Whether you bought an Android device without access to the Play Store or simply prefer an alternative to Google’s offerings, you’re in luck. There are plenty of other places to get your favorite Android apps, and here are some of the best options.
1 Amazon Appstore
The first and most obvious alternative is the Amazon Appstore. This is probably the biggest competitor to the Play Store, as it is the default app store that ships with all Amazon Fire tablets.
Amazon’s store may not match the size of the Play Store, but it’s still a viable alternative. You’ll have no problem finding popular apps if you turn off Google’s collection of services.
Of course, that’s a big caveat because most users consider Google’s software as their primary reason for using Android over iOS. But that’s a problem that plagues most Play Store alternatives. Here’s our detailed Play Store vs Amazon Appstore comparison so you can learn all about it.
Download files:Amazon Appstore (free)
2 F-Droid
On the other hand, if you prefer Android over iOS because Android is technically open source, then F-Droid is an app store that can replace the Play Store on your device.
F-Droid doesn’t have nearly as many apps as the other options on this list, but it’s the most prominent mobile app store that offers exclusively free and open source software. On top of that, you can be sure that the software is free of malware.
F-Droid even goes so far as to warn when apps can track your behavior or location.
Previous versions of this app were terribly basic. The latest version conforms to current Android design guidelines and provides categories and recommendations to help you discover apps that do what you need.
This is especially valuable because if you’re using F-Droid, you’ll probably have to replace most of the apps you’re used to.
Download files:F-Droid (Free)
3 Aptoide
Aptoide is named after the APT package manager, a Linux-based software distribution method. Like APT, Aptoide doesn’t give you access to one centralized store. Instead, it’s an application for accessing many different stores, which in the Linux world would be considered “package repositories”.
The Aptoide client is open source software. It turns out that the F-Droid client started out as a fork of Aptoide. For the average end user, Aptoide will simply appear as an alternative to the Play Store with access to a large amount of similar software (although some apps are stuck on older versions).
The big difference is that you can discover new stores within the app and even add your own. Doorknob? You do not have access to paid applications.
Download files:Aptoide (free)
4 Uptodown
Although Aptoide started as a failed open source project, it received millions in venture capital long ago. If that makes you uncomfortable or you prefer the quality controls that come from managing your software in a centralized location, check out Uptodown instead.
Uptodown, run by a small team in Spain, has a similar purpose of making Android software freely available to people around the world without restrictions. This alternative does a better job of providing updated software and lists app update history.
On the other hand, paid apps are not available, just like Aptoide.
Download files:Uptodown (Free)
5 APK Mirror
APKMirror is a direct download site for APK files. APK, short for Android Package, is a file format created for distributing Android software. A mirror, in this context, is a server that redistributes software that is already available elsewhere.
Most of the apps on APKMirror are already available in the Play Store, in addition to being re-uploaded to make them more accessible to others. This opens up accessibility to people regardless of whether they have a Google Account or live in an area where the app may not be available.
Once you’ve downloaded the APK, you can install the file by tapping it in the file manager. But there are newer Android app formats that are more difficult to install, such as APKM, XAPK, and APKS.
The APKMirror Installer application allows you to install these formats as well. Go to APKMirror website in your browser to download apps, then press download APKMirror Installer using the link below to install apps using those formats.
Download files:APKMirror Installer (Free)
To visit:APKMirror (Free)
6 Shop Aurora
While it’s nice to have alternatives, you can’t get around the fact that the Play Store just has more apps. However, the Aurora Store is an alternative that actually allows you to download an app from the Play Store without giving Google access to tons of private data.
It allows access to almost every application in the catalog without the need for a Google account. It does this by generating a temporary, anonymous account on your behalf. You can also sign in with your Google account if you want to sync your previously downloaded Android apps, but that defeats the purpose.
Download files: Aurora (free)
7 Srab.io
Itch.io is a well-established source of indie titles on a variety of platforms, including Android. Itch.io doesn’t have an official Android app, but you can browse the site in your browser and download APKs directly.
Not a bad way to get your hands on a wide variety of free, creative titles. However, most are homegrown projects with no budget or polished AAA studio games.
There is a third-party client for Itch.io available on F-Droid. His name is Mitch.
To visit:Itch.io (Free)
8 Tap Tap
TapTap is a gaming app store and social network that lets you connect with other gamers. This unique combination makes TapTap a pretty compelling way to download games, discover titles you’ve never heard of, and keep up with new releases as they come out.
TapTap Lite is available on the Google Play Store, which simply connects to the Play Store to download games. However, the premium version of TapTap is its own alternative app store that allows direct download of APKs and updates. You can download it from the TapTap website.
Download files:TapTap Lite (Free)
To visit:TapTap.io (Free)
If you can’t access the Play Store, one of these alternative app stores can help you download all the apps you need. However, if you want to stop using the Play Store due to privacy concerns, there are other steps you can take to fully de-Google your Android device.