25 European Tech Companies Offering Private, Secure Services
Due to recent events happening worldwide, the US specifically, many people are looking for European tech companies to move away from big tech and switch to more private, secure solutions that value our data rather than profit from it.
Moving away from any service can be challenging, and with companies like Google monopolizing the tech world, finding alternatives can seem almost impossible.
To help you out, we’ve compiled the following list of over 16 companies based in Europe for you to consider to finally switch to GDPR compliant companies that place on emphasis on securing and protecting customer data.
Table of contents
- Google Drive: Internxt Drive
- Gmail: StartMail
- Internxt VPN
- Zoom: Digital Samba
- YouTube: PeerTube, Mave
- Search engines: Startpage, Good Search
- Voice assistants: SEPIA
- Operating systems: TUXEDO
- Project management: Zenkit, Teamwork
- Office: ONLYOFFICE, CryptPad
- Password manager: Padloc
- Chrome: Vivaldi, Mullvad
- Google Maps: Magic Earth, Mapy, Here WeGo
- Google Calendar: Calendar online
- Social media: Mastodon
- Messaging: Threema, Olvid
- eBay: Vinted
25 European tech companies that offer more privacy
This extensive list offers you some of the best European tech companies to meet your storage, messaging, social media, and more!
Google Drive: Internxt Drive
Internxt is a private, zero-knowledge, and open source alternative to Google Drive offering secure file sharing, syncing, and backups. All paid annual and lifetime plans also include a VPN and Antivirus.
- Based in: Spain
- Developed by: Internxt
- What it is: A secure cloud storage service using advanced post-quantum cryptography to protect files and data with high-level encryption, ensuring privacy and security.
- How it's different: Uses cutting-edge cryptography to protect user data, offers a sustainable approach with eco-friendly servers, and ensures complete user control of their data without any tracking or third-party access.
- Privacy: Operates with a zero-knowledge policy, meaning that only you can access their files, and no data is stored or shared with third parties.
- Open source: Yes
Besides that, you can also get Internxt for Business, Family, or S3 object storage.
Gmail: StartMail
For those looking for a private email that doesn’t collect your data, or run the risk of companies scanning and viewing your messages, StartMail is one of many choices to meet your needs.
- Based in: Netherlands
- Developed by: StartMail B.V.
- What it is: A secure email service offering encrypted email communication with privacy-focused features like disposable email aliases and password-protected messages.
- How it's different: Provides unlimited aliases, encrypted email communication, and protection from spam, phishing, and tracking, all backed by Dutch privacy laws and GDPR.
- Privacy: Operates under strict privacy regulations with no tracking or profiling, ensuring that user emails are not monitored or sold to advertisers.
- Open source: No, but the service provides robust encryption methods, including PGP, for email security.
For more alternatives to Gmail, check out our best encrypted email services.
Internxt will also include Internxt Mail for Premium and Ultimate plans, so subscribe to our newsletter or join our subreddit to be the first to know!
Internxt VPN
Internxt VPN encrypts and connects you to up to 5 countries in its paid plans, with an antivirus included.
- Based in: Spain
- Developed by: Internxt
- What it is: A VPN service offering secure, encrypted internet connections to enhance user privacy and enable anonymous browsing.
- How it's different: Provides unlimited, fast-speed servers with advanced encryption protocols, including Shadowsocks technology, to ensure a safer and more private online experience.
- Privacy: Operates under a strict no-logs policy, ensuring no tracking or storage of user activity.
- Open source: Yes
Another one of our European tech companies offering a VPN service is CyberGhost:
- Based in: Bucharest, Romania
- Developed by: CyberGhost S.A.
- What it is: A VPN service providing secure, encrypted internet connections to protect user privacy and enable anonymous browsing.
- How it's different: Offers a vast network of over 9,200 servers across 91 countries, supports multiple VPN protocols including WireGuard®, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, and provides dedicated servers for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
- Privacy: Operates under a strict No Logs policy, ensuring no tracking or storage of user activity; headquartered in Romania, a country with strong privacy laws.
- Open source: The app itself is not, but it does support the open-source OpenVPN protocol to establish connections.
To combine your cloud storage and VPN for increased privacy online, try out the Internxt VPN for free, or get increased speeds, more locations, and unlimited bandwidth by choosing your plan from our pricing page.
Zoom: Digital Samba
Digital Samba offers GDPR compliant and end-to-end encrypted video calls for group video conferencing through the Digital Samba API.
- Based in: Spain
- Developed by: Digital Samba, SL
- What it is: Digital Samba is a video conferencing software offering a customizable, GDPR-compliant, end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) video conferencing API and SDK. It allows integration of high-quality video calls into websites or mobile apps with minimal effort, using a low-code solution for fast deployment.
