Android - Open-Source, Privacy, and convenience

The best Android apps for privacy and convenience. Open-source preferred. Remember, the most secure way to download an app is from its repo, such as Github. The Google Play store is actually more secure than F-Droid, as long as the app is trustworthy.

All of these have been tested as working on GrapheneOS and Android.

But remember, the more apps, the higher the attack surface..

Sam Lander
Sam LanderList by Sam Lander, last updated 
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  1. Necessary

  2. The most secure/private OS to replace Google.

    Alternative, CalyxOS: CalyxOS icon CalyxOS

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    GrapheneOS screenshot 1
    GrapheneOS screenshot 1
    GrapheneOS screenshot 2
  3. F-Droid icon
     Like

    I add Izzy to it: IzzyOnDroid icon IzzyOnDroid To add it to F-Droid, go to settings and add to repository: https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/ Here is the Repo: https://gitlab.com/IzzyOnDroid/repo

    HOWEVER, it is not the most secure way to add apps. More privacy, but not more secure. Not only are they updated less frequently, but it is not as secure as downloading from a repo like on GitHub (you can set up something like an RSS feed to get notified of new updates to download for your apps).

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    F-Droid screenshot 1
    F-Droid screenshot 2
    F-Droid screenshot 3
  4. K-9 Mail icon
     Like

    The best mail client for Android. Open-source.

    You can encrypt mail with an add-on app, OpenKeychain: OpenKeychain icon OpenKeychain

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    K-9 Mail screenshot 1
    K-9 Mail screenshot 2
    K-9 Mail screenshot 3
  5. They have a new app built from K-9 on Android, and I assume it will eventually replace K-9 completely. It offers seamless porting from your accounts on desktop to Android, which is quite convenient.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Haiku
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    Thunderbird screenshot 1
    Thunderbird screenshot 1
    Thunderbird screenshot 2
    +8
    Thunderbird screenshot 3
  6. Bitwarden icon
     Like

    Cross-platform password manager

    Alternatively, Proton Pass: Proton Pass icon Proton Pass Buttercup: Buttercup icon Buttercup Lesspass: LessPass icon LessPass

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Apple Watch
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Flathub
    • Microsoft SQL Server
    • Tor Browser
    • Safari
    • F-Droid
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Flatpak
    • Cloudron
    • Opera
    • Chocolatey
    • Mono
    • Brave
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Docker
    Bitwarden screenshot 1
    Bitwarden screenshot 1
    Bitwarden screenshot 2
    +10
    Bitwarden screenshot 3
  7. Open source authenticator for Android only.

    Recommend 2FAS if you want on iPhone also.

    Alternatively and for iPhone as well,

    • 2FAS (also has browser extension: 2FA Authenticator (2FAS) icon 2FA Authenticator (2FAS) (backup via encrypted folder on Google Drive (not automatic android backup) or manual encrypted file, app lock, browser extension (wouldn't recommend for security), import, blocks screenshot with timer to allow).
    • FreeOTP: FreeOTP icon FreeOTP (backup via Android Google automatic backup, or download ecrypted backup file. However, password cannot be changed later, and no 2fa itself, like email or phone.) Authenticator Pro: Stratum icon Stratum (only Android)

    Okay, but above are better,

    • Bitwarden Authenticate: Bitwarden Authenticator icon Bitwarden Authenticator (android automatic backups or manual unencrypted file backups. Only biometric app password. )

    Not recommended, based in India, can't see client-side what is happening, requires login:

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    Aegis Authenticator screenshot 1
    Aegis Authenticator screenshot 2
    Aegis Authenticator screenshot 3
  8. Open-source VPN client. Works with every trustworthy VPN provider. Preferable to closed-source apps.

    Alternatively, and faster than OpenVPN, but not all VPN providers use it yet, WireGuard: WireGuard icon WireGuard

    Alternatively, a proxy, Shadowsocks: Shadowsocks icon Shadowsocks

    But consider making your own VPN with a VPS: https://gist.github.com/joepie91/5a9909939e6ce7d09e29

    List of some good VPN: https://offshore.cat/vpn

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    OpenVPN Connect screenshot 1
    OpenVPN Connect screenshot 2
    OpenVPN Connect screenshot 3
  9. DNS + Firewall. Open-source. Be aware that alternative DNS opens you up to being fingerprinted as you don't blend in as well.

    Alternatively, (though none other than RethinkDNS allow simultaneous usage with a VPN protocol like Wireguard from my knowledge. they may or may not allow the use of proxies). TrackerControl: TrackerControl icon TrackerControl AdGuard: AdGuard icon AdGuard Blokada: Blokada icon Blokada

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    RethinkDNS screenshot 1
    RethinkDNS screenshot 2
    RethinkDNS screenshot 3
  10. Browsers

  11. Vanadium icon
     Like

    Currently the most secure browser on Android (need GrapheneOS).

