15 Jan
Apps from Google, Apple, and Facebook have a reputation for spying on their users. A fresh, privacy-friendly alternative are apps from the F-Droid repository. Apps on F-Droid are open source and are carefully evaluated for "Anti-Features" like known vulnerabilities, non-free add-ons, tracking, or ads. Open source means the code is auditable and thereby can be inspected for backdoors or other malicious programming. To get started, download the F-Droid app directly from their website.
Our recommended apps are open source, free to download, and do not require Google Play services or MicroG to run. A small number of apps on the list are only available from the developer's website or Aurora Store.
App Repositories
Replaces Google Play Store
 | F-Droid | A catalogue of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) applications for the Android platform. The client makes it easy to browse, install, and keep track of updates on your device. |
 | Droid-ify | A quick material F-Droid client featuring fast repository syncing, standard Android components and minimal dependencies. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Neo Store | Another modern F-Droid client with Material Design featuring fast repository syncing, standard Android components and minimal dependencies. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Aurora Store | The open source alternative repository that connects to Google Play Store anonymously. Available on F-Droid. |
Audio & Video
Replaces iTunes and YouTube
 | AntennaPod | An ad-free open source podcast player that respects users' privacy. Available on F-Droid. |
 | BitChute | A peer-to-peer video content sharing platform that tolerates content based on a reasonable set of terms and conditions. Available to download from APKPure. |
 | Odysee | The most popular interface to the LBRY database (An open source, free network of video and media content by creators that value freedom of expression). Enjoy indie content creators across a variety of genres including pop culture, science, gaming, commentary, tech, and education. Available on F-Droid. |
 | NewPipe | The lightweight, feature-rick, privacy-friendly alternative interface to YouTube. View YouTube content without annoying ads and questionable permissions. Available on F-Droid. |
 | VLC | VLC for Android is a full port of VLC media player to the Android™ platform. It can play any video and audio files, network streams and DVD ISOs, like the classic version of VLC. Available on F-Droid. |
Camera & Gallery
In addition to the pre-installed camera and gallery apps that come with a de-googled device, there are several alternatives worth exploring. These apps replace Google Camera and Google Gallery
 | Les Pas | Les Pas is a free, modern, lightweight, open source gallery app that syncs all your images to your private cloud account. Sign in to a NextCloud account and Les Pas does the rest for you. Organize photos, GIFs, and videos into albums. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Open Camera | Open Camera is a free open source camera app by Mark Harman. It features video and audio recording, image stabilization, multi-touch zoom, flash, face detection, front and rear camera modes, resolution adjustment, timer, silenceable shutter, and much more. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Simple Camera | Simple Camera is a free open source camera app by Simple Mobile Tools for easy capture of still images and video recording. Change front or rear camera mode, auto/manual flash, output resolution, quality, or aspect ratio with a few clicks, as you would expect from a modern open camera app. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Simple Gallery Pro | Simple Gallery Pro is a free open source photo gallery app by Simple Mobile Tools. Browse, manage, crop and edit photos or videos quickly. Recover accidentally deleted files or create hidden galleries for your images and videos. Supports file types JPEG, PNG, MP4, MKV, RAW, SVG, GIF, Panoramic photos, videos and many more. Available on F-Droid. |
Synchronize an existing mail service and easily send and receive emails from your de-googled device. Replaces gmail, outlook, and Apple mail
 | Anon Addy | Anon Addy is an open source anonymous email forwarding service. Create unlimited email aliases using custom domains and allowing you to stay private and blend in with the crowd. Available on F-Droid. |
 | K-9 Mail | K-9 Mail is an open source email client focused on making it easy to chew through large volumes of email. Requires an account with email service provider. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Proton Mail | Proton Mail is an encrypted email service based in Switzerland that focuses on user privacy. Mail is end-to-end encrypted. Available directly from Protonmail or on Aurora Store. |
 | SimpleEmail | SimpleEmail is a minimalistic, free, and open source email client that includes security features and options for multiple accounts, themes, encryption, and more. Available on F-Droid. |
Financial
Replaces Coin Gecko and CoinMarketCap
 | Crypto Prices | Crypto Prices is a free open source interface to the CoinGecko platform. It lets you track prices of all cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Litecoin. You can also view detailed information about every coin, like price history, market cap, and volume. Available on F-Droid. |
Keyboards
Replaces Google's Gboard
 | AnySoft Keyboard | Any Soft Keyboard is a highly customizable, open-source, on-screen keyboard with multiple languages support and an emphasis on privacy. Available on F-Droid. |
