Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

F-Droid VS Aurora Store

Compare F-Droid VS Aurora Store and see what are their differences

F-Droid logo F-Droid

F-Droid is an interesting alternative for Android users who want to try something different and not have to use the Goole Play store all the time.

Aurora Store logo Aurora Store

Aurora is a FOSS Play Store client that does not require a Google Account to download directly from Play Store. However you can login with your Google Account to download your already paid apps!
  • F-Droid Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-13
  • Aurora Store Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-23

F-Droid features and specs

  • Open Source Philosophy
    F-Droid focuses exclusively on free and open-source software, promoting transparency, community collaboration, and user control over their applications.
  • No Tracking or Ads
    F-Droid does not include any forms of user tracking or advertisements in the apps it offers, ensuring user privacy and a cleaner experience.
  • Security and Privacy
    The repository is curated with a strong emphasis on security and privacy, often including apps that respect user data and have minimal permissions.
  • Offline Usage
    F-Droid's repository can be browsed, and apps can be installed and updated without a continuous internet connection, making it more flexible for offline use.
  • Custom Repositories
    Users can add multiple repositories, allowing greater access to a variety of apps and increased customization of the app selection.
  • No Registration Required
    No account or registration is needed to use F-Droid, making installation quick and straightforward without personal information risk.

Possible disadvantages of F-Droid

  • Limited App Selection
    Compared to other marketplaces like the Google Play Store, F-Droid has a more limited selection of apps, potentially lacking some mainstream or proprietary applications.
  • Update Delays
    Due to the curating process and less frequent updates, some apps on F-Droid may receive updates later than their counterparts on other platforms.
  • User Interface
    The user interface of F-Droid can be less polished and user-friendly compared to mainstream app stores, which might not appeal to all users.
  • Dependency on Third-Party Repositories
    While custom repositories are a pro, they can also introduce risks if the added repositories are not well-maintained or secure.
  • Installation Process
    Installation processes for some apps might require additional steps like enabling unknown sources or managing permissions, which can be challenging for less tech-savvy users.

Aurora Store features and specs

  • Privacy-focused
    Aurora Store prioritizes user privacy by not requiring a Google account for app downloads, thus reducing the amount of data shared with Google.
  • Open-source
    The store is open-source, allowing users and developers to inspect the code for security vulnerabilities or add new features, ensuring greater transparency and trust.
  • Google Play Store access
    Aurora Store enables users to download apps from the Google Play Store without using the official Google Play client, providing access to a broader range of apps.
  • Anonymity
    Users can download apps anonymously using 'spoofed' Google Play accounts, adding an extra layer of privacy.
  • User-friendly interface
    The store offers an intuitive and clean interface that is easy to navigate, making it accessible for a wide range of users.

Possible disadvantages of Aurora Store

  • Potential legal issues
    Using spoofed Google Play accounts might violate Google's terms of service, potentially leading to account bans or other legal complications.
  • Dependence on Google's infrastructure
    Despite being an alternative store, it still relies on Google's infrastructure for app downloads, which might limit its functionality if Google decides to block it.
  • Updates and maintenance
    As an open-source project, it may not have the same level of funding or consistent updates as commercial app stores, potentially leading to issues with stability or security.
  • Limited support
    Support and troubleshooting might be limited compared to official app stores, making it harder for users to resolve issues quickly.
  • Fewer integrated features
    Aurora Store might lack some integrated features found in the official Play Store, such as direct support for in-app purchases and subscriptions.

Analysis of F-Droid

Overall verdict

  • F-Droid is generally considered a good alternative app store for Android.

Why this product is good

  • F-Droid is a reputable platform known for hosting open-source apps that are both free and privacy-focused. It's an excellent resource for users who prioritize transparency and wish to avoid proprietary software. The app store also provides a straightforward and secure method of discovering and installing open-source applications, offering a curated selection that emphasizes user freedom and privacy rights. Additionally, F-Droid does not contain any advertising or tracking, further enhancing its appeal to privacy-conscious users.

Recommended for

  • Users who prioritize privacy and security.
  • Those who prefer open-source software.
  • Android users looking for an alternative to the Google Play Store.
  • Developers and enthusiasts interested in freely accessible code.
  • Individuals seeking ad-free and tracker-free app experiences.

Analysis of Aurora Store

Overall verdict

  • Aurora Store is a good choice for users who value privacy and open-source solutions. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive access to the vast library of Google Play apps, it serves as a reliable alternative. However, it might not appeal to users who prefer a seamless integration with Google services.

Why this product is good

  • Aurora Store, an open-source alternative to the Google Play Store, offers a way to download apps from Google Play without needing a Google account. It prioritizes user privacy, providing options to spoof device information, download APKs directly, and maintain user anonymity. It is especially useful for those who seek greater control over their data and wish to avoid Google's data collection practices.

Recommended for

    Privacy-conscious users, open-source enthusiasts, and individuals who wish to use Google Play Store apps without a Google account.

F-Droid videos

F-Droid recap review, de-Googling my phone

More videos:

  • Tutorial - F-Droid | A free software app store you must have | Tutorial
  • Review - F-Droid for Android

Aurora Store videos

Aurora Store for ALL Huawei Devices without GMS - Forget about Google Play Store!

