Best Of
The Privacy Starter Kit
Four apps that close the biggest privacy gaps in one afternoon: messaging, email, passwords and media playback.
Top pick
Signal — Move your conversations to end-to-end encryption by default.
Read the Signal Trust Report ›
Signal
Speak freely, message privately
Why it’s here
Move your conversations to end-to-end encryption by default.
Proton Mail
Encrypted email from Switzerland
Why it’s here
An inbox that nobody else can read — including the provider.
Bitwarden
Open source password manager, audited
Why it’s here
One strong password per site, without the memory burden.
VLC Media Player
Plays everything, runs anywhere
Why it’s here
Play anything locally — no streaming account, no tracking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best option in privacy starter kit?
Signal tops this shortlist. Move your conversations to end-to-end encryption by default. It carries an Altapp Trust Report recording 9/9 of nine checks verified, last reviewed Jul 17, 2026, and is listed at “Free”.
How does Altapp pick these apps?
Every app on this shortlist has passed our verification pipeline: we download the build from the developer's official channel, verify its signature and checksum, count trackers, and read the audit history. Findings are stated, never scored, and placements are never for sale. Read the full method ›
How often is this list updated?
Shortlists are reviewed monthly, and immediately when something material changes — a security incident, a licence change, or a pricing shift. This list was last reviewed July 2026.