When it comes to downloading new apps and games for your Android, Google Play will most likely be the place you go first. After all, the Google application store is the default option on – almost – all Android devices, and it has the largest repertoire of software available for our favorite operating system. However, you may be missing out on great apps by not using third-party app stores.
And yes, although Google Play is the preferred option, there are alternatives as interesting and with catalogs as numerous as the store of the great G. In this article, we collect 4 of the best app stores available for Android. From this download, and discover new software for your Android mobile or tablet, of course, is a legal way.
Bad life
From Valencia, this store of applications for Android made in Spain stands out for its speed when loading the thousands of applications in its catalog. Malavida is a fantastic alternative when it comes to downloading applications and games on Android, as it not only includes those existing apps on Google Play but also offers us some APK files that, for different reasons, are not available in the native Android store.
Its catalog is divided into different categories to make searching for applications much easier. In addition, the web also includes tutorials, tips, and tricks on Android and some of the most popular apps. Of course, the download of the APK files is safe. From Malavida, they ensure that every one of the application packages is original, in addition to being checked with antivirus to prevent them from including advertising or downloaders introduced by third parties.
APKMirror
APKMirror is another popular store, which mainly houses the free apps that already exist on Google Play. Although it is an alternative store that does not usually include apps not available in the Android market, it can be a good option for those who want to download old versions of an app or applications not available in a specific country.
F-Droid
For lovers of free and free software, there is F-Droid, the largest repository of applications based on the FOSS philosophy –Free and Open Source Software–. It is an alternative application store, which in its catalog only has free applications and whose source code is free. This implies several things, among them that many of the popular applications are not available. Still, on the other hand, it is possible to find open-source alternatives, perhaps more interesting than the original ones.
In addition to having a web page from which to download all the hosted APK files, there is an official F-Droid app for Android to explore the catalog more easily and download the thousands of apps that this store houses. Again, the creators assure us that all downloads made are completely safe and that the files have not been modified or altered in any way.
SlideME
The creators of SlideME define their creation as one of the leading independent stores for Android applications and games. One of the curiosities of this store is that it intends that those smartphone manufacturers that do not use Google Play services on their smartphones – and therefore cannot include Google Play in them – can offer their users a simple way to download apps and games. Today, 140 brands have already collaborated with SlideME.
The store itself offers a fairly varied range of applications. However, in certain situations, we may see how some of the most popular apps are not available – applications such as WhatsApp, Instagram, or YouTube, among others, do not appear in the database of SlideME–, which does not happen in other marketplaces mentioned in this compilation such as Mediavida. Be that as it may, in most cases, there are alternatives with which to alleviate the lack of the original apps.
Sharlene Meriel is an avid gamer with a knack for technology. He has been writing about the latest technologies for the past 5 years. His contribution in technology journalism has been noteworthy. He is also a day trader with interest in the Forex market.
