privacyguides.org/docs/tools.md

---
meta_title: "Ad-Free Privacy Tool/Service Recommendations - Privacy Guides"
title: "Privacy Tools"
icon: material/tools
hide:
  - toc
description: A complete list of the privacy tools, services, software, and hardware recommended by the Privacy Guides community.
---

If you're looking for a specific solution to something, these are the hardware and software tools we recommend in a variety of categories. Our recommended privacy tools are primarily chosen based on security features, with additional emphasis on decentralized and open-source tools. They are applicable to a variety of threat models ranging from protection against global mass surveillance programs and avoiding big tech companies to mitigating attacks, but only you can determine what will work best for your needs.

[VPN Providers](vpn.md){ .md-button }
[Password Managers](essentials/passwords.md){ .md-button }
[Email Providers](email.md){ .md-button }
[Browser Extensions](web-browsing/browser-extensions.md){ .md-button }
[DNS Servers](dns.md){ .md-button }
[Email Aliasing Services](email-aliasing.md){ .md-button }
[Photo Organization Tools](photo-management.md){ .md-button }

If you want assistance figuring out the best privacy tools and alternative programs for your needs, start a discussion on our [forum](https://discuss.privacyguides.net) or our [Matrix](https://matrix.to/#/#privacyguides:matrix.org) community!

For more details about each project, why they were chosen, and additional tips or tricks we recommend, click the "Learn more" link in each section, or click on the recommendation itself to be taken to that specific section of the page.

<div class="grid" markdown>

<div markdown>
- [x] **Ad-Free Recommendations**
- [x] **Frequent Updates**
- [x] **Trusted by Readers**
</div>

<div markdown>
- [x] **Complete Editorial Independence**
- [x] **Open-Source Contributions**
- [x] **Trusted by Journalists**
</div>

</div>

## Top 3 Private VPN Providers

<details class="danger" markdown>
<summary>VPNs do not provide anonymity</summary>

Using a VPN will **not** keep your browsing habits anonymous, nor will it add additional security to non-secure (HTTP) traffic.

If you are looking for **anonymity**, you should use the Tor Browser.

If you're looking for added **security**, you should always ensure you're connecting to websites using HTTPS. A VPN is not a replacement for good security practices.

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](vpn.md)

</details>

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![Proton VPN logo](assets/img/vpn/protonvpn.svg){ .lg .middle .twemoji } **Proton VPN**

    ---

    - [x] **112+ Countries**
    - [x] WireGuard Support
    - [x] Cash Payments
    - [x] Partial Port Forwarding Support
    - [ ] No IPv6

    [Read Full Review :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](vpn.md#proton-vpn)

- ![IVPN logo](assets/img/vpn/mini/ivpn.svg){ .lg .middle .twemoji } **IVPN**

    ---

    - [x] **37+ Countries**
    - [x] WireGuard Support
    - [x] Monero & Cash Payments
    - [ ] No Port Forwarding
    - [ ] No IPv6

    [Read Full Review :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](vpn.md#ivpn)

- ![Mullvad logo](assets/img/vpn/mullvad.svg){ .lg .middle .twemoji } **Mullvad**

    ---

    - [x] **49+ Countries**
    - [x] WireGuard Support
    - [x] Monero & Cash Payments
    - [ ] No Port Forwarding
    - [x] IPv6 Support

    [Read Full Review :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](vpn.md#mullvad)

</div>

## Top 3 Private Email Providers

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![Proton Mail logo](assets/img/email/protonmail.svg){ .lg .middle .twemoji } **Proton Mail**

    ---

    Proton Mail is an email service with a focus on privacy, encryption, security, and ease of use. They have been in operation since 2013. Proton AG is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Proton Mail Free plan comes with 500 MB of Mail storage, which you can increase up to 1 GB for free.

    [Read Full Review :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](email.md#proton-mail)

- ![Mailbox.org logo](assets/img/email/mailboxorg.svg){ .lg .middle .twemoji } **Mailbox.org**

    ---

    Mailbox.org is an email service with a focus on being secure, ad-free, and privately powered by 100% eco-friendly energy. They have been in operation since 2014. Mailbox.org is based in Berlin, Germany. Accounts start with up to 2 GB storage, which can be upgraded as needed.

    [Read Full Review :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](email.md#mailboxorg)

- ![Tuta logo](assets/img/email/tuta.svg#only-light){ .lg .middle .twemoji }![Tuta logo](assets/img/email/tuta-dark.svg#only-dark){ .lg .middle .twemoji } **Tuta**

    ---

    Tuta (formerly *Tutanota*) is an email service with a focus on security and privacy through the use of encryption. Tuta has been in operation since 2011 and is based in Hanover, Germany. Free accounts start with 1 GB of storage.

