I wanted to share my current status quo of gradually moving away from US-based services and products and replacing them with European alternatives where possible.

This is not about perfection or ideological purity — more about direction, values, and supporting EU-based ecosystems when reasonable alternatives exist.

Below is what I’ve already switched, what I’m keeping (for now), and where I’m still undecided / looking for advice.

What I’ve already switched

Email / Cloud / VPN

I’m fully aware that Proton is a European company based in Switzerland.
My decision to move away from Proton was not about trust or geography, but about risk concentration.

I was using Proton Mail, Proton Drive, and Proton VPN at the same time and decided to follow the principle of
“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

So I deliberately split these services across different providers:

Proton Mail → TutaMail (Germany)
Proton Drive → Filen (Germany)
Proton VPN → Mullvad VPN (Sweden) (when I actually need a VPN)

This is more about resilience and diversification than distrust.

Music Streaming

Deezer → Qobuz (France)

While Deezer is often seen as European, I decided to move away from it after learning more about its ownership and investor structure — to my understanding, a significant share is held by non-EU stakeholders partly linked to the US.
That didn’t fully align with what I personally want to support long-term.

Qobuz feels more in line with my values, and the switch ended up being a nice improvement in sound quality too.

Messaging

WhatsApp → Threema + Signal WhatsApp completely gone. Signal is still US-based, but currently required for activism / political work.

Language Models

ChatGPT → Le Chat

Charging Devices

Anker → recable (Germany)

Voice Chat

Discord → TeamSpeak

OS

Windows → Linux Mint (Oh boy, do I love Linux Mint <3 Fck Windows)

Office / Creative Software

Microsoft Office → LibreOffice (rarely needed anyway)
For most creative work I use Affinity Publisher, Designer & Photo

Entertainment

Cancelled several US streaming services (e.g. Disney+)

Navigation

Apple Maps → TomTom

Payments

PayPal → Wero

Clothing

While Adidas is a German brand, a lot of their production happens outside the EU, which I want to move away from over time.

Ideally I support European production under reasonable conditions.

Shoes: switching from Adidas → TREAZY (EU production, plant-based materials)
Socks: planning to switch to TREAZY socks (made in Portugal)

Underwear — Open Question

One thing I’m curious about is high-quality men’s underwear (trunks) that:

is genuinely produced in Europe, and
feels really comfortable, and
actually lasts a long time (doesn’t stretch out or fall apart after a few months)

Do you have any brands or personal experiences with European underwear that fits this bill?
Something you’ve had for years and still feel comfortable in, made in Europe?

Would love to hear what people here have actually tested and can recommend based on real long-term use.

Audio / Hardware

Initially planned: Shure SM7B
Decided on: Sennheiser MD 421 Mark II Supporting a European audio manufacturer felt like the better fit for me.

What I still use (reluctantly / pragmatically)

Netflix

No real EU alternative with a comparable catalog — I only subscribe occasionally (1 month every few months).

Gaming

Steam – ecosystem reasons

Password Manager

1Password (Canada) — not EU but best fit for my needs so far

Big open topic: Smartphone

Currently using an iPhone 15 Pro
Considering a Fairphone with LineageOS
Waiting to see developments around Fairphone 6

Would love to see some experiences here.

Where I’d really love community input

Messaging

Thoughts on Element / Matrix / XMPP?

Streaming

Any serious European Netflix alternatives you like?

Underwear

European underwear brands / experiences that are truly high-quality & long-lasting?

General

EU services/products you’d strongly recommend or avoid?

This is very much a work in progress, not a finished state.
Happy to learn, adjust, and iterate — feedback welcome 🙂

Thanks!

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[–] IanTwenty@piefed.social 6 points 12 hours ago

Recable that OP mentioned look great fun

https://en.recable.eu/

...braided charging cables coloured and named after birds.

[–] pinhead77@piefed.social 3 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Sadly I just found out that Qobuz is using Amazon Web Services (AWS). So using Qobuz means giving money to Amazon... What a shame!

[–] Lumisal@lemmy.world 5 points 10 hours ago

Unfortunately that's (currently) most of the internet. Hopefully that changes over time.

[–] Nickelalloy@lemmy.world 2 points 10 hours ago

Never knew about Recable, I was just looking to buy quality cables.

Thanks for sharing!

[–] sp3ctre@feddit.org 1 points 9 hours ago

Looks good to me! Seems that the biggest steps have been made!

[–] chrizzly@feddit.org 3 points 12 hours ago

Great post which gives a lot of inspiration!