- How it's different: Digital Samba stands out with its fully customizable WebRTC video conferencing API, providing features like cloud recording, captions powered by AI, and whiteboard collaboration. It also offers a flexible, secure platform backed by GDPR and SOC-1 compliance.
- Privacy: The platform adheres to GDPR and SOC-1 standards, ensuring that all data is securely encrypted and protected. It uses TLS/DTLS and E2E encryption to safeguard communication.
- Open source: Partially
Internxt will also release Internxt Meet later this year, an end-to-end encrypted video conferencing platform to host calls privately.
YouTube: PeerTube, Mave
Google bought YouTube in 2006 for $1.65 billion, and it is now fully integrated into Google's ecosystem. YouTube collects the following data on you to provide personalized ads, personalize content, and track your behaviour:
- Search history and watch history
- Location (via IP address or device data)
- Device and browser information
- Interaction data (likes, comments, subscriptions, time spent)
- Ad interactions and demographics (age, gender)
- Voice commands (if using voice search or Google Assistant)
Alternatives include:
PeerTube
- Based in: France
- Developed by: Framasoft (a French non-profit)
- What it is: A decentralized, open-source video platform that uses ActivityPub and WebTorrent
- How it's different: PeerTube is a network of independently hosted instances. You can watch videos across the entire network from any instance, but no central company controls it.
- Privacy: No tracking, no ads by default, and users can self-host if they want full control
- Open source: Yes
mave.io
- Based in: Germany
- Developed by: Mave GmbH
- What it is: A privacy-first video hosting platform built for creators, educators, and organizations that need control over their content and audience
- How it's different: Unlike ad-driven platforms, Mave lets you host and embed videos without tracking users. It’s designed to respect privacy, offer clean analytics, and keep everything GDPR-compliant
- Privacy: No ads, no third-party trackers, fully compliant with EU data protection standards
- Open source: Yes
Search engines: Startpage, Good Search
GOOD, (good-search.org) is a German search engine focused on privacy, sustainability, and free from advertisements.
GOOD
- Based in: Germany
- Developed by: The Good Cloud GmbH
- What it is: A privacy-focused cloud storage platform designed for individuals and teams who want secure file storage under strict European data protection laws. It uses the search index of the Brave search engine.
- How it's different: GOOD offers end-to-end encryption, GDPR compliance, and no data harvesting. It’s built for ethical cloud storage without reliance on Big Tech
- Privacy: End-to-end encrypted, no tracking, GDPR-compliant
- Open source: Yes
Voice assistants: SEPIA
Voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant may be convenient. Still, the lack of privacy raises concerns of constantly listening to your conversations, as the microphones are always active, listening for the “wake word”.
What’s more, the lack of transparency regarding how data is used, how long it’s kept, stored and used may cause people to look for an alternative.
While difficult, SEPIA offers a customizable voice assistant that is self-hosted, offering your a more private voice assistant.
- Based in: Germany
- Developed by: SEPIA Framework contributors
- What it is: A fully open-source, customizable digital voice assistant for mobile, desktop, and DIY smart devices
- How it's different: SEPIA runs on your own secure server, giving you full control over your data and assistant behavior. It supports natural language commands, personalized services, and local or cloud-based integration — all without handing over your data to Big Tech
- Privacy: Self-hosted, no tracking, complete data ownership
- Open source: Yes
Operating systems: TUXEDO
Windows or macOS will often collect information on your device and often have privacy-invasive settings by default.
TUXEDO is a German company offering a private linux-based OS system and computers with the TUXEDO OS built in.
- Based in: Germany
- Developed by: TUXEDO Computers
- What it is: A Linux-based OS optimized for TUXEDO hardware, offering a simple yet powerful user experience for all levels, from beginners to professionals
- How it's different: Pre-installed and fully optimized for TUXEDO devices, offering seamless performance and easy customization
- Privacy: No telemetry, no bloatware, and complete transparency with open-source code
- Open source: Yes
Project management: Zenkit, Teamwork
For project managers looking for European tech companies as a possible alternative to Jira, Zenkit is a GDPR-compliant platform to help organize and boost productivity within teams.
- Based in: Germany
- Developed by: Axonic GmbH
- What it is: Zenkit is a flexible project management software that includes features like goal setting, task management, integration with calendars, and Zapier, aiming to improve team productivity and workflow efficiency.
- How it's different: Zenkit is versatile and adaptable to other project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, etc.). It also provides an intuitive user experience, offering basic and advanced interfaces.