    [Read Full Review :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](email.md#tuta)

</div>

<div class="grid" markdown>

<div markdown>
### Email Aliasing Services

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![addy.io logo](assets/img/email-aliasing/addy.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [addy.io](email-aliasing.md#addyio)
- ![SimpleLogin logo](assets/img/email-aliasing/simplelogin.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [SimpleLogin](email-aliasing.md#simplelogin)

</div>
</div>

<div markdown>
### Self-Hosting Email

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![Stalwart logo](assets/img/email/stalwart.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Stalwart](email.md#stalwart)
- ![Mailcow logo](assets/img/email/mailcow.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Mailcow](email.md#mailcow)
- ![Mail-in-a-Box logo](assets/img/email/mail-in-a-box.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Mail-in-a-Box](email.md#mail-in-a-box)

</div>
</div>

</div>

## More Private Service Providers

### Cloud Storage

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![Proton Drive logo](assets/img/cloud/protondrive.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Proton Drive](cloud.md#proton-drive)
- ![Tresorit logo](assets/img/cloud/tresorit.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Tresorit](cloud.md#tresorit)
- ![Peergos logo](assets/img/cloud/peergos.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Peergos](cloud.md#peergos)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](cloud.md)

### Data Removal Services

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![EasyOptOuts logo](assets/img/data-broker-removals/easyoptouts.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [EasyOptOuts](data-broker-removals.md#easyoptouts-paid)
- ![Google logo](assets/img/data-broker-removals/google.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Google *Results about you*](data-broker-removals.md#google-results-about-you-free)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](data-broker-removals.md)

### DNS

#### DNS Providers

We [recommend](dns.md#recommended-providers) a number of encrypted DNS servers based on a variety of criteria, such as [Mullvad](https://mullvad.net/en/help/dns-over-https-and-dns-over-tls) and [Quad9](https://quad9.net) amongst others. We recommend for you to read our pages on DNS before choosing a provider. In many cases, using an alternative DNS provider is not recommended.

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](dns.md)

#### Encrypted DNS Proxies

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![RethinkDNS logo](assets/img/android/rethinkdns.svg#only-light){ .twemoji loading=lazy }![RethinkDNS logo](assets/img/android/rethinkdns-dark.svg#only-dark){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [RethinkDNS](dns.md#rethinkdns)
- ![dnscrypt-proxy logo](assets/img/dns/dnscrypt-proxy.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [dnscrypt-proxy](dns.md#dnscrypt-proxy)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](dns.md#encrypted-dns-proxies)

#### Self-hosted Solutions

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![AdGuard Home logo](assets/img/dns/adguard-home.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [AdGuard Home](dns.md#adguard-home)
- ![Pi-hole logo](assets/img/dns/pi-hole.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Pi-hole](dns.md#pi-hole)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](dns.md#self-hosted-dns-filtering)

### Financial Services

#### Payment Masking Services

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![Privacy.com logo](assets/img/financial-services/privacy_com.svg#only-light){ .twemoji loading=lazy }![Privacy.com logo](assets/img/financial-services/privacy_com-dark.svg#only-dark){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Privacy.com](financial-services.md#privacycom-us)
- ![MySudo logo](assets/img/financial-services/mysudo.svg#only-light){ .twemoji loading=lazy }![MySudo logo](assets/img/financial-services/mysudo-dark.svg#only-dark){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [MySudo](financial-services.md#mysudo-us-paid)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](financial-services.md#payment-masking-services)

#### Online Gift Card Marketplaces

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![Coincards logo](assets/img/financial-services/coincards.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Coincards](financial-services.md#coincards)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](financial-services.md#gift-card-marketplaces)

### Photo Management

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![Ente logo](assets/img/photo-management/ente.svg#only-light){ .twemoji loading=lazy }![Ente logo](assets/img/photo-management/ente.svg#only-dark){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Ente Photos](photo-management.md#ente-photos)
- ![Stingle logo](assets/img/photo-management/stingle.png#only-light){ .twemoji loading=lazy }![Stingle logo](assets/img/photo-management/stingle-dark.png#only-dark){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Stingle](photo-management.md#stingle)
- ![PhotoPrism logo](assets/img/photo-management/photoprism.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [PhotoPrism](photo-management.md#photoprism)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](photo-management.md)

### Search Engines

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![Brave Search logo](assets/img/search-engines/brave-search.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Brave Search](search-engines.md#brave-search)
- ![DuckDuckGo logo](assets/img/search-engines/duckduckgo.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [DuckDuckGo](search-engines.md#duckduckgo)
- ![SearXNG logo](assets/img/search-engines/searxng.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [SearXNG](search-engines.md#searxng)
- ![Startpage logo](assets/img/search-engines/startpage.svg#only-light){ .twemoji loading=lazy }![Startpage logo](assets/img/search-engines/startpage-dark.svg#only-dark){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Startpage](search-engines.md#startpage)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](search-engines.md)

## Hardware

### Security Keys

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![Yubico logo](assets/img/security-keys/mini/yubico.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Yubico Security Key](security-keys.md#yubico-security-key)
- ![Yubico logo](assets/img/security-keys/mini/yubico.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [YubiKey](security-keys.md#yubikey)
- ![Nitrokey](assets/img/security-keys/mini/nitrokey.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Nitrokey](security-keys.md#nitrokey)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](security-keys.md)