Since you mentioned the fairphone 6, I thought I'd give you my two cents on that topic: Switched over to a Fairphone 6 about half a year ago (pretty soon after the release). Wanted to get the Murena - e/OS version but since the stock Android was cheaper and quicker for delivery I went with that. At home, I flashed e/OS myself on the phone after checking everything worked initially (especially phone services). And what can I say - about a half year later I'm still super happy with it. About 60% of the apps I use are from F-Droid, the other few over AppLounge (Playstore-Mirror) with an anonymous Google-account (very easy to use, works automatically and is preinstalled on e/OS). I should say, my goal switching from a 'normal' Android phone was to degoogle at the same time, which worked well with the fp6. No issues with calls, screen, battery, camera, Apps etc, only thing I needed was a Type-C to Aux adapter (since my last phone still had a 3.5 mm jack). You need to get used to the volume rocker placement - was taking screenshots in the beginning all the time :D But other than that, I have no regrets. Even dropped it a few times without a case and its sturdy! I can definetely recommend it :) (My parents' next smartphone will be a FP, already influenced them haha)

[–] yes@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 9 hours ago

Matrix is great. Love it's decentralized nature. Love their e2e encryption capabilities. Although it can be tricky for novice users to grasp the importance of a recovery key backup - in addition to their regular credentials. Also love that many FOSS communities use it too. Makes it easy to join the discussion & get support. I take it over any proprietary protocol & centralized infrastructure any day.

Take a look at GrapheneOS. You can get a second hand Google Pixel and you'll still not support Alphabet. Hope that GrapheneOS will find a solid hardware alternative in the future. Not sure how far along their talks with their prospective OEM partner are. In terms of security & privacy there just is no alternative. Hopeful about a mainstream Linux based phone in the future. But at the moment it's the best alternative IMO.

What's your impression of the recable cables? Are they (as close as a cable can be) "buy it for life"?

[–] Anagram3@jlai.lu 4 points 13 hours ago

For gaming : GOG (PL)

My Pixel phone OS : iodé os (FR)

Amazon : Cdiscount (FR)

Google drive : Ksuite by infomaniak

Quickshare : LocalShare / KDEconnect

Google Map : CoMaps / RooleMap (FR)

[–] Lumisal@lemmy.world 1 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)

For underwear, I've had one main issue so far with every European brand I've tried (Finnish, German, Italian, Spanish); they're, umm, too "tight" down there. Like it feels like they want to keep it so tight that they suffocate your potential progeny out of existence 😅

So assuming you're a dude and maybe on the bigger side in that region, although it's not European and is Japanese, Muji has a specific line of underwear that has an extra big pouch like space sown that's more comfortable to wear. They're also pretty breathable and last a good while.

I don't remember what they're called though, since I get them from my local Muji store in Finland.

As for pants - that's just luck based. I've resorted to either pants that are too big and using suspenders or having a tailor modify used pants when I can afford to. Sweatpants when possible otherwise. I'm considering looking into Scottish Kilts for the summer though. I don't care what people might think at this point - I just want room down there.

[–] wieson@feddit.org 2 points 12 hours ago

Clothing: I recommend looking on avocadostore. Erlich Textil is very high quality.

[–] matze@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 12 hours ago

Calida makes good underwear and really nice sleepwear. They are from Switzerland and claim to produce in Eastern Europe.

[–] comrade_twisty@feddit.org 22 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

For streaming go back to 🏴‍☠️

It’s your civic duty not to give money to the media conglomerates that put right wing extremists in power everywhere.

Fuck them and take what you wanna watch for free.

[–] FeedRunner@europe.pub 5 points 19 hours ago (2 children)

Haha, yeah, I can’t really argue with that 😅. The lack of solid EU streaming alternatives makes it tempting to… you know, set the sails.
I’m still trying to stick with legal European options where I can, but sometimes it’s just… frustratingly limited.

[–] simsala@feddit.org 1 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

Can't blame you for using Netflix since they have a lot of exclusive content that's really good. And they do support local filmmaking and recently joined the Blender development fund too which is at least some good news.

To find other alternatives I recommend looking up whatever you want to watch on https://www.justwatch.com/ (or TMDb where JustWatch is integrated) because it shows you where the movie/series is currently streaming within the country you live in. I found new (sometimes local) platforms like this and one of them was even free with a library card.

Also going to the cinema is always an option although it's not really the same type of activity of course.

[–] baguette@piefed.social 3 points 11 hours ago

Try your library, maybe they offer some streaming alternatives.

[–] erebion@news.erebion.eu 10 points 21 hours ago (14 children)

Another idea... Language Learning: Try Babbel from Berlin

[–] baguette@piefed.social 5 points 11 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago)

Not everyone's piece of cake, but I like Anki (FOSS) and download community made language decks.

