Alternatives to Google software - F-droid vs. Play

[musick]

Due to the recent Project Veritas Google disclosure, I have committed to phasing out Google software from my devices and thought a thread on alternative software might be helpful to others exploring alternatives.


F-droid is an app store that has its focus to offer free and open source software (FOSS) Android apps only. The apps on the store are well categorized, and you will find a vast collection of apps for free.

Uniquely, the entire site and app store is run by volunteers and relies on donations. So if you find an app you like, do consider making a small donation to keep it running.

F-Droid is popular among Android developers as they have easy access to all the codes of the apps. They can use part of the codes to make apps of their own.

The apps don’t have reviews or ratings and are not always as stable as can be found in Google Play.If you are a developer, then it’s a go-to site for you.

https://f-droid.org/

DISCLOSURE: I freely admit to being buried up to my nose in the Google universe (Youtube/Gmail/Chrome/Play/etc.) for quite some time now. After switching 50/50 to a Firefox/DuckDuckGo with extensions such as Ublock and autocookie delete, searches and youtube are completely different experiences. No autofill in searches for example and no rabbit hole of recommended videos on youtube. Its been an eye opening 6 months running both side by side.

Its been a real blessing to be more targeted in my research and less dependent on Googles algorithms for results.

Maybe no one cares - thats cool. I just wanted to put it out there.

[ja308]

Due to the recent Project Veritas Google disclosure, I have committed to phasing out Google software from my devices and thought a thread on alternative software might be helpful to others exploring alternatives.


F-droid is an app store that has its focus to offer free and open source software (FOSS) Android apps only. The apps on the store are well categorized, and you will find a vast collection of apps for free.

Uniquely, the entire site and app store is run by volunteers and relies on donations. So if you find an app you like, do consider making a small donation to keep it running.

F-Droid is popular among Android developers as they have easy access to all the codes of the apps. They can use part of the codes to make apps of their own.

https://f-droid.org/

DISCLOSURE: I freely admit to being buried up to my nose in the Google universe (Youtube/Gmail/Chrome/Play/etc.) for quite some time now. After switching 50/50 to a Firefox/DuckDuckGo with extensions such as Ublock and autocookie delete, searches and youtube are completely different experiences. No autofill in searches for example and no rabbit hole of recommended videos on youtube. Its been an eye opening 6 months running both side by side.

Its been a real blessing to be more targeted in my research and less dependent on Googles algorithms for results.

Maybe no one cares - thats cool. I just wanted to put it out there.

good information on google that "doesn't want another President Trump" (their statement) so they change search's where only democrat swamp stories come up.

I start with the progun dog pile then duck duck go.then its Bing and yahoo. If I still need it I try google search last and always last !

Today Senator Ted Cruz questioned the ghouls at google and they sounded so innocent denying everything.
Typical libtard will lie when the truth would serve them better.

Google is a private company and they have every right to be in the tank for democrats. They have every right to censor speech and everything else that goes with it.

Im am always looking for new ways to cut democrat media and companys from our lives !
Thanx OP

[njineermike]

I've been using duckduckgo/Edge and *****ute. I'd love to find an android alternative. Maybe a pure Linux phone build.

Edit: seriously? Bit chute is a naughty phrase?

[MyOdessa]

Due to the recent Project Veritas Google disclosure, I have committed to phasing out Google software from my devices and thought a thread on alternative software might be helpful to others exploring alternatives.


F-droid is an app store that has its focus to offer free and open source software (FOSS) Android apps only. The apps on the store are well categorized, and you will find a vast collection of apps for free.

Uniquely, the entire site and app store is run by volunteers and relies on donations. So if you find an app you like, do consider making a small donation to keep it running.

F-Droid is popular among Android developers as they have easy access to all the codes of the apps. They can use part of the codes to make apps of their own.

https://f-droid.org/

Maybe no one cares - thats cool. I just wanted to put it out there.

What steps do they take to make sure apps do not have viruses or spyware?

[usr1987]

Due to the recent Project Veritas Google disclosure, I have committed to phasing out Google software from my devices and thought a thread on alternative software might be helpful to others exploring alternatives.


F-droid is an app store that has its focus to offer free and open source software (FOSS) Android apps only. The apps on the store are well categorized, and you will find a vast collection of apps for free.

Uniquely, the entire site and app store is run by volunteers and relies on donations. So if you find an app you like, do consider making a small donation to keep it running.

F-Droid is popular among Android developers as they have easy access to all the codes of the apps. They can use part of the codes to make apps of their own.

https://f-droid.org/

DISCLOSURE: I freely admit to being buried up to my nose in the Google universe (Youtube/Gmail/Chrome/Play/etc.) for quite some time now. After switching 50/50 to a Firefox/DuckDuckGo with extensions such as Ublock and autocookie delete, searches and youtube are completely different experiences. No autofill in searches for example and no rabbit hole of recommended videos on youtube. Its been an eye opening 6 months running both side by side.

Its been a real blessing to be more targeted in my research and less dependent on Googles algorithms for results.

Maybe no one cares - thats cool. I just wanted to put it out there.

