Every utility, from basic file managers to simple note-taking apps, now requires a recurring monthly fee just to unlock the features that make them available.
I convinced myself that premium features required a premium price. Then I thought deeply Dive into the world of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software).
I started looking for a quality open source alternative that could actually compete with the big players.
I’ve found a collection of FOSS gems that offer better privacy, no tracking, and more customization than the premium apps I used to pay for. Let’s take a look at them.
next cloud
For years, Google Drive has been the invisible backbone of my mobile life. Although it was useful, I started to get tired of the constant requests to “upgrade my storage”.
I ended up moving everything to Nextcloud hosted on my NAS. It was the best digitization I’ve ever done.
The first thing that struck me about the Nextcloud Android app was how far open source design has come. It’s not just functional. Beautifully designed.
This supports the Material You aesthetic. That means it feels like a native part of my Pixel, rather than a clunky third-party add-on. The animations are smooth and the dedicated “Media” tab is a standout feature that rivals the Google Photos experience.
The feature list continues with automatic media updates where every shot you take is instantly synced to the NAS, easy offline access and favorites, and real-time collaboration.
Overall, Nextcloud for Android does the job with a level of sophistication and privacy that Google Drive can’t match.
I currently use Google Drive for my WhatsApp backups and Gmail inbox.
Fossify File Manager
I’ve been going back and forth between the various “Pro” file managers on the Play Store over the years. Most of them are bloated and require a subscription prompt even to access basic network features.
I finally got fed up and switched to Fossify File Manager, and I’ll never go back. It doesn’t just try to look like Android. It feels like it was designed by the original Google design team.
It’s lightweight, fast, and the animations are very smooth. If you’re looking for a specific screenshot or a downloaded Docker configuration file, the search is almost instantaneous.
The app only requests access to my files. No location tracking, contact access, or other permissions.
Fossify File Manager is the definition of “less is more.”
If you’re tired of file managers acting like hubs full of bloatware, this is the first gem you should install.
cashew
I’ve tried many financial apps on Android. Some link to your bank, some have fancy AI insights, and some charge $10 a month just to see a pie chart of your spending.
I wanted a tool that I could control. That’s when I discovered Cashew. It has become an important part of my Android setup.
cashew supports Material U and looks and feels like a native part of my phone.
It’s also full of customization features, so you can rearrange sections like Goals, Budget, and Net Worth to bring important information to the forefront.
Cashew is packed with features such as subscription tracking, scheduled transactions, custom categories, goals, budgets, and detailed analytics.
Cashew has proven to me that I don’t need monthly bills to manage my bills. Get your work done fast, private, and without breaking a sweat.
Cashew is open source, so I don’t have to worry about a company’s board selling my spending habits to advertisers.
super productivity
I’ve been using Super Productivity on my desktop for a while, but since integrating the Android app into my daily life, the way I track time and tasks has changed.
This is more than just a to-do list. This is a full-fledged productivity suite that stays out of your way until you need it.
I went back and forth between Todoist, TickTick, and Toggl. They’re all great, but Super Productivity provides them all for free and is open source, so you don’t have to worry about your data being collected.
What I love about Android apps is how they balance complexity with a clean UI. It doesn’t feel like a scaled down version of a desktop app.
You can start a task timer the moment you start writing a blog post. At the end of the day, you’ll know exactly what you accomplished.
The list of features goes on: subtasks, attachments, detailed time tracking, and more.
any type
After using Notion and Obsidian for a while, the biggest shock when I switched to the Anytype Android app was the speed. The app works on my Google Pixel 8 because it follows a local-first philosophy.
any type We don’t just serve pages. It gives you an object. This was a huge plus point in organizing my blog drafts.
I have to talk about the UI. The icons are crisp, the typography is perfect, and the dark mode is one of the best I’ve seen on Android.
It’s one of the few apps you’ll want to open because it’s so smooth to use.
Before you try Anytype, let me warn you. There’s a bit of a learning curve here. It takes some time to get used to modern editors that support workspaces, objects, and slash commands.
thunderbird
I’ve tried several free and paid email apps on Android. But when Thunderbird came to Android, I didn’t just switch, I permanently uninstalled my other email apps.
If you have used thunderbird On desktop, you’ll find this to be the gold standard for customization. Android apps bring the same authentic energy to Pixel.
It offers a unified inbox, supports Material Design, and works well without AI add-ons.
Thunderbird for Android is the app that finally brings desktop-class email functionality to my pocket.
stop monthly payments
Overall, switch to open source It’s not just easy on the wallet. That’s a win for the longevity of digital workflows.
When you move your life to an app like Anytype or Thunderbird, you don’t have to worry about a company raising prices or shutting down your service overnight.
If you’re on the fence, we recommend swapping out one paid app for an open source equivalent this week.
Also, these are just my personal recommendations. The Play Store is packed with many such open source apps. You can always try other options to customize your workflow.