List of free and open-source Android applications explained

This is a list of notable applications (apps) that run on the Android platform which meet guidelines for free software and open-source software.

Advertisement blocking

See also: Ad blocking.

Application name Description AvailabilityNote
Ad blocker https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.adaway/ GNU GPLv3 L16 / 4.1+
Ad blocker GNU GPLv3 L7 / 2.1+ Standalone filtering app was removed from Google Play for breaching Play terms of service.[1]

Web browsers

Application name Description AvailabilityLicense API Note
Aptoide F-Droid Google Play
Chromium-based web browser with emphasis on tracking prevention, and reforming ad-blocking[2] [3] 4.1+ Has in-built ad blocker
Primary code-base of Chrome; uses Blink and V8 enginesBSD4.4+
Chromium-based; focuses on privacy & tracking protection 5.0+ [4]
Rebadged fork of Firefox; aims to remove proprietary components https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.mozilla.fennec_fdroid/4.1+ Same with Firefox for Android, but some proprietary code removed.
Customizable with add-ons; uses Gecko engine [5] 4.1+ Removed from F-Droid
Firefox Focus/Klar Privacy centered browser; uses Gecko engine (GeckoView) 5.0+
GNU Project version of Firefox https://f-droid.org/packages/org.gnu.icecat/ 4.0.3+ IceCat contains features not found in mainline Firefox release and eschews all usage of proprietary components.
Mozilla-based browser enhanced for use on Tor anonymity network https://tor-browser-the-tor-project.en.aptoide.com/app[6] 4.0.3+ Available in F-Droid by activating the extra Guardian Project repository[7]

Office Suites and synchronisation

Application name Description AvailabilityLicense API Note
Google Play F-Droid
Office suite with Microsoft Office compatible word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and vector graphics editor https://www.collaboraoffice.com/downloads/fdroid/repo/ MPLv2 5.0+ An enterprise-ready edition of LibreOffice
Client for synchronization server https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.owncloud.android/ GPLv2 4.0+
Client for synchronization server https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.nextcloud.client/ GPLv2 4.0+

Communication

Application name Description AvailabilityLicense API Note
Google Play F-Droid
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.connectbot/ Apache 2.0 1.5+
CSipSimple SIP & VoIP clientGPLv3 1.6+
Federated instant messaging and group chat client using the Matrix protocol. https://f-droid.org/en/packages/im.vector.app/ Apache 2.0 4.1+
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.jitsi.meet/ LGPLv2.1
Advanced email client
https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdid=com.fsck.k9/
Apache 2.0 2.2+ Supports OpenPGP integration with OpenKeychain
Video SIP/VoIP client
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.linphone/ GPLv2 2.2+
federated social network GPLv36.0+
distributed blockchain-based messenger GPLv3 Also available for iOS, Linux, and Windows
SIP/VoIP client
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.sipdroid.sipua/ GPLv3 2.0+ works on 1.5
Official WordPress client GPLv2 2.3+
groupware and chat Apache 2.0[8] 5.0+ Also available for iOS

Privacy/security focused

Application name Description AvailabilityLicense API Note
Google Play F-Droid
OpenPGP and key management
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.thialfihar.android.apg/ Apache 2.0 1.5+ OpenKeychain available as more up-to-date alternative
Peer-to-peer encrypted messaging and forums [9] GPLv3 4.0+
Federated encrypted instant messaging and group chat https://f-droid.org/en/packages/eu.siacs.conversations/ 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). Uses traditional login/password with any provider account, instead of quicksy/phone number
Element (formerly Riot)Decentralised, encrypted chat & collaboration powered by Matrix https://f-droid.org/en/packages/im.vector.app/Apache 2.05.0+
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/net.i2p.android.router/ Apache 2.0 2.3+ I2P also maintain their own F-Droid repo.[10]
Privacy-focused VPN service https://f-droid.org/packages/net.ivpn.client/ GPLv3 Also available on Windows, macOS, and iOS; and undergo independent security audit.[11] [12]
Softphone and messenger utilizing DHT and strong cryptography [13] [14] GPLv3 Formerly named "GNU Ring" and "SFLphone".
Apache 2.0
LinphoneSIP client, plus optional ToIP free serviceyescan be used with any SIP provider
VPN service Also available for iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows
Privacy-focused VPN service https://f-droid.org/packages/net.mullvad.mullvadvpn GPLv3 Also available for Windows, macOS, and iOS
OpenPGP and key management https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.sufficientlysecure.keychain/ GPLv3 Integrates with K-9 Mail.
BSD, GPL 1.6+
Client for internet censorship circumvention system GPLv3
Client end-to-end encrypted email service GPLv3 Open source apps on WEB app, Android, IOS, Bridge app.
Privacy-focused VPN service https://f-droid.org/en/packages/ch.protonvpn.android GPLv3 Also available for Windows, macOS, and iOS; and undergo independent security audits.[15]
Quicksyprivacy-focused and federated secured xmpp client, using phone numberYesyesEquivalent of conversations, interoperable, but using phone number instead of traditional id/password ; support both PGP or OMEMO encryption plus Jingle for voice/video communication, and file transfers.
Encrypted instant messaging, voice and video calling GPLv3 2.3+ Also available for iOS. The Android client is a merger of the former TextSecure and RedPhone apps.[16]
Encrypted instant messaging https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.twofours.surespot/ GPLv3+ Also available for iOS. F-Droid build is based on forked repo.
Client for cloud-based messaging platform https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.telegram.messenger/ GPLv2 2.2+ Also available for iOS. F-Droid build is based on forked repo.[17] Server uses closed source software.
Peer-to-peer instant-messaging https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.zoffcc.applications.trifa/ GPLv3+ 4.0+ Alpha release
Client for end-to-end encrypted email service https://f-droid.org/en/packages/de.tutao.tutanota/ GPLv3[18]
Encrypted instant messaging, voice and video calling GPLv3 Also available for iOS, Windows and OS X. Server uses closed source software.