- Privacy: Zenkit prioritizes user privacy and data security with EU-based servers (Germany) and full GDPR compliance.
- Open source: No
Another option is Teamwork (teamwork.com), a project management solution from Cork, Ireland.
- Based in: Ireland
- Developed by: Teamwork Crew Ltd.
- What it is: Teamwork.com is a project management platform built specifically for client services businesses like agencies, IT services, consulting, and more. It helps teams manage every aspect of client work, from task tracking and resource allocation to billing and communication.
- How it's different: Teamwork.com focuses on managing client-facing work, offering deep functionality for time tracking, resource planning, and profitability insights. It supports advanced features out-of-the-box that many competitors reserve for higher-tier plans and excels in visibility, billing accuracy, and client collaboration.
- Privacy: Teamwork.com is GDPR compliant and prioritizes data protection and user privacy across its EU-based infrastructure.
- Open source: No
Office: ONLYOFFICE, CryptPad
To move away from Microsoft Office, Google Docs, or Apple’s office suite, you have these two options.
ONLYOFFICE
- Based in: Latvia, but also has offices in other locations, including Singapore, London, Dallas, Belgrade, Yerevan, Tashkent, and Shanghai.
- Developed by: Ascensio System SIA
- What it is: A document collaboration service offering integrations like Jira. It provides both SaaS and self-hosted deployment options.
- How it's different: Supports a wide range of integrations and offers a white-label solution for private network deployment.
- Privacy: Prioritizes data security with strong encryption, complying with privacy regulations.
- Open source: Yes
CryptPad
- Based in: France
- Developed by: XWiki SAS
- What it is: An open-source suite of end-to-end encrypted collaboration tools, including rich text, spreadsheets, code/markdown, Kanban, slides, whiteboard, and forms.
- How it's different: Ensures that all data is encrypted in the browser, meaning no readable data leaves the user's device, and even service administrators cannot access user content.
- Privacy: Prioritizes data security with strong encryption, ensuring that only users can access their data.
- Open source: Yes
Password manager: Padloc
Password managers are an essential privacy tool to protect your accounts from being hacked and your sensitive information from leaking online. Password managers let you manage and store all your passwords, without the risk of forgetting them, as you need a unique, strong password for each accounts.
To create strong passwords, you can use Internxt's strong password generator, and try this European password manager.
Padloc
- Based in: Germany
- Developed by: MaKleSoft UG
- What it is: An open-source, end-to-end encrypted password manager that also securely stores credit card details, notes, documents, and more.
- How it's different: Offers encrypted file storage, multi-factor authentication, and flexible sharing options for personal, family, and business use.
- Privacy: Strong encryption ensures only users can access their data and it is independently audited for security.
- Open source: Yes
Chrome: Vivaldi, Mullvad
For European tech companies offering a private browser and alternative to Chrome, check out these options.
Vivaldi
- Based in: Norway
- Developed by: Vivaldi Technologies ASWhat it is: A free, cross-platform web browser known for its high customization, privacy features, and user-centric design.
- How it's different: Offers unique features like a built-in ad blocker, customizable UI, and a focus on user privacy.
- Privacy: Strong privacy features, including no tracking, and integrates with Proton VPN for enhanced security.
- Open source: No
Mullvad Browser
- Based in: Sweden
- Developed by: Mullvad VPN AB in collaboration with the Tor Project
- What it is: A privacy-focused web browser designed to minimize tracking and fingerprinting, operating independently of the Tor Network.
- How it's different: Allows users to browse the internet with enhanced privacy when used with a VPN, without relying on the Tor Network's routing system.
- Privacy: Developed with input from the Tor Project, it offers robust privacy features, especially when combined with a VPN.
- Open source: Yes
We also cover more alternatives to Chrome, which you can find in our best private web browsers article.
Google Maps: Magic Earth, Mapy, Here WeGo
Long gone are the days of buying books with maps getting you from A to B, Google and Apple Maps but many people avoid them due to the location tracking services integrated when you use the app.
These are two alternatives to consider:
Magic Earth
- Based in: Germany
- Developed by: General Magic GmbH
- What it is: A free navigation app offering turn-by-turn directions, live traffic updates, 3D and satellite maps, offline capabilities, and public transit information.
- How it's different: Utilizes OpenStreetMap data and crowd-sourced traffic information to enhance routing accuracy.
- Privacy: Collects anonymized position data for real-time traffic updates, retaining it for only 5 minutes.
- Open source: No
Mapy.cz
- Based in: Czech Republic
- Developed by: Seznam.cz
- What it is: A global mapping and navigation service offering route planning, points of interest, and offline capabilities.
