Europe’s Open-Source Solutions: Your Guide to Transparent, Independent and GDPR-Aligned Software.

This guide is designed for anyone looking to take greater control of their digital life by choosing open-source solutions developed and maintained within Europe. It highlights projects that promote transparency, reduce reliance on non-European tech ecosystems, and align with Europe’s strong commitment to privacy and data protection. The goal is to support digital autonomy in Europe while uplifting the local developers and communities who build trustworthy, user-centric software.

EUFOSS9132
EUFOSS9132List by EUFOSS9132, last updated 
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  1. Desktop Operating Systems

  2. EU OS icon
     Like

    Community-led Proof-of-Concept for a common free Operating System for the EU public sector.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    EU OS screenshot 1
  3. KDE Linux icon
     Like

    Free, open source Linux OS by KDE, focusing on safety, maintainability, and modern features, integrating KDE Plasma and apps for diverse home or enterprise use.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    KDE Linux screenshot 1
    KDE Linux screenshot 1
  4. Desktop-focused Linux system offering custom menus, multimedia codecs, browser plugins, native DVD playback, and integrated software manager with user-friendly tools.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Linux Mint 22.2 "Zara"
    Linux Mint screenshot 1
    Linux Mint screenshot 2
    +4
    Linux Mint screenshot 3
  5. Manjaro is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch operating system. Within the Linux community, Arch itself is renowned for being an exceptionally fast, powerful, and lightweight distribution that provides access to the very latest cutting...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    Manjaro 19.0 Kyria (Xfce)
    Manjaro 17.0 Gellivara (KDE)
    Manjaro 17.0 Gellivara (I3)
    +5
    Manjaro 17.0 Gellivara (I3)
  6. Zorin OS icon
     Like

    Linux-based operating system with a customizable interface for Windows users, dual-boot support, WINE compatibility, pre-installed software, and easy setup.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Windows 10 layout
    Windows 11 layout
    MacOS layout
    +7
    Deepin layout
  7. Browsers

  8. LibreWolf icon
     Like

    Privacy-focused browser with over 500 settings for enhanced security and performance, independent of Firefox, and not affiliated with Mozilla.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • AppImageHub
    • Linux Mint
    • Arch Linux
    • Gentoo
    • Flathub
    • Fedora
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • OpenBSD
    Homeage
    Settings
  9. The Mullvad Browser is a privacy-focused web browser developed in a collaboration between Mullvad VPN and the Tor Project. It’s designed to minimize tracking and fingerprinting. You could say it’s a Tor Browser to use without the Tor Network.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Mullvad Browser screenshot 1
    Mullvad Browser screenshot 1
    Mullvad Browser screenshot 2
    +1
    Mullvad Browser screenshot 3
  10. Privacy-centric, open-source browser with unique UI features like vertical tabs, Split View, and Zen Glance, focusing on security and tranquility.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zen Browser screenshot 1
    Zen Browser screenshot 1
    Zen Browser screenshot 2
    +8
    Zen Browser screenshot 3
  11. Search Engines

  12. SearXNG icon
     Like

    SearXNG is a free internet metasearch engine which aggregates results from various search services and databases. Users are neither tracked nor profiled.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Arch Linux
    • Fedora
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Docker
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
    • Cloudron
    SearXNG screenshot 1
    SearXNG screenshot 1
    SearXNG screenshot 2
  13. Spot is a fork of Searx which is a metasearch engine, aggregating the results of other search engines while not storing information about its users.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    Spot Search Engine screenshot 1
    Spot Search Engine screenshot 1
    Spot Search Engine screenshot 2
    +1
    Spot Search Engine screenshot 3
  14. Office Tools

  15. Disroot icon
     Like

    Disroot is a platform providing online services based on principles of freedom, privacy, federation and decentralization.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • F-Droid
    Disroot screenshot 1
    Rainloop, with the AlternativeTo  email confirmation open
  16. Filen icon
     Like

