What are the best open-source Android apps?

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Considered

User
Recs.

Feb 4, 2024

Last
Updated

F-Droid vs AnkiDroid vs VLC

vs MAPS.ME vs QuickDic restored vs ownCloud vs A Photo Manager vs Yalp Store vs Adblock Plus vs OsmAnd Maps & Navigation vs Omni Notes vs xlwings vs Network Security Tools vs GoStraight vs gps Fields Area Calculator

Specs

License

AGPL-3.0+

Supported platforms

Android

Number of languages

Ads?

User generated?

In app purchases

Platforms

Compatible devices

Android version

apk size

Blocking

License

GPLv3

Supported platforms

Number of languages

Ads?

User generated?

Yes

In app purchases

Platforms

Compatible devices

Android version

apk size

Blocking

License

Supported platforms

Number of languages

Ads?

User generated?

In app purchases

Platforms

Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, ChromeOS, AppleTV

Compatible devices

Android version

apk size

Blocking

License

Supported platforms

Number of languages

Ads?

User generated?

In app purchases

Platforms

Compatible devices

Android version

apk size

Blocking

License

Supported platforms

Number of languages

Ads?

User generated?

In app purchases

Platforms

Compatible devices

Android version

apk size

Blocking

License

Supported platforms

Number of languages

Ads?

User generated?

In app purchases

Platforms

Compatible devices

Android version

apk size

Blocking

License

Supported platforms

Number of languages

Ads?

User generated?

In app purchases

Platforms

Compatible devices

Smartphone or Tablet

Android version

4.0 or newer

apk size

1,6 MB

Blocking

License

Supported platforms

Number of languages

Ads?

User generated?

In app purchases

Platforms

Compatible devices

Android version

apk size

Blocking

License

Supported platforms

Number of languages

Ads?

User generated?

In app purchases

Platforms

Browser Add off

Compatible devices

Android version

apk size

Blocking

All ads

License

GPLv3

Supported platforms

Android, iOS

Number of languages

Ads?

User generated?

In app purchases

Platforms

Compatible devices

Android version

apk size

Blocking

License

Supported platforms

Number of languages

Ads?

User generated?

In app purchases

Platforms

Compatible devices

Android version

apk size

Blocking

License

Supported platforms

Number of languages

Ads?

User generated?

In app purchases

Platforms

Compatible devices

Android version

apk size

Blocking

License

Supported platforms

Number of languages

Ads?

User generated?

In app purchases

Platforms

Compatible devices

Android version

apk size

Blocking

License

Supported platforms

Number of languages

Ads?

User generated?

In app purchases

Platforms

Compatible devices

Android version

apk size

Blocking

License

Supported platforms

Number of languages

Ads?

User generated?

In app purchases

Platforms

Compatible devices

Android version

apk size

Blocking

Pros + Cons

Con
Anti-Free Speech tendency

Banned Gab app, but allowed Browsers of course

Comment

Pro
It opens the door to a whole world of open source apps for Android

While the Amazon App Store and Google Play Store have open-source apps too, they don't point out which apps are or aren't. In F-Droid, you can be sure that what you're installing is genuine FLOSS.

Comment

Pro
Non profit

F-Droid is a non profit volunteer organization. Anyone can join to help out or contribute funds, and there are no secret agendas or hidden methods of monetization.

Comment

Pro
Under very active development with a strong community behind it

People who have a commitment to FLOSS on Android are already aware of it and help keep the repositories stocked with all the best apps.

Comment

Pro
All titles are free and open source

All apps and games on F-Droid are free and open source (FOSS), making for a complete store resource for users who want to use only open source software on their device.

Comment

Con
No ratings/comments/number of downloads

All apps are presented equally. It is difficult to judge an app's quality/popularity before trying it. On the upside, descriptions are fair (written by the F-Droid maintainers, not by the app authors).

Comment

Pro
Non-profit

Free and open source applications that are not for profit

Comment

Pro
Highlights 'anti features'

Features that are often considered undesirable by users and the open source community are highlighted. This could be advertising or connecting to non-free services

Comment

Pro
File sizes are shown

For those running out of room, the size of the APK is always shown.

Comment

Pro
Previous versions of apps remain available after updates

If you don't like an app after an update, you can download the previous version again. This is not possible on GooglePlay.

Comment

Pro
F-Droid compiles all packages

F-Droid compiles all the packages themselves ensuring a high level of security. Other stores just allow the developer to upload the app already compiled, meaning anything malicious could be in the app.

Comment

Pro
Multiple repository sources

You have more than one source of apps and updates and local repository too

Comment

Pro
All apps have no ads nor tracking

This alone can be a great reason to use the apps available on F-Droid, but there is also the fact that this can increase battery life due to tracking and ads never requiring a data connection, since they are not present.

Comment

Con
It doesn't have all the open source apps

There are many open source apps that aren't available on F-Droid due to their authors not making it available on that particular app store. One example is Omni Noted, which is on the Play Store but not F-Droid.

Comment

Con
Updates are not automatic for non root users

You have to click the updates one-by-one in order to make them happen. If user has rooted their device automatic updates are possible, the app needs to be converted to a system app.

Comment

Con
Small selection

F-Droid has a small selection of apps when compared to other major Android markets. This is due to every app being open source and given away for free, something not many people are willing to do with their time and creations.

Comment

Con
Not all apps have screenshots

It can be difficult to tell what an app is like without installing it.

Comment

Pro
Free

[add description]

Comment

Pro
Sync with other computers and devices

Synchronize data with Windows/Mac/Linux/iOS and other Android devices.

