Just as I discovered some really cool apps for Linux, the case has been the same for FOSS Android apps. There were many that took me by surprise, and some that disappointed me as I used them more.
As 2024 comes to a close, it's a great time to look back on some wonderful open source Android apps that stood out this year. From security-focused apps to general-purpose apps such as keyboards and downloaders, we had plenty that piqued our attention.
We begin with Exodus, an Android app that helps track which apps are employing what kind of trackers, allowing users to deep dive into each app's tracker details. It shows helpful insights on potential privacy risks, enabling anyone to make an informed decision about the apps they install.
All of that is made possible due to the εxodus privacy auditing platform that lies underneath, checking for app behavior like ads, tracking, and analytics that could affect a user's privacy.
This is a personal favorite of mine. Simple Keyboard is a minimal open source keyboard app that doesn't collect user data or implement trackers. It offers plenty of useful features like auto-capitalization, customizable themes, changeable keyboard height, and more.
It is designed to be a no-nonsense, lightweight keyboard app that doesn't get in the way. You can learn more here:
If you are traveling abroad or are just curious what your next purchase would cost if you were to import it from some foreign marketplace, an app like Currencies is what you are looking for.
Thanks to itsregularly updated data sources, you can search for currency exchange rates on the go by using its clean, user-friendly interface. You can even add your favorite currencies so that you don't have to search for those each time you open the app.
In an age of constant cybersecurity threats, having secure passwords is a crucial thing. Sure, you can use password managers on desktop, but keeping track of any compromised passwords is just as important.
Password Monitor can help you do that. From the developer of IYPS, it is an open source password checker tool that has tight integration with Have I Been Pwned?, allowing the app to search through a global database of compromised passwords.
From the house of Ente, the Ente Auth app is a free, open source authentication tool for Android (and other platforms) that has been designed as a privacy-focused alternative to the likes of Authy. It features end-to-end encryption, can show a user the next authentication code for ease of use, and can be integrated with a smartphone's screen lock (biometric/conventional).
Ever felt the need to download that spicy Arch Linux meme on YouTube, but couldn't because you would have to sign up for a paid subscription? Well, then you can use Seal, a Kotlin-based app that is powered by yt-dlp.
It features customizable options for video quality, audio formats, and subtitle downloads. Just keep in mind that it can only handle one video at a time.
Seal also supports other platforms that yt-dlp does, so you can download content from Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and many others.
If you are a regular on Hacker News, then you should definitely check out Hacki. It is a feature-rich, open source client that supports logging into a Hacker News account, allowing access to many features like voting, commenting, saving, etc.
It is cool to see someone develop such a client, as the Hacker News platform is a popular choice among tech professionals, developers, and startup founders. Having a mobile app (even an unofficial one) just makes it easier for people to interact with each other.
We culminate this roundup with NetGuard, an open source Android firewall app that can block internet access for specific apps without requiring root access. It offers functions like network access toggles, traffic logs, and advanced rules, enabling high levels of privacy and data usage control.
2024 has been a fantastic year for discovering and using FOSS Android apps. The ones listed above prove how the open source community can band together to provide high-quality applications that care about the user, not their data.
As we move into 2025, I thoroughly look forward to discovering new offerings. If anyone happens to have any suggestions or resources, feel free to send them in the comments below or via email.
Sourav Rudra
