Top 75 Tracker Free FOSS Apps
Tech giants like Google, Facebook, Samsung, or Microsoft saturate the market with mobile apps, reaching billions of downloads. Often, these apps come pre-installed without user consent, raising significant privacy issues.
Many apps request access to sensitive data like location, microphone, camera, contacts, credit cards, and browsing history. Additionally, they contain trackers, collecting user data for various purposes: from monitoring website visits to creating virtual profiles and targeting tailored ads. These trackers also identify users, track locations, and report app errors to developers. When installing apps, scrutinize permissions and trackers with tools like εxodus.
App Store
| App store | Link | Description |
 | F-Droid | Own an Android phone, maybe even running CalyxOS or LineageOS? Discover F-Droid – an alternative to Google Play Store, hosting free and open-source apps. |
 | Aurora | Not all useful apps are available on F-Droid. You can still avoid Google Play by using Aurora Store, an alternative app store accessible without a Google account. |
 | Fossdroid | A market place similar to F-Droid, promoting free and open source Android apps. |
Step-by-step guide for F-Droid
| Steps | Instructions |
| F-Droid Download | Open up your phone's browser, navigate to F-Droid's website and download the .apk file. |
| Allow installation from unknown sources | Open the downloaded .apk file. Your phone should prompt something like "For your security, your phone is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source". To temporarily allow installation from unknown sources, click on Settings ‣ Allow from this source. |
| Install F-Droid app | Leave the settings page and click on Install. |
| Forbid installation from unknown sources | Browse to your phone's Settings to disable installation from unknown sources. Depending on your phone, this option might be located in Settings ‣ Apps & notifications ‣ Advanced ‣ Special app access ‣ Install unknown apps. Select your browser or file manager and disable the option Allow from this source. |
| Launch F-Droid | After the first launch, F-Droid will update the software repository. That's the list of all the software packages available on F-Droid. This update can take a while, be patient. |
| Enable automatic updates | Navigate to F-Droid's Settings page and enable the options Automatically install updates as well as Show available updates. |
| Manually update FDroid repo | Back on F-Droid's home screen, swipe down to refresh all repositories. |
Can I install F-Droid or FOSS apps on my iPhone?
iOS users are out of luck, Apple blocks FOSS apps. Apple's use of copyright lock and access control limits tinkering, jailbreaking, or device repairs. Apple — not the user — gets to decide what content you can access, what apps you can install and when you need to throw away your device.
Browser
| FOSS app | Link | Description | Tracker |
 | Firefox | Fast, secure and private browser. | 3 |
 | Tor browser | Tor browser for Android. Blocks trackers, defends against surveillance, resists fingerprinting, encrypts internet traffic. | 3 |
 | FOSS browser | Simple and light weight browser. | 0 |
 | Fennec F-Droid | Privacy-focused version of Firefox, removing proprietary bits from official Mozilla's builds. Exodus Privacy's reported trackers are deemed false positives by the development team, asserting that tracker libraries were replaced with non-functional "stubs". | 0 |
 | Bromite | Chromium browser, including ad blocking and enhanced privacy. Not available on F-Droid. | ? |
 | Webapps | Turns your favourite mobile websites into secure apps. | 0 |
Messenger
| FOSS app | Link | Description | Tracker |
 | Signal | Fast, simple and secure messaging. End-to-end encrypted text, voice, videos, documents, pictures. Open source, no ads. Caution: requires your phone number. | 0 |
 | Element | Open source client for the matrix protocol. Matrix is an network for secure, end-to-end encrypted, decentralised communication. Can be run off self-hosted servers. | 0 |
 | Briar | Open source messenger. Peer-to-peer (does not rely on central servers), end-to-end encrypted, minimal exposure of information. Uses Tor. | 0 |
