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This is a list of notable applications (apps) that run on the Android platform which meet guidelines for free software and open-source software.
Application name | Description | Availability | License | API | Note | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aptoide | Google Play | F-Droid | |||||
AdAway | Ad blocker | No | No | Yes | GNU GPLv3 | L16 / 4.1+ | |
Adblock Plus | Ad blocker | ? | No | No | GNU GPLv3 | L7 / 2.1+ | Standalone filtering app was removed from Google Play for breaching Play terms of service. |
Application name | Description | Availability | License | API | Note | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aptoide | F-Droid | Google Play | |||||
Brave | Chromium-based web browser with emphasis on tracking prevention, and reforming ad-blocking | Yes | No | Yes | MPL | 4.1+ | Has in-built ad blocker |
Chromium | Primary code-base of Chrome; uses Blink and V8 engines | No | No | No | BSD | 4.4+ | |
DuckDuckGo | Chromium-based; focuses on privacy & tracking protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Apache 2.0 | 5.0+ | |
Fennec F-Droid | Rebadged fork of Firefox; aims to remove proprietary components | No | Yes | No | MPL | 4.1+ | Same with Firefox for Android, but some proprietary code removed. |
Firefox for Android | Customizable with add-ons; uses Gecko engine | Yes | No | Yes | MPL | 4.1+ | Removed from F-Droid |
Firefox Focus/Klar | Privacy centered browser; uses Gecko engine (GeckoView) | Yes | No | Yes | MPL | 5.0+ | |
GNU IceCat | GNU Project version of Firefox | No | No Archived 2018-03-24 at the Wayback Machine | No | MPL | 4.0.3+ | IceCat contains features not found in mainline Firefox release and eschews all usage of proprietary components. |
Tor Browser | Mozilla-based browser enhanced for use on Tor anonymity network | Yes | Yes | Yes | MPL | 4.0.3+ | Available in F-Droid by activating the extra Guardian Project repository |
Application name | Description | Availability | License | API | Note | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Google Play | F-Droid | |||||
Collabora Online | Office suite with Microsoft Office compatible word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and vector graphics editor | Yes | Yes | MPLv2 | 5.0+ | An enterprise-ready edition of LibreOffice |
ownCloud | Client for synchronization server | Yes | Yes | GPLv2 | 4.0+ | |
Nextcloud | Client for synchronization server | Yes | Yes | GPLv2 | 4.0+ |
Application name | Description | Availability | License | API | Note | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Google Play | F-Droid | |||||
ConnectBot | SSH, telnet, and terminal emulator | Yes | Yes | Apache 2.0 | 1.5+ | |
CSipSimple | SIP & VoIP client | No | No | GPLv3 | 1.6+ | |
Element | Federated instant messaging and group chat client using the Matrix protocol. | Yes | Yes | Apache 2.0 | 4.1+ | |
Jitsi | Videoconferencing and instant messenger | Yes | Yes | LGPLv2.1 | ? | |
K-9 Mail | Advanced email client | Yes |
Yes |
Apache 2.0 | 2.2+ | Supports OpenPGP integration with OpenKeychain |
Linphone | Video SIP/VoIP client | Yes |
Yes | GPLv2 | 2.2+ | |
Mastodon | federated social network | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | 6.0+ | |
Session | distributed blockchain-based messenger | ? | ? | GPLv3 | ? | Also available for iOS, Linux, and Windows |
Sipdroid | SIP/VoIP client | Yes |
Yes | GPLv3 | 2.0+ | works on 1.5 |
WordPress | Official WordPress client | Yes | No | GPLv2 | 2.3+ | |
Zulip | groupware and chat | Yes | No | Apache 2.0 | 5.0+ | Also available for iOS |
Application name | Description | Availability | License | API | Note | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Google Play | F-Droid | |||||
APG | OpenPGP and key management | Yes |
Yes | Apache 2.0 | 1.5+ | OpenKeychain available as more up-to-date alternative |
Briar | Peer-to-peer encrypted messaging and forums | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | 4.0+ | |
Conversations | Federated encrypted instant messaging and group chat | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | 4.0+ | Interoperable with any Jabber/XMPP clients. End-to-end encryption using OMEMO, OpenPGP (and OTR for versions under 2.0 and the legacy version). |
Element (formerly Riot) | Decentralised, encrypted chat & collaboration powered by Matrix | Yes | Yes | Apache 2.0 | 5.0+ | |
I2P | Anonymizing network layer | Yes | Yes | Apache 2.0 | 2.3+ | I2P also maintain their own F-Droid repo. |
IVPN | Privacy-focused VPN service | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | ? | Also available on Windows, macOS, and iOS; and undergo independent security audit. |
