Android AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Android ROMs

The best Android ROM alternative to Android is LineageOS, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Android and many of them are Android ROMs so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Android ROM alternatives to Android are Ubuntu Touch, GrapheneOS, /e/ and postmarketOS.

filter to find the best alternatives

Android alternatives are mainly Android ROMs, but if you're looking for Operating Systems or Mobile OSs you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Free, Privacy focused, Android, Open Source, EU and Android ROMs. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Android.
More about Android
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
Android alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. LineageOS icon

    LineageOS

     342 likes

    Free and open-source Android-based operating system for smartphones and tablets, designed to enable deep customization, enhanced privacy controls, regular security updates, and broad device compatibility without default proprietary Google services.

    47 LineageOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Homescreen
     
    |
    8
    92
    Comments about LineageOS as an Alternative to Android
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    20

    Lineage is basically stock Android without bloat from Google or device manufacturers. You can usually update to a more modern version of Android than your device natively supports, and you can reinstall any software you still want, so it's a great alternative.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    HAK3R4LIFE
    Positive
    0

    upgrade past native os limitations

    Third Opinion
    Positive
    1

    Can be tricky to install on some phones but every single time it's worth it! It is still googly but much, much less!

    3 of 8 comments
    LineageOS icon
    LineageOS icon

    • Almost everyone thinks LineageOS is a great Android alternative.

    • LineageOS is Free and Open SourceAndroid is also Free and Open Source
    • LineageOS is Security-focused and LightweightAndroid is not according to our users
  2. Ubuntu Touch icon

    Ubuntu Touch

     207 likes

    Ubuntu Touch is the Ubuntu operating system for mobile phones originally created by Canonical and now developed by the UBports Community.

    43 Ubuntu Touch alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Ubuntu Touch screenshot 1
     
    |
    26
    228
    Comments about Ubuntu Touch as an Alternative to Android
    Top Positive Comment
    RemovedUser
    3

    It's a very good OS! Stable, pretty and fast.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Because it is free and and easy to use BUT for the stability I would give sold Two out of Ten; 2/10 for stability.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    -6

    Limited in devices, there are very few devices availables and they have no plan to make it bigger. It's a dead project with no future.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 26 comments
    Ubuntu Touch icon
    Ubuntu Touch icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Ubuntu Touch is a great Android alternative.

    • Ubuntu Touch is Free and Open SourceAndroid is also Free and Open Source
    • Ubuntu Touch is Privacy focused, Security-focused and LightweightAndroid is not according to our users
  4. GrapheneOS icon

    GrapheneOS

     151 likes

    GrapheneOS is a privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility developed as a non-profit open source project. It's focused on the research and development of privacy and security technology including substantial improvements to sandboxing, exploit...

    31 GrapheneOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    GrapheneOS screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    24
    Comments about GrapheneOS as an Alternative to Android
    Darlene Sonalder
    Positive
    2

    Probably the best OS out there that care about your privacy and safety

    gunther
    Positive
    2

    Excellent Android fork focused on privacy and security. Only works on Pixel phones. Sandboxed Google Play Services feature allows compatibility with almost all Android apps while limiting Google's telemetry and admin privileges.

    GrapheneOS icon
    GrapheneOS icon

    • Almost everyone thinks GrapheneOS is a great Android alternative.

    • GrapheneOS is Free and Open SourceAndroid is also Free and Open Source
    • GrapheneOS is Security-focused, Privacy focused and LightweightAndroid is not according to our users
  5. /e/ icon

    /e/

     132 likes

    /e/ is a fork of LineageOS that aims to be completely free of everything Google. Not only that, but there are a number of goals the developer has in mind for /e/ that more people feel are vital to a mobile operating system.

    46 /e/ alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    /e/ screenshot 1
     
    |
    28
    128
    Comments about /e/ as an Alternative to Android
    Top Positive Comment
    Krys Strug
    0

    It provides freedom to use alternatives that seem to eb quite deeply embeded in Andriod. And while LineageOS does try to do the same thing, /e/ works very well and is easy to use.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    8

    It's based on LineageOS and it uses all the work done from LineageOS and didn't give the credits for it. /e/ does not produce anything, but steals other's work.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Roberto Trimarchi
    Negative
    -3

    Covers up to now only google pixel devices and some Samsung.

    3 of 28 comments
    /e/ icon
    /e/ icon

    • Most users think /e/ is a great Android alternative.

    • /e/ is Free and Open SourceAndroid is also Free and Open Source
    • /e/ is Privacy focused, Lightweight and Security-focusedAndroid is not according to our users
  6. postmarketOS icon

    postmarketOS

     48 likes

    postmarketOS extends the free and open source operating system Alpine Linux to run on smartphones and other mobile devices. Alpine is a security-oriented, light-weight Linux distribution based on musl libc and BusyBox.

