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F-Droid vs Google Play

F-Droid scores 26 out of 30 and Google Play scores 15. F-Droid is ahead on footprint, lock-in, self-direction, power and longevity. Google Play is ahead on delivery.

F-Droid

The small tool

26/30 · Convivial

An Android app store with only free software, and labels for what each app does.

Google Play

The giant

15/30 · Mixed

The store that comes with most Android phones.

Footprint
5
2
Lock-in
5
2
Self-direction
5
2
Power
4
1
Longevity
4
3
Delivery
3
5
Price
Free
Free
Source
Open source
Closed source
Runs on
Android
Android, web
Maker
M · Medium
XL · Extra large

What you give up by switching

F-Droid lists only open-source apps, so most banking, ride-hailing and streaming apps are not there. Updates come from the F-Droid app instead of Play.

How to move

Install F-Droid alongside Play and move apps over one by one as you find open replacements.

Scores are our opinion on six questions from Ivan Illich, based on public sources and dated October 2026. Read the full reviews of F-Droid and Google Play, or see how we score.

Visit F-Droid More tools for “get apps without a gatekeeper”