30+ Best Alternative App Stores For Your Applications

Bored of the same old app stores? Now is the time to discover the world of alternatives! Even though Google Play and the Apple App Store are undisputed leaders in the app market, other options are available. In this blog, we shall analyze some fantastic alternative app stores that provide a new world of applications. Whether you are seeking a more comprehensive range of apps, lower prices, or just are sick of what is in the mainstream, these app stores are the ones to satisfy the market gap in the most suitable way for you.

Why You Should Consider Using An Alternative App Store?

A lot of Google and Apple competitors are not exactly looking to compete with Google Play and the App Store head-on; instead, they are looking for different niches and strategies. Besides, a fact that cannot be denied is that third-party app stores are often willing to offer download incentives and more attractive app deals than Google Play and the Apple App Store.  However, the question is, can a third-party app store make users experience a profitable journey? The answer is complicated.  Our evaluation should not be limited to the pros and cons of alternative app stores. So, what benefits come with downloading apps from the alternative app store? Let’s dive into it. Multiple alternative stores give premium app versions at a discounted price or offer frequent other money-saving promotions.  They usually don't charge for uploading and may promote the app further by featuring it as an "app of the day" or offering advertising discounts for developers who cooperate with them. Besides, developers stand a better chance of getting better rankings on alternative platforms as they need more space in Google Play and the App Store, which are almost full.  To developers, testing MVP apps in the app stores with free apps seems a brilliant idea, as opposed to Google Play, which charges a $25 registration fee, and the App Store, which requires a $99 annual developer fee.  A third-party store might set itself apart by presenting a smaller and curated list of apps that have already been reviewed for quality, target age group, or unique goals.  Many companies hire mobile app developers to create apps that will be available in such stores because people seek them out for their high quality and specificity. At the end of the day, remember the huge pool of apps and games that will never be available on Google Play or the Apple App Store. So, third-party app stores give you a much larger variety in apps. 

Best Alternative App Stores For Android

Here’s a selection of the best 3rd party app stores for Android devices. These alternative platforms offer a wide range of apps, often with features and options that go beyond what's available in the Google Play Store:

1. 9Apps: A free app store with a versatile range of applications, including gaming, social media, music streaming, and health apps, is a rich source of all types of applications. One of the best things about this app store is that users are free to explore popular Android apps without any downloading fees.
2. Accrescent: A modern and one of the most well-regulated application stores for Android is Accrescent. As of now, Accrescent is in its pre-alpha stage, and only the lead developer responsible for the precious programming is permitted to upload any more apps.  The system strives to become a developer-friendly hub with a focus on modern security and privacy standards.
3. ACMarket: An alternative app store for Android, ACMarket is basically for cracked, hacked, and altered apps. It stands out as one of the most popular go-to unofficial app stores for Android, with over 15,000 applications. Given its continuous development, ACMarket keeps introducing new updates and improvements.
4. Amazon App Store: This provides an excellent alternative to Google Play. The app store features a cross-platform analytics service that makes it easy for developers to use. Developers pay 70% of the app's listed price, including in-app purchases. Both developers and app submitters receive a free first-year subscription to the Amazon program. They even designed and included an app compatibility test that gives developers notice of the problem with their app. Their Appstore Developer Select program gives developers free ad impressions and allows the acquisition of customers through the use of Amazon coins. In addition to that, users get a free paid app or game every day.
5. APKMirror: The APKMirror site is a portal to the latest applications programmed in APK (.apk) suitable for specific consumer needs. APKMirror also updates a list of daily apps the user is concerned about.
6. APKPure: This app store sells apps and paid games at low prices. The user-friendly platform is accompanied by a developer console that lets you access the apps you desire, regardless of location.
7. APKTime: The APKTime platform helps people find and download APK files. The best part is that they already come in distinct entertainment, games, and sports categories and are currently the most updated. APKTime also allows users to download and install APKs free of charge without registering or creating a Google account and bypassing any regional restrictions.
8. APKUpdater: APKUpdater is another interesting app that allows users to specify which apps they want to bypass updating. It also includes a utility to simplify the discovery of updates for installed apps and helps users find and install updates even if they have yet to be released.
9. AppBrain App Market: This app discovery platform allows users to acquire premium apps for free or at a significant discount and is also an avenue to discover first-rate Android apps. It has different app promotion tools, which some brands use to enhance their app visibility in various mobile app stores.
10. AppSales: This store provides access to paid apps that are discounted or free temporarily on Google Play. The app store also equips the user to predict the price of apps in the past market and access the content from restricted geographical locations.