    Filen is a cutting-edge cloud storage provider that offers client-side, end-to-end, zero-knowledge encryption. Headquartered and operated entirely in Germany, Filen is at the forefront of combining comprehensive features with uncompromising privacy and security.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Filen screenshot 1
    Filen screenshot 1
    Filen screenshot 2
    +18
    Filen screenshot 3
  17. kDrive icon
     Like

    kDrive is a Swiss online storage service that respects its users' privacy and makes storing, sharing & collaborating on files a breeze.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    kDrive screenshot 1
    kDrive screenshot 1
    kDrive screenshot 2
    +12
    kDrive screenshot 3
  18. Koofr icon
     Like

    Koofr is a safe, secure and simple way to store, backup and share your documents, photos, videos and more. It offers up to 10 GB of free safe storage for your files with affordable upgrades and options to connect multiple cloud accounts.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Linux Mobile
    • Google Chrome
    • Rust
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Docker
    • Chromium
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Koofr web app
    Koofr mobile app
    Koofr mobile app
    +3
    Koofr mobile app
  19. Privacy-friendly Swiss email solution with 20 GB free storage, custom domain options, contact and calendar sync, and cross-device access in a secure suite.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    Infomaniak kMail screenshot 1
    Infomaniak kMail screenshot 1
    Infomaniak kMail screenshot 2
    +8
    Infomaniak kMail screenshot 3
  20. kMeet is an unlimited, free, Swiss solution for organising encrypted video-conferences.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    Infomaniak kMeet screenshot 1
    Infomaniak kMeet screenshot 1
    Infomaniak kMeet screenshot 2
    +14
    Infomaniak kMeet screenshot 3
  21. Free and open-source office suite with advanced word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, vector graphics, math formula editor, and database tools.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    LibreOffice Writer on Linux
    LibreOffice Calc on Linux
    Main menu (old version)
    +8
    LibreOffice Writer on Windows 7
  22. Nextcloud icon
     Like

    On-premises file sync, universal access, integrated collaboration, real-time communication with privacy and data control focus.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • F-Droid
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Cloudron
    • Docker Hub
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • Flathub
    Simple and powerful file sync & share
    Simple upload even for people who don’t have Nextcloud
    Great Android & iOS apps to sync your files.
    +3
    Very easy theming
  23. Open-source suite for editing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, forms, and PDF files with co-editing modes, plugin support, AI assistant, and integration across 40+ platforms.

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    • Cloudron
    ONLYOFFICE screenshot 1
    ONLYOFFICE screenshot 1
    ONLYOFFICE screenshot 2
    +7
    ONLYOFFICE screenshot 3
  24. Posteo icon
     Like

    Web- and IMAP-based email service. 2GB cost 1€/month. Information is hosted on encrypted hard drives. Electricity from renewable resources is used.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    Drag and drop
    Conversion view
    WYSIWYG
    +10
    Contact page
  25. Emphasizes privacy with end-to-end encryption, Proton Drive safely stores, synchronizes, and shares files across devices via web and mobile applications.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Tor
    Proton Drive screenshot 1
    Proton Drive screenshot 1
    Proton Drive screenshot 2
    +7
    Proton Drive screenshot 3
  26. Secure Swiss-based email with end-to-end encryption and zero third-party access. Available across devices, offering a free version to promote privacy.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Tor
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    Proton Mail screenshot 1
    Proton Mail screenshot 1
    Proton Mail screenshot 2
    +9
    Proton Mail screenshot 3
  27. Organize events with encrypted privacy, zero-knowledge and no tracking. Features include multi-device sync, multiple views, and offline support.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    Tuta Calendar screenshot 1
    Tuta Calendar screenshot 1
    Tuta Calendar screenshot 2
    +4
    Tuta Calendar screenshot 3
  28. Tuta Mail icon
     Like

