When comparing APKMirror vs AppBrain, the Slant community recommends APKMirror for most people. In the question“What is the best Google Play Store alternative?” APKMirror is ranked 1st while AppBrain is ranked 11th. The most important reason people chose APKMirror is:
If the current app doesn't work correctly, users can seek an older version of the app by finding it and downloading through APKMirror.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Ability to get old version of an app
If the current app doesn't work correctly, users can seek an older version of the app by finding it and downloading through APKMirror.
Pro Safe (Verifiable SHA-256 hash available)
Apkmirror is run by the people behind Android Police, one of the biggest android news sites. All apps are manually vetted and approved.
Pro No account needed
There is no account creation required, so anyone can freely download the app directly from the website.
Pro Get access to early alpha / beta version of apps
The website also hosts many early alpha / beta versions of apps, so that anyone can access the beta app without needing to wait to become a beta tester.
Pro Many popular apps available
There are many popular apps on APKMirror that are also available on the Google Play Store which are contributed by the community. There is a strict check of the app when any user or developer wants to upload the app to the website to ensure that the app is same as on the Google Play Store.
Pro Modern war source for all your favorite developers
Modern war source is an open-source code for online gaming and program developing, which can help to minimize the effort of making an online compatible game.
Pro No region locking
No region locking.
Pro Hundreds of cookie options to deactivate indervidually.
When going on to the website it asks for consent regarding cookies so when you go to manage there are about a hundred to turn off, you can no reject in one hit!
Pro The apps are submitted by their original authors
This adds to security.
Pro Available to all countries and territories
AppBrain is available for use to users and developers alike in all countries and territories. Something even the Google Play Store does not do.
Pro Detailed changelogs, downloads, and version history
Pro Installs apps directly to users device
AppBrain has the ability to install apps directly to the users device making the download function work the same as the stock Google Play Store.
Pro Built-in developer services
AppBrain provides their own SDK tool called AppLift which give developers the option to monetize their apps.
Cons
Con No native Android store app
APKMirror only comes as a website and does not have their own Android store app, thus users will need to download the app through the website and then sideload their app manually (requires activation of sideloading on ones device, this can be done by going to Settings > Security > Allow Unknown Sources).
Con Uninstalled due to constant failure
It's paralyzed. It freezes up. It shows you every single app you don't have on the upgrade page if you seriously want to call that a page.
Con Many apps are missing
Con Accepts very few new APKs
Whilst this has the benefit of ensuring the APKs that are hosted are less likely to contain malware, it's problematic for developers and means that fewer apps are available.
Con Hundreds of cookie options to deactivate individually
When going on to the website it asks for consent regarding cookies so when you go to manage there are about a hundred to turn off, you can no reject in one hit!
Con Bundled apps need it's own installer
Split APKs bundled as ".apkm" which aren't compatible via SAI, are installable only via APKMirror Installer.
Con There is no compiled 'Changelog history' for apps
There shall be some changelog history, which contains the (maybe official) changelog of the app from earliest to the latest version available on that site (i.e. ApkMirror).
Con You have to subscribe to use it
Con Just a front end for Google Play Store
Application installs and updates are just redirects to the Google Play Store, which means this app will not fully manage apps without the Play Store installed.
Con Smaller selection of apps compared to the Google Play Store
Like all Android app alternative stores, AppBrain has a smaller selection of app when compared to Google.
Con Requires AppBrain login
If you are not signed in, it will redirect you to the Google Play Store.