Alternatives to Google Play and the App Store
Install apps from places that do not set the rules for what you can run.
Ranked by score out of 30, most convivial first.
F-Droid
An Android app store with only free software, and labels for what each app does.
Obtainium
Installs and updates Android apps directly from their makers' pages.
IzzyOnDroid
An F-Droid compatible repository with more open source apps.
Flathub
The main app store for Linux, built on the Flatpak format.
Aurora Store
A way into the Google Play catalogue without a Google account.
For comparison
The big names these tools are measured against. We review them as benchmarks, so they sit outside the directory.
About these tools
An app store decides what exists on your phone. F-Droid lists only free software and tells you what each app does with your data, Obtainium installs apps straight from their makers, IzzyOnDroid adds more open source apps to F-Droid, Aurora Store reaches the Play catalogue without an account, and Flathub does the same job for Linux desktops.
These are mostly for Android and Linux, because Apple's phones do not allow stores of this kind.
How to choose
Start with F-Droid and see whether the apps you need are there. For the rest, Obtainium and Aurora Store fill gaps. Expect fewer big brand names and more small tools made by people who care about the details.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an alternative to the Google Play Store?
F-Droid is a store for free and open source Android apps, run by a nonprofit.
Can I get Play Store apps without a Google account?
Aurora Store lets you browse and install them without signing in, though it still depends on Google's servers.
What about iPhones?
Apple does not allow other stores in most places, so these tools are mainly for Android and Linux.