In a quest to liberate oneself from the clutches of major tech corporations, the journey can often lead to unexpected challenges. The attempt to send a simple file from an Android device to a Windows 11 PC turned into a frustrating experience when the absence of familiar tools like Quick Share and Google Drive became apparent. With a reliance on a selection of independent applications, the integration that once made digital tasks seamless was suddenly absent, revealing the complexities of a Big Tech-free existence.
My third-party app setup to replace Google
Frustration stemmed from a desire to escape the data-hungry practices of large corporations. The decision to support independent developers led to a carefully curated list of applications, prioritizing those that were neither US nor Chinese-owned. The goal was to create a digital ecosystem that respected privacy while still being functional. The chosen alternatives included:
- Sync for cloud storage instead of Google Drive
- Obsidian in place of Keep
- ToDoist as a replacement for Tasks
- Elemental for chat services
- Kobo instead of Kindle
- VLC for music instead of YouTube Music
- Firefox as an alternative to Chrome
- Ecosia for search instead of Google
- Fastmail replacing Gmail
While the intention was to build a modern and private workflow, the reality was a fragmented experience that often felt cumbersome and inefficient, leading to a significant investment of both time and money.
How my replacement apps fared
Fastmail emerged as a standout, providing a fast and clean email service that offered a suite of tools for an annual fee. Its privacy features and efficiency made it a beloved choice. However, Sync, the Canadian cloud service, proved to be less reliable, with slow uploads and a dated interface. The nostalgia of using VLC to play locally stored music files brought a sense of liberation, reminiscent of simpler times before streaming dominated the landscape. The transition to Kobo for ebooks also felt rewarding, as it shifted purchases away from Amazon.
Obsidian, intended to replace Keep and Docs, was less satisfying. While powerful on desktop, its mobile performance left much to be desired. In contrast, ToDoist consistently provided a pleasurable user experience, solidifying its place in the daily routine. The search for a suitable browser led to Vivaldi, though it came with reservations due to its Chromium base. Messaging, however, proved to be the biggest hurdle, as the decentralized platform Element was difficult to set up and even harder to convince others to adopt.
Going indie ended up costing more than sticking with one platform
The disjointed nature of using multiple independent applications became increasingly apparent. Notifications were inconsistent, tasks failed to sync, and the manual effort required to transfer files was a stark contrast to the seamless integration offered by larger tech ecosystems. Financially, the costs of subscriptions for various services added up, leading to a realization that the supposed savings of going indie were illusory when weighed against the chaotic experience.
What big tech actually gets right
Despite the ethical concerns surrounding Big Tech, one undeniable advantage is the integration they provide. The convenience of having everything interconnected—files syncing effortlessly, emails linking to calendars, and tasks appearing where they need to—creates a cognitive ease that is hard to replicate with independent tools. The years of development invested in these ecosystems have resulted in a user experience that feels intuitive and cohesive.
What I’m keeping, and what I’ve learned
Not all was lost in the pursuit of independence. Fastmail and ToDoist will remain part of the digital toolkit, as their value is clear. Vivaldi and Ecosia will also continue to be utilized, alongside local music files and a newly established Plex server for streaming. However, the return to Google for certain services like Keep and Drive highlights the challenges of maintaining a fully independent digital life. The experience has underscored the complexity of breaking free from established ecosystems, revealing that while privacy is important, the convenience and efficiency of Big Tech solutions are hard to overlook.
