Table of contents
Open Source
Replicant is fully open-source, allowing users to inspect, modify, and improve its code. This transparency helps ensure there are no hidden backdoors or malicious code.
Privacy and Security
By using only free and open-source software, Replicant aims to provide a more secure and privacy-respecting experience compared to proprietary systems and firmware.
Community-Driven
Replicant is developed by the community, for the community, which can lead to iterative improvements and features that users genuinely want.
Replicant is considered a good option for users who prioritize freedom and privacy over performance and wider app compatibility. However, its support for devices is limited compared to mainstream Android versions, and some features may not work on all devices due to the lack of proprietary software.
We have collected here some useful links to help you find out if Replicant is good.
Check the traffic stats of Replicant on SimilarWeb. The key metrics to look for are: monthly visits, average visit duration, pages per visit, and traffic by country. Moreoever, check the traffic sources. For example "Direct" traffic is a good sign.
Check the "Domain Rating" of Replicant on Ahrefs. The domain rating is a measure of the strength of a website's backlink profile on a scale from 0 to 100. It shows the strength of Replicant's backlink profile compared to the other websites. In most cases a domain rating of 60+ is considered good and 70+ is considered very good.
Check the "Domain Authority" of Replicant on MOZ. A website's domain authority (DA) is a search engine ranking score that predicts how well a website will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs). It is based on a 100-point logarithmic scale, with higher scores corresponding to a greater likelihood of ranking. This is another useful metric to check if a website is good.
The latest comments about Replicant on Reddit. This can help you find out how popualr the product is and what people think about it.
Sadly there is no real alternative to Android at the moment. Replicant are also just 2-3 developers afaik. https://replicant.us/. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
Galaxy Note 2 + [Replicant](https://replicant.us). I got 2 used for $10, one is my main, the other is my travel dummy airport cops can look at. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
The Free Software Foundation. Founded by Richard Stallman, they made the GPL Licences, they were resposible for the GNU in GNU/Linux. Check out their website on www.fsf.org. In this article they recommend Replicant. Source: over 2 years ago
There is a android rom called replicant which is trying to fix the problems with cell phones. https://replicant.us/. Source: over 2 years ago
If you did read the list of FSF approved distro's, you'd know that they approve of Replicat a mobile Linux distro that doesn't use GNU. Source: about 3 years ago
Or put a Linux on it replicant.us postmarketos.org. Source: almost 4 years ago
Get something with Good ROM support or at least PostMarketOS(no android compatibility) or Replicant(fully privacy respecting Android ROM) support, is the best mobile OS for privacy. replicant.us postmarketos.org. Source: almost 4 years ago
I recommend you replicant replicant.us , a 100% free ROM that respects your freedom. Source: almost 4 years ago
> underneath it runs a crusty old 2017 kernel full of holes of different sizes > LineageOS and other projects can’t fix things in kernels they can’t compile I think that you're wrong on this, unless you decided to use the term "kernel" above too liberally, referring to all software running on a device. AFAIK, alternative Android images, such as LineageOS, include relevant - and up-to-date! - AOSP common... - Source: Hacker News / almost 4 years ago
Similar projects: https://e.foundation/ and https://replicant.us/. - Source: Hacker News / about 4 years ago
I'd would not like to run "other operating systems", but rather Replicant[1]. The PinePhone is listed as a supported device[2], but I'm finding next to no reports on how it is working. [1] https://replicant.us/ [2] https://replicant.us/supported-devices.php. - Source: Hacker News / about 4 years ago
Replicant is endorsed by the FSF, though. Source: over 4 years ago
The closest to actually usable fully open source Android is Replicant OS, and it has about a dozen of available devices, even fewer of which are actively supported. Source: over 4 years ago
> Yes I want a Linux phone. But I also want one that has similar app support to Android and iOS. Replicant? https://replicant.us/. - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago
Replicant, an open-source mobile operating system, frequently emerges in discussions among technology enthusiasts and privacy advocates as a notable alternative to Google's Android. Positioned as a mobile OS that prioritizes user freedom and privacy, it has been around since 2010 and is gaining attention amidst growing concerns about security and data privacy in mainstream mobile operating systems.
Focus on Privacy and User Freedom: Replicant's primary appeal lies in its dedication to user freedom and privacy. As an FSF-endorsed project, it emphasizes a fully open-source approach, contrasting sharply with conventional mobile OS options that mix open-source and proprietary components. This focus makes it particularly attractive to privacy-conscious users and those concerned about digital rights.
Limited Developer Resources: A prominent critique of Replicant is its constrained development capacity. With reportedly only 2-3 developers actively contributing, the scope of progress and device support is limited compared to more resource-abundant competitors. This factor underscores challenges in maintaining a robust and comprehensive development pace, directly impacting the range of supported devices and the regularity of updates.
Device Compatibility and Support: Users discuss Replicant’s limited device compatibility, which remains a significant hurdle. With only about a dozen supported devices and even fewer actively supported, potential users may struggle to find suitable hardware. Although using LineageOS as a base provides some stability and wider compatibility, the project's ambitious goal of removing all proprietary drivers further restricts compatibility.
A Niche Player in Mobile OS Alternatives: Within its niche market, Replicant stands out not only for its strong ideological stance but also in comparison to other alternatives like LineageOS, PostMarketOS, and CalyxOS. It is often cited alongside these projects as options for users keen to diminish reliance on major tech companies and fortify their devices against surveillance and intrusion.
Endorsement and Advocacy: The endorsement from influential entities like the Free Software Foundation lends Replicant credibility and supports its status in advocating for software liberty. Such endorsements make it a default consideration for users committed to open-source software principles.
Challenges and Opportunities: While Replicant's mission resonates with a segment of the user base vigilant about software freedom and privacy, it also faces an uphill battle against mainstream adoption pressures. The limited app ecosystem and lack of comprehensive hardware support are significant barriers yet also represent opportunities for the project to innovate and expand its reach, particularly in light of broader concerns about data privacy and security.
In conclusion, Replicant represents a compelling option for those concerned with digital rights and privacy, albeit with clear limitations tied to development resources and device support. The ongoing discourse around it highlights a growing demand for transparent, open-source alternatives in the mobile OS market, signifying both the project's current niche appeal and its potential future influence as these concerns continue to grow in prominence.
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Is Replicant good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss Replicant here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.