 | Jami | Open source messenger. Peer-to-peer (does not rely on central servers), end-to-end encrypted. | 0 |
 | Conversations | Open source client for the XMPP protocol. Secure and decentralised communication. Can be run off self-hosted servers. | 0 |
 | Jitsi | Video & audio conferencing solution. Open source and encrypted. | 0 |
Social Networks
| FOSS app | Link | Description | Tracker |
 | Tusky | Lightweight client for Mastodon, a free and open-source social network. Twitter alternative or Facebook alternative. Part of the Fediverse. | 0 |
 | Pixeldroid | Client for Pixelfed, a free and open-source Instagram alternative. Part of the Fediverse. | 0 |
 | Lemmur | Client for Lemmy, a free and open-source Reddit alternative. Part of the Fediverse. | 0 |
 | Friendica | Client for Friendica, a free and open-source Facebook alternative. Part of the Fediverse. | 0 |
 | Funkwhale | Client for Funkwhale, a free and open-source Spotify alternative or YouTube alternative. Part of the Fediverse. | 0 |
 | RedReader | FOSS client for reddit.com. No ads. | 0 |
 | Fritter | Privacy-friendly Twitter frontend. | 0 |
Email
| FOSS app | Link | Description | Tracker |
 | Protonmail | The world's largest secure email service, developed by CERN and MIT scientists. Open source and protected by Swiss privacy law. | 0 |
 | Tutanota | Open source email application. Dark theme, encryption, instant push notifications, auto-sync, full-text search, swipe gestures, etc. | 0 |
 | K-9 mail | Open source email application. Supports POP3 and IMAP, but only supports push mail for IMAP. | 0 |
 | Librem mail | Open source email application. Encryption, multiple accounts, fork of K-9 Mail. | 0 |
 | Simple email | Open source email application. Privacy friendly, encryption, multiple accounts, two way sync, offline storage, dark theme, search on server, simple design. | 0 |
News
| FOSS app | Link | Description | Tracker |
 | Feeder | Open source RSS feed reader. No need for an account, offline reading, background synchronisation, notifications. | 0 |
 | Flym | Open source RSS reader. | 0 |
 | AntennaPod | Advanced podcast manager and player. Provides instant access to millions of free and paid podcasts, from independent podcasters to large publishing houses such as the BBC, NPR and CNN. | 0 |
 | RadioDroid | Listen to online radio stations. | 0 |
Maps & Travel
| FOSS app | Link | Description | Tracker |
 | Osmand | Open source app for online & offline maps and navigation. | 0 |
 | CoMaps | Open source app for offline maps and navigation. Organic Maps fork. | 0 |
 | Transportr | Open source app for public transport time schedules in Europe and overseas. | 1 |
 | Split it easy | Open source app to manage group expenses. | 0 |
| FOSS app | Link | Description | Tracker |
 | Open camera | Feature rich camera app, including auto-stabilisation, multi-zoom touch, flash, face detection, timer, burst mode, silenceable shutter, and many more. | 0 |
 | Fossify gallery | Highly customizable offline gallery – no Internet access needed for enhanced privacy. Organize, edit, recover, and protect your files. Enjoy seamless compatibility with diverse photo and video formats, including RAW and SVG. | 0 |
| Fossify music player | Music player, easily controllable from the status bar, the home screen widget or by hardware buttons on your headset. Fully open source, contains no ads or unnecessary permissions. Fully customizable colors. | 0 |
 | Audile | Shazam-like music recognition app. | 0 |
 | Newpipe | Lightweight YouTube app, without proprietary API or Google's play services. Also supports PeerTube. | 0 |
 | Thorium | PeerTube is a decentralised video hosting network, based on FOSS. | 0 |
 | Free tube | Open source YouTube app for privacy. Not available on F-Droid. | ? |
Productivity
| FOSS app | Link | Description | Tracker |
 | Document viewer | View various file formats, including pdf, djvu, epub, xps and comic books (cbz, fb2). | 0 |
 | Libre Office viewer | View docx, doc, xlsx, xls, pptx, ppt, odt, ods and odp files. | 0 |
 | Notally | Notally is a minimalistic note taking app with a beautiful material design and powerful features. | 0 |
 | Notepad | Simple open source text editor for Android. | 0 |