    End-to-end encrypted app for email, calendar, and contacts, requiring no personal data, with open source code and quantum-resistant security.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    Tuta Mail screenshot 1
    Tuta Mail screenshot 1
    Tuta Mail screenshot 2
    +1
    Tuta Mail screenshot 3
  29. Password Managers

  30. End-to-end encrypted manager for passwords, aliases, and unique email addresses, offering local data encryption, alias creation, and optional cloud or self-hosting.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Docker
    • Mozilla Firefox
    AliasVault screenshot 1
    AliasVault screenshot 1
    AliasVault screenshot 2
    +1
    AliasVault screenshot 3
  31. KeePassXC icon
     Like

    Open-source password manager storing passwords, notes, and attachments offline with AES-256 encryption, browser extensions, cross-platform support, and TOTP.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flatpak
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Welcome Screen
    Unlock Database
    New Database Wizard
    +13
    New Database Wizard
  32. Nitrokey icon
     Like

    USB security device for encryption, digital signing, and secure login, featuring secret key storage, user PIN, tamper-proof smart card, and open source design.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Nitrokey screenshot 1
    Nitrokey screenshot 1
  33. A password manager that ensures identity and password security with rigorous, end-to-end encryption, built by scientists from CERN, and recommended by the United Nations.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Safari
    • F-Droid
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Snapcraft
    Proton Pass screenshot 1
    Proton Pass screenshot 1
    Proton Pass screenshot 2
    +3
    Proton Pass screenshot 3
  34. Web Hosting Services

  35. It's quick, easy, free & fast - just put your open source project's homepage, developer blog or web experiment into a Git repository at Codeberg, and we'll do the rest.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Landing page
    Docs light mode
    Docs night mode
  36. Productivity and Information-management Tools

  37. Excalidraw is an open-source whiteboard tool that lets you easily sketch diagrams that have a hand-drawn feel to them. Available directly online as a web app and also through CodeSandbox to easily see how the code works, and the app is available for self-hosting.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Excalidraw screenshot 1
    Excalidraw screenshot 1
    Excalidraw screenshot 2
    +1
    Excalidraw screenshot 3
  38. JabRef icon
     Like

    Bibliography reference manager. The native file format used by JabRef is BibTeX, the standard LaTeX bibliography format.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Mozilla Firefox
    JabRef screenshot 1
  39. Joplin icon
     Like

    Open source note-taking app with Markdown support, to-do integration, and synchronization with cloud services like Dropbox and OneDrive.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • Termux
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Desktop and mobile apps
    Example
    Cli version!
    +3
    Table inside table with KaTeX Math notations.
(Live-editing with Vim)
  40. Open source software offering project timelines, issue tracking, and document management with robust security and flexible management options.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Cloudron
    OpenProject screenshot 1
    OpenProject screenshot 1
    OpenProject screenshot 2
    +2
    OpenProject screenshot 3
  41. Small python-gtk application, which helps the user to merge or split pdf documents and rotate, crop and rearrange their pages using an interactive and intuitive graphical interface.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    Export selection only. Export each selected page to a file. Export all pages to files.
    Edit properties
    Edit properties. Ubuntu.
    +4
    Crop selected pages
  42. PeaZip icon
     Like

    PeaZip is free file archiver utility, based on Open Source technologies of 7-Zip, p7zip, FreeArc, PAQ, and PEA projects, for Linux, macOS and Windows.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    PeaZip
    Archive creation
    Archive extraction
    +4
    PeaZip on macOS
  43. ProjectLibre is a Java-based project management solution that gives Microsoft Project a run for its money. Offering a UI similar enough to ease the transition from Microsoft's market leader, ProjectLibre packs in calendars, resource tracking, task management, and...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    ProjectLibre screenshot 1
    ProjectLibre screenshot 1
  44. Zettlr icon
     Like