- How it's different: Provides detailed maps with hiking routes, user-contributed content, and premium features like unlimited offline maps.
- Privacy: Commits to user privacy with transparent data handling practices.
- Open source: No
Here WeGo
- Based in: Netherlands
- Developed by: HERE Global B.V.
- What it is: Here WeGo is a navigation and location app that provides turn-by-turn directions for driving, public transport, cycling, and walking. It includes real-time traffic updates and offline maps for seamless travel.
- How it's different: Here WeGo stands out with its offline maps and strong public transport support. It offers detailed and reliable traffic information across 63 countries and integrates with in-car systems like CarPlay and Android Auto. Unlike many competitors, it supports multiple modes of transport and works seamlessly offline.
- Privacy: HERE Global B.V. complies with GDPR and emphasizes the protection of user data and privacy.
- Open source: No
Google Calendar: Calendar online
Online calendars contain a lot of your personal information, such as your contact details, information about your daily life, and your location.
Calendar.online is a GDPR service for you to consider to arrange your daily and work live with privacy features such as password protection.
- Based in: Germany
- Developed by: Calendar.online
- What it is: A GDPR-compliant online calendar tool for individuals, families, and teams with easy sharing via access links.
- How it's different: Allows access without login, customizable sub-calendars, booking features, and flexible permissions per link.
- Privacy: GDPR-compliant with optional password protection for access links and no account required to view or edit.
- Open source: No
Social media: Mastodon
Social media giants like X, Facebook, and Instagram monitor who you follow, how long you view content, location, device info, contacts, and more. This creates a detailed profile of your behavior, interests, and social network, all of which can be used to target you with highly personalized ads.
An alternative to these is Mastodon, a decentralized social media platform similar to X, with communities that you can follow based on your interests. The platform is totally free from ads and trackers for increased privacy.
- Based in: Germany
- Developed by: Eugen Rochko
- What it is: A free, open-source, decentralized social media platform offering microblogging features similar to Twitter / X.
- How it's different: Operates as a federated network of independently managed servers, each with its own moderation policies and content guidelines, allowing users to interact across different instances within the Fediverse.
- Privacy: Emphasizes user privacy with features like granular post visibility controls, content warning options, and local community-driven moderation.
- Open source: Yes
Don't forget to follow us on Mastodon!
Messaging: Threema, Olvid
Since Meta acquired WhatsApp in 2014 for about $19 billion, WhatsApp has gradually become more integrated with Meta’s ecosystem. However, it still markets itself as a privacy-focused messaging app due to its use of end-to-end encryption.
However, concerns have been raised about its metadata collection and recent integration with AI, which has sparked many privacy debates within Europe, causing many to consider European tech companies as an alternative.
Here are two options you have:
Threema
- Based in: Switzerland
- Developed by: Threema GmbH
- What it is: A paid, cross-platform encrypted instant messaging app offering end-to-end encryption for text messages, voice and video calls, file sharing, and more.
- How it's different: Allows anonymous use without requiring phone numbers or email addresses; designed to generate minimal user data.
- Privacy: Complies with GDPR and Swiss data protection laws; servers are located in Switzerland; users can operate the app without providing personal information.
- Open source: Yes
Olvid
- Based in: France
- Developed by: Olvid SAS
- What it is: An encrypted instant messaging app that allows users to send text, voice notes, images, videos, and other files. You don’t need a phone number to register for increased anonymity.
- How it's different: Uses a decentralized database model and peer-based identity verification, eliminating the need for a central directory and reducing the risk of large-scale data breaches.
- Privacy: Messages and metadata are encrypted on the sender's device and only decrypted on the recipient’s, ensuring that even if servers are compromised, no sensitive information is exposed.
- Open source: Yes
For more information about WhatsApp security, visit our article, which focuses on WhatsApp privacy for sending photos.
For other messaging apps, view the list in our 7 secure messaging apps article.
eBay: Vinted
Based in: Lithuania
Developed by: Vinted UAB
What it is: Vinted is a marketplace app that allows users to buy, sell, and swap second-hand clothes, accessories, and beauty products. It's an alternative to eBay if you want to find affordable vintage clothes people no longer want or need.
How it's different: Vinted is unique for its focus on fashion resale with a community-based approach, allowing you to negotiate prices and swap items. There are no listing or any other fees, unlike eBay.
Privacy: GDPR compliant
Open source: No
Conclusion
So there you have it! 25 European tech companies to help you switch to more private, ethical companies for all your needs online, from cloud storage to project management.
These are just some of the options you have, be sure to research and check out these products before committing to paying, and check they have all the features, privacy, and security you need to browse the web safely.