The United States has become the world’s biggest bully, threatening any country that doesn’t do as it demands with tariffs, and its tech companies are taking full advantage by flexing their muscle and trying to avoid effective regulation around the world. The drawbacks of our dependence on US tech companies have become more obvious with every passing year, but now there can hardly be any denying that where we can pry ourselves away from them, we should make the effort to do so.

For the past couple months, I’ve been slowing trying to replace the services I use with alternatives that are not based in the United States or heavily tied to it. I won’t lie: it’s not always an easy process. There are some services that have plenty of alternatives, but others where drawing back from those offered by US companies means retreating from communities that don’t exist elsewhere or have far less functionality. And that’s not even to get into how many non-US services are still hosted on servers owned by Amazon, Microsoft, or Google.

Being a purist isn’t possible, but what’s important is making the effort. If we can reduce the customer base for the dominant players and show there’s a market for a different way of approaching digital technology, that could help incentivize more non-US options and even get governments to put real resources behind a push for digital sovereignty.

The point of this article is to bring together what I’ve learned these past few months and to try to give you an idea of alternatives you can adopt to begin your own journey away from US tech companies.

Before we get started, I want to make something abundantly clear: this guide is primarily designed for people without a lot of technical skill. I’m not going to be proposing alternatives that are going to be difficult for those who can’t code to set up and use — though I may occasionally mention some of those options too. This also isn’t a comprehensive list; it’s the options I’ve come across and think are worth giving a shot, even though some may have minor drawbacks of their own. Because of that, I’ll also include some additional resources at the end if you want to go deeper.

So, with all that said, let’s get started.

Suites

Google, Apple, and Microsoft aren’t the only comes that offer a suite of services like email, calendar, cloud storage, and productivity software. Finding an alternative suite, rather than a series of singular services, can be an easy way to quickly jettison a number of those offered by those major US tech companies.

Personally, I began shifting over to Proton 🇨🇭 a few years ago. That started with ditching Gmail for ProtonMail, but over time I began using its cloud storage, VPN, and password manager too. They’ve also been improving their calendar, with a big update planned for this year, and I’ve been playing with their Docs service too. Basically, it offered a lot of what I was looking for, and has continued to improve those offerings over time.

Proton isn’t the only one that does this though. Zoho 🇮🇳 is another suite I’ve seen many people recommend, but personally it felt like overkill for me with the number of services they offer. I also liked that Proton does not have a US office. Mailbox 🇩🇪 is another, offering cloud storage, productivity software, and video conferencing, in addition to email.

On the more techie side of things, there are alternatives like those offered by Framasoft 🇫🇷 or even NextCloud 🇩🇪, an open source suite which requires users to sort out their own hosting solution instead of signing up through the company itself. The latter can be a particularly good option for companies and organizations.

While suites make things easy, you don’t have to go that route or even use everything in them. There are plenty of other alternatives out there.

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Essentials

Email

An email address feels like the first step in an online existence — or just being in the world these days. For me, the choice was ProtonMail 🇨🇭 — it’s encrypted, lets me use a custom domain, and the one issue I used to have with Outlook addresses receiving my emails has been fixed for at least a couple years. But that’s not the only option.

As I mentioned, Mailbox 🇩🇪 or Zoho Mail 🇮🇳 are possible alternatives, as are Posteo 🇩🇪 or Tuta 🇩🇪. Fastmail 🇦🇺 is another, but its servers are located in the United States. A lot of web hosting services will offer their own email services too, but personally I’ve never much liked the basic experience they tend to entail.

Search

After getting an email address, finding your way around the web is essential, and for most people that means a trip to Google — or, for a much smaller number, Bing. There are alternatives, but already this is where things get tough.

Personally, I think the best non-US alternatives are Ecosia 🇩🇪 and Qwant 🇫🇷, though Startpage 🇳🇱 is another option. I used to think they were rather limited, but the more I’ve been using Qwant, the more comfortable I am using it for a wider range of queries, meaning I head back to Google less and less. The problem here is that pretty much any alternative search engine is still going to be pulling their results from Bing or Google because they have the most comprehensive search indexes.

Ecosia and Qwant are working on a European search index, but it’s likely not going to be rolled out for some time yet. Mojeek 🇬🇧 is one of the rare non-US search engines that does rely solely on its own index, but (no offence to the Mojeek folks), I really did not find it very reliable.

Browser

To do anything online, you’re probably going to need a browser. Most people are using Chrome, with Firefox and Safari grabbing big chunks of market share in their own right. But there are some great alternatives.

I’ve taken to using Vivaldi 🇳🇴 on my computer and my phone, and it’s great. I find the cloud tab syncing works better and more reliably than Safari did across Apple devices. Opera 🇳🇴/🇨🇳 is another option, or even Mullvad 🇸🇪, though I haven’t tried that one personally. My vote here is Vivaldi.

