There’s a whole suite of free open-source Android apps you probably didn’t know about

If you are an Android user, you must have heard about free and open source software (FOSS) at least once. FOSS apps are often considered secure and a good option by the Android community, as they are free, and their source code is publicly available. For any app on your Android device, there's a chance you can find an amazing FOSS replacement for that app.

However, FOSS apps are generally unavailable on Google Play, although there are some notable exceptions. Instead, you'll find FOSS apps on third-party app stores and websites that specifically cater to this market. There are many underrated FOSS projects. In fact, there is a whole world of free apps for Android devices that you don't even know about, and some of it will make you think twice about the apps you're currently using.

FOSS apps are the free alternatives to your daily apps

Why spend money when you can get the same features for nothing?

FOSS apps are generally free. In some cases, you may find apps offer one-time subscription fees to support development. However, most of the time, this unlocks amazing features and long-term support from the developer. These are often open-source apps, distributed and managed by a community​​​​​, or perhaps a single developer with a passion.

Now, unlike closed-source apps, you can find the source code for almost every FOSS app on platforms like GitHub or GitLab. This is one of the many benefits of using FOSS apps, as you can theoretically check, inspect, and verify the code yourself, reporting any issues you find. However, I appreciate that checking code isn't for everyone, but the idea, overall, is that this is entirely possible. The communities running open-source apps are typically resourceful and have many individuals who can identify issues, bugs, and vulnerabilities, so they are often discovered and addressed.

Another great benefit of FOSS apps is that they are free from malicious trackers, hidden subscriptions, and spammy ads. So while using an FOSS app, you can rest assured that you won't be tracked, bombarded with ads, or even imposed restrictions to buy subscriptions. You may run into the odd support request, and some apps will collect metadata for development purposes, but you know it's not being used to bombard you with rubbish or track you around the internet.

How to install FOSS apps on Android

Step-by-step guide to install FOSS app on Android

Installing FOSS or any other third-party apps on Android is relatively easy.

1. Open the Settings app on your Android.
2. Navigate or search for App Settings.
3. Open the list of All Apps within app settings.
4. Now, tap on the app from where you are downloading the FOSS app. (In my case, I am installing from Google Chrome)
5. Scroll down to the Advanced settings section within app settings.
6. Tap the Install unknown apps setting option.
7. Toggle it on.

Everything is complete. You are now ready to install apps from unknown sources. If you're using any FOSS app stores, you can follow the same process to enable app installation from those sources as well.

The best places to download FOSS apps for Android devices

There are several secure ways to obtain Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) apps on Android. You can download FOSS apps from the official websites of the apps, GitHub, or from dedicated FOSS app stores. These platforms offer a wide variety of FOSS apps that you might have never known existed.

F-Droid

One of the biggest FOSS app stores available for Android. The F-Droid app store features hundreds of secure and verified FOSS apps. It features a catalogue of over 4,000 FOSS apps in any category you can think of. If this is your first time getting into FOSS Android apps, this is the right place to start.

Neo Store

Neo Store is a F-Droid client with a much more polished and modern UI. Neo Store's slick interface makes it more user-friendly and accessible. With Neo Store's explore page, you can discover newly released FOSS apps. You can also follow Neo Store on TAIGA and Telegram to discuss any queries you may have.

Accrescent app store

Accrescent is a FOSS app store that is focused on security. It is built with a focus on app privacy and security in mind. Apps on Accrescent are signed to prevent tampering with sensitive information in the event that the server is compromised. All of these apps are secured and have downgrade prevention, adding an extra layer of security.

offa / android-foss GitHub repository

GitHub user offa has compiled a list of FOSS apps in each category available. There are multiple categories, such as editors, games, recovery, and streaming. All the necessary apps you can think of are listed here. Each category in this list features multiple app options. All of these apps on the list are verified, and the ones available on GitHub include their source code.

Obtanium

Lastly, there's Obtanium, a Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) app updater. If you're using any FOSS apps from the web or other FOSS sources, Obtanium helps you update those apps without any hassle. It fetches updates directly from their official GitHub repository and keeps your apps up to date. It even notifies you when an update is available, so you won't have to constantly check which apps need updating.

Give your Android device the FOSS apps it deserves

FOSS apps are generally free, secure, and community-driven with continued support and feature additions. These applications can replace many apps you have on your Android device with more secure and, in many cases, feature-rich alternatives. Even if there isn’t a direct FOSS replacement for your favorite app, there are plenty of other options that can be valuable additions to your app list.