Emulators

Application name Description AvailabilityLicense API Note
Google Play F-Droid
GPLv2
GPLv2+ 5.0+ Requires device with support for arm64-v8a ABI and OpenGL ES 3 or above
Nintendo 64 emulator GPLv3 2.0+ Unofficial port as Mupen64 Plus AE.
GPLv2+
GPLv2+ 2.3+
Emulates multiple platforms GPLv3[19] 2.3+
Emulates multiple gaming engines GPLv2 1.5+
Terminal emulator Deprecated https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.termux/ GPLv3
Commodore systems emulator GPLv2

Games

See also: List of open-source video games.

Application name Description AvailabilityLicense API Note
Google Play F-Droid
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tpcstld.twozerogamehttps://www.f-droid.org/en/packages/com.uberspot.a2048/2.2+Port of 2048
GPLv2
Turn-based strategy in a fantasy setting https://f-droid.org/packages/it.alessandropira.wesnoth114/ GPLv2 2.3+ Ported to Android with SDL
GPLv3
https://search.f-droid.org/?q=dungeon+crawl+stone GPLv2+ Text-based version also available
Underwater puzzle game. https://search.f-droid.org/?q=fish+fillet GPLv2 1.6+ Port of Fish Fillets NG
Turn-based strategy game similar to Sid Meier's Civilizationhttps://search.f-droid.org/?q=freeciv GPLv2 2.0+
Tile-matching puzzle game

https://f-droid.org/es/packages/org.jfedor.frozenbubble/ 		GPLv2 1.6+ Port of Frozen Bubble
Lightcycle racing game

GPLv2 2.2+ Port of GLtron
SciFi 3D racing game
https://search.f-droid.org/?q=h-craft 		3.2+ Media is proprietary, but free for personal use.
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.roguetemple.hyperroid/ GPLv2+
Sandbox similar to Minecraft https://f-droid.org/en/packages/net.minetest.minetest/
First-person shooter similar to Quake 3 https://search.f-droid.org/?q=openarena GPLv2 1.6+Unofficial port by "pelya" using SDL 1.2[20]
Business simulation game similar to Transport Tycoon Deluxe https://search.f-droid.org/?q=openttd GPLv2 1.6+ pelya SDL port
Pixel Dungeon[21] Roguelike with pixel art graphicshttps://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.watabou.pixeldungeon/ GPLv3 Also available for Linux, iOS, Windows 10, Mac OS X
https://search.f-droid.org/?q=tyrian GPLv2 1.6+ pelya SDL port
A "Zen Simulation" GPL 1.6+
Collection of puzzle games

2.1+
Ur-Quan MastersSource-port of 3DO version of Star Control IIhttps://search.f-droid.org/?q=ur-quanGPLv2+,
CC by 2.0,
CC by-nc-sa 2.5[22] 		Game engine is free, but Star Control art assets are released under a Creative Commons non-commercial license.[23] pelya SDL port

General

Application name Description AvailabilityLicense API Note
Google Play F-Droid
GPLv3 Also available for iOS
Social network catering to the BDSM, fetish, and kink communities MIT [24] 5.0 Also available for iOS [25]
5.1+ May be compiled to run on Android 2.3 and earlier.[26] Also available for Unix-like systems (GNU, Linux, macOS, BSDs, Solaris), Haiku, Windows, MS-DOS[27]
App for Google IO conference Apache 2.0 4.0
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.openlp.android2/ GPLv3
The official White House app MIT 2.2+

Health

See also: List of open-source health software and List of open-source bioinformatics software.

