Privacy and security have become more critical than ever. With increasing surveillance, data breaches, and tracking, it’s essential to take control of your digital footprint. This comprehensive guide covers the best privacy-focused tools and applications for desktop and mobile users in 2026.
Why Privacy Matters
Before diving into the tools, let’s be clear: privacy isn’t just for people with “something to hide.” It’s about maintaining control over your personal information, protecting yourself from data breaches, and exercising your fundamental right to privacy. Whether you’re a journalist, activist, developer, or just someone who values their digital rights, these tools can help.
Getting Started: The Basics
If you’re new to privacy tools, don’t try to implement everything at once. Start with these essentials:
1. Switch Your Browser
Your browser is your gateway to the internet, and mainstream browsers like Chrome track everything you do.
Brave is my top recommendation for daily use. It’s Chromium-based (so it’s fast and compatible), has built-in ad/tracker blocking, and even includes a Tor mode for when you need extra privacy. Download it from brave.com.
For maximum anonymity, Tor Browser routes your traffic through multiple volunteer-operated nodes with layered encryption. While not bulletproof against sophisticated adversaries, it provides strong anonymity. It’s slower due to the routing, but when anonymity is critical, it’s one of the best tools available. Get it at torproject.org.
Important: Tor works standalone - you don’t need a VPN with it. In fact, combining VPN + Tor is controversial. The Tor Project recommends using Tor bridges if you need to hide Tor usage from your ISP, rather than adding a VPN which just shifts trust to your VPN provider.
Firefox with proper hardening is also excellent if you prefer open-source and customization. Check out the Privacy Guides hardening guide to configure it properly.
2. Essential Browser Extensions
Once you’ve switched browsers, add these extensions:
- uBlock Origin: The best ad and tracker blocker, period. It’s free, open source, and incredibly effective.
- Privacy Badger: Made by the EFF, it learns and blocks trackers automatically.
- ClearURLs: Removes tracking parameters from URLs (you know, all those ?utm_source things).
3. Ditch Google Search
DuckDuckGo is the easiest switch. No tracking, clean results, and useful !bang shortcuts. Just set it as your default search engine.
Startpage is another great option if you want Google results without the tracking.
4. Get a Password Manager
Stop reusing passwords. Seriously. A password manager generates and stores unique passwords for every site.
Bitwarden is free, open source, and works everywhere. The premium version is only $10/year and adds features like 2FA storage and encrypted file attachments. Download from bitwarden.com.
If you prefer offline storage, KeePassXC (desktop) and KeePassDX (Android) keep everything local.
Mobile Privacy
Your phone is probably your most personal device, so securing it is crucial.
Android
If you’re serious about mobile privacy, GrapheneOS is the most secure Android OS available. It only works on Google Pixel devices, but the security improvements are worth it. Installation guide at grapheneos.org.
For a less extreme option, CalyxOS offers good privacy with more convenience features like microG for Google services compatibility. Get it at calyxos.org.
iOS
iOS is more locked down, but you can still improve privacy:
- Use Brave (App Store) or DuckDuckGo Browser (App Store) instead of Safari
- Install Lockdown (App Store) for firewall and tracker blocking
- Use Raivo OTP (App Store) for two-factor authentication
Mobile Ad Blocking
Blokada provides system-wide ad and tracker blocking without root. The free version uses DNS filtering, while Blokada Plus adds VPN functionality. Download for Android or iOS.
RethinkDNS (Android) is another excellent option that combines firewall and DNS filtering, all open source.
VPN: Choose Wisely
Most free VPNs are garbage that sell your data. Here are the trustworthy options:
Mullvad VPN is my top pick. It’s €5/month (flat rate), requires no account, accepts anonymous payment (even cash by mail), and has been independently audited. They don’t log anything. mullvad.net
ProtonVPN offers a decent free tier and paid plans starting at $4/month. Based in Switzerland with strong privacy laws. protonvpn.com
IVPN is another privacy-focused option with transparent practices and regular audits. $6-10/month. ivpn.net
Secure Messaging
Signal is the gold standard for secure messaging. End-to-end encrypted, open source, and used by security professionals worldwide. It requires a phone number, but it’s the most practical option for most people. Download for Android, iOS, or Desktop.
Session is like Signal but doesn’t require a phone number. It’s decentralized and routes messages through an onion routing network. Great for anonymity. Download for Android, iOS, or Desktop.
Briar (Android only) is for high-threat scenarios. It works peer-to-peer and can even function without internet via Bluetooth or WiFi. Perfect for activists. Download from Play Store or official site.
Private Email
ProtonMail is the most popular private email service. End-to-end encrypted, based in Switzerland, with a generous free tier. Available on Android, iOS, and web.
