Short Introduction
This is the ultimate curated guide of the best FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) Android apps. Combined from two major power user threads, it features apps recommended for privacy, productivity, system tweaking, media, and more. Whether you’re switching from proprietary apps or building a fully FOSS Android setup, this list gives you everything you need with tested links and smart tips.
Simplified One-Line Flowchart
Choose use-case ➔ Pick from the FOSS list ➔ Download from GitHub or F-Droid ➔ Stay private, powerful, and free
Easy Step-by-Step Method
Step 1: Pick a category below
- Each section contains standout FOSS apps with verified download links.
- All apps are community-tested, privacy-friendly, and 100% open source.
Privacy & Security Apps
-
Bitwarden – Password manager with encrypted sync
https://github.com/bitwarden/mobile -
Aegis – 2FA code manager with backup
https://github.com/beemdevelopment/Aegis -
TrackerControl – Block trackers in your installed apps
https://github.com/OxfordHCC/tracker-control-android -
Obtainium – Update FOSS apps from GitHub, F-Droid, etc.
https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium -
Ente Auth – Secure FOSS 2FA with encrypted backup
https://ente.io/auth/ -
Hypatia – Malware scanner
https://github.com/MaintainTeam/Hypatia
Browsers & Network Tools
-
Cromite – Bromite successor (Chromium fork with privacy)
https://github.com/uazo/cromite -
Fennec – Firefox without Mozilla telemetry
https://f-droid.org/packages/org.mozilla.fennec_fdroid/ -
RethinkDNS – Firewall, DNS-over-HTTPS client
https://github.com/celzero/rethink-app -
IronFox – Security-hardened Firefox fork
https://github.com/ironfox-oss/IronFox -
Aurora Store – Anonymous access to Google Play Store
https://gitlab.com/AuroraOSS/AuroraStore
Media & Content Apps
-
VLC – Plays virtually all video/audio formats
https://f-droid.org/packages/org.videolan.vlc/ -
Seal – Download videos from almost any website
https://github.com/JunkFood02/Seal -
NewPipe / LibreTube / PipePipe / Tubular – YouTube without ads or tracking
https://github.com/TeamNewPipe/NewPipe
https://github.com/libre-tube/LibreTube
https://f-droid.org/packages/org.polymorphicshade.tubular/ -
Auxio / CuteMusic / Gramophone – Lightweight offline music players
https://github.com/OxygenCrisis/Auxio
https://github.com/tbarnes2/CuteMusic
https://github.com/ZacSweers/gramophone
File & System Tools
-
LocalSend – Local network file transfer
https://github.com/localsend/localsend -
Material Files – Open-source file manager with SMB support
https://github.com/MohammadAG/MaterialFiles -
MJ PDF / Secure PDF Viewer – Secure and lightweight PDF readers
https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/MJ-PDF
https://github.com/GrapheneOS/PdfViewer -
EtchDroid – Write Linux ISOs to USB flash drives
https://github.com/etchdroid/etchdroid -
App Manager – Deep control over installed apps (requires root for full features)
https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager -
InstallWithOptions – Advanced APK installer with root/Shizuku
https://github.com/zacharee/InstallWithOptions
Productivity & Utility Apps
-
Tasks.org – Advanced task manager with CalDAV sync
https://github.com/tasks/tasks -
Loop Habit Tracker – Habit tracker with clean UI
https://github.com/iSoron/uhabits -
Markor / Notesnook / Quillpad – Open-source note apps
https://github.com/gsantner/markor
https://github.com/streetwriters/notesnook
https://github.com/hussainweb/quillpad -
Read You / Feeder / Capy Reader – RSS feed readers
https://github.com/Ashinch/ReadYou
https://github.com/spacecowboy/Feeder
https://capyreader.com/ -
LibreOffice Viewer – View documents and spreadsheets
https://www.libreoffice.org/download/android-viewer/
System Enhancement (Root/Shizuku)
-
EnforceDoze – Forces Doze mode faster
https://github.com/farfromrefug/EnforceDoze -
DarQ – Force apps into dark mode
https://github.com/KieronQuinn/DarQ -
Extinguish – Turn off screen while running tasks (root/Shizuku)
https://github.com/Moderpach/Extinguish -
Shizuku – Privileged API access without full root
https://github.com/RikkaApps/Shizuku -
Termux – Terminal for Android with full shell access
https://github.com/termux/termux-app
Games, Frontends & Fun
-
Shattered Pixel Dungeon – Roguelike RPG
https://github.com/00-Evan/shattered-pixel-dungeon -
PPSSPP – PlayStation Portable emulator
https://github.com/hrydgard/ppsspp -
Wallabag – Save articles for offline reading
https://github.com/wallabag/wallabag -
Syncthing-Fork – Device-to-device sync without the cloud
https://github.com/Catfriend1/syncthing-android
Launchers & Keyboards
-
Lawnchair – Pixel-like customizable launcher
https://github.com/LawnchairLauncher/lawnchair -
Kvaesitso – Launcher with search-first UI
https://github.com/MM2-0/Kvaesitso -
HeliBoard / FlorisBoard / OpenBoard – Open-source keyboard options
https://github.com/Helium314/HeliBoard
https://github.com/florisboard/florisboard
https://github.com/dslul/openboard
Quick Tips
- Use Obtainium to manage updates of apps from GitHub directly.
- Apps marked with (root/Shizuku) need advanced access — only use if you know what you’re doing.
- Combine Droid-ify or Aurora Store for browsing and downloading apps not on Play Store.
Important Notes
- Always verify app authenticity via GitHub or F-Droid. Avoid shady APK sites.
- Some apps offer optional paid versions, but their base functionality remains fully FOSS.
- While most apps don’t require root, certain features (like debloating or battery tweaking) may.
- Some apps like Fennec may lag behind upstream Firefox — check changelogs before switching.
!