    38 postmarketOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Linux Mobile
    postmarketOS screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    18
    Comments about postmarketOS as an Alternative to Android
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    It aims to replace Android on devices not supported by the device manufacturer any more.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    postmarketOS icon
    postmarketOS icon

    • Almost everyone thinks postmarketOS is a great Android alternative.

    • postmarketOS is Free and Open SourceAndroid is also Free and Open Source
    • postmarketOS is Privacy focused and LightweightAndroid is not according to our users
  7. Plasma Mobile icon

    Plasma Mobile

     62 likes

    Plasma Mobile turns your phone into a fully open hacking device, just like a PC. You can join us to start building new mobile experiences now.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE
    • Linux Mobile
    Plasma Mobile screenshot 1
     
    |
    5
    31
    Comments about Plasma Mobile as an Alternative to Android
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    3

    New mobile operating system running full GNU/Linux. Has a similar interface paradigm to Android (widgets etc) making it easy to adjust to.

    Only negative is the current lack of mobile applications. However, it has a large selection of desktop applications. Using this OS with a stylus should circumvent this issue.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    4

    It's an alternative, though it still very dated on appearance and pretty limited.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    it's not quite there yet, but i'm sure in a few years it'll be a very viable alternative to android

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 5 comments
    Plasma Mobile icon
    Plasma Mobile icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Plasma Mobile is a great Android alternative.

    • Plasma Mobile is Free and Open SourceAndroid is also Free and Open Source
    • Plasma Mobile is Lightweight and Privacy focusedAndroid is not according to our users
  9. CalyxOS icon

    CalyxOS

     59 likes

    Everyone needs a phone. Not everyone wants governments and corporations tracking their every move and spying on their communications. CalyxOS lets you have your cake and eat it too, with "Privacy by Design".

    41 CalyxOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    Encrypted communications
     
    |
    2
    12
    Comments about CalyxOS as an Alternative to Android
    Rasheed AZ
    Positive
    0

    Great support for both FOSS apps from F-Droid as wells as other apps from Aurora Store with microG enabled. Banking and all normal apps work.

    Guest
    Positive
    2

    One of the best privacy focused ROMs

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    CalyxOS icon
    CalyxOS icon

    • Almost everyone thinks CalyxOS is a great Android alternative.

    • CalyxOS is Free and Open SourceAndroid is also Free and Open Source
    • CalyxOS is Privacy focused and LightweightAndroid is not according to our users
  10. iodéOS icon

    iodéOS

     62 likes

    Android-based OS emphasizing privacy, open source transparency, tracker and ad blocking, independent app installation, digital sovereignty, community development, routine updates, environmental sustainability, and a familiar interface for alternative Android devices.

    63 iodéOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    iodéOS screenshot 1
     
    |
    3
    27
    Comments about iodéOS as an Alternative to Android
    roselyne
    Positive
    3

    based on latest Android 14, privacy and security in mind

    RemovedUser
    Positive
    1

    lineage for microG with built-in adblocker

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    -7

    /e/ is more competent and 99% degoogled.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    iodéOS icon
    iodéOS icon

    • Almost everyone thinks iodéOS is a great Android alternative.

    • iodéOS is Freemium and Open SourceAndroid is Free and Open Source
    • iodéOS is Privacy focused and LightweightAndroid is not according to our users
  11. Replicant icon

    Replicant

     92 likes

    Replicant is a fully free Android distribution running on several devices, a free software mobile operating system putting the emphasis on freedom and privacy/security. It is based on LineageOS and replaces or avoids every proprietary component of the system, such as user-space...

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    Replicant screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    20
    Comments about Replicant as an Alternative to Android
    Guest
    Positive
    3

    Android with as few non-libre drivers as possible.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Replicant icon
    Replicant icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Replicant is a great Android alternative.

    • Replicant is Free and Open SourceAndroid is also Free and Open Source
    • Replicant is Privacy focused and Security-focusedAndroid is not according to our users
  12. Paranoid Android icon

    Paranoid Android

     34 likes

    Paranoid Android provides a unique experience and ultimate customization for your Android device.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Paranoid Android screenshot 1
     
  13. Fairphone Open icon

    Fairphone Open

     14 likes

    alternative, open source version of Fairphone OS, built by Fairphone, that puts transparency and ownership in the spotlight.

    45 Fairphone Open alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
     
  14. OxygenOS icon

    OxygenOS

     19 likes

    The new operating system from OnePlus, based on Android. OxygenOS is light and essential with subtle, useful features.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    Gestures
     
    |
    7
12 of 22 Android alternatives