Maps & Navigation
Replaces Google Maps and Waze
 | Organic Maps | Get turn-by-turn navigation from this offline maps app for travelers, tourists, hikers, and cyclists based on OpenStreetMap data and curated with love by MAPS.ME founders. Available on F-Droid |
 | OsmAnd | OsmAnd (OSM Automated Navigation Directions) is a map and navigation application with access to the free, worldwide, and high-quality OpenStreetMap (OSM) data. Available on F-Droid. |
Messaging & Chat
Replaces Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, WeChat, SnapChat, and Google Hangouts
 | Briar | A free and open source peer-to-peer encrypted messaging platform that creates direct device-to-device connections over Tor network. Messages are stored securely on your device, not on a server. If the internet goes down, Briar syncs via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. |
 | Cheogram | A free and open-source messaging client for the XMPP communications protocol that enables calling and texting on the telephone network through the JMP.chat VoIP service. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Conversations | A free and open-source messaging client for the XMPP communications protocol. Requires an account with an XMPP service provider (or host your own server). Available on F-Droid. |
 | Element | Element is both a secure messenger and a productivity team collaboration app that is ideal for group chats while remote working. This chat app uses end-to-end encryption to provide powerful video conferencing, file sharing and voice calls. Matrix is the decentralized (self-hosted) open source framework. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Jitsi Meet | Free open source video conferencing solution that replaces Skype and Zoom. Video, voice, and chat communication are fully encrypted. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Nextcloud Talk | Private video calls and chat from your self-hosted Nextcloud server. Requires an account on a Nextcloud platform. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Session | Session is an end-to-end encrypted messenger that minimises sensitive metadata, designed and built for people who want absolute privacy and freedom from any form of surveillance. Available directly from their website. |
 | Signal | Similar look and feel to WhatsApp, Signal is a centralized end-to-end private messenger with support for groups and disappearing chat. It requires phone number as personal identifier. Be careful. Download directly from their website. |
 | Status | A peer-to-peer open source private messenger, secure crypto wallet, and Ethereum Web3 DApp browser in one powerful communication tool. Chat with friends and growing communities. Buy, sell, store, and exchange digital assets. Browse the decentralized internet without being exploited for your data. |
 | Telegram FOSS | A very popular group messaging platform focused on speed and security. **Not encrypted by default** Be careful. Available on F-Droid. |
Productivity
Replaces components of Google Drive, iCloud, Microsoft Office, and Adobe PDF
 | Another Notes App | This app doesn't strive to innovate, it strives to provide a simple way to take notes. Material design is used to create a visually attractive interface. Available on F-Droid. |
 | LibreOffice Viewer | LibreOffice Viewer uses the same engine as LibreOffice for Windows, Mac, and Linux. This, combined with a new front-end based on Firefox for Android, reads documents similarly to LibreOffice desktop. Available on F-Droid. |
 | MuPDF | MuPDF is a lightweight PDF, XPS, and E-book viewer. It is small, fast, yet complete. It supports many document formats, such as PDF, XPS, OpenXPS, CBZ, EPUB, and FictionBook 2. Available on F-Droid |
 | Nextcloud | Allows access, sync and upload of your data, featuring instant upload for photos and videos, upload management and more. Requires an account on a Nextcloud platform. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Open Note Scanner | Capture documents, handwritten notes, arts, shopping receipts, etcetera. It will automatically adjust the image aspect, contrast and save it. It will allow browsing, view and share the scanned documents. Available on F-Droid. |
 | OpenTasks | Free open source task manager for Android that respects privacy of the user. Available on F-Droid. |
 | ownCloud | Free open source software you install on a server to manage files, contacts, calendars, music, pictures and much more. This is the official Android app which enables you to browse all of your ownCloud synced files, create and edit new files, and share these files and folders. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Simple Notes Pro | To do list widget with a notebook organizer, checklist, simple shopping list. It is free and open source, available on F-Droid. |
 | Unit Converter Ultimate | A free and open source comprehensive unit conversion tool with a clean user interface. Available on F-Droid. |
Social Media
Replaces Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
 | Tusky | Tusky is a lightweight client for Mastodon, a free and open-source social network server. It supports all Mastodon features, like photos, videos, lists, custom emojis and is designed according to material guidelines. Available on F-Droid. |
Security & Network Utilities
Replaces Google Authenticator and Authy
 | Aegis Authenticator | A free, secure and open source app to manage 2-step verification tokens for online services. Aegis Authenticator can import the entries of other popular authenticators, including Authy, andOTP, Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, and WinAuth. Available on F-Droid. |
