You almost can’t have a conversation about gadgets, software, and tech today without talking about Google. What started as a search engine has grown into a multinational technology empire. But I can’t help but think of how monopolistic the industry has become. It’s made me look for open-source alternatives. The goal is not to switch to open source for a week, but to make it a lifestyle.
However daunting that may sound, it’s possible. I don’t think anyone should rush in, but if you value freedom and privacy, consider easing into it.
Nextcloud
The tool that replaces Google Drive
Google Drive serves as a unified cloud storage solution, with some of the most used Google services connected to it: Gmail, Google Photos, Sheets, Docs, all forming a powerful, interconnected ecosystem for productivity and data management. It’s free for the most part, but after you exhaust the initial 15GB allocation, you’ll have to choose between deleting files or paying a monthly subscription.
Nextcloud is the open-source option that I recommend in place of Google Drive. Unlike Google Drive, where your data is always stored on Google servers, Nextcloud gives you the choice to download the free software and self-host it on your own servers. For me, this is an old computer where I self-host my note app on Nextcloud, as well as a few other apps. You may also host it with a third-party Nextcloud provider.
Once Nextcloud is set up, you may host your apps on it, use it as storage for your files, or even use it as a collaborative center where you host team documents, spreadsheets, and more. This will function much like Google Docs and Sheets on Google Drive.
Sign up: Nextcloud (Free)
Collabora Online / LibreOffice
The tools to replace Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides
Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides are very popular for their collaborative functionality. You’ll get a similar experience if you switch to Collabora Online. The main difference is that your files will remain on servers that you control. Collabora Online is built on the open-source LibreOffice engine. It runs on your browser, and if you’ve already switched to Nextcloud, this is a win. The integration makes it seamless to manage users, share files, and co-edit documents without relying on Google.
However, what makes Collabora Online an easy pick is that it supports all the major file formats, including DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, and ODT. You’ll be able to import files from major office productivity software without loss of format, and teams won’t worry about file conversions breaking layout. Simultaneous edits on files are slightly less fluid than Google’s suite. However, you get the core needs of writing, spreadsheets, and presentations with real privacy.
If you need to do offline work, then LibreOffice is the perfect companion. It carries all the features of Collabora Office, as they’re built from the same engine, and together, they serve as a practical replacement for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. LibreOffice is free, and Collabora Office is free for home users, testing, and small teams using the Collabora Online Development Edition (CODE).
Collabora Online has a paid commercial version for larger businesses with long-term support and service level agreements.
Download: LibreOffice (Free), CODE (free)
SearX
The Google Search replacement
Search engines are extremely important, and this is one of the areas where Google has the greatest market dominance. Google Search is the default search engine in Chrome, which happens to be the most used browser in the world, according to StatCounter.
SearX is my go-to mainly because it avoids any form of profiling. Your searches aren’t feeding ads or AI systems. SearX pulls search results for your queries from dozens of engines, but it strips out the tracking, allowing strong anonymity. So, you’re getting a wide range of results but not the filter bubbles or targeted ads.
You can take privacy to the next level by running your own instance of SearX or simply using one of the many public ones if you don’t need to go through the hassle of setting up a server. You’ll get varying speed and reliability from public instances, so self-hosting is the better option if you want consistency. However, if you’re going to switch to SearX, you shouldn’t expect the polish of the mainstream search engines. It’s less polished than mainstream search engines: autocomplete and personalized results are weaker, so you may need to dig a little deeper.
Some people may prefer using SearXNG. It’s a fork of SearX and currently has more active development and frequent updates. It’s a good option for more recent features.
Visit: SearX (Free)
Brave
The browser that takes the place of Google Chrome
Browsers are essential for connecting to the internet, and Google Chrome is the top browser choice for most. However, it should be the first Google service to go if you are serious about privacy and freedom. I used to be split between Brave and Firefox as ideal replacements, but in recent years, I have lost faith in Firefox and have entirely quit using it.
Brave is an ideal open-source browser alternative because it is built on Chromium. This means it shares similar traits with Google Chrome, such as speed and reliability, and maintains compatibility with most Chrome Web Store extensions. However, it strips out all the Google-specific integrations, telemetry, and tracking features. Brave is the only Chromium-based browser that I still trust.
Brave is free but offers paid features, such as a VPN. It is a very modern browser that integrates a number of other features, including Brave Talk, which is the equivalent of Google Meet. The mobile app is well-built and just as fluid as the desktop browser.
Download: Brave (Free)
Organic Maps
The app that replaces Google Maps with open navigation
As far as navigation and location services are concerned, Google Maps is the most popular. However, for an open-source alternative, I chose Organic Maps. It uses OpenStreetMap, a community-driven project for open navigation.
It supports offline maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and detailed hiking and cycling routes. When you’re off the grid, you’ll find these features surprisingly more functional than Google Maps. Because it avoids background data collection, it’s also lighter on battery and storage compared to Google Maps.
Organic Maps is free and maintained by contributors worldwide. It may pale in comparison to Google Maps when it comes to extras like live traffic, restaurant reviews, or business listings, but it’s a privacy-respecting, open-source option.
Download: Organic Maps Android (Free), Organic Maps iOS (Free)
The open-source list goes on
So far, I’ve touched on some of the most essential alternatives. But this should be viewed as a starting point, rather than an exhaustive list of open-source Google alternatives. There are other great options, like Mail-in-a-Box or Mailcow as self-hosted alternatives to Gmail, Matomo for site owners in place of Google Analytics, and F-Droid + microG in place of the Play Store.
In the end, de-Googling and going open source is not a sprint but a marathon. Start with small steps and expand your repertoire of alternatives as you progress.