I moved away for a long time! Google alternatives are:

Lineage OS - Android without google

F-Droid - Google play store kinda but can be used to add aurora or Yalp to download things from google play

For pcs I moved to ubuntu since debian is a pita to configure and get things running with normal software.


Also use ublock origin and stop all requests from the router to google or their services


A good youtube proxy alternative is invidio.us! Check it out!

[shotcaller6]

I'm waiting to see how the Librem 5 phone plays out, phone with linux Pure OS due out 3rd quarter 2019. However I've seen their release dates come and go a couple of times before but looks to be well worth the wait.

https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/

[FeuerFrei]

I use the DDG (duckduckgo) cell app and is works well enough. Stopped using Gargle for a long time now.

I have used DDG as a start page on Firefox (on desk/laptop machines) for a long time and do the YT video browsing from inside the browser.

Start Page was highly mediocre last time I tried it, but might want to kick the tires on it and see.
IIRC if has some Gargle bits being used there. IKD?

DDG for good relevant searches.
*Signal for privacy txt messages on cell and desk/laptop machines.

[Dirk Tungsten]

[QUOTE=njineermike;23148587]I've been using duckduckgo/Edge and *****ute. I'd love to find an android alternative. Maybe a pure Linux phone build.

Edit: seriously? Bit chute is a naughty phrase?[/QUOTE]

Maybe just the first 5 letters of b1tchute. Good thing you're not searching for salt water fishtanks.

[usr1987]

I use the DDG (duckduckgo) cell app and is works well enough. Stopped using Gargle for a long time now.

I have used DDG as a start page on Firefox (on desk/laptop machines) for a long time and do the YT video browsing from inside the browser.

Start Page was highly mediocre last time I tried it, but might want to kick the tires on it and see.
IIRC if has some Gargle bits being used there. IKD?

DDG for good relevant searches.
*Signal for privacy txt messages on cell and desk/laptop machines.

are you using windows 7 and above? That is more intrusive than google!

[musick]

What steps do they take to make sure apps do not have viruses or spyware?

Open source writers typically distribute their source code so that anyone can inspect it which generally makes it safer and more secure.

Now I wouldnt download any app (open or not) from any platform the first week or month it was released or until it was thoroughly examined by others much more qualified than I. If an app has a back door or suspicious code it will come to the surface quickly.

[Dale's Dead Bug]

If you're using Chrome, try switching to Brave, a privacy-oriented Chromium fork
-Windows, Linux, Android, MacOS, iOS versions
-excellent built-in ad blocking capabilities
-earn BAT crypto with their opt-in Brave Rewards ad program (currently desktop version only)
-use said BAT to tip websites & YouTube channels that have signed up with their program (CalGuns should sign up. Will be able to receive BAT via referral link and in-browser tips. https://brave.com/creators/)

[musick]

Need to get a coupon for a purchase or are you registering to a forum that requires using a link in an email and dont want to use your long-term or other email? 10MinuteMail.com is worth a look.

Why would you use this? Maybe you want to sign up for a site which requires that you provide an e-mail address to send a validation e-mail to. And maybe you don't want to give up your real e-mail address and end up on a bunch of spam lists. This is nice and disposable. And it's free. Enjoy!

The accounts are completely secure, you are the only one with access to your emails. The emails and address itself expire in 10 minutes.

This site can help you avoid spam and losing your privacy! Enjoy!!

[FeuerFrei]

are you using windows 7 and above? That is more intrusive than google!

Linux Mint.
My old MS machines are not allowed to play on the www. [emoji37]

Sent using a long string and 2 used soup cans

[njineermike]

I'm waiting to see how the Librem 5 phone plays out, phone with linux Pure OS due out 3rd quarter 2019. However I've seen their release dates come and go a couple of times before but looks to be well worth the wait.

https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/

That looks promising.

[WoodTurner]

Great topic. I always try to find open source versions first and f-droid is the first place I check for apps. I trust them way more than apps on the play store.

I'm waiting to see how the Librem 5 phone plays out, phone with linux Pure OS due out 3rd quarter 2019. However I've seen their release dates come and go a couple of times before but looks to be well worth the wait.

https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/

Already ordered mine. Can't wait!
That being said, people that aren't highly privacy conscience or people that rely on a phone for work may want to wait a while on it.
Another reasonable option is to run AOSP software on their android phone and not have the google play services installed. This would be a more reliable solution until Purism and others get the major stuff smoothed out.
The Pinephone seems interesting as well. Hopefully the two phones will benefit each other on the software side. Not nearly as privacy oriented as the librem 5 though.


I have also been de-googleing my life lately. Like you OP, google had crept into my life without me realizing just how much.
I have now setup my own nextcloud server on a VPS, got a domain, and switch to fastmail which uses my domain for an unlimited amount of email addresses. I now can type in an email address specific for each site and if I start getting spam to that email address, I know who sold my information and can easily filter out mail that gets sent to that address. I REALLY wish I had done this years ago.
If anyone has questions about setting up their own cloud server, vps, or similar email setup I'll do my best to help.