F-Droid

Self-Hosted

Open-source app store for free and privacy-respecting Android apps

Overview

F-Droid is a community-driven open-source app store for Android, focusing on free, privacy-focused applications. It lets users browse, install, and update apps without relying on proprietary platforms like Google Play. For self-hosters, it offers tools to set up custom app repositories, enabling secure distribution of own apps. Key features include no tracking, transparent app builds from public source code, and offline update support—empowering users to control their device’s software ecosystem.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  f_droid:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: f-droid
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Curated free and privacy-respecting Android apps
Self-hostable custom app repositories
No user tracking or proprietary dependencies

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is F-Droid hard to install?

No—install F-Droid by downloading its APK from the official website. Enable 'Install unknown apps' (for newer Android versions) to install the APK; the process is straightforward and doesn’t require proprietary tools.

? Is it a good alternative to Google Play Store?

Yes, if you prioritize privacy and free software. While it has fewer apps, F-Droid’s curated selection avoids tracking and proprietary apps, making it ideal for users who want control over their app sources.

? Is it completely free?

Yes—F-Droid is free to use, and all apps on its main repo are free (as in freedom) and open-source. There are no paid apps, subscriptions, or commercial ads.

Top Alternatives

Google Play Store Search Google

Amazon Appstore Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Miscellaneous

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (no data collection)
⊕ 100% free and open-source
⊕ Supports self-hosted app distribution

Cons

⊖ Smaller app library than Google Play
⊖ Some apps have slower update cycles
⊖ Custom repo setup requires technical knowledge