Droid-Break
Web Browser^
| Proprietary | Free alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
FirefoxFirefox is a well known browser available for the desktop as well as Android.
IcecatGNU version of Firefox, which gets rid of the non-free addons, plugins and the trademark license. It also adds privacy and security features.
Lightning BrowserA speedy, lightweight browser with modern navigation.
(free)
(pro)
|
Firefox uses Yahoo search by default. It also promotes add-ons which may use proprietary services. Have a look at these add-ons instead. |
Social Networking^
| Proprietary | Free alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Tinfoil for FacebookTinfoil for Facebook lets you use the mobile website without having the rest of your web browsing tracked. It requires far fewer permissions than the official app.
TwidereTwidere is a feature-rich, ad-free Twitter client with material design and a tablet mode.
Tweet LanesTweet Lanes is a user friendly Twitter and App.net client with lots of functions.
ImpellerImpeller is one of the first open source mobile clients for pump.io and can be used e.g. with identi.ca.
AndStatusAndStatus is a very lightweight and low traffic Twitter, GNU social (formerly StatusNet), as well as pump.io client that derived from AndTweet.
|
Twidere might promote non-free add-ons. Popular GNU Social instances include Quitter, LoadAverage or Vinilox. |
Messenger^
| Proprietary | Free alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
ConversationsConversations is an XMPP client focused on ease of use and security. Supports end-to-end encryption using OTR or OpenPGP.
XabberXabber is a famous XMPP client with OTR support.
(free)
(supporter)
ChatSecureChatSecure is an XMPP client with OTR support developed by the Guardian Project.
KontalkKontalk is an end-to-end encrypted messenger, based on Open Standards (XMPP and OpenPGP). It automatically encrypts all messages and media without any user intervention.
surespot
surespot is an end-to-end encrypted messenger that's supposed to be as easy as WhatsApp.
SignalSignal is an end-to-end encrypted messenger. They run their own server and the cryptography is similar to the proven OTR and done by specialists. Group chat is supported and you can send media files. VoIP is also supported. There is also an iOS version.
TelegramTelegram is an encrypted messenger just like WhatsApp and supports end-to-end encryption when choosing the "secret chat" option. It also has all the other things you would want from a messenger like group chats and photo/video sharing.
|
Don't have a XMPP account yet? Have a look at the IM Observatory and register one at a server of your choice. OTR stands for off-the-record, a form of end-to-end encryption. End-to-end encryption ensures that only the person with whom you're communicating can decrypt your message. Be careful with trusting Telegram's encryption. They are also not end-to-end encrypted by default. All messages are stored on their servers except when using the "secret chat" option. |
VoIP^
| Proprietary | Free alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
SignalUses end-to-end encryption and their own network. Very easy to use. Requires to sign up. There is also an iOS version. It is formerly known as a separate application called RedPhone.
CSipSimpleEasy to use SIP client that supports end-to-end encryption.
LinphoneEasy to use SIP client with video and end-to-end encryption support.
|
Signal uses special infrastructure, for all other apps you need a SIP account. Have a look on Wikipedia to find a SIP-provider. Ostel is a free and easy to use SIP service run by the Guardian Project. |
Multimedia^
| Proprietary | Free alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
VLCVLC is a well known media player. It's also one of the few players that already play the new opus audio format.
Vanilla MusicVanilla Music is a simple but yet sufficient player for mp3, ogg, flac and pcm files. It also supports tags and folders. It's the current fork of the abandoned original Vanilla Player.
Jams Music PlayerJams Music Player is an elegant and powerful music player. It used to be a paid, proprietary app but the developer decided to open-source it. This is the free compiled GitHub version.
VoiceVoice manages and plays backs your audiobooks.
NewPipeNewPipe is a lightweight YouTube viewer. You can also download videos and watch them when offline.
AntennaPodPodcast player for downloading and streaming audio and video podcasts.
|
Email^
| Proprietary | Free alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
K-9 MailK-9 Mail is a feature-rich client that supports POP3, IMAP, Exchange 2003/2007 (with WebDAV) and PGP-encryption.
|
We are still missing some good alternatives here. Know any? Write an email or fork the project on GitHub and add your favourite FOSS email client via pull-request. |
Calendar^
| Proprietary | Free alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
EtarEtar is material designed calendar based on the ASOP calendar.
Offline CalendarLets you add offline calendars to the Calendar app, which are not synchronized and are accessible only on the device itself. Create the calendar in this app and it will then be available in the Calendar app.
Standalone CalendarFork of the original calendar from AOSP (Android Open Source Project), built from the Android 4.3 source tree. Not updated since 2013.
|
Notes^
| Proprietary | Free alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Writeily ProSimple and efficient notepad featuring markdown support, folders, and a PIN lock.
TomdroidA port of the popular desktop application Tomboy.
OI NotepadOI notepad is a simple and lightweight notepad app.