Application name Description AvailabilityLicense API Note
Google Play F-Droid
Canadian digital contact tracing app Apache 2.0 Also available for iOS [28]
Protocol and reference implementation of decentralized European contact tracing app MPL 2.0[29] Also available for iOS
Protocol and reference implementation of centralized European digital contact tracing appMPL 2.0[30]
TraceTogetherSingaporean contact tracing app GPLv3 Available for iOS[31] Data collected is available to police, and may be used in criminal or other types of investigations[32]

Multimedia

Application name Description AvailabilityLicense API Note
Google Play F-Droid
Podcatcher https://f-droid.org/en/packages/de.danoeh.antennapod/ MIT 2.3.3+
Butter ProjectMedia player utilising the BitTorrent protocol AGPLv3
Client for the Jellyfin Media Server [33] GPLv2+ 5.0+
Kodi (formerly XBMC)Media player and center https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.xbmc.kore/ GPLv2+ Multi
[34] GPLv3 Optimized for tablets and may behave poorly on phone screens. Member project of KDE.
Media player utilizing BitTorrent protocol GPLv3+
(AGPL exception)[35] 		In Nov. of 2015 PopcornTime.io ceased operations after court order from the MPAA issued in Canada.[36]
Ringtone maker Apache 2.0 4.1+
RockboxMedia player GPLv2+
Decentralized video sharing GPLv3[37] 3.0+
Simple drawing program for children GPLv2 Version on Google Play is published by a 3rd-party & contains proprietary ad libraries in violation of upstream developers' license
Media player https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.videolan.vlc/ GPLv2+ 4.2+
Client for free media repository https://f-droid.org/en/packages/fr.free.nrw.commons/ Apache 2.0 4.4+ Old CommonsLab app no longer maintained. Current app is community-developed.[38]

Navigation

Application name Description AvailabilityLicense API Note
Google Play F-Droid
GPS aviation application BSD[39] 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.
Bicycle navigation using OpenStreetMap https://f-droid.org/en/packages/net.cyclestreets/ GPLv3 6.0+
Offline mapping using OpenStreetMap data Apache 2.0
Data gathering for Mozilla Location Service MPL2 2.3.3+
Offline mapping using OpenStreetMap data https://f-droid.org/en/packages/app.organicmaps Apache 2.0 5.0+ Fork of MAPS.ME with proprietary bits removed.
Offline mapping using OpenStreetMap data https://f-droid.org/en/packages/net.osmand.plus/ 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.
Car navigation using OpenStreetMap https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.navitproject.navit/ GPLv2 2.3.3+

Reading

Application name Description AvailabilityLicense API Note
Google Play F-Droid
FBReadere-book reader GPL 1.5+
Official iFixit reader GPLv3 2.2+
Offline Wikipedia reader GPLv3 4.0+
PDF and XPS viewer https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.artifex.mupdf.viewer.app/ AGPL 2.2+
Access to Wikipedia https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.wikipedia/ GPLv2 2.2+
Client for crowd-sourced dictionary GPLv2 2.2+
Offline Wikipedia reader AGPLv3 4.4+

Science and education

Application name Description AvailabilityLicense API Note
Google Play F-Droid
Participate in distributed grid computing initiatives [40] LGPL, GPLv3+[41] 2.3+
Classify galaxies in crowdsourced astronomy project GPLv3 3.0+
Educational activity suite for children aged 2–10 GPLv3 Member project of KDE
Scientific programming language syntax with built-in plotting and visualization tools GPLv3 [42] [43]
[44] [45] Apache 2.0[46] Developed by Samsung.[47] Depends on proprietary Google frameworks.
phyphox[48] Conduct physics experiments using device sensors [49] GPLv3[50] v3.0 Developed by RWTH Aachen University. Also available for iOS.
Crowd-sourced barometer network GPLv3 Multi Service and software discontinued
Client for mathematical software GPLv3 2.0+
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.google.android.stardroid/ Apache 2.0 Tracks user telemetry data via Google Analytics[51]
GPLv2
One Laptop per Child learning platform Apache 2.0 2.3.3+ Ported as Sugarizer.
AnkiDroidFlashcard spaced repetition for memorizationGPLv3

