Most Android users prefer Google Play Store for app downloads, and for good reason. Being Android’s native app marketplace, Play Store ensures that only the safest apps are published on the platform. However, in certain situations, you may need to look for app marketplaces other than the Play Store. This is predominantly the case if you want to download an older version of a certain app. So, here’s our list of the top 7 websites for safe APK downloads.
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In This Article
APKMirror
One of the biggest online hubs for APK downloads, APKMirror is one of the safest websites for the job. It is perhaps the most popular Android app store outside of Google Play Store. APKMirror is very well moderated and any malicious apps are quickly taken down from the platform. It uses cryptographic signatures to gauge the legitimacy of apps. If you’re looking for an older version of a particular app, chances are you will find it on APKMirror. The diverse library of apps on this platform remains unmatched by its peers.
APKPure
As far as safe websites for APK downloads go, APKPure is up there with APKMirror. This website has a respectable collection of apps. You can also find older versions of Android apps on this website. The platform uses cryptographic signatures and SHA1 certificates to weed out any malicious and counterfeit apps from the website. APKPure also has a helpful app that you can download on your smartphone.
F-Droid
F-Droid is one of the biggest open-source app marketplaces on the Internet. While downloading an app from F-Droid, you know exactly what you’re getting. The platform is very transparent about letting the user know about any invasive ads pushed by the apps. As a result, F-Droid’s app library isn’t as strong as the likes of APKMirror and APKPure. The APKs on F-Droid are verified against their public logs of observed SHA-256 checksums.
Uptodown
Uptodown has a vast catalogue of apps, not just for Android, but also for Windows and Mac users. Uptodown has a very clean layout which is easy to browse on PC as well as mobile. The lack of invasive ads is the reason why over 130 million users prefer Uptodown over its peers. The apps on this website are scanned by 70 different anti-viruses through VirusTotal. If you want to turn on automatic updates for apps using Uptodown, you will need to install its Android app on your phone. One of the best features of this platform is that you don’t need to register in order to download an app.
Softpedia
Softpedia is also an Android-focused app store which also caters to Mac, Windows, and Linux users. The website hosts over 1.5 million apps across different ecosystems. You will find all the major Android apps on this platform. Softpedia also has a ‘Reviews’ section if you want to read up on an app’s user experience before downloading it on your device.
APKMonk
APKMonk is another reliable website for safe APK downloads. The apps on this website are neatly divided into distinct categories, making it easy for the user to find what they are looking for. The APKs on this website are regularly monitored and any app pushing malware or other kinds of malicious content is quickly taken down. Like its counterparts, APKMonk also allows you to download previous versions of apps.
APK4Fun
Closing this list is the APK4Fun app store. The APKs hosted on this platform are the same as their Google Play Store counterparts, without any “cheat, unlimited gold patch, or any other modifications”, according to the website. This means if you are seeking modded apps for your rooted smartphone, you will have to look elsewhere. The apps on APK4Fun are divided into categories like Arcade, Casual, Health & Fitness, Productivity, Educational, and more.
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Conclusion
These are our top 7 picks for websites that offer safe APK downloads. While downloading an APK from a third-party marketplace, make sure you check out its reviews to know it is legitimate. Once you download the APK, you will need to allow the installation of apps from third-party sources.
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