### Mobile Phones

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![Google Pixel 6](assets/img/android/google-pixel.png){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Google Pixel](mobile-phones.md#google-pixel)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](mobile-phones.md)

## Operating Systems

### Mobile

#### Custom Android Operating Systems

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![GrapheneOS logo](assets/img/android/grapheneos.svg#only-light){ .twemoji loading=lazy }![GrapheneOS logo](assets/img/android/grapheneos-dark.svg#only-dark){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [GrapheneOS](android/distributions.md#grapheneos)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](android/distributions.md)

#### Android Apps

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![Shelter logo](assets/img/android/mini/shelter.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Shelter (Work Profiles)](android/general-apps.md#shelter)
- ![Secure Camera logo](assets/img/android/secure_camera.svg#only-light){ .twemoji loading=lazy }![Secure Camera logo](assets/img/android/secure_camera-dark.svg#only-dark){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Secure Camera](android/general-apps.md#secure-camera)
- ![Secure PDF Viewer logo](assets/img/android/secure_pdf_viewer.svg#only-light){ .twemoji loading=lazy }![Secure PDF Viewer logo](assets/img/android/secure_pdf_viewer-dark.svg#only-dark){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Secure PDF Viewer](android/general-apps.md#secure-pdf-viewer)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](android/general-apps.md)

#### Ways to Obtain Android Apps

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![Obtainium logo](assets/img/android/obtainium.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Obtainium (App Manager)](android/obtaining-apps.md#obtainium)
- ![Aurora Store logo](assets/img/android/aurora-store.webp){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Aurora Store (Google Play Client)](android/obtaining-apps.md#aurora-store)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](android/obtaining-apps.md)

### Desktop/PC

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![Qubes OS logo](assets/img/qubes/qubes_os.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Qubes OS (Xen VM Distribution)](desktop.md#qubes-os)
- ![Fedora logo](assets/img/linux-desktop/fedora.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Fedora Workstation](desktop.md#fedora-workstation)
- ![openSUSE Tumbleweed logo](assets/img/linux-desktop/opensuse-tumbleweed.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [openSUSE Tumbleweed](desktop.md#opensuse-tumbleweed)
- ![Arch logo](assets/img/linux-desktop/archlinux.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Arch Linux](desktop.md#arch-linux)
- ![Fedora logo](assets/img/linux-desktop/fedora.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Fedora Atomic Desktops](desktop.md#fedora-atomic-desktops)
- ![NixOS logo](assets/img/linux-desktop/nixos.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [NixOS](desktop.md#nixos)
- ![Whonix logo](assets/img/linux-desktop/whonix.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Whonix (Tor)](desktop.md#whonix)
- ![Tails logo](assets/img/linux-desktop/tails.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Tails (Live Boot)](desktop.md#tails)
- ![Kicksecure logo](assets/img/linux-desktop/kicksecure.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Kicksecure](desktop.md#kicksecure)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](desktop.md)

### Router Firmware

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![OpenWrt logo](assets/img/router/openwrt.svg#only-light){ .twemoji loading=lazy }![OpenWrt logo](assets/img/router/openwrt-dark.svg#only-dark){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [OpenWrt](router.md#openwrt)
- ![OPNsense logo](assets/img/router/opnsense.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [OPNsense](router.md#opnsense)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](router.md)

## Advanced Tools

These tools may provide utility for certain individuals. They provide functionality which most people do not need to worry about, and often require more in-depth technical knowledge to utilize effectively.

### Alternative Networks

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![I2P logo](./assets/img/self-contained-networks/i2p.svg#only-light){ .twemoji loading=lazy } ![I2P logo](./assets/img/self-contained-networks/i2p-dark.svg#only-dark){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [I2P](alternative-networks.md#i2p-the-invisible-internet-project)
- ![Tor logo](./assets/img/self-contained-networks/tor.svg){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Tor](alternative-networks.md#tor)
- ![Snowflake logo](assets/img/browsers/snowflake.svg#only-light){ .twemoji loading=lazy }![Snowflake logo](assets/img/browsers/snowflake-dark.svg#only-dark){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Snowflake](alternative-networks.md#snowflake)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](alternative-networks.md)

### Device Integrity Verification

<div class="grid cards" markdown>

- ![MVT logo](assets/img/device-integrity/mvt.webp){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Mobile Verification Toolkit](device-integrity.md#mobile-verification-toolkit)
- ![iMazing logo](assets/img/device-integrity/imazing.png){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [iMazing (iOS)](device-integrity.md#imazing-ios)
- ![Auditor logo](assets/img/device-integrity/auditor.svg#only-light){ .twemoji loading=lazy }![Auditor logo](assets/img/device-integrity/auditor-dark.svg#only-dark){ .twemoji loading=lazy } [Auditor (Android)](device-integrity.md#auditor-android)

</div>

[Learn more :material-arrow-right-drop-circle:](device-integrity.md)