Best Alternative iOS App Stores

Here’s a curated list of the best alternative app stores for Apple devices. Explore these alternatives to discover new possibilities for your Apple devices:

1. AltStore: AltStore is the first Apple-endorsed store to be available to EU residents as an alternative to the official Apple App Store. The annual subscription of €1.50 includes a complimentary application called Delta, a Nintendo emulator, and a clipboard manager named Clip.
2. AppCake: AppCake is one of the best alternative app stores for iOS. It is a native app designed to install an IPA file on iOS. Its signature feature is a wide range of applications with no in-app advertisements.
3. AppValley: AppValley online is an iOS hotspot for finding apps with modifications. The major attraction among them is unlocked games and apps, such as Snapchat++, which are all trustworthy.
4. Cydia: Cydia is an alternative app store for Apple that is specific to jailbreakers. It's not an app or website like the other top app stores. Additionally, to use Cydia, one must have a jailbreaking tool.
5. AppEven: Contrary to other app stores for Apple, AppEven can be directly installed from the internet without having to jailbreak your device. It works fine on iOS 8 to 16 systems and gives access to applications that are normally not on the official App Store of iOS.
6. BuildStore: BuildStore allows customers to access more than 800 applications and games that were not accepted by Apple. While not an app like many tweak stores, BuildStore runs on a subscription model and thus requires a monthly fee, yet it compensates for that with vast exclusive features and added functionality, like different classic game emulators.
7. Emus4U: It is not only an app store. Users can also download themes and wallpapers without jailbreaking. Furthermore, it allows you to customize the available apps, providing many options, such as Junk Cleaner, which are not available in the regular App Store.
8. EonHub: EonHub is yet another unofficial app that contains a diverse list of apps that don't appear on the official Apple App Store. EonHub stands out with its infinite app download option at no cost.
9. iOS Haven: This app store embraces the sideloading trend, offering over 2,000 tweaked, modified, and converted apps. The site also offers a comprehensive search engine, themes, and games. Additionally, iOS Haven provides a free blog for the tech community.
10. Setapp: This is an EU-based Apple-approved smartphone app store that is one of the forerunners in the tech sector. Like its Mac app store, it follows a subscription model, providing a selection of carefully chosen apps for a monthly fee.
11. SideStore:  An unofficial iPhone store where apps can be downloaded without jailbreaking. Once the setup has been made, SideStore does not require a computer. The user can download and install apps through the internet connection directly on the phone, only using Wi-Fi.
12. Sileo: It is another alternative to Cydia; it was introduced to welcome the newer iOS versions benefitting the new technological advancements. It is functional with iOS 12 and any 64-bit device. This means that users can securely jailbreak their devices and still download or buy other applications.
13. TopStore: You can access TopStore through an app or a web browser. No matter where you are, you can download various apps without jailbreaking your device and themes from the store, all free.
14. TweakBox: The TweakBox platform was designed to offer tweaked apps that provide extra features like screen recording. It is one of the popular options because it is easy to use and provides complete security of the user's data.
15. Xabsi: Xabsi is one of the leading app stores for hacked apps. Besides, it offers jailbreak and hacking features. It also occupies other universal alternative app stores, presenting a wide array of digital products, together with system apps that allow iOS file system customization. 

Best Alternative Cross-Platform App Stores

If you're looking for something beyond the usual app stores, it's time to explore some great alternatives. These cross-platform app stores offer a wide range of apps and features that you might not find in the standard options:

