Guide · Open source
How to use open-source-android-apps: browse and find free Android apps
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
open-source-android-apps is a GitHub repository that works as a curated directory of open-source Android apps. Each entry links to the app's own project page with a short description, and the list is grouped into categories such as Communication, Games, Productivity and Tools. This guide shows you how to browse it, how to clone it to your computer, and how to use it to find the apps you are looking for.
open-source-android-appspcqpcq/open-source-android-apps · ★ 10.6k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Open the repository. Go to the open-source-android-apps page on GitHub. The README is shown at the bottom of the page.
- 2Read the What's Inside section. Scroll to the hot apps table and the Categories table to see what is listed.
- 3Pick a category. Open the category page that matches your need, such as Productivity, Communication or Tools.
- 4Clone for local browsing. Run git clone https://github.com/pcqpcq/open-source-android-apps if you want a local copy to search.
- 5Check each app's project page. Follow the link to the app's own page and confirm its description, licence and source before installing it.
What this repository is and is not
The repository is a list of other projects. It is a discovery starting point, not an Android app you install directly. The README does not describe a downloadable app, so do not expect a single APK to install from it.
The README also does not audit the listed projects, so it does not offer verified security reviews. Check each project's own page before you rely on it for sensitive data.
- Good for: finding free, open-source alternatives to popular apps
- Good for: studying real open-source Android projects
- Good for: students learning how Android apps are built
- Good for: browsing privacy-focused apps
- Not for: installing one app with a single click
- Not for: verified app security reviews
Browse the directory on GitHub
The main list is in the README under "What's Inside?". It has a table of hot apps with more than 10k stars, each with a link, a one-line description and a star count. The star counts change over time, so treat them as a rough signal of popularity only.
The Categories table links to a separate page for each group. Categories include Android TV, Android Wear, Business, Communication, Education, Finance, Games, Health & Fitness, LifeStyle, Multi-Media, News & Magazines, Personalization, Productivity, Social Network, Tools and Travel & Local. Pick a category to narrow the list to the kind of app you need.
- Open the repository page on GitHub and scroll to "What's Inside?"
- Use the Categories table to jump to a category such as Productivity or Tools
- Follow an app's link to its own project page to read its description and source
Clone the repository to browse it locally
If you prefer to browse offline or search the files on your own machine, clone the repository with git. The README gives this command for that purpose.
Cloning copies the list to your computer. It does not install any Android app.
git clone https://github.com/pcqpcq/open-source-android-appsFind an app and check it before installing
Each entry links to the app's own project. Open that page to confirm what the app does, whether it is still maintained and where its source code lives. The README states that projects are listed for discovery, so the check is your job.
The README points to F-Droid as a related source of open-source apps, and its FAQ asks whether the list is redundant with F-Droid. Compare the two if you want a second opinion on an app.
- Read the description and the project's license on its own page
- Confirm the source code is publicly available
- Compare with F-Droid if you want another catalogue to check against
Contribute an app that is missing
The README invites suggestions. You can open a Pull Request or use the Add App Workflow linked from the README. Each change should be a single change per commit, and the row format is described in CONTRIBUTING.md.
Read CONTRIBUTING.md before submitting so your entry matches the required row format.
- Read CONTRIBUTING.md for the row format
- Submit a Pull Request with one change per commit
- Or use the Add App Workflow linked in the README
What people use it for
- Finding a free, open-source replacement for a paid or closed Android app
- Browsing privacy-focused apps such as maps, messengers or password tools listed in the directory
- Studying how a real open-source Android project is organized
- Exploring apps in a single category, such as Multi-Media or Education
Frequently asked questions
Is open-source-android-apps an app I can install on my phone?
No. The README describes a list of other open-source Android projects. It does not describe a downloadable app, so you install the apps you find in the list from their own project pages.
What do I need to use open-source-android-apps?
The README does not list any prerequisites. To browse it on GitHub you only need a web browser. To keep a local copy, you run the git clone command shown in the README.
Is open-source-android-apps free and what is its license?
The repository is listed under the MIT license, and the README links to its LICENSE file. The apps it lists have their own licenses, which you should check on each project page.
Are the apps in this list safe to install?
The README does not audit or review the apps it lists, so it cannot confirm their security. Check each project's source, maintenance and reviews before installing, especially for apps that handle accounts or sensitive data.
What are alternatives to open-source-android-apps?
The README names F-Droid as a related source and was inspired by open-source-ios-apps for iOS. F-Droid is a catalogue of open-source Android apps and is worth comparing against this list.
How do I add an app that is missing from the list?
Use the Add App Workflow linked in the README or open a Pull Request. The README asks for one change per commit and points to CONTRIBUTING.md for the row format.
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Our verdict
Use open-source-android-apps if you want a broad, categorized starting point for finding free, open-source Android apps, or if you want to study real projects. Skip it if you need a single app to install right away or verified security reviews, and use F-Droid or each app's own page for those needs.
Install options & downloads