Jami | Softphone and messenger utilizing DHT and strong cryptography | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | ? | Formerly named "GNU Ring" and "SFLphone". |
Lantern | Peer-to-peer internet censorship circumvention | Yes | No | Apache 2.0 | ? | |
Mozilla VPN | VPN service | Yes | ? | MPL 2.0 | ? | Also available for iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows |
Mullvad | Privacy-focused VPN service | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | ? | Also available for Windows, macOS, and iOS |
OpenKeychain | OpenPGP and key management | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | ? | Integrates with K-9 Mail. |
Orbot | Client and proxy for Tor anonymity network | Yes | Yes | BSD, GPL | 1.6+ | |
Psiphon | Client for internet censorship circumvention system | Yes | No | GPLv3 | ? | |
ProtonMail | Client end-to-end encrypted email service | Yes | No | GPLv3 | ? | Open source apps on WEB app, Android, IOS, Bridge app. |
ProtonVPN | Privacy-focused VPN service | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | ? | Also available for Windows, macOS, and iOS; and undergo independent security audits. |
Signal | Encrypted instant messaging, voice and video calling | Yes | No | GPLv3 | 2.3+ | Also available for iOS. The Android client is a merger of the former TextSecure and RedPhone apps. |
Surespot | Encrypted instant messaging | Yes | No Archived 2019-02-08 at the Wayback Machine | GPLv3+ | ? | Also available for iOS. F-Droid build is based on forked repo. |
Telegram | Client for cloud-based messaging platform | Yes | Yes | GPLv2 | 2.2+ | Also available for iOS. F-Droid build is based on forked repo. Server uses closed source software. |
Tox | Peer-to-peer instant-messaging | Yes | Yes | GPLv3+ | 4.0+ | Alpha release |
Tutanota | Client for end-to-end encrypted email service | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | ? | |
Wire | Encrypted instant messaging, voice and video calling | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | ? | Also available for iOS, Windows and OS X. Server uses closed source software. |
Application name | Description | Availability | License | API | Note | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Google Play | F-Droid | |||||
Citra | Nintendo 3DS | Yes | No | GPLv2 | ? | |
Dolphin | Nintendo GameCube and Wii | Yes | Yes | GPLv2+ | 5.0+ | Requires device with support for arm64-v8a ABI and OpenGL ES 3 or above |
Mupen64Plus | Nintendo 64 emulator | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | 2.0+ | Unofficial port as Mupen64 Plus AE. |
openMSX | MSX | Yes | Yes | GPLv2+ | ? | |
PPSSPP | PlayStation Portable | Yes | Yes | GPLv2+ | 2.3+ | |
RetroArch | Emulates multiple platforms | Yes | Removed | GPLv3 | 2.3+ | |
ScummVM | Emulates multiple gaming engines | Yes | Yes | GPLv2 | 1.5+ | |
Termux | Terminal emulator | Deprecated | Yes | GPLv3 | ? | |
VICE | Commodore systems emulator | Yes | Yes | GPLv2 | ? |
Application name | Description | Availability | License | API | Note | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Google Play | F-Droid | |||||
2048 | Mathematics sliding block puzzle | Yes | Yes | MIT | 2.2+ | Port of 2048 |
Angband | Text-based roguelike | Yes | Yes | GPLv2 | ? | |
Battle for Wesnoth | Turn-based strategy in a fantasy setting | Partial | Yes | GPLv2 | 2.3+ | Ported to Android with SDL |
Brogue | Roguelike | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | ? | |
Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup | Roguelike | Yes | No | GPLv2+ | ? | Text-based version also available |
Fish Fillets NG | Underwater puzzle game. | Yes | No | GPLv2 | 1.6+ | Port of Fish Fillets NG |
Freeciv | Turn-based strategy game similar to Sid Meier's Civilization | Yes | No | GPLv2 | 2.0+ | |
Frozen Bubble | Tile-matching puzzle game | Yes |
Yes |
GPLv2 | 1.6+ | Port of Frozen Bubble |
GLtron | Lightcycle racing game | Yes |
Yes |
GPLv2 | 2.2+ | Port of GLtron |
H-Craft Championship | SciFi 3D racing game | Yes | No |
zlib | 3.2+ | Media is proprietary, but free for personal use. |
HyperRogue | Roguelike in hyperbolic plane | ? | Yes | GPLv2+ | ? | |
Minetest | Sandbox similar to Minecraft | Yes | Yes | ? | ||
OpenArena | First-person shooter similar to Quake 3 (see: id Tech 3) | Yes | No | GPLv2 | 1.6+ | Unofficial port by "pelya" using SDL 1.2 |
OpenTTD | Business simulation game similar to Transport Tycoon Deluxe | Yes | No | GPLv2 | 1.6+ | pelya SDL port |
Pixel Dungeon | Roguelike with pixel art graphics | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | ? | Also available for Linux, iOS, Windows 10, Mac OS X |