[–] cabbage@piefed.social 4 points 20 hours ago

I'm using Busuu, originally Spanish but hq in London. They have implemented some AI stuff recently though. :/

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[–] erebion@news.erebion.eu 7 points 21 hours ago* (last edited 19 hours ago) (3 children)

Another great choice for avoiding risk concentration is using a decentralised way to communicate.

This is where XMPP is great.

Here's a flyer from the Digital Independence Day (that was recently proclaimed by the Chaos Computer Club and a lot of other organisations in Germany) that shows two simple ways you can start using it:

English: https://shop.digitalcourage.de/files/xmpp-folder-engl-druck.pdf
German: https://shop.digitalcourage.de/files/xmpp-folder-Druck.pdf
French: https://shop.digitalcourage.de/files/xmpp-folder-F-druck.pdf

If any server goes down, I will not have much of an issue, as long as it is not mine. If it is a server my contacts use, I will only lose contact to a couple people, until those have access again.

It's a very resilient network and that's why I enjoy using it.

Also, the clients run even on old phones, as they do not need a lot of resources, which helps when people have little money and also saves the environment.

[–] FeedRunner@europe.pub 2 points 20 hours ago

Thanks, I'll check it out!

[–] Otiz@sopuli.xyz 2 points 20 hours ago (2 children)

Omg how have I missed this? So I take it this is similar to the Lemmy network?

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[–] jdr8@lemmy.world 7 points 21 hours ago* (last edited 20 hours ago) (2 children)

For streaming, if you like documentaries, I recommend arte.

I really like their app and diversity of subjects.

edit: For smartphones, I'm typing this from my Sony Xperia flashed with SailfishOS, same OS that Jolla phones have.

[–] FeedRunner@europe.pub 4 points 20 hours ago

Didn't know there's an arte app. I'll check that out later. Thanks!

[–] cabbage@piefed.social 4 points 20 hours ago (2 children)

Arte is great if you speak French or German. A lot of European countries have similar things. BBC iPlayer with a VPN is also amazing.

[–] jdr8@lemmy.world 3 points 17 hours ago

You can have English subtitles on arte.

[–] erebion@news.erebion.eu 3 points 19 hours ago

Many VPNs are blocked, so try a VPN that has many servers, like Mullvad, so you can switch to one that works.

If you have a VPS in the UK, you'll have more luck, as it is probably not blocked. A friend hosts a VPN for me in London, so I can watch from EU land. I mean, could. I'd never do that, of course. :p

[–] erebion@news.erebion.eu 5 points 20 hours ago

Smartphone, USB-C chargers, USB-C cables:

Fairphone

They're great, they are part of the free software community, they contribute to the kernel. I love them.

[–] erebion@news.erebion.eu 5 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

Password Manager:

KeePassXC (Linux)
KeePassDX (Android)
GNOME Secrets (KeePass compatible, Linux and mobile Linux)

[–] 5715@feddit.org 1 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

Do you sync them between automatically somehow? I have been using these for years, but it's tiresome to sync them manually.

[–] erebion@news.erebion.eu 2 points 18 hours ago

Nextcloud. Turn on the cloud sync option somewhere in the settings and it will work.

[–] Disgruntled@lemmy.ca 4 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

Since you use 1Password, for underwear there’s MANMADE made in Canada.

[–] FeedRunner@europe.pub 3 points 19 hours ago

After going through all the suggestions in this thread, I think I’ll just order one and give it a try. I still want to do a bit more digging first... check out the company, see how they operate, that kind of thing. But I’m curious to see how it actually feels and holds up, so this seems like the easiest way to find out.

[–] erebion@news.erebion.eu 4 points 20 hours ago (2 children)

Navigation on Android: OSMand~ from F-Droid. The name sucks, but otherwise it works well.

I like having the option to enable a OpenRailwayMap overlay, so I can easily see where train and tram lines go, which makes finding the nearest station SOOO much easier.

[–] peterg@piefed.social 3 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

I use Magic Earth by Magic Lane. The company is based in Switzerland, the maps are OpenStreetMap and the app also gives traffic data, which OSMAnd does not support.

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[–] angrywaffle@piefed.social 1 points 17 hours ago

I wish they would collect traffic data or at least let users donate anonymous data. I'd happily do it, if that means improved ETAs.

[–] Poem_for_your_sprog@lemmy.world 3 points 20 hours ago

Qobuz is the best and has high res audio

[–] zwerg@feddit.org 3 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

For under wear, try Hanro

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[–] foodandart@lemmy.zip 2 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

Qobuz is amazing!. I've been using it for several months and it's delightful.. also high quality streams and that's importat for my shitty old ears.

Nice list..

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