We all know that we can download apps from the Google Play Store & App Store when it comes to downloading apps. These are the most recognized app stores globally, and they have most of the apps.
But this is not limited to these stores only. There are various more like Google Play and App Store alternatives available to find the best app or game you are looking for.
Sometimes prohibited apps or games won’t be available on Google Play Store & App Store due to their strict publishing guidelines. And, if you want to download and use these kinds of restricted apps or games, you have to use other alternate app stores.
App Store Alternatives for Android & iOS in 2025
1. APKPure
APKPure is an open-source service that allows users to download APK files (Android applications that can install once the file is downloaded). It allows users to download region-specific apps that are not available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Famous apps like TikTok, PUBG Mobile, and others are available on the APKPure app store. Even the app’s version history is also available.
2. 9Apps
9Apps is one of the most famous and most used Google Play Stores Android alternatives. The 9Apps library is almost as big as the Google Play Store. As a huge benefit, 9Apps provides various paid games and apps for free.
The categorized sections and trending app listings make it easy for users to discover the most demanded apps and games and download them. The 9Apps app provides a safe, free, and super-fast experience. The app also features a mini-game section that allows the players to enjoy various games without downloading them.
3. Amazon App Store
Amazon app store is the primary app store of all Amazon Fire devices, including Kindle, Fire Phone, and Fire Tablet. But the Amazon App Store is not just limited to Amazon devices but can be used on all Android Devices.
The biggest reason one should download the Amazon App Store is that it offers a paid app for free daily. Yes, you can download a paid app for free using the Amazon App Store.
The app also offers a personalized experience based on views, searches, and downloads.
4. Aptoide
Aptoide is known for having apps generally not found on Google Play Store. The app is not centralized like the Google App Store, and therefore users can manage their store.
The Aptoide app store offers a free download of apps that aren’t available on the Google Play Store. You can even download NSFW games and apps using Aptoide. Even updates of some apps have come to Aptoide before.
Developers can use the paid acquisition campaigns using which their app or game will be displayed as ads to the users, and you have to pay only for the number of installs.
5. F-Droid
F-Droid is an open-source app store, and all the apps and games available on F-Droid are open-source. The app store runs on donations and is run by volunteers. It only allows free apps, and it has a policy of not pushing apps that include paid-to-add-ons and adverts.
The app has various simple apps like Simple Gallery and has a fair share of games. F-droid is also used to find and download something that Google Play Store doesn’t offer. The app store is trustworthy and safe.
The store has a strong customer base and costs nothing; therefore, the best advantage is that it will not hurt you to try the F-Droid App Store.
6. Aurora Store
AuroraOSS is open-source software filled with thousands of leading mobile apps and games that can be downloaded for free. The unique aesthetic design of the app store is the key aspect that provides a clean experience with its fresh-looking UI.
The key features of the Aurora store include Anonymous login, Google Login, Light/Dark mode, Device Spoofing, Filter F-droid apps, Blacklist apps, etc. All these features contribute to providing an amazing user experience.
7. Samsung Galaxy Store
Samsung Galaxy Store is an app store bundled with galaxy and gear devices. An app store is primarily a go-to place for special perks and deals for Galaxy and Gear device users.
The app store has tons of themes and fonts that one can use to customize their device experience. Users can browse and download apps without registration and login. The app offers almost all local languages, and therefore it is really easy to use and navigate.
It offers exclusive game offers to the users, and gamers can discover premium offers and unique benefits.
8. GetApps
As Samsung Galaxy Store is a dedicated app store for Galaxy and Gear devices, similarly, GetApps is an app store by Xiaomi for all Xiaomi devices like Redmi, Poco, Mi, Etc. The users can easily browse, manage, and install millions of apps available on GetApps.
Various exclusive apps are also available, like Mi Credit, Mi Pay, Etc. The app store offers all the famous apps like TikTok, Facebook, Whatsapp, and so on. No registration is required to use the GetApps app store.
All the apps available on GetApps are free, and the service promises never to charge users. All the apps go through a mature quality inspection team, and therefore all the apps listed on the store are safe to download. Content is available in abundance, which helps users select the right apps.
9. APKMirror
APKMirror isn’t an app store, but it is an app repository. A repository is a file storage location; it is used to store various app versions.
Therefore it is beneficial to use an old version of some app or game. Another benefit of using APKMirror is that it’s free of geo-location app availability. Therefore you get your hands on all the apps not available on Google App Store due to geolocation.
There is no need to create an account; you can browse and download apps without registration. Plus, you can get your hands on early alpha and beta versions of the apps.