NoNonsense NotesNotepad and TODO app with sync support.
|
News Reader^
| Proprietary | Free alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Nextcloud News ReaderownCloud News Reader connects to your Nextcloud / ownCloud instance and downloads the RSS-feeds.
spaRSSspaRSS is a light RSS/ATOM-reader that doesn't synchronize with an online feed reader (unlike ownCloud News Reader). It's based on Flym.
TTRSS-ReaderAn offline reader that works with the Tiny Tiny RSS web-based feed reader/aggregator.
RedReaderRedReader is a news reader for the popular website reddit. It comes with multiple languages and tablet mode.
|
File Manager^
| Proprietary | Free alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Amaze File ManagerMaterial designed with an app manager and many colorful skins. Compress and extract files, save bookmarks, and view history.
Ghost CommanderA feature rich file manager with dual panel navigation, compressed file support, plugins for samba, ftp and sftp and lots more.
OI File ManagerOI File Manager is a file manager with everything you would expect and need.
|
Navigation^
| Proprietary | Free alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
CityZenCityZen is a companion app to navigate the city based on OpenStreetMap.
MAPS.MEMAPS.ME is an offline navigation and map viewer based on OpenStreetMap.
OsmAndOsmAnd uses OpenStreetMap data, offline navigation is possible.
(free)
(pro)
TransportrTransportr is a public transit router for select cities and regions.
|
You can help improve the quality of OpenStreetMap by registering an account and mapping your community.
It is possible to directly download maps for OsmAnd and MAPS.ME. |
Keyboard^
| Proprietary | Free alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Hacker's KeyboardHacker's Keyboard supports many languages and an autocomplete feature. It's also great for Tab/Ctrl/Esc keys, a number bar and arrow keys, in case you are missing a hardware button.
AnySoftKeyboardAnySoftKeyboard offers multiple languages with autocomplete support, swipe gestures, multitouch and much more.
|
We are still missing some good alternatives here. Know any? Write an email or fork the project on GitHub and add your favourite FOSS keyboard app via pull-request. |
Cloud^
| Proprietary | Free alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
ownCloudConnects to an ownCloud instance.
DAVx⁵Synchronization solution for both contacts (CardDAV) and calendars (CalDAV). Requires a hosting server. Previously known as DAVdroid.
|
We are still missing some good alternatives here. Know any? Write an email or fork the project on GitHub and add your favourite FOSS cloud app via pull-request. |
Office^
| Proprietary | Free alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
LibreOffice ViewerView many Open Document and Microsoft Office file formats.
Document ViewerSupports PDF, DjVu and other formats.
FBReaderFBReader supports the most common e-book formats as well as a couple of e-book stores. Expandable with add-ons. Does not read PDF files yet.
CoolReaderCoolReader is a powerful ebook app. It supports lots of formats and Asian languages.
|
FBReader add-ons might not be open source or use trustworthy services. |
Security^
| Proprietary | Free alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
FreeOTPFreeOTP is a two factor a.k.a two-step authentication client that helps increase the security of your online accounts.
KeePassDroidKeePassDroid is a password manager that stores your passwords in an encrypted database which can be unlocked with a master passphrase. Passwords can then easily be entered into webpages or applications by copying them to the clipboard. The desktop counterpart is KeePass.
Wi-Fi Privacy PoliceWi-Fi Privacy Police prevents your device from leaking private information through everyday use of Wi-Fi. This information could be used to track your movements, identify your home or workplace, and force your device to connect to a malicious Wi-Fi network. More information here (PDF).
PreyPrey tracks your stolen phone/tablet and gives you full control over it like camera, GPS, SMS, email etc
OpenConnectSSL VPN client compatible with traditional Cisco AnyConnect gateways and with ocserv.
OpenVPN for AndroidConnects to any OpenVPN gateway that uses tun mode. No root required.
AFWall+Firewall (iptables frontend), based on DroidWall. Requires root.
orWallForce selected applications through Orbot while preventing unchecked applications to have network access. Requires root. Conflict: all other firewall application such as AFWall, DroidWall, etc
|
Do your web services support two factor authentication? Search here for a green checkmark under the software implementation column. Create a strong master passphrase using the Diceware method. |
Misc^
| Proprietary | Free alternative | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Minimal Open Source FlashlightMinimalistic approach to a flashlight: just one switch in the middle of the screen.
c:geoGeocaching client for geocaching.com. With OpenStreetMap and offline support.
MitzuliOffline/online translator for a variety of languages. Supports text, voice, and image input.
Flappy CowA clone of the famous Flappy Bird game that has been taken down in February 2014.
QuickLyricGet lyrics for the music you're currently listening to or search for specific songs.
PassAndroidDisplays Passbook (*.pkpass) files & shows the Barcode (QR, PDF417 and AZTEC format). It can be used also when offline.
SyncthingSyncthing replaces proprietary sync and cloud services with something open, trustworthy and decentralized. Your data is your data alone and you deserve to choose where it is stored, if it is shared with some third party and how it's transmitted over the Internet.
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Any other interesting apps that people would use everyday? Write me an email or fork the project on GitHub and add your favourite FOSS app via pull-request. Flappy Cow shows advertisements. |