Security

Application name Description AvailabilityLicense API Note
Google Play F-Droid
Password manager GPLv3 4.4+
HavenMonitoring system to protect against evil maid attacks [52] GPLv3 4.1+ Developed by Edward Snowden under the auspices of The Guardian Project, and Freedom of the Press Foundation.[53] [54]
Digital forensics and mobile penetration testing platform ROM overlay Various 5.1+ Developed by Offensive Security
Password manager https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.kunzisoft.keepass.libre/ GPLv3 1.5+ Port of KeePass
Password manager 1.6+
Anti-theft and monitoring GPLv3 4.0+

System and utilities

Application name Description AvailabilityNote
Google Play F-Droid
Barcode and QR Code reader https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.google.zxing.client.android/ Apache 2.0 4.0.3+
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.fdroid.fdroid/ GPLv3+ 4.0+ F-Droid team also maintain an application repository
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.libreoffice.impressremote/ MPL2[55] 2.3+
Experimental DNS over HTTPS client Apache 2.0[56] 4.0.3+
Voice assistant companion GPLv3[57]
Custom recovery image and boot manager GPLv3[58]
TalkBackAccessibility services for blind and low-vision usersApache 2.0 Integrated into Android and provided by other proprietary Google components
5.0+

See also

External links

There are a number of third-party maintained lists of open-source Android applications, including:

Notes and References

  1. Multiple sources:
  2. Web site: Learn About Brave and Our Team - Brave Browser. brave.com.
  3. Web site: Add Brave to F-Droid. GitHub.
  4. Web site: DuckDuckGo Android. June 10, 2022. GitHub.
  5. Web site: Firefox. f-droid.org. F-Droid. 7 November 2016. 19 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170219082935/https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdid=org.mozilla.firefox. dead.
  6. Web site: Guardian Project Fdroid repo. guardianproject.info. 18 July 2018.
  7. Web site: Is Tor Browser available on F-droid?. 4 December 2019.
  8. Web site: Zulip Mobile. June 10, 2022. GitHub.
  9. Web site: Installing Briar via F-Droid - Briar. briarproject.org.
  10. Web site: I2P Official App Repository. f-droid.i2p.io.
  11. Web site: Yen. Andy. IVPN applications are now open source. ivpn.net. IVPN. 2020-02-10. 2020-05-16.
  12. Web site: Pestel. Nick. Independent security audit concluded. ivpn.net. IVPN. 2020-01-23. 2020-05-16.
  13. Web site: Ring - Apps on Google Play. play.google.com.
  14. Web site: Ring - F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository. f-droid.org.
  15. Web site: Yen. Andy. All ProtonVPN apps are now open source and audited. protonvpn.com. ProtonVPN Technologies AG. 2020-01-21. 2020-05-16.
  16. Greenberg. Andy. Signal, the Snowden-Approved Crypto App, Comes to Android. Wired. Condé Nast. 27 March 2016. 2 November 2015.
  17. Web site: Telegram-FOSS-Team/Telegram-FOSS. GitHub. 21 June 2022 .
  18. Web site: mpfau. tutanota/LICENSE.txt. github.com/tutao/tutanota. Tutao GmbH. 13 October 2018. 12 August 2014.
  19. https://github.com/libretro/RetroArch/blob/5c3991e44cca81b5b4278d00285fbff0e548f010/COPYING RetroArch / COPYING
  20. Web site: pelya/commandergenius. GitHub. 14 June 2022 .
  21. Linux Magazine Issue #220 / Mar 2019 FOSS Picks
  22. Web site: COPYING . sourceforge.net/p/sc2/ . 13 October 2018 . The Ur-Quan Masters Git Repository.
  23. Web site: The Ur-Quan Masters Project FAQ - Ultronomicon. wiki.uqm.stack.nl.
  24. https://github.com/fetlife/android/blob/master/README.md fetlife/android/README.md
  25. Web site: FetLife for iOS. June 12, 2022. GitHub.
  26. https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs.git/plain/doc/emacs/android.texi android.texi
  27. Web site: Emacs machines list.
  28. Web site: COVID Alert Mobile App. June 2, 2022. GitHub.
  29. Web site: DP^3T. GitHub.
  30. Web site: PEPP-PT. GitHub.
  31. Web site: OpenTrace iOS App. April 16, 2022. GitHub.
  32. Andreas Illmer (5 January 2021). Singapore reveals Covid privacy data available to police. BBC News, Singapore.
  33. Web site: Fdroid - Jellyfin - your media in your hands! .
  34. https://f-droid.org/packages/org.krita/ F-Droid.org Krita
  35. Popcorn Time Foundation. android / LICENSE.md. git.popcorntime.io. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  36. Gardner, Eriq. MPAA Touts Big Legal Success Against Popcorn Time. The Hollywood Reporter. 23 November 2015. 3 November 2015.
  37. Web site: Tribler Android - Beta Port . tribler-android/LICENSE.txt. .
  38. Web site: Commons mobile app. commons.wikimedia.org. 23 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151120084730/https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Mobile_app. 20 November 2015. bot: unknown.
  39. apps4av (Oct 5, 2016). apps4av / avare / License; commit 02924c7. github.com.
  40. https://f-droid.org/packages/edu.berkeley.boinc/ f-droid.org package for edu.berkeley.boinc
  41. Web site: Anderson, David Pope. boinc / COPYING. github.com. 25 November 2015. 8 August 2008.
    Web site: Rom. Walton. boinc / README.md. github.com/BOINC/boinc. 25 November 2015. 7 November 2015.
  42. Web site: Corbin . Champion . corbinlc/octave4android . github.com . 5 February 2019.
  43. Web site: Thomas . Treichl . Octave on Android . Octave Maintainers mailinglist . 5 February 2019 . 21 October 2013 . 7 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015339/http://octave.1599824.n4.nabble.com/Octave-on-Android-td4658392.html . dead .
  44. Web site: micro:bit - Apps on Google Play. play.google.com.
  45. Web site: Request for adding the official BBC micro:bit application. 2018-07-28. 2018-07-26.
  46. Web site: License text in source code repository. . 2018-07-27.
  47. Web site: Samsung Launches the Official BBC micro:bit App. 2016-02-17. 2018-07-29.
  48. Multiple sources:
    • Christoph Stampfer; Heidrun Heinke; Sebastian Staacks. "A lab in the pocket." Nature Reviews Materials 5, 169–170 (2020). .
    • Ryan Carroll; James Lincoln (1 November 2020). "Phyphox app in the physics classroom". The Physics Teacher, 58 (8): 606–607. .
    • Staacks, S; Hütz, S; Heinke, H; Stampfer, C. (6 May 2018). "Advanced tools for smartphone-based experiments: phyphox". Physics Education. IOP Publishing. . "The sensors in modern smartphones are a promising and cost-effective tool for experimentation in physics education, but many experiments face practical problems. Often the phone is inaccessible during the experiment and the data usually needs to be analyzed subsequently on a computer. We address both problems by introducing a new app, called ‘phyphox’, which is specifically designed for utilizing experiments in physics teaching. The app is free and designed to offer the same set of features on Android and iOS."
    • Sebastian Staacks; Dominik Dorsel; Simon Hütz; Frank Stallmach; Tobias Splith; Heidrun Heinke; Christoph Stampfer (June 2022). "Collaborative smartphone experiments for large audiences with phyphox". European Journal of Physics, 43 (5), 055702. .
    • Bunga Lili Annisa; Sarah Miriam; Suyidno Suyidno (2022). "The Effectiveness of A Multiple Representation-Based Flipbook to Improve Students’ Problem-Solving Ability on The Topic of Wave." Jurnal Pendidikan Fisika Dan Teknologi, 8 (2), 122–129. .
    • Rhett Allain (16 August 2018). "Three Science Experiments You Can Do With Your Phone". wired.com. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
    • Sven Gregori; Sebastian Staacks (29 December 2019). "36C3: Phyphox – Using Smartphone Sensors For Physics Experiments". hackaday.com. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  49. Web site: F-Droid phyphox. F-Droid Contributors. 2023. 27 November 2023.
  50. Web site: phyphox Android General Public License. GitHub. 29 June 2007. 27 November 2023.
  51. Web site: Sky Map. June 8, 2022. GitHub.
  52. Web site: Guardian Project Official App Repository. guardianproject.info.
  53. Web site: Haven: Keep Watch. Guardian Project. 1 March 2017. 27 November 2023.
  54. Web site: Introducing Haven, the open source security system in your pocket. Timm, T.. Freedom of the Press Foundation. 22 December 2017. 27 November 2023.
  55. https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdid=org.libreoffice.impressremote F-Droid - Impress Remote
  56. Web site: Intra. June 13, 2022. GitHub.
  57. Web site: Mycroft-Android. June 7, 2022. GitHub.
  58. Web site: TeamWin/Team-Win-Recovery-Project. June 13, 2022. GitHub.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of free and open-source Android applications".

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