For some time now, I’ve been gradually replacing U.S.-dominated digital services with European-developed alternatives — both on my PC and my phone. This isn’t a one-time switch, but an ongoing experiment in digital autonomy, privacy, and balance.The screenshot shows one screen of my phone, featuring European apps and platforms that I actively use or am currently testing. These include alternatives to browsers, email, messaging, navigation, video, search, and more.This journey was inspired in part by the European Alternatives directory — a fantastic, regularly updated list of digital tools created and hosted in Europe. The project was started by Constantin Graf, an Austrian developer who maintains the initiative.Here’s a selection of European apps I’m actively using or currently testing — some of which appear in the screenshot:Vivaldi: A privacy-focused Norwegian browserMastodon: Federated microblogging platform. I’m also testing Rodent, a Mastodon client that feels more complete in terms of UX/UI.Pixelfed: Federated image-sharing platform, focused on privacy and decentralization.Qwant: A French search engineThreema: Swiss secure messengerProton Mail: Swiss encrypted emailPeerTube: Decentralized video platformpCloud: European cloud storageMullvad VPN: Swedish privacy-first VPNSpotify: Swedish-based streaming service — although some question its alignment with European digital sovereigntyHERE WeGo: Navigation app developed in Germany. I’m also testing Lokjo, a promising open-source alternative using OpenStreetMap.Le Chat: Chatbot interface for Mistral AI’s French language modelsEuropean Alternatives: Mobile version of the directory itselfThis isn’t about cutting all ties with US services overnight. It’s about creating space — to support platforms that reflect European values like transparency, sustainability, and decentralization.If you’re curious to explore alternatives, the European Alternatives directory is a great place to start.Follow me on Mastodon:TechTonicShift (@TechTonicShift@vivaldi.net) – Vivaldi SocialGabor Hrasko (@ghrasko@mastodon.social) – Mastodon#EuropeanAlternatives #DigitalSovereignty #Privacy #Fediverse #OpenSourcehttps://techtonicshift.vivaldi.net/2025/04/20/replacing-us-big-tech-my-ongoing-shift-toward-european-digital-alternatives/#DigitalSovereignty #EuropeanAlternatives #Fediverse #OpenSource #Privacy