 | andOTP | Time-based One-time Passwords (TOTP) from QR codes for two-factor authentication. Free and open source featuring encrypted storage, sleek design, and compatible with Google Authenticator. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Datura Firewall | Restrict network access to app at four levels (1) allow background network access, (2) allow network access, (3) allow Wi-Fi access, and (4) allow VPN access. Datura is available for installation during CalyxOS setup as part of their suite of privacy apps. |
 | Location Privacy | Not an app but rather a set of “privacy filters” for all of the various ways of sharing location. Available for installation during CalyxOS setup as part of their suite of privacy apps. |
 | NetGuard | Provides simple and advanced ways to block access to the internet - no root required. Applications and addresses can individually be allowed or denied access to your Wi-Fi and/or mobile connection. Available on F-Droid. |
 | OONI Probe | Examine the blocking of websites and instant messaging apps, measure your network’s speed and performance, and check whether systems that could be responsible for censorship and surveillance are in your network. Available on F-Droid. |
 | OpenKeychain | OpenKeychain helps you communicate more privately and securely by managing your digitally signed keys. It uses OpenPGP encryption standard and is compatible with a long list of apps. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Scrambled Exif | Scrambled Exif (pronounced eggsif) helps you remove the metadata in your pictures before you share them. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Termux | An Android terminal emulator and Linux environment app that works directly with no rooting or setup required. A minimal base system is installed automatically - additional packages are available using the APT package manager. Available on F-Droid. |
Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
Replaces ExpressVPN and Surfshark
 | CalyxVPN | With CalyxVPN, you can safely encrypt all your network traffic and route it through the Calyx Institute. Free and open source service featuring no account required, no logging, no data limit. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Mullvad | Top privacy-respecting paid VPN service. Protect your online privacy with a fast, trustworthy, and easy-to-use VPN. Available on F-Droid. |
 | ProtonVPN | A free, fast, safe, private, and secure VPN with no logs and no data limit. ProtonVPN also offers paid services. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Orbot | Orbot is a free proxy app that empowers other apps to use the internet more securely. Orbot uses Tor to encrypt your Internet traffic and then hides it by bouncing through a series of computers around the world. Available on F-Droid *requires Guardian Project repository*. |
 | RiseupVPN | Provides secure encrypted communication. The app is a custom build of se.leap.bitmaskclient. This version is pre-configured with one trusted provider, the Riseup collective, and allows anonymous VPN usage without manual setup. Available on F-Droid. |
Weather
Replaces Weather Channel, AccuWeather, and Yahoo Weather
 | Geometric Weather | A lightweight, powerful, open-source Material Design weather app featuring real-time temperature, daily forecasts up to 15 days, air quality and allergen information, and severe weather alerts. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Weather (Privacy Friendly) | Privacy Friendly Weather lets you watch the weather for cities and locations you are interested in. The app has been developed by the research group SECUSO at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Available on F-Droid. |
Web Browsers
Replaces Safari, Edge, and Chrome
 | Brave | A fast, free, secure web browser for mobile devices. Complete with a built-in ad blocker that prevents tracking, and optimized for mobile data and battery life savings. Available on Aurora Store. |
 | Bromite | Bromite is a Chromium fork with ad blocking and enhanced privacy. The main goal is to provide a no-clutter browsing experience without privacy-invasive features and with the addition of a fast ad-blocking engine. Available on F-Droid |
 | Cromite | Cromite is a Chromium fork based on Bromite with built-in support for ad blocking and an eye for privacy. Since Bromite is not being actively maintained, Cromite's goal is to "not let the excellent research work done by csagan5 with Bromite be lost". Available on F-Droid |
 | Chromium | Chromium is an open-source browser project that aims to build a safer, faster, and more stable way for all Internet users to experience the web. Pre-installed on CalyxOS and GrapheneOS. |
 | MetaGer | MetaGer is a non-profit German meta search engine that prioritizes user privacy and neutral results. Privacy features include a proxy for anonymity, no cookies, no tracking, deletes logs after 96 hours, optionally uses Tor Network for anonymous access. They also offer a premium service. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Privacy Browser | A web browser developed in the UK that respects users' privacy by minimizing data sent to the internet and data stored on the device. Features integrated EasyList ad blocking and Tor Orbit proxy support. Available on F-Droid. |
 | Tor Browser | All traffic is relayed over the Tor network. The browser offers the strongest defense against surveillance, tracking, and fingerprinting. Available on F-Droid. |