Leaving Big Tech for Open Source: My Journey

Why I’m Leaving Big Tech for Open Source Alternatives

For the past two years, I’ve realized that my online life is mostly a collection of subscriptions and small payments for various services. It seems like everywhere I turn, companies like Google and Microsoft are controlling my data and how I can access it. But recently, I decided to make a change. I’m moving my important data to open source alternatives, and it’s been easier than I expected. Here’s how I did it, what I learned, and why you might want to consider the same path.

Breaking Free from Google Workspace

For a long time, I relied on Google Workspace because it offered great flexibility. With apps like Google Docs, Sheets, and Drive, I built my entire productivity system around them. However, with AI becoming more common, I grew uneasy knowing that my data might be used without my permission. The constant changes in the user interface also left me feeling frustrated.

Switching from Google Photos

One of the first tools I replaced was Google Photos. Many people agree it’s one of Google’s best apps. It has amazing features like cross-platform access, powerful search options, and easy sharing. But I realized that by using it, I was giving up my privacy for things like facial recognition technology. So, I switched to Immich, an open source photo management app that I can host myself. It looks and works a lot like Google Photos, but the big difference is that all my files stay on my server. Yes, setting it up takes some effort, but it feels great knowing my memories are safe and in my control.

Moving Away from Google Drive

Next, I tackled Google Drive and file sharing. Many of us depend on Google Drive for sharing large files, but I often found that it flagged perfectly safe files as dangerous and sometimes even deleted them. I didn’t want to deal with that kind of uncertainty. Instead, I started using a mix of NextCloud and the built-in file sharing on my Network Attached Storage (NAS). Now, I have complete control over my files and who can access them.

Replacing Google Docs with OnlyOffice

The most challenging switch was finding an alternative for Google Docs. I thought about Office 365, but that felt like just moving from one corporate giant to another, which I wanted to avoid. I tried LibreOffice, but I didn’t like the look and feel. Eventually, I discovered OnlyOffice, which is an open source office suite that I can host myself. It works well with documents and spreadsheets, making the transition pretty easy.

Finding Alternatives for Other Productivity Tools

My reliance on Google didn’t stop there. I also used Notion daily. To replace it, I turned to Logseq, a privacy-focused open source tool that keeps everything stored locally on my computer. Unlike Notion, which keeps data mostly in the cloud, Logseq allows me to work offline and supports Markdown files, making it simple to move my work around.

Streamlining My Streaming Experience

Switching from productivity apps wasn’t my only goal. I also looked at streaming services. With Netflix constantly raising prices and forcing me to jump between multiple apps for content, I wanted a better solution. I set up my own Jellyfin server where I can store movies and TV shows from my DVD collection. While I may not have the latest trendy series, I have thousands of hours of quality content that I can access anytime, completely free.

Embracing the Challenge of Change

I won’t pretend that switching was completely smooth. There are features I miss and some conveniences I had to give up. But the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Gaining full control over my data is worth the effort. Reclaiming your data takes time, but once you start exploring open source alternatives, you’ll see that it’s not only possible but manageable with a bit of work.

“Making the switch from Big Tech to open source has given me a sense of freedom I didn’t know I was missing.”