted messaging app with strong privacy protections, minimal metadata collection, and open-source code.

ios android macos windows linux

Pros

  • + True end-to-end encryption
  • + Minimal metadata collection
  • + Open source and audited

Cons

  • - Requires phone number to sign up
  • - Smaller user base than WhatsApp
  • - No web client without phone
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Firefox

Free

Privacy-focused browser from Mozilla with Enhanced Tracking Protection, container tabs, and no corporate data harvesting.

macos windows linux ios android

Pros

  • + Enhanced Tracking Protection built-in
  • + Container tabs isolate sites
  • + Non-profit stewardship

Cons

  • - Some sites optimized for Chrome
  • - Smaller market share
  • - Occasional compatibility issues
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Mullvad VPN

Paid

Privacy-focused VPN with anonymous account creation, no email required, and pay-with-cash options.

macos windows linux ios android

Pros

  • + No account creation required
  • + Can pay with cash
  • + Strong no-logs policy

Cons

  • - No free tier
  • - Fewer server locations than competitors
  • - No streaming optimization
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uBlock Origin

Free

Efficient, open-source ad and tracker blocker for browsers. Blocks ads, trackers, and malware domains.

web

Pros

  • + Highly efficient and lightweight
  • + Blocks ads and trackers
  • + Completely open source

Cons

  • - Can break some sites
  • - Requires occasional whitelist management
  • - Not on iOS (no extensions)
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