There are plenty of Android app store alternatives around, but not many are trustworthy or worth visiting. This is exactly why we created a list of 20 great Google Play Store alternatives which not only provide some great apps but are not vendors of malware and spyware. To be honest, we can never be 100% sure about the app’s integrity, so always read the install permissions and stay away from shady looking apps.
Whatever your reason for checking out the Google Play Store alternatives, these app stores have something for you. Your device doesn’t come with Google Play Store on board or you are just feeling adventurous, these app stores have you covered.
Note: Most of the Google Play Store alternatives offer their own official apps. They ironically can be obtained from the Google Play Store. We have tested some of the apps but as they are not universally offered, we are going to recommend downloading apps on your PC or smartphone and sideloading them. You also must know how to install APK files on your Android device, if not we are always here to help.
1. Amazon Appstore for Android
Its a jungle out there
Amazon is a reputable company that has been around for a while now. They also have an Appstore which surprisingly offers some amazing apps. This is the number one choice for getting safe and secure apps for your Android device. There are many apps but obviously they are not as numerous as found on the Google Play Store. This Android app store alternative also has some good exclusive apps which may entice many to give it a go. The site doesn’t look good though. The main page is a bit too cluttered for my taste. The app store also categorizes the apps in neat and accessible categories which are featured directly on the main page.
Why this Store? Amazon Appstore for Android has apps that are safe to use. They also offer a paid app for free every day. This is a great incentive to at least check out the store once in 24 hours.
2. Getjar
Did you get it?
Getjar is one of the best Google Play alternatives and gives users plenty of apps to explore and enjoy. That’s not all though, the app helps mobile developers to gain more while providing us, the users with free apps. Getjar is a service with a rich history, as keen tech guys will know the “Jar” in the Getjar is for the java based app we used to install on old phones. This means the app is well reputed and provides quality apps. The app store however uses its own currency separate from Google Play.
Why this Store? Getjar values loyalty and if you spend money on this store, you are bound to get even sweeter apps and games for cheap or for completely free.
3. Slide Me
Sleek apps for you
With one of the best interfaces we have seen on Play Store alternatives, Slide Me takes the cake on ease of use. The website is designed to facilitate exploration and highlights the apps which are trending at the moment. With a lot of apps to choose from, Slide Me is a great alternate to the official app store.
Why this Store? Although there are many bad apps on the store, it only takes a few seconds to find what you are looking for. The sleek and easy to use interface makes it one of the best Play Store alternatives.
4. Appszoom
Great tags
Appszoom provides you with amazing apps. Take a look at the home page and you will know what app is going to entertain you for the rest of the day. The best part about the app store is that it provides featured reviews about individual apps. For example when looking at a featured app you can clearly see what makes it great in three bullet points. Tags like “great for kids” and “colorful graphics” help you identify the nature of the app you are looking at.
Why this Store? The apps are categorized in a very manageable and neat way. You get to know the app before you press the download button saving you precious time.
5. CNET
Secure vault
Looking for a store which actually tests the apps before posting about them? CNET is the way to go. They test and give ratings to almost every major app which results in a more curated offering. The chance of getting a bogus or fake app is minimal while using this Play Store alternative. The interface is the same one we have used countless times but with the added benefit of a search bar. Although there are not many apps to be downloaded from this platform, it is better than getting malware on your device.
Why this Store? They have really tight security. In some instances much stricter that the official Google Play Store.
6. APPS
All are here
That’s right; there is a Play Store alternative which is called APPS. This app store provides you with some of the best and popular apps available for the Android platform. There are many apps to choose from too, as the app store clearly boasts on the front page. With 440,519,508 downloads for 46,571 apps, this app store clearly is popular among the crowd.
Why this Store? Use this App store for exploration. With so many apps in the list, there is bound to be an app for you.
7. Yandex
The app index
All the apps on this store are scanned with an antivirus before being hosted. This is a great thing because most third-party Android app store alternatives don’t bother with security and just want more apps housed on their platform. Yandex also comes with a dedicated app which lets you download apps directly to your Android device. The store also allows you to pay with three different methods with no extra charges.
Why this Store? With every purchase you get 10% back which is stored in the bonus account. When it reaches a substantial amount you can use it to purchase more apps.
8. Get5
Or get 10
Get5 brings tons of apps and games to your Android device. Simply download the app on your device and you are good to go. There are many games on sale at Get5 and almost all of them are great looking. Sure there are many cookie cutter games on the store but the app does its best to root them out and present only the best ones which are trending. Simply put it is one of the best Google Play Store Alternatives out there.
Why this Store? This store comes with a dedicated app which is not only easy to use but easy to install too. The app also gives elaborate recommendations on apps, games and themes.