    Comprehensive writing tool for notes, citations, and drafting with privacy-first features and multi-language support, perfect for diverse writing tasks.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Zettlr Main Window (dark mode)
    Zettlr Main Window (light mode)
    The Berlin Theme (dark mode)
    +5
    The Berlin Theme (light mode)
  45. Media Editors/Viewer

  46. Flameshot icon
     Like

    Open-source screenshot tool with cross-platform support, customizable interface, built-in editing, CLI access, and direct Imgur uploads.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Snapcraft
    Powerful, yet simple to use open-source screenshot software
    Free & open source screenshot software
    Highly customizable
    +4
    In-app screenshot editing
  47. Kdenlive icon
     Like

    Intuitive multi-track video editor with robust hardware-accelerated support; offers chroma key, color grading, and extensive audio/video format compatibility.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • KDE Plasma
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Logging
    Editing
    Audio
    +2
    Effects
  48. Krita icon
     Like

    A free, open-source painting program for professional artists offering customizable UI, 9 brush engines, layer support, and color management.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android Tablet
    • KDE Plasma
    • Epic Games Store
    • PortableApps.com
    • Steam
    • F-Droid
    Main Window
    Startup page with news
    Brush editor
    +3
    Gamut Mask editor
  49. PicView icon
     Like

    PicView is a fast, free and fully customizable picture viewer for macOS and Windows 10/11. It supports virtually all image file types, including (animated) WEBP, (animated) GIF, SVG, AVIF, HEIC, PSD and many others.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Mac
    Minimalist dark theme
    An overview of the UI
    Change between dark or light theme and hide the UI
    +4
    View an image information window which will update as you browse through images. Set EXIF rating, optimize image and rename/move files.
Page 1 of 2

*While Mistral isn't open-source itself, many of its models are.

*Loops and Pixelfed are Canadian, but they are the best FOSS alternatives to Instagram and Tiktok.

Comments

Pika Nogavicka
0

Koofr is also a great european cloud storage provider, very privacy oriented, and Bunny.net, they are both from Slovenia.

1 reply
EUFOSS9132

Thank you for the suggestions! Koofr has now been added to the list.

The list is based on two criteria:

  1. The software must be open-source
  2. The software must be European

There are no exceptions to the first criteria. For the second one, exceptions may apply in certain cases. For example if the software is developed internationally (such as LibreWolf or VSCodium) or if no European alternatives exist (e.g. Pixelfed or Loops as alternatives to Instagram and TikTok).

For this reason, Bunny.net will not be added to the list, as the software is not open-source.

SleipnirTheHorse
0

Never knew Krita was European, do you know of any specifically German open source projects?

1 reply
EUFOSS9132

Yes, Krita is actually part of the KDE ecosystem, which is a German-based FOSS community. KDE is best known for the KDE Plasma desktop (Linux), but they also develop a huge collection of applications across many categories.

Some prominent KDE apps include Kdenlive (video editing), Okular (document viewer), Gwenview (image viewer), Dolphin (file manager) and many more. All FOSS and actively developed in Europe.

Germany in general has a very strong open-source scene.

European_AlternativeTo
0

Wow, I thought that I was the only person loving European open-source projects! Maybe we need to a collaborate? Just to help you, Infomaniak isn't that privacy focused: when you sign up, you (sometimes) have to make a selfie and give a lot of personal information... In general this list looks amazing and your username is awesome. Let's go Europe!

1 reply
EUFOSS9132

Thanks! Always great to meet another person who cares about European FOSS projects

I’m definitely curious about collaboration. Did you have anything in mind? It could be anything from sharing resources, testing projects, contributing to open-source or even writing about European alternatives together.

And you’re absolutely right about Infomaniak: they’re not the most privacy-focused option out there. For me it’s a pragmatic choice right now - European jurisdiction, transparent, sustainable and very competitive pricing. I see them as a “good enough” step away from US hyperscalers, not a perfect privacy solution.

Gu