In the mobile world, most apps available on Google Play are proprietary software, often filled with ads, invasive tracking, and features locked behind expensive subscriptions. Fortunately, there is an alternative: FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) applications.
FOSS apps offer numerous benefits, including greater transparency, respect for privacy, no intrusive ads, and an active community that keeps them updated without commercial interests. Many of these apps can be downloaded from F-Droid, an open-source alternative to the Play Store that offers only free software.
In this article, I want to share the 10 FOSS apps for Android that I can’t live without, providing a brief description of each and explaining why I find them so useful.
Droid-ify
Droid-ify is an alternative client for F-Droid, the well-known open-source app store for Android. It offers a modern and smooth interface, support for custom repositories, and fast app updates. Compared to the official client, Droid-ify stands out for its improved usability and more intuitive design (Material UI).
SD Maid 2/SE
SD Maid 2/SE is a powerful file cleaning and management app for Android. It helps remove junk files, analyze storage, delete leftover data from uninstalled apps, and monitor space usage. The SE (Storage Edition) version has been rewritten to support Android’s latest storage system changes.
Proton Pass
Proton Pass is a secure and open-source password manager, developed by the same team behind Proton Mail and Proton VPN. It offers end-to-end encryption for stored credentials, cross-device synchronization, and a strong focus on privacy without ads or tracking.
It also offers an integrated email alias feature and secure note creation.
personalDNSfilter
personalDNSfilter is a local DNS filter that blocks tracking and ads across the entire device. It works as a DNS proxy, preventing connections to unwanted servers and enhancing privacy and security while browsing. Users can also customize their own filtering rules.
LocalSend
LocalSend is an app for local file transfer, eliminating the need for the internet or external servers. It uses the Wi-Fi network to securely and quickly send files between Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux devices, without requiring accounts or cloud storage.
Tubular
Tubular is an open-source YouTube client that allows you to watch videos without ads, access content without logging in, and even download videos for offline viewing. It prioritizes user privacy by avoiding Google tracking.
It’s a fork of NewPipe that implements SponsorBlock and ReturnYouTubeDislike.
Seal
Seal is an open-source video and audio downloader for various online platforms. It supports downloading content in multiple formats and resolutions, offering advanced options like audio/video conversion and integration with YouTube-DLP.
It has a clean and modern interface in Material Design 3 with dynamic color theme.
Amaze
Amaze is a lightweight and open-source file manager with a clean and modern interface. It allows intuitive file management, supports FTP, SMB, and root access, and is completely free with no ads or in-app purchases.
An important feature is the ability to browse folders that are normally restricted (Android\OBB and Android\Data) thanks to SAF (Storage Access Framework) support.
K-9 Mail
K-9 Mail is an open-source email client that supports IMAP, POP3, and Exchange. It’s one of the best alternatives to proprietary email apps, featuring advanced customization, PGP encryption support, and a strong focus on privacy.
VLC
VLC is a powerful open-source media player capable of playing almost any video and audio format without additional codecs. It supports network streaming, subtitles, multiple audio tracks, and offers excellent compatibility with Android TV.
These apps are great alternatives to proprietary software, improving privacy, security, and freedom in your daily Android experience!