9. AppsLib
They lib on forever
AppsLib was once the fastest growing Google Play Store alternative but somewhere along the way it lost the momentum. Still the app store boasts an impressive count of 38,771 apps. You can get all the major apps like Dropbox, Office, Angry Birds etc. from the app. There are plenty more if you install their dedicated app on your Android device.
Why this Store? Almost all the major publishers and developers have posted their respective apps on this store. I’m personally not a fan of the design but the wealth of apps makes it an important player in the Android app store alternatives list.
10. Mobango
mo bang fo yo bucks
If you are aiming to install apps which you have never heard of before, Mobango is the best of the Android app store alternatives. There are some great gems lurking in this alternate App store and they are awesome. I spent a full night installing apps from this store and testing them out on my smartphone. Although some apps are extremely outdated, there are many which are constantly supported by the developers. I would recommend that you check this app store out for some good quality mobile games.
Why this Store? This store has popular channels like the “Best Sports Games” and “Car Racing Games”. This makes it easier to find games and apps which cater to your personal taste.
11. AndroidPit
Apps galore
AndroidPit may not have thousands of apps housed under their banner but the apps they do host are of good quality. The store checks thoroughly for malware and malicious code in the apps and makes sure your Android device remains sane. There are many mainstream apps readily available on the store and can be obtained relatively easily. There is nothing striking about AndroidPit other than its ability to root out evil doers on a daily basis.
Why this Store? In some ways this store is much safer than the official Google Play Store. If you are looking for a small collection of apps and games which are not going to spam you with push notification ads, this is the store you should check.
12. 1Mobile Market
Seriously big
1Mobile Market has the biggest collection of Android apps and games there is. With 800,000 apps on offer, this store is certainly aiming to impress everyone. But with a large number of apps hosted, there is a chance that a few bogus ones will seep through. Still the robust collection of apps will keep you occupied for a long time.
Why this Store? There are thousands of great apps and games on this store. It is great for swimming in apps.
13. Appbrain
The real brain
Appbrain is a comprehensive Android app store alternative. For example if you like an app but want to know what parts of your Android device it will be accessing, this store will give that information easily. You don’t want a simple sketching app to be snooping around your contacts or messages right? Appbrain uses its technical brain to give you the right information exactly on the install screen.
Why this Store? This store brings the information you will need right on the main screen of the app. No more searching for critical information which should be readily available by default.
14. Opera Mobile Store
Trusted advisory
Opera has been around the mobile scene for a very long time and thus can be trusted wholeheartedly. Their browsers are amazing and so is their app store. Not a big collection of apps and games is available but almost all the major publishers are on board. Rest assured you will get good and secure apps which do exactly what they are supposed to do. You can also use the popular Opera browser in our
Android browser list.
Why this Store? Opera Mobile Store is for those who need major apps only. The categories are displayed right on the main screen and can be accessed fairly easily.
15. LG Smart World
Life’s Good Right?
LG Smart World makes it to the list because of its great design. The landing page oozes with quality and so do the apps. If you are an LG user, this alternate app store is worth a visit. Even if you don’t have an LG Android device, this app store is sure to have some neat things for you.
Why this Store? This store is made for LG device owners. If you own one, go check out the apps on the store.
16. Samsung Galaxy Apps
A small galaxy of apps
Just like the app store above, this one is made by a major Android manufacturer. If you own Android, there is a good chance it is made by Samsung. The store has a limited number of apps, which makes it a sad spectacle. But if you want some free goodies for your Samsung Galaxy device, this is the best place to claim them.
Why this Store? Loyalty and nothing else. This app store may have some great apps but they are very little in number.
17. F-Droid
Free the droid!
F-Droid is a collection of installable apps for the Android platform. What makes them different from the usual apps available on the official Play Store is that they are FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) apps. This may not mean anything for normal people, but for those few who like their stuff to be open source and mod-able F-Droid is the place to go.
Why this Store? This app is last on the list for a reason. It is not meant for the general public and only caters to a niche type of power users. People who have the know-how about apps and their workings will definitely find this store worth a visit.
Conclusion:
The only way to make sure you get legit apps is to read what they are going to access. Practice caution when installing apps from Play Store Alternatives. Not every app can be tested and hence there is a big chance of getting a rogue malware ridden app. If you have any doubts, skip the app altogether. With some practice you will be able to spot bogus app miles away. Have fun and if you have any questions regarding installation of Android app store alternatives, feel free to sound off in the comments below. Or you can shoot an email towards us and we will get back to you in no time.
If you are nervous about downloading these stores, try out one of the best
antivirus apps for Android.
Source fromhttp://joyofandroid.com
