I’ve always loved a good underdog story. When it comes to tech, I generally find myself gravitating toward the companies that aren’t constantly in the spotlight. There’s a simple reason for that: when you aren’t the default choice, you have to try harder. These companies take more risks to stand out, their products are often more wallet-friendly, and their customer support actually feels human.
There is also something deeply satisfying about going against the grain. Using a tool that most people haven’t heard of yet makes me feel like I’m forging my own path, guided by utility rather than just following the crowd.
While I’ll be the first to admit my home screen still has its fair share of mainstream giants, I generally enjoy giving underdogs a shot. With that in mind, I want to walk you through a few hidden gems that serve as great alternatives to the household names we all know.
Do you prefer mainstream or underdog apps? 30 votes Mainstream 23 % Underdog 77 %
From Chrome to Vivaldi
Mitja Rutnik / Android Authority
We all use a browser, and for most people, Chrome is the default choice. While it’s certainly stable, there are significant drawbacks to staying within Google’s garden. Privacy is a major one, but for me, it’s also about the features. Chrome is notoriously late to the party, often adding highly requested tools months or years after the competition already launched them.
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For those looking for an alternative that isn’t Firefox, Edge, or the increasingly popular Brave, Vivaldi is the browser to beat. It’s very privacy-focused, letting you fine-tune your tracking and ad-blocking settings the moment you install it.
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