As someone just starting their journey into privacy-focused, open-source software, I’d love to hear what apps the community recommends.

I’m particularly interested in:

  • What messaging apps you use instead of WhatsApp/Messenger
  • Alternatives to Google services (email, calendar, cloud storage)
  • Social media alternatives that respect privacy
  • Browsers
  • Password managers worth using
  • Any other productivity apps you’d recommend me to use

I’m using Apple devices (I know, I know), so apps that work well in this ecosystem would be ideal. Which ones have you found perform exceptionally well?

What was your experience transitioning away from corporate services? Any pitfalls to avoid or strategies that made the switch easier?

  • AnAustralianPhotographer@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    6 days ago

    Edit; now I went back and reread the question, I saw opens source. I will leave the comment as it could be a turnkey solution and stepping stone option to going full open source.

    Something like a server on a raspberry pi could be what your after, but I don’t have specific software recommendations for it.

    …

    I’ve just started dabbling, so don’t consider this an expert, but a suggestion.

    Synology nas’s have a focus on data sovereignty . They have Android apps that communicate from your phone to the Nas for media.

    They can also be setup as a private cloud drive initially accessible by VPN to access and a email / web interface as well as instant messager and webdrive

    I gave some though to setting up a small private ‘corporate’ style server where people could access . There’s no subscription fees after the initial hardware purchase as your self hosting.