I’ve spent years realizing I’m trapped in Google’s ecosystem, forced to subscribe to multiple services for my digital life. But after making the switch to open source alternatives, the experience has been surprisingly seamless.
To share my journey and lessons learned, I’ll reveal six hidden gem Android apps that save me hundreds on subscriptions. I’ll also discuss how I replaced pricey services like Google Photos, Drive, Docs, and Netflix with self-hosted options.
The biggest challenge was breaking away from Google’s suite of productivity tools. But by switching to alternatives like Immich (self-hosted photo management), NextCloud (file sharing), OnlyOffice (office suite), Logseq (notion alternative), and Jellyfin (streaming server), I’ve gained full control over my data.
The process wasn’t frictionless, but the benefits of autonomy far outweigh the initial challenges. By making this switch, you can reclaim your digital life and take back control of your personal data.
Note: I simplified the text by breaking it into smaller paragraphs, removed unnecessary words, and rephrased sentences to make it easier to understand. I also condensed the content to focus on the main points and eliminate redundant information.
Source: https://www.androidpolice.com/divorcing-big-tech-moving-data-open-source-alternatives