Tutanota is cheaper (€1-8/month) and includes an encrypted calendar. Based in Germany. Download for Android, iOS, Desktop, or use the web version.
Both are excellent choices. ProtonMail has better compatibility with existing email clients, while Tutanota is more affordable.
File Storage
Proton Drive offers end-to-end encrypted cloud storage. Free tier includes 5GB, paid plans start at $4/month. Download for Android, iOS, or use the web version.
Cryptomator is brilliant if you want to keep using Dropbox or Google Drive. It encrypts your files locally before uploading them to any cloud service. Free on desktop and Android, $10 one-time on iOS. Download for Android, iOS, or Desktop.
Nextcloud is the ultimate solution if you want full control. Self-host it on your own server and you own all your data. Download for Android, iOS, or get server software.
Two-Factor Authentication
Never use SMS for 2FA if you can avoid it. Use an authenticator app instead:
- Aegis (Android): Open source, encrypted backups, no cloud. Download from Play Store
- Raivo OTP (iOS): Open source, optional iCloud sync. Download from App Store
- 2FAS: Cross-platform with cloud backup and browser extension. Download for Android, iOS, or visit 2fas.com
Advanced Tools
Network-Wide Ad Blocking
Pi-hole runs on a Raspberry Pi and blocks ads and trackers for your entire network. Every device connected to your WiFi benefits automatically. pi-hole.net
NextDNS is like Pi-hole but cloud-based. Free for 300k queries/month, $2/month unlimited. Works on any device. nextdns.io
Metadata Removal
Photos contain metadata (EXIF data) that can reveal your location, device, and more.
- ExifEraser (Android): Simple, open source. Download from Play Store
- Metapho (iOS): View and edit photo metadata. Download from App Store
Secure File Sharing
OnionShare lets you share files anonymously over Tor. No third-party servers, no accounts, no tracking. onionshare.org
My Personal Setup
Here’s what I actually use daily:
- Browser: Brave for daily use, Tor Browser for sensitive stuff
- Extensions: uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, ClearURLs
- Search: DuckDuckGo
- VPN: Mullvad
- Messaging: Signal for friends/family, Session for anonymous contacts
- Email: ProtonMail
- Password Manager: Bitwarden
- 2FA: Aegis
- Mobile: GrapheneOS on Pixel
- Ad Blocking: RethinkDNS on mobile, Pi-hole at home
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using free VPNs: They’re almost always selling your data. If you’re not paying, you’re the product.
- Reusing passwords: Use a password manager and unique passwords everywhere.
- Ignoring updates: Security patches matter. Keep everything updated.
- Mixing private and non-private activities: Don’t log into your real accounts while using Tor.
- Oversharing on social media: Privacy tools can’t protect what you voluntarily share.
Threat Modeling
Not everyone needs maximum privacy. Consider what you’re protecting against:
- Casual user: Basic privacy from advertisers and data brokers → Use Brave, DuckDuckGo, Bitwarden
- Privacy-conscious: Protection from mass surveillance → Add VPN, Signal, ProtonMail
- High-risk user: Journalist, activist, or targeted individual → GrapheneOS, Tor, Session, Tails OS
Getting Started: Your Action Plan
Don’t get overwhelmed. Here’s a simple 30-day plan:
Week 1: Switch to Brave browser, install uBlock Origin, change search to DuckDuckGo Week 2: Set up Bitwarden, start changing passwords to unique ones Week 3: Install Signal, migrate important conversations Week 4: Sign up for ProtonMail, set up email forwarding
After that, gradually add more tools as you get comfortable.
Learning Resources
Want to dive deeper? Check these out:
- Privacy Guides: privacyguides.org - Comprehensive, regularly updated
- EFF Surveillance Self-Defense: ssd.eff.org - Practical security guides
- The New Oil: thenewoil.org - Privacy for beginners
- Techlore: techlore.tech - YouTube channel with great tutorials
Final Thoughts
Privacy is a journey, not a destination. You don’t need to implement everything overnight. Start with the basics, get comfortable, then gradually add more tools as needed.
Remember: perfect privacy doesn’t exist. The goal is to make surveillance and tracking expensive and difficult, not impossible. Every step you take improves your privacy posture.
Most importantly, these tools are built by passionate developers and communities. If you find them useful, consider donating or contributing. Open source privacy tools only exist because people support them.
Stay safe out there, and take control of your digital life.
Note: This guide was last updated in January 2026. Privacy tools and recommendations change frequently, so always verify current information before making decisions.
Got questions or suggestions? Feel free to reach out. I’m always learning and improving my own privacy setup.