Tired of apps that track your every move, bombard you with ads, and only work on one platform? Navigating the mobile app world can feel like a minefield. But fear not, privacy-conscious users! Just like a hidden gem, there are fantastic open-source applications available for both Android and iOS. These apps prioritize your privacy, offer a clean user experience, and often boast features that rival their proprietary counterparts.
This article highlights the best open-source apps across various categories, ensuring you can seamlessly manage your digital life without sacrificing your data or convenience. We’ve prioritized cross-platform availability, offering alternatives when necessary.
🌐 Web Browser: Firefox
Explore the Web with Confidence
It’s hard to start anywhere else but Firefox, a true open-source browser available on both Android and iOS. Unlike many Chromium-based clones, Firefox relies on the Gecko engine (although the iOS version is unfortunately forced to use WebKit due to Apple’s restrictions).
Firefox remains a leader for those seeking a fast, customizable, and privacy-focused browsing experience. It blocks trackers by default, offers encrypted synchronization between devices, incorporates an effective private browsing mode, and even allows extensions on Android (a rarity on mobile).
The interface is simple and pleasing, and the Mozilla ecosystem inspires trust in many users.
Download Firefox: Android & IOS
📩 Encrypted Messaging: Signal
Secure Conversations, Simplified
When talking about open-source and secure messaging, Signal is often the first app that comes to mind — and for good reason.
Signal encrypts all communications end-to-end by default, including voice and video calls. Unlike other “free” messaging apps, there are no ads, no tracking, and no reselling of data. The app is developed by a non-profit foundation, and its source code is entirely available online.
The interface is simple, fluid, and to the point. Conversations are well-presented, calls are stable, and you can even create groups or send files, all within a 100% encrypted environment.
And the best part? Signal is available on Android and iOS, with a desktop version as a bonus, allowing you to continue your conversations from your computer.
Download Signal: Android & IOS
📝 Note-Taking: Joplin
Your Thoughts, Your Data
Want to take notes everywhere without your thoughts wandering onto obscure servers? Joplin is an excellent open-source alternative to services like Evernote or OneNote, with a significant advantage: your data remains in your hands.
The application allows you to create notes, to-do lists, add images, attachments, and even code with syntax highlighting. Everything can be synchronized in an encrypted manner via various services (Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, or even your own Nextcloud instance).
The interface is clean, functional, and identical on Android and iOS. Joplin is also available on computers, making it a complete tool for those who want a centralized note system without relying on a proprietary service.
Download Joplin: Android & IOS
📬 Email Client: Proton Mail
Private Email, Delivered
If you’re looking for an open-source and privacy-focused email client, Proton Mail ticks many boxes. Developed by the same team behind Proton VPN, the app offers end-to-end encryption without any configuration required. Your emails are encrypted as soon as they leave your device, and only you (and your recipients) can read them.
The app is modern, fluid, pleasant to use, and available on both Android and iOS. It supports folders, labels, filters, automated replies, and even offers a dark mode.
The free account already allows you to send and receive emails securely, with 1GB of storage and a Proton address. And for those who want to go further (custom domain, more space…), paid plans exist, but without pressure.
Download Proton Mail: Android & IOS
🔐 2FA Authentication: 2FAS
Protect Your Accounts with Open Source
Protecting your accounts with two-factor authentication (2FA) is good. Using a free, open-source, and privacy-respecting app is even better. And that’s exactly what 2FAS offers.
The application allows you to generate 2FA codes (TOTP) to secure your Gmail, Facebook, GitHub, and other accounts, all without registration and without a cloud. Your codes stay on your phone, period. You can even manually back up your accounts to avoid any cold sweats if you change phones.
The interface is simple, clear, and does the job perfectly. And above all, 2FAS is available on both Android and iOS, which isn’t always the case in the small world of open-source apps.
🎵 Media Player: VLC
The Classic, Reimagined
Let’s not beat around the bush: VLC is the foundation. This good old open-source video player, which we’ve known for years on PC, is also available on mobile — and frankly, it still does the job.
It plays almost all audio and video formats without flinching, manages subtitles, network streams, playlists, multiple audio tracks, and doesn’t ask your permission for every click. No ads, no tracking, no account to create, just a clean and efficient player.
The mobile interface is clear, the controls are well-designed, and the app works without issue on both Android and iOS. In short, a sure bet, whether you’re watching a movie on the train or listening to your best playlist.
📄 Office Suite: ONLYOFFICE Documents
Work on Documents, Your Way
Working on Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents without depending on Google or Microsoft? It’s possible, and ONLYOFFICE does it very well.
The ONLYOFFICE Documents application allows you to open, edit, and create office files, all while staying in an open-source environment. The interface is clear, compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx), and you can work quietly on your files stored locally or synchronized via Nextcloud, Dropbox, etc.
It’s one of the few open-source mobile suites to offer a complete experience, available on both Android and iOS, without ads or sneaky data collection. Practical for writing a document, correcting a table, or reviewing a presentation between two subway stations.
