Google Play is the primary destination for Android users that satisfies all our needs for downloading apps and games. But even with its vast collection of millions of apps, you might not find the app that you are looking for.
A particular app may not be available in your region, it may be in the development stage, or your device may not have access to it in Play Store. This is not an issue at all because there are a dozen other Play Store alternatives that are safe to visit.
These third party Android app stores not only let you download apps without using Google Play, but they also offer paid apps for free, give a discount on premium apps, or provide other money-saving offers.
Installation of apps from any source other than Google Play Store is blocked on Android by default. So the first thing you need to do is to enable app installation from unverified sources. Go to Settings > Security. Tap on “Unknown sources” to enable it.
Now, feel free to check out this list of app stores for Android.
10 Best Google Play Alternatives (2019)
- Aptoide
- APKMirror
- Amazon Appstore
- F-Droid
- GetJar
- SlideMe
- AppBrain
- MoboGenie
- Galaxy Apps
- GetAPK
Note: Please note that the list of apps and websites mentioned below isn’t a ranking; you’re advised to read their features and use the ones that suit you the best.
1. Aptoide
Aptoid’s design goes in line with Google standards, and the experience is almost as good as the Play Store with a well-crafted user interface.
Aptoide is an open-source Android app store with over 700,000 apps to choose from its collection that has over 3 billion downloads. It has been used by more than 150 million users worldwide since its launch in 2009.
There are several versions of the Aptoid app available:
- Aptoide app for smartphones and tablets
- Aptoide TV which is an edition for smart TVs and Set-top Boxes
- Aptoide VR and Aptoide Kids for children’s devices.
It allows you to download APKs to your device directly and install them. It is a safe and straightforward app store for Android that you can use as a great Google Play Store alternative.
Also read: 8 Useful “Google Play Store Tricks” And Features For Every Android User
2. APKMirror
APKMirror, as the name says, lets you download tons of free Android APKs and no paid apps are available here. However, APKMirror doesn’t have a dedicated Android app. So, users will have to visit the website for APK downloads.
The apps available on this Google Play alternative are malware-free and safe to download. On the homepage, the apps are arranged in chronological order and you can also find popularity charts based on a monthly, weekly, and 24-hour basis. There is also a search bar for those want to cut to the chase.
APKMirror’s user interface is very good on the desktop but it can be annoying to those accessing it via a smartphone. It’s somewhat difficult to find the download button for the APK files. Other than that, you should definitely give this Android app store a try.
3. Amazon Appstore
Amazon Appstore for Android, also known as the Amazon Underground, is one of the best alternatives for Play Store to download paid apps for free. The app store has nearly 334,000 different varieties of amazing apps, free as well as paid. In fact, it’s the default marketplace for Amazon’s Android Fire-branded line of Android devices.
The fascinating thing about the Amazon Appstore is the “free app of the day” feature. Every day a premium application is offered for free. Those who diligently check back every day can download many popular apps without paying a single penny.
The store has a vast collection of music, books, and movies which are often available at a price lower than Play Store. Overall, the Amazon AppStore provides a decent experience to thos looking for free app stores for Android, because it’s backed by such a big name.
4. F-Droid
F-droid is one such app store that has its focus on free and open-source software (FOSS) Android apps only. The apps on the store are well categorized, and you will find a vast collection of apps for free.
Uniquely, the entire site and app store is run by volunteers and relies on donations. So if you find an app you like, do consider making a small donation to keep this Google Play alternative up and running.
F-Droid is popular among Android developers as they have easy access to all the codes of the apps. They can use part of the codes to make apps of their own.
The apps don’t have reviews or ratings and are not always as stable as can be found in Google Play. If you are a developer, then it’s a go-to site for you.
5. GetJar
GetJar has been around for a very long time and is even older than the Play Store. It provides more than 800,000 varieties of apps across major mobile platforms, including Blackberry, Symbian, Windows Mobile, and Android.
The apps are organized into categories and sub-categories within the store that makes it easier to find what you want. The desktop interface resembles the mobile interface and makes browsing convenient. The selection of apps is huge, but not all of them are up to date.
Other than apps, this alternative Android app store also gives you access to various themes and games that you can install on your device.
Also read: How To Use Google Feed For News And Replace Facebook? How To Customize It?
6. SlideMe
Another long-term player in the app store business that is safe and easy to install is SlideMe. Many Android Open Source Project (AOSP) OEM’s are preloaded with SlideMe Market. It provides free and premium apps in various categories, and they all pass through a quality control process.
Based on geographic locations and payment methods, SlideMe opens up a convenient marketplace for developers.
7. AppBrain
If you are looking for an app store where you can find premium apps for free, then look no further because AppBrain can be your final destination. Developers offer paid apps for free for a limited time on this website. In return, AppBrain publicizes their app. This App Store alternative allows you access to extensive details of apps that you will not find in any other place.
All of the apps in AppBrain are from Google Play Store. AppBrain has both an app and a website to allow users to access its catalog. Unless you have an AppBrain account, you will be redirected to Play Store when you download an app.
Also read: 6 Legal Ways To Download Paid Android Apps For Free
8. Mobogenie
Mobogenie is yet another Google Play alternative with lots of software to choose from. It has a large user base, supports multiple languages, and showcases the same apps found in Play Store but properly organized.
Moreover, you can also download apps, videos, audio files, images, etc. on your PC and transfer them later to your smartphone or tablet. It also allows you to back up your device’s contents seamlessly.
Mobogenie boasts an intelligent recommendation engine that is supposed to analyze your preferences and make sensible suggestions. The interface is good, and it can be accessed globally, plus, there is no registration required.
9. Galaxy Apps
If you are using an Android device from Samsung, you probably already know about its alternative Android app store called Galaxy Store. For of all, there is no doubt the app store scores some huge numbers in terms of looks and feel.
Other than all the Samsung-made apps, Galaxy Store also features many other popular Android apps that one might want to download on their device. However, the app store only caters to Samsung-made devices including smartphones and smartwatches. Hence, it makes a great secondary app store for Samsung fans.
10. GetAPK Market
GetAPK Market is one of the biggest stores for downloading the APK files. All the apps available in this store are free. You just need to search the name of the app you want and then download the free APK file for it.
Alternatively, you can do it from Google Play itself. Go to Play Store and search for the paid app you wish to download for free. Once you’ve landed on the app page, tap on the Share button, and select GetAPK from the list of apps shown.
From there, you will be redirected to the app download page where you can get it for free. However, GetAPK doesn’t have a great responsive user interface as compared to the Google Play Store.
So, guys, these were our picks for the best free app stores for Android in 2019 and hope we might have answered your question: What can I use instead of Google Play?
Now, you should understand that each of these 10 Google Play Store alternatives fulfills a different need. Some offer paid apps for free and some provide open-source apps. So, it’s your choice what do you want.
Anyway, don’t forget to tell if we missed out on any good third-party app store for Android.
Also read: My Android O Is Sucking Mobile Data Even When WiFi Is Connected – What To Do?