10. Huawei App Gallery
Huawei App Gallery used to be a dedicated app store for Huawei and Honor devices, but after the US Sanctioned and subsequent Google ban, the Huawei App Gallery can now be downloaded and used on all Android Devices.
App Gallery has more than 1.3 million apps, including various popular apps and publishers. The app gallery has more than 400 million users. Along with parental control, the app stores offer rock-solid protection.
Various charts and curated lists help the user find the perfect app or game they were looking for. There are various local exclusives for App Gallery users like Gift centers, Exciting Promotions, Local events with prizes, and so on.
11. Apple App Store
Apple app store is a dedicated app store for iOS devices like iPhones, iPad, Macbooks, iWatch, and so on. The Apple App store is developed and maintained by Apple Inc. The app allows users to browse and download apps developed with Apple’s iOS software development kit.
This app store is as big as the Google Play Store. As Apple devices work on iOS, this is the only app store that Apple device users can browse and download apps.
The Apple store is one of the safest and often argued as the safest app store out there. The app approval process for iOS apps is the hardest.
12. GetJar
GetJar is a free catalog of applications to download free apps for mobile devices and tablets. One can download apk files for Android OS and Jar (Java) files for Symbian OS (mostly found in Nokia Devices).
The apps are placed in various categories, and therefore browsing the apps is easy. Furthermore, the categories are also divided into sub-categories, making finding the desired app easier.
The main advantage of using GetJar is that it offers virtual currencies for users when they download apps. These GetJar Gold Coins can buy premium apps for free or even on Google Play Store or Amazon.
13. SlideME
SlideME is an app store that has been there longer than the Google Play Store. It is the most regularly found app store as an alternative to the Google Play Store. All the apps listed on the app are curated after being reviewed.
One can use PayPal or Amazon Pay to purchase paid apps. As for the app developers, SildeME offers free services like SlideLock for application protection and in-app billing. As the standard application protection is used, the apps listed on SlideME are safe to use.
14. Uptodown
Uptodown app is an app store that is specially designed for Android apps. Using the
Uptodown app, you can download apps directly in APK format, safely and quickly.
You can even roll back to the previous versions of the app. The app offers automatic updates, and therefore all your apps will always have the updated version. There is no need to register or sign up; you can browse and download all the apps without bothering.
Uptodown offers a vast catalog of thousands of Android apps. All the apps have rich editorial content with in-house screenshots that help you know the app’s features.
15. Mobile9
Mobile9 is an all-in-one application that has everything needed for an Android phone or Tablet. It offers similar Google Play Store apps and also offers unique apps that are not available on Google Play Store. There are wallpapers, ringtones, movies, songs, and many more. As a benefit, everything on Mobile9 is free.
It also has a category that allows you to download youtube videos for free. It offers books too like ebooks, manga, audiobooks, Etc. Also, it provides mobile themes and live wallpapers.
16. Mobango
Mobango is an Android app store with millions of users and more than 1000 downloads per day. It is a close runner-up for the Google Play Store. There are relatively fewer apps on this store; it is a plus point for developers as this makes it easy to have your app ranked. Moreover, uploading the app is free, and you don’t even have to share any percentage.
Thanks to various categories and sub-categories, users can easily browse through and find the right app. One can even share an app through message or e-mail; this makes it easy to share an app from one device to another.
17. Bemobi Mobile Store
Bemobi Mobile Store is one of the leading mobile app stores and digital distribution platforms for developers and users. It has thousands of apps and games that you can choose from.
The categories and sub-categories are so helpful that one can easily find the perfect app from themselves. The app store is flooded with games and therefore is the ideal place for gamers to find games that are not available on Google Play Store.
18. BlackMart
BlackMart is a Google Play Store Alternative that offers more than 300,000 mobile games and apps. All the applications are free to download on BlackMart. The users do not need their Google Id or anything to download the apps and games.
The BlackMart app provides frequent updates to offer the best experience to the users. BlackMart offers intriguing features like automatic installation of files, app and game update notifications, allowing the app or game to move from internal memory to memory card, a smart search feature, various categories, Etc.
19. Softonic
Softonic.com is a software and app discovery website based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. In 1997, Softonic International founded Softonic. More than 4 million downloads are delivered daily by Softonic.com, which reaches over 100 million users every month.
Softonic provides increased location and privacy control, dark mode, Gesture navigation, focus mode, parental control, and 100% secure and safe download. The users can also get various paid apps and games for free on Softonic. Softonic also provides news, articles, and guides about apps and games that one can refer to find the best apps and games for themselves.
20. Apptoko
Apptoko app store offers a huge catalog of apps, wallpapers, ringtones, and even comics. Most of the content on the Apptoko app store is designed to target the Indonesian market. Apptoko does not require a user account to download apps, however, having an account has its benefits too. The store also offers automatic installations and updates.
