Everyone knows it, or almost everyone: Google's wealth directly comes from the data we provide it and the tracking of every action and gesture of its users. So, how about changing the scenery a bit and getting to know several alternatives to its services?
Alternatives to Gmail
It's very rare to meet someone who doesn't have an email address using Google's famous service, Gmail. And yet, it's one of the main sources of information for the American giant, allowing it to establish a very precise profile of your interests and... you, just like that. It's a bit like your mail carrier opening your letters to read them before handing them over to you: we're willing to bet you'd never accept such a thing! Yet, that's exactly what Google does...
ProtonMail
With ProtonMail, all your emails will be encrypted. Open-source, your data will be stored in a bunker deep within a Swiss mountain (renowned for resisting pressure from global authorities). External audits regularly take place to ensure the privacy of its users is respected. If your contacts don't use ProtonMail, they will receive a password to securely read your encrypted email online: even Google won't be able to detect what you've sent.
Tutanota
A very serious competitor to ProtonMail, Tutanota has everything to please: complete encryption of your messages, U2F-compatible keys for two-factor authentication, a simple and comprehensive interface. The only minor drawback of Tutanota? It's based in Germany, which is somewhat more problematic compared to ProtonMail, as Germany and thus the European Union aren't necessarily known for resisting the intelligence services of global security organizations.
Alternatives to Google Chrome
Well... We're getting to a rather sensitive topic. Who doesn't use Google Chrome? Statistics show that in January 2021, Google Chrome held 66.6% of the browser market share. Yet, the Californian giant doesn't hesitate to harvest the browsing history of its users to build a profile on each of them.
Brave
This is one of the best alternatives to Google Chrome. Brave is renowned for respecting the privacy of its users, but also for rewarding them with a cryptocurrency: BAT (Basic Attention Token), by allowing them to browse with integrated ads from time to time (this option is disableable). It's also the fastest browser in the world. You can also find all the extensions available for Chrome here. What more could you ask for?
Firefox
It's impossible to present alternatives to Google Chrome without mentioning Firefox. Many people tend to know Firefox rather than Brave. The advantage of Firefox? It's entirely detached from Google's services. Designed by the Mozilla Foundation, it's certainly one of the most used browsers behind Google Chrome.
Alternatives to Google Search
We couldn't write an article about alternatives to Google's services without presenting alternatives to its famous search engine. Google's share is substantial, but numerous projects have emerged and are increasingly rivaling its service.
DuckDuckGo
The most well-known alternative. The service operates on an IP address anonymization system: your searches are not stored to build your psychological profile. By using it, users receive "drops" that they can then donate to initiatives to fund them. Its goal is to provide results that are not based on your affinities or recent queries while respecting your privacy and personal data.
Qwant
Well-known among search engines, it is also a French gem. The difference between Qwant and DuckDuckGo lies in the fact that Qwant offers multiple results for the same query. The service also provides younger users the opportunity to get started with Qwant Junior, a version without ads and filtered from the main service.
Alternatives to Google Maps
It's hard to find anything as good as Google Maps for navigating the streets of your future residence or checking if your reservation in that beautiful villa with a sea view actually exists. However, we want to offer you two services that can help meet most of your needs.
OpenStreetMap
A community initiative since its inception, OpenStreetMap allows users to use a map that they can annotate. Its free usage for both users and developers makes it one of the most interesting alternatives to Google Maps and one of the most used services. Everyone can contribute to updating the map. The interface isn't as pleasant as Google Maps, of course! But here you won't be tracked, and that, that’s priceless.
DuckDuckGo with Apple Maps
Thanks to a partnership between DuckDuckGo and Apple Maps, you can use Apple's service directly on the web without tracking. The interface is just as simple to use as what we're accustomed to with Google Maps.
Here we are at the end of this article! The list isn't exhaustive, and there are numerous alternatives to each of Google's services. We've kept it minimal by only suggesting two of the most popular alternatives for Google's main services. If you'd like to share two other alternatives to another Google service, you know where to find us!