Office

Microsoft Office used to be the 800-pound gorilla in office software, but now people are increasingly using the Google Docs suite. This is one I’ve found myself having a hard time escaping from, because even if I use a different service, people still send me things in Google Docs to review or edit, and you can’t just open them in another service like you can with a DOCX file.

I’m still trying to figure out how to handle that, but in the meantime, there are alternatives for when people aren’t forcing Google Docs onto you. As mentioned above, Zoho 🇮🇳 and Mailbox 🇩🇪 have productivity suites and Proton 🇨🇭 has the beginnings of an online word processor. There’s also OnlyOffice 🇱🇻 and Collabora Office 🇬🇧 (more enterprise focused) or, for the more technically inclined, setting up NextCloud 🇩🇪. Framasoft 🇫🇷 also has a basic option for this or Cryptpad 🇫🇷 provides an encrypted alternative.

For software installed on your actual machine, LibreOffice 🇩🇪 is the open-source alternative to Microsoft Office. I’ve only used it a bit, but it seemed quite capable for the things I needed it for, after I installed a different theme than the dated default appearance it has. I do most of my writing in Ulysses 🇩🇪 though. I’ve heard a lot of people also like a similar program called iA Writer 🇯🇵 or, for those endeavouring to write a book, Scrivener 🇬🇧 could be an option.

News/RSS

Google Reader 🪦 is long dead, but I still find having an RSS reader to be useful. A few years ago, I was using Feedly until they pushed a service to help companies track protests and strikes that could be used against workers. At that moment, I switched to Inoreader 🇧🇬 and I’ve really had no complaints since doing so. I’m sure there are others out there, but I haven’t felt the need to seek them out.

Passwords/2FA

I wouldn’t be surprised that if most people are storing passwords, they’re doing it through Apple or Google. I was using the former, but moved mine over the Proton Pass 🇨🇭 a few months back, which easily integrated with Vivaldi. I still need to transfer my two-factor codes from Authy, but that will be done soon.

I’ve chosen to rely on the Proton suite, but there are other options out there. 1Password 🇨🇦 is one I’ve heard about a lot. I was going to use them myself, but I found out they use AWS and when I asked the company if they plan to migrate off, they told me they do not. They do have servers in Canada and Europe though, if AWS doesn’t bother you as much. Aegis 🇳🇱 is an open-source option for Android, while KeePass 🇩🇪 is available on multiple platforms. There may be more options in the additional resources at the end.

Notes/calendar/tasks

I’m still locked into Apple Calendar, Notes, and Reminders at the moment, and have been debating what to replace them with. I was going to use Todoist because I mistaken about it being based outside the US, then figured I would just wait for Proton 🇨🇭 to add tasks to its calendar, which seems planned for later this year.

Ultimately, it’s probably easiest to use whichever calendar is linked with the email service you choose. I’m on Apple’s right now, but will be migrating over to Proton’s when the time is right, which will likely be quite soon.

For notes, I’ve been looking at Bear 🇮🇹 and Obsidian 🇨🇦, but I need to do a bit more research before making the move. Bear reminds me a lot of Ulysses, which I use for writing, but I like the opportunity to support a Canadian service. Obsidian used to only have servers in the United States, but has since added the ability for users to choose whether their data will be stored in Frankfurt, Sydney, or Singapore as well (though still through US company DigitalOcean).

Communication

Social media

Here is where things get more difficult. Due to my work, but also wanting to keep up with people, I don’t feel it’s feasible to give up all US social media. I’ve definitely been cutting back over the past year, to the degree that Bluesky is my main platform now and I mainly only use my other accounts to share my work. But I won’t be deleting them all anytime soon.

I do, of course, also have an account on Mastodon 🇩🇪, and there are decentralized alternatives like PeerTube 🇫🇷, Frendica 🇩🇪, and Pixelfed 🇨🇦 — though, admittedly, I haven’t tried those out yet. I wonder if there will be more experimentation with alternatives in the coming years, but for the moment, this is where I’ve found myself.

Messaging

Messaging is another place where giving up US platforms doesn’t seem wholly possible. Even though Signal is based in the US, it’s become the app I try to use most for this. It’s not pursuing the growth-at-all-costs mindset and I trust its leadership, so it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Unfortunately, I often also have to use Whatsapp when I travel because so much of the world effectively treats it as infrastructure. I wonder if that will change will the growing hostility to US tech and Meta’s decision to begin adding advertising to the service; I guess we’ll have to see.

There are alternative options like Wire 🇩🇪, Threema 🇨🇭, or Element 🇬🇧, which is built on Matrix 🇬🇧, but they have much smaller user bases, making it hard to use them to chat with people. In certain countries, there may be widely used domestic alternatives, like KakaoTalk 🇰🇷 in South Korea.

