Ask HN: Alternative to Google Services?

#1

Post by gonvaled » Mon, May 20, 2019, 8:07 AM UTC

I am heavily invested in Google Services, both on desktop and mobile.

The current restrictions placed on Android devices have made clear that this reliance is very risky. I do not like being played as a pawn on third parties conflicts.

I would like to replace my use of Google services with alternatives. Specifically, by order of importance:

- GMail

- Google Maps

- Youtube

- Play Store

What are my options?

For mobile, I would consider continuing to use Android as base OS, since it seems restricting use of it wouldn't be feasible.

Replacing Google as search engine was very easy in Chrome: https://duckduckgo.com/install?t=h_

I will try the same on my Android phone later.

Re: Ask HN: Alternative to Google Services?

#2

Post by IloveHN84 » Mon, May 20, 2019, 8:18 AM UTC

- GMail -> Protonmail - GMaps -> Here Maps - Google Search -> DuckDuckGo - GCalendar -> Zoho - GDocs -> Zoho, Microsoft - GDrive -> OneDrive, Dropbox - YouTube -> Vimeo, twitch

Re: Ask HN: Alternative to Google Services?

#3

Post by IloveHN84 » Mon, May 20, 2019, 8:18 AM UTC

IloveHN84 wrote: post #2

- GMail -> Protonmail - GMaps -> Here Maps - Google Search -> DuckDuckGo - GCalendar -> Zoho - GDocs -> Zoho, Microsoft - GDrive -> OneDrive, Dropbox - YouTube -> Vimeo, twitch

PlayStore -> Fdroid

Re: Ask HN: Alternative to Google Services?

#4

Post by duiker101 » Mon, May 20, 2019, 8:33 AM UTC

GMail -> Fastmail

Google Maps -> Here Maps or OSM

Youtube -> Depends on your needs. There aren't really that many alternatives to watching videos on youtube but you don't need an account for that. If you need to host videos you can use Vimeo or checkout something like verond.com but this kind of services tend to come and go a bit too fast.

Play Store -> F-Droid or amazon store.

If you want to change your browser too, I strongly suggest Vivaldi.

Extra:

Photos -> Canon Irista

Drive -> Mega.nz

Analytics -> self hosted Matomo (shockingly easy!)

Re: Ask HN: Alternative to Google Services?

#5

Post by klingonopera » Mon, May 20, 2019, 9:06 AM UTC

Most alternatives have already been listed by others, here are a few I can also add:

Chrome browser -> Iridium browser

Play Store -> F-Droid, standalone APKs

I particularly like installing APKs. It's like installing software with an .exe in Windows. Some software vendors even provide you with an APK, i.e. WhatsApp. Some APKs need to be retrieved from 3rd party sites, which is a security downside though.

Apparently there's an app, extension, that will allow you to extract an APK from Google's Play Store? Anyone know something?

Re: Ask HN: Alternative to Google Services?

#6

Post by gcells » Mon, May 20, 2019, 9:30 AM UTC

Play Store -> F-droid, yalp

yalp is a wrapper around google playstore. Handy if you need to install apps not available on F-Droid and not install from apk.

Re: Ask HN: Alternative to Google Services?

#7

Post by hieloz » Mon, May 20, 2019, 9:42 AM UTC

FYI:Alternatives to Google Products – the Complete List https://restoreprivacy.com/google-alternatives/

Re: Ask HN: Alternative to Google Services?

#8

Post by codegladiator » Mon, May 20, 2019, 10:07 AM UTC

IloveHN84 wrote: post #2

- GMail -> Protonmail - GMaps -> Here Maps - Google Search -> DuckDuckGo - GCalendar -> Zoho - GDocs -> Zoho, Microsoft - GDrive -> OneDrive, Dropbox - YouTube -> Vimeo, twitch

- GMail -> Protonmail

- GMaps -> Here Maps

- Google Search -> DuckDuckGo

- GCalendar -> Zoho

- GDocs -> Zoho, Microsoft

- GDrive -> OneDrive, Dropbox

- YouTube -> Vimeo, twitch

*with extra newlines :p

Re: Ask HN: Alternative to Google Services?

#9

Post by rochak » Mon, May 20, 2019, 10:49 AM UTC

duiker101 wrote: post #4

GMail -> Fastmail Google Maps -> Here Maps or OSM Youtube -> Depends on your needs. There aren't really that many alternatives to watching videos on youtube but you don't need an account for that. If you need to host videos you can use Vimeo or checkout something like verond.com but this kind of services tend to come and go a bit too fast. Play Store -> F-Droid or amazon store. If you want to change your browser too,…

+1 for Vivaldi

Re: Ask HN: Alternative to Google Services?

#10

Post by Artemix » Mon, May 20, 2019, 2:54 PM UTC

duiker101 wrote: post #4

GMail -> Fastmail Google Maps -> Here Maps or OSM Youtube -> Depends on your needs. There aren't really that many alternatives to watching videos on youtube but you don't need an account for that. If you need to host videos you can use Vimeo or checkout something like verond.com but this kind of services tend to come and go a bit too fast. Play Store -> F-Droid or amazon store. If you want to change your browser too,…

GMail -> FastMail -> With the latest shitty AU laws, I'd advise against this provider (speaking as an old customer who really liked the service). https://privacytools.io/ provides a decent e-mail service list

Browser -> Firefox? So you completely drop the Chromium rendering engine (plus, firefox is awesome)

Photos -> what is your need, exactly?