TO
Third Opinion’s noteEven though not everything google is gone, it still is the best approach with a wide user base.
Fond of testing out new phones? Fond of using LineageOS and other custom ROMs? Yes, me too!
It can be just a pain to keep track of all those apps, so I created this list to help myself and others. I try to stay away from big companies that spy a lot and also rather tend to open source wherever possible.
PS: Don't run dry - always keep looking for alternatives. Always try to have another app as fallback. As so often in life, relying solely on one single thing will bring DOOM!
PS2: Still work in progress...
Basics
The very basic stuff to get you started and keep going
- TOThird Opinion’s note
Probably your first stop to get more apps. It is an app store, has much less stuff than google play but it get's you covered for starters... and it opens the door to the next appAurora.
Aurora Store enables you to search and download apps from the official Google Play store. You can check app descriptions, screenshots, updates, reviews, and download the APK directly from Google Play to your device.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Android
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- F-Droid
- OpenAPK
TOThird Opinion’s noteYour second stop for even more apps: An alternative to google's play store - no account needed, of course.
Naked Browser uses the Android WebView (WebKit) that's on your device--the same one used by the stock Browser. The developer has scoured the stock Browser code removing bloat, creating a lightweight, lightning-fast alternative.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Android
- Android Tablet
TOThird Opinion’s noteBest browser I have ever seen on android, its pro version is totally worth the money, rly! You might wonder, why is a browser essential? Well, check your cookies... a bare minimum of privacy is just not negotiable
Browser using the Gecko layout engine to render web pages, which implements current and anticipated web standards.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Android
- F-Droid
- OpenAPK
TOThird Opinion’s noteFirefox on Android, a good replacement for the builtin chrome. Also supports many good addons like ublock and noscript...
FX File Explorer features a Material Design UI and new ways to transfer your files between devices and computers
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Android
+7
TOThird Opinion’s noteYour swiss army knife to handle your files. Its free version only lacks network support (see mixplorer) and really easy to handle.
MiXplorer (Mix of Explorers) is a fast, smooth, beautiful, reliable and fully-featured file manager with a simple and intuitive user interface.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Android
+13
TOThird Opinion’s noteYour other swiss army knife to handle your files. And this one also supports a lot of networking (samba, webdav, sftp and file hosters). Needs some learning but its versatility pays off quickly.
Provides systemless root access, module installation, system property editing, and evasion of SafetyNet or integrity checks while keeping source fully open.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Android
- Android Tablet
- F-Droid
- OpenAPK
TOThird Opinion’s noteOPTIONAL but the way to go when you need or want root... and the special goodies for it are listed in https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/collection-of-magisk-modules-v2.3575758/
2nd Line of Defense
Still essential needs but with a hint of additinal luxury
An ad blocker that uses the hosts file. The hosts file contains a list of mappings between hostnames and IP addresses. When an app requests an ad, that request is directed to 127.0.0.1 which does nothing.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Android
- Android Tablet
- F-Droid
TOThird Opinion’s noteSplendid adblocker and best with root (see magisk).
Conversations is a privacy focused, open source XMPP Texting [Jabber] client for Android 4.0+ smart phones with wife-approved easy encryption [OTR, OMEMO, or GPG].
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Android
- Android Tablet
- F-Droid
+4
TOThird Opinion’s noteThey claim "The very last word in instant messaging". Well, centralized messengers are certainly not a solution and how can they be trusted without source code?
With a jabber-client like conversation you are in a federated space like email - it is as resilient as the internet itself without a single point of failure.
Cost / License
- Free
- Proprietary
Application type
Platforms
- Windows
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
TOThird Opinion’s noteWeirdest keyboard ever but within a week you master it. After that you can write with a single hand on a bumpy bus ride or even on a horse. Bonus: Most people probably would never ask again for your phone once they fail at first :D
K-9 is an open source email client for Android with multi-folder sync, email signatures, Bcc-to-self, return-address configuration, keyboard shortcuts, Exchange Support, message flagging, IMAP deletes, saving attachments, configurable notifications and more.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Android
- Android Tablet
- F-Droid
- OpenAPK
TOThird Opinion’s noteSimple email for simple needs... if that is not good enough then take fair email.
Privacy-focused, open-source email app offering encryption, unlimited accounts, customizable features, unified inbox, and low data usage.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Open Source
Application type
Platforms
- Android
- Android Tablet
- F-Droid
- OpenAPK
TOThird Opinion’s noteQuite frankly, the gold standard for email - the settings are so vast, you better bring some wine and cheese and lots of time! For exmaple, it can remove the tracking from your emails.
Tuta is an all-in-one email, calendar and contacts app which protects your data with full end-to-end encryption and it requires zero personal information. Tuta is built with open source software so you can inspect every piece of code running on your devices so you can be sure...
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Flathub
- F-Droid
- OpenAPK
- Thunderbird
TOThird Opinion’s noteFree email included. And it is always a good idea to have a spare email.
Facilitates device communication, enabling notifications, SMS replies, file sharing, and remote control across multiple operating systems.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- iPad
- KDE Plasma
- F-Droid
- Sailfish OS
- Plasma Mobile
- Chocolatey
- OpenAPK
+4
TOThird Opinion’s noteLike fax machines - the more computers have it, the more useful it becomes. Share freely and quickly anything within your home network. Or shut down your computer. Or just use your phone's screen as mouse. And it just keeps getting better.
The Finishing Touch
Absolutely optional but some apps I keep having for years now and dragging them from one phone to another...
A simple task list manager that strives to have just enough features to do GTD, but no more. Based on the
Todo.txt app so a todo.txt file.Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Android
- Android Tablet
- F-Droid
+3
TOThird Opinion’s noteOrganize your notes, your ideas, perhaps even your entire life! Or at least your shopping list ;)
Navigation app with offline and online OSM maps, turn-by-turn voice guidance, cycling and driving modes, GPX tracking, POI search, and monthly updates.
Cost / License
- Freemium
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
- HUAWEI AppGallery
- iPad
- Android Auto
- F-Droid
- Kindle Fire
- Apple Car Play
- OpenAPK
TOThird Opinion’s noteGot lost? Well, don't! Splendid maps that get better and better, including hidden paths!
Offers offline access to Wikipedia and other web content using ZIM format, with full text search, export options, multi-language support, and platform compatibility.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
- iPhone
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Microsoft Edge
- Google Chrome
- Flathub
- Wine
- Mozilla Firefox
+4
TOThird Opinion’s noteHow to fill your 256GB memory card? Well, you can start with a complete copy of wiki - that'll be 80GB already - all the knowledge of the world at your fingertips! https://wiki.kiwix.org/wiki/Content_in_all_languages
Real-time audio spectrum analyzer with reasonable frequency resolution across the the entire frequency spectrum.
Cost / License
- Free
- Proprietary
Platforms
- Android
TOThird Opinion’s noteSeomthing beeping? This might help to figure out if it's a coil in your computer or just tinnitus :D
Translate instantly across 100+ languages with real-time input, voice on mobile, and offline options. Free with Google integration.
Cost / License
- Free
- Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Platforms
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Google Docs
+6
TOThird Opinion’s noteDang! For this one thing I have not found a worthy replacement. Yet...
The #1 open-source Android GNSS/GPS test program. Contribute to barbeau/gpstest development by creating an account on GitHub.
Cost / License
- Free
- Open Source
Platforms
- Android
TOThird Opinion’s noteNeed to check if your GPS works?
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