Best VPN and Security Tools (2026)

Open source password management. Self-host your encrypted vault.

Bitwarden is the password manager you can actually trust because you can read every line of code. End-to-end encrypted vault that syncs across all devices. Self-host option means your passwords never touch a third-party server if you choose. Unlike LastPass (breached twice, stored vault URLs unencrypted), 1Password (closed source, you trust their word), or iCloud Keychain (Apple ecosystem lock-in), Bitwarden is audited by third parties with results published publicly. SOC 2 certified. FIDO2/WebAuthn support. Free for individuals, $10/year for premium. The only password manager where trust is verified, not assumed.

VPN that does not even know who you are. No email. No logs. Anonymous payment.

Mullvad VPN is the VPN service that actively tries to know nothing about you. No email required to sign up: you get a random account number. Pay with cash mailed in an envelope, cryptocurrency, or card. No logs. No user tracking. No affiliate programs. Open source apps. Based in Sweden under EU privacy laws. Independent audits published. Unlike NordVPN (marketing machine, owned by Tesonet data mining company), ExpressVPN (acquired by Kape Technologies, formerly Crossrider adware), or Surfshark (merged with Nord, same data concerns), Mullvad is the VPN recommended by security researchers who actually read the code. Used by the Tor Project as the foundation for Mullvad Browser.

Swiss VPN with no-logs policy from the Proton team

VPN from the makers of ProtonMail. Swiss jurisdiction. Independently audited no-logs policy. Open source apps. Free tier available with decent speeds. Part of the trusted Proton privacy ecosystem.

Amnesic live operating system for maximum privacy

Boot from USB, leave no trace. Routes all traffic through Tor. Used by journalists, activists, and whistleblowers. Endorsed by Edward Snowden. The most privacy-focused operating system available.

Privacy and security focused mobile OS

Hardened Android fork for Pixel phones. Removes Google services entirely. Enhanced security with sandboxing and exploit mitigations. Zero telemetry. The mobile OS for people who take privacy seriously.

Privacy-focused Android with microG

Privacy-focused Android that includes microG for Google service compatibility without full Google tracking. Good balance between privacy and app compatibility. More user-friendly than GrapheneOS.