Private and open-source alternatives to Apple App Store
7 app stores rated against the same public privacy criteria as Apple App Store (App Store), with our picks first.
Why look for an alternative?
- Open source: no. Closed source.
- No trackers or telemetry: partial. No third-party trackers are described, but Apple collects App Store usage, searches and downloads linked to the Apple Account by default, with personalization that can be turned off.
- No ads or data sales: no. The App Store shows ads from Apple's ad platform, which can use Apple Account, download and purchase data for targeting.
- Independent audit: no. No independent audit is published.
- No account needed: no. Downloads, including free apps, require signing in with an Apple Account and are logged with it.
- Shows trackers and anti-features: partial. Listings show privacy labels, but their contents are self-reported by developers.
See the full Apple App Store rating.
The alternatives
F-Droid Grade A
Installable catalogue of FOSS applications for Android, with a client that browses, installs and tracks updates of apps on your device.
F-Droid scores 92 out of 100 (grade A) on the app stores criteria. It meets 5 of 6 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, no account needed and shows trackers and anti-features.
Droid-ify Grade B
Open source Android client for F-Droid repositories with background updates, several install methods and one-tap repository adding.
Droid-ify scores 85 out of 100 (grade B) on the app stores criteria. It meets 5 of 6 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, no account needed and shows trackers and anti-features.
Neo Store Grade B
Open source Android client for F-Droid repositories with around a hundred built-in repositories, reproducible build labels and a privacy panel that lists trackers and permissions.
Neo Store scores 85 out of 100 (grade B) on the app stores criteria. It meets 5 of 6 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, no account needed and shows trackers and anti-features.
Accrescent Grade B
Android app store with signing key pinning, signed repository metadata and unattended updates. Developers upload apps signed with their own keys, and it is still in alpha.
Accrescent scores 77 out of 100 (grade B) on the app stores criteria. It meets 4 of 6 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and no account needed.
Obtainium Grade B
Open source Android app that installs and updates apps directly from their release pages, such as GitHub, GitLab, Codeberg and F-Droid repositories, and notifies when new releases appear.
Obtainium scores 77 out of 100 (grade B) on the app stores criteria. It meets 4 of 6 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and no account needed.
IzzyOnDroid Grade C
F-Droid compatible repository of free and open source Android apps, distributing APKs built and signed by their developers after security and library scans, with reproducible build checks.
IzzyOnDroid scores 73 out of 100 (grade C) on the app stores criteria. It meets 4 of 6 criteria: no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, no account needed and shows trackers and anti-features.
Aurora Store Grade D
Open source Android client for the Google Play Store that downloads apps from Google's servers without Google Play Services. It can use a personal Google account or shared anonymous accounts.
Aurora Store scores 46 out of 100 (grade D) on the app stores criteria. It meets 3 of 6 criteria: open source, no account needed and shows trackers and anti-features.