Download ONLYOFFICE: Android & IOS
🔑 Password Manager: Bitwarden
Secure Your Digital Fortress
We all have too many passwords. And if you’re still in the habit of using the same one everywhere, it’s time to switch to Bitwarden.
This open-source password manager allows you to store, generate, and synchronize all your credentials securely, with end-to-end encryption. The app is available on Android, iOS, desktop, browser… in short, you have access to your passwords everywhere.
Bitwarden also offers auto-fill, ultra-strong password creation, secure storage of notes or bank cards, and even integrated 2FA. And all this without bombarding you with ads or reselling your data to anyone who’s willing to pay.
The free version is more than sufficient for most users, but a paid plan exists if you want advanced options (such as 2FA with YubiKey or breach monitoring).
Download Bitwarden: Android & IOS
📲 Local File Sharing: LocalSend
Share Files, No Strings Attached
Send a file from one device to another without a cable, cloud, or server? That’s exactly what LocalSend offers: a simple, fast, open-source app available on Android, iOS, but also Windows, macOS, and Linux. In other words, it’s the perfect little tool for exchanging files between your devices, regardless of the brand.
LocalSend works on local Wi-Fi without going through the internet. The app automatically detects devices on the same network and allows you to send files, folders, text, or even clipboards between them. All end-to-end encrypted, of course.
The interface is sober, efficient, without ads or complicated configuration. And above all, it works. No need to have an account or install a complex system: you open the app, you send, and that’s it.
Download LocalSend: Android & IOS
☁️ Personal Cloud Storage: Nextcloud
Take Control of Your Data
If you’re tired of entrusting your files to Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox, Nextcloud is a solid open-source alternative for hosting your own cloud… or using one from a trusted provider.
With Nextcloud, you can store your files, photos, contacts, calendars, and even collaborate on documents — all while retaining complete control over your data. The mobile application allows you to browse your files, download them, share them, send them automatically from the camera, and much more.
The interface is clean, functional, and identical on Android and iOS. And if you have a NAS or a small server at home, it’s even better: you can host your Nextcloud instance at home, without depending on anyone.
Download NextCloud: Android & IOS
📷 Document Scanner: OSS Document Scanner
Scan with Clarity and Privacy
If you’re looking for an open-source application to scan your documents from your smartphone, without ads or dubious conditions, OSS Document Scanner is exactly what you need.
Available on both Android and iOS, this app allows you to quickly scan documents, crop them, automatically improve them for good readability, and then save them in PDF or image format. The interface is simple, without frills, and all the essential functions are there: automatic edge detection, multi-page, document sorting, sending by email, or local saving.
It’s lightweight, efficient, open source, and above all, available on both platforms, which is quite rare in this category. In short, a practical tool to keep in your pocket to scan an invoice, a receipt, or an administrative document on the fly.
Download OSS Document Scanner: Android & IOS
📰 RSS Feed Reader: NetNewsWire (iOS) / Read You (Android)
Stay Informed, Your Way
To follow the news without going through social networks or being sucked in by obscure algorithms, nothing beats a good old RSS feed reader. And here again, we have solid open source — even if, unfortunately, you need two different apps depending on the system.
On iOS, we recommend NetNewsWire. Sober, fast, fluid, and open source from start to finish. The app allows you to follow your favorite sites, mark articles to read later, add feeds manually, and even connect to services like Feedbin or Inoreader. And all this, without ads or tracking, of course.
On Android, Read You stands out. The interface is ultra-sleek, Material You style, and the experience is really pleasant. The app is available via F-Droid, contains no trackers, and offers a clear and well-structured reading of your feeds. No frills, just the essentials.
🧭 GPS Navigation: Organic Maps
Navigate Offline, Ethically
No need to put up with Google Maps to know where you’re going. Organic Maps is an open-source GPS app, with no ads, no tracking, and with an ultra-practical offline mode. All based on the collaborative maps of OpenStreetMap.
The application allows you to plan a route, search for places, find restaurants or gas stations around you, all without a connection. It’s fast, fluid, light, and doesn’t give you “personalized suggestions” at the slightest search.
It’s an excellent alternative if you’re looking for a simple, ethical, and efficient GPS, whether you’re in the city or lost in the middle of nowhere (provided you have a network 😊).
Download Organic Maps: Android & IOS
Conclusion:
Open-source apps are plentiful, but truly usable everyday tools that are well-maintained, ad-free, and available on both Android and iOS are another story. This selection isn’t exhaustive, but useful. We have prioritized simplicity, privacy, and, above all, cross-platform compatibility.
So whether you’re navigating, communicating, working, or sharing, you now have what it takes to equip your smartphone with solid, reliable, and free tools. If you know of others of the same kind that deserve a place here, don’t hesitate to suggest them in the comments. We will update the article accordingly 😉.
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We do not support or promote any form of piracy, copyright infringement, or illegal use of software, video content, or digital resources.
Any mention of third-party sites, tools, or platforms is purely for informational purposes. It is the responsibility of each reader to comply with the laws in their country, as well as the terms of use of the services mentioned.
We strongly encourage the use of legal, open-source, or official solutions in a responsible manner.
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