10 Top Google Play Alternative App Stores

Updated on May 24, 2014 Dana Rock moreContact Author Choices! Android app store alternatives to the Google Play (formerly known as the Android Market) that both serving the apps and recruiting developers. Some "app stores" are really just alternative browsers for the Android Market, but the appstores in this list are truly their own gig (with the exception of GetJar - see below). I try to keep this hub updated with some of the latest and greatest, as well as with some of the suggestions from the readers. Do not forget to leave a comment and a link if you think you have an alternative Android appstore in mind. As their own gig, the app stores provide their own web interface or client app to browse and download the apps from their servers. If you purchase an app, you will pay them money directly and not use Google Checkout as required in Google Play. All of these app stores encourage developers to choose them to publish their apps with and cater to all kinds from web app type site shortcut apps to full, retail apps.

This is not an exhaustive list of alternative app stores. I included only app stores that did business primarily in English and had fully functional web app interfaces or client based user experiences. There are many more app stores out there, especially if we look at ones designed to serve China and other Asian locals. Try Google for those if you are brave or blessed with additional knowledge of languages or are a pro at using Google Translate. Lets get to discovering! The Amazon Appstore is incredible! The paid titles gone free for one day only include many inexpensive games, popular game and app exclusives, and the occasional expensive gem gone free for one day only! Because Amazon is a very large and profitable company with an amazing ability to move products, the arrival of the Amazon appstore brought real competition to the Android app marketplace and Google Play. Follow the "App of the Day" on Amazon's Twitter, Facebook, or on their site directly. Also, check out the newly launched Twitter Handle @AmazonAppStore and head over to their new Facebook Page. F-Droid is an installable catalogue of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) applications for the Android platform.

The client makes it easy to browse, install, and keep track of updates on your device. Although small, its fun to try new things including this little number. Download this Open Source and Free Software Android appstore now and give it a try. Have you every heard of 1Mobile Market before reading this, 1Mobile is a global leader in specialized software stores for smartphones and other mobile devices. Our store, 1Mobile Market, is a collection of more than 600,000 mobile phone applications and games, with more exciting, practical, and unique applications added everyday. 1Mobile intends to become the world’s most popular platform for smartphone application sales and distribution. We have carefully designed our website to support app developers and facilitate app publishing. 1Mobile Market may be one of my personal favorite rising stars. I appreciate that it offers both an app to download apps from your Android smartphone and a website that allows you to download the APK of an Android app directly.

1Mobile is a global network that actively recruits developers, which adds incredible legitimacy to the market as a legal provider of direct download APKs. Stock Up on MicroSD Cards! Opera Mobile App Store is the new kid on the block. Recently released in early March 2011, the Opera Mobile App Store shows potential. First, it has a stellar Opera "esque" black and red theme. The touch interface reminds me a lot of how the touch Facebook web app is designed. Second, the new Opera Mobile App Store features both paid and free apps with competitive prices. All app stores do not sell the same app for the same price, which makes the alternative app store an exciting addition to the marketplace in order to foster more competition. Thirdly, the Opera Mobile App Store offers an account based sales experience where you can register multiple devices and keep track of your downloads. SlideME also has an official app - QRcode is on the right.

The interface is fairly straightforward with basic categories and a featured app scroll wheel at the top. The app descriptions are quite nice, including screenshots, compatibility menus, and video demonstration links. The menu button brings up the options to look at additional categories for "Top Apps" and "Latest" Android apps published. The settings feature has some neat extras where you can set how many apps you would like to see per page and set a limit on how many screenshots you would like to see per app as well. Saint Cecilia EP Buy Now Get Angry with Amazon Appstore! GetJar is a long standing, tried and true, cross platform app store. Although it used to offer Android apps through its own platform, it no longer does so. Instead, it ops to use Google Play links. However, there is a fun twist. Apps that you download carry with them a currency used in a handful of apps and hundreds of themes in lieu of paying real money called GetJar Gold.