OpenTyrian | Vertical shoot 'em up | Yes | No | GPLv2 | 1.6+ | pelya SDL port |
robotfindskitten | A "Zen Simulation" | Yes | Yes | GPL | 1.6+ | |
Simon Tatham's Puzzle Collection | Collection of puzzle games | Yes |
Yes |
MIT | 2.1+ | |
Ur-Quan Masters | Source-port of 3DO version of Star Control II | ? | No | GPLv2+, CC by 2.0, CC by-nc-sa 2.5 |
? | Game engine is free, but Star Control art assets are released under a Creative Commons non-commercial license. pelya SDL port |
Application name | Description | Availability | License | API | Note | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Google Play | F-Droid | |||||
Dasher | Accessible text-input method | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | ? | Also available for iOS |
FetLife | Social network catering to the BDSM, fetish, and kink communities | No | No | MIT | 5.0 | Also available for iOS |
GNU Emacs | Extensible self-documenting text editor | ? | Yes | GPLv3+ | 5.1+ | May be compiled to run on Android 2.3 and earlier. Also available for Unix-like systems (GNU, Linux, macOS, BSDs, Solaris), Haiku, Windows, MS-DOS |
Google IO | App for Google IO conference | Yes | Yes | Apache 2.0 | 4.0 | |
OpenLP | Worship presentation software | Yes | Yes Archived 2019-02-12 at the Wayback Machine | GPLv3 | ? | |
The White House | The official White House app | Yes | Yes | MIT | 2.2+ |
Application name | Description | Availability | License | API | Note | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Google Play | F-Droid | |||||
COVID Alert | Canadian digital contact tracing app | Yes | No | Apache 2.0 | ? | Also available for iOS |
DP-3T | Protocol and reference implementation of decentralized European contact tracing app | ? | No | MPL 2.0 | ? | Also available for iOS |
PEPP-PT | Protocol and reference implementation of centralized European digital contact tracing app | ? | No | MPL 2.0 | ? | |
TraceTogether | Singaporean contact tracing app | ? | No | GPLv3 | ? | Available for iOS Data collected is available to police, and may be used in criminal or other types of investigations |
Application name | Description | Availability | License | API | Note | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Google Play | F-Droid | |||||
AntennaPod | Podcatcher | Yes | Yes | MIT | 2.3.3+ | |
Butter Project | Media player utilising the BitTorrent protocol | ? | ? | AGPLv3 | ? | |
Jellyfin | Client for the Jellyfin Media Server | Yes | Yes | GPLv2+ | 5.0+ | |
Kodi (formerly XBMC) | Media player and center | Yes | Yes | GPLv2+ | Multi | |
Krita | Graphics editor for art and animation | ? | Yes | GPLv3 | ? | Optimized for tablets and may behave poorly on phone screens. Member project of KDE. |
Popcorn Time | Media player utilizing BitTorrent protocol | No | No | GPLv3+ (AGPL exception) |
? | In Nov. of 2015 PopcornTime.io ceased operations after court order from the MPAA issued in Canada. |
Ringdroid | Ringtone maker | Yes | Yes | Apache 2.0 | 4.1+ | |
Rockbox | Media player | ? | ? | GPLv2+ | ? | |
Tribler | Decentralized video sharing | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | 3.0+ | |
Tux Paint | Simple drawing program for children | Non-free | Yes | GPLv2 | ? | Version on Google Play is published by a 3rd-party & contains proprietary ad libraries in violation of upstream developers' license |
VLC | Media player | Yes | Yes | GPLv2+ | 4.2+ | |
Wikimedia Commons | Client for free media repository | Yes | Yes | Apache 2.0 | 4.4+ | Old CommonsLab app no longer maintained. Current app is community-developed. |
Application name | Description | Availability | License | API | Note | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Google Play | F-Droid | |||||
Avare | GPS aviation application | Yes | Yes | BSD | 4.4+ | Complete *Aviation* EFB & nav app with all official current U.S.A. FAA VFR & IFR charts & data, plus limited free unofficial non-US materials. |
CycleStreets | Bicycle navigation using OpenStreetMap | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | 6.0+ | |
MAPS.ME | Offline mapping using OpenStreetMap data | Yes | No | Apache 2.0 | ? | |
Mozilla Stumbler | Data gathering for Mozilla Location Service | Yes | Yes | MPL2 | 2.3.3+ | |
Organic Maps | Offline mapping using OpenStreetMap data | Yes | Yes | Apache 2.0 | 5.0+ | Fork of MAPS.ME with proprietary bits removed. |
OsmAnd | Offline mapping using OpenStreetMap data | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | 2.3+ | Only parts of the software are available at no cost, this cause the software to get a few arbitrary limitation as limited portion maps of openstreetmap may be loaded. There is an unlimited paid version. The unlimited version is also available for free on F-Droid. |