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    Vanadium screenshot 1
  12. Mull icon
     Like

    Good, private browser for Android

    Alternatively, a Chromium-based browser, Cromite: Cromite icon Cromite

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    Mull screenshot 1
  13. Cross-platform, private and open-source note-taking app that syncs across devices.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    Standard Notes screenshot 1
    Free version.
    Cross-platform sync and end-to-end privacy
    +4
    Extensions and Themes
  14. Messaging

  15. KryptEY icon
     Like

    Android keyboard for secure E2EE communication through the signal protocol in any messenger. Communicate securely and independent, regardless of the legal situation or whether messengers use E2EE.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    KryptEY screenshot 1
    KryptEY screenshot 1
    KryptEY screenshot 2
    +7
    KryptEY screenshot 3
  16. Element icon
     Like

    A secure and private messaging app that does not require a phone number.

    For even more security (but not plug and play), Briar: Briar icon Briar

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Matrix.org
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    • Snapcraft
    Video calls for desktop and mobile
    Collaboration widgets
    Collaboration and screen sharing
    +1
    Connect with other apps
  17. Signal icon
     Like

    One of the most secure messaging apps, even endorsed by Snowden. However, at this time you have to use a phone number.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Snapcraft
    Signal screenshot 1
    Signal screenshot 1
    Signal screenshot 2
    +4
    Signal screenshot 3
  18. Telegram icon
     Like

    The most convenient messaging app that lets you delete messages at any time, and supports extremely large groups.

    Alternatively, a few different (sometimes less) features and faster and still official app, TelegramX: Telegram X icon Telegram X

    Alternatively for a web app (there are a few of these you can find on telegram.org), Telegram Web A: Telegram Web A icon Telegram Web A

    Alternatively for more features, but not official and some controversy with developers (use at own risk), NekoGram X: NekoGram X icon NekoGram X

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Apple Watch
    • Android Auto
    • Linux Mobile
    • Android Wear
    • PortableApps.com
    • FreeBSD
    • Apple Car Play
    Telegram Desktop
    Telegram iOS #1
    Telegram iOS #2
    +17
    Telegram iOS #3
  19. Media

  20. Works well. Unlike Desktop, it remembers your place by default. Good for playing audiobooks while driving or watching videos.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • AppImageHub
    • Apple Watch
    • Snapcraft
    • Google Chrome
    • Apple TV
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • F-Droid
    • Kindle Fire
    • Haiku
    • Android TV
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    VLC Media Player screenshot 1
    VLC Media Player screenshot 1
    VLC Media Player screenshot 2
    +4
    VLC Media Player screenshot 3
  21. Markor icon
     Like

    Simple text editor that supports both .txt and .md, so you can use it with notebooks like Zim Wiki or Obsidian if you sync them on the cloud.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Markor screenshot 1
    Markor screenshot 2
    Markor screenshot 3
  22. Use this for raw photos.

    If you are using Graphene, you may also want Google's proprietary camera app, Google Camera: Google Camera icon Google Camera

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Open Camera screenshot 1
    Open Camera screenshot 1
    Open Camera screenshot 2
    +2
    Open Camera screenshot 3
  23. ImagePipe icon
     Like

    Open-source app that reduces image size and wipes metadata from images before sending.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    home screen of the app
    editing
  24. Nice screenshot app you can use. You can add it to your quick settings tiles in the notification shade at the top, as an overlay, or by pressing buttons like you normally might.

    Then it lets you drag a box rather than having to crop later (but can also snap the entire screen).

    Quite efficient for meming.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    Screenshot Tile screenshot 1
  25. NewPipe icon
     Like

    Front-end for YouTube. Allows you to easily download videos/mp3, doesn't need Google Play services, let's you listen to music in background, etc.

    Alternatively and to remove ads: Tubular: Tubular icon Tubular

    Alternatively just to download videos/music from YouTube, Seal: Seal icon Seal

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • SoundCloud
    • YouTube Music
    • Flathub
    • Bandcamp
    • YouTube
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    • PeerTube
    Trending,
    Subscriptions
    Bookmarks
    +9
    Popup Player
  26. Turn photos of documents into small .pdf/.jpg. Good at making them look like black/white or color scans and cleaning up imperfections.

    Open-source, and edits into a small file even better than CamScanner. But at least on GrapheneOS, it doesn't take the photos well, so I take photos with the normal camera first.

    For a good proprietary option, but full of ads and not pro-privacy, CamScanner: CamScanner icon CamScanner

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • F-Droid
    OSS Document Scanner screenshot 1
    OSS Document Scanner screenshot 1
    OSS Document Scanner screenshot 2
    +1
    OSS Document Scanner screenshot 3
  27. Security

  28. Orbot icon
     Like

    Orbot is a freely licensed open-source application developed for the Android platform. It acts as a front-end to the Tor binary application, and also provides an HTTP Proxy for connecting web browsers and other HTTP client applications into the Tor SOCKS interface.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Orbot screenshot 1
    Orbot screenshot 2
    Orbot screenshot 3
  29. Collects and analyses mobile radio data to make you aware of your mobile network security and to warn you about threats like fake base stations (IMSI catchers), user tracking, and SS7 attacks.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    SnoopSnitch screenshot 1
    SnoopSnitch screenshot 2
    SnoopSnitch screenshot 3
  30. Haven icon
     Like