Nav/Maps

With Maps, there’s Google and then there’s everyone else. Sadly, that remains the case, and I’ve found there are times when I have no problem using an alternative, but other times — especially when I travel, depending on the country — where I feel like I need to boot up Google Maps once again. So, what are the alternatives?

I found Here WeGo 🇳🇱 to be the most comprehensive, non-US mapping and navigation alternative, whether for car or transit directions. It does not have the scale and accuracy of business information that Google has, but it’s still decent, and I’ve been told it’s often better than Google in many parts of the Global South (not something I’ve been able to test myself). The big downside for an iOS user who drives is that Here WeGo doesn’t work on the dashboard in CarPlay. I did reach out to Here and was told that support will be added, but wasn’t given a timeline.

Beyond that, TomTom Go 🇳🇱 is fantastic for driving directions and works properly with CarPlay, but is useless for anything else. Transit 🇨🇦 is great for public transit directions. The OpenStreetMap 🇬🇧 network is also an alternative, including apps like OsmAnd 🇳🇱 and Organic Maps 🇪🇪, and is particularly good for walking and cycling directions. I haven’t tested it yet, but I’ve been told Mapy 🇨🇿 is also a good comprehensive alternative, while in different parts of the world, there may be services that work great just in their country, like Naver Map 🇰🇷 and Kakao Map 🇰🇷 do in South Korea.

Entertainment

Streaming video

I know we’re used to having Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime (an even bigger range of issues there), and all these US-owned streaming services, but I feel like I’m coming at this from two directions. First, I’m trying to be more intention about what I watch, instead of just whatever is new on these services, even if it’s slop — in part to spend more time reading. Second, there often are decent non-US alternatives.

Personally, I haven’t had Netflix since the password-sharing crackdown. I had Disney+ for free from my telecom provider, but then will be ending soon too, and I got Apple TV+ back recently for Foundation because this is how I approach the US streaming services now: I’m not a regular subscriber, but if enough I want to see builds up, I’ll subscribe for a month or two to watch, then cancel again. There are great domestic alternatives though.

In Canada, Crave 🇨🇦 has plenty of US shows (almost anything on HBO Max), along with Canadian and international content too. There’s also CBC Gem 🇨🇦 or ICI TOU.TV 🇨🇦, along with all the films available from the National Film Board 🇨🇦. Britbox 🇬🇧 is also an option, as is Mubi 🇬🇧, which I was planning to sign up for myself until I saw them defend taking money from Sequoia Capital, which funds an Israeli defense company Kela.

There are plenty options in markets beyond Canada too. Just to give a couple examples, Australia has ABC iView 🇦🇺, Stan 🇦🇺 and (recently downgraded) Binge 🇦🇺, while New Zealand has Neon 🇳🇿 and the catalog of NZ On Screen 🇳🇿. It’s worth looking to see what’s actually available on local services instead of the international, US-based ones in your own country.

Streaming music

Spotify may technically be Swedish, but I ruled it out because of its significant US footprint, the ongoing issues artists have with the platform, and CEO Daniel Ek’s recent €600-million investment in AI-powered drone maker Helsing.

I’ve been on Apple Music for the past few years, but recently switched to Deezer 🇫🇷 and don’t see why I would need to go back given the catalogs of music-streaming services are pretty similar — unlike on the video side of things. Maybe another plus: Deezer isn’t trying to push video at me like Spotify does either.

Tidal would have been an alternative, but it was acquired by Square in 2021. There’s also Quboz 🇫🇷, which seems more targeted toward those looking for the best quality. I’ve heard its library is much more limited though.

Podcast app

There was a brief period where I used Spotify for podcasts, but for the most part I’ve always listened through Apple Podcasts — until recently. I tried a few non-US alternatives that were annoying and stuffed with ads, making them a terrible experience, until I found two open-source alternatives I feel happy to recommend.

For Android users, AntennaPod 🇩🇪 is supposedly the way to go. But I’m not on Android, so I also had to find one on iOS. Another option that also works for iPhone users is Anytime Podcast Player 🇬🇧. It’s a pretty simple podcast app that just lists the shows you’re subscribed to, then you check and see if there are new episodes instead of having a feed of everything. Some people might not like that design choice, but I loved it. Now it’s up to me to check if there are new episodes instead of having them pushed at me.

Utility

Hardware

This section could be really long, but I’m going to try to keep it rather short. Right now, I have a Mac and an iPhone and that won’t be changing anytime soon. They’re not very old and I’ve been using Apple products for a long time. Switching out services is easier than taking myself out of this entire ecosystem and joining a new one, especially when Windows is also controlled by a US company. I am going to find someone to show me around Linux though to see if I might consider it in future, but at the moment that seems unlikely.