 | Carnet | Powerful open source note taking app, with sync capabilities (incl. NextCloud) and online editor. | 0 |
 | Markor | Open source text editor with markdown support. | 0 |
 | Joplin | Open source, encrypted note taking app, with sync capabilities (incl. NextCloud). | 0 |
 | Standard notes | Free, open source and completely encrypted notes app. | 0 |
 | Fossify calendar | Fully customizable offline calendar to organise single or recurring events, birthdays, anniversaries, business meetings, appointments, etc. Daily, weekly and monthly views available. Fully open source, no ads or unnecessary permissions. Customizable colors. If you self-host, this app can be used to manage and synchronise calendars. | 0 |
 | Etar | Material designed open source calendar. Works with online calendars. Free, open source and without ads. | 0 |
 | Fossify contacts | Simple app for creating or managing contacts. Fully open source, no ads or unnecessary permissions. Customizable colors. Contacts can be stored locally on devices only, or synchronised with the cloud. If you self-host, this app can be used to manage and synchronise contacts. | 0 |
 | Open contacts | Open source contact app. | 0 |
 | OpenTasks | Open source task manager. If you self-host, this app can be used to manage and synchronise tasks. | 0 |
 | Tasks.org | Open source task manager. If you self-host, this app can be used to manage and synchronise tasks. | 1 |
 | Davx5 | Open source client to synchronise contacts, calendars and task lists. Can be used with a self-hosted server or a trusted hoster. | 0 |
 | OpenCalc | Fully open source calculator, without ads or unnecessary permissions. | 0 |
 | Clock You | Clock, alarm, stopwatch, timer. Fully open source, no ads or unnecessary permissions. | 0 |
 | Simple alarm clock | Open source alarm clock with powerful features and clean interface. | 0 |
 | Quick dic | Offline dictionary. | 0 |
Authentication
| FOSS app | Link | Description | Tracker |
 | Keepass DX | Secure and open source password manager. | 0 |
 | andOTP | Free and open-source application for two-factor authentication. | 0 |
 | Free OTP | Open source two-factor authenticator. | 0 |
 | Aegis | Free, secure and open source two-factor authenticator. | 0 |
File Storage
| FOSS app | Link | Description | Tracker |
 | Fossify file manager | Browse and edit files. Open source, no ads, customizable colors. | 0 |
 | DroidFS | Store and access your files securely. Open source tool to store files in encrypted volumes. | 0 |
 | Seafile | If you self-host, this app can be used to manage and synchronise cloud files. | 0 |
 | Cryptomator | Encrypt your data before it's uploaded to the cloud. Paid and open source app. | ? |
VPN
| FOSS app | Link | Description | Tracker |
 | Open VPN | If you self-host, this app can be used to establish a VPN connection. | 0 |
 | Proton VPN | Secure and (partially) free VPN. Claims not to log user activity. Features encryption, Swiss privacy laws, DNS leak protection, kill switch and more. | 0 |
 | Mullvad VPN | Secure VPN, claims not to log user activity. Subscriptions start at around €5/month. Mullvad accepts anonymous payments and requires no email to sign up. | 0 |
Keyboards
| FOSS app | Link | Description | Tracker |
 | Florisboard | Open source keyboard, multi-language support, gesture support, night mode, theme support, privacy friendly. | 0 |
 | Anysoft keyboard | Open source keyboard, multi-language support, voice input, gesture support, night mode, theme support, privacy friendly. | 0 |
 | Simple keyboard | Open source keyboard. | 0 |
 | Open board | Open source keyboard. | 0 |
 | Hacker's keyboard | Open source keyboard with separate number keys, punctuation in the usual places, and arrow keys. | 0 |
Other Apps
| FOSS app | Link | Description | Tracker |
 | Exodus | Find out which trackers and permissions are embedded in your apps. | 0 |
 | Bliss launcher | Default launcher of the /e/ Android-based OS. | 0 |
 | Lawnchair 2 | Free and open source launcher. Customise icon size, labels, rows, columns, icon packs, notifications, and much more. | 0 |
Support
For further details or questions, refer to F-Droid's documentation and community, or Reddit.