Best alternative app stores for Android in 2026

Aurora Store is an unofficial, open-source client for Google Play. It searches, downloads and updates apps much as the Play Store does, and the developer says it runs with or without Google Play Services or microG.

Sign-in works with a personal account or an anonymous one. Device and locale spoofing is also available, which helps with apps locked to certain regions. The interface follows Material 3 guidelines.

Version 4.8.4 was updated on July 31, 2026. The download is 8.9 MB and the licence is GPL-3.0-or-later.

F-Droid is an installable catalogue of libre apps for Android. Its default repository lives at f-droid.org and holds only free software. The client also connects to any other compatible repository.

The app notifies you when updates exist and can install them automatically if you choose. It keeps track of older and beta versions, and it filters out apps that do not fit your device.

Version 2.0.2 was updated on October 12, 2026. It weighs 12 MB and is licensed GPL-3.0-or-later, with no ads and no price.

Droid-ify is a lean client for F-Droid repositories. You browse and install apps, and updates run automatically in the background. After the first sync, the app keeps working offline.

It lists several install methods: Session, Root and Shizuku. A custom repository can be added with one tap. The interface is available in 63 languages, including English, German, French, Spanish and Chinese.

Version 0.7.8 was updated on October 12, 2026. It is 5.7 MB and carries a GPL-3.0-or-later licence.

Aurora Droid is an unofficial open-source client for F-Droid, made by the same developer as Aurora Store. Its main tools are a dedicated download manager and a repo manager for handling multiple F-Droid repositories.

The interface is built with Jetpack Compose and Material 3. Install methods include session, native, root and Shizuku, so it suits devices set up in different ways.

Version 2.0.1 was updated on August 10, 2026. The package is 7.7 MB. Its licence is GPL-3.0-only, unlike most others on this list.

Neo Store is an F-Droid client adapted directly from Foxy-Droid. Its stated focus is quick repository syncing and a plain interface. It avoids cards and decorative animations and uses standard Android components with minimal dependencies.

The design aims to give users control over what they install and update. That makes it a fit for people who want a quiet, functional list rather than a showpiece.

Version 1.3.3 was updated on October 27, 2026. It is the smallest app here at 5.6 MB and is licensed GPL-3.0-or-later.

ObtainX is a fork of Obtainium. It gets app updates directly from sources such as GitHub, GitLab, F-Droid, IzzyOnDroid, APKMirror and APKPure. There is no central repository, no account and no tracking.

Bulk import reads apps already on your phone and finds their sources. Dynamic folders can follow rules by name, author, package ID, category or source. An on-demand mode hides rarely updated apps from global scans, and swipe actions per row are configurable.

Version 2.21.0 was updated on October 6, 2026. At 26.6 MB it is the largest app here, under GPL-3.0-only.

RepoStore turns GitHub releases into a store-style browser. The home screen has Trending, Recently Updated and Featured sections, and it lists only repositories that contain valid APK files.

For each project it fetches the latest release and shows a single Install action. The details screen shows version, stars, forks, language stats, the rendered README, release notes and screenshots. It tracks what you installed and flags available updates.

Version 1.0.22 was updated on November 1, 2026, the newest date in this group. It is 13.3 MB and the only app here under the MIT licence.