If you’re not as concerned about the operating system, there are options for non-US hardware though. There are plenty of hardware makers based outside the United States — for example, most of my home entertainment and gaming stuff is Sony/Playstation 🇯🇵. For computers, tablets, and (sometimes) phones, there are plenty of options: Asus 🇹🇼, Acer 🇹🇼, Lenovo 🇨🇳, LG 🇰🇷, Samsung 🇰🇷, or even Huawei 🇨🇳. On the phone side of things, there’s always FairPhone 🇳🇱 too. Instead of a Kindle, you could get a Kobo 🇨🇦/🇯🇵. Instead of a tablet, E Ink devices like reMarkable 🇳🇴, Supernote 🇨🇳, or Onyx Boox 🇨🇳 could be an option.

Web hosting/domains

Hosting and domain registration are one of those areas where you’ll have plenty of options. Most of my websites and domains used to be hosted with Namecheap, but I did some digging into Canadian alternatives and chose to move over to FullHost 🇨🇦 with no regrets. I could make a list of different suggestions in different parts of the world, but I think it’s better just to check out the additional resources at the end — or simply do some searching to see what good web hosts and domain registrars are in your jurisdiction.

Podcast/newsletter hosting

Beyond web hosting, you may be looking to host a specific kind of content. For blogs and newsletters, a WordPress install hosted on non-US servers remains a good option, or simply using Ghost 🇸🇬 (servers in 🇳🇱). On the podcast side of things, Captivate 🇬🇧 and Transistor 🇨🇦 are good options, though Acast 🇸🇪 could work too. The video end of things is more difficult though, as it’s hard to escape the pull of YouTube. You could look at Dailymotion 🇫🇷 or PeerTube 🇫🇷.

Cloud/File transfer

I still have files in Apple’s iCloud because of the hardware ecosystem I’m using, but I’ve been using Proton Drive 🇨🇭 more often in recent months too — and may look into moving more over to it. Some of the other suites have their own cloud solutions, and if you set up NextCloud 🇩🇪, that will also include cloud storage. But there are other options like Sync.com 🇨🇦, Tresorit 🇨🇭, pCloud 🇨🇭, and most web hosts will offer cloud options too.

WeTransfer 🇳🇱 used to be the file transfer service I used most often. It did come in for criticism lately after changes to its terms of service over AI training, but claims it was all a misunderstanding. SwissTransfer 🇨🇭 or SendGB 🇪🇪/🇹🇷 are some other options.

Graphic design

I’ve been using Pixelmator for graphic design/photo editing for years, but it was acquired by Apple in 2024. I haven’t given a hard look at an alternative yet, but some obviously options would be making use of Canva 🇦🇺, despite its embrace of AI, or an open-source tool like GIMP.

Money transfers

I’ve never really understood the US obsession with apps like Venmo. In other parts of the world, our banks typically just have simple ways to transfer money between one another. It’s international transfers where some other service becomes necessary. While PayPal has often played this role, I’ve found Wise 🇬🇧 to be fantastic both for transfers, getting paid by foreign companies, and even just holding different currencies. I really can’t sing its praises enough.

Do we really need this much?

As I continue this journey, I haven’t just been thinking about how to replace many of the US services I use with alternatives, but also how much of all this I actually need at the end of the day. As I’ve cut back on US streaming services, I’ve found myself simply watching less instead of completely replacing my viewing with domestic services. That’s made more time for things like reading and playing games, which I’m happy about.

After speaking with Casey Johnston about her own efforts to cut back on her screen time and the intrusiveness of her smartphone, I’ve been endeavouring to do a bit more of that myself: setting limits on the amount of time I use social media, deleting a bunch of apps from my phone, and blocking those that are left after 7pm on most nights of the week. It’s notably cut the amount of time I spend looking at my phone.

But I’ve also been reflecting a lot on Dan McQuillan’s writings on decomputing and whether we really need all this digital tech taking over our lives in the first place. I think it’s all gone a little too far, and only feel that more and more with each passing month.

Individual action is one thing, and not one we can ignore. But our choices are limited by the economic and social structures we live in. That’s why government action is so important — not just to rein in the biggest drawbacks of digital technology, but to provide proper resourcing to develop alternatives. Ideally, they wouldn’t just replicate the problems of tech services emanating from Silicon Valley, but would be built on a very different model — one that focuses on the public good over shareholder profits.

I’m convinced the technology that would emerge from such a process would be very different that what we use right now. But for the time being, I’m going to do what I can to make the tech that’s out there work for me. I hope this guide will help you take back a little control for yourself too.

Some additional resources

• General list of non-US alternatives

• Comprehensive listing of European alternatives

• List specifically focused on Canadian alternatives

• List focused on Australian alternatives