More videos:

  • Review - F-Droid and Aurora Store Guide - Install Android Apps in Privacy!
  • Review - 3 Best App Stores for Android on Windows 11 | WSA | Aurora Store

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to F-Droid and Aurora Store)
App Store
74 74%
26% 26
Mobile Apps
74 74%
26% 26
Software Marketplace
68 68%
32% 32
Mobile OS
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare F-Droid and Aurora Store

F-Droid Reviews

10 Best Google Play Store Alternatives for Android Apps
F-Droid is an app store that specializes in free and open-source software (FOSS). All apps on F-Droid are free and open-source, meaning they can be freely distributed and modified. The app store has a selection of over 3,000 apps, including popular FOSS apps like Signal, Firefox, and OpenStreetMap.
Source: geeksramp.com
Best Android APK Download Sites 2022: APK Mirror, APK Pure, Aptoide, and More
On an F-Droid app, you wonโ€™t find all the games and games that you usually get on the Google Play Store, instead, youโ€™ll find a lot of open source apps, which are mostly not available on Google Play. The app has a pretty sleep UI. In case you feel like donating some money to the F-Droid, the donations will be used for the maintenance of the app like servers, admin work, and...
Source: droid.news
9 best safe sites to download Android APKs
F-Droid is a marketplace that contains more than thousands of free open-source apps. Available on both the web and as an application, F-Droid is a one-stop hub for users who love to install and tinker with open-source apps on their Android phones. Furthermore, those whoโ€™re into programming can also create their own repository on the website.
22 Best Google Play Store Alternatives 2023
Interestingly, volunteers run F-Droid, and they rely on donations. Android developers like F-Droid because they can access the codes of various apps and use the data to create their own.
6 Google Play Store Alternatives to List Your Android Apps
F-Droid is a free and open-source app marketplace where you can host free applications with paid updates/features.
Source: geekflare.com

Aurora Store Reviews

10 Best Google Play Store Alternatives for Android Apps
Aurora Store is another best alternative to Play Store. It offers a wide range of apps, including popular apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter. However, what sets Aurora Store apart is its focus on privacy.
Source: geeksramp.com
22 Best Google Play Store Alternatives 2023
Aurora Store is another open-source Play Store alternative with thousands of stunning applications and games available for free. Its clean and unique user interface is why I prefer it to the Play Store. It also features a dark theme with various accent choices.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, F-Droid should be more popular than Aurora Store. It has been mentiond 383 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

F-Droid mentions (383)

  • Secuso โ€“ Our Farewell from Google Play
    The F-Droid store is usually already the first app I ever install on any Android device. https://f-droid.org/ Second app is often the Aurora Store, from within the F-Droid store. Aurora lets you install Google Play apps without having to have a Google Account: https://f-droid.org/packages/com.aurora.store/ With these two apps installed first, on any Android, without having to type-in any Google Account details,... - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • What is Termux? A Beginnerโ€™s Guide to the Android Linux Terminal
    Install F-Droid Go to f-droid.org and download the APK. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • Google makes Android development private, will continue open source releases
    You can have a very usable phone with https://f-droid.org/ Obviously, you will be able to find plenty of examples of things that don't work, and you probably have a bank app or some other thing that you need Google for, but alternatives do exist, and I'd argue that you can have a healthier, more productive, and more enjoyable experience if you can have all your needs met by software that isn't treating you as a... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Ask HN: Anyone else ready to ditch app stores and Facebook's ecosystem?
    I've never had a Facebook account nor used an official market as the primary means of obtaining software, so I can't give any guidance on ditching them, but I can tell you what I do without them. Last time I owned an iOS phone, I was using Cydia to install software, but I haven't kept up, so I don't know what that scene is like. In the future, it may be possible to load software yourself, on an unmodified... - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • MagiskSSH โ€“ SSH server on Android without Termux
    I think this is a bit overkill for my taste with root but depends on use case. I'm SSHing regularly into my Android phone (and it does not need root) for backup purposes. Used various apps for that but settled for years on Termux. * Install https://f-droid.org/ store * Install Termux from there * Install ssh daemon and rsync in Termux with
        pkg upgrade.
    - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
View more

Aurora Store mentions (85)

  • F-Droid and Google's Developer Registration Decree
    The Aurora Store lets you access Play Store apps without having a Google account by using their shared accounts, it is recommended on GrapheneOS (a privacy/security Android fork). https://auroraoss.com/ Of course government, banking, McDonalds and other apps ban non-Google versions of Android, so you might be stuck with either Google or Apple until lawmakers catch up with this situation.... - Source: Hacker News / 4 days ago
  • 'The tyranny of apps': those without smartphones are unfairly penalised
    Can you use Aurora store? https://auroraoss.com/ (That's what I use when I don't want to put a Google account on an Android phone). - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • Android gaming on Odin 2
    If the game says it's not compatible with your device, I suggest The Aurora Store. Connects to Google's official servers to download any free apk. If you want a Paid game/app, you need to sign in with your Google Play account, as long as you've purchased it with that account, and it's still available to download from Google play, you can download the apk. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • โŸณ 8 apps added, 74 updated at f-droid.org
    Aurora Store (version 4.2.5): An open-source alternative to Google Play Store with privacy and modern design. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Consumer Software Is Expected to Be Next Fast-Growing Segment (1994)
    >Like, Google does not let you search their app store and filter by cost or spyware Why would they? But Aurora Store does: https://auroraoss.com/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing F-Droid and Aurora Store, you can also consider the following products

Aptoide - Aptoide is a third party replacement for the traditional Google Play Store.

APK Pure - Download apk for Android with APKPure APK downloader. NoAds, Faster apk downloads and apk file update speed. Best of all, it's free

APKMirror - Android Market and APK Downloads

Amazon Appstore - The Amazon Appstore is a place to purchase and download apps for your Android device.

Uptodown - Uptodown is a mobile app and website that lets you download games and apps to users on most of the major platforms.

AppBrain - Grow your app business with AppBrain: Monetize, advertise and analyze Android apps