Apptoko offers an easy-to-use interface and separate sections for all the services. The app store is available in different languages, and users can easily change the language from the settings.
21. Cafe Bazaar
Cafe Bazaar is the most popular Android App Store for Persian Speakers. With this app store, users can download thousands of free and paid apps in Iran. The interface of the app store is also in the Persian language. The app store is efficiently categorized and sub-categorized to offer easy browsing and downloading.
Every app or game that is published on the platform is checked by their team for any malware or virus, so all the apps and games are 100% secure to download and use. Cafe Bazaar also offers a support feature for any queries or problems.
22. One Store
One Store is a Korean App Store that aims to be the most user-friendly, transparent, and seamless platform dedicated to maximizing your mobile experience. One Store allows Android users to download apps, and games, listen to music, rent movies, watch tv series and movies, and much more.
One Store offers different sections and search bars to provide a clear and easy-to-use interface. All the listings are up-to-date with videos, screenshots, and the last update date. The One Store is a great alternative to Google Play, offering you a multitude of Korean apps and games.
23. Oppo App Store
Oppo App Store is the official App Store of Oppo Mobiles and this store comes pre-installed on all Oppo phones. It is a free app store that offers a variety of choices to download like Social Apps, Music & Video, Games, Photography, Office, Health, and more. The users can even earn reward points from downloading apps on the OPPO Free App Market.
The app store offers a unique feature called “Clean Up” that will clean up system junk files to clear space for downloads. Other amazing features include reservations for upcoming apps & games, help & support, a search bar, a QR Code scanner, etc.
24. Vivo App Store
Vivo App Store comes pre-installed with all Vivo Devices. The App Store content is curated to offer the best games and apps for Vivo Devices. Vivo App Store offers a wide variety of games and apps. Categories like ranking apps/games, top charts, etc help in finding the best apps and games for you.
The Vivo App Store also offers various tools like app update, uninstall, download management, space cleanup, etc. The store can also be used to share your feedback. The Vivo Device users can download apps and games without creating any user ID.
25. Xiaomi GetApps
Xiaomi Get Apps is the pre-installed app store for all Xiaomi Devices. GetApps is the official Xiaomi App Store. The global distribution of GetApps has exceeded 220 billion, with active users in China, India, Indonesia, Russia, and Spain. Millions of daily users use the Xoimi GetApps Store to download amazing apps and games.
From the main window of the application you can take a quick look at the most downloaded apps, and access their information with just a touch. One of Xiaomi Market’s strengths is that it doesn’t only let you download applications, but it also keeps them updated.
Confused about which app store you should choose to release your app/game?
You can contact us, Capermint Technologies, one of the leading app development companies in the USA & Canada, for consultation and to publish your app/game on any app store that you want. Our app and game developers have published apps and games at various app stores, and therefore with their experience, they can help you choose the right app store for your app/game.
Why you should choose Android App stores Alternative as a user?
- The Google Play Store & App Store will remove an app (one that can be your favorite) as soon as the Government tells them to do so.
- Enjoy more categories and curated lists.
- Get your hands on the Beta versions of various apps that you will not find on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
- If you have updated your app from the Play Store & App Store, you can use other app stores to download the previous version of the app too, if you don’t like the new update or if it contains bugs.
- Several paid apps are available for free here.
Why you should choose a Google Play Store & Apple App Store alternative as a developer?
- Launching your app on just App Store will limit the number of downloads as many users use other app stores, and therefore you should try to release your app on as many app stores as possible.
- You can promote your app at various app stores.
- Your app can list out various categories or curated lists that other app stores feature.
- There are fewer chances of being listed in the top 10 charts of the Google Play Store & Play Store, as on other app stores, the competition is relatively less; your app can get listed in the top charts of other app stores.
FAQs
1. How to download apps on Android without the Play Store?
To download Android apps, you don’t require the Play Store always. Please refer above Play Store alternative list to download Android apps without having a Play Store.
2. Which Android app store is the best?
Google Play, Apkpure, 9Apps, and Aptoide are among the best app stores for Android.
3. Where to get Android apps besides Google Play?
You can find Android apps from the above-mentioned all app stores except the Apple store.
Conclusion
Choosing the right more like Google Play Store & Apple App Store alternatives can be challenging. There are pros and cons to each app store. One cannot find a complete alternative to the Play Store & App Store. Still, they can find an additional app store that can help them have apps that are not available on Google Play Store & Apple App Store or are restricted due to Government Policies or Geographic restrictions.
However, all the above-mentioned app stores are free to use, and therefore without any hesitation, you can give them a try.