1. MyAppFree: This platform allows users to view and download one free app daily. With a user base of 1.5 million people, the app is also available on the App Store and Google Play. The section "featured apps" showcases exclusive deals on the best applications. Users can earn badges and prizes, collect stars, and be at the top of the table through their actions.
2. CokerNutX: CokerNutX has a large number of users, more than a million globally, and it offers about 5000 applications for non-jailbroken iOS devices, iOS jailbreaks, Android, and other platforms with an option to go through the best practices for using the site. A vital feature of this platform is its security commitment, demonstrated by its use of SSL encryption to safeguard users' data.
3. Mobile9: It is a trendy alternative app store that arranges app downloads about 240 million times monthly. Customers are given a massive list of things to look for, and they can enjoy books, comics, games, and wallpapers. These are all downloadable and have no charge added. As the report states, submitting an app on Mobile9 is free.
4. HipStore: It is a digital store that is in the same manner to the app store, it is a marketplace where Apple, Android, and PC users will find free applications, themes, screen recorders, and ringtones. Every download's content is protected by SSL encryption, which ensures a user's safety.
5. TutuApp: Many people are familiar with TutuApp because the user base contains over three hundred million people worldwide. Its feature allows people to submit an app without much hassle, supports various payment systems, and is integrated with SDKs, which makes the app platform attractive.
6. Mobilism: This is the best place to search for modded apps and e-books across different operating systems, with more than 300,000 applications and 600,000 e-books being available for download. The shop is popular with over two million users, who among other things can browse and download mods, trending applications, and games for free.
7. Mobilention: This Mobilention App Marketplace is a newly released app store that provides businesses within the EU with an alternative to the Apple App Store. Wherein, they are given not only a place to distribute public apps but also their internal employee apps. It was launched in March of 2024 and companies were offered a simple way to distribute apps with relaxed publication rules as opposed to Apple's standards.
8. Panda Helper: The app store is known for its efficiency on both Android and iOS operating systems. It also presents emulators, themes, and file manager apps not available on other platforms and lets users update the app directly.
9. Rootpk: In the app store capacity, Rootpk is independently functioning. It is a platform that allows the sale of applications available on the Google Play Store.  Also, It facilitates developers by letting them upload their applications to Rootpk without any charges. Furthermore, users will use a small search tool to determine which apps are where and trending.

Best Manufacturer-Specific App Store Alternatives

Here, you will find the top alternatives to manufacturer-specific app stores. Whether you're looking for unique apps or enhanced functionality, these alternatives have you covered:

1. Huawei AppGallery: The Huawei AppGallery is the official app store for Huawei devices. According to Huawei, it is the third largest app store worldwide after Google's Play Store and Apple's App Store.  The platform delivers a lineup of applications, games included, to over 600 million Huawei product users in more than 170 countries.
2.  VIVO App Market: The VIVO App Market is primarily aimed at VIVO developers who want to distribute their apps through this platform. AI is utilized to classify the applications and games most relevant to users' local trends and characteristics.  The distribution network extends to South Asia and a large part of Southeast Asia, mostly in Indonesia.
3. OPPO App Store: The exclusive OPPO App Store is just one of the many features of OPPO phones for OPPO users. Practically speaking, this tool is the central hub for different apps, games, and themes that OPPO has developed.  As a direct store, all the apps are created with the latest version of OPPO, and they undergo a complete check for maliciousness and bugs.
4. Samsung Galaxy Store: The only official app store among all Samsung gadgets, is already activated and can bring in a broad and quick-starting consumer base for apps. The Samsung Galaxy Store and its relationship with the developers are such that they become pre-loaded on every Samsung device, ensuring a broad and immediate market base. The Store attracts developers by offering them the opportunity to earn more by giving away cool theme templates and unique, different font choices for Samsung users.
5. Xiaomi GetApps: Xiaomi provides a device-oriented app store relevant to your interests. It uses the Avast, Kingsoft, and Tencent security tools to ensure that app downloads are safe and secure. GetApps can only be reached on Redmi, Poco, or Mi smartphones.

Best Chinese App Store Alternatives

1. Tencent My App: China’s users have many options in app stores, such as Tencent My App, the biggest one. The software in question is produced by Tencent, which offers developers certain advantages.

For instance, Tencent allows developers to certify their apps, which might not be as readily available in Western markets. This makes it an appealing option when you choose to hire app developers to launch your own app and get it certified. 

Final Thoughts

Are you searching for the best app stores to download apps from? Many users find that Google Play and the App Store don’t always meet their expectations. Depending on your preferences and needs, you should consider diverse iOS application stores, Android application stores, cross-platform app stores, and manufacturer-specific app stores provided in this guide. The third-party app market offers a more open and flexible platform, giving developers and users alike new opportunities to discover and share apps.