    Haven is for people who need a way to protect their personal spaces and possessions without compromising their own privacy. It is an Android application that leverages on-device sensors to provide monitoring and protection of physical spaces.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    Haven screenshot 1
    Haven screenshot 2
    Haven screenshot 3
  31. Anti-censorship tool to bypass deep packet inspection.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    DPI Tunnel screenshot 1
    DPI Tunnel screenshot 2
    DPI Tunnel screenshot 3
  32. This tool helps you detect potential "man-in-the-middle" attacks by comparing the security fingerprints of your SSL certificate with the one seen from a trusted external network. If the fingerprints don't match, it suggests someone might be tampering with your internet traffic.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Android
    Catch the Man-in-the-Middle screenshot 1
    Catch the Man-in-the-Middle screenshot 2
    Catch the Man-in-the-Middle screenshot 3
  33. Allows users to monitor and control the widespread, ongoing, hidden data collection in mobile apps about user behavior ('tracking').

    Alternatively, Exodus: Exodus Privacy icon Exodus Privacy

    ReThink DNS above may have much of the same features already, but TrackerControl may have some different information present and finetuning.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    TrackerControl screenshot 1
    TrackerControl screenshot 2
    TrackerControl screenshot 3
  34. URLCheck icon
     Like

    Set this as your default browser to automatically clean links of trackers and then open them in your browser of choice.

    Alternatively, Leon: Léon – The URL Cleaner icon Léon – The URL Cleaner

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    URLCheck screenshot 1
    URLCheck screenshot 1
    URLCheck screenshot 2
  35. Freeze apps (even some system apps) that you do not use. Save battery, increase security. Open-source.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    SuperFreezZ screenshot 1
    SuperFreezZ screenshot 2
    SuperFreezZ screenshot 3
  36. Koodous icon
     Like

    Scan .apk files and Android threat protection

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    Koodous screenshot 1
    Koodous screenshot 1
    Koodous screenshot 2
    +2
    Koodous screenshot 3
  37. Monitor GSM/CDMA/LTE network: current and neighboring cell infos, signal strength. Multi SIM support (when possible). Use GPS/geolocation. Generate database with custom info on cells. Export log to file CLF/KML. Map shows cell location. List WiFi access points.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    Netmonitor screenshot 1
    Netmonitor screenshot 2
    Netmonitor screenshot 3
  38. 🔔 Get the famous "Recording Indicators" feature of iOS14 to android. Get notified every time a third-party app or a service uses camera or microphone. - GitHub - NitishGadangi/Privacy-Indicator-App: 🔔 Get the famous "Recording...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    Privacy Indicators screenshot 1
    Privacy Indicators screenshot 2
    Privacy Indicators screenshot 3
  39. AirGuard icon
     Like

    Find out if someone is tracking you. May decrease battery. Open-source

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    AirGuard screenshot 1
    AirGuard screenshot 2
    AirGuard screenshot 3
  40. Nextcloud icon
     Like

    Open-Source Cloud Storage

    Alternatively, OwnCloud: ownCloud icon ownCloud

    For a good free, proprietary, but privacy-respecting option, kDrive: kDrive icon kDrive ProtonDrive: Proton Drive icon Proton Drive Filen: Filen icon Filen

    For a different sync option, Syncthing: Syncthing icon Syncthing

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • F-Droid
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Cloudron
    • Docker Hub
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • Flathub
    Simple and powerful file sync & share
    Simple upload even for people who don’t have Nextcloud
    Great Android & iOS apps to sync your files.
    +3
    Very easy theming
  41. Auto-shut off bluetooth when not in use for security and battery. Open-source.

    Not needed with GrapheneOS now, as this option is built-in.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    Greentooth screenshot 1
    Greentooth screenshot 2
  42. Other

  43. FUTO Voice Input is an application that lets you do speech-to-text on Android, integrating with third party keyboards or apps that use the generic speech-to-text APIs.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    FUTO Voice Input screenshot 1
    FUTO Voice Input screenshot 2
    FUTO Voice Input screenshot 3
  44. Unitto  icon
     Like

    Small and lightweight, open-source calculator and converter.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • F-Droid
    Unitto  screenshot 1
    Unitto  screenshot 2
    Unitto  screenshot 3
  45. Breezy Weather is a weather app with a strong focus on design, with a simple, clean UX, smooth animations, and Material Design all over, plus lots of customizability.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    Breezy Weather screenshot 1
    Breezy Weather screenshot 2
    Breezy Weather screenshot 3
  46. A quick, text-based launcher. You don't have to use it as a launcher. You can also set a widget.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    Blue Line Console screenshot 1
    Blue Line Console screenshot 2
    Blue Line Console screenshot 3
Page 1 of 2

Comments

Darlene Sonalder
1

I recently discover Alibi which is a great Echo alternative. There is also FadCam but not similar enough imo

1 reply
Sam Lander

Thanks, replaced Echo with Alibi.

Shakuni
1

Thanks! I've been searching for a FOSS document scanner for so many years now. OSS Document Scanner will be replacing Microsoft Lens for me.

Gu