So far, I’m only using cost-free alternatives:
Gmail -> web.de
Android/Google Play -> LineageOS/FDroid
Google Search -> DDG/Qwant/Ecosia
Google Maps -> Openstreetmap/Organic Maps
Windows/Office -> Linux/LibreOffice
Netflix -> 🏴‍☠️streaming sites
Spotify -> internet radio/digitizing CDs bought directly from the band at concerts

The only service I haven’t replaced is YouTube (AdBlocked without account), which I use a lot, also for music. And I don’t see an alternative for it either.

  • runiq@feddit.org
    51·
    13 hours ago
    • Spotify -> Bandcamp. ~80% of the proceeds go to the artists, last I’ve heard. Also, FLAC downloads, and a streaming app.
    • Gmail -> mailbox.org. It’s a bit pricey at 2,50€/month, but that gets you 4(IIRC) family accounts at no additional costs and servers hosted in Germany. Email is the one service I’m gladly paying for. Tried hosting email myself once; it’s horseshit.
    • Whatsapp -> Signal (and Whatsapp, sigh). I donate 5€/month. This is money I consider well spent to keep Signal running.
    • I once paid a hundred bucks for the big ol’ Osmand+ update, back when I still had Google Play. Money well spent for a good project.
    • Some Github sponsoring here and there, mostly for Android bread ‘n’ butter apps, such as a PDF reader, a good music player with Opus support, a FOSS email app, and – last but not least – Öffi.
    • Some irregular donations to the KeePassXC and Paperless-NGX developers.

    I would like everyone who has ever donated to FOSS software developers to consider that ‘money spent to avoid Big Tech’. You’re doing a good thing.