Comment

Pro
Unmatched customizability

You can design your own cards and adjust the spaced repetition algorithm to match your learning preferences.

Comment

Con
User-generated decks vary widely in quality and accuracy

[add description]

Comment

Pro
Displays flash cards based on need

Each time a card is remembered, the user rates how well they remembered it on a scale of 1-3. Tougher words will be shown more frequently, and easier words will be showed less frequently.

Comment

Pro
Nice way to learn something

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Comment

Pro
Huge selection

AnkiDroid offers more than 6000 topics to learn from (not all are languages).

Comment

Pro
Completely free and open source

There are no advertisements, no in app purchases, no cost at all as the app is completely free and opensource.

Comment

Pro
Simple to setup and use

VLC is an incredibly robust application but very simple on the surface. It makes playing music simple, yet still manages to give the user all the tools he/she wants in a music player.

Comment

Pro
Plays video and audio

VLC can also double as an audio player due to its immense audio format library compatibility.

Comment

Con
Performance still needs improvement

Browsing large libraries causes slow down and stutter, there are overlay issues when starting a video, and in general some video does lag especially when using lower end hardware.

Comment

Pro
Works offline

When you're abroad with no data and need to go somewhere, this app is a lifesaver.

Comment

Pro
Obtains data from community-based OpenStreetMap

MAPS.ME uses data from OpenStreetMap, meaning the data retrieved from that service is a community-based map. Anyone can freely edit and contribute to the map, a map concept that is similar to Wikipedia.

Comment

Pro
Includes offline routing and turn-by-turn navigation

Users without a data connection can still use the app for turn by turn directions, which is great for those that travel or use a device that does not have a cellular data connection.

Comment

Con
Being based on OpenStreetMap data can be lacking

The use of OSM also has the drawback of many places not getting the attention needed for updates. Depending on the geographic location OSM may have the most detailed maps or the most bare/outdated map.

Comment

Con
Poor response time to recalculate the route

[add description]

Comment

Con
Traffic information is not available in all countries and cities

Source of traffic info is a trade secret this feature is only available to some selected cities.

Comment

Con
Not enough details

It is not as detailed as google map.

Comment

Pro
Fast rendering

By using compression of the map data, MAPS.ME is able to speed up the rendering of their maps to one's device. This allows for a quicker feeling app.

Comment

Con
Started adding ads

Now when searching for a destination, you get an ad at the bottom of the screen.

Comment

Pro
Many possible translations

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Comment

Pro
Many languages supported

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Comment

Pro
Fast

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Comment

Pro
You have full control with your data

Only chose a provider or host it on your soho-server.

Comment

Con
Not plug and play as Dropbox etc

You may need some help installing it on your web space, though some providers offer free install server.

Comment

Pro
First open-source app for cloud storage

It will let you learn tons of concepts about synchronization, file management, data transfer and so on for the Android platform.

Comment

Pro
Allows selective sync

Desktop clients offer sync almost as versatile as dropbox.

Comment

Pro
No ads

[add description]

Comment

Pro
Powerful geotagging/openstreetmap integration

A map shows where photos were taken. if you zoom in you see more details. Geotagging: select one or more photos + "set geo" + pick a point in the map ==> the selected images get that point. You can also filter images through the map: after selecting an area in the map (i.e. North Germany), the gallery will only show images from North Germany.

Comment

Pro
Can handle big image collections

15000+ images in 1000+ folders.

Comment

Pro
Quick hirarchical folder navigation

Only folders that contain pictures are shown.

Comment

Con
Only support for local photos

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Comment

Pro
Open source alternative to Google Play Store

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Comment

Pro
Lightweight

Yalp Store apk is less then a megabyte.

Comment

Con
Users automatically opted in to whitelist

AdBlock+ has an automatic whitelist when installed that allows certain advertisers through the blocking mechanism. The fact that these advertisers pay for this privilege makes this particular scenario rife with conflict of interest.

Comment

Pro
Blocks ads across the whole device

Whether it is Youtube ads, in browser ads or just ads inside of apps and games, Adblock blocks them all.

Comment

Pro
Disables tracking

For users that do not want apps, games or webpages to track them, Adblock has an in built function to block all tracking.

Comment

Pro
ROOT is not required

Any Android device above 3.0 has the ability to use Adblock without ROOT, though ROOT is still recommended for a seamless functionality.

Comment

Con
ROOT still offers the best functionality

Even though ROOT is not required for most Android devices anymore for the app to work, it is still recommended for better functionality.

Comment

Con
Slow and sometimes poor search

Most often does not find what you are looking for (which is not caused by bad OSM data).

Comment

Pro
Based around crowdsourced OpenStreetMap data

OSM provides a map editable by everyone; just like the web-based encyclopedia, Wikipedia. Using a community edited map allows one to correct isses they encounter. Combined with the monthly turn around, these edits are added for navigation quickly.

Comment

Pro
Open-source

[add description]

Comment

Con
No desktop apps

No Windows, Linux, Mac OS apps

Comment

Pro
Easy to use

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Comment

Pro
Fully featured

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Comment

Pro
Free

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Comment

Pro
Free

Available online for free.

Comment

Pro
Best android app

Calculate distance and area measurement effortlessly with just a single tap with gps fields area calculator. Take measurements and calculate the area of any land with this special gps area calculator. Now no need to measure area manually. You can measure area on map and calculate the distance or area in seconds with this special app. Download the app now and avail the premium features free. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.areacalculator.fields.gps

Comment

Con
Not for iphone users

[add description]

Comment