Navit | Car navigation using OpenStreetMap | Yes | Yes | GPLv2 | 2.3.3+ |
Application name | Description | Availability | License | API | Note | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Google Play | F-Droid | |||||
FBReader | e-book reader | Yes | Yes | GPL | 1.5+ | |
iFixit | Official iFixit reader | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | 2.2+ | |
Kiwix | Offline Wikipedia reader | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | 4.0+ | |
MuPDF | PDF and XPS viewer | Yes | Yes | AGPL | 2.2+ | |
Wikipedia | Access to Wikipedia | Yes | Yes | GPLv2 | 2.2+ | |
Wiktionary | Client for crowd-sourced dictionary | Yes | Yes | GPLv2 | 2.2+ | |
XOWA | Offline Wikipedia reader | Yes | Yes | AGPLv3 | 4.4+ |
Application name | Description | Availability | License | API | Note | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Google Play | F-Droid | |||||
BOINC | Participate in distributed grid computing initiatives | Yes | Yes | LGPL, GPLv3+ | 2.3+ | |
Galaxy Zoo | Classify galaxies in crowdsourced astronomy project | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | 3.0+ | |
GCompris | Educational activity suite for children aged 2–10 | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | ? | Member project of KDE |
GNU Octave | Scientific programming language syntax with built-in plotting and visualization tools | ? | No | GPLv3 | ? | |
micro:bit | Interact with a micro:bit device via Bluetooth | Yes | No | Apache 2.0 | ? | Developed by Samsung. Depends on proprietary Google frameworks. |
phyphox | Conduct physics experiments using device sensors | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | v3.0 | Developed by RWTH Aachen University. Also available for iOS. |
PressureNET | Crowd-sourced barometer network | Discontinued | Discontinued | GPLv3 | Multi | Service and software discontinued |
SageMath | Client for mathematical software | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | 2.0+ | |
Sky Map | Planetarium software developed by Google, and Carnegie Mellon | Yes | Yes | Apache 2.0 | ? | Tracks user telemetry data via Google Analytics |
Stellarium | Planetarium software | Yes | No | GPLv2 | ? | |
Sugar environment | One Laptop per Child learning platform | Yes | Yes | Apache 2.0 | 2.3.3+ | Ported as Sugarizer. |
AnkiDroid | Flashcard spaced repetition for memorization | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | ? |
Application name | Description | Availability | License | API | Note | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Google Play | F-Droid | |||||
Bitwarden | Password manager | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | 4.4+ | |
Haven | Monitoring system to protect against evil maid attacks | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | 4.1+ | Developed by Edward Snowden under the auspices of The Guardian Project, and Freedom of the Press Foundation. |
Kali NetHunter | Digital forensics and mobile penetration testing platform ROM overlay | No | No | Various | 5.1+ | Developed by Offensive Security |
KeePassDroid | Password manager | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | 1.5+ | Port of KeePass |
PasswdSafe | Password manager | Yes | Yes | Artistic License 2.0 | 1.6+ | |
Prey | Anti-theft and monitoring | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | 4.0+ |
Application name | Description | Availability | License | API | Note | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Google Play | F-Droid | |||||
Barcode Scanner | Barcode and QR Code reader | Yes | Yes | Apache 2.0 | 4.0.3+ | |
F-Droid | Graphical package manager for app repositories | No | Yes | GPLv3+ | 4.0+ | F-Droid team also maintain an application repository |
Impress Remote | Presentation remote control for LibreOffice | Yes | Yes | MPL2 | 2.3+ | |
Intra | Experimental DNS over HTTPS client | Yes | ? | Apache 2.0 | 4.0.3+ | |
microG | Replacement for proprietary Google Play Services | No | ? | Apache 2.0 | ? | |
Mycroft | Voice assistant companion | ? | ? | GPLv3 | ? | |
TWRP | Custom recovery image and boot manager | ? | ? | GPLv3 | ? | |
TalkBack | Accessibility services for blind and low-vision users | discontinued | Yes | Apache 2.0 | ? | Integrated into Android and provided by other proprietary Google components |
UserLAnd | Compatibility layer | Yes | Yes | GPLv3 | 5.0+ |
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There are a number of